Conference moira::parenting

    I've never been in your type situation so I can't answer your question.
    I just have a comment...I was told by a doctor I could never have
    children because of a medical problem.  Well, my TWO children were
    pretty happy the doctors were wrong.
    Best of luck to you,
    
    Marie

    I also had a myoctomy and then got pregnant.  Turned out when they did
    the c-section the doctor saw that many new tumors had developed and he
    even mumbled something about having thought about a hysterectomy before
    getting things sewed back together.  I'd say to just go for it -- what
    medical science doesn't understand could fill a large library.  

I just had a laparoscopy and the only thing my doctor found was that I had
fibroid tumors. He was very adamant about the fact that he did not feel that
fibroids caused infertility and that plenty of women who have had children
also had fibroids.  He said that it wasnt worth going through the major
surgery to remove them.....

Maureen

    
    >>He was very adamant about the fact that he did not feel that
    >>fibroids caused infertility and that plenty of women who have had
    >>children also had fibroids.
    
    Depends on how big the fibroids are and how many you have!
    
    Cyn

    I had a dermoid cyst removed when I was 25.  It was emergency surgery
    because the cyst (on the ovary) had become the size of a baseball.  The
    surgeon -- since then my only OB/GYN -- said he couldn't believe the
    size of the cyst.  He also had to remove the left ovary and fallopian
    tube.
    
    Two children, and 8 years, later I am happy to report that just one
    tube/ovary works just fine thank you!
    
    After surgery I jokingly asked my OB/GYN if I would only have the curse
    every other month from now on.  He assured me that the one remaining
    ovary would kick in and provide for the missing one.  Gee thanks!
    
    Still regular as rain (with only one ovary),
    
    Kathy
         

Ever hear of this one: my friend is 5 months pregnant and has been 
diagnosed (from an ultrasound) as having a one-inch fibroid tumor ON the 
placenta.

Her doctor told her that although fibroid tumors are common, it is rare
for one to occur on the placenta.  He told her that there is a possibility
that it will grow and take oxygen from the baby but he had no way of 
knowing whether this one will grow.

The doctor plans on doing another ultrasound at 7 months.

Any experiences with this?  Looking for some success stories.

    My sister-in-law who is due at the end of November found out that there
    are 3-4 fibroids that are about 3cm (diameter) in size in her uterus.
    She had an ultrasound 2 weeks ago after she complained about extreme
    cyatic pain. The Ob said that in most cases, the cysts get reabsorbed
    into the body and do not hurt the pregnancy. However, she is worried. 
    
    I searched with "fibroids" but did not find an entry. If you find one
    please direct me to it. However, has anyone had experience with
    fibroids during pregnancy?
    
    Thanks
    
    Shaila

    Check out the VMSZOO::Medical conference. 
    
    DIR/Title=fibro/all will get you some info.
    
    Jodi-
    

    A friend of mine delivered a big healthy baby at age 40 despite the
    fact that she was growing a very big fibroid rather low in her uterus.
    
    There is always risk and it is natural to worry but the outlook is very
    good.
    
    Congrats to the new mom. 

    re:1
    
    Thanks. I did check but I used "fibroids" as a search token. Should
    have used "fibroid" or "fibro". I also found note 150.0 right here :-)
    
    Shaila

    
       Hi,
    
        I guess I just want to find out more about fibroids, I checked 
    medical and then here.
    
       My doctor just told me last week that I have fibroids. I guess I
    just want more reassurance that they aren't 'deadly'.
    
       I'm 45 years old. Going through 'post menopause'. Just had a D and
    C about a month ago. Well last week the 'heavy bleeding' and a lot
    of pain had me calling my doctor before my six week check up after the
    D and C. It was a very painful exam. He told me that it was 'fibroids' 
    said they were non-cancerous. He put me on PREMARIN .625MG and
    MEDROXYPROGESTERONE 2.5MG...One a day of each. 
    
        He made a comment that if I continued with my 'heavy' bleeding the
    way I have I may need a hysterectomy. He said he didn't want to do
    that unless absolutely neccessary. I don't plan on having any children
    as I had my tubes tied. 
    
       I guess what I would like is comments from others who may have 
    been in the same situation or knew someone and how this medication
    helped them. 
    
       I guess I'm just needing more 'conversation' about his so's I
    don't worry about it. I tend to 'worry' a lot at first when I've
    discovered I've got something. I'm also not looking forward to
    any surgery, but of course if I need it I'll 'have' to. It's scarey
    all the same. Just like the bleeding I was having.  It was scarey
    to wake up several times during the night and walking so carefully
    to the bathroom before it was pouring all over the place. I've never
    done that even after having children or even when I had 'heavy' 
    periods, never this bad. 
    
    
        I started taking the pills Wednesday and I have slowed down, but
    still bleeding. I have an appointment Nov. 1st so he can see how I'm
    doing. 
    
         Rosie
    
       

    Rose,
    
    Most women have fibroids at one time or another, and the incidence
    increases as women approach menopause.  They generally shrink
    post-menopause.  Fibroids can be dealt with through lumpectomies (wrong
    terminology here, I am sure), or just left alone until they shrink. 
    There are hormonal treatments that can reduce them, but I gave my copy
    of "No More Hysterectomies" to a friend a long time ago.  I strongly
    recommend this book and a second, third and fourth opinion.
    
    meg
    
    meg

    
       Hi,
    
        I'm going to stop at the book store tommorrow and see if they
    have that book. I guess I just need to read everything I can.
    
       I guess that I feel it's weird that I have them at 45 years old.
    The doctor says I'm in post-menopause. 
    
        I hope the pills he gave me make them 'shrink'. 
    
        Thanks,
    
        Rosie

Rosie,

My mom has fibroids.  My mom also had tremendously heavy periods
-- even as a teenager, so the fibroids probably increased her
flow, but I'm not sure it was noticeable to her.

She is now in her 60s and she was a registered nurse before
she retired.  At one point, her gyn told her she needed a 
hysterectomy because her fibroids were the size of grapefruits.
She got a new doctor.  Later, that new doctor recommended a
hysterectomy because her fibroids were the size of oranges.
She figured if the tumors had gone from grapefruit-sized to
orange-sized that she was doing okay, so she either switched doctors
or ignored their advice.  She is quite satisfied with the outcome
of her decision.  I should also add that she was never in pain
so her philosophy was:  if they're not bothering me, I won't
bother them.  She did not take any medication to shrink them.
Mom also didn't have any trouble with anemia (which can be
a problem for heavy bleeders.)

It sounds like my mom's situation is a little different from
yours, but I thought you might like additional data points anyway...

Good luck on your quest for knowledge and control!

- Deb B.

    
        Thanks Deb, I'm going to read a book called "No MOre
    Hysterectomies" that was recommended. 
    
      I do appreciate the input. I just want to make sure the right 
    decisions are made for me. 
    
      For me (which is what's different from your mother's) is that the
    Heavy bleeding is not 'normal' for me and I do have pain with them. I'm 
    hoping that with time they'll either shrink or the bleeding and pain
    will get to where I won't have to wonder if I need surgery. 
    
      All the input I can get is good for me just to help with the 
    'worrying' I know I'm capable of doing if I don't ask for input on
    something that is going on. Plus, knowing how others handled it, or
    how it affected them gives me ideas on outcomes or possibilities. 
    Especially if women have had them and it seems almost 'normal' to
    have them to the point where they can be there and no need to worry,
    unless they cause more problems than a person can deal with.
    
        Thanks,
    
         rosie

    My sister-in-law's problem sounds similar.  She had incredibly heavy
    bleeding and terrible pain I think as often as every few weeks. I
    believe it was caused by fibriods (but not positive). Her mother
    also had the same problem around the same age - 43ish. This
    went on for a few years because her doctor recommended hysterectomy and
    she was terrified of surgery.  I believe she was on medication which
    didn't help.  The bleeding was horrible.  She frequently bled through
    everything. She wears business suits and works predominantly with men.
    She told stories of getting up from a meeting to find herself drenched.
    She was doubling up on mammoth sized pads.  Because of the loss of
    blood - for so long - she also became very run down and was exhausted
    all the time. It was unimaginable to me she went on for as long as she did. 
    Eventually she had a vaginal hysterectomy that left an ovary.  She's
    thrilled she did and said an unplanned on side benefit was her bad
    hormonal headaches are gone.
    
    Kathy  

    
        Standing up and finding she was drenched. I've been there. It was 
    indeed embarrassing. Fortunately only once I was with someone. It
    was a man and I told him that I had a slight problem. I asked him
    if he'd mind walking behind me while I went to the ladies room. He
    said. "Oh, I think I know what your talking about." I said. "monthly"
    So, he walked behind me and then we left where we were and I went
    right home. The other times this happened I was alone or home already.
    Never  had that happened to me before this. I can't imagine going
    through this every month for the next year.
    
       I'm glad to hear she finally went through the surgery and is glad
    she did. 
        Rosie