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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,322
Registered: ‎02-22-2015

Anyone have fibroids?

[ Edited ]

Found out last week I have a bleeding fibroid. Who would have expected that? Caught me off guard, for sure! I'm 70!

 

Have been through an ultrasound, an echocardiogram, and so many other tests! My GYN put me on Lacex (sp?) which stopped the bleeding in a few days.

 

Seems there is one fibroid. My ovaries are still healthy (I have the measurements; she was surprised they weren't shriveled up) and other organs are "pink and plump". Another unusual characteristic in women my age. I blushed at that!

 

We went over the three options: (1) do nothing, which I opted for at this time; (2) a UFE, which I would consider (later) if necessary, or (3) hysterectomy, which I nixed. I explained my mom had fibroids and a hysterectory in her 50's and was not surprised. Just surprised it appeared at my age.

 

I'm to continue on the diuretic daily and return for a follow-up in six weeks.

 

Has anyone experienced fibroids so late in life? Comments?

 

I'm really glad I continue to go for paps and have a great GYN, whom I trust and knows me well.

 

PS: My son and DIL are worried. I've told them it is not cancerous and given all test results for them to read at their convenience.  

Money screams; wealth whispers.
Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,070
Registered: ‎03-23-2010

I have fibroids also but no bleeding. They say no further treatment needed unless they would start to bleed. From what I understand they are common.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,094
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

 

 

i understood they go away on their own.i really do not know,but I did hear that from a Dr.

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,233
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

@BirkiLadyI have several years on you and my fibroids have not disappeared.  About 25 years ago, I went to see a new gyno - she told me I needed to have a hysterectomy immediately!  She offered no other options.

 

I called my insurance company and asked about getting a second opinion and was told they'd already received the first doctor's details and I didn't need a second.  I might not have needed it, but I certainly wanted it.  Insurance paid for the second opinion-  and I found another new gyno!

 

So here I am 25 years later, having had no surgery and fortunately no bleeding or pain, but just this week my GP was doing a physical and couldn't believe the abdominal mass he felt.  I will go for another pelvic exam, but I'm 99% sure that "mass" will turn out to be my fibroids still in place after all this time!

 

I know that one possible danger is having to face emergency surgery if bleeding were to be uncontrollable, but I'm taking that risk.  None of the doctors I've seen in all the years has suggested my fibroids are a cancer danger, something that would most likely have changed my decisions.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,322
Registered: ‎02-22-2015

@millieshopsThat's the decision my GYN and I agreed to last week. She's good with it, as am I (of course!). She does, however, want to check me again in six weeks. That makes me feel even more comfortable in her care. Thanks for your helpful response. 

Money screams; wealth whispers.
Occasional Contributor
Posts: 9
Registered: ‎08-23-2010

Please, please, please get a second opinion.  My daughter had fibroids that bled.  Her specialist said “that’s what fibroids do”! She did not feel comfortable with this diagnosis.   She was lucky enough to get an appointment with a top Boston surgeon.  Thank God as it was uterine sarcoma!!!!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,233
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

@BirkiLadyHaving a doctor you feel good trusting is just so important.  I  know you'll go for the follow up with your doctor before another decision is made. 

 

I'm hoping you, too, can procede without any further treatment beyond routine checks.  Do those when your gyno suggests -  I hate the internal sonogram prep, but I seem to feel better when I find out afterward that nothing much has changed.

 

 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,322
Registered: ‎02-22-2015

@13b2gHave already had a second opinion. It mirrored my GYN's original statements. Due to my other health issues, I'm not able to take progesterin and the second GYN agreed with my GYN to take the diuretic to stop the bleeding. It worked. I'm in excellent hands. Thanks for your comment. 

Money screams; wealth whispers.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,419
Registered: ‎03-12-2010

I had fibroids but were taken out in 83. Bleeding was so bad, i opted for a full and complete hysterectomy.

 

What is kind of similar for me is. My mom was lactose intolerant all her life. We grew up with milk and milk products. Not a lick of problems. Within the past 6 months, I am now lactose intolerant. I can not eat any milk products without some very serious side effect. I ask myself why now.I too am 70 myself, Who knows why after all these years does this happen. I have been to so many gastro doctors trying to figure out what in the heck the problem was. Once it was narrowed down to lactose I stopped all milk products and not a lick of problem since. If I even taste some homemade mac/cheese my daughter makes when she invites dh and i over for a meal, i pay dearly.  I just watch like a hawk what I eat.

Regular Contributor
Posts: 238
Registered: ‎07-23-2010

I like you was told wait  and see with the fibroids that I had....well after waiting for several years delivered a 7lb baby fibroid....filled the pan....Part of the fibroid was behind the wall of the uterus and he was only feeling a part of it  turned into emergency surgery don't fool around with it....harder on you the older you are to have surgery......