Wellness

[donor]

Hoping for a little reassurance and advice. Have had benign fibroids and two D@Cs over the last 3 years or so. 58 years old. Have recently started spotting again and in the last couple days WAY more than spotting. Have vaginal ultrasound on Tuesday but have any of you had this situation lately and I wonder if the treatment options have changed in the last couple years? Thank you for a little hand holding.....

[adelle38]

I put up with that for years before I finally had a Hysterectomy at your age. I'm so glad I did.

[marmot24]

Sorry you're goin thru this. I too had the same symptoms 10 yrs ago. Had 2.D&C in same year. Finally a hysterectomy solved the problem once and for all. Was just about your age too. Like Adeli it was the best thing I,ever did. No,problems since. Good luck.

[Lacey1]

I agree, rather than deal with D&Cs, hormones, discomfort-get the hysterectomy. I'm glad I did. If there is any history of female, (estrogen) cancer in your history-peace of mind.

[TootyJane]

This happened to my Mom several years ago. She was about 81 when she started spotting. Her GYN kept an eye on it by performing several Pap smears, she then had a couple of D&Cs but ultimately GYN referred her to an oncologist, who did another Pap smear and it was determined she did have cancer. Mom then had a complete hysterectomy. Be your own advocate, whether or not if there is family history of cancer (my Mom's family has no history of cancer) you know your own body. Good luck to you.

[pattiewaddle]

Yes and I was trying to reach menopause so they would stop growing.Had to see my Dr. because of so much pain....He also felt if we could get me to menopause things would be better.after my surgery he told me I had a 51/2 lb fibroid the size of a canolope. I felt so much better after the surgery..I walked alot before so that really helped me.You will feel so much better if you go ahead and have the hysterectomy.....I had been with this Dr since my early 30's so he knew my history very well.Best of luck you will be so happy that you did..

[Gracies Mom]

Same thing happened to me at age 55 (I'm 57 now). I didn't think much of the spotting until I realized it wasn't stopping--I went six months like that until I finally went to my gyn. He did a D&C and found I had endometrial cancer!!! I was stunned!! Had a hysterectomy and thank goodness, it was not an aggressive cancer and had not spread. I opted not to go for radiation since I was assured it was non-aggressive. However, 18 months later, I started spotting again and rushed to my surgeon--he found my cancer came back--superficially--he removed it in his office and I had 28 weeks of external radiation and five weeks of internal--finished all of my treatments this past September. Now I have to be examined every three months--and I go for a CAT scan next week (just to be extra careful). I have hope that my cancer will not come back, but am seeing doctors a lot the next few years to make sure that if it does, I will catch it early.

I don't want to scare you, but I want you to GO TO THE DOCTOR and have the spotting checked out--DO NOT WAIT like I did.

God Bless and best of luck!!!

[adelle38]

Just to reassure you, having fibroids does not increase your chances of having uterine cancer and fibroids do not become cancerous.

[ahoymate]

I would not get a hysterectomy, unless I had no other options. This is old medicine! Fibroids do shrink and go away after menopause.

There are new drugs & techniques. Condolezza Rice had this problem and had uterine artery embolization (UAE) Do your homework and don't be talked into a hysterectomy by your MD unless it is the last choice. Remember, they make $$ on surgery. The UAE, a radiologist performs this and therefore your gynecologist doesn't get the procedure.

[nagrom]

Years ago I had the same problem. Only I was in my early 40s. Had taken the birth control pills but did not help. Had D&C still no relief. I was not spotting but having menstrual flooding. Went thru pads every hour along with tampons. Back then the doctors did not want to perform hysterectomies so it took two years and a change of doctors to get relief. My new doctor performed a hysterectomy and I returned to work three weeks later feeling like a new person. Got tons of energy afterwards and so worth it. My doctor said I could have a uterine ablation (spelling) but the fibroids could come back. I never regretted the hysterectomy.

Good luck. Whatever you chose to do, know you have options and the final decision is yours.