Fibroids and ovarian cysts - any advice?

[DeeK]

I have recently been diagnosed with fibroids and bilateral ovarian cysts.

I'll be seeing my dr. for advice from her on Thursday, but was looking for any experience y'all may have had. At this point my symptoms are very minor (some twingey abdominal pain once in awhile - seems to be mostly at ovulation). I imagine that is from the cysts. The fibroids do not seem to be presenting any symptoms of their own at this time.

I'm 51 --- I'm inclined to *watchfully wait* until menopause to see if things improve on their own. Unless, of course, symptoms increase. Then I would re-evaluate.

Any thoughts, advice, experiences you might share?

[tbb113]

Dee -
I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids a few years ago (at 42/43). I have been back on BCP ever since (9 weeks on/ 1 week off). They haven't bothered me ever since (I'm 47 now).

I'm patiently waiting for menopause to see what that does for me

[DeeK]

Dee -
I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids a few years ago (at 42/43). I have been back on BCP ever since (9 weeks on/ 1 week off). They haven't bothered me ever since (I'm 47 now).

I'm patiently waiting for menopause to see what that does for me

I'd like to stay off the hormones, but if it's hormones vs. surgery .... I'll go for the hormones. ;) Thanks for taking the time to post. I know it's kind of a "personal" topic. :o

[tbb113]

I agree...but my pain was pretty major (ended up needing Tylenol/codiene to control the pain). Not fun...this way, I'm pain free all month long. In the beginning there was still some pain on the 1 week off...but now I don't even have that. Plus the bonus of only having a period every 10 weeks :)

[GingerPow]

I'm patiently waiting for menopause to see what that does for me
My patience gave out awhile ago re: menopause. I say 'bring it on...NOW!' (Perimenopause is just annoying anymore).

I also have a fibroid, which developed about 5 years ago. I get checked every year, and my situation has also been a wait & see. The fibroid doesn't create much in the way of symptoms, the perimenopause however, is a different story. I'll be 50 next year, won't be having any more babies, so that menopause can just kick in any time it wants to.

I'm not taking any birth control pills, and will not do hormone replacement therapy. I'm into the nutritional route; flax seed, vitamins, organic (no hormones) chicken...

I was reading something awhile ago, if memory serves it was written by Dr. Christiane Northrup, which mentioned women develop fibroids as a result of years of doing for others, neglecting ourselves and not expressing our own creativity. The fibroid is, in essence, a creation that has been unexpressed elsewhere. I found that very interesting, and compellingly true for me.

[DeeK]

I was reading something awhile ago, if memory serves it was written by Dr. Christiane Northrup, which mentioned women develop fibroids as a result of years of doing for others, neglecting ourselves and not expressing our own creativity. The fibroid is, in essence, a creation that has been unexpressed elsewhere. I found that very interesting, and compellingly true for me.

Hmmm, interesting theory, but probably not my circumstance. I do for others, but I reserve time for myself and my own creativity too. On the other hand, maybe my uterus has higher standards for creativity. ;)

I haven't had much peri-menopause symptoms yet. At 51, they can't be too far off though.

I have recently changed my way of eating (drastically!), cutting out high-fat foods, high fructose corn syrup and eating more fruits, veggies and whole-grain foods. I'm hoping that losing some excess weight will help with my overall health (lower cholesterol, blood sugar and triglycerides).

My physical last week REALLY opened my eyes. It's time to make some serious changes and start thinking about my long-term health and what kind of old person I want to be --- healthy or not healthy.

[GingerPow]

On the other hand, maybe my uterus has higher standards for creativity. ;) Hhhmmm, a uterus with it's own mind? Interesting theory, DeeK... :D
My physical last week REALLY opened my eyes. It's time to make some serious changes and start thinking about my long-term health and what kind of old person I want to be --- healthy or not healthy.
Then it's a positive thing. Part of my perimenopause symptoms kicking in when they did is due to a hypothyroid condition, which I have pretty well in control now. I have always been fairly health conscious, but the thyroid/hormonal/peri issue is what really got me serious about my long term vision for my health & how I intend to live my life.

Here are two great message boards to ask questions, and where I have learned much from the experiences of other women - often more usable information than what doctors tell you.
Power Surge (http://www.power-surge.com/php/forums/index.php) A menopause related message board.
Bella (http://forums.bellaonline.com/categories.php?Cat=) Check the forum marked "Health."

Best of luck to you with this!

[ChristyMarie]

My mother just had her second fibroid surgery. Her's were quite extreme and debilitating - very heavy bleeding and seriously painful cramps. However, if you do end up going the surgery route, know that hers were both very easy, simple procedures and she had a very quick recovery - I think after the last one she went shopping the next day.

[ISAIAH30_18]

Well I'm extremly jealous that all of you are close enough to menopause to wait it out. I just had surgery at the end of October that was just supposed to be a "look around" to see why I had the severe pain I had. Nothing showed up on the sonogram so she (dr) didn't know what to expect.
It was a lemon sized fibroid that made me feel like my uterus was going to explode if I touched my stomach during that time of the month. (along with severe endometriosis that doubtfully caused any pain). I ended up having a catheter for a week because my bladder took a beating getting the fibroid out!
I'm 34 and have breast cancer looming overhead via my mom...hormones aren't an option. I don't even like taking bc but have to to prevent pregnancy. My dr wants me to stay on bc to keep the endometriosis at bay...but there is no way I want to stay on them 15-20 more years!! I said she could take the uterus, I was done with it...but I'm too young. I'm also at rist for uterine cancer, which the bc helps, but.........
I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't. And don't even know where else to look for advice!
Sorry to hijack...I'm just jealous that you are close to a natural decision.

[2HUNGRY!]

I have been using castor oil packs to deal with my cysts. It seems to be helping, but I've only been using them for a couple of weeks. Here 's the link I used to get instructions:
http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/castor-oil.html

[DeeK]

Power Surge (http://www.power-surge.com/php/forums/index.php) A menopause related message board.
Bella (http://forums.bellaonline.com/categories.php?Cat=) Check the forum marked "Health."

Best of luck to you with this!

Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to check it out before I go visit Dr. Carol on Thursday.

[DeeK]

My mother just had her second fibroid surgery. Her's were quite extreme and debilitating - very heavy bleeding and seriously painful cramps. However, if you do end up going the surgery route, know that hers were both very easy, simple procedures and she had a very quick recovery - I think after the last one she went shopping the next day.

That's good to hear! Glad your mom is doing well.

I had gallbladder surgery in 1991 that went like that...surgery on Tuesday - went to son's soccer game on Thursday.

Wellll, if I HAVE to have surgery I'll be hoping I'm like your mom! :D

[DeeK]

Well I'm extremly jealous that all of you are close enough to menopause to wait it out. I just had surgery at the end of October that was just supposed to be a "look around" to see why I had the severe pain I had. Nothing showed up on the sonogram so she (dr) didn't know what to expect.
It was a lemon sized fibroid that made me feel like my uterus was going to explode if I touched my stomach during that time of the month. (along with severe endometriosis that doubtfully caused any pain). I ended up having a catheter for a week because my bladder took a beating getting the fibroid out!
I'm 34 and have breast cancer looming overhead via my mom...hormones aren't an option. I don't even like taking bc but have to to prevent pregnancy. My dr wants me to stay on bc to keep the endometriosis at bay...but there is no way I want to stay on them 15-20 more years!! I said she could take the uterus, I was done with it...but I'm too young. I'm also at rist for uterine cancer, which the bc helps, but.........
I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't. And don't even know where else to look for advice!
Sorry to hijack...I'm just jealous that you are close to a natural decision.

Sorry to hear you are going through so much. I hope it gets better for you soon.