Diagnosed With Fibroids – Now What?

Fibroids diagnosis was the last thing I thought I had to be concerned with. Especially since they had never shown up on any imaging I’ve had done. So imagine my surprise when I went in for a uterine surgical procedure only to come out with not only an incomplete procedure but also learning I had fibroids. Massive ones.

Yea you read that right. If you missed the whole story of how that happened; no worries, here’s a link to my failed ablation story.

What Even Are Fibroids?

According to the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ACOG), fibroids are defined as:

benign (not cancer) growths that develop from the muscle tissue of the uterus. They also are called leiomyomas or myomas.

ACOG

Basically they’re annoying, invasive, fibrous tumors that have sworn an oath to the biological gods to wreak havoc on your reproductive system.

Don’t believe me? Keep reading. I’ll make a believer out of you yet.

Fibroid Symptoms

Fibroids don’t always have symptoms, but when they do; they make sure to show all the way out. Symptoms include but are not limited to:

• Changes in menstruation
  • Longer, more frequent, or heavy menstrual periods
  • Menstrual pain (cramps)
  • Vaginal bleeding at times other than menstruation
  • Anemia (from blood loss)
• Pain
  • In the abdomen or lower back (often dull, heavy and aching, but may be sharp)
  • During sex
• Pressure
  • Difficulty urinating or frequent urination
  • Constipation, rectal pain, or difficult bowel movements
  • Abdominal cramps
• Enlarged uterus and abdomen
• Miscarriages
• Infertility

My Personal Experience

Honestly, it’s hard to know when my fibroid symptoms began because as we all know, my body has been a cabaret of health issues for the last 5 years. Many of the symptoms of fibroid tumors can mirror symptom of other disorders that I have such as hypothyroidism.

I had excessive bleeding starting in 2017 which at first was assumed to be due to my thyroidectomy. My cycle was and is aggressively painful, it would last as long as 30 days sometimes, I am anemic, my uterus is enlarged to the size of a 5 month pregnancy last time they checked and constipation is definitely a thing I have to contend with. I can’t speak to infertility because I am not actively trying to have kids and also my tubes are tied.

I think the most frustrating thing of it all is that I don’t have real definitive answers yet. Like I know I have them, I know they’re big according to the surgeon; but I don’t know how many there are or how large they are. The only thing I do know is that I was told I need to just “have a hysterectomy” which I’m perfectly fine with.

But.

Of course there’s a but. The caveat is I need to be smaller to be eligible for that.

And that folks is the story of my entire medical career. Not being diagnosed soon enough, missed diagnoses and of course all of my resolutions being inaccessible because I am fat.

The Wrap Up

Of course I am frustrated and annoyed and exhausted by bleeding every month like a stuck pig. Being told that I’m too fat to be cared for by the health care system also gets old; but what can I do besides continue down the path (however begrudgingly) to weight loss surgery?

I’m doing all that I can now which is to treat the symptoms, stock up on incontinent pads and keep the pharma company responsible for ibuprofen in business. My advice as always ladies? If something feels off, INSIST on every test possible until you get the proper diagnosis and care.

I’m sure this saga is not over and I will be back with an update for sure.

Until Next Time,