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[MIS71MUM]

Got myself in a bit of a twist today.  I'm feeling so fed up and miserable and want to be the glass is half full girl that I used to be!
I suffer from Anxiety and Depression which I am sure is hormonal but was made worse by severe anaemia from heavy periods in June last year.
I'm on an AD but have recently started oestrogel and already feel much less anxious in my head and calmer.
I saw a gyny last night who advised that I have a fibroid which is 4.5 cm and causing the heavy periods.
But I understand that the oestrogel could increase the size of the fibroid, therefore gyny has advised a hysteroscopy and a ablation...
I don't want the op...part of me thinks I should just suffer and it will all go away.  But it takes me so long to get over my cycle and I have no energy or quality of life. 
To complicate things further I have to be careful of taking hrt as i am high risk of blood clot.
Feel so down at the moment and like I can't cope with everyday things anymore.
I hate this peri so much!

[CLKD]

   why should you suffer  …….. trouble is, when we feel unwell it's easier not to go for a procedure and hope that 'it' will go away.  Going into Hospital is a rigmarole only suited to people who are well  . 

Has your GP checked your iron levels?

[Dancinggirl]

Mis71mum
I would definitely follow your gynae's advice as having this minor procedure may well help.  He/She may also advice having a Mirena fitted while you are under anaesthetic as this can be really good to prevent further bleeding and will shrink fibroids.  If you were to have a Mirena then you can use as much oestrogel as you need. The peri stage can be so exhausting and the erratic bleeding  can be wearing - so I would ask about the Mirena as it can result in no bleeding at all in time which is fab - would probably help with the problems you are having over your cycle. Stay positive - you are doing the right things.  Dg x
 

[Hurdity]

Hi Mis71Mum

Sorry you are feeling rough - if you had a Mirena fitted as Dancinggirl says then surely you wouldn't need the ablation but I am not exactly clear about its use - I asked on your other thread.

Hurdity x

[MIS71MUM]

Thanks for the replies. 

Just beating myself up today with my inner critical voice...like why can't I do without the surgery, what will people think of me for taking time off for a non critical operation, will i loose my job, home, blah, blah.  What my therapist would catastrophy thinking.  When really I need to, for once, put myself first and not feel guilty about it.

I just know I need the hrt as without it, just on the AD's, I am very flat and energyless.  So by having this treatment, it will enable me to continue with HRT and relatively light periods....that's the plan anyway.

[Spangles]

Hi Mis71Mum,
Sorry to hear you are feeling this way. I had an ablation about 4yrs ago, initially it was good and I felt much better. I have several fibroids too, one which is 5cm, they didn't do anything to them though, they said it was to do with where they were. Unfortunately my periods came back with peri and HRT. Other than a historectomy there isn't anything they can do. I'm just not well enough to go through that mentally. I agree with CLKD that you need to be well to go through this, it isn't a minor procedure for everyone and like any surgery you need to recover. You must do what is right for you.
Good luck and I hope you feel well soon.
Shellb
xXx

[CLKD]

 

We are brought up to be people pleases - however, a person can only help others if they remain healthy! so jotting down the pros and cons might clear your mind?

[Kathleen]

Hello  Mis71Mum.

Sorry you have this problem but perhaps my experience will be of interest to you.

My periods were regular and heavy with clots and at 49 I had a scan which revealed a small fibroid. It was decided that no action was needed as I was likely near the menopause when fibroids usually shrink, in fact I continued to have regular periods for another 5 years. I began HRT 3 years after my last period and have been on  it ever since, I am now 59. Last year I had a hysteroscopy to investigate some bleeding and despite zero treatment and HRT my fibroid had completely disappeared.

I wonder if simple monitoring of your condition is an  option and this may be something to ask your  Gynae to consider?

Whatever you decide to do I wish you well and sending hugs.

K.

[MIS71MUM]

Many thanks for all the replies.

I keep meaning to mention that the Gyny won't advise the mirena because of my mood issues, so has suggested the ablation and hysteroscopy instead.

I think i'm going to see how my next period is before I do anything.  One question though, what causes the heaviness of a period, is it the fibroid it self or is it the lining?

thanks

[Mary G]

The Mirena coil can affect mood in some people so that must be why the gynaecologist is advising against it.  Although most of the progesterone in the Mirena stays in the womb, some of it definitely gets into your system and it was certainly enough to set off my migraines.

I'm afraid I don't know anything about fibroids and I'm not sure about the causes of heavy periods other than for me it is caused by a lot of oestrogen which I have now cut down on. 

I know it's not an easy decision but if you are using Oestrogel then it could be a good idea to go ahead in order to avoid heavy bleeding which could lead to you having to seriously cut down on the gel.  Have you asked the gynaecologist in detail how the ablation would affect your HRT regime.  How much progesterone will you have to take?

Once more question, can't you have the fibroids removed during the procedure?

[Taz2]

According to the British Fibroid Trust ablation is only suitable for "very small fibroids less than 4cm in diameter" http://www.britishfibroidtrust.org.uk/ablation.php

Taz x

[Kathleen]

Hello again Mis71Mum.

I think fibroids cause heavy bleeding because they increase the surface area of the uterus meaning more lining is created every month.  For example imagine how much more ground you'd cover walking up and down hills compared to a smooth flat road!

I'm sure the website mentioned by Taz2 would be worth a look.

Take care.

K.