| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| angelsmith13 |
Posted - Sep 22 2007 : 7:14:59 PM
I have just been diagnosed as having a fibroid that is the size of a 10 week pregnancy. My doctor wants me to have a hysterectomy but I do not have that much trouble with it, just painful periods, My question to you all is : Have any of you ever used any alternative ways of healing fibroids or have you been able to live for a long time without them growing? My doctor says that they will for sure grow but I have done research that says no one knows if they will grow. If you all have a story to share with me I would appreciate it. |
| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Sep 22 2007 : 11:44:01 PM
Angel .. listen to your doctor(s) .. and a second (and even third) is important when it comes to surgery. Honey .. i had those since i was about 30 years old .. got to be the size of DOUBLE GRAPEFRUITS in my late 40's. since i wasn't going to have more children (but was not menapausal) .. but my gyn said it was not too far in the future. he told me that mine 'might' shrink .. but not necessarily .. they were causing heavy bleeding .. and he suggested i have a 'hysterical-ectomy' .. because if i went through menapause and they still caused bleeding .. i would be on his doorstep at home worrying to death about them! he asked if i wanted my ovaries taken even if they were healthy. i asked what he would recommend if i were his WIFE. he said 'remove' them .. because you are a 'worrier' .. OH YESSS i was .. BIG TIME when it came to my 'parts'!
they were healthy .. he took 'em anyway .. and i no longer had ANY problems or bleeding .. no fears of 'late-in-life' pregnancy either! AND .. my dear cousin got ovarian cancer .. sooo .. i looking back .. i am VERY thankful that i had it all done!
ALSO .. for some strange reason .. i think i 'by-passed' menapause .. oh every now and then .. i'll have a 'warm moment' .. but NOTHING like my menapause friends tell me that hot flashes are like!
but again! ASK YOUR DOCTOR .. based on your personal medical history and what is going on in YOUR body. xo
True Friends, Frannie
FREEDOM VALLEY FARM
KENTUCKY
http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com/
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| Alee |
Posted - Sep 22 2007 : 9:42:35 PM
I have a friend that had a c-section to remove a large fibroid. She is my age (around 25) so she was very concerned about being able to bear children in the future. Her doctor told her she would need a complete hysterectomy, but she got a second opinion who said surgery was an option. So you might want to get a second opinion before you have anything drastic done.
*hugs* I am so sorry you have to deal with this.
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora!
http://home.test-afl.tulix.com/aleeandnora/ |
| babs |
Posted - Sep 22 2007 : 9:19:31 PM
Hi Angel,
I would like to introduce you to Susun Weed. She has a book called "New Menopausal Years, The Wise Woman Way". I think this is a must have for any woman 30+. I'm going to briefly highlight this section for you, and if you have specific interest let me know and I'll offer more detail rather than type the entire chapter. ;)
Step 1, Collect Information~
She says..
"Small fibroids rarely cause symptoms and often disappear spontaneously, so they need cause you no concern. Large fibroids can exert pressure on the bladder, bowels, and sensitive pelvic nerves, causing a variety of symptoms including dull pelvic pain, bloating, frequent urination, constipation, infertility, and severe menstrual pain and flooding. While large fibroids are more difficult to resolve than small ones many women have shrunk theirs without resorting to hysterectomy, the standard treatment for most menopausal women in the USA. (More hysterectomies are done because of fibroids than for any other reason.)" Pg.14
Step 2, Engage the Energy~
She states that fibroids usually shrink after menopause, and suggests:
Reiki
Step 3, Nourish and Tonify~
Exercise - "One womans fibroids (and menstrual cramps) disappeared within 3 months of beginning a vigorous exercise program. Another found it increased her bleeding a lot. Exercise does help insure regular ovulation, and regular ovulation seems to discourage fibroids."
Lignans - are anti estrogenic phytoestrogens. COnsuming 3 or more servings of whole grains daily not only reduces the size of fibroids, but offers protection from several cancers.
Beans
Red clover
Strengthening the liver (snip) helps it metaboliz strong estrogens into weak ones, thus reducing fibroids.
glycerin macerate of Sequoia gigantica buds
an anti estrogenic brew ( a blend of tinctures, I can donate a yarrow tincture if you want to try this)
chasteberry tincture (can shrink small fibroids within 2 months)
Step 4. Sedate/Stimulate
Acupunture
Poke Root
Cotton Root Bark
Castor Oil packs and ginger compresses - relieve pain and help shrink fibroids
And notes a caution against use of Don Quai
Step 5. Use Drugs
avoid progesterone (there is a very heated debate on its role and use in treatment)
Depo provera is used to stop excessive bleeding
large fibroids may be reduced by reducing the amount of estradiol and other estrogens in the blood, avoid birth control and hormone replacement. Switch to organic foodstuffs to avoid estrogen contamination.
Lupron is a drug which induces artificial menopause and may be used by women with problematic fibroids to quickly lower the estradiol levels. More than half the women who take it experience significant decrease in the size of their fibroids within 8-12 weeks. Fibroids may return when the drug is withdrawn - most often used before surgery.
Step 6 Break and Enter
There are new surgical procedures, educate yourself!
Hysteroscopic resection - removes fibroids from within the uterus with the aid of a scope and a laser.
Uterine embolization - The blood vessels serving the fibroid are closed off by the injection of various substances.
Supracervical hysterectomy - the uterine body is cut away leaving only the cervix.
A full hysterectomy should be last resort and for goodness sake don't let them take your ovaries. As Susun says, and I quite agree with her... "The presence of non-symptomatic fibroids is never sufficient reason, to my mind, for a hysterectomy."
Doctors seem to think that once you are done bearing children or too old to begin there is little use for the organ.
Gah, I just found the majority of this article online - http://www.fwhc.org/health/fibroids-help.htm
Also Hysterectomy Hysteria: or .... How to hang onto your uterus by Carole Tashel, Clinical Herbalist is another good article. http://susunweed.com.herbshealing.com/herbal_ezine/December04/pf_menopausal.htm
Well I hope that helps, hopefully someone will chime in with a story of personal victory over fibroids. :)
Of course, work with your doctor, but if your doctor won't work with you, it's time to get a new doctor.
Babs |
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