Hi my name is Rachelle and I’m 32 years old. I had an myomectomy in October last year with one huge fibroid, as big as a watermelon. I’m African American, why are they more common in my race? And are they heriditary? And what causes fibroids to reoccurr?

Dear Rachelle-
Researchers have not been able to ascertain why fibroids appear more often in the African American race.
This disease definitely has genetic roots-most of my patients have a family history of the problem. There are some schools of thought that feel diet may play a part-especially those high in Fat. Women have experienced some reduction in symptoms when they convert to a low fat diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.

Dr. DelJunco,
I am 45 yrs. old and have a fibroid tumor in the lining of my uterus. This has grown enlarging my uterus to about 16-20 wk. I am having conversation with my Ob/Gyn regarding Myomectomy vs. removal of uterus only. I am not convinced that either way is the way to go and have been anti-hysterectomy for years. I am very interested in preserving my parts, not for childbearing, but for many many personal, emotional reasons.
Please have someone contact me regarding your procedure. As asap would be ideal as scheduling of my procedure is within days.
I live in Phoenix, Az.
Thank you in advance for your response.

Dear Barbara-
Sorry it took me so long to respond. I understand that you are already in contact with my office. Look forward to seeing you soon.
Dr. DJ

Dear Barbara:

I am also 45 and have undergone FAS in March. I posted this message so that you know you are NOT alone in this quest – to the contrary. If you read some of my posts on this BB you’ll see that I am extremely happy with the results. Look under “Greetings” an “FAS – My second look”. I am also a member of a new support group on fibroids at onelist.com. You’ll find more details there too. Hope this helps – you may be independent-minded, like yours truly, but it’s nice to know someone else has been down the path and glad to have done it! Best of luck,
Mica

Dr. del Junco Jr,
I am 32 years old and on 08-05-99 I had a D&C/exploritory Laporoscopy. My doctor spoke to my husband after the surgery and explained to him that I did have endometriosis and had a large cyst in which he removed. I still feel pain, but I think its because I am still sore. He also told my husband that he was going to put me on the birth control pills to try and control the problem and if that did not work he wanted to do a hysterectomy. Now I myself have a enlarged uturs which mearures 16 to 20 weeks gestasion. Having sexual intercourse has always been painful and after this surgery I am now afraid to have sex and having it to hurt. What do you think I should do or do you have any suggestions. Need help.

Thank you,
Dolores

Dear Dolores-
The BCPs may temporarily remove the pain as they will regulate your estrogen and prevent the endometriosis from flaring up each month, and will reduce the reoccurrence of the cysts. However, the painful sexual intercourse is probably due to your large uterus which may be due to multiple fibroids deep in the muscle or Adenomyosis, which is endometriosis of the uterine muscle wall. This can be very painful. BCPs will only delay treatment. Our procedure can treat ALL your pathologies; I would not recommend waiting further for treatment. This disease will only get worse. Please call my office if you need further assistance.

I am a 34 year old mother of two. I have been diagnosed with fibroids and am scheduled for a hysterectomy in the near future. I’m really torn. At this point, there are many people in my life telling me that I should only get the tumors removed. I am leaning more towards getting the entire uterus removed. The reason for this is I have two co-workers who both had fibroid tumors. One co-worker had the tumors removed in 1998. One of the tumors weighed almost 6 pounds. Well a year later, her tumors have returned. They’re not as big as the ones that were removed, but they’re back! The other co-worker with fibroid tumors had her entire uterus removed about 3 years ago. She is doing great. She has no complaints, no depression, nothing! This is why I’m torn…..I want to feel better but I don’t want to be facing this same decision somewhere down the road. Sorry for writing a “book”, but can ya help me?!?!

Dear Maria-
In my opinion, you are far too young to have a hysterectomy!!!!!!
Your friend that had the fibroid removed is a very typical myomectomy story!!!! Her tumors did NOT come back, they were never completely removed during her surgery. Her gynecologist only removed the larger tumors and, as is common, the smaller ones grew over the next few years to start problems all over again.
We do not have that problem with our surgery. Just recently I operated on a woman who came in with 5 large tumors showing on an ultrasound and I ended up removing 40 from her uterus! If you leave the tumors, they will grow.
As far as post hysterectomy complications, there is no way to know pre surgery if you will be a candidate for these problems. If we knew this, we could spare many women future problems. If you could speak to women that call with these post-surgery problems, especially depression and sexual changes, it is very sad. There is no need for you to even take a chance, Maria. Our FAS procedure can solve your problem and allow you to keep your uterus. At your young age, please consider it.

Dear Maria:

I wish I could write a long story, but I only have limited space here to ask you to reconsider this very DRASTIC procedure. I WAS a fibroid patient for 7 years before Dr. del Junco Jr. removed the source of my problems. I had 5 opinions, including my brother – an otherwise excellent doctor, but trained conservatively – all the big H. I fought everyone, including my colleagues who are “happy” with hysterectomy (so happy that if they forget the “patch” their entire day is ruined), but they choose not to address the real issue – major side effects. I had 37 fibroids removed, some 9 cm, some as tiny as pebbles, ovarian cysts and other growths. This happened last March. I had my follow up with the doctor 31/2 months later, and eveything is CLEAR. I am 45, in excellent health and mental state and look around me – now my colleagues silently envy me, not because they are bad people, but because they did not have the benefit of FAS, like I did. I can see it in their eyes, but now they have to accept the inevitable, and I DON’T!
Before I end this long message, remember that life is a string a choices, some you can amend later, and some YOU CAN’T. I hope you will find it reasonable to give YOURSELF a second chance. This is about YOU, not other people.
I’ll be happy to give you more details, and just look at some other posts I have on Onelist.fibroids, and WEBMD.
Best wishes,

Mica

Dear Dr.,
I have left sided pain and small amount of bleeding, have seen dark blood. I am 51 years old and my two drs. gynocologist did a ultrasound and a cat scan. They say I have a fibroid and an enlarged endometrial stripe or strip. Does that mean cancer? On Oct. 1, I am scheduled for a D&C and an endometrial eblation. I am afraid that there will be a lot of pain afterward with the laser. Will it hurt much afterward. I have no pain level at all. I know they burn off the endometrium with a laser, is it like a fire burn? I am also under great stress and blood pressure is very high. I am scared to death that I will have a stroke when I go under. I am taking ativan for panic attacks. Thank you very much . Carolyn P.S. If anyone can help me please feel free to e mail me.

Dear Carolyn-
An enlarged endometrial strip does NOT necessarily mean cancer. Pain thresholds vary with each person-endometrial ablation can be painful postoperatively. You should be having further discussion with you gynecologist until you feel comfortable with your upcoming procedure.

Dear Carolyn –

Although I am not a doctor, my first question to you would be if you had an endometrial biopsy – I know this is fairly standard procedure, along with a hormone panel. I had to have them done before my FAS, back last March. Do you wonder WHY the doctor is in such a hurry to ablate your endometrium before he/she had a chance to at least sample it? Perhaps you would be less “panicky” if you had some extra tests done – or even search for a second, or third opinion. As I surf the web and chat with so many women, this is so prevalent – such a hurry to perform D&C’s or, like you said, “burn” the endometrium. But WHY not find out first if our hormones are imbalanced, or even if you have experienced some other condition? I ALWAYS wonder WHY – and sometimes I am a pain, but I’ll get my answers in the end. Don’t give up, and above all, leave no place for panic in your life. Please see some other postings I have on this site under “FAS – My second look”. Pretty soon they’ll be archived!! Good luck –

Mica

I am a healthy 45 year old with three fibroids the size of oranges, detected by my doctor and ultrasound. My doctor suggests a partial hysterectomy with leaving my ovaries. Is there any alternative?

Dear Pdiiacova-
You do have an alternative-FAS!!! We do not believe in removing your uterus for benign disease. Our procedure is safe and very effective at removing tumors with a laser so our recurrence rates are extremely low in comparison to the traditional myomectomy.
I just operated on a patient on Monday who had 60 tumors in her uterus-we were able to successfully removed the tumors and reconstruct her uterus. She still has her organ and is now at lower risk for all the hysterectomy complications listed on the website.
We can help you-please call my office.

I am 41 with four fibroids the size of an orange.
I am scheduled for a myomectomy and am afraid. My
fibroids are in the uterine lining and therefore
I am told laser surgery is not an option. I am
fearful of anesthesia and also have a low tolerance for pain. help!!! One fibroid doubled
in size within size months. The others don’ really bother me other than heavy menstrual cramping and bleeding. Should I leave them alone?

Dear Anonymous-
You are the classic patient, a victim of traditional gynecological medicine. The wait and see approach only prolongs the inevitable. Your symptoms will only progress and become more severe. The tumors should be removed. Unfortunately, you were counselled incorrectly about the use of lasers. The foundation of FAS is the utilization of three different laser techniques for the removal of tumors. How one utilizes the laser is of the utmost importance. FAS is very successful in treating this disease process regardless of the tumor location within the substance of the uterus.
Many patients are fearful of anesthesia-this is normal.
At the Institute we advocate the use of epidural anesthesia so are patients can avoid unnecessary general anesthesia complications.
We can definitely help you, please contact us asap.

HI,

I’M 39 YEARS OLD AND 2 WEEKS AGO I WAS TOLD BY MY DOCTOR I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A HYSTERECTOMY. ON OCT 26 I WENT FOR AN ULTRASOUND AND I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY DOCTOR ON NOV. 8

WHEN THE DOCTOR DID THE VAGINAL EXAMINATION HE TOLD ME THAT I HAVE FIBROID TUMORS. AS I’M READING THE ARTICLE ON FAS I FIND THIS TO BE VERY INTERESTING. ON NOV. 8 I WILL MENTION THIS TO MY DOCTOR. HE TOLD ME HE WOULD TRY AND LEAVE MY OVARIES THERE BECAUSE OF MY AGE (IF HE DIDN’T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEM)

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT MY SYSTOMS I HAVE MOST OF THE ONES MENTIONED IN YOUR ARTICLE BUT WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS WHEN I’M SITTING UPRIGHT I’M VERY UNCOMFORTABLE ITS A PRESSURE IN MY LOWER STOMACH. DO OTHER WOMEN HAVE THESE PROBLEMS?
I AM VERY AFRAID OF SURGERY HOW IT WILL BE AFTER SURGERY AND 1 OF MY BIGGEST PROBLEMS IS THAT I HAVE ALOT OF PAIN DURING SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AND I FEEL GUITY WHEN I TURN MY HUSBAND AWAY!!
CAN SOMEBODY HELP??

Dear Ann-
You are the classic fibroid patient that has waited an extended period of time for help. Your uterus is probably so large that it is now pressing upward to your stomach. Liken this situation to carrying a child-
the larger the fibroids get the bigger the uterus and it has only so much room to fill in the abdominal cavity before compressing other organs. Other problems associates with this are urinary frequency (bladder pressure), constipation (bowel pressure), painful intercourse (uterine pressure). All are typical for fibroids. You most definitely need to have the tumors removed, and the sooner the better. We do not recommend a hysterectomy for this disease, as you may only be exchanging these problems for others. Our FAS procedure would definitely help you. Good Luck

I am a 38 year old female that has been diagnosed with 1 large pedunculated fibroid on a stalk outside the uterus(4inches) and 3 other small fibroids(1 inch) inside the lining of the uterus. I am scheduled for a myomectomy on Jan. 18. I have been experiencing very painful periods and heavy bleeding for the past year. The pain usually lasts all night from 9:00pm until about 6am. The next couple of days my stomach feels like someone punched me and I am swollen. I am scared of surgery but am hoping that the myomectomy will help. I notice most of the pain the day after I start bleeding and it is associated with bowel pain. My doctor is not recommending a hysterectomy but just a removal of all the fibroids. Would the size of the fibroids I describe cause my stomach to be enlarge? I have felt like I have gained weight in the abdominal area. I hope I am making the right decision.

Dear Carac-
I am pleased that your doctor has not recommended a hysterectomy. You are far too young to even consider that as an option. There is a possibility that the pedunculated fibroid may be compressing your stomach-which could contribute to the associated pain. Your doctor should let you know if this was the case after the surgery. If not you should see a gastroenterologist.
Hopefully, your doctor plans to remove the other fibroids in the uterus as well. Do not consent for a hysterectomy when you sign for the myomectomy. Chances are you have many more fibroids than just the ones showing up on ultrasound. Your symptoms of abdominal distention are classic for multiple fibroid tumors. With a simple myomectomy, small tumors are left behind and may produce future problems. We are removing an average of 25 tumors per patient at each surgical setting. If you are having surgery, hopefully it is thorough. Good Luck

For about 3 years I have suffered with long-duration (7-10 days) painful, heavy menstrual bleeding, which is affecting my quality of life. My GYN put me on lo-ovral for 3 months then gave me a stronger birth control pill for another 2 months. The stronger one seemed to be working, but my blood pressure went up and my physician took me off of them. Now I’m back to square one. My GYN told me I was not a candidate for “cutting off the blood supply to the fibroids” because of their location and now thinks I should have a hysterectomy. I asked her if they would only take my uterus and she explained she would probably take the ovaries also. I am 47 years old and my children are grown. What should I be asking the doctor?

Dear Anonymous-
You should not be asking them any more questions, they clearly have a medical philosophy that they want to follow and it is not organ preservation. You should be telling them that there is no need to have you organs removed for simple benign tumors. You most definitely do not need your ovaries removed, as this will prematurely place you in menopause and on hormone replacement for the rest of your life. Our procedure can help you-FAS is the answer to removing your tumors and symptoms but preserving your organs.