NO SYMPTOMS

i WAS DIAGNOSED WITH FIBROID TUMORS LAST YEAR BUT i HAVENT EXPERIENCED ANY ONGOING SYMPTOMS MY PERIODS ARE THE SAME. i CAN’T SAY I’VE HAD ANYTHING UNUSAL OCCUR OR JUST ANYTHING i COULD COMPLAIN ABOUT. BUT JUST KNOWING THEIR THERE WORRIES ME I DONT KNOW IF THEIR GROWING OR GOING TO GROW. SHOULD I CONSIDER THIS TYPE OF SURGERY ANYWAY? BECAUSE I DO WANT TO HAVE A FAMILY SOON OR JUST LEAVE THEM BE AND CONTINUE WITH MY FAMILY PLANNING? I WAS TOLD THE LARGEST ONE IS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A GOLFBALL.

Dear Janelle-
We do not ususally advocate the “wait and see” philosophy. Depending on the size and number of tumors you may not be able to get pregnant or may incur a miscarriage once you are pregnant. We usually recommend that because these fibroids will only continue to grow and spread with every cycle, the sooner they are removed the better for the patient. The earlier the tumors can be removed the lower the incidence of scarring within the uterus. FAS can help you.

I was diagnosed with Fibroid Tumors 7 years ago when I was having infertity problems. I had to go through G.I.F.T. Procedure to have my son. I had a very easy pregnancy. I finally decided to loose some weight and lost 35 pounds since last January. All of a sudden I’ve been noticing, when I lay down that my abdomin has a big lump in it, on the right side. I went to my gp doctor and he said it’s a large mass on my abdomin so sent me in for an ultrasound and l
ow and behold it’s a fibroid tumor. Where do you recommend I go from here?

Dear Virginia-
You need to have the tumor(s) removed. As I have indicated on other postings, most of our patients end up having many more tumors than expected. The longer you wait for surgery, the more the tumors will grow and spread. They need to come out.
Good Luck

To Dr. del Junco Jr.: Today my GP called me back with the following information: I have several Leiomyomas, 2 of which are 6 centimeters in diameter. I am 47 years old. Do you still advocate
surgery?

Dear Virginia-
I do not advocate leaving tumors in the body.
You are fortunate not to have symptoms, but this may not last long. Once you reach menopause, which may not be for 5+ years, your fibroids may shrink slightly due to the decrease in your estrogen supply. However, if at any time you start taking hormone replacement therapy, your fibroids will begin to grow again. This can also produce spotting. You may also eventually experience non-menses related symptoms, like urinary frequency, constipation, painful sexual relations, back pain and the appearance of being pregnant.
The decision for surgery is strictly yours. The older you are requiring surgery, the longer and harder the recovery process.

DEAR DR. DEL JUNCO JR.,

I’M 29 YRS. OLD AND JUST FOUND OUT THAT I HAVE 2 VERY LARGE FIBROID TUMORS, ABOUT THE SIZE OF A 19 WEEK OLD FETUS. I AM SO SCARED! I HAD AN ULTRA SOUND DONE, BUT WHEN I WENT TO DISCUSS THE RESULTS WITH MY DOCTOR HE COULDN’T TELL ME WHAT TYPE OF FIBROIDS I HAVE, OR WHERE THEY’RE LOCATED. THE ONLY THING HE COULD TELL ME WAS I NEED TO HAVE A HYSTERECTOMY. WHEN I EXPRESSED TO HIM THAT I HAD JUST HAD A NORPLANT REMOVAL DONE, BECAUSE MY HUSBAND AND I WERE PLANNING TO GET PREGNANT, HE SAID IT WOULDN’T BE POSSIBLE. WHEN HE FOUND OUT THAT I HAVE A 10 YR. OLD DAUGHTER HE MADE ME FEEL LIKE SINCE I HAD A CHILD ALREADY THAT THIS HYSTERECTOMY WAS MY ONLY SOLUTION. HE ALSO SAID THAT IF I HAVE SURGERY TO JUST REMOVE THE TUMORS THAT THEY WILL JUST GROW BACK. PRESENLY, I’M WAITING FOR MY REFERRAL TO A GYNOCOLOGIST WHO CAN TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE LOCATION OF THESE TUMORS. AS SOON AS I FOUND OUT THAT I HAD FIBRIODS AND HOW LARGE THEY WERE I WAS OVERWHELMED WITH FEAR. AND NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT AFTER HAVING THAT CONVERSATION WITH MY DOCTOR MY FEARS ARE WORSE. I FEEL AS THOUGH I HAVE NO OTHER OPTIONS. HOWEVER, YOUR WEBSITE HAS GIVEN ME SOME HOPE. THE PROBLEM IS MY HUSBAND IS IN THE MILITARY AND OUR INSURANCE IS TRICARE. HAS YOUR FACILITY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS INSURANCE COMPANY BEFORE? I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION YOU COULD GIVE ME ON SURGERY, FERTILITY, AND INSURANCE COVERAGE. AND THANK YOU FOR PUTTING UP THIS WEBSITE. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH INFORMATION AND INSPIRATION I’VE GOTTEN FROM IT. THANK YOU. TINA : )

Dear Sir Shwn-
We can definitely help you, without a hysterectomy. I do not have specifics about Tricare insurance-please call my office and give them the information-they will check out your policy for you.