Hello everyone, today was my big sonohist (ultrasound where fluid is injected into the uterus to make it easier to see exactly what's going on in there. So the moment of reckoning to see how well my fibroid shrinking plan is working -- what kind of change there has been since my last sonohist in December and the subsequent start of my plan.
Looks like they have shrunk -- a bit.
One went from 5.7 to 5.2, and one went from 5.0 to 4.8
8.8% and 4% respectively.
Not a dramatic shrinkage, but shrinkage just the same. At least we are moving in the right direction. Not too bad for just under 5 months although of course I'm disappointed that it wasn't more.
The biggest change however was in my endometrium. In December the doctor said that it was so distorted that it was improbable that I could get pregnant and even if I did the baby would never have enough room. Now she says that it has a much more normal shape. It's still impinged, but now there is room in there for a baby. So overall even if it's hard to detect shrinking on the individual measurements (she said the measurements are difficult, it depends on what angle you get them from) at least the fibroids somehow seem to be getting out of the way.
So, while the fibroids are still definitely there and could cause problems, she wants me to try getting pregnant. So that is indeed progress!
So starting next month am going to get started on TTC stuff, and in the meantime am going to continue with my current fibroid shrinking program and try to step it up a notch. I have been so preoccupied with wedding stuff I have to admit that I have not been as good as I should have been with doing my castor oil packs and exercising, and also there are some other things I have read about that I want to try, like moxibustion and aromatherapy massage and cooking with seaweed and special mushrooms. So I feel like there is more I can do, and am going to redouble my efforts!
6 comments:
I'm VERY grateful for your site. I'm wondering if the practitioners whom you work with are suggesting that one dimension of your fibroids is most significant. My reports give three dimensions on my single large fibroid so I've calculated the volume change. I've seen three practitioners over the past couple of years (two gynecologists and one nurse practitioner). None of them have patience with this. All think I should focus more on reviewing hysterectomy vs. UFE. However, I do have an upcoming appointment with a gynecologist who based on viewing my ultrasounds told the nurse practitioner who I saw that continued "watchful waiting" would be a third reasonable option.
Thanks, glad you're enjoying the site!
I've only ever gotten 1-dimension measurements. It makes sense though that volume would be the most relevant measurement. What kind of reports have you gotten that show three dimensions -- ultrasounds? If yes, you have a very skillful/patient ultrasound operator!
Whether or not continued watchful waiting, or surgery, is best for you depends on your goals and also how much trouble the fibroid is giving you. Personally I think surgery should be avoided if possible, it's good if you can find a gyn who is supportive of that as an option.
I had an ultrasound at a new radiology center (in what might be called a "suburban frontier") a couple years ago. Two techs and a radiologist were involved in doing it. I've moved since then, and my latest ultrasound was at a radiology center in an established suburb. The one tech doing it there had no one else available to help her, though just as had happened the first time there was a problem with finding my ovaries in the abdominal views. (I'm thin so that issue is apparently due to the large fibroid.) A radiologist analyzed the films later. I realize now that the concentration of staff available for my first one was an extreme luxury.
I requested a copy of the report and films from each radiology center. Each time the size of the fibroid is stated in terms of three dimensions. I don't know if multiplying these dimensions, which are in cm, is a valid way to arrive at a volume. In any case, the change in the number arrived at by doing this with the fibroid dimensions is dramatic. It has gone from 839.20 to 248.88! My uterus is enlarged, and its volume also has decreased by not as much. It has gone from 895.23 to 561.21.
Since the contours of your uterus have improved it sounds like you probably had significant volume decreases in your fibroids. Were your ultrasounds done at your gynecologist's office or a radiology center?
I'm desperately trying to avoid surgery. In my case I'm hoping to hold out until menopause. That does seem to be getting closer, judging by the hot flashes I've been having lately.
I do have symptoms, and I was getting very discouraged a few months ago, around the time I scheduled the recent ultrasound and found your blog via a search on technorati. However, I'm now feeling more optimistic about avoiding surgery.
Very interesting -- thanks so much for the detailed information! My sonohists were done by my gyn herself, in her office. I'll ask her about this volume concept. I get the sense though that it was hard enough for her to make out just one dimension on each. Perhaps the radiology center had some different techniques or equipment, or as you suggest the additional staff may be helpful.
Good for you for getting so much shrinkage so far, that's great. I do suggest that you give acupuncture/chinese herbs a try, as those should help with hot flashes too I am told. Please don't be discouraged, there are so many things to try and hopefully you will find the right one(s) for you. Good luck and keep us posted!
I found that to calculate fibroid volume the usual formula is height x width x depth x .521, which is the formula for the volume of an ellipsoid.
Thanks! It's been a long time since high school geometry...
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