Infertility due to fibroids

kimdynamite

Hello! This is my first ever entry regarding my infertility as it relates to my fibroids. I just can't find any other women that can relate and I really need some support and need to see that I'm not the only one out there with this problem. Let me start off by saying that I'm 32 years old and a recovering alcoholic...almost 2 years sober right now. (Go me!) I first learned about my fibroids by having to go to the emergency room for urine retention (only happened when I drank alcohol). The urine would build up so much that it looked as though I was pregnant (they always asked that first). One time I had ultrasounds done and that's when they found the fibroid, which was about 3 years ago. They said it's not life-threatening and nothing to really worry about, so I just left it at that and continued living without even thinking about them. I have to stop right here and say that my now ex and I would have unprotected sex numerous times and there was never a pregnancy scare. About a year ago I got a papsmear and my gyno suggested an ultrasound of my uterus. 3 months later I had the ultrasound and the woman that was performing it said she has never seen such big fibroids on someone so young. RED FLAG. It got me nervous and the doc that I saw for my follow up said as long as they're not bothering me, then I shouldn't have anything to worry about. I asked if I could still have kids, and he said yes. My next follow up appointment was with a different doctor...he told me that I can't conceive a child with my fibroids...that I would either have to get them removed or have a hysterectomy. I started crying right there because I have finally found a man worthy enough to have a baby with, and I just heard that there's probably a chance I can't conceive. Also, he said that the amount of fibroids I have is equivalent to being 18 weeks pregnant. HEARTBREAKING. So the next step was the have an HSG test to see if my tubes are even open. If they're open, then an option would be to just have the fibroids removed. If they're closed, probably best to have a hysterectomy because I wouldn't be able to conceive with my tubes being closed anyway. Last Friday I went to have the HSG test done, and the doctor couldn't even get the tube far enough back to shoot that dye through my tubes...due to SO MANY fibroids. Another doctor came in and tried...and failed. By this point I couldn't stop crying because the nonstop pain was almost completely unbearable. The doc told me that this was a very unusual case, and that she would discuss with other doctors and have me come back in tomorrow morning to discuss options, one of them being putting me down and going in vaginally with a camera to perform the HSG test.

So there's my story up to now.

Fibroids do not run in my family. I kept being told that fibroids are harmless, until now. When I lay on my back, I see the bulge from my uterus and can even feel it! I have never had any medical issues until now, and I'm a worrier. I'm most afraid of not being able to have kids. My boyfriend does want kids, but we've discussed adoption and surrogacy if I can't conceive. He's being completely supportive, which helps, but I haven't met another woman yet with my problem. 

Anyone out there with a story similar to mine? Thank you in advance for the support!

-Kim

sweetgoose

Hi Kim. I do not have fibroids, but I do have adenomyosis, which is where the lining of my uterus grows in the muscles walls of my uterus. Have you discussed with your doctor(s) the possibility of surgically removing the fibroids? Last November, I had surgery that removed a septum from my uterus and my Dr would have removed a mass in my uterus if it had been a fibroid instead of adenomyosis. 

Good luck!

Issa6601

Hi there! I have fibroids and I know for a fact that they can affect your ability to conceive or to carry a pregnancy to term. Depending on where they are in the uterus (inside, outside or in the uterus wall) you should be able to get them removed. If there are too many inside or in the wall, removing them might be problematic. You seem to have a complicated case; in your place I would make sure I see a doctor with a lot of experience dealing with fibroids.

kimdynamite

I believe he told me they were on the outside if the uterus. I was just in complete shock that i was having difficulty understanding everything he was telling me. In the morning when I meet with another doc I'll be sure to make certain I understand everything fully. Thank you ladies so much for the help and support!

Viasatalyte

kimdynamite said:

I believe he told me they were on the outside if the uterus. I was just in complete shock that i was having difficulty understanding everything he was telling me. In the morning when I meet with another doc I'll be sure to make certain I understand everything fully. Thank you ladies so much for the help and support!

Good luck tomorrow. I hope you gain a better understanding of what's going on.