Doctor, can you hear me?
Greetings from California! I’m in Los Angeles, working with our friends at UCLA on plans for our Fibroid Relief At Last! event which will take place in late April. We have a fantastic panel lined up that will discuss all treatment options available for uterine fibroids including local OB-GYNs, interventional radiologists and even a holistic medicine practitioner. Please keep a look out on our events page for the latest information on the event.
I had an opportunity to sit down tonight with Erin who will be participating as a patient advocate on the panel. Erin’s story is one that will resonate with many women - the trials and tribulations of finding doctors who would listen, fighting insurance for reimbursement for Focused Ultrasound and attempting to function on a day-to-day basis with a uterine fibroid that had a mind of its own.
What stood out the most from our conversation was, quite honestly, how generally OBLIVIOUS the medical community is in regards to treatment options for uterine fibroids. It’s either the dreaded “H” word, or perhaps the recommendation of another invasive treatment, such as a myomectomy, that may not be the right treatment option for that particular patient.
So what can you, the patient, do to help affect change? It’s simple. Print out the treatment options chart. Take it with you on your next appointment with your family doctor or OB-GYN and discuss the information on the chart with them. Even leave the chart with them. Perhaps this simple step will not only help you find the right treatment option but it may impact, in a very positive way, your practitioner’s ability to properly treat other women suffering from uterine fibroids in the future.
Until next time,
Tina
It would be helpful to include what happens after the hysterectomy. Follow up check list and what to except and treatment for hot flashes, etc.
Also, I’m worried. Some of my fibroids were imbedded inside and one was outside the uterus. I’m afraid I might still have one floating around inside me causing additional damage.I almost bled to death the first time and I’m afraid that by the time new symptoms occur I could die!
What post op and/or preventive care is available for women with this concern?
And, please do not make this on Passover or the Easter holidays. Many will not be able to attend!
Thanks!
Thanks, Tina! It was great meeting you too, and I’m so excited to be a part of the upcoming event!
PLEASE, send the information in french, my english is so poor!!
Dear Nicole,
We are working on translating into French however we currently have not done this yet. I can give you contact information though to treatment centers in France that may be able to help you. They can be find here: http://fibroidrelief.org/resources/find-a-treatment-center/
Hope that helps,
Jade
Hi Leah,
The event will be held at the end of April (April 27th, 2010) so it will not fall on those holidays. We are working on getting more information about hysterectomies to the website and will make sure we look into adding that type of information specifically.
As far as your concern for fibroids floating around inside you. Did you have treatment for your fibroids? And if so what kind? If you would prefer to discuss this more personally, please feel free to email me at jfaulkner@fibroidrelief.org
Best,
Jade