Uterine
Artery Embolization
Copyright 1999 - 2004 by Wanda
Hope Carter, all rights reserved by myself and my heirs.
No duplication, copying or downloading in part or in
whole permitted without express written permission.
*This
page is frequently updated. Please check back for more information in the
future.
This relatively new procedure for the treatment of fibroid tumors is
the method I chose after much consideration of the options I was given.
Here, I will tell you how fibroid tumors affected my life, why I chose
this procedure and about pre-operative, operative and post-operative experiences.
Links include informative sites on the subject.
*
I am not a doctor or nurse, just someone who has
lived through the nightmare of fibroids and being faced with the decision
of how to deal with the problems they caused. I urge you to do your own
research and draw your own conclusions. While UAE was exactly right for
me, it may not be for you. Above all things I hope to promote herein, is
the importance of being informed and involved in any medical problems or
choice of treatments you face for this or any other ailment.
*
WARNING:
This site contains graphic details by word and links, about the symptoms
and procedures.
*
INDEX
***My Personal Story (WITH NEW UPDATES)
***Books
about Uterine Fibroids and Uterine Artery Embolization
***Links to Highly Informative
sites
***More
Information on Fibroids & Treatments Other Than UAE
Highly
Informative Sites
*
The Fibroid Corner From Drs.
Francis Hutchins and Robert Worthington-Kirsch who began to perform UAE
in 1996, and have since then amassed the largest single operator experience
in the world.
The Fibroid Embolization Center
From the United Hospital Medical Center, Port Chester, New York.
*
Fibroid Uterine
Treatment Center,
La Grange, Illinois
*
Georgetown University. Medical
Center Articles
*
Holy Name
Hospital, Teaneck, NJ. UAE Alternative To Hysterectomy
Mayo
Clinic Research Articles
Dr.
Scott Goodwin, is the pioneer Interventional Radiologist who, while
working with the UCLA Medical Group, introduced UAE in the United States.
He now continues his practice outside of the group.
*
The
Mid-America Interventional Radiological Society, MIRS, is a non-profit
educational organization founded in 1989 to serve the Interventional
Radiology community in the four-state area of Oklahoma, Arkansas,
Kansas and Missouri. This site is submitted by Edward L. Siegel, MD, Department
of Radiology, University of Kansas Medical Center.
*
Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional
Radiologists, SCVIR . Use their search feature under UAE. You can
find an Interventional radiologist in your area from an index at this site
as well.
]
AN IMPORTANT TIP:
If you have determined that you may be qualified for
this procedure and would desire it over other options and your gynecologist
can not or will not refer you for the procedure, the best way to find a
gynecologist who will, after verifying you are a good candidate, would
be to first find a radiologist you will feel comfortable with and then
request they give you the names of doctors who have referred patients to
them in the past! REMEMBER, it is the Interventional Radiologist who actually
performs UAE. Be sure to ask specifically about their experience in this
particular procedure. From my previous investigations of the list of radiologists
at this site under those who perform UAE, I found MANY who had little or
no actual experience in the treatment of fibroids. There were some who
had done it in emergency cases to stop uterine bleeding and some who were
willing to do the procedure for fibroid treatments but had not as yet.
Choose all of your Medical Providers with care and caution; YOU WANT THE
BEST YOU CAN FIND!
*
UCLA Medical
Group This site is from Dr. McLucas, the gynecologist who
referred me for embolization and who was part of the team which originally
introduced UAE in the United States and who has to date referred the largest
number of patients for the procedure in the US.
National
Library of Medicine Here you will find articles from this
source, the American Association of Family Physicians & the FDA.
*
Dr. W.
J. Walker, Consultant & Interventional
Radiologist at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, UK, has so far carried
out fibroid embolization on over 150 patients. This site offers a very
precise description of the procedure and Sagittal Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Scans.
eGroups.com
This web based e-mail group offers a message board, chats, informative
articles and polls. Posting on the message board is strictly for those
who are preparing for or have had UAE.
Web
MD This wonderful site features a Uterine Fibroid community and
you will find information on message boards and from chat room transcripts.
sex,
lies & uterine fibroids, Carla Dionne has become a major patient
advocate for uterine fibroids. Her site features her personal story and
extremely helpful links which provide a good deal of information about
embolization and on a variety of other treatments.
Links related
to Insurance issues
American
Medical Consumers
An
appeal to Intergroup 1 Appeal
Information 2
Patients
Rights Organization
Lifespan.org
Listings
Of State Government Medical Insurance Agencies
Hope
for Fibroids, appeal letter outline
Tips
from Uterinefibroids.com and specifics re: Blue Cross Blue shield in California
Helpful
resources and general insurance information from Uterinfibroids.com
Advice
for OBGYN.net
Appeal
to Department of Consumer and Business Services Insurance Division, Salem
Oregon
Patient
Advocacy Organization
Need more
information?
Search
through over 10,000 Uterine Artery Embolization Listings!!!!!!
When I first began looking in December, 1997,
there were only two sites to be found after weeks of searching. Thankfully,
now there are over ten thousand pages of information online.
INDEX
***My Personal Story (WITH NEW UPDATES)
***Books
about Uterine Fibroids and Uterine Artery Embolization
***Links to Highly Informative
sites
***More
Information on Fibroids & Treatments Other Than UAE
MY
PERSONAL STORY
*
If you've read it before, check through the story
for UPDATES
*
I was a very physically active person in good
health when the symptoms of fibroids appeared in my life. I
had no history of problems with any reproductive organs. In October of
1997, when I was first diagnosed as having fibroid tumors by ultra sound,
I was horrified by my surgical options. I researched for alternatives and
tried several natural and non surgical treatments, such as change in diet,
castor oil compounds, progesterone, herbs and massage. While I would at
times become less symptomatic, the general progression of symptoms became
increasingly worse. The effects were so devastating that I was unable to
continue with my normal work or social life. Eventually I became barely
able to even leave the house and was primarily bed bound.
*
As the months passed, I continually searched
the net for information about the options I was given and alternatives.
The more I learned about the standard procedures, hysterectomy
and myomectomy, the more afraid I became of the possible side effects and
risks involved. At best, even if everything went successfully with a hysterectomy,
I felt loosing an organ had to make a substantial difference in one's life
and with myomectomy, I found the odds were too great that the tumors would
return. A big factor was that I read too many bulletin boards and visited
too many chat rooms where women were suffering as bad or worse health problems
after these procedures as before. (I will say, that I was aware many women
did not suffer any side effects, but hearing of those who did, won out
in my mind... all I could think was, if those things happened to me, where
would I be then?) Finally, I found two news articles that mentioned the
new experimental procedure, Uterine Artery Embolization and began posting
inquiries on health bulletin boards. Months went by before someone replied
with information about two Doctors who performed the procedure and their
web sites. (Thanks TAMBI!)
*
After visiting those sites, and learning the
details of the procedure and how common it is in the treatment of other
problems, the first thing that went through my head was: If
this were a man's health issue, UAE would probably already be the perfected
and ongoing successful treatment. This is said with no offense to men.
It is merely from my observation of the fact that the medical profession
and health industry is male dominated. This in reality does have a lot
to do with the interest that is given to diagnosis and available treatments.
I made up my mind that what ever it took, UAE was what I wanted. I had
no idea of how hard it would be to follow through with that decision.
*
Of the two doctors with web sites, one was
in Pennsylvania and the other in California and I contacted them both right
away. The Pennsylvania Doctor indicated he only accepted Pennsylvania
insurance. That left Dr. Bruce McLucas, the pioneer gynecologist who introduced
the procedure into the United States along with Dr, Scott Goodwin an Interventional
Radiologist. Their work became a study by the UCLA Medical Center. At that
time, in June 1998, I was told by Dr. McLucas's office that they had treated
about 250 cases with no incidences of tumors returning nor any side effects
or new health problems caused by accidents during the procedure. At that
time, there were primarily two Radiologists whom Dr. McLucas had referred
patients to for performing the procedure as a part of this study. Dr. Goodwin
and Doctor Adler. His office also reported they had in most cases been
successful in getting the approval for insurance coverage of their patients.
This sounded truly great but I lived in Hawaii and having to travel so
far seemed like a tremendous obstacle to overcome with my current health
condition and financially I knew it would be very difficult to achieve.
*
UPDATE: Dr. Goodwin no longer works
with referrals from Dr. McLucas.
*
After learning that it is an Interventional
Radiologist not a Gynecologist or Surgeon who performs the procedure, I
called every radiology department in the state of Hawaii. I
was shocked when most knew nothing of the procedure being used for this
treatment and that for a few it had only been used to stop emergency bleeding
in the uterus. A couple who had heard of it, were not prepared to do it
for treatment of fibroids. One hospital told me they were interested in
it and hoped to be some day the leader of introducing it into the state.
I called the gynecologist who had diagnosed me and was told by his office
that new experimental procedures were not recommended in any case, this
was after they admitted they had never heard of it themselves.
*
I conducted the phone polls in other states
where I had family, thinking if I could find a provider, I could have some
moral support and recovery time nearby afterwards. Again and
again I found the same answers. I located the SCVIR Radiologists' web site
which lists those who are registered for performing the procedure for fibroid
treatment. With that survey, from the Radiologists I contacted in the states
I was considering, the most common answer I found to my question of their
experience was 2 or 3 cases. Many had not actually performed the procedure
for fibroids but had done it in emergencies and were willing to perform
the procedure for fibroid treatment if prescribed by a referring gynecologist.
This meant, I could not just visit a radiologist and choose to have the
procedure done, even with fibroids having been diagnosed. I had to have
a referring physician. Knowing my diagnosing Doctor's opinion, I made only
a few calls before realizing finding any such doctor in any given area
would be a formidable task. Even then, the choices of Radiologists in those
areas meant I would end up in the hands of someone with little experience.
*
Then, there was the NEXT BIG QUESTION about
insurance coverage; I ran into a blank wall every time I questioned
either Gynecologists or Radiologists. This was the catch, not all insurance
companies would cover it and just to have a shot at being approved, a referring
gynecologist was required to recommend the procedure by specific codes.
My own insurance company would not reply to my inquires outside of stating
that my chosen Gynecologist would have to send more information for their
review. I asked myself what the chances of a less than experienced doctor,
if I could even find one who was willing, being able to submit the information
needed in a successful manner. The chances seemed slim and I was afraid
more than one attempt might seal the decision by my insurance provider
permanently for me and others in the future.
*
Finally I realized by process of elimination,
there was only one choice for me. Dr. McLucas and the Interventional
Radiologists who worked with him in the study were without argument the
most experienced in the country and California, even though it was a long
flight across an ocean, was still the closest place I could travel to.
At least I did have one friend in LA. It was a big decision to go for it
but my mind was already made up that this was the treatment I wanted and
I had faith I would find a way to make it happen.
*
After completing the forms requesting information
about my case, I had a personal phone interview with Dr. McLucas. I
was able to ask questions and express concerns. Any reservations I might
have had, dissolved with the hope I felt from the answers given. He asked
me specifically what my symptoms were. Heavy bleeding (to put it mildly)
was the worst and most debilitating. With that answer I was told it was
THE symptom required to be present for the recommendation of this procedure.
I took that to mean especially for the sake of approval by insurance companies.
The necessary diagnostic tests would be standard and normal and no problem
for their consideration or payment. I scheduled the appointments for those
tests to be performed in a couple of weeks. I was so excited and happy
to think I might be on my way to a cure that I could live with.
*
UPDATE: I have since discovered
that not all gynecologists require these tests prior to referral. Whether
this is due to the fact that they are no longer necessary to apply for
insurance coverage as the popularity of the procedure has now grown or
whether they are in deed not necessary for the protection of a patient's
health, I am not sure. It has been suggested that they were primarily performed
to replace the lost income a gynecologist would have otherwise received
if performing a hysterectomy or myomectomy instead of referring a procedure
which is performed by another professional. Be sure to question your own
gynecologist about this thoroughly whether they require it or not. This
seems to be a point of controversy amongst past and present patients.
*
Two weeks later I arrived in LA and stayed
in a motel near UCLA and the other offices and clinics where the tests
would be performed. My friend picked me up at the airport but
I was left on my own for facing these ordeals. Fear was overcome by hope.
The first long day was spent with a visit to the doctor, an Ultra Sound
Clinic and a visit to an out patient hospital for a hysteroscopy. The doctor's
visit was brief and included a pelvic exam. I had heard from some women
on health bulletin boards, that Dr. McLucas was not known for his "bedside"
manners. One woman reportedly even refused to have the procedure done there
after her initial visit because of his "attitude." Frankly I didn't care
what his personality was like, he was THE ONE MAN I had found in the whole
country who could help ME. I will say that he certainly did not remind
me in any way of the old fashioned and extremely personable country doctor
that I had seen in Hawaii. He was very curtly professional but definitely
no ogre. In retrospect now, I can honestly say that I can ONLY think of
him primarily with thankfulness for his foresight along with Dr. Goodwin's,
to introduce this procedure. I have a great deal of respect for them both,
whatever their motivations may have been, for their having done so, as
well as for their degree of professionalism which allowed them to be in
the position to follow through with this vision. I am well now and I didn't
have to have surgery, everything else seems truly irrelevant.
*
I had already received an ultra sound in Hawaii
but was told the information recorded by the local clinic would be a lot
more extensive. I was amazed at the size of the machine and
the scope of technology of the equipment used during that visit. There,
I learned maybe more information than all of my other inquiries put together
had provided. The test took quite some time. Besides measuring the size
of the tumors, the amount and source of the blood flow to each of the main
tumors was recorded. I found out that fibroid tumors require a tremendous
blood flow. Since blocking that flow from the correct artery was the gist
of the UAE procedure, this was important information.
*
The ultra sound also looked at all the surrounding
organs specifically to be sure there was no other possible malfunctions
or problems. I was told by the attending care provider that
the only previous patient of this study who eventually had any surgery
done in spite of having UAE, was one who had other problems not discovered
by the tests existing at that time. The subsequent surgery was performed
for the treatment of those problems and a hysterectomy was also recommended.
A good deal of other information was recorded for the sake of the study
as well. I concluded that to have a successful study which would indeed
promote the use of UAE in the future, would require only prime candidates
to even be considered. To be able to say the treatment had thus far been
100% successful would be the optimum result sought after. Also, I figured,
to get an insurance company to approve anything experimental, it would
be necessary to prove there was absolutely nothing else wrong which might
require any further treatments. If you are considering UAE, even now you
are likely to find the insurance issue to be a considerable factor, especially
if you live far from a very major city.
*
Ultra sound confirmed my uterus was extremely
enlarged and contained several tumors with the largest two being embedded
within the lining of the uterus. This had been a factor in my
decision against some of the other surgical procedures. Tumors hanging
from the outside or inside of the lining were easier to get to for a simple
removal. Embedded tumors required the actual cutting and reconstructing
of the organ one way or the other. I was told they were approximately the
sizes of an egg and large orange or small grapefruit. (WOW huh??) No wonder
so many people had mistaken me for being pregnant by my physical appearance.
Not to mention my other symptoms were almost identical such as the lower
back pains, fatigue and cramps. Of course there are many women who have
or have had many more and much larger fibroid tumors than this. I am thankful
I found treatment when I did even though fibroid tumors are not fatal,
due to my extreme symptoms, if this procedure wasn't an option surgery
would have certainly been due.
*
With barely enough time to grab a bite to
eat, I headed to the out patient surgery center in Beverly Hills for a
hysteroscopy. I had studied brochures about it carefully and
it was stated to be quite common and safe. I was told that I would be quite
okay to take a cab back to my room immediately afterwards. It was necessary
to take pictures of the uterus and obtain tissue by scraping for a biopsy.
Perhaps I have a bit of sick humor but after being completely prepped for
the procedure, I found myself slightly reclined staring out at the beautiful
Hollywood Hills through the large plate glass window directly in front
of me. I had to almost giggle at the thought of what anyone would have
seen (which they probably could with a telescope) looking back into the
room through that window. I could only think, "Modesty be damned if this
is what it takes!" Once the procedure began, I witnessed the entire exploration
through a color television screen next to the table. The doctor pointed
out the tumors and as disgusting as it was to look, I had to. There, in
front of my own eyes were the causes of months of miseries. It was more
painful than I had expected and I didn't feel too great for the rest of
that evening. I was glad I wasn't driving myself back.
*
The next day, I was scheduled back at the
same clinic for a Diagnostic Laparoscopy. (Another test to determine
with little doubt, there was nothing else wrong, I was told) This
requires two very small (mine were about 3/8" @) incisions where a laparoscope
is inserted just below the navel and other instruments through an incision
lower in the abdomen (Bikini Line) allowing pelvic organs to be seen and
tissue to be sampled. It requires the use of anesthesia. Brochures stated
that it is usually safe and involves some discomfort afterwards. The usual
pre-operative food and water restrictions had applied the same as for any
surgery. There was some waiting in a pre-op room and I alternatively preoccupied
my mind by reading a magazine, listening to the obviously local social
light in the bed next to me discuss her personal affairs and all the elective
beautifying surgeries she had survived over the past few months with her
attending friends and by staring out at those fabulous hills. I was thinking
of the day before and wondering again whether I might soon be the entertainment
for some far off telescope owner. Once in the operating room, it was merely
moments before I was tied down to the bed and counting backwards from ten
to about six before I was knocked out from the anesthesia.
*
Next came the absolutely worst part of my
experience so far. I woke up in the recovery
room choking, coughing very hard and not being able to breathe. Still being
tied down and just coming into consciousness, I had something I can only
guess was an anxiety attack as well. Being a little claustrophobic to start
with, these conditions made me think I was going to die. When I finally
caught my first breath, I began calling for help and crying hysterically.
I was shivering and shaking from head to toe. The nurse came in and untied
me, but her attitude was not only not caring she actually told me quite
snidely to be quiet and settle down! Here is my first and only real complaint.
The Beverly Hills Surgery Center had already impressed me as being run
by a cold and uncaring bunch for several reasons that I had observed during
the previous day there but this was the some of the most awful treatment
I had ever received in a medical situation.
*
I took far longer to recover than anticipated
and was one of the last to leave for the day even though I had been one
of the first ones to arrive early that morning. I
was there alone and no one ever did anything for me, not even bring me
a drink or something to munch on. I had the distinct impression the nurse
was annoyed at my lack of cooperation in her busy schedule of body shuffling.
To top it off, at the end of the day when they called me a cab, not the
one I requested which was stationed directly across the street, but one
they chose. I waited in a wheelchair at the curbside for almost an hour.
Limousines came and left with passengers from the high profile building.
I'm sure I looked an absolute total mess and felt even worse than I looked,
the pain was quite severe. The nurse who was with me finally waved down
another taxi. I just wanted to cry all the way back to my room. I went
back, ordered some food and took two pain pills. I would definitely recommend,
if you are having this or any procedure requiring anesthesia, to have someone
personally on hand for your immediate aftercare if at all possible.
*
UPDATE: The risks involved with
this procedure make it very important to ask your Doctor "WHY?" if
they require it prior to referring you for UAE. I was so happy to have
the opportunity for UAE, that I took what ever I was required to undergo
for granted to be necessary.
*
The night was long and miserable. Just
as no one had prepared me for the possible affects of the anesthesia, I
also had not been warned that I might experience some heavy bleeding afterwards.
I called my friend to bring supplies and for some much needed moral support.
I was so thankful to have her help. (Thanks T!) I slept very little and
could not imagine that I was going to be okay for the five hour plane ride
back to Hawaii the next afternoon as everyone had indicated I could expect
to be fully recovered and fine by then.
*
The next day, back at the the doctor's office,
I was told that providing the biopsies turned up nothing negative, I was
the perfect candidate for the procedure. That, being a woman
in my mid forties ... (E-gads, I can't believe I'm admitting that here
for the world to see! Gee, what a sacrifice it sometimes takes for the
sake of helping others, huh?) and ... pre menopausal, with the sizes of
the largest tumors not being more than the size of a three month fetus
and heavy bleeding as a primary symptom and otherwise being in overall
good health with no other female related problems. I was ECSTATIC!!!!!!
Now all I had to do was go back and wait for all of the test results and
pending they came out okay, the submission to my insurance company for
their approval of Uterine Artery Embolization.
*
I took lots of pain pills for the trip back
home and was ever so glad to crawl into my bed when I got there. It
really wasn't that bad, I thought I had it made. The next five days however,
proved me wrong and I suffered some serious abdominal pains and the incisions
were quite sore. My temperature was up but never got to a critical point.
It was no pick nick to say the least but within a week I was back to my
normal condition; normal for being so sick with fibroids that is. Then
with constant prayers I waited for word from the doctor.
*
Finally, a few weeks later, the call came
that no other conditions had been found and my insurance had accepted the
referral! I set a date three weeks away, to give me time to
make plans for my trip. Then, as life has it, the unexpected occurred and
it seemed imperative that immediately after the surgery I would have to
return to another state to address those issues which now required my attention.
So along with everything else, I was planning a major move around having
UAE. Stress???? I guess it is hard to say what was most stressful, the
move was a diversion and I didn't have time to worry about going through
the procedure. I still can't believe I was able to make all that happen
in three short weeks, but I did and in spite of ever increasing symptoms.
I was exhausted when I arrived in LA just one day before I was scheduled
to go into the hospital. I was removed from the plane in a wheelchair.
A last minute change of flights, thanks to Northwest Airlines, left me
with ten tons of luggage - due to my move and my dog in a travel kennel,
sitting at the curbside of the airport for about three hours. Seems no
one at Northwest knew which flight I had been moved to and my very best
friend in the whole world, who had flown from the east coast to be with
me could not find me anywhere. (This was like a nightmare, I pictured myself
being found dead there in a pool of blood) After he finally located me
and after checking the dog into a boarding kennel, we then discovered the
hotel where I had planned on staying was under new ownership and closed
for construction. So more time was spent looking for someplace to stay.
I passed out in the car while my friend was investigating one place, so
the choice was made to stay there. This is all just to explain that I was
not in the optimum physical and mental condition I could have been in to
have UAE performed within just a few hours and to note that my reactions
to the procedure and recovery were most likely affected by all this.
*
Rest came easy and the next morning started
early. I couldn't believe it but I was actually very happy to
be in the hospital. I felt like a kid at Disney World. Just the thought
of being well again was so exciting. That didn't last long, the first thing
I had to deal with was having a catheter inserted into my urethra. OUCH!!!!!!!
It was not very comfortable to say the least. Then I met Doctor Adler,
the Interventional Radiologist who would be performing the procedure. He
seemed really nice and went over all of the upcoming events and explained
the disclosure forms containing warnings about what could go wrong, such
as the microscopic pellets might end up going into the wrong vein and cutting
off the blood supply to another organ. He said this had never happened
with his cases but it was necessary to warn patients about all risks. Then,
I was given something to make me drowsy and within an hour I was being
wheeled into the room where the procedure would be performed.
*
This was not an operating room but a radiology
room. There was strange equipment hanging from the ceiling and
standing in every corner. The table where I was placed on was in front
of a large screen. I was prepped and given some type of pain control by
continuous injection into a vein. I was in and out of a sleepy state and
was aware of what was going on from time to time. I remember hearing the
doctor say "flash" and then a strange static like noise. I had the sensation
of heat traveling from the point on my upper right leg where the pellets
were being injected to a place in my lower abdomen. I looked up and what
I saw made me feel like the bride of Frankenstien. The doctor was sitting
next to me across from the screen, it was dark except for flashing lights
which were bouncing shadows off of the multitude of strange equipment in
the room and images I couldn't make out appeared on the screen. Surprisingly,
it was in no way even slightly uncomfortable. This was repeated several
times and then the next thing I knew I was in a recovery area.
*
I woke up with EXTREME, SEVERE AND INTENSELY
PAINFUL CRAMPS. I had been warned of this
but was not expecting it to be so bad. I was given some pain medication
but nothing seemed to work until I was given Dilaudid. I had to ask for
it several times before they relented. I knew from past experiences with
severe pain that this is the only thing that works for me. Finally about
six hours after being rolled into the radiology room, I was returned to
a regular hospital room. I was so glad to have my best friend there for
moral support even though I was not very good company. I required quite
a bit of heavy pain medication for the rest of the day and through the
night. The next day was better and I didn't need as much or as heavy medication.
I was really hungry and ate a big lunch and when I was released that afternoon,
I asked my friend to take me to the beach. Staring out over the ocean,
I could not believe I felt so well and was sad to think of my home and
the loved ones I had left so far away across that deep blue water. I knew
I would not even see this ocean again for some time to come and yet was
so thankful to be on my way to being well, whatever it had taken.
*
I was disappointed when I woke up the next
morning with those awful painful cramps again and for the next two days,
I was miserable. What no one had bothered
to tell me me was that constipation was a common problem after any type
of procedure and a possible side effect of the medication I was taking
for pain. As this problem persisted and worsened, it only added to the
severe cramping sensations and the pain pills weren't working. At first,
I was unable to reach anyone at Dr. McLucas's office to get a prescription
for different pills and when someone finally did return my call their answer
was to take doubles and cut the time between doses in half and to buy some
over the counter remedies for the constipation. I did not feel like shopping
but I had to and I bought and tried everything but nothing worked and soon
I was out of pills. Again, after not being able to reach Dr. McLucas, I
was glad when Dr. Adler responded and I was able to get another prescription.
I have to say though, everyone seemed to act suspicious about my needing
more pills and the extent of my pain. It seems most women do not respond
so poorly after the procedure but as I mentioned before, my condition was
not the best going into this ordeal. Three days later, I tried the old
fashioned home remedy for constipation, that of of eating an apple dipped
in olive oil and guess what, it worked and I felt the first bit better
since the day I left the hospital.
*
On the forth day after leaving the hospital,
I was scheduled to see Dr. McLucas again and to fly across the country
to the East Coast. I didn't know if I
would be able to make it even though I was feeling 50 times better than
the days before. The examination was brief, I had a short talk with the
Doctor and complained about not being made aware of the constipation problem
before hand and got some prescriptions to go. He still seemed not to believe
or comprehend how much pain I had been in. I decided to just get the trip
over with and had a busy day packing, collecting my dog and getting to
the airport. I took some double pills once on the plane and tried to sleep
through the discomfort. It wasn't that bad. I did have wheel chair assistance
at the terminal I changed planes at because walking any distance was out
of the question. When I got to my destination the next day (due to the
time changes) I actually felt pretty good. Unfortunately, once again my
body had tricked me and the next few days were again pretty miserable with
severe cramps.
*
Severe pains continued for six weeks off and
on. I would have a few good days here
and there, getting my hopes up that it was over. After all I had been informed
the average recuperation was two weeks. If I had a job which required my
daily attendance, I wouldn't have been able to go back to work. Many days
were spent in bed in drugged out stupors just trying to combat the discomfort.
I couldn't drive because I never knew when the cramps would suddenly return.
This was a much greater ordeal than expected. Two weeks into this I passed
one of the tumors while using the bathroom, the pain surrounding this had
been especially intense. This happened again about a week later. At least
I knew the pain meant the tumors were shrinking and dying, so to speak.
Finally after six weeks, I had lost about fifteen pounds and the pains
stopped and normal menstrual periods began. It was finally over!!! THANK
GOD!!!
*
The six month follow-up ultrasound test, proved
the tumors were either gone or so very small as to be hardly detected.
Now,
I can say, that it was worth it, everything I went through was worth it.
I have a normal body still and all of my organs, no scars and no other
problems to deal with. Since several women have asked, I am happy to report
my ability to have orgasms is better than ever. Would I do it all again.
You bet! I am so glad to find now on the net and in other media, so many
sites and so much more information about this procedure. Soon, I believe
it will be common. Now there are more Doctors and Interventional Radiologists
who are aware of, recommending and performing UAE. This is wonderful. I
wish there had been more choices when I was searching. I felt like the
lone voice in the wilderness for such a long time even just asking about
it. If you are considering this alternative treatment, still, do your own
research and find the right professionals for you and your circumstances.
This is just MY, story, and thank GOD now, there are hundreds more. Wishing
YOU the best of luck.
*
UPDATE: Eleven months later, I
am having normal periods and my last ultra sound showed the tumors were
either gone or less than half their size when the procedure was done. I
still have a little bit of a tummy, but I haven't worked too hard at that.
Otherwise, I am looking back with thankfulness it is over. So far, so good!
UPDATE: As of January 2004, continuous
annual ultra sounds and checkups, no sign of returning tumors or problems
related to having the procedure have been found and my monthly cycles are
as normal as they ever were. I am VERY glad that I had Uterine Artery Embolization
for the treatment of fibroids.
UPDATE: Insurance Coverage continues
to be a problem. I have three tips although I am not prepared to disclose
the reasoning behind suggesting them. 1. Make sure that your Dr is experienced
in requesting UAE approval from insurance companies, including the use
of proper procedure codes. 2. If you are turned down and you work for a
large company, you may have recourse through your employee or human resource
manager to join with you for an appeal. 3. Be prepared to appeal aggressively.
My attitude during the time I was trying to make Uterine Embolization happen
in my life was "Don't
give up and don't give in." Thinking that way helped considerably when
I was struggling for the way to "Make
it happen" in my life.
INDEX
***Top Of My Personal Story
*
***Books
about Uterine Fibroids and Uterine Artery Embolization
***Links to Highly Informative
sites
***More
Information on Fibroids & Treatments Other Than UAE
Please visit my other web site that sponsors
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http://InspirationMotivation.com
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