Anyone have Uterine Fibroid Embolization done?

[cepmom]

I am scheduled for UFE on Monday and I am starting to freak a little. I hate any type of surgery and even though this isn't like open surgery with general anesthesia, I am still nervous. I was pretty confident that I made the right decision when I first scheduled it but as the date gets closer I am starting to rethink it....I hate pain and have been told to expect pain after, I hate taking narcotics as they make me nauseous but I know I need to do this.

I had a horrible bleeding this weekend ...so much that I had to go tothe ER because it wasn't stopping. I know that the results from UFE are not immediate and I am scared to go through another period like this one. Someone please reassure me that I will be okay!

 

[frtchr]

My SIL had it done last year, and she had no complications. She actually was supposed to be going to WDW right after the surgery, but she decided to postpone the trip. She felt fine afterwards, but she was a little weaker than she thought she would be. After some good rest, she felt back to normal. Good luck!

 

[Bernadette]

h t t p : / / w w w . u t e r i n e a r t e r y e m b o l i z a t i o n . c o m

Please visit the above web site and read the 'Reported Adverse Effects'. There has been an additional death in Fort Lauderdale, FL at North Ridge Hospital on October 28th, 2007 which has not yet been listed on this web site. You can also read the complications reported to the FDA. Google 'FDA Maude'. When you get to the FDA web site at the bottom left click 'Simple Search'. Then enter 'uterine artery embolization', and you will have to check one year at a time. The years are listed on the site. Just click on the year to see the complications reported that particular year. When you see the list of reports click on the center blue link. Keep in mind it is not compulsory for complications of UAE (also called UFE) to be reported, so this represents only a small percentage of the actual complications that occur.

If you would like to receive medical journal articles about UAE by email fill out a contact form on the web site listed above.

 

[Vivianne]

I had it done about 4 years ago. The actual procedure was a bit weird and I did have pain afterwards. I have a high tolerance for pain. The worst part for me was lying still 5 hours later without moving my leg. I kept on staring at the damn clock on the wall. I did go home the same day (my choice).

I think it was worth it for me. The results were good. I was severly anemic because of my problem and had to see a hematologist because of my anemia. I looked like the walking dead. Co-workers would comment on it.

 

[cepmom]

thanks for the replies...any other words of wisdom??

 

[ead79]

Narcotic pain relievers bother my stomach too. I asked my dentist if there was something we could do about that when I had my wisdom teeth removed, and he prescriped mepergan as my pain reliever. It has an anti-nausea medication mixed in with the pain reliever, so it helps combat the nausea. If mepergan wouldn't be appropriate, maybe your doctor could give you a prescription for oral phenergan to go with your pain pills. It's worth asking about, and I think lots of people have similar issues.

 

[Vivianne]

All I can think of at this point is. Wear loose comfortable clothes and comfy shoes. I wore a long denim skirt ( to the hospital) I could easily get in and out of. They'll probably tell you this but avoid lifting anything for at least two weeks and take it slooowwww......It will get better with each passing day.

Take care

 

[cepmom]

Narcotic pain relievers bother my stomach too. I asked my dentist if there was something we could do about that when I had my wisdom teeth removed, and he prescriped mepergan as my pain reliever. It has an anti-nausea medication mixed in with the pain reliever, so it helps combat the nausea. If mepergan wouldn't be appropriate, maybe your doctor could give you a prescription for oral phenergan to go with your pain pills. It's worth asking about, and I think lots of people have similar issues.

thanks...definately worth asking about. I don't want to take any chances with being nauseous...that is the worst feeling isn't it?

from what I understand I will be staying overnight and taking morphine through a PCA pump. I think they would be able to give me something for nausea through the IV because I'm not sure if morphine will make me nauseous (made my mother very sick after her surgery...they had to switch her to something else)

All I can think of at this point is. Wear loose comfortable clothes and comfy shoes. I wore a long denim skirt ( to the hospital) I could easily get in and out of. They'll probably tell you this but avoid lifting anything for at least two weeks and take it slooowwww......It will get better with each passing day.

yup...got the clothes covered...I went to Kohls a couple of weeks ago and bought some comfy sweat pants and loose "lounge wear" to wear after. Thanks for the advice!