Hi ladies, OP again. Thanks for the continued conversation/feedback here. 20:59, good luck, I hope everything worked out for you. PP, no, I've not tried any meds before such an exam. I think I'm afraid to be 'unaware' of what's going on (though I know one's still awake) ... but it's something to think about, maybe it would really help me, too.

OP, have you tried taking pre-meds before the exam? With a couple valium and a support person, I've been able to get through the exam.

I also had UAE recently (4.5 weeks ago). I'm eager to have my f/u MRI in a couple of months to see if the procedure has worked. My doctor said he's had several patients go on to have successful pregnancies following UAE, but myomectomy is still the preferred treatment for women who are sure they want to conceive in the future.

Back when I had my myomectomy, UAEs were not recommended if you wanted to eventually have children, dont know if anything has changed since them. I'm sure it has. I also think it depends on the size/location of your fibroids. Mine were huge. I guess the thing with the morphine pump is you dont know until you actually have to use it if you're going to be nauseous. I hope there are more options now for women who want to go on to have children.

<-- ignore that first "but" (OP)

Hi 19:39, OP here. I have heard a little about UAE, but and thought it would be good given it is non-invasive. Regarding diagnosis, a friend recently mentioned that her vaginal ultrasound was tolerable (i.e., no pain), so if I can have courage somehow, maybe that is what I will try (if the doctor is not able to go with the abdominal ultrasound).

Anonymous wrote:My recovery for my myomectomy (performed by Dr. Bohon) was about 5 weeks. Dr. Bohon recommended that I be awake during the procedure because it shortens your recovery time. I was awake and in a twilight type state. After surgery, for pain I was on Tylenol 3 (pill). The patient I roomed with had a myomectomy also, only she opted to be put to sleep and had a morphine drip for her pain medicine. The morphine drip made her nauseous and if you can imagine having abdominal surgery and having to puke is not a good combination. She was in terrible pain. Dont get me wrong...I was in pain too but it was manageable.

I just had uterine arterial embolization to shrink a fibroid which is a pretty non-invasive approach although I am done with having children so I don't know if it is recommended for women who want to have children. I am very happy with the results and felt relief right away.

Regarding pain after surgery, I think it can vary wildly. Some people have a lot of pain others have very little - there is really no way to know how much pain you will have, just important to be prepared. I was in twilight state too which to me is still being put to sleep but they can easily rouse you - I don't remember anything about the surgery which took about an hour. Post surgery I had a morphine pump and it worked beautifully - minimal nausea and not a lot of pain.

OP again ... Thanks again, 14:37, for describing. It does seem you made a wise choice compared to that other patient. I'll have to see what I do.

If any other posters come on board with more doctor recommendations or advice, thanks very much.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again ... PP, you must have read my mind. Just on the weekend, I was thinking to re-post here, to ask if those who have undergone a procedure went on to have children. It's wonderful to hear yours still allowed you to conceive as this is something I still wish to do...

New poster here. I also had fibroids removed and had sucessful pregnancy. The surgery was a required to get accepted into shared risk IVF treatment. I want to add that my MRI and transv was not painful.

OP here. Thanks PP, and congrats to you on your success. From what I've read, I'm scared of the transvag ... but I'm sure it's more of a threat for me, than for others, because of my vaginismus. I'm still hoping, maybe, I can just the abdominal ultrasound, if I proceed with a check up.

My recovery for my myomectomy (performed by Dr. Bohon) was about 5 weeks. Dr. Bohon recommended that I be awake during the procedure because it shortens your recovery time. I was awake and in a twilight type state. After surgery, for pain I was on Tylenol 3 (pill). The patient I roomed with had a myomectomy also, only she opted to be put to sleep and had a morphine drip for her pain medicine. The morphine drip made her nauseous and if you can imagine having abdominal surgery and having to puke is not a good combination. She was in terrible pain. Dont get me wrong...I was in pain too but it was manageable.