More help for women with fibroids, endometriosis and other issues of the uterus

Here is an interesting article I just read written by Dr. Christiane Northrup. It explains and suggest treatment for many of the issues we are facing. Just follow the link below and click on any of the related reading that are of interest to you.

THE SECOND CHAKRA represents your sexuality, creativity, finances, personal power, relationships, sensuality, and pleasure. Organs associated with the Second Chakra include uterus, ovaries, vagina, cervix, large intestine, lower vertebrae, pelvis, appendix, and bladder. Spiritual and emotional issues that can block energy in the Second Chakra are balancing your drives toward sex, money, and relationships; co-creating with others; defining boundaries; and struggling with when to give and take and when to be assertive and passive. Physical dysfunctions that can occur are: lower back pain, sexual impotency, urinary problems, and appendicitis.

RELATED ORGANS

UTERUS, OVARIES, VAGINA, CERVIX, PELVIS, APPENDIX

RELATED READING

	Attracting Money
	Embracing Your Sexuality
	Emotions Around Money
	Endometriosis
	Enhancing Fertility: A Mind/Body Perspective
	Fathers, Daughters, and Dating
	Fertility Awareness
	Fibroids
	Gender Differences
	Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (Menorrhagia)
	How Daughters View Relationships
	Menstrual Cramps and Pelvic Pain
	Money & Health
	Premenstrual Syndrome
	Psychological Factors Affecting Fertility
	Sexual Stereotypes
	Spiritual Sex
	Urinary Incontinence
	Urinary Tract Infections
	Uterine Prolapse

http://www.drnorthrup.com/womenshealth/energycenters/2.php

Sharing your experience with fibroids, endometriosis, PCOS etc

Many times we are faced with an illness, we feel helpless, confused and even depressed especially when we are not satisfied with the advice we are getting from the doctors I recall my own experience, wanting children but not ready for children and certainly afraid of surgery amidst the many possible side effects. What do you do when you feel as if you are between a rock and a hard stone? BLOG!!!

A lot of us are hesitant about sharing our own experience. Some of the reasons include not wanting persons to point finger, simply being a secretive person, afraid how others might interpret our business etc. All these reasons are true even for me, but not sharing may cause a silence suffering. I was already in a position where for every time i am asked are you pregnant, I felt the need to explain, "No, I have fibroids." That in itself was painful, not explaining it but the frequency with which I had to. Then there is the notion that once you are married you should get pregnant, apparently SOON! Then there is the issue CAN I GET PREGNANT? Do you really want to carry that burden alone or do you want to share it in a forum with people who understands?

I looked again at my own experience and would build my inner strength apart from my firm believe in God. It was the many articles I read about my case, but more so the many blogs I have read about people who have experienced or are experiencing  what i am going through. Yes I read from one blog to the other. Sometimes, there was not much to be gained but a comfort in knowing that I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS SITUATION! I say to you, you are not alone and feel free to comment and share your own experience to the many of us who are reading these blogs. If someone was not brave enough to share, then there would have been nothing for many of us to read and relate to. I decided to share so that you can know you are not alone.  Here are some blogs/articles available online that I would love to share with you:

The websites below speak to experience post abdominal myomectomy.  For persons who are indecisive about surgery and need more information about what other persons experience

http://voices.yahoo.com/my-experience-myomectomy-7599006.html

http://www.fertilethoughts.com/forums/fibroids/529962-myomectomy-done-now-i-have-my-own-advice.html

http://geekwithfibroids.wordpress.com/2007/02/24/how-are-you-feeling-after-your-abdominal-myomectomy-part-3/

http://www.permanente.net/homepage/kaiser/pdf/56864.pdf

If you have been put on Lupron like me, I have found an article which talks about people’s experience. I too have just started but have not really experience much. I have just had my first shot and it has only been about 5 days so I cannot say much just yet. Please feel free to comment and share your own experience

http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=19732&name=LUPRON%20DEPOT&page=4&PerPage=60

This is a very interesting article on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It gives an overview of what it is, symptoms, effects and treatment. For persons who have this or may not sure what they have, it is a good read. The second website below is a support group for persons suffering from the same thing.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.cfm

http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.cfm

Recovery continues: 18 days after abdominal myomectomy

Have you ever experience something with your body and just cant figure out the cause? Tired of visiting the doctor with every little issue your have?
That is how I feel today. Last night was terrible. I had low back ache and even worse cramps in my left thigh. Normally I can pinpoint at least a cause, but having done a surgery that not only removed fibroid, but endometriosis and ovarian cyst I am bit confused. Even more so, I took my lupron shot 7 days ago and I am not sure if the leg cramps might be a side effect. The back pain  was easily to deal with, once I lie down it gets better, but the leg cramps WOW!!! Very difficult to sleep with and I dont know what you so would love some suggestions. I have tried massaging, alcolado (I know it is an Eastern Caribbean thing that most persons do not know, but it is like rubbing alcohol with a better scent), and I took ponstan forte. I got to sleep after taking the Ponstan but I woke with the pain. I would appreciate any suggestion on what can be used for leg cramps keeping in mind that I am not yet in a position to do stretches.

Help for women with fibroids, endometriosis, PCOS etc.

Whenever you have a situation, be it fibroid, endometriosis, PCOS, ovarian cyst etc you always wonder what is working for people and what can work for you. In fact you find yourself trying a lot of things once people says it work
I remembered the first thing that was dealt with by the doctors was my heavy menses...Ponstan Forte. Did it work? Well it reduce the clotting, the pain and even the length of my period and i was glad for that. Recently, someone commented on my blog page about Fibrovan. I dont know much about it but i am sure it is something you can asked your gynae about.

What else did I try? I went to see a herbal doctor and tried some Chinese medicine for about 3 months. It was however too short a period to say if it works. From what I read though, herbal medicine works very slowly and over a long time and they are effective in shrinking small fibroids. I had a fibroid that was 8cm and would have considered to be too big. Here is an interesting article, which speak to fibroid and endometriosis: https://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Information/Detail/Treatment+of+Endometriosis+and+Fibroids+with+Acupuncture

If I did not decided to do the surgery I would have continued on the Chinese medicine for longer.

I also bought a book online that is suppose to assist you with fibroid. Hmm!! It did not help much. I guess to avoid being sued the author wrote that you have to follow the information exactly at  it is. The problems with the book is that it is very wordy, some of the information are things I knew from just googling information and finally and most importantly, what you ought to follow is too complex. For me I was more frustrated then than before and it felt like a waste of money. My warning: there are many things on the internet on what to try and what can help and in our quests for answers we have to be careful that we are not being scamed.

REQUEST: I am asking persons to respond to this blog by stating what they have been trying for their fibroid, endometriosis, heavy menses, ovarian cysts, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome etc. Please write what the doctors advise you to try and say if it has help in anyway. Your comments will go a long way in supporting other women.

Recovery: Includes Pictures before and after surgery

Before the surgery: Fibroid size of a 5months pregnancy

After the surgery

I choose for this blog to put up a few pics of my before and after situation. Words says a lot, but so does pictures and I am hoping that you can get a clear idea of what fibroid does. Carrying around the stomach was not difficult, although sometimes I found myself sitting like a pregnant lady and there came a point that I had to asked my husband to buckle my shoe because the tummy was in the way. That's the fibroid that was however responsible for my heavy period, my frequent urination, my backache and possibly my pelvic pain. Finding out after the surgery that I also had endometriosis and ovarian cyst made it difficult to determine if the pelvic pain and some other symptoms were from the fibroid.
Today, I can say I am glad I have the surgery done. But I did not take the decision lightly and it should not be taken lightly. I waited 3 years before doing the surgery. Today I am 16 days post surgery. How am I feeling?
I am going to get my CBC checked soon...I am not as fatigue or weak so I think my blood count is normal again, so going to verify that.
There is little burning at the cut
My main problem back pain. My pain killers are finished and so I figure its time to try and go without them but I am considering getting some. If I stand to quickly my knees buckle in pain in my back. I have to rise slowly and slowly straighten myself before I begin to walk. I can however walk for a little longer than usual though slow pace.

How is recovery? Slow!!! Another reason why I would advise you not to take the surgery lightly. If you are as independent like me, it is not going to be easy. Sometimes I cried having to call my husband for what I believe is too many things. There are times I wake up and want to sweep/clean the house and cant and between my husband working, hockey, cooking, washing...it is hard for him and hard for me watching him and knowing that I cant help.
Now I am on lupron and sleeping is not as easy as before :( I stay so long to fall asleep, get some hot flashes now and then and sleeping on my back is so difficult so sometimes I switch from side to side and that is not easy either. So yes, I am glad I had the surgery done, but if you so choose remember that recovery is one day at a time for 6 weeks and sadly not one week at a time.

I want Kids: The support and love of a husband

The first time I was told of my fibroid, I was told that my options were to have a child or surgery. I mentioned in an earlier post the circumstances surrounded that. Of course I wanted children, I believe most ladies do especially those with husbands. However, kids really was not in the equation for me at the time and I didn't know when it would be. Even after i got married I was unsure as to what to do although I tell myself I am going to start right away. I have been hearing all my years in church that it is good to at least have 2 good years with your husband, just enjoying each other. I was also reminded of that by a doctor when I returned to Jamaica and after I was married. She expressed to me the responsibility of a child and how it can ruin your marriage. I knew I at least wanted one child in my life at some point, while my husband number was a bit higher :) But then you are in a position where even though you might not be financially or mentally ready your issues are some what forcing you to, it becomes a very difficult decision. When you are in a position where you can start trying now but you are not succeeding or you are in a position like me that if you try and get pregnant, you chances of miscarriage is close to a 100%, it is even worse. According to my last doctor when he saw the size of my fibroid, which doctor could have asked you to try with a fibroid of that size? Yet many others express to me how they deliver babies with mothers who had fibroid the same size or bigger...the baby just went on the other side, put the cake in the oven and see how it bake etc etc CONFUSION!!! That is how our minds are sometime and there is where our husbands come in.

I pray and trust here that when you got married it was for the right reasons and it was with the right person. The support of your husband and loved ones, but mainly your spouse is of utmost importance in this situation. I can personally talk about my situation before and after the surgery. I needed him to feel what I feel emotionally and understand me. I needed him to direct me in the decision about surgery. I needed him to assure me that when we are ready for kids, we would have them. I needed him to be stronger than me. Even after the surgery, my husband was there to meet my physical and emotional needs. Getting up was a problem, lying down a problem, lifting things, bathing., walking, cooking...I can write a list of things that you are going to find much harder to do or your are going to be asked to desist from doing after your surgery. If you are not close to your parents and other family members like me, your husband becomes your EVERYTHING.

Many times during my ordeal I was ask how your husband feel? Or statements were made...boy fibroid can prevent you from getting pregnant. Have you ever hear those things, which can make you cry if you are not strong enough because NO ONE seems to understand what you are going through. As innocent as these statements may be, it deposits different negative things in your mind. You might find yourself frustrating your husband with little things you say. Again, the relationship with your spouse is extremely important. If you are a praying woman, you need a husband who understands the reasons behind your prayers and would join you. My husband is all that and more. I can COMMUNICATE with him about EVERYTHING and I hide NOTHING. I believe that is a principle we all should utilize. Don't carry this burden alone. Don't keep what you are feeling away from him. Question him about his feelings and thoughts. TALK TO EACH OTHER!!! The outside world can never give you the love and support that your husband can. If you do not do these things, you will get frustrated when he looks another couple with their kids or you may take a simple friendship with his lady friend to mean something more than it is because you are now putting yourself in a vacuum where you are the unattractive, non reproductive/unfruitful, fill with sickness woman that you have established in your minds. While dealing with your issues, live your life, but most of all enjoy it. It helps to reduce the STRESS that is detrimental to our health and only help to intensify our situations.

Accept the help and love of your husbands. Cherish him, thank him and praise him. Don't do it in your minds or with gifts but rather with words. Don't ever start looking at your age and giving up. Look at Sarah in the bible...90 and was pregnant with her first child. The doctors would say what their scientific knowledge give to them, people would say what they feel and think and then GOD will remind you of what he says. Be optimistic and refrain from negative thinking and listening to negative sources. I delight myself in the will of the Lord knowing that I am going to get my children when I am ready. Ill be sure to do a post telling all my followers about it and you will rejoice with me. Are you going to have your children when you are ready?

What are you eating?

When i found out I had fibroid, I went on a reading rampage. As a researcher, I took pleasure in finding out all I can about fibroid and reading many different blogs. One of the many things that interest me was diet- what am I eating? I remembered i came to Jamaica in 2005 for undergraduate studies with my flat tummy, no more of my mom pot food. What changed? My diet changed tremendously. This is in no way stating a cause for uterus problems but simply a factor that may contribute to it. Learn from my experience.

As a student cooking is not at the top of your list, at least not in between classes. Weekends might be the only time you cook  up yourself something. Another thing is around exam time you find yourself eating a lot of junk because you get hungry quickly all in the night. I fill myself up with a lot of Jamaican patti and coco bread, KFC, ice cream, caffeine, sodas, FRENCH FRIES etc etc. Some persons might not be students, but WATCH WHAT YOU ARE EATING FOR A MOMENT. Drinking alcohol regular, smoking, hate vegetables, not a big fan of water but Pepsi and coco cola and other sodas is it...am I talking to you? You eat out. How much of these food are organic? These days some of the the chicken contain  so much hormones. I often wonder how the young girls in today's generation mature so fast. I asked myself could it be what we eat? Pork and red meat sweet, but again you will read that they all contribute to our issues. It is not for me to say STOP eating this or that, but I will advise that you eat whatever in moderation and if you are desperate for health then eventually you will cut it all out.

It wasn't easy for me. Today I get through drinking 8 glasses of water and might keep it up for 3 days, but then I am back to my old self, no water for sometime days but I pack up on sodas. I started by giving up the things that I felt were easier...namely some snacks, caffiene, beef. I was able to give those up totally without feeling much of a desire for them. Then I minimize the sodas, slowly replace it with juice and then with cranberry water and then water. I love any vegetables from as far as I can remember so it was easy eating those, but the CHICKEN...woosh. Not an easy one. I started to cut down on the amount of pieces on my plate and how often I had it in a week. Then I moved towards just the gravy, which is where I am at now. I can tell you though from the beginning of this year I have been meat free and soya products free, I only have fish...I drink almond milk, soda free, caffeine free and many more. I am not where I want to be but I am well on my way to a healthier life style. The exercise is off and on but i intend to maintain it.

At the end of reading this, you should know these things. What you eat is extremely important, but changing your diet is not easy. It is a battle between what taste good and what is good. You would need to strengthen your minds by reflecting on your situation and your goal and your dreams. You will also need to seek comfort and encouragement in reading other persons blog, knowing that they are trying as hard to. What work for me also is thinking of famous singers and models whose main goal for working out and eat right is their job. They are NOT SICK, have NO HEALTH ISSUES. Yet they stick with it. Yes they have professionals to assist but at the end of the day, they themselves must WILL it. The professionals just aid. Have a blessed day.