Fibroid symptoms and conditions

I had a Mirena fitted November last year due to severe anaemia caused by a fibroid which resulted in me having a blood transfusion. In the last 2 months I have been slowly gaining weight now 1 stone heavier than last Nov! and my stomach is really bloated, last week I had a terrible migraine attack which I have never had before. However whats is most annoying is an odourless non-itchy yellow discharge which I get nearly all the time, (feels like water coming out) my Gynecologist says the fibroid is causing it? but i wanted to know if its the coil? as I really want it removed but i doubt he will as the heavy bleeding/clots may return - I would appreciate it if anyone could shed any light on this.

I had my mirena fitted Jan 07 and within 2 months my sex drive went to zero, constipation just before when my period was 'meant' to begin, last six months the bleeding has returned as normal, and the itchy skin drives me insane, plus my moods can get out of control, huge spots that last about a month, back ache, weight gain that cannot be shifted, I go to the gym twice and week and swimming twice a week but nothing, best contraceptive ever as you don't want anyone near you and your partner will probably be horrified by you anyway!! Today I went and got it removed (happy days!!), whilst there also discovered huge fibroid, just gets better, not. So now waiting and hoping that all these symptoms go and that my life may return to some sort of normality and if you try telling the doctors your opinion they just dismiss your concerns. Was thinking about having the injection but now not so sure if it works in the same way. My advice is don't do it and if you do, take note of what folk have written here so you know what to look out for.

I just started Loestrin24Fe about 5 days ago. Dr put me on it to control the heavy bleeding and possibly decrease my fibroid.My periods have always been only 2- 3 days my whole life just real heavy for those days. I already have had hair loss prior to taking htese pills and now that I read that hair loss is a side affect, Im real concerned. But I have noticed massive nausea, stomach cramps and yeast infection in the first 5 days. I haven't been sexually active in about 3 months so I had no clue what was causing this until I read all these feedbacks. Thank you so much for posting you experience. I will stop the pills today.

This is my first month on these pills. So far I think they are great. My cramps before were so bad I had a prescription for vicodin, now they have disappeared. I haven't had any break outs, and I use to be able to tell when my period would start because I would break out. My moods have been better than ever!! No swings or depression. I started these pills from microgestin to control my fibroid. I'll right back in 2 months, but this pill works for me.

I have been on birth control for 11 years, never having any severe problems. I had a baby 3 years ago and was taking Yaz. With being on Yaz I had a migraine about every 3 months. My Dr. suggested me trying the NuvaRing. I was on it for 2 months and my bleeding was uncontrollable. During the time of switching bc, my grandmother got really sick and I lost my job. I was concerned about the heavy bleeding and clotting and questioned my dr. and they just told me to hold on for another month or so, it was probably from the stress. I changed from the NR to Seasonique, still the bleeding was uncontrollable. I never had menses like this in my life. Going back to the dr. I had a pelvic examine and they just gave me provera to help stop the bleeding. Well it worked for a week and then here we go again! After about 4-5 months of this cycle I decided to stop taking any bc and let my body try to get back to normal. About a month later I started hemoraging and had to go to the er. They kept me for 2 days and found that I have a fibroid on my uterus. I also had to get a blood transfusion. The fibroid is pushing on my uterus causing my uterus to be double in size. WTH? Where did this come from? I am now having to take the Lupron shot to help shrink the fibroid and hopefully in 3 months I can have it removed. I can only blame this on the NR. I NEVER had problems like this before. It is truly discouraging. I advise anyone thinking about the NR to clearly STAY AWAY!!! I know have several medical bills all from trying to stay away from migraines. I can deal with those much easier than what I have been thru.

I am 36 years old and my OB thinks I may have endometriosis. For the last two years I have suffered from pain during intercourse heavy periods as well as sistitis in the bladder, I also have a grape size fibroid in my uterus and suffer from night sweats and hot flashes. My Dr. decided to put me on the nuvaring to treat what she thinks is a hormone imbalance. However since starting the ring two weeks ago I am having chest pain, racing heart, shortness of breath and severe mood swings including depression, anxiety and crying spells. Even when I am resting my heart is racing and I have chest pains. There have been some good side affects however such as I think that the sistitis is clearing up and my complexion is better but I do not think it is worth the risk of having a stroke or heart attack to stay on it. It amazes me what drug companies will push through all in the name of profit. Thanks to all of you who have posted your side effects on this site it gave me the courage to call up my Dr. to look into other options of treatment. Bless you all.
Miss S

I started taking Lupron about two weeks ago; I have taken only one shot out of three shots recommended by my Doctor to shrink my Fibroid; I don't fee like taking it anymore. I noticed I lost my sexual urge.

Please advise

I am 50 years old...nearly bled to death from fibroids and became anemic. I had extremely heavy periods and had to receive a transfusion of 2 units of blood when my blood count went down to 7. My options were 1) Do
nothing...2) Take 6 months of Lupron to hopefully bump me into menopause....3) Fibroid embellization...4) Hysterectomy. I am trying to avoid a hysterectomy....and needed time to get my blood count up before any other procedure. I have had some of the side affects...hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats,.....but I had them before because I was pre-menapausal anyway so there is really no difference. Have not noticed any weight gain and I get my 3rd shot today. Everyone's body is different...for now Lupron has been a life saver for me.

I was part of a class action lawsuit that was about the price not the side effects. I got a small check as I just had a so-pay.
Anyway, I have to reiterate that LUPRON takes about 1 year to leave your system. I had a huge boil where the injection site was. (i had 3 shots, 3 weeks apart)
My tiny fibroid was not my problem. I had HEAVY, LONG (10 day) periods, the worst cramps ever, I was gaining weight although I rode my bike 10-15 miles a day, and swam 5 miles per week. I had a balloon ablation first, then the Lupron for another surgery that did not happen due to my uterus shrunk too much.
I then went to a fertility/endocrinologist specialist. He asked if I had my thyroid tested by my OBGYN. I said "no".
That was my problem! All that agony for 2 years and all I needed was a $20.00 blood test.LUPRON SUCKS...give it to your doctor~

About a year ago I realized I was having an irregular cycle and I was diagnosed with having a fibroid on either my ovary or fallopian tube. My OB/GYN put me on Yasmin and said it would control my cycle better. I have had very regular cycles since being on it. However, I immediately noticed that I was hungry all the time and also developed HORRIBLE gas. I decided that gas was an acceptable side effect for my cycle to be regular (I'm sure my boyfriend has appreciated this!) Back in October, I got some sort of virus and was unable to eat for over a week. I lost about 10 pounds and haven't gained all of it back. For the past several weeks, I've been extremely nauseous several times after taking my pill in the morning. I skipped a pill for the first time since being on Yasmin and was in the bed nauseous for the rest of the day. I've also experienced pain in my left side around my ovary. I'm pretty sure the Yasmin is kicking my butt now that I'm a little thinner. I'm going to ask my doctor to take me off it.

WOW!!!. I'm in my 40s.. Ive been on various Bcp for about 10yrs due to a fibroid that causes me to bleed too much and I got anemic. I have been on Yasmin for a year-- and didn't like it so the Dr, suggested I try Yaz. So I did for 6 months.WHOA!! Major muscle tightness that got progressively worse-so much that I couldn't even bend over to tie my shoes. I ached all over, headaches and tired. I also had muscle cramps at the least provocation. I notice that the weeks I had my period and wasn't taking the pill daily, I felt much better. IM very athletic and as a former dancer was very flexible. Ive been of about a week and a half and really feel a difference already. I think Ill Detox and see what my body does. This is crazy.. Anyone else have this???

I took one injection of Lupron for fibroids in Nov. 2001. It totally changed my life, I am no longer the same person I was before. It started with severe migraine headaches for 14 days straight and attacks of nausea, lack of appetite. I used to have a strong stomach - now I was very easily nauseated. I never went for the second shot. I began to have panic attacks regularly (I had not had them for over 20 yrs). I was tired all the time, and a person who used to work out at the gym 5 days a week - eventually I quit. Now I just walk. I feel about 65 yrs old (I am just 49). I look old, my face began to droop, my hair thinned. I had bouts of depression coupled with general anxiety. My migraines worsened. My sex drive dropped to zero, I feel almost "sexless". I used to be confident, now I was afraid of everything. I now suffer from irritable bowel syndrome - with bouts of diarrhea, bloating and severe gas pains. I have trouble eating sometimes.. I have had all the tests and no one can find anything wrong with me,and none of the doctors think all these problems are due to Lupron. But, I know - I was NOT like this before Lupron. It ruined my life. I just wish my doctor would have informed me of all the terrible side effects - she only told me about hot flashes. I looked into suing her for malpractice but the lawyers said they could not build a case with no real medical evidence that my symptoms are caused by Lupron. I just wish I had known then what I know now. I tell everyone - NEVER take Lupron. Six years later and I still feel like this. Oh what I wouldn't give to have not taken that drug.

Wow - so many of you with the same symptoms and side-effects I'm experiencing. I was on Ortho Tri Cyclen years ago with minimal side effects beyond slight weight gain during the first few months. With this pill, I feel like I've become a monster. I'm bloated and I've been bleeding for 9 days now (I started the pills the day my period ended, on the advice of my doctor. I began bleeding a week later and have not stopped.). I'm normally a very happy person, but in the 2.5 weeks I've been on this medication, my moods change faster than the weather - I go from happy to despondent over the smallest, most insignificant things and cannot be cheered up. I have constant anxiety. I've cried more in the last 2 weeks than I have in the last year. I get angry over nothing, and I feel lazy all the time. My normally above-average libido is in the toilet. Fortunately, my boyfriend is incredibly understanding and knows that the changes I'm experiencing are due to this new medication changing my body chemistry.

I don't want to be like this, though. I don't want to be angry, sad, anxious, lazy, or uninterested in sex. I don't want a month-long period for 3 months while my body adjusts. I'm not in the physical condition to be able to shrug off an extra 10 pound due to bloating, and I'm tired of popping Advil to deal with my cramps. Before I found this site, I thought maybe the symptoms would go away in the next week or so, but I've now decided I'm not waiting this one out - I'm calling my doctor and finding a different alternative. This is simply unacceptable.

Also, I know it has nothing to do with the effectiveness of the medication, but their website disgusts me. "Cammie's Story"? If they spent half that advertising budget on research to eliminate the horrible side effects of their product, perhaps the pill would sell itself.

I had the worst experience of my life. It has been very hard for everyone around me to understand what I have been going through physically and mentally. I read one of the other posts about feeling like the "hulk" when your mood swings come on and it is no joke. I've lost friends and my boyfriend of three years. I have been off Lupron now for a month and I still haven't regained any strength. I used to actively go to the gym 4-5 days a week, now I'm lucky if I can make it through a one hour session every month. This medication was also recommended highly by my doctor without a description of the side affects. It was the most miserable experience of my life. There are plenty of other treatments out there and I beg for you to try them first.

I am now a little nervous after ready all these posts about the bad side effects of Mirena. I had mine inserted yesterday 10/12 but it wasn't for birth control. I have three moderate size fibroids. My doctor said that she has had great results with her other patients on Mirena and it reducing the size of fibroids. I am 34 with two kids and am not looking to have any more but I cannot stand the horrible periods and pain that come with them. The insertion process did hurt some. I did not take any pain killers prior to the appointment. I didn't know not to. I still feel a little bit bloated with mild cramping but nothing serious. I notice that this post revolves mostly as Mirena for birth control. Has any has or had a Mirena for fibroids?

It has been six weeks since I was given Lupron. My doctor did not inform me of all of the possible side effects. I don't think I would have taken it had I known of all of the possible side effects.

I was given it to shrink my fibroid and stop my heavy period that was causing me to be anemic. Since I have been on it I have one heavy period that last seven days and stopped...only to have it return two days later and last twelve days...so much for it stopping my period. Compare to some my other side effects have been mild...I think since I can't seem to remember much.Besides the memory loss I have had headaches, hot flashes mood swings, joint pains at night and there are times when I just feel confused unable to express myself.

My next shot is schedule for November...I not think that is going to happen

Ive been on Femcon fe for about 4 months, I was without a period for like 6 months prior to this. The docs then put me on a medication to start my period and then Femcon to keep it regular. This was all done to find out if there was a need to have surgery on the fibroid that is on my uterus. I have experienced the worse migraines in my life on this pill. I get them on and off every hour. The really bad ones leave my right side of my face and arm to where I cant move it. I can barely open my eyes and when I can, the vision is blury. Right now I dont have a migraine, but by the time I finish, im sure I will. They come that regular. I take esgic for the migraines but it does not help. The migraines are too strong. My sex drive has increased a lot since I got on this pill. But what I have trouble with is when i am about to have a orgasm, I get a very BIG migraine. Its very umcomfortable and I am going to contact any office I can find about this pill. My doctor has told me to stop taking this pill b/c of the complications it has caused in my body. I use to have hair down to my shoulders, but now all of my hair comes out in my hand or the comb or brush. I have patches of hair missing in my head and the longest my hair is now is about a inch or two. When I wake up in the morning, its like Im in the early stages of pregnancy. I feel sick to the stomach and light headed. I take my pill right before bed. Ive also experienced a little depression, but not much. I know how you ladies feel and I hope that one day, we can find a good birth control. Thank you.

I've been on this for 3 months. I have had Horrible Angry mood swings. Weight gain.

My Doctor must really hate me! That is what I keep telling myself after my first Lupron injection. It has been absolutely horrible. Sure, my fibroid pain is better, but that is a small consolation compared to the migraines, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings (very severe and un able to control) , memory loss and just kind of brain fog all day long, and horrific joint pain. All of which keeps me awake all night. It's been so bad I can't even appreciate the fact that the pelvic pain is better. I just pray these side effects will not cause permanent damage. I think our doctors need a good shot in the butt of Lupron for prescribing this stuff!

I do realize though that this drug has helped many people who are suffering with endo and that not everyone will experience these side effects. You will not know what your body is going to do until you try it. I don't know what the percentage is of people who do suffer while on the drug, but I just know I am definitely in that percentage and will NEVER take another injection of this stuff and will look over my doctors shoulder to make sure he writes in my records not to ever give me this stuff again!

Never have had children so the insertion of the IUD was the worst pain I have ever felt, even if it only took a minute. I recommend something stronger than motrin, because it hurts really bad. I had a constant but light bleeding for about 4 months after the insertion. I know have had it in for 3 1/2 years. No weight gain, occasional spotting, no periods. Severe PMS, breast tender 3 weeks out of every month. Acne, chronic fatigue, stomach aches, headaches, and occasional dizziness. Overall I am very happy with it, the only thing I really hate is the acne on my face and sometimes chest and back, which I never had before, and the chronic fatigue.

I feel I need to add my story for some balance on Lupron. I'm 53 and am finishing my fifth month on Lupron. I began taking it because I'd been anemic and bleeding very heavily (because of a fibroid) for quite a while, and I wanted to avoid a hysterectomy.

Mine is almost all good news. My hematocrit (I think that's the word, it measures iron) went from 30 to 40 after a couple of months, most bleeding gone although the verdict is still out on whether I've hit menopause and can expect to not resume bleeding when I go off Lupron (this month or next). My side effects have been almost non-existent. Occasional headaches, some fogginess, absolutely no weight gain (and I'm the type that gains weight easily), sleeping well, and normal moodiness. I fully expected hot flashes especially since I'm almost at menopause anyway, but haven't had any. I do get warm sometimes, but no intense heats or sweats. I exercise (walk or lift weights) almost every day so maybe that had something to do with it.

I think it's important that a woman considering Lupron know that it's not always grim news when you receive the shots, and that even if you do experience some of the side effects, it is better than the effects we are currently suffering (i.e. pain from endometriosis, excessive bleeding). I don't think women should reach for Lupron readily, but in some cases it is the best option.

Two years ago I received a shot of Kenalog in my shoulder (40 mg) to relieve calcified tendinitis. It worked wonderfully--all pain disappeared for more than a month (even my migraines). However, my period went berzerk: I bled for weeks on end. It finally stopped, then a week later it started again. I suspected the Kenalog was the cause since the period problems started at the same time as the injection, but 2 different doctors (family physician and gynecologist) both told me that "no way" could Kenalog cause excessive menstrual bleeding. My orthopedic doctor, who gave the injection, said "well, maybe." My periods went back to normal after a few months and I had no other side effects.
Now it's 2 years later and my shoulder was hurting a lot again, so I went for another Kenalog shot. I was hoping that it was just a fluke the first time. Also, this time I received much less: only 10 mg of Kenalog vs. 40 mg. last time. Well, the shot relieved about half of the pain, which was still enough to allow me to do physical therapy, which will provide a long-lasting solution to the pain. But once again my periods are all messed up! I have been bleeding for 6 weeks now, with no end in sight! I was prescribed progesterone (10 mg, once per day for 10 days) several days ago to stop the bleeding and re-set my cycle, but so far, the bleeding hasn't even slowed down. I take Tylenol and naproxen for the very painful cramps. This time my gynecologist DOES think the bleeding is from the Kenalog, but he is also checking out other possibilities. They did an ultrasound and found a small fibroid, but they don't think that's the cause. I have to go back in 6 weeks for a follow-up. No matter what, I will never take Kenalog again!!

My Lupron experience has been mixed.

I had 3 Lupron injections--7 months worth of the drug--before my November 2003 myomectomy for a grapefruit-sized fibroid. I consulted 4 doctors (including a family member) before taking the Lupron plunge, and opted not to read too many scare stories online. I'm 32 and I want very much to have children, and everyone told me that my surgery would be most effective if we could use Lupron to cut the blood flow to the fibroid. The good news is that it seems Lupron (and a very good surgeon) did the trick--my surgery was without complications and declared a success. (Now we just have to get me pregnant!)

Now I'm just waiting for the effects of Lupron to go away. I had my last (3 month dose) shot in September 2003, and my most severe symptoms were in the weeks after that shot--especially severe and frequent hot flashes, night sweats, the works. For the entirety of the injection, my libido was utterly shot. For me, these were all annoying, but not unbearable. I figure it's just a taste of what's to come when the real menopause happens in another decade or so.

Post-Lupron recovery:
The hot flashes finally went away about 5.5 months after my last shot, and I've been gradually feeling more and more normal, though my libido is still not back to normal. Most worryingly, and this is why I'm writing today, is what happened to me this last week. Noone ever seems to write about the hormonal hell that your body goes through when it's trying to return to it's pre-menopausal state. I'm 90% sure that my symptoms are in fact attributable to these hormonal fluxes, and not to something worse (like abdominal adhesions from my surgery).

Three evenings ago, I got extremely dizzy and nearly passed out. It took me over 20 minutes to get back to my office, since I was so dizzy (loss of vision, balance, and nauseaI had to sit down three times in the couple dozen yards. I also had a pain in my abdomen. I barely made it the final steps to my office, where it took me at least 45 mintues to get to the point where I could make it to the car to go home. I had strong stomach pain, tingling hands, and gradually decreasing dizzyness. At this time I also noticed that my entire abdomen was very swollen. While the other symptoms have not returned, I have continued to have a very swollen abdomen, which has been very tender to the touch. I have been unable to walk at my usual vigorous pace, and have spent much of the last 3.5 days sitting quietly or lying down. The whole experience has been very frightening--and NOTHING like any PMS I have ever had before. But then again, I've never been menopausal for a year before!

So, I'm writing this post so that others might be aware that the hormonal changes the body goes through while getting OFF Lupron can be even more severe and frightening than the ones you experience going ON the drug.

I'm in my 3rd week of my second monthly shot of Lupron and I'm actually feeling quite well. I found that the first month produced more side effects and it seems that now my body has adapted a bit to the Lupron. The hot flashes or "hot chills" that I call them are coming more often but are not a big deal at all. I was dreading and dreading taking the Lupron, but I'm actually very please with how I feel. Plus, no symptoms from my fibroid like before the Lupron!

Hang in there!