32F
5'3"
172 lbs
Caucasian
Zoloft 100mg daily
Drinking yes, smoking/drugs no
In January of this year, I suffered a c-section scar ectopic pregnancy. The full story can be found in my account history, but I'll try to keep it to just the facts here. I was hospitalized for 12 days, alternating injections between methotrexate and supportive vitamins. This did not work, and the next thing they tried was inserting a catheter into my uterus to try and put pressure on the embryo. This was very painful, and the size of the first balloon was not large enough to apply sufficient pressure. I declined trying a larger size, so that left us with surgery. Because of the risk of hemorrhage, they decided to perform a uterine artery embolization beforehand, under twilight sedation.
The recovery from the UAE was a nightmare. Once the anesthesia wore off, I was in the worst pain I had ever been in in my life. My blood pressure and pulse also plummeted, getting down to the 30s. Someone finally took pity on me, and I was set up with a dilauded pump, as well as an oxygen mask. The surgery that was supposed to happen immediately after that was delayed until the next day. In good news, it was uneventful and I did not hemorrhage or need a hysterectomy.
I have been thinking about these events recently, and I am left with some questions:
- What in the ever-loving fuck was that pain? It was not listed as a potential side effect, and the doctors and nurses all seemed very confused and concerned by it.
- Why did my pulse and blood pressure get so low? One anesthesiologist suggested it was from the pain, but another said that that seemed unlikely. Is it something I should alert medical staff about if I ever need to be anesthetized again?
- I was told that after UAE, the odds of having a successful pregnancy after were about 50%; however, all the information I can find about them is for when they were performed for uterine fibroids, which was not my case. Is there any information on the UAE itself causing fertility issues?
Thank you so much for reading. Any help is appreciated.
Has anyone had a uterine artery embolization for adenomyosis? If so, how was the procedure and recovery, and did it work??
Background: after several years of debilitating pain and bleeding and a range of other issues, I was diagnosed with adenomyosis with an MRI recently. My options are hysterectomy or uterine artery embolization (UAE). I've had a surgical consult and a consult with the UAE radiologist. The UAE would be less invasive and the doctor indicated his success rate for significant symptom improvement with UAE adenomyosis is ~75%. I'm thinking it might be worth a shot but would love to hear anyone else's experience.
About 3 wks out from a TFMR I had spontaneous and severe bleeding.
I ended up getting an emergency uterine artery embolization.
I am now 48 hours out from the embolization and I’m scared I’m not out of the water.
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Edit to add: talked to my doctor - she is not concerned that I’ll have a hemorrhage again
Edited again: thanks modern medicine. I am very healthy 6 months later
Had a UAE done on 7/2, feel free to ask questions.
https://www.jvir.org/article/S1051-0443(19)30705-5/fulltext
Same-day discharge is a beautiful thing ☺️ Access to the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology is provided with Society of Interventioanl Radiology membership, which is free for students and discounted for residents!
After suffering from massive fibroids for years I have decided to move forward and was approved for a hysterectomy. However, due to high COVID numbers where I live, all non-emergency surgeries have been canceled indefinitely so my doctor has suggested a Uterine Artery Embolism as an alternative. I likely wouldn't consider it if I was able to have a hysterectomy because but it is the only option I have right now. I have constant heavy bleeding and have needed 2 blood transfusions in the past 4 months and this pattern will continue if something isn't done. Birth control pills and Lupron didn't help. Does anyone have any experience or advice for UAE?
I have multiple of large fibroids (16cm) and I don't want to have kids anymore so I decided UFE is the best solution. I am looking for doctor/ hospital recommendation that does this procedure. And anyone can share their experience as well. Thank you.
My wife had uterine fibroid embolization treatment roughly around 2002 or 2004. This is the introduction of micro plastics in uterine fibroid tumors to shrink them and possibly avoid a hysterectomy. Subsequently, she developed Parkinson's, diagnosed in 2018. And now I run across this study: https://newatlas.com/environment/microplastics-blood-brain-barrier/
So -- it seems possible there would be a connection between this embolization treatment and future brain disease. Has his been studied at all? Could this be part of the reason for increasing incidence of Parkinson's?
Hi all,
We had a normal early anatomy scan with normal NT measurements and normal anatomy at 12/13 weeks. I work in healthcare and have had friends with serious fetal abnormalities so I chose to have a NIPT. I had the invitae test and came back positive flagged for Trisomy 13 with a positive predictive value of around 10% since I am 33 years old.
We had a 16 week anatomy ultrasound and another meeting with the genetic counselor today. Everything with baby is normal : normal kidneys, bladder, brain, heart (a little early to see everything with the heart but normal for 16 weeks - no IEF), normal binocular distance, nasal bone present, four limbs, open hand visualized, normal growth, etc etc
The only abnormal finding was a single uterine artery (SUA) or "two vessel cord" which is a soft marker for aneuploidy including T13
The genetic counselor said that they may be two separate findings (abnormal NIPT hopefully being a false positive and the SUA cord being an anatomical variant) and that the normal anatomy scan is reassuring but that it's not common to have both a positive NIPT screen and one less serious abnormal ultrasound finding so they don't have a clear number or percentage of likelihood of a true positive.
I've tried researching it but I want to see if anyone has had experience with this? I did not get an amnio and do not have one scheduled since I dont want one if it's unnecessary and likely normal. However, I may find peace of mind getting the accurate results of an amnio. Is getting an amniocentesis that big of a deal? The needle and risk of miscarriage sounds scary, but I've heard that it is really not that painful and the risk of miscarriage is like 0.3 to 0.5%. I live in an urban area and have access to high level care. A perinatologist would perform the amnio - not a regular OB. These ultrasounds were all performed at an MFM office with dedicated advanced OB sonographers.
" A single umbilical artery (SUA) in the second trimester of pregnancy has a high association with trisomy 18, 13, 21 and other chromosomal defects, but all chromosomally abnormal fetuses had associated malformations detected by ultrasound. " https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17286313/
"The incidence of chromosomal abnormalities was 0% in the isolated SUA group," [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/44674900_Isolated_Single_Umbilical_Artery_and_Fetal_Karyotype](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/4467490
... keep reading on reddit ➡Hi everyone!
At my 20w scan yesterday baby was perfect but we discovered that the cord only has 1 artery instead of 2. Since it is only the cord that has issues, and there was no evidence of other deformities, it's considered an isolated SUA which doesn't technically seem to be high risk, but there are some scary associations out there with increased risk of poor outcomes. Does anyone have experience with this? I've got an appointment with my OB to go over the scan results tomorrow. Specific questions I'm planning on asking:
-Will I need more scans to look for low weight?
-Can I keep exercising with SUA? (I'm a runner--I'm thinking if anything keeping active is now more important to keep that one artery pumping)
I'd love any advice or suggestions for more questions to ask!
I had this procedure done yesterday ( UFE). I’m having an abdominal hysterectomy on Monday and my GYN wanted me to have UFE to reduce the chance of bleeding during surgery because I have large fibroids. I read a lot of posts before having it done but I was still so unsure of what to expect regarding the pain and what the actual procedure was like. So here’s my experience.
- The procedure itself is 100% painless, they gave my twilight sedation and local anesthetic. I was awake the entire time (kind of in and out actually) but the medication made me anxiety free. You feel nothing at all during the procedure. Nothing.
- They can either go through your femoral artery or through your wrist. They went through my wrist because if you have it through your femoral artery you have to lie flat for 6-8 hours afterwards. They made a tiny hole to insert the tube. It’s literally no bigger than the tip of a ballpoint pen. There is no pain during or afterward at the sight.
- You stay over in the hospital 1 night for pain control and get released the next morning. You’re given a pain pump so you are in control of managing your pain. The only pain is cramping . Exactly like bad period cramps. Nothing more. At a few points it was pretty bad. A piercing kind of stabbing menstrual pain. But, it comes and goes and is definitely doable. You are not in agony or writhing in pain at all. It’s been exactly 24 hours since I had the procedure and I’m okay. I had pain medicine yesterday but made it though the entire middle of the night without it. I took 2 lortab 7.5 total today. I’m uncomfortable but totally fine. The hardest part of the whole ordeal was the fear of the unknown. So, I just wanted to help put your mind at ease if you’re having or thinking of having this procedure. I recommend it, if your doctor suggests it. I’m a huge wimp and I made it through just fine. Really, it’s not that bad.
I have not had my period in 3 yrs since having UE December 2016. I noticed spotting on my underwear. And now cramps for the past few hours.
Why!?!? 49 YO HAD MULTI FIBROIDS before surgery Horrible periods
Is this menopause!?!?!? I have had hot flashes over past few weeks. No sweating. Any ideas!?!?
Curious if anyone knows the limitations in size of an artery (ie bronchial artery) that can be embolized? I'm specifically looking for the largest limitations for my reading/research. Thanks!!
Back in Nov 2017 I was in a bad car crash, that lead to me (now 22f) having a grade 4 spleen rupture, due to my seatbelt. I under went a Splenic Artery Embolization, in which they used metal coils to stop the blood flow. To my knowledge they completely cut off the blood flow from the main artery. My question is weather or not my immune system is now weakened. I have tried to use google to find my answer but have had no luck. If anyone has any idea I’d appreciate it! If more info is needed just let me know. Thank you!
Hello all, I'm reaching out hoping to find other people who are going through/have gone through the same situation I've experienced. When I was 25 it was discovered that I had a uterine fibroid the size of a grapefruit pushing against the back of my uterus, as well as two other large fibroids and a large number of smaller fibroids scattered around. The large one was sitting in a rather unsafe position, and surgery could have resulted in an accidental cut or stitch to either my uterine blood supply or my urinary tract. After talking to my doctor, we decided the safest route for me was the noninvasive procedure: Uterine Fibroid Embolization. This route is newer and less is known about it, but being so young and with the fibroids as large as we were and sitting where they were, it was my best bet to ensure I kept my uterus in tact and keep fertility possible. The surgery is nearly two years ago, I'm now 27, and my husband and I are beginning to try to conceive. I'm hoping to touch base with other people who have used this method to get rid of their fibroids at such a young age and who have conceived afterwards. I'm hoping that I've given myself enough time for the scar tissue to have healed and that conception will happen soon now that we are actively trying, and insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
What do you think of the current data on PAE? Do you think it could ever cut into the bottom line/current practice of urologists, and further do you see any other interventional procedures that may take specific therapies out of the hands of urologists.
Hello, I recently got BAE done (day before yesterday, in fact). The procedure blocks ghrelin in the stomach, reducing hunger.
Physically, I'm fully recovered but taking it easy this week on the stomach while it adjusts. Then I continue on a more realistic diet planned with my dietician and certain drugs for three months while my brain catches up with my stomach.
My doctor is making sure that this is a gradual process and I will have to check in with him every week (I'll be setting a Google doc up for us).
All that handled I'm still trying to come to terms with my new reality. End of the day there is no magical cure and I still have to work for it. I'm missing the foods and all, wondering about what ifs and not in the best mental space if I'm honest.
Anyone done this? And those who have done other procedures, could you please share how you dealt with the aftermath?
Thank you.
And have any results?
I have not had my period in 3 yrs since having UE December 2016. I noticed spotting on my underwear. And now cramps for the past few hours.
Why!?!? 49 YO HAD MULTI FIBROIDS before surgery Horrible periods
Is this menopause!?!?!? I have had hot flashes over past few weeks. No sweating. Any ideas!?!?
