Exercising with Uterine Fibroids

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It's easy to want to put off exercising when you have fibroids.... I know this first hand.  There is always (yes, always) low-grade cramping pain, bloating, and a feeling of lethargy from previous heavy blood loss/low iron. 

In addition to that, there is always the fear that a fibroid (or several of them) will become over-stimulated from higher pulse coming through them during activity, which can lead to a spontaneous bleed!! 

I've had spontaneous bleeding occur when it wasn't my technical period, and more than once it was caused by high levels of stress (I've since cut those stressors - a poor family relationship and horrible job - out of my life).  

I've also had it occur due to tight pants (yes, pressure on the fibroids can "squeeze them like ketchup packets") and a couple of times due to too much caffeine consumption.   Admittedly, it's always frightening to just start gushing blood from my genitals, even when I know what's caused it.  And so, this has led to me putting off heavy exercise just out of fear of it happening again....

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However, exercise is a fundamental part of human life, for our overall health.  It helps with our circulation/cardio health, breathing, mental well-being, muscle health, strength/endurance, digestion, immunity, organ function and even sexual health!  And it doesn't hurt to look trim & toned.  It's not something that should be put off, even when there are some risks associated with it...

Truthfully, the issue most of us have with motivation to exercise, is that we sometimes see it as a big, scary, time-consuming or exhausting activity, which will leave us sore & tired.  We over-estimate what it entails and overwhelm ourselves before even starting.

Now, it is true that women with bleeding fibroids should not be over-exerted. Thankfully, there are lots of safe & gentle exercises that can help with the bloating and energy levels:

• Yoga - primarily the kind that gently makes us gain core strength in the abs.
• Squats and Pilates - though stay away from aerobics since they can cause a bleed.
• Dancing - my personal favorite!  Belly Dancing is even better due to the movement.
• Doing housework - think of it as an activity and do it to music, rather than think of it as tedious chores. Set a timer and move swiftly to try & "beat the clock" :)
• Go for a walk - this is especially nice during the autumn, where you can enjoy the crunch of the leaves, colors of the trees and the crisp air. 
• If you have an exercise bike, it's recommended that you use it gently and for shorter periods of time, more often. Instead of 45 minutes on it, do two 15-20 minutes at a time, maybe in the morning and evening, or whatever you choose.
• Make time to play outside with loved ones, whether that's your spouse, kid(s) or dog. 
• Water Aerobics - if you like the moves of aerobic exercise, try a class where you get to do it in a refreshing swimming pool.

Two more sites for ideas for "fibroid exercises":

• Atlanta Fibroid Center
• Healthfully

Kind of in Limbo

 Hi all, 

this is kind of a random post.  

In early October, I went to see my primary care physician as a follow-up about my fibroids.  It had been about half a year since the last time I went to see him, due to Covid stuff.  In the meantime, I was still occasionally experiencing incredibly heavy periods (soaking through Super Plus tampons in a short time), and cramps bad enough to cause fever, chills & nausea!

When I went to see him, I was menstruating at the time and he wanted me to get a blood test to count my hemoglobins and see how much iron I was losing.  Unfortunately, because of the longer wait times to get in to clinics (by appointment only these days) and work schedules, it was mid-October before I could get in, and my iron levels may have gone up a bit by then....

I was anxiously awaiting a phone call from him, since he didn't want to take any next steps until I've gotten my hemoglobins checked a few times... but it was a surprise to not hear anything back by 5 days after the first blood test.  So, I went online to access my own health records (we can do that in Alberta, and very likely in other places as well).  My iron levels were strangely pretty good at a 28, but I noticed something else of interest here...

My ferritin (see above) levels are on the low end of the range, which does appear to sometimes be linked with low iron caused by blood loss from heavy menstrual bleeding.  Interesting...

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Anyway, though I'm not currently planning to change doctors at this point, I do admittedly feel almost humored.  I know something is wrong with my feminine health, and though this time last year he encouraged me to consider a hysterectomy, this year it seems he wants me to just use a blood clotting medication and pain relief meds to treat the fibroids.  I had also thought they were growing, which was causing my belly to bloat, but I learned at the appointment with him that my "swelly belly" is mainly just weight gain.... likely caused by my craving for sugar since my loss of blood lowers the blood sugar levels in my body.   

To be honest, at this point, though I was expecting a hysterectomy later this year, it looks like the whole thing is currently in limbo...

I was told to come to him a few more times during my periods to get an appointment and form for blood work, to check those levels each time.  He also wrote me another prescription for Cyklokapron.... guess for now I'll just get used to the side effects and hope for the best.

In the meantime, if my bleeding, pain, swelling or any other fibroid symptoms get worse, I'm going to request a referral to a gynecologist (yes, I know every woman should already have one!)   

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Fibroids and Lethargy

 Being lethargic... it's not the same as being lazy.  

When a person is "lazy", their mind matches their body, and neither one is motivated.  When someone is lethargic, their body cannot keep up with the energy of their mind - and that's what I've been going through for the last 2+ years...   

What causes it?   Many health issues can cause a person to be lethargic - listless, fatigued, etc. - but this post is specific to fibroids and how they contribute.  It's no secret that fibroids cause significant bleeding, both during and not during a woman's period.  This incredible loss of blood (which occurs long-term), contributes to anemia - low iron.  With little iron and oxygen in the organs and muscles, the woman with fibroids is operating on the "bare minimum" for nutrients and can benefit from:

• Taking iron supplements and eating iron-rich food
• Having bed rest during the first day or two of menstruation when it's heaviest
• Getting blood transfusions during heavy menstruation
• Avoiding the use of heat for pain
• Taking a tranexamic acid such as Cyklokapron to control bleeding
• Getting surgery to either remove the fibroids, or the whole uterus

In addition to feeling very tired from fibroid-bleeding (even with adequate hours of sleep), another incredibly common symptom of the anemia they cause, is being cold all the time. This is because the amount of blood and iron needed for warming all the muscles throughout the body, just isn't enough.  When we have the "bare minimum" of blood in our bodies, it will be focused in the torso, where our major organs need it... meaning our extremities (arms & hands, legs & feet) won't get as much.  Being small-framed makes this even worse, and if you know someone like this, please don't body-shame her 🙁 

On the bright side, often when the fibroids have been removed and the patient recovers, with proper transfusions and taking iron, the body should re-establish a healthy amount of blood and then energy levels should increase! 

Fibroids and the 'Phantom Tampon'

 

Image may be subject to copyright

Some of you ladies know what I'm talking about... you've accidentally left an old tampon in, and you have a heavy, painful feeling in your vagina... it starts toward the cervix and eventually, your vulva feels sore.   What if I told you... you removed your last tampon already?

This is referred to as the Phantom Tampon because it feels like it's there, but when you check by feel and eventually with a pocket mirror, you realize nothing got "left behind"... except for a medical condition, such as vaginal dryness, irritation or polyps in there.  

Fibroids typically don't enter the vaginal cavity, but on occasion, larger (heavy) fibroids can "fall" through the cervix, causing an uncomfortable and painful feeling of fullness in the vagina.  Unfortunately, they are tender and can bleed easily, and ironically, if a woman is unaware (not likely but still) that it's there and rams a tampon against it, that can cause a very heavy bleed which will likely require transfusions... this is why it's so important that we ladies take our uterine health very seriously and see our doctor when something is wrong - that can save our life!

I'm in an At-Risk Group

 

This is me today, wearing a mask to go out and do stuff with my hubby.  The main health risk associated with COVID19 is oxygen going down and organs failing because of that. This can occur as a result of pneumonia and requires a respirator in extreme cases. 

As we all know by now, those with weakened immune systems and/or pre-existing conditions like cancer or diabetes are at higher risk.  I'm in the higher-risk group because of anemia, which already keeps my oxygen levels significantly low.  

If this COVID19 bug gets me, it has potential to put me in the ICU with a need for emergency oxygen!  😬

I'd like to do a little PSA now for women who have similar "female issues" which weaken our immune systems. It's not always pleasant to wear a mask, nor is it fun to follow orders like standing in social-distance lineups.  Our skin is getting dry from all the sanitizer and we miss traveling...  But the longer we get carried away by our petty frustrations about it (and refuse to keep taking precautions), the longer it will take to eradicate this bug, and it increases your odds of getting seriously ill 🤒 

I wear my mask proudly, because it can help protect me (otherwise I'm as good as gone) AND I feel good knowing that I'm helping to protect others, especially those who are immuno-compromised

So please, don't refuse to be part of the protection, and please don't be putting your "I don't wanna" before the health & safety of others 🙏 

Fibroids and Bowel Movements

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This is a topic not everyone wants to discuss, but when it comes to health, it's often necessary - pooping. 

Well, no matter what title you've assigned to doing it, there is one thing that can really impede the ability to be regular: 

Fibroids!

I used to think it was just me, and assumed I naturally inherited my mother's IBS (irritable bowel syndrome, which I was initially diagnosed with a couple years ago before the fibroids diagnosis).  I am also bad for eating too many sweets/carbs, and not enough veggies... so admittedly some of my constipational issues are just a consequence.... 

However, I've learned from hundreds of other women on facebook support groups that it's common to experience moderate trouble being regular, mainly due to the growth of the fibroids against the bowel.  It can even become very painful if a pedunculated one(s) end up wrapping around some part of the bowel, which could lead to an ER trip and emergency surgery, not to mention extreme pain!  This is part of why it's so important to get your fibroids (or endometriosis, etc.) treated as soon as you can!  

The best treatment of course, is to stay hydrated.  Get your water, your electrolytes... and try to avoid alcohol as a regular beverage.   Of course, the other best treatment is to try to avoid empty carbs and get some more fibre in your diet.  This can be from whole grain bread and pasta, and eating nuts & seeds.  I find one of the best "treats" to keep regular, is dark chocolate almonds, because they give some real ruffage.  It's also a good idea if you can eat it without gagging, to get probiotics from yogurt.  You can also take probiotic supplements if you like. It all helps.

When you really need an emergency 💩 due to pain & bloating, then opt for a fast-acting stool softener. Just be sure to set aside time for privacy in the bathroom ;) 

Anyway girl, make sure to get your uterine health checked out.  You shouldn't suffer in silence when it can be fixed for you.  

Fibroids, Hysterectomy and Intercourse

 This one is for all the husbands and boyfriends out there (I'm directing it specifically at male partners, because I believe female romantic partners will be a lot more understanding due to having the same parts). 

When a woman has had any of the 3 types of hysterectomy - whether it was done vaginally, abdominally, or via laroscope - her interior will need at least 6 weeks to heal, and sometimes up to 8 weeks or more.  In fact, technically, after a hysterectomy, she is not to be having sexual activity at all (even externally) until cleared by a doctor. 

This is because there is a risk of infection, which could turn life threatening and extremely painful for her.  There is also the risk of bleeding, which can become severe and is often caused by popping the "cuff" (the top of the vagina, where the surgical wound is sewn back together).  

Image available at iStockphoto.com 

The doctor needs to examine her surgical wounds and see how they're healing... and in many cases, the go ahead even for clitoral stimulation isn't until about the 6-week point. 

However, many women feel it when they're ready to approach sex again... each one is different and depending on whether her ovaries were removed, will have varying levels of sex hormones. It's really best if you let her initiate the romance with you, and not the other way around.  

*Unfortunately, though this thankfully isn't true of all men, some partners become frustrated and impatient with waiting, which has led to ultimatums - pressuring her into sex before being cleared first, cheating, and the like.  On behalf of women everywhere: Please don't.

Now this is for the ladies (the ones who have had or will have a hysterectomy): 

First of all, listen to your body, and to your doctor. Don't let anyone pressure you, nag you, or threaten you to get sex out of you.  Your body is healing and needs time to repair itself.  If you feel you're at risk of domestic violence, seek out your local hotline or talk to your family doctor about it ASAP!

Chances are, while you still had fibroids or whatever was the reason for your hysterectomy, you were already experiencing pain with intercourse, and possibly even spontaneous bleeding from having sex.  Girl I feel you - for the past couple of years, I've been finding penetration more & more painful, and now it's at the point of spotting right afterward.  Anyway, you will likely find that sex after recovery will be better than it was pre-surgery.  

If full-on penetration (even with a toy) sounds intimidating, that's totally okay.  It's your body and only you really know what you like... so if it's easier, start with external stimulation the first few times, and work your way to other things as time goes by. 

Again, every woman is different and just because your friend who had a hysterectomy says that now her orgasms are through the roof, doesn't mean it's a competition (and, how do you even know she's telling the truth?)  You may find that sex feels a lot better without the impeding fibroids, or maybe it's about the same as it was before... or if you are experiencing sexual difficulties such as lack of arousal/lubrication, painful intercourse, no orgasm or minimal pleasure, or strange discharge, it's wise to talk to your gynecologist to find out what can be done to improve it for you.  After all, you shouldn't have to suffer in silence.

Fibroids and Cramping

 

Image may be subject to copyright

Fibroids are benign tumors which grow in, on and around the uterus (some are pedunculated), and of course they are rarely not symptomatic to some degree.  It's true that some women are lucky enough to not even know they have fibroids, but for most of us, that's not the case.

In addition to the obvious heavy menstrual flow (spotting, prolonged periods, anemia, ER trips, etc.) there is one very distinct symptom of fibroids: PAIN!

The pain is worst during the menstrual period, as normal cramping sort of "massages" the fibroids, which are fairly solid and will push back against surrounding muscles - ouch!  And even worse for us, is that using heat to soothe the cramps, will increase our heavy blood loss, so we often need to find other options for pain relief:

• My first & foremost option is Aleve.  I know it's designed for joint & muscle pain, but the uterus is sort of 'muscular' so it works.  Over the years, I've experimented with various pain relief meds, from NSAIDs, to Ibuprofen... just try them until you find the one that works for you.
• Light exercise - but nothing strenuous!  Staying upright, rather than laying down, can help just by ensuring that the fluid flows out of you naturally, so your uterus and surrounding muscles don't have to "squeeze" so hard to get it out. 
• Staying hydrated, and taking your iron supplements. It's amazing how the "little things" we do for our health, can have such a profound impact when done regularly... when your body is healthy, you'll feel better overall. 
• Use a folded cloth on your lower belly. It gently uses your own body heat, without overheating you and causing heavier bleeding.  One thing I sometimes do, is while wearing leggings, fold a face cloth and shove it against my lower belly and use my leggings to hold it in place. Weird? Oh yes. Helpful? Ooooh yessss......
• Lay off on the caffeine... for awhile.  When your cramps are bad, one thing that can make them worse is caffeine, as it stimulates your central nervous system and increases a lot of your body's mechanisms. Sometimes a nice hot cup of peppermint tea with honey can hit the spot just as well 🍵
• Using cold - yes, contrary to what most women use for cramps, using a cool damp wash cloth, ice pack, frozen peas or something else to "chill" your lower abdomen can be quite calming and soothing.  If you have sensitive skin, use a thin towel (like a kitchen towel) as a barrier to protect you from frost bite - true story. 
• Eating turmeric - this spicy flavor may be an acquired taste, but if you like Indian food (butter chicken? Yes please!) then you can add this anti-inflammatory seasoning to your meals, which can help decrease inflammation in your body and therefore should lessen the cramps a bit.  Cinnamon has a similar benefit and is delicious on desserts, chicken (yes), and in warm beverages like tea. 
• Staying calm... you already know this, but stressing increases heart rate and blood pressure, and therefore your cramps.  Try some adult coloring, listening to binaural beats, baking, smelling essential oils such as lavender, watching funny videos, or anything else that relaxes you.

Remember that the best way to relieve cramping caused by fibroids, is to make an appointment with your gynecologist and discuss options.  You'll also want to get tested to find out if it could be endometriosis (uterine lining on surrounding organs such as bladder, bowels and surrounding tissues), or cancer.  Getting checked is safer than ignoring it.  

Follow Up

 Hi everyone!  

So as you know, yesterday I went to see my primary care physician regarding the fibroids and suggestion of a hysterectomy.

I showed him my bloated belly and complained that my fibroids were getting too big... his medical assistant weighed me in, and I've put on 8 pounds since the last time I visited late last year... which is actually a big deal for my otherwise tiny frame.  As it turns out, it's not entirely from growing fibroids...

He had me lay down and pressed around my belly... and it turns out, I've been comfort-eating to make up for lost iron (my desperate attempt at replacing lost energy through consuming lots of sugar).  I will admit that was an embarrassing moment, LOL!

We discussed my blood loss and symptoms of anemia, and after commenting that I look pale (even for me, which is not good since I'm part Irish, Scottish and British), he gave a requisition form to get my hemoglobins checked with a blood test.  The earliest I can get in at the lab right now (with all the Covid stuff going on) is October 26.  That's just as well, since I don't want to get blood drawn while menstruating heavily, since I need as much blood as I can keep right now...

Take a look at these comparison pictures

Me in 2011 on wedding day with Rob, and me today (October 8, 2020):

Over the past 9 years, gradually-increased blood loss has led to anemia, which has led to a dangerously low level of iron in my body.  I often get comments on how pale I look these days, and back when I was still in touch with my (narcissist) mother, she sometimes said I looked almost like a zombie with "gaunt cheeks". Though it might've been partially insult, she wasn't wrong... my health is visibly deteriorating... 

Anyway, one time during a recent period, I went to pee and was bleeding like a pig with it's throat cut!  It was awful how much was coming out and how quickly... I don't normally do this since it's vulgar and indecent, but for medical reasons I came back with my phone (after washing hands) and took a reference photo to show him.  He had a very appropriate response, which was horror, and then he wrote another prescription for Cyklokapron, which helps blood form clots and stop flowing so freely out of the body. The picture is below...

TRIGGER WARNING - GRAPHIC CONTENT BELOW...

PHOTO BLURRED SO IT'S NOT AS DETAILED...

The above is just from wiping after peeing, and not sure how that much blood needed to come out at once, but it was very heavy, watery and bright red!  This is exactly the reason that women with heavy menstrual bleeding caused by underlying health conditions, need to see your doctor right away to get it taken care of.  It can become life-threatening!

On a side note, I took a couple of Cyklokapron pills this morning. Frankly the only way I'm even able to, is by taking 2 chewable Gravol gingers with them, to ward off the nausea that comes with them.  It is a minor side effect but worth it to be safe 👍

Thank you for sitting through my gross posts, I appreciate you being along on this journey with me!

Fibroids and Frequent Urination

 If you've ever been pregnant, then you know the awful feeling of "WTF!? I just emptied my bladder 20 minutes ago!"  Of course, this can also be a symptom of diabetes, due to overactive kidneys trying to filter.... but there is something specific about this when you fibroids - like a growing baby, these tumors 'rest' against the bladder, making it near impossible to hold our urine for long periods of time 😠

Unfortunately, short of stopping drinking water, the only real way to treat this is to get rid of your fibroids, either by a myectomy or hysterectomy.  After 6-8 weeks of recovery, you should be starting to feel better. 

On a personal note, and this is very likely relatable among all the women with fibroids, for the past few weeks, I've been getting up in the middle of the night to pee a river, which is very disruptive to sleep.  It's not too terrible if I can sleep in, but the days I need to get up at 6am for work, it's unacceptable.  And it makes me feel kind of helpless, since I cannot just decide not to stay hydrated - I still need to drink water, and do at bed time because our room is dry enough to cause morning nose bleeds.  I'm not looking forward to the whole concept of having a hysterectomy, but boy am I looking forward to not having to deal with urinary urgency anymore... I'm only 32 years old, LOL. 

If you are experiencing any symptoms which could be caused by fibroids, please make an appointment with your gynecologist! 

Life After Hysterectomy

 Today's the first day in a series of stressful days leading up to an inevitable hysterectomy.... today, I'm going to talk to my amazing family doctor and begin setting up the process 😬🤞

In my nervousness, I've been doing a lot of medical research online.  And I came across a really good and helpful website for women like us:

This is a screencap taken this morning on my phone.  I'd like to give you the link to the site here:

Life After Hysterectomy 

Bloating from Fibroids

 

This is just a quick personal video. It's October 6, 2020 and my bloating is gradually worsening. I'm having constant low-grade cramps, peeing every night around 2 in the morning, and spotting from fibroids. 

Tomorrow, I'm going to take my pregnant looking belly to my family doctor and begin the process of setting up the date for my much-needed hysterectomy 😬

Fibroids and Spotting

 

From "The Shining" by Stephen King and Stanley Kubrick 

If you have fibroids, then you likely already know how damn easy it is for them to start a spontaneous bleed!  Of course, the most common cause of heavy fibroid bleeding is menstruation... as blood flows to the uterus to become part of the lining which eventually sheds, blood flows to and through the fibroids, like a funnel!  

Since there is no real way of stopping this externally (aside from taking lots of tranexamic acid medication), it can become life threatening if not properly treated!  At the very least, it will certainly cause anemia from loss of iron.  

Fibroids, as they grow, develop their own blood vessels for nourishment... like something out of a Hollywood horror movie! 

Image belongs to www.jvir.org

Other examples of what causes spotting/bleeding from fibroids:

• Overexertion; exercising too hard, lifting something too heavy, etc.
• Emotional stress, as it can cause high blood pressure.
• Poor diet, specifically consumption of too much caffeine, which can cause high blood pressure.  Try a variety of (non-alcohol) beverages for relaxation. 
• Aggressive sex, either with a partner or toy.  If you have fibroids and they're prone to bleeding, try to steer clear of vibrating sex toys.  If intercourse causes bleeding, ask your partner for clitoral stimulation instead. 
• Heat - whether it's a hot tub, a hot bubble bath or using a heating pad for cramping, heat increases blood flow and can cause you to literally need a transfusion - I came damn close a couple years ago when using Icy Hot pain relief patches and had to go to the ER for bleeding from it. 
• Other health issue, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension or something that can cause issues with circulation in your body. 

To avoid bleeding, at least until you've had your hysterectomy or other fibroid treatment, keep yourself calm, hydrated, well-rested and be careful with your limitations.  If you know what triggers your spotting (which is bleeding during a time that's not your actual period), then don't do that thing.  And please, see your gynecologist pronto 🩸

 

Make sure to get checked out!