Geek’s 2007 SIR Abstract Report 3: Pregnancy after MRgFUS for Uterine Fibroids – First Experiences

This is the third installment of my geeky science series on the abstracts and posters presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s 32nd annual Scientific Meeting held March 1 – March 6, 2007.

Pregnancy after MRgFUS for Uterine Fibroids: First Experiences

Geek’s 2007 SIR Abstract Report 2: Post-Embolization Syndrome: Leukocytosis after Uterine Artery Embolization

This is the second in my series of geeky reports on the abstracts and posters presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s 32nd annual Scientific Meeting held March 1 – March 6, 2007.

Post-Embolization Syndrome: Leukocytosis after Uterine Artery Embolization

Geek’s 2007 SIR Abstract Report: Comparison of Partial to Complete Uterine Fibroid Embolization

The Society of Interventional Radiology held its 32nd annual Scientific Meeting from March 1 – March 6, 2007. Multiple abstracts and posters were presented. I’ll try my best to discuss as many of the fibroid-related ones as I can. Yes, this is (hopefully) the first in a series of very geeky reports.

A Prospective Randomized Comparison of Partial to Complete Uterine Fibroid Embolization

ExAblate 2000 (MRgFUS) non-invasive fibroid treatment receives two new associated approvals by the FDA

Received an email message from a visitor who wanted to pass along this information about the additional ExAblate 2000 approvals by the FDA. Thanks for the update!

From the email message:

The FDA approved new software that allows the ExAblate 2000 incisionless surgery procedure to be performed more efficiently by permitting more sonications during the same treatment window. This means that women with fibroids can be treated faster and women with larger fibroids may now be eligible for the outpatient procedure. The greater the area of the fibroid that a physician can treat, the greater the symptom relief. The agency is also allowing the system to be used with a more powerful open MRI machine, which means the physicians will have an even more precise view inside the woman’s body.

You can click the links to view the full press releases on Insightec’s web site but I included excerpts…

Are you healing your spirit and mind as well as your body after your fibroid procedure?

The idea for this entry sprouted from thoughts on total healing (mind/body/spirit) left in the post-Abdominal Myomectomy forum. I thank the ladies there, particularly Sunday and Gab. This is a fascinating topic as I’ve always felt that to have total health, the mind, body, and spirit must work together. I’ll start with my experience and then open the floor to others.

My body, mind, and spirit became disjointed years ago. I decided to seek medical assistance because my periods were becoming bad and blamed fibroids. There are women in my family who had surgery for fibroids and I just knew it was my turn. Yeah, too bad the first ultrasound didn’t detect the dang things. Had a heck of a time trying to convince the doctor and grew tired of doing so. Ended up dealing with my symptoms on my own (with mind fighting body) for YEARS…

What’s involved with pre-op testing before a fibroid procedure?

I sense that some of you get a little nervous about pre-op testing so here’s some information. I’ll start with a quote from Lab Tests Online that provides a guide on test preparation:

One of the most important factors in determining the accuracy and reliability of your lab test is you, the patient. After all, it is a sample from your body (blood, urine, or some other specimen) on which the test will be performed. Therefore, it is essential that you do the following to ensure that the results will be useful:

How are you preparing for your fibroid treatment?

Your preparation can be spiritual, or funny, or just ways you are pampering yourself. Name your treatment option and tell what you are doing to prepare.

How are you preparing for your fibroid treatment?

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Related Posts:
What should I carry with me to the hospital before my fibroid surgery?
What’s involved with pre-op testing before a fibroid procedure?

Tell me about Lupron, Synarel, and Zoladex (gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists)

One upon a time (months ago), I wrote a post on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists but I don’t think anyone really saw it. I guess it’s the name. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist does sound kind of strange.

How about Lupron, Synarel, and Zoladex? Yeah, still a little funny sounding but better. Lupron, Synarel, and Zoladex all belong to the class of drugs known as (everybody chime in)… gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonists).

Did you see Oprah trying acupuncture?

Watched Oprah today. It was another medical show with Dr. Mehmet Oz. Yeah, I’m a geek and love the medical stuff.

Anyway, there on the TV was a licensed acupuncturist (Dr. Daniel Hsu) treating Oprah. I thought… Wow!

Oprah discusses the coolest things on her show. Now, acupuncture. Even cooler was what Dr. Oz said afterwards about alternative medicine. He mentioned “energy medicine” and globalization. I became animated. I know some woman who visit the alternative therapy forum I created think EclecticGeek is against it but you have no clue how far that is from the truth.

UPDATE: My condition five months post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization

This is really late but I promised Aly Fibroids that I would post both a 5-month and 6-month update. 😉

I’ll be honest. I don’t even remember the details of that period. It lasted a little longer (4.5 days) but it was lighter (more spotting/less actual bleeding). Still qualifies as a question mark and that makes me happy.

Another meeting with the debonair fibroid doctor

That would be my Interventional Radiologist (AKA Batman). I had my 6-month post-UFE MRI on last Wednesday. Stay tuned for that post because the experience was pretty funny. Remember my first MRI? Much better this time.

So, I saw my IR on yesterday. The rest of this post is taken directly from a comment I left on one of my update posts in response to Aly Fibroids who just HAD to know my results:

I was so excited because I KNEW everything had to be smaller. I feel so well. Things just must look better inside.

UPDATE: My condition four months post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization

My periods are still question marks. They average about 3.5 days. Incredible that they are now half of the previous legendary “7 days of hell”. I can actually have a period during a holiday and it not matter. What a victory!

Details of my most recent period:

Monday, November 20, 2006: Cramping and spotting started that evening. Took two 200mg over-the-counter Motrin for relief. Ended up taking two more before going to bed so I would sleep through the night. Bleeding became heavier during the night but still light.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006: Cramps were more painful (still moderate) and the bleeding heavier. I would characterize the bleeding as moderate. Was running low on OTC Motrin so I took a 600mg Ibuprofen left over from one of my procedures. No more pain that day. Took another that night at bedtime and slept like a rock on top of a log.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006: Light cramps and light bleeding. Took one 200mg OTC Motrin.

Thursday, November 23, 2006: Ah, the holiday. Light cramping and spotting most of the day. I did take one 600mg Ibuprofen (probably overkill) so I would definitely enjoy the day pain-free… and I did!

I cannot even begin to tell you the RELIEF of being able to sleep through the night. No more waking up at 3 AM in a pool of blood reminiscent of a crime scene. As I would start my sprint to the bathroom, I often expected to look back and see my own chalk outline. Yeah, that anemia can mess with your mind at 3 AM.

On a lighter (and less bloody) note, my holiday was good. Hubby purchased a precooked Thanksgiving dinner and we carried it to my parent’s house and stuck it in their oven. I really enjoyed the fellowship and food. After I returned home, I wanted a turkey so hubby purchased one more cooked meal. I stuck it in our oven and had another Thanksgiving dinner on Friday. How terribly geeky! 😀

I was trying to avoid having tons of leftovers lingering in the house but I have no desire to pig-out anymore. Amazing. So these days, I am well and happy and exercising regularly again. After I consume just a little more turkey, I’ll start working on those posts about fibroids, weight gain, and weight loss. I think you’ll find my perspective quite comical.

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Related Posts:
How are you feeling after your Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
Two weeks after my Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Gosh…my period turned out to be a question mark!
My condition one month post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
UPDATE: My condition two months post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
UPDATE: My condition three months post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
UPDATE: My condition five months post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization