[vealcalf2000]

I saw an old thread about thyroids under General Chatter but wanted to get a little more insight into fibroids and weight loss. If you'd look through my posts over the past few months I've been struggling to find a reason for my weight loss being at a stand still. I've been exercising, eating right, and the scale hasn't moved. I've reevaluated my diet, tried eating less, eating more, limiting caffeine, walking more, walking less, weight training, etc. etc. and nothing was working. I have to go back in a time machine now and bring up the fact that over a year ago I noticed my periods started getting bad...pain, heavier flow, lasting over a week. I initially ignored it. Work schedule is pretty full and honestly I brushed it off that just that one period was bad and the next would be fine. Boy was I wrong! The pain has increased, flow has increased, bloating increased, add to the mix more frequent urination, constipation, and fatigue like I've never known! Sorry if this is TMI! I finally took the time and had a pelvic ultrasound done and was diagnosed with a very large fibroid. It explains a lot of my problems, and honestly, it's nice to finally acknowledge all this pain and fatigue are not just in my head! Anyone else have fibroids? Have it effect your weight loss? While I wait for a follow up with my doctor I did pick up some iron pills along with vitamin c to try to combat the tiredness (anemia is a concern due to the blood loss). Along with all of the health concerns weight gain is a concern too. I can't even explain how awkwardly clothes fit! I had noticed my jeans feeling tight but just around my lower belly. Sometimes the problem can get you bad you can appear pregnant. My looks are last on my list of this problem, but the entire situation is frustrating. Anyone else out there dealing with this? If you don't want to post here you can also PM me. I'm interested in hearing others experiences and successes!

[vealcalf2000]

Ugh sorry Fibroids not Thyroids! I think I right clicked to do a spell check and accidentally changed it!

[vealcalf2000]

LOL a lot of people read this but no responses! That's OK! Maybe I'll just post some updates here. Sometimes we blame ourselves for not losing weight when there could be underlying medical factors. If this could help anyone at all I'd be happy to periodically update this I should also update my Blog!

[vealcalf2000]

For anyone suffering through this and the fatigue, I will say the iron supplement is like a miracle for me! I'm taking it along with vitamin c. I'm hoping I can give up that second pot of coffee

I'm still worried as I haven't tried taking iron during my period, so that will be the true test. I've literally had days I could call off work I'm so tired. Keeping my fingers crossed!

[LadyofWisdom]

hi! I too am experiencing tough weight loss dealing with my fibroids. You just described my feelings accurately. I started taking iron supplements along with my multivitamin. I am also discovering how different food combinations affect my body. Let me know what has been working for you!

[Mrs Snark]

I have fibroids, and they are growing, but so far have seen no negative health impacts. I have frequent pelvic ultrasounds (history of ovarian cancer in the family), so my fibroids and everything else in there is tracked closely.

[souvenirdarling]

My mum has fibroids. In her late 40s she went back on the pill to help handle them until menopause. She definitely had an iron deficiency, though her iron supplements weren't agreeable and a second doctor disagreed with the prescription.

I don't know how they would affect weightloss?

[Unicorn67]

I'm wondering now if this isn't what I might have. My symptoms are very similar to yours - very, very heavy painful, periods, getting closer and closer together - lucky to get 18 days apart. I have lost no weight in the last year - I lose a bit and then before my period I bloat up like a huge balloon and there is not enough time in between to lose what I gain. I am perimenopausal. Had my yearly physical this week and have bloodwork on Friday as Dr. was also worried about anemia. He wasn't concerned with my lack of weight loss and told me to focus on how far I've come and how much I've improved my fitness level which bothered me cause I've worked hard to get where I am and there is no reason for the weightloss to have stopped. I've done the same as you - tried eating more, tried eating less, exercised more, exercised less etc.
He is blaming the perimenopause but that just doesn't seem right to me.
Guess I'll wait and see what the bloodwork shows. May just have to wait it out.

[Mara]

I am actually having surgery next week (Thursday July 24) to remove at least two fibroids. I had all the symptoms you listed and was sent to a Fertility Clinic to talk to a doctor that has experience with removing them. I wondered if they could affect weight loss but have not asked. I know that they can grow and cause you stomach to grow as if you were pregnant so they have to have some weight to them.

The doctor actually put me on a daily iron pill and a prescription vitamin D pill once a day for 4 weeks. Hoping that will help with the anemia too. I am so ready to feel better and not worry about leaving the house. Embarrassing to have a "flood" and go everywhere.

[MauiKai]

I had one removed not too long ago, along with two polyps. Wasn't bad at all. Glad it's gone.

[vealcalf2000]

I've been so depressed over my weight I haven't visisted 3fatchicks in awhile, but I was interested to see if there were any responses to this thread...

I certainly wish this fibroid wasn't affecting my health but it is Trying to control my weight has become somewhat of a nightmare. Since I last posted I went from a heavy period to bleeding out, pain that's so bad some days I have to call off work, and while iron pills help the anemia they cause unpleasant side effects....stop now if it's TMI....constipation is TERRIBLY painful, possibly because the fibroid is taking up room too?

Because of the position of my fibroid it's painful and I'm almost always in a state of PMS. LOL so in addition to the moodiness and bloating I also crave sugars and carbs (I have issues with my blood sugar so craving these types of food are terrible!)

The only flip side to this was realizing there was an underlying factor to my lack of weight loss. Now don't get me wrong I don't blame it ALL on my fibroid but I finally calmed down a bit when I realized there was an obstacle in the way.

The bloat from this thing is also terrible! I have two sizes of jeans that I wear now...fat and fatter! LOL! I can literally puff up by the end of the day and have to switch to my bigger pants! Yikes!

The good news is I've been working with my doctor and my options for controlling this. There is a SLEW of information out there and it was hard to decide what was the correct way to go. Because of my age and insurance stipulations I'm going through a couple of procedures to try to fix this. If they don't work I'll have to look into a hysterectomy.

It's all scary at times, but when I'm in pain so bad I can't even walk (I used to walk miles and miles each day but pain and fatigue will sometimes stop me in my tracks!) I realize that this really effects the quality of my life. I can't even leave the house without having an extra set of clothes. Sadly I've had to change at work on two occasions...how embarrassing!

I also want to get back on track so badly with my weight loss. It's not about wanting to be in a certain size, weight, etc I just want to feel comfortable in my own skin! This is like having period bloat 20+ days out of the month!

LOL OK rant over! Thanks for listening! I'd still like to post updates on here regarding the steps I"m taking and how things are working out. I myself am interested in seeing how this all pans out and hoping I can get back to ME soon! Next doctor's appt is Nov 24!!!

[vealcalf2000]

I also wanted to add, if any of you THINK there could be something wrong PLEASE do not be afraid to go to your doctor. I have put this off for over a year. Each month I'd think my period would be better but it didn't get better it just slowly got worse. I let it go for way to long. Now I struggle to get to work, do things around the house, and I even struggle to do the things I love like exercising and going to the gym.

As women I think we feel this sense of responsibility that we have to be strong all the time...I've always been the type to go to work each day, never call off, never let pain get in the way, and here I am having to admit I need to take care of me.

Again, if anyone wants to PM me feel free. It's nice to know we're not in it alone! There are also Fibroid support groups on FB.

[Mrs Snark]

Man, I'm sorry your fibroid is so problematic! I hope the procedures you're going to try will get rid of these terrible issues, you really sound like you are suffering. Please do post your updates, I've got my fingers crossed that you get relief!

[samf146]

I love your ideas .I notice off the people in my close sorounding that diet to lose weight, some of them loose quite a bit but others just cannot loose a pound and that is because of genetics.Each of us are a little geneticly different and what works for me will not work for you.In other words we do not store or burn fat the same way..The only way for some of us to lose weight is to have a " customized fat loss program" built for our particular type of geans . Food is the best medicine for our health.

[BUNDLEOFJOY]

I feel for you and pray you find the solution that is best for you fast. Damn fibroids! Ugh. I have been missing from the forum for a little while too but came back after having a Laparascopic Myomectomy to remove 11 fibroids but ended up removing 45 of them. Uh yes, shocked the heck out of me. .

So now I'm recovering and just praying for the best outcome because I plan to conceive. My surgeon/specialist was well aware of my desire for children and is optimistic. Thankfully there wasn't too many fibroids in the uterine cavity where the baby grows, so in January I will go back and see how the uterus has healed up.

Now my focus is to heal, lose this excess weight, and have me a baby!

I still have inflammation because the surgery was so extensive so my weight will also be a little higher from the fluid but I'm ready to do what I can to try to get to an ideal pregnancy weight for myself. I figure, I got approx two months before I see my doc, so I can try my hardest to get at least 15 lbs off. So here I am..back on this forum to start tracking again.

I hope you find an answer soon!