Uterine artery embolisation

tamara25 · 11-07-2019 10:14pm #1

I know this would have been discussed several times already but I would really appreciate hearing from others who have had this done. I will do my best to keep it short. Have a 6 cm fibroid, scan was done last year. I dread getting my periods extremely heavy & am housebound in heavy days. I got an appointment today to see a gynecologist in September in a private hospital. Secretary said they use uae for fibroid removal. Don’t know how long I will be waiting for surgery but have my mind made up I don’t want to be suffering like this anymore every month. I just have to go to my own go now & get him to do up a letter for me to bring in for my appointment.

MiliMe · 11-07-2019 10:23pm

I heard an 8cm fibroid (within the walls of my womb), didn't get the uae, the doctor decided that a myomectomy was the better option for me. I was quite young to have fibroids and i hadn't had children.
So it was open surgery for me, was in hospiral for 4 days and a couple of weeks recovery afterward. I have had no issues since then.
Probably haven't helped much but that was my experience of fibroid removal.

tamara25 · 12-07-2019 9:26am

That’s great that all was well after your surgery. Im 45 now & could be having periods for another 5 years yet so that’s definitely not an option for me. I’m going to a private hospital & don’t have health insurance so have to pay consultation etc. does anyone know if I have to pay for surgery also?

tamara25 · 14-07-2019 12:12pm

Does anyone know how much surgery costs for uterine artery embolisation in Galway clinic?

Anna2834 · 19-07-2019 9:47am

I have an appointment (public but have health insurance - however they dont cover this) in Holles Street on Monday to check out my numerous fibroids (they were discovered in January of this year), one being a 5.2 cm the rest smaller. I am actually looking forward to getting this looked into. Have had some terrible back pains, my feet hurt like hell (a symptom apparently of fibroids) not too often but it does happen, cannot seem to be able to hold my bladder for more than an hour (its terrible). I am curious to see what the doctor suggests we do.

Recently a lady (shes around my age 37/38) I know was in hospital for about 20 days due to one fibroid causing her major issues - almost blocking Vena Cava. It was horrible from the story she told me - I believe she said it was the size of a 6 months fetus.

tamara25 · 19-07-2019 10:00am

Thanks Anna for your reply & best of luck with your appointment! I found out the cost for the uterine arterial embolisation procedure & it is very expensive. My next step is to see my gp next week & enquire about the public waiting list etc, feel like I’m wasting my time with that option!

Anna2834 · 19-07-2019 10:04am

I had to go on the public list as my insurance didn't cover it (due to factors outside my control) I didn't have to wait long for an appointment - 6 months and I managed to get a very good consultant who was actually recommended to me (by magic I actually got her).

The GP was very good and recommended me straight away (it wasn't even the usual GP i go to) as I wasnt feeling well, I decided to attend a clinic in Dublin and she initially though I was 6 months pregnant. Oblivious I wasn't and when the scan was done it came out it was fibroids.

I will update on Monday what the story is in my case - but yeah I would have figured it would be pretty expensive. How much if you don't mind me asking?

waxmelts2000 · 01-08-2019 10:39pm

Hello, I just came across this thread. I have been having issues since I got the coil January 18. Constant periods went for MRI showed up numerous fibroids. Put on the pill along with the coil no better. Had a D&C in December and new coil but still having difficult periods. I'm currently on day 33 of my latest! So I have an appointment in Tuesday in the Mater cork to be referred to CUH for UAE

However I thought it was covered under my health policy , now I'm worried that I cannot afford this procedure . Any idea of the costs please ?

Anna2834 · 02-08-2019 8:53am

If I were you I would remove the coil I know I did. Now I am waiting on the surgery to remove my fibroids, I've my MRI in September and another appointment with the hospital in October to decide which way the operation is going to go. Hope to have the operation by Christmas time and start afresh in 2020. Mine is public so it doesn't cost me anything (well not yet) however I have looked at different sites and it ranges from 4000-7000 euro. The doctor wanted to do a full hysterectomy - I obviously said no as I am only mid 30's. So the next was surgery due to the fact that they are very big and advised nothing else would work.

When I had my coil (Mirena) I bled for 3 months straight. Plus the horrible boils I go all over my body especially the face just didn't work for me at all.

I have to say the public list has moved pretty fast for me...well so far anyway.

You will be covered by your insurance. This procedure is covered by private health insurance. Give them a quick call to confirm if in doubt.

waxmelts2000 · 02-08-2019 6:47pm

Thank you Anna I'll keep ye posted next week

waxmelts2000 · 06-08-2019 7:47pm

Hello again. I had my appointment with consultant today. I was upset ( again ) and I just said I can't continue like this. So she scanned me but cannot say for sure if the coil is still there due to size of fibroid /uterus something like that. I need to have another MRI. so I'm waiting on appointment, I hope to have that by next week.
Based on this she will refer me to DR Liam Spence in CUH , she did also mention hysterectomy through laporoscooy as UE may not be suitable but I may have to go to Mater in Dublin for this. She also gave me a prescription in the event that I get heavy bleeds again that will curtail the bleeding. So that's my update

I'm 48 years old, no children ( one miscarriage)

Men have it easy right !

Anna2834 · 07-08-2019 8:46am

Well it looks to me like they are trying to sort things out...which is great. Hardly wait for my appointments to come up so that I can move on from this.

Hope all works out for you...

waxmelts2000 · 07-08-2019 10:32am

Thanks Anna , you too

Anna2834 · 07-08-2019 10:32am

Same Valyawl

waxmelts2000 · 30-08-2019 12:41pm

Not a lot to update on this, I had another MRI last week. Sent the 2 copies from my MRI to CUH , waiting on call for consultation with Liam Spence. I have been put on medication to stop heavy bleeding which did not work, so I have had to get another months supply and upped the dosage....

Anna2834 · 30-08-2019 1:19pm

Sorry to hear that. I have my MRI next month and then another appointment with the hospital about the surgery.

waxmelts2000 · 05-09-2019 6:47pm

Got a call yesterday from consultant secretary to go to appointment this afternoon. I met with consultant and he said having embolisation for me and others is about 85% effective. I'm going to go with this option. He said I should get a call next week about a date but hopes in September/ October. My iron levels are low also so taking a supplement last few days. That's my update !

Anna2834 · 16-09-2019 10:10am

ok well it seems that things might get sorted somehow. I have my MRI on the 19th of September.

waxmelts2000 · 17-09-2019 1:28pm

I am having my procedure next Monday looking forward to getting back to some sort of normal life!

Anna2834 · 17-09-2019 1:34pm

Wow that really has moved fast for you. Delighted to hear this. Hardly wait to get my MRI done this Thursday.

tamara25 · 17-09-2019 1:36pm

Good for you Valyall I wish you a speedy recovery afterwards.

wiolentynka05 · 18-09-2019 1:02pm

Hi,
I am suffering from fibroids as well. I have tried Mirena but fell out after 2 months. I was refereed to see specialist for embolisation. I am looking for someone who had it done already to share their experience. I was reading a lot about the procedure. I know this is the best option bu I am worried about complications (pain, early menopause). I have my appointment tomorrow.

waxmelts2000 · 18-09-2019 8:04pm

I'm having mine done next Monday so unfortunately cannot answer you right now. All going wel I will post next week

waxmelts2000 · 26-09-2019 1:18pm

Quick update, procedure was done on Monday. I stayed in for a 2nd night as I was nauseous and weak with pain. I'm at home now taking pain relief. If you wish send me a PM with any specific questions I will do my best to answer ( however I am not the doctor)!!

Anna2834 · 26-09-2019 1:24pm

Delighted to hear all went well (hope the pain goes away soon). I had the MRI done and the results should be with the hospital in a week, then I am due to meet with doc in Holles Street early next month to try set a date for my procedure.

tamara25 · 26-09-2019 1:28pm

I’m glad it’s over for you Valyawl. I will drop you a pm this evening. There is no rush coming back to me! Look after yourself xx

wiolentynka05 · 27-09-2019 9:00am

Good to hear all went well. Get back to full health soon!!

wiolentynka05 · 03-10-2019 1:15pm

Hi Got my procedure on Monday. Was in hospital for 2 nights too. All went well. Pain managed well with morpfine pomp. At home now but still on pain relief drugs probably for few more days.

tamara25 · 03-10-2019 1:18pm

I envy ye ladies that have your procedure over with. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that mine will be done before Christmas. And I will get my life back again!!

waxmelts2000 · 03-10-2019 2:04pm

wiolentynka05 great it is over for you hope you feel better soon.
Tamara25 hopefully when you have your appointment they will be able to do the procedure ASAP for you

tamara25 · 17-10-2019 5:32pm

Had my appointment today in hospital. Overall I am dissapointed about how it went. The waiting list for an mri is 6 months, before I would be on list for uae. Myomectomy is not an option for me because of where the fibroid is located. It seems to be quite well embedded. They want me to come back in January for a biopsy to rule out any other causes of the heavy bleeding.

waxmelts2000 · 17-10-2019 6:05pm

Oh I am sorry to hear that Tamara25 and that you have to wait , did they give you any medication to maybe stop the heavy bleeding ( I had transemic acid and primotul) it gave me some relief

tamara25 · 17-10-2019 7:03pm

I have the tranexamic tabs alright, better than nothing

Anna2834 · 18-10-2019 9:44am

I am back myself early next year - they found a very very large Fibroid almost 20 cms.

waxmelts2000 · 18-10-2019 12:44pm

Oh Anna2834, you must be in a lot of pain with that

Anna2834 · 18-10-2019 4:37pm

It explains a lot of things, that's for sure.

wiolentynka05 · 22-10-2019 11:26am

Tamara 25: if you have private insurance you should be getting MRI within weeks? If you do not have private insurance you can do it yourself via Medical Scan (its cost 240)?

wiolentynka05 · 22-10-2019 11:30am

Anna: what do you mean you are back next year? MRI shows 20cm fibroid : what do they want to do abut it? Did they tell you what next? How do they want to treat it? did you asked to be put on list for UAE? Is this an option that they recommend?

tamara25 · 23-10-2019 8:32am

Thanks very much wiolen, no don’t have health insurance so will look into that other option you mentioned, wasn’t aware of it!

Anna2834 · 25-10-2019 1:53pm

wiolentynka05 wrote: »

Anna: what do you mean you are back next year? MRI shows 20cm fibroid : what do they want to do abut it? Did they tell you what next? How do they want to treat it? did you asked to be put on list for UAE? Is this an option that they recommend?

Hey - she basically said its very complicated what I have and wants another specialist to have a look at what I have and which way to proceed. All she said UAE is not applicable to me. She wanted to perform a hysterectomy on me and I said no.

wiolentynka05 · 25-10-2019 9:28pm

Anna2834 wrote: »

Hey - she basically said its very complicated what I have and wants another specialist to have a look at what I have and which way to proceed. All she said UAE is not applicable to me. She wanted to perform a hysterectomy on me and I said no.

Hi Try to go for second opinion. I road that every fibroid can be done with UAE. I had mine i Dublin and I can send you detail for the specialist. Send me private message if you want the details.

tamara25 · 25-10-2019 9:39pm

I do worry about my own fibroid getting bigger as time goes on & causing more problems as a result. One of the things the doctor said to me was she thought uae wouldn’t solve my heavy bleeding as location of fibroid Is high up on left side if that makes sense? She says my heavy periods are related more to hormone imbalance..

tamara25 · 25-10-2019 9:40pm

She mentioned mirena a good few times to me, really annoyed me...

wiolentynka05 · 25-10-2019 11:42pm

tamara25 wrote: »

I do worry about my own fibroid getting bigger as time goes on & causing more problems as a result. One of the things the doctor said to me was she thought uae wouldn’t solve my heavy bleeding as location of fibroid Is high up on left side if that makes sense? She says my heavy periods are related more to hormone imbalance..

Did you do hormon tests? It does not mater where fibroid is. The reason the doctors do not want to send you to it is that its not done by them....but by radiologist. Its unfortunately sad true... Money...

TheBoyConor · 29-10-2019 5:09pm

If you are a private patient without insurance then of course you will have to pay for the surgery. you'll have to pay for everything along the way.

- consultants fees for initial consultation, surgery and aftercare (as a ballpark figure don't expect less than €3,500 overall for this)
- Scans as said, probably €250 - €400 a go. Lets allow €500 for it.
- hospital fees (2 nights at about €820 a night for a public ward, more for private wards)
- Anaesthetist will be about €1300
- Post op medication , lets say €250

That'll come to around €7,200

Allowing a bit for contingency I'd hazard a rough guess that you not have a whole lot of change out of €8k. But of that you will be able to recoup 20% in tax relief. So in the end once you claim that back it'll have cost you €6400.

It might seem a lot of money but if it restores your quality of life in a fairly quick timeframe then it will be worth every single penny.
The way I look at it, people will piss away many multiples of that amount on new shiny cars that aren't worth a damn after a few years.

I had 2 surgeries for a problem a few years ago and it cost me probably €7500 between them. It has made a huge difference to me and I only had to wait a matter of weeks to have it done. Best money I ever spent as far as I am concerned.

You could go public, but you will be waiting a long long long time.

wiolentynka05 · 13-12-2019 12:56pm

Hi
Thank you theBoyConor for above summary

I would say above is max that you may spend on it.
I would say you should will be able to save on some of those so in reality this may look like :

- consultants fees for initial consultation, surgery and aftercare : I think 3500 is to high; one GP visit (50) for referral to consultant; One gynaecologic consultant visit for referral to radiologist (max 2 visits €320), two visits to see radiologist (350); not sure cost of surgery? I would say max €3k in total for all those fees
- Scans - one scan is needed : 200
- hospital fees (2 nights at about €820 a night for a public ward, more for private wards): I do not know that so I assume its 820
- Anaesthetist will be about €1300: I do not know that so I assume its 1300
- Post op medication max €50
Total around 5400 (be ready max for €6k)

This is only assumption .......but girls! It is worth every penny to get this procedure done !!!!!

All the best to all
W

deeobrien · 31-05-2022 5:09pm

Hi ladies,

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread. How did the UAE procedures work out for you? Did it solve your heavy periods? I was very anemic about 18 months ago. I had a D&C and Mirena fitted last year but the coil came out on its own due to bleeding. I have about a 5cm fibroid. I'm on the list for UAE. I've had my MRI and radiologist says I'm suitable for UAE - just waiting for the initial consultation with him. I also been house bound with heavy bleeding and ended up in A&E recently due to it.

I'm curious to know if it resolved the issues you were seeing. At this point I'm fed up of the whole thing - I asked for a hysterectomy but the consultant still advised UAE - I think partly that it would supposedly be done quicker. I'm concerned that UAE won't work and I'll still end up having a hysterectomy next year anyway.

waxmelts2000 · 17-06-2022 10:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119140695#Comment_119140695

Hi Dee,

Sorry Only just saw your question. For me it has completely resolved my issues thankfully.

Only issue (not an issue per se) I had was my periods became irregular once I started receiving the covid vaccines in 2021 (however this could also be relating to my age and impending menopause now age 51)

MY 2nd coil also came out by itself through a huge bleed while I was at work , that was definitely the last straw for me

All the best and drop me a line if you need anymore Information

Uterine artery embolisation

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