Nursing with fibroids

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Hello all,

This is not apost asking fo rmedical advise, just putting that out thre now. I'm a new nurse just starting an internship program. I happen to have fibtroids with mentral periods that last about ten or soo days at a time. Is there anyone out there like this? I am seeing medical people alread and working on getting this under control.

What I want to know is..how do you cope? Do yuou talk to the mamagere about who you'll need to use th restroom often to change pads? What are the best pads to use while on the floor? What are some non-medication ways to relieve the pain?

Thank you

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do not discuss this with your manager or co-workers. do discuss it with your health care provider and get it taken care of. anemia is not a useful condition to have if you want to work in patient care (been there, done that). you won't believe how much better you'll feel when you don't bleed so much.:D

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Im a student studying for my BSN and I generally get period pains and cramps, feeling irritable and drained and last up to a week however I dont have fibroids so I can't even comprehend how frustrating that might be! Im sorry to hear that :( However I find that if I try to get as much rest as possible and eat well, stay hydrated and allow myself that extra piece of chocolate and plenty of cups of tea it makes me feel a little better. I came straight out of highschool and wasn't feeling well at all one day due to cramps(also due to homesickness and worry and stuff) but I was too embarrassed to tell anyone until I got really dizzy and felt really ill and then one of the RN's let me sit down and call my mom. I told the nurse what was wrong and she was really really nice about it and even offered to make me tea and toast! I think most women would be understanding about your situation :) hope u get it sorted out , best of luck :)

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

I don't know about telling your boss. They may want a Dr's note etc. Did you discuss this with the employee health nurse during your physical?

I don't think it will be a big deal if you have to slip into the bathroom to change pads lets say every hour. It is no different than having an overactive bladder or being pregnant. Just go in and out in a timely fashion.

As for pads, I really like the Kotex overnight with wings. Does the job well without being too bulky.

Much luck to you!

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I'm just a 3rd semester nursing student but, I also have uterine fibroids. I actually spent the entire day in bed on Saturday with a heating pad because of them. I bleed like a champ in addition to being in extreme pain (sorry if tmi but you asked! lol) so I have to utilize the most absorbant tampons and pads I can find, uncomfortable but it beats the alternative! I use the tampax ultra and the kotex long extra absorbant with wings. What I have found works for me on clinical/school days is using the OTC adhesive heating pads, definitely helps me cope with the discomfort. However; since you are under a physician's care I'm sure they will have lots of suggestions for you to try out. Just wanted you to know you're not alone and I'm hoping for a partial hysterectomy very soon!!! lol Oh and I agree with pp that you should NOT tell your management. Good luck!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids when I was in my early twenties. Back then, the doctors were reluctant to do anything invasive on a younger patient, so they took the 'wait and see' approach with me.

By the time I reached 27 years of age (2008), an MRI revealed that my fibroid-coated uterus had grown to 18x9 centimeters, and that the largest fibroid was the size of a small grapefruit. I found an OB/GYN who was willing to refer me to an interventional radiologist to get me evaluated for a procedure called a uterine fibroid embolization (UFE).

To keep a long story short, I underwent the UFE in 2008 with positive results. The size of my fibroids have decreased and my periods are amazingly lighter.

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I also have fibroids and bleed heavily with my periods. I use a Diva Cup and it has been a lifesaver for the bleeding. I can go up to 8-12 hours without having to empty the cup, depending on how heavy the bleeding is.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I think the Diva Cup is a great idea, but going 8-12 hours without emptying it is not a good idea. The blood can grow all sorts of critters that could make you sick... Wearing it to sleep is one thing, if you sleep that long, but wearing it during the day...please empty it!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I think the Diva Cup is a great idea, but going 8-12 hours without emptying it is not a good idea. The blood can grow all sorts of critters that could make you sick... Wearing it to sleep is one thing, if you sleep that long, but wearing it during the day...please empty it!
In addition, the Diva Cup is the biggest and longest menstrual cup on the market. It might not fit a woman with a low-lying cervix or a short lady partsl canal. For these women, there are other brands of menstrual cups out there that are smaller.
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Incontinent pads.... for me, (on Coumadin at the time) regular pads were a joke. And tampons???? Ever sneeze and have one fly out while talking to a family member???? :D After I poked my eyes back into my head, I walked to the bathroom with my knees locked together :uhoh3:

Talk to your doc :) There are ways to deal with fibroids :) Until then, saddle up to a Gonzo-mongo incont pad!!!

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Incontinent pads.... for me, (on Coumadin at the time) regular pads were a joke. And tampons???? Ever sneeze and have one fly out while talking to a family member???? :D After I poked my eyes back into my head, I walked to the bathroom with my knees locked together :uhoh3:

Talk to your doc :) There are ways to deal with fibroids :) Until then, saddle up to a Gonzo-mongo incont pad!!!

^^^This made me spit my diet coke on my keyboard! :lol2: This has happened to me too!

I did not have fibroids, but I did have endometriosis and I do have Von Willebrand's disease which is a bleeding disorder where the clotting factor is greatly reduced...so I bleed heavily under any circumstance (Basically like being on Coumadin your whole life). Couple that with the endo and I was in trouble! I used to use two super tampons at a time and the pain was awful. I had an ablation done which helped slightly - but in the end I ended up having a hysterectomy - which was the best thing I ever did. I'm not suggesting that is the right path for you of course. But I can sympathize with your level of pain and bleeding. So I no longer have endometriosis, but I do still have and will always have Von Willebrands, so I need to always be careful about getting cut, etc...

Good luck!

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

perimenopausal, fibroids and coumadin - I use 2 extra absorbent night pads with wings and a super absorbent tampon. Will usually get me thru a couple hours at least.

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