Patient Stories

Uterine Fibroid Treatment  - Patient Stories

Ellen, a marathon runner, chose to treat her fibroids with ExAblate.

Dr. Elizabeth Stewart of Mayo Clinic, says in an article that appeared on ABC 6 News, that newer, minimally invasive treatment options for uterine fibroids, may be better treatment options for women like Ellen.

Invasive procedures like a hysterectomy requires 6 weeks to recover and according to the article, Ellen could not afford to lose that much time.
She has considered three minimally invasive alternatives to hysterectomy: a robotic myomectomy, UAE and focused ultrasound.  

Focused ultrasound using the ExAblate system, is a totally non-invasive treatment for uterine fibroids.  It is an outpatient procedure designed to reduce your fibroid related symptoms, resulting in a significant improvement in your quality of life.  Your uterus and cervix are not removed. It does not require an overnight hospital stay, and most women are able to return to everyday life within days. This is the option that Ellen chose, and that's exactly what happened for her.

She was symptom-free and able to run just days after the procedure. 

To read the full story and to view the video, click here.


Sandra
46 years old
 

"I had the Exablate procedure done by Dr. Gee in Dallas. The MRgFUS procedure is not available in Canada, so I chose to travel to the States rather than have an Embolization procedure. I felt there were too many risks associated with embolization and that success was not guaranteed. I would have to undergo a very painful procedure and "hope" that it worked. I researched MRgFUS on the net and contacted the Exablate people. They were wonderful to work with and helped to arrange my treatment. I had 4 fibroids, 2 smaller ones, and 2 larger (4cm). Dr. Gee was able to destroy 100% of a small one and large one, and 50% of the other large fibroid. (A bowel loop obstructed full access to the fibroid.) The last small one was inaccessible. Dr. Gee considered the procedure very successful. I flew to Dallas on Monday morning and had a thorough pre-op exam with Dr. Gee in the afternoon. The following day, I arrived at the MRI clinic (not an operating room!) at 2:30 pm. My actual procedure was about 2.5 hours and I was back at the hotel by 8:00 pm. I remained at the hotel the next day so they could monitor me for a bit and then I flew home in the evening.
 

The sonications only last 20 seconds, so it never gets unbearable. The cramping sensation ends immediately when the sonications end. They kept in constant communication with me, but for the most part I just relaxed and enjoyed the music. I occasionally moved my head from side to side to keep comfortable. I would like to add that they were all tremendously caring professionals - the Doctor, the NP, the MRI Tech, and the anesthetist. I never had any doubt that I was in good hands and they were wonderfully concerned for my well being throughout the entire process.
 

I did not expect any significant changes in my next period, and it was much like before (long & heavy). I did notice two significant, immediate changes. One was an improvement in an "incontinence" problem and the second was an improvement in what I called a "fallen labia". I had thought I would need plastic surgery to repair it, but it has pretty much returned to normal. I am delighted!
 

It is now six months since the procedure and my periods are shorter and so much more manageable. My blood loss is about one third what it was previously and I no longer have days that I am afraid to leave the house!

This procedure was just right for me!!"
 
 

"The wake-up call for me was when I ran into an old friend on the sidewalk who asked, "When is it due?" The friend, of course, was referring to what she thought was a pregnancy, but was in actuality - and unbeknownst to me - two uterine fibroids. My friend's comment made me face the fact that things were just not right with my body.
 

Being a very active woman, who in years past worked as a personal trainer, I noticed that my stomach was enlarged, it was oddly hard, and no amount of exercise would change the situation. Finally, after confirming with my doctor that I had uterine fibroids I considered the treatment options. Hysterectomy seemed to be the only option, but I struggled with the decision, uncertain that I could deal with the drawbacks of the treatment and feeling that I wanted to "keep my original parts."
 

Upon learning about the ExAblate treatment from my in-laws, I knew that this was the option for me. The procedure itself was different, being on my stomach made me a bit groggy and I also felt a little back pain - but overall felt the treatment was very manageable. One year after treatment, I feel that my cycle more closely resembles my pre-fibroid cycle. I occasionally get headaches, but not nearly as intense as before treatment. My abdomen is soft, like it should be, and it has shrunk in size and my urination patterns are back to normal.
 

The treatment did not hinder me in any way, on the contrary, I continue with all my sport activities and I recommend this treatment to everyone."
 
 

"As co-owner with my husband of a large helicopter business in New Hampshire, I am constantly on the go being an adventurous woman brimming with energy. However, for most of the past decade, I have been struggling with a uterine fibroid that left me fatigued and without energy. Menstrual periods involved large clotting, and I often experienced pressure feelings and bladder issues.
 

Although I resolved not to let the uterine fibroid stand in my way, my symptoms worsened so significantly that this led me to investigate treatment options. Hysterectomy was not an option in my mind, but I was told the myomectomy was harder and that UAE was excruciating. None of the options seemed good, until I learned about the ExAblate treatment and I knew this was the treatment for me.
 

Two days after the treatment, I was back at work, and six weeks after my ExAblate treatment, I am already feeling much better and most noticeably the pressure is greatly reduced. I do not experience any fatigue and am thrilled to wake up with a burst of energy."

 
 
Marianne 
47 years old
 

"Being an outdoorswoman I was the type of woman who never let anything slow her down. That is - until my uterine fibroids started to interfere. For four years, from the time the fibroid was first diagnosed, it grew significantly and became increasingly painful. Menstrual periods made me weak and dizzy, even forcing me to lie down in the middle of the day. Prior to the beginning of my cycle, cramps would begin, often awakening me from sleep. Toward the end, I began planning my schedule around my menstrual cycle.
 

I consulted several GYNs about my condition and received varied recommendations, but none inspired my confidence until I learned about the ExAblate treatment.
 

The day after treatment, I went back to work. Seven days after treatment, I boarded a plane bound for the jungles of Costa Rica. While there, I hiked over 25 miles of steep ravines, rappelled down a 50 foot waterfall, went horseback riding on the black sandy beaches of the Pacific, body surfed and climbed 102 slippery concrete steps 2-3 times each day to get to the cabin where I was staying. I never felt better!"
 

The following menstrual cycle proved that my pre-cycle cramps had greatly diminished, and the cycle itself was shorter in length with less intense bleeding. The constant pressure on my bladder seemed diminished as well. I strongly believe in this technology.
 
 

"I had suffered for about six years with terrible pain and excessive bleeding from a single uterine fibroid, when I read about focused ultrasound treatment on the internet.
 

I couldn't carry on without treatment, but I didn't relish the prospect of a hysterectomy and its relatively long recovery period. 
 

The FUS treatment went smoothly, exactly as the doctors had explained, with only one moment of discomfort, a shooting pain down my leg. I went home after the procedure and returned to work the next day.
 

As the fibroids shrunk my symptoms improved: the excessive bleeding has stopped completely and the pain and discomfort are gone." 
 
 

"I was already scheduled for a hysterectomy to alleviate the extensive symptoms from my uterine fibroids, when a relative told me about focused ultrasound treatment. After discussions with the treating physicians and extensive reading about the procedure and clinical results, I was convinced this was a great alternative.
 

I haven't been let down. The treatment and its aftermath were exactly what was promised. More importantly, my symptoms, which included occasional strong pains and a constant feeling of tiredness have gone away and haven't returned. 
 

I'm very happy and very grateful to the doctors and developers of this treatment."
 
 

Elizabeth
48 years old
 
"For five years, I had suffered from heavy, very painful periods. I had huge blood clots, and my periods were very lengthy. I always felt very tired and was anemic. I learned about the focused ultrasound treatment as I was researching my condition on the Internet.
 

The FUS treatment interested me greatly and was being offered at a very well respected institution not far from my home. I didn't like the idea of a hysterectomy as it would have brought on menopause. My physician felt that I was not a candidate for uterine artery embolization, but even if I had been, I felt very uncomfortable with the idea of tiny particles in my blood vessels.
 

I feel like I've regained myself. I'm not tired anymore, I'm not having big clots or pain, and although my periods are still heavy for the first couple of days, they are lighter for the remainder. I am much better!"
 
 

Focused ultrasound treatment for fibroids is now available in Melbourne, Australia, at Royal Melbourne Hospital. Patient Michele Kramer of Melbourne who has been treated with magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound technology, shares her experience. To view the video click here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/23/2605794.htm 
 

Contact us with your questions about uterine fibroid treatment options.

Find an MR guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery treatment center near you.