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Update= anemia cause found and surgery

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Migrainegirl
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Post  sconesail Sat 27 Jun 2015, 5:29 pm

Hi All,

The good news is that we have probably found what is causing the anemia. The bad news- it is kind of scary and will require surgery.

I was diagnosed with severe iron deficiency anemia in early May and began weekly IV iron infusions. My PCP and my hematologist also had me follow up with my ob/gyn to see if there was anything there that could be causing the anemia. Initial consult went well, but he also wanted me to follow up and have an ultrasound. It turns out that I have a 12cm cyst on one ovary and a 7cm fibroid in the uterus. My ob/gyn said that the ovary needed to be removed, as did the fibroid. Due to the fact that the fibroid is so large and it has messed up the uterus, we also agreed that I would need a hysterectomy as well. He drew blood work to check for tumor markers. If the blood work came back with a low risk of cancer, the surgery could be done here. If it came back with a higher risk, then it would be done at the University Hospital by the ob/gyn cancer surgeon there.

Last week, my doctor called me and told me that the markers were elevated and that he had gotten me in with the group at UAB. Actually, he got me in with the top guy there. I saw the surgeon on Monday. Fortunately, the cyst doesn't look malignant. He said that the markers were probably elevated due to the fibroid. He wants to remove the one ovary with the cyst, and will also do the hysterectomy. (Apparently, there is not much uterus to save and the medications used to prevent future fibroids are contra-indicated for me due to the migraines. If I ever became pregnant, the risk of uterine rupture would also be pretty high.) I will have surgery on Wednesday morning.

We are hoping that this will clear up the anemia, which could improve the fainting. No one is sure if it will have an impact on the headaches or not. The dr said that there is only a 10% chance of it being cancer. If it is, he may take the remaining ovary as well, but we will not know until he gets in.

I know this isn't very migraine related, but every one of you has been here for me for years and I wanted you to know. Who knows, maybe it will bring some relief. I know that fixing the anemia will help a great deal.

So, if you could, send some good thoughts my way.

I really hope this helps and I will keep you posted.

Pain free days
sconesail

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Post  Migrainegirl Sat 27 Jun 2015, 8:50 pm

Scone,

Thank goodness they found the problem.  If it weren't for the anemia, it could have gotten much worse.  I am happy to hear you have such a good medical team on the job.  While surgery is never fun, it sounds like it will solve the problem and you will recover fine.  We will all have you in our thoughts and prayers.  And let's hope that in addition to solving the anemia it also alleviates the fainting.  You never know!
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Post  tortoisegirl Sat 27 Jun 2015, 9:35 pm

So sorry you are going through this, but agree its good it didn't go undetected even longer. I hope the surgery goes smoothly, you recover quickly, your anemia resolves, and maybe even other aspects of your health improve. Hang in there! Best wishes.

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Post  Sara79 Sat 27 Jun 2015, 10:36 pm

I'm glad you've gotten an answer, I know how nice it is to know it's not all 'in your head.'

I'll keep you in my prayers, hoping for a swift recover

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Post  30yrsofheadache Tue 30 Jun 2015, 5:27 am

Scone,

I will send prayers and healing thoughts for you. I am glad you found the cause of the anemia, sorry it it requires surgery!
Hugs,
Cindy

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Post  Migrainegirl Sat 04 Jul 2015, 12:00 am

Scone,  do let us know how the surgery went and how you are doing when you are up to it. We are all rooting for you!  Wishing you a speedy recovery.


Last edited by Migrainegirl on Sat 04 Jul 2015, 1:30 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Post  Porsche Fan Sat 04 Jul 2015, 12:31 am

Scone, I'm very sorry to hear, but I hope the surgery is successful and your treatment leaves you in a better state!

-PF
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Post  sconesail Tue 07 Jul 2015, 9:52 am

Hi All,

I just wanted to let you know that the surgery last Wednesday went extremely well.

The surgeon removed the left ovary and the uterus. The cyst on the ovary was benign. The fibroid tumor had completely destroyed the uterus. Fortunately, pathology reports have come back and both are benign- NO CANCER! Very Happy Yay. They were also able to leave the right- good-ovary. This means that I will not go into immediate menopause- Yay. So it went as well as possible. I was even able to come home a day early. I will be at parents house for at least a week.

I am ok and home recovering.

We hope that this will also help the anemia issues- since I won't be loosing blood or having periods at all now. Current plan is to try oral iron, continue on a high-iron diet, and check levels. If this doesn't fix anemia, we will then look for other causes. Right now, I'm just concentrating on healing from the surgery and trying to build things back up. I'm just hoping and praying that this does help the anemia.

Headaches are still there- but meds are helping. Post-op and bad headache are responding to a combo of Percocet, Klonopin, and nucynta.

Thanks for always being here for me! Please keep sending some good thoughts and prayers my way- they seem to be helping.

Pain free days,
sconesail

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Post  tortoisegirl Wed 08 Jul 2015, 5:58 am

Awesome news! I hope your recovery continues to go smoothly. Best wishes.

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Post  30yrsofheadache Fri 10 Jul 2015, 3:37 pm

That is great news! Sending healing thoughts for a speedy recovery.
Hugs,
Cindy

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