Training with fibroids

According to my Dr, I have "massive " fibroids and my uterus is large and bulky enough to be visible as a lumpy mass when laying down. I have a consultation in the new year, when I find out how long I need to wait for a hysterectomy.
I’ve been doing Z2 indoor rides to avoid prolapses and have been doing “safe” strength work. I seem to be ok putting a bit more power down for outdoor rides, so I thought id try a few over unders on my indoor bike last night, mostly because I didn’t feel like doing a 2 hour Z2. All seemed well, but I woke up in the night in pain, with my whole belly contracting. It eventually subsided with a hot water bottle. I think it was a result of the training session.
I have had my lower abdomen contract before and this is not painful. I have been told it is the fibroids contracting, but this seems different.
I could ask my Dr, but i just get back: tell the consultant when you see him.
Has anybody else had this experience? did you continue to train through it ? at what intensities? and was it safe to do so?
Thanks ladies
NB: the forum text won’t allow me to use i to spell fibroid. it keeps turning it to l !!

Uterine fibroids don’t cause your abdomen to contract, the most troublesome symptoms are bleeding. Your OBGYN can do an office ultrasound and determine the size of the fibroid. If necessary, there are minimally invasive treatments including robotic partial resection which minimize down time.

Thanks for your reply @mocekf
My uterus contracted whilst they were doing the ultrasound. She confirmed that the lump sticking out of my stomach was my uterus/fibroids which were contracting.
I have had a fibroid removed before, but they have advised that my uterus could not tolerate any more intervention and hysterectomy is my only option.

Just seen the specialist. No bike, no work, urgent MRI scan.
I did try to negotiate low intensity work outs with him :joy::rofl: but the answer was “do nothing”.
It’s a lesson for me in not pushing beyond what I know I shouldn’t, no matter how much I love riding my bike and training…

I don’t have much insight here to offer, so I’m not going to be very useful, but just wanted to reach out with a virtual hug. That sounds incredibly painful, and I hope they resolve your issues soon. I’m glad you were able to get into the specialist and I hope they come up with an action plan quickly.

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@dhellman
Thanks for reaching out. I appreciate your kindness :heart:

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Finally having a chance to go back to this thread. Sorry to hear that they didn’t have a better option than to go for the hysterectomy. I hope that it will solve all of the issues and not create too many new ones. Hang in there! Hope you’ve managed to find ways to stay sane.

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@dhellman
Thanks for reaching out again…
The consultant was great and identified why I was getting stomach pain, backing up his theory with a thorough MRI scan (and ensuring there is no sign of cancer).
Currently, I’m having zoladex injections to shrink the fibroids, with the intention that I will be able to have less invasive surgery.
As things improve, I’m hoping to get out on the local single track before surgery. That’s what’s keeping me going mentally. :smiley:

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So glad that the specialist was able to confirm the diagnosis and also confirm no cancer (whew!). Glad that there are steps to provide some relief now, and I hope that everything goes according to plan, including you getting out on the single track (hopefully soon!!). :heart:

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My wife has been suffering with a HUGE fibroid for quite a while (12cm!), and has also recently seen a specialist about having a hysterectomy. She spent a few nights in hospital a few weeks ago because of unbearable abdominal pain, and seeing her suffer so much was incredibly difficult. Seems like you and her are on parallel paths.
She’s not a big cyclist but does 30 minutes or so of light riding on a hybrid on my turbo a couple of times a week, cardio/free weights twice a week and yoga 3 times a week - or she did, until the fibroid put a stop to it. We’ve not found a solution for her yet other than abstaining, so I can’t really offer anything other than my sympathy and the knowledge that someone else is going through it too, I’m afraid.
Hope you find a way of getting some miles in, and hope any treatment goes well!

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@WinderJW
Thanks for reaching out. That certainly is a large fibroid! I can only imagine the pain she has/is in.
I want to offer support without making treatment suggestions, as she has already made contact with a specialist and they will know the best course of action for her.
We are all so different. For me, it was the fibroid growing outside of my uterus which created the most problems. I have been really excited by how well the zoladex injections have been working, but I’m currently getting ovarian pain, so I don’t know if it’s a good option to shout about or not.
The decision to have a hysterectomy for me is an easy one at my stage in life, but it’s not the case for everyone.
I hope your wife finds some answers. It sounds like her exercise routines are important to her and I hope she finds a way to stay sane on her journey if she can’t participate in these.
A supportive partner is worth more than we can put into words. I’m lucky enough to have one of those too. Take care of yourself as well.
:love_you_gesture:

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I finally have a new operation date - Sept 18th.
I have to shield for 14 days before and get swabbed for Covid before hand.
There are no routine surgeries where I live in the south east of the UK at the moment. In the end, I went to accident and emergency. My surgeon then asked his Manager for permission to operate.
I have my new Stages smart bike all set up and can’t wait to start training properly again when I’m recovered.
Good luck to everyone out there trying to get an operation at the moment. Don’t be afraid to go into hospital via the emergency entrance if your need is that great :love_you_gesture: