Quarantining with Symptomatic Fibroids

If you are reading this, you probably have fibroids, specifically symptomatic fibroids I believe?

I drew my inspiration to write this article on how to manage your fibroids during quarantine from a DM (direct message) I received from one of you around how stuck and frustrated they felt after their appointment with their gynecologist was cancelled following the COVID-19 pandemic.

For privacy purposes, I will not disclose their names but here are the contents of the message:

I know, quite sad if you ask me.

With the pandemic going on, women with fibroid symptoms are having to cancel surgery dates, and postpone or even worse cancel doctor’s appointments. Leaving them wondering how to manage the symptoms of their fibroids.

I thought I would lighten the burden for you today and share some tips that helped me manage my symptomatic fibroids when I did have them.

These symptoms include:

1. Bad cramps and pelvic pain

2. Heavy and prolonged periods

3. Severe headaches caused by anemia

4.Disturbed sleeping patterns

5.Constipation

6. Back ache or leg pain

N.B. Before I begin please note that I am not a doctor and the recommendations I am sharing constitute to my own personal experience.

This tips below are to help you with the management of your symptomatic fibroids while at home and should help you with staying in a positive frame of mind while at it during this tough period.

All the best, hang in there. You’ve got this.

1. Hot Water Bottle

Yap! Am talking about your old good hot water bottle. The one you snuggle around your feet with during those very cold nights. Speaking of which you probably have one in your bed right now as its been raining cats and dogs in Nairobi in the last few weeks. Its freaking cold to say the least.

One on your back and one under your lower tummy should do the work.

This will help with giving you relief from that back pain and unbearable cramps.

Try to read a book or listen to some of your favorite music to relieve anxiety as you let the warmth from the bottle into your body do its wonders.

2.Physical exercise

Hold up, I know what you are thinking. I don’t mean the full-on crazy gymnastics you probably do when you are with your fitness instructor.

I mean stretches, that will help with your core and relax your pelvic muscles.

With the cramps and pains on your body, a good stretch/ yoga should help relax your tense muscles and offer you quick relief.

You can watch some videos from MadFit (my favorite fitness channel) on YouTube that should help you with that if you don’t know where exactly to start.

3. A Hot Shower

Ladies aint nothing a hot shower can’t fix.

The feeling of warm water dripping through your body and easing and relaxing those tense muscles is just the sound of heaven for me when I had symptomatic fibroids.

After which I would always fall asleep fast. Sleep is always good when you feeling sore too.

4. Eating Clean

Contrary to popular belief, as much as you may be craving chocolates, candy, pizza and cakes (my guilty pleasure) they don’t do much with helping you relieve the symptoms you may be experiencing!

Actually, the bloat or constipation you will have afterwards will send you spiraling out of control.

Studies have suggested that women with fibroids have a diet high in red meat in comparison with women that didn’t have fibroids whose diets were filled with more vegetables and fruits.

I urge you to embrace a diet with no red meat, carbs or junk foods.

Replace the above with some yummy smoothies and whiter meats, veggies and fruits.

Spinach or green veggies are great for helping boost your blood supply if you are anemic because of your fibroids.

You have no excuse since you are more at home now and have time.

5. Stock up on medication and sanitary products.

By now, you probably know at the top of your mind what the doctor would recommend for the cramps or to reduce the heavy and prolonged bleeding/period you normally have.

Therefore, stock up on these drugs/medications.

If you can’t remember your prescriptions please don’t guess and get the wrong drugs, also it’s a big NO, NO on self-medication. Don’t go using another person’s prescription just because it worked for them.

Just so you don’t run out of your sanitary products, please stock up on them.

You can get them more conveniently and faster online, e.g. from Kasha

I hope these 5 tips will help you navigate through these tough times until this season of quarantine is over!

Remember it’s a season, it will be over soon.

OH, and remember to walk for at least 15 min every day! This should help with your blood circulation and reduce/stop those leg cramps.

All the best!

Sending you love and light!

Tabby