Comments on: Miracle Drug for Fibroids http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/ Facts Plus Stories Equals Knowledge Tue, 31 May 2011 00:40:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Shelley Binkley http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/comment-page-1/#comment-22955 Shelley Binkley Mon, 04 Apr 2011 20:41:14 +0000 http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/#comment-22955 There's not a lot of data on using anastrazole for fibroicystic breast changes. There’s not a lot of data on using anastrazole for fibroicystic breast changes.

]]> By: Tracey Johnson http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/comment-page-1/#comment-19006 Tracey Johnson Thu, 27 Jan 2011 21:56:18 +0000 http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/#comment-19006 Is either of the treatments you referred to just as effective for breast fibroids? I have a large fibroid in my right breast and instead of traditional surgery which would basically disfigure me, I would prefer to shrink it down to a size where cryoablation surgery would be an option for me. To be considered for the cryoablation surgery, which is minimally invasive, the tumor cannot exceed 4cm. Mine is ranging around 7 cm. I need to shrink it to at least half the size. Is either of the treatments you referred to just as effective for breast fibroids? I have a large fibroid in my right breast and instead of traditional surgery which would basically disfigure me, I would prefer to shrink it down to a size where cryoablation surgery would be an option for me. To be considered for the cryoablation surgery, which is minimally invasive, the tumor cannot exceed 4cm. Mine is ranging around 7 cm. I need to shrink it to at least half the size.

]]> By: Christina http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/comment-page-1/#comment-17850 Christina Thu, 06 Jan 2011 19:00:30 +0000 http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/#comment-17850 Hello Dr. Binkley, I just came across this site because I'm looking for alternative ways of shrinking fibroids. Several years ago I had a robotic myomectomy that was supposed to be minimally-invasive, but that took me several weeks to recover from. This past October I had another minimally-invasive procedure (MRI-guided ultrasound ablation) that was semi-successful in alleviating the bulk symptoms but that didn't shrink the fibroid. I'd like to find something that shrinks it, though, b/c I look about 4 months pregnant (At the time of the procedure the fibroid was 12.5 cm). It's less significant in size, but still quite bothersome. I've heard that the drug EllaOne from France is now approved, and as of last summer there was work on having it approved for fibroids. Do you know anything about this? If it has been approved, what would your choice be between this and Arimidex? If someone takes 1 pill of Ella for pregnancy prevention, I'm concerned what effect taking 90 pills in 90 days would have on my system. Thank you for your comments. Hello Dr. Binkley,

I just came across this site because I’m looking for alternative ways of shrinking fibroids. Several years ago I had a robotic myomectomy that was supposed to be minimally-invasive, but that took me several weeks to recover from. This past October I had another minimally-invasive procedure (MRI-guided ultrasound ablation) that was semi-successful in alleviating the bulk symptoms but that didn’t shrink the fibroid. I’d like to find something that shrinks it, though, b/c I look about 4 months pregnant (At the time of the procedure the fibroid was 12.5 cm). It’s less significant in size, but still quite bothersome. I’ve heard that the drug EllaOne from France is now approved, and as of last summer there was work on having it approved for fibroids. Do you know anything about this? If it has been approved, what would your choice be between this and Arimidex? If someone takes 1 pill of Ella for pregnancy prevention, I’m concerned what effect taking 90 pills in 90 days would have on my system. Thank you for your comments.

]]> By: Shelley Binkley http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/comment-page-1/#comment-4952 Shelley Binkley Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:21:50 +0000 http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/#comment-4952 The side effects of Arimidex and other aromatase inhibitors are menopausal symptoms--hot flashes. However, the benefits of these meds for reducing fibroid size and volume with a 90-day treatment, compared to the risks of hysterectomy, make aromatase inhibitors a good choice for women who want a non-surgical option for treatment of fibroids. As far as finding someone who will prescribe them, talk to your local primary care doc or gyn about it. The side effects of Arimidex and other aromatase inhibitors are menopausal symptoms–hot flashes. However, the benefits of these meds for reducing fibroid size and volume with a 90-day treatment, compared to the risks of hysterectomy, make aromatase inhibitors a good choice for women who want a non-surgical option for treatment of fibroids. As far as finding someone who will prescribe them, talk to your local primary care doc or gyn about it.

]]> By: Elaine Fitzpatrick http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/comment-page-1/#comment-4924 Elaine Fitzpatrick Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:20:20 +0000 http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/#comment-4924 Are there any side effects or risks associated w/ 1mg of Arimidex x 90 days? This sounds like a better option than GnRH agonists. Does it induce menopause or cause hot flashes? How would I go about finding a Dr. in Atlanta willing to prescribe it off-label? I have a family history of ovarian cancer (mom died at 78)--would this make me a poor candidate for this? Many thanks-Elaine Are there any side effects or risks associated w/ 1mg of Arimidex x 90 days? This sounds like a better option than GnRH agonists. Does it induce menopause or cause hot flashes? How would I go about finding a Dr. in Atlanta willing to prescribe it off-label? I have a family history of ovarian cancer (mom died at 78)–would this make me a poor candidate for this? Many thanks-Elaine

]]> By: Shelley Binkley http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/comment-page-1/#comment-4367 Shelley Binkley Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:24:07 +0000 http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/#comment-4367 Mifepristone is an option but it is hard to obtain due to the abortion problem. A better option is Arimidex which is easily available for off-label use to treat both endometriosis and fibroids. Arimidex is FDA approved to treat breast cancer and it is not used as an abortifacient so it sidesteps the whole problem with mifepristone. The dose is 1 mg daily X 90 days to shrink fibroid volume by 50%. It can be repeated at intervals if symptoms recur after a few years of the first use. Arimidex and other aromatase inhibitors are sometimes used in high risk patients to decrease risk for breast cancer. Did you see the articles on aromatase inhibitors on this site? Mifepristone is an option but it is hard to obtain due to the abortion problem. A better option is Arimidex which is easily available for off-label use to treat both endometriosis and fibroids. Arimidex is FDA approved to treat breast cancer and it is not used as an abortifacient so it sidesteps the whole problem with mifepristone. The dose is 1 mg daily X 90 days to shrink fibroid volume by 50%. It can be repeated at intervals if symptoms recur after a few years of the first use. Arimidex and other aromatase inhibitors are sometimes used in high risk patients to decrease risk for breast cancer. Did you see the articles on aromatase inhibitors on this site?

]]> By: Maxine McKenzie http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/comment-page-1/#comment-3362 Maxine McKenzie Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:01:55 +0000 http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/#comment-3362 Could you please let me know if there is any treatment available in or outside the United Kingdom for using mifepristone to treat fibroids? I have large fibroids and already had a multiple myomectomy 5 years ago, but they've definitely grown. I would also be interested in the possibility of being a participant on a mifepristone research programme for fibroids - would you know of any? I only heard about this drug through your website and would be most interest myself in raising awareness about its use for fibroids. I think it's a shame that there is very little info on its use for fibroids. Thank you for your help and look forward to hearing from you. Maxine (please note - I have also expressed my interest in aromatase inhibitors in the comment box left for that). Could you please let me know if there is any treatment available in or outside the United Kingdom for using mifepristone to treat fibroids? I have large fibroids and already had a multiple myomectomy 5 years ago, but they’ve definitely grown. I would also be interested in the possibility of being a participant on a mifepristone research programme for fibroids – would you know of any? I only heard about this drug through your website and would be most interest myself in raising awareness about its use for fibroids. I think it’s a shame that there is very little info on its use for fibroids.

Thank you for your help and look forward to hearing from you.

Maxine

(please note – I have also expressed my interest in aromatase inhibitors in the comment box left for that).

]]> By: Shelley Binkley http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/comment-page-1/#comment-529 Shelley Binkley Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:34:50 +0000 http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/#comment-529 Hi! Thank you for your interest in the mifepristone. We are also beginning to use Arimidex (anastrazole, a breast cancer drug) to treat fibroids in some patients. Small studies have shown it may be as effective as mifepristone, and certainly less controversial. Let us know if you are interested in this. 970-945-4499. I changed the name on this response for patient privacy issues. We are also using the combined approach of fibroid-shrinking medications with the hydrothermablation to give people longer-lasting results from both for treatment of fibroids. Regarding the costs of these options, our financial expert can assist you with information on the costs of various options, what insurance covers, what it doesn't, etc. You can contact the office and ask for "Billing" and you will be directed to the best medical billing specialist I know. ;-) --Thank you for your reply. --Shelley Hi! Thank you for your interest in the mifepristone. We are also beginning to use Arimidex (anastrazole, a breast cancer drug) to treat fibroids in some patients. Small studies have shown it may be as effective as mifepristone, and certainly less controversial. Let us know if you are interested in this. 970-945-4499. I changed the name on this response for patient privacy issues.
We are also using the combined approach of fibroid-shrinking medications with the hydrothermablation to give people longer-lasting results from both for treatment of fibroids.
Regarding the costs of these options, our financial expert can assist you with information on the costs of various options, what insurance covers, what it doesn’t, etc. You can contact the office and ask for “Billing” and you will be directed to the best medical billing specialist I know. ;-)
–Thank you for your reply. –Shelley

]]> By: Patient S http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/comment-page-1/#comment-457 Patient S Fri, 10 Apr 2009 23:21:59 +0000 http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/#comment-457 Hi Dr Binkley and Lisa, I am interested in the mifepritone, it sounds pretty perfect. I am thinking also of doing the hydrothermablation in addition. Do you have an idea how long it will talk for you to receive the Mifepristone and how much it will cost? I also can't remember the cost for hydrothermablation? Thanks, Patient Hi Dr Binkley and Lisa,
I am interested in the mifepritone, it sounds pretty perfect. I am thinking also of doing the hydrothermablation in addition. Do you have an idea how long it will talk for you to receive the Mifepristone and how much it will cost? I also can’t remember the cost for hydrothermablation?
Thanks, Patient

]]> By: Hot Health Links: Unexpected Stuff in the Thanksgiving Turkey & More http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/comment-page-1/#comment-77 Hot Health Links: Unexpected Stuff in the Thanksgiving Turkey & More Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:08:37 +0000 http://healthewoman.org/2008/11/20/miracle-drug-for-fibroids/#comment-77 [...] Dr. Shelley Binkley at Health E Woman discusses a good drug for the treatment of fibroids. [...] [...] Dr. Shelley Binkley at Health E Woman discusses a good drug for the treatment of fibroids. [...]

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