แชร์ประสบการณ์ ปลดล็อคพันธนาการ 10 ปี จากเนื้องอกมดลูก 3 ก้อน และช็อคโกแล็ตซีสต์ที่รังไข่ทั้ง 2 ข้าง ของคุณพิชญ์ศิณี รักษ์บุญยวง
For 10 years, a BNH patient endured severe abdominal pain caused by three uterine fibroids and endometriosis, including chocolate cysts on both ovaries. At times, the pain was so intense that she could barely walk. Heavy menstrual bleeding also left her pale and unable to fully perform the work she loved.
Living with endometriosis, or chocolate cysts, meant that every month I knew I would have to take leave when my period came. I could do nothing except take medication and lie still, as even moving made me feel weak and exhausted. This happened month after month.
Symptom-relief treatments did not seem to work, and my condition kept getting worse. I finally decided to remove the growths I had lived with for 10 years so I could move forward with my life. It was not an easy decision, as painful experiences from previous treatments made me afraid whenever I thought about surgery.
As a flight attendant, I cannot take frequent leave. However, I have to take time off every time I have my period because the pain is severe. I need to lie still, and the heavy bleeding leaves me pale. The pain prevents me from working and affects my performance.
During my period, the pain was so severe that I could not work. I had to lie still in bed and rest. The unusually heavy bleeding made me exhausted, and together with the pain, left me with no strength to get up during the first two or three days.
I had to take time off work, which meant a colleague had to fly in my place and affected the staffing arrangements. When this happened every month, it became difficult. My health was affecting my career, and I knew the problem needed to be treated.
My lifestyle was not very active, and I rarely exercised. I often felt tired from lack of sleep because I worked overnight flights. The heavy bleeding during my period, sometimes lasting seven to eight days, also left me exhausted and without enough energy to exercise.
By the time I returned from work, I was already tired. I ate normally, but my routine mainly consisted of working and resting. I rarely had enough energy to exercise regularly.
When I learned that I had endometriosis, or chocolate cysts, as well as uterine fibroids, I first had to accept that these conditions were causing my heavy bleeding and severe abdominal pain.
I then began managing myself during my period by resting and avoiding overwork until it ended. Once I regained my energy, I returned to work. I continued this routine for a long time.
The growths were smaller before. As they grew, the bleeding became heavier and the abdominal pain became more severe.
I had been receiving treatment for this condition at another hospital for over 10 years. The doctor explained the symptoms and treated me with hormone medication, with breaks between courses.
Over the past two years, the growths became larger. As they grew, the bleeding became heavier and the pain worsened. The doctor recommended further hormone treatment and regular breast screening, which made me feel uneasy. I began to worry that while treating one condition, I might have to be concerned about another. This led me to seek a second opinion at BNH Hospital.
Dr. Kunthida listened to and understood my health concerns. Her compassionate care, together with the team’s attention at every step, gave me confidence to choose BNH Hospital for my treatment.
I came to BNH Hospital for a pelvic examination without knowing which doctor I would meet. Fortunately, I met Dr. Kunthida, who listened carefully as I explained that I had lived with this condition for over 10 years and that my symptoms had worsened during the past two years.
She explained that, as I was 48 and no longer planning to have children, surgery was a suitable treatment option. I had chocolate cysts on both ovaries, several uterine fibroids—the largest measuring eight centimetres—an enlarged uterus, and internal adhesions. The condition affected my entire reproductive system.
Dr. Kunthida recommended surgery to remove the affected tissue. This would help resolve the heavy menstrual bleeding, severe pain, and fatigue I had been experiencing.
Even after my period ended and the pain subsided, the growths were still there. As they grew larger, they could eventually press against my bladder.
The doctor explained that the heavy bleeding during my periods was not the main concern, as it would stop after menopause. What concerned her more was that the growing masses could press against my bladder.
Even when my periods stopped and the pain was gone, the masses would still remain and could affect my bladder in the long term after menopause. She therefore recommended surgery.
My family was very concerned that the growths in my uterus and ovaries might develop into something more serious in the future.
After speaking with the doctor, I went home to think about it. Two days later, I called to ask for the earliest available surgery date.
My family had known about my condition all along and had been worried from the beginning. They were concerned that the growths in my uterus and ovaries might develop into something more serious in the future.
Not every growth becomes cancerous. It can be monitored or treated with hormone medication, depending on the treatment option we choose.
Because my family members are not medical professionals, they could not easily distinguish between a benign growth and one that might become malignant. They had wanted me to have the growths removed for a long time.
I had lived with them for over 10 years. At first, they were small and the symptoms were manageable. However, over time, the symptoms became more severe and the growths became larger.
I decided to undergo surgery, despite how afraid I was because of my previous surgical experience.
My first feeling was anxiety. I had previously undergone a caesarean section and laparoscopic surgery at another hospital, with both good and difficult experiences before and after surgery. I was afraid I might go through the same experience again, but in the end, I was able to get through it.
Secondly, Dr. Kunthida clearly explained that the symptoms I had endured for 10 years would go away after the affected tissue was removed. She also explained how the physical and emotional burden would improve and what to expect afterward.
That made me feel ready to proceed. I knew I could accept and endure the surgical experience if it meant removing the condition that had been affecting my life.
I was afraid of surgery, but I was also worried about the condition and the growing masses inside my body. I wanted to recover, and that was what finally made me decide to proceed with treatment.
“Could I have general anaesthesia? I just wanted to fall asleep and wake up when it was all over. I did not want to be aware of anything that might make me feel afraid again.”
For this surgery, Dr. Kunthida explained that spinal anaesthesia would be appropriate. I asked whether I could be asleep after the spinal block, and she said yes. I could sleep through the procedure without feeling anxious.
For the past two years, I had experienced extremely heavy menstrual bleeding. I knew I could no longer leave it untreated. I had to rely on medication just to keep working, and the doctor was concerned that continued use could cause a stomach perforation and serious kidney problems that might require dialysis. As my symptoms worsened and daily life became more difficult, I decided to seek treatment.
Before the surgery, Dr. Kunthida explained everything calmly and spent almost two hours talking with me. The time passed so quickly that I did not realise we had spoken for that long.
She helped me feel relaxed by sharing stories of patients with similar conditions whom she had treated. She made me feel that removing the growths through surgery was something manageable, rather than something overwhelming.
I was also worried that I might suddenly feel much older. I had heard that removing the ovaries could mean needing hormone therapy afterward.
The doctor explained that I was already approaching menopause. If my periods stopped completely and I did not experience menopausal symptoms that were difficult to manage, hormone therapy would not be necessary.
The doctor explained that after surgery, I might experience hot flushes, insomnia, or mood changes. If the symptoms were difficult to manage, hormone therapy could be considered. However, if I had no symptoms or only mild symptoms that I could tolerate, it would not be necessary, especially as I was already approaching menopause. This helped me decide to proceed with surgery.
Everything was convenient and efficient. The professionalism of the care team, especially the doctor’s detailed explanations and clear answers to my questions, gave me confidence and helped me decide to undergo surgery at BNH Hospital.
On my first visit, Nurse Atchara spoke with me and saw that the doctor had recommended surgery. She explained the surgical programme in detail, including how to use my health insurance benefits, and coordinated everything for me.
The next day, BNH Hospital’s insurance department called to confirm that they had contacted my insurance company and that my coverage had been approved. The staff followed up promptly, took good care of me, and provided detailed documents for me to review at home.
All of this gave me confidence in the hospital, and I was very impressed with the service at BNH.
The outcome of ending a 10-year struggle with chronic illness
After surgery, the doctor advised me to rest and let my body guide me on how much I could do. During the first 10 days at home, I could not do very much because I still felt tired.
After another 10 days, I felt stronger. I could walk around the house and sit down or stand up normally.
After 20 days, I was able to leave the house for short outings, such as having a meal or watching a film, before returning home.
About two weeks later, around six weeks after surgery, I felt ready to return to work, just as the doctor had explained. I had enough energy to walk around a shopping centre and do normal activities, although I still avoided lifting heavy objects. It felt as though my body had recovered, and I had regained the strength to work and live normally again.
Fortunately, I had no problems with the incision. The doctor explained that the external wound usually closes within 24 hours, and the dressing is kept on for seven days as a reminder to protect it.
When I removed the dressing on the seventh day, the wound had already closed. It looked like a very thin line, almost like a small cut.
I clearly understood my condition and knew what I needed to do because the doctor had explained everything. During recovery, I avoided activities that felt too difficult, especially lifting heavy objects that could affect the internal wound. Following this advice helped me take good care of myself, heal well, and recover more quickly.
After endometriosis surgery, I no longer have to check my work schedule to see when I need to take leave or carry pain medication with me. I can exercise fully, work as before, and use my body normally. Now, I am ready to fly again.
Anything can happen, especially when it comes to illness. What I have learned is that when health problems arise, we need to understand how to take care of ourselves.
People who feel healthy and have no noticeable symptoms may not think they need a health check-up. However, even a small change or unusual symptom should not be ignored.
Paying attention to these early signs and getting examined can help us understand what may be happening in our body. If we leave the problem until it becomes more serious, surgery may eventually become unavoidable.
If you notice anything unusual, I recommend getting a health check-up, taking care of yourself, or consulting a specialist. Some conditions can progress quickly, so it is important to seek treatment early rather than leave them untreated.
I lived with this condition for over 10 years. After meeting Dr. Kunthida and the professional team at BNH Hospital, I believe I made the right decision to receive treatment here.
Patient Interview: A BNH Patient