I'd be glad to share my experiences with you! I tried to find as much information as possible when I scheduled my appointment too, but there weren't many cases reported on the Internet (and I didn't think about asking University MRI for past patients).

First of all, I thought the staff at University MRI were just terrific. Patty was so helpful and will be with you through the entire process. All my questions were answered by Dr. Rubinstein and Dr. Leblang during the consultation the day before the treatment (bring a list of questions if you need to), and the actual procedure was pretty much what I expected.

Looking back on my procedure, I think a key piece of advice would be to trust Dr. Leblang, relax, and try to let her do as much for you as she can. The procedure itself is truly a "participative" process - the Radiologists and staff need information from you during the procedure (i.e., how you're feeling) as much as you need them for treatment. You'll need to tell Dr. Leblang if you're in pain, but try to relax and "tough out" any feelings of uncomfortableness so she can give you the best treatment possible. Lying in an MRI machine for 3 hours isn't the most comfortable experience, but I kept thinking about how much I hated my fibroid and the awful menstrual bleeding I had been experiencing, and remembered that this was FAR better than hysterectomy or uterine artery embolization. I now have no doubt that is was!

I'm a bit hesitant to tell you how good I feel now, since I understand that every case with every woman is different. However, I had my treatment on February 15 and have seen a DRAMATIC improvement in symptoms since that time.

Before my treatment, I had been experiencing debilitating bleeding episodes from my fibroid since last Fall. I was actually in the Emergency Room at a hospital twice because I couldn't get the bleeding to stop. I couldn't be more than 5 minutes away from a bathroom. Since my February 15 treatment, I have had one regular period (which was light to moderate) and NO bleeding otherwise! The treatment has really worked well for me.

I will have to say that I'm still experiencing some abdominal pressure and feelings of bulk (I had these symptoms before the treatment), although this seems to be decreasing with time. I also frequently had mild nausea and cramping during the first 2 weeks after the procedure. Nothing major, but I just didn't feel 100%. That too has improved over time.

Overall, I have far more positive than negative things to say about this process, and I don't have any regrets for not choosing hysterectomy or another procedure to treat my fibroid.

I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or if there's anything else you'd like to know about my experience.

I recommend MRI guided focused ultrasound to anyone that has uterine fibroids and has been told they need a hyterectomy. I was facing this decision when I found about out University MRI and the procedure MRgFUS. During the preparation for the procedure my husband was able to stay with me and he was even able to come into the room with the MRI machine thus staying with me the entire time. A light seditive was given to me but I was awake and talking the during the whole procedure.

I never felt claustrophobic, lying on my stomach my head and arms were outside the front of the machine and I was able to lift my legs out the back. The treatment is given in short increments with a break in between and I was given a button to push I ever felt discomfort and wanted to stop the treatment. I never needed to use it as just when the cramp was getting strong the treatment period was over and the cramp subsided. It was such a blessing not to have to go under general anesthesia and have major surgery with recovery being 6-8 weeks.