Women's Health Community

I had me E/A only 3 weeks ago now... I must admitt reading all of the posts on this forum has really put my poor mind at ease... I seriously thought it was me maybe it was all in my head. Because I thought this procedure was suppose to fix everything... I guess not! the BIG Belly Yep I have noticed I am retaining water too... cos My feet and hands feel bloated... and also the never ending wanting to pee... and not having a normal bowel movement.... the back pain and the discharge... the odour ... and yeah the feeling of depression or just really low since the op'. (OMG where does the list end) I guess when you go to a DOC you just assume that they know what they are talking about so you put your trust in them. I am 38 and have not had any children with my husband so to have this procedure was a real heart breaker for us both as we did want children... We too were told that we SHOULD NOT GET PREGNANT AT ALL it is too dangerous (I think I read it on another post on here that she was advised the same thing). I guess I can understand why we have said yes to the procedure not having to bleed so heavily anymore. I just want to thank eveyone on this forum as it has really helped me, and now I have a starting place to go back to my Doc/Gyney for my follow up. I live in hope as I am only 3 weeks into after the Op that maybe just maybe this has worked for me.... I wish all the ladies on this forum RECOVERY adn RELIEF from the Pain and Symptoms we must bear!!!

My experience is most like yours Bulldog82. I'm 28 and had my EA over a year ago due to being deathly anemic (hereditary and related to menstration). I had the valium and percocet beforehand; tordol in the butt right before (along with a lolli) and then the cervical block; very short procedure (few minutes) where I only felt mild discomfort when the ballon was filled with the hot saline; and then another lolli and my hubby dragged me home all loopy from the drugs. I didnt have any of the back pain or cramping that any one else describes or the extreme pain from the procedure. What did occur, however, was a SEVERE infection. I had my procedure on a Thursday and my doctor indicated she was fully confident I would be back at work Friday. Well I was in so much pain I couldnt go in. As the weekend progressed the pain worsened. By sunday evening I had to be admitted to the hospital where I stayed for several days. After the infection was cured and I went for my post op exam the doctor indicated she was certain due to the procedure and subsequent infection i would never have another period. To date she is correct.

Its been a bit of a mixed blessing. Not having the horribly long and bloody periods is goood. Not having the sicking anemia and exhaustion it caused is good. I am, however, not sure about being medically available for sexual relations every day of the month! lol I know that sounds crazy but its true. There is not "out" if I just dont feel like but dont want to hurt hubby's feelings.

Lastly, I am on this site doing this search because although I was ensured that this substitute to hysterectomy would not throw me into early menopause; I do feel as if that is where I am. I am constantly emotional, dry vagina, and have hot/cold flashes constantly. That I dont like at all and I cant seem to find any information on it. I am totally against hormone replacement therapies so I am not sure what I would be willing to do or what is even available.

I am otherwise VERY pleased with my situation.

Hi, so... really happy to see its not just me having the big belly issue. My background: I'm 35, 3 births...all vaginal.. increased periods after each pregnancy. I had my EA mid April after losing a baby in Sept, having a tubal ligation (nov).. then 2 DNC's (the second the doc punctured my uterus so cldnt have my EA in Jan). After several weeks I got another doctor and was able to have the EA, I was so happy. Yes, I had a lot of discharge and some mid- to high pain but my periods thankfully are getting shorter and less intense. Tiny, in comparison to what it was. No more tampon and pad every 30 minutes. Overall, I think I'm very pleased with its outcome.... but I never knew about the feeling depressed part. It's not all the time, but its definitely out of my normally sunny style. I wish I had known that cuz I really don't like it.
As for the "Big Belly" its startling how the thing just kinda "kablammmm" happened. Even my husband noticed how quickly it came on. He was concerned something else was happening to me (as was I). Does anyone know of something you can do for this?? I haven't changed any of my eating habits for the worse... in fact after it started to come on, I improved my eating. All the side issues are disconcerting.. doesn't help the feeling depressed thing either. I start thinking about it... and it just sucks. Still glad I did it instead of the hysterectomy. I wouldn't do a hysterectomy, unless I had to. every woman in my family who has had one had to have 2 or 3 major interior surgeries to take care of recurring issues. I don't want that. I guess like anything else ... I have to deal with the bad that comes along with this. Just wish I had been better prepared for it. Any suggestions??

Hi...I'm 36 yo with 4 vaginals births. I had four children in five years. I never had issues with my period until this past year. My cycle was all over the board. I spoke with my MD and he suggested EA. On June 25, 2010, I had the in-office procedure with Novasure (wire mesh ball) and it was easy and painless. The anesthiologist was great and he placed me in a heavy twilight. My husband was able to stay in the room and watch the whole thing and then tell me about it. It was safe and great! Came home tired and slept for the day. Next day probably over did it by going grocery shopping and Toy Story 3 movie - but overall felt great. Then the back-pain hit at night and lasted for about 3 days. I had NO discharge the first day and then it started. Here we are 2 weeks and 3 days later and I am still wearing pads. The discharge looks like old brown blood but now it increasingly is starting to look like dark red blood with mucus? The fluid was there for 2 weeks but has decreased but the "bleeding" is still there. The back paid has subsided so no cramping. The bloated feeling isn't really there either. I just hate this pad and bleeding thing. I called the MD and his MA called me back and told me that this was normal, not to worry, I don't have a bad odor and she said it could last another 2-4 weeks. OMG - I can't wear a pad for another 2-4 weeks - this is CRAZY!!!!! I went in on day one of my period so I know I am not having a "period".

Can anyone shed light on how long did you bleed for???? At what point does it become "not normal"??? Everyone tells me that the emotional side is not related as they only touched the uterus and not your overaries or hormones - so you should still be in tact mentally? I'm not that emotional just HATE the bleeding!! Thoughts?

Dear Mzbrina,

Thank you so much for your post. I too have FM and thought that was the only reason my recovery has been so long and horrible. I chose this method as the least invasive because I know even a partial hysterectomy would mean a long painful recovery due to the FM. If only I had read these posts prior to the ablation!!

I had my procedure done in my doctors office on June 11, 2010 with a nurse tech from NovaSure (the company that makes the machine) and my doctor's operating nurse. The procedure went fine and the pain was at first just as the doctor explained. But it is now almost August and the pain and bleeding are constant.

I have had a problem with my period for over 20 years including irregular periods, heavy periods and extreme pain during ovulation and my period. Well, it hasn't changed except that I now bleed all the time, it hurts to wear a tampon, the back pain and cramping is constant , my vulva hurts all the time, it hurts to sit, it hurts to drive, I bleed heavier after standing or walking and the cramps get worse AND I CAN'T MAKE LOVE TO MY HUSBAND!!!!!!!!

Other than that the procedure went fine. Excuse my language but BS. I agree with one of the other posts that says 10% is too high. Have you all been to NovaSure.com, the company who manufactures and provides technical support to the doctors? Their site fails to note any of these complications. How can that be allowed? If a drug company has to give full disclosure of side effects, then so should NovaSure.

Well, I think that should stop now. I also think there may be an actionable class action lawsuit against NovaSure. I plan to contact the FDA and NovaSure for full disclosure in their pamphlets, website and all advertisements. I could sure use some help so if you are interested in providing your name, city, state and email address. The FDA and NovaSure will not be interested in one story but 10, 15, 20....they can't ignore. I will also contact a couple of class action attorneys to see what there thoughts are on the pain we have experienced due to this failure to disclose.

I know that it is scarry giving your information to a stranger but do we really want other women to make decisions about this process without all the information and end up in pain like us!

I will give you my information and background so I hope that makes you feel more at ease. My name is Penny Grades. I live in West Plam Beach, FL and my email is pennyesq@aol.com . If you decide to email me, please put "ABLATION" as the subject so I will not think it is spam. I am 53 years old, married, no children and I am lucky enough(NOT) to have my mother live with us as she can no longer live on her own.

I was an attorney in family and criminal law for 15 years. I had to go to retired status as I am disabled by fibromyalgia and couldn't afford my dues and continuing education as it took three years for my social security disability suit to be granted. I hope to change my status to inactive next year which means I could then tell people I am an attorney and not a retired attorney!! I am not doing this for any personal gain. I have wanted to find something to do from home that would still give back to women but not tie me to anyone's schedule but my own.

I hope you join me on my little crusade, (at least it will help to address our anger issues over these side effects), I promise to inform anybody who emails me when and if I am disclosing your name, so please take a leap of faith on me so we can help other women who may be thinking about ablation. I have no desire to stop the ablation procedure. I just think everybody deserves to make a truly informed decision.

Thanks for listening to my rant, for all your wonderful information and most of all for making me not feel alone and insane!!

Hugs,

Penny

Dear Chris,

You should also have your doctor check your thyroid function. Having an under active thyroid, can cause weight gain especially if you are watching what you eat and are exercising. Thyroid problems are one of the most undiagnosed diseases in America? You should also have your ob-gyn check your hormone levels. If you are diagosed with an underactive throid make sure the doctor gives you a script for Armour thyro. Both Walgreens and CVS now carry it and if your branch doesn't have it they can order it. This is important because Armour is all natural. One synthetic version has already been recalled as being linked to thyroid cancer. Also if it is your hormones, ask for a natural replacement due to too many side effects from synthetic brands. Many of the natural remedys are found at compounding pharmacies. If your doctor doesn't know about compounds, find a compounding pharmacy, explain what you are looking for and they will usually call your doctor and explain to them how to write the script.

Sorry if I went on and on but I am disabled from fibromyalgia which effects many other things in your body. I belong to a support group and I handle informing the group about medical information so I think I am becoming part diagnostician...lol.

Anyway, I hope you find a solution and start feeling better soon.

Hugs,

Penny

Bulldog,
How did you find this specialist? I am currently looking into the procedure myself and am very interested in your story. I really want to avoid what these ladies are going thru with back and leg pain.

Mimi6123

I had this procedure done 2 weeks ago today, I am not bleeding today but five days after I had very heavy bleeding and clotting I went the ER where they ended up having to give me 2 pints of blood and a unit of plasma. It took mee acouple of days to get my energy back then 5 days later I bled again but not heavy, next morning I was fine for that day, then 2am the next morning started bleeding heavy again until 5:30am. I've just spotted since then I am very frustrated. I really havn't had much pain expect for the first night and I think I let my bladder get too full and it put pressure against my uterius. I have been very tired from all the blood loss. I hope you are doing better.

I had EA done the end of March of this year. I had back pain at first, but attributed it to lying in bed, so I got up - helped for a bit. Started sleeping w/a pillow under my knees but the pain really was so bad in my lower back and hips that I wasn't really sleeping. I started going to yoga (specifically hot yoga). I have to go at least every other day, but it really is helping. Something about the heat, I think - hope that helps.

I sure wish I had read about all of these problems with the UA before I did it 3 years ago at age 48. No problems during the procedure (at Dr's Office), but the pain that night had me writhing and moaning out loud on my bed. I couldn't keep the Vicodin down that had been prescribed. Called office next day and they said to just take the naproxen. Another call to the doctor (who seemed surprised that I was having pain) got another painkiller which made me too loopy at work. Pain finally stopped after about a month. I, too, had sudden gushing bleeding with no warning about 2 weeks after the procedure. This continued every few days but each episode had less blood. After 3 months the periods became regular and with somewhat less bleeding. Not what I was hoping for...but I have fibroids, so I wasn't that surprised. What has changed is the pain. It's not just cramps anymore! Stabbing, throbbing, burning pain on both sides. Starts about 4 days before my period starts and lasts for the first 3-4 days of my period. (Sorry this is so long) So now dr. thinks I have endometriosis and chocolate cysts on ovaries. I am scheduled for a laproscopic procedure to remove the cysts, clean up the lesions,and most likely remove both ovaries. Hope I NEVER bleed again and NO MORE PAIN! It takes a few months to see how it worked for you. Be patient and good luck!

I had a D&C and EA 9/1/2010 and the experience or results are not what I expected. My doctor performed the procedure in the "MedSpa" downstairs from her office- the same MedSpa that does Botox- which should have been my first clue. I was relatively calm and confident when I first went in but then after waking up I questioned my decision all together. First of all, I woke up in a lounge chair in room-no, a closet and I was in the worst pain ever. Back pain similar to the back labor I felt with my first delivery. The nurse asked me on a scale of 1-10 what was my pain level and told her 10. I felt a great deal of pressure like I needed to have a BM but couldn't (sorry if that's gross but wondered if anyone else could relate). They gave me some oxy and after a few minutes basically told me I needed to leave. I think they needed my lounge chair for the next patient. My girlfriend was with me because my husband is currently deployed and I basically ran to her car and dove in her back seat moaning and groaning all the back home. I remember that I couldn't get comfortable for the life of me and was literally rolling around in my bed in pain for hours. After about 7 hours the oxy felt like it had finally kicked in-thank the Lord. I felt better the next the next day and by the following day I felt very good. I had my follow-up two weeks later and was told all looked good- then I got my period the next day. Bright red and watery, very uncomfortable cramps that didn't get relieved by medicine- lasted about 5 days. Now I have my period again! Same deal red and watery blood, very uncomfortable and unconsolable cramps. What the heck? At this point I feel like the EA did nothing but change the type discomfort I experience with a period. I am not happy about this at all today. It this persists I think I'm going to a different doctor and getting another opinion on the matter. I regret not getting a second opinion about my health concerns before having the EA. I should have skipped the EA and just went for the Botox when I had the chance.

Hi Mommyof4,

I just had EA done on Friday and I feel pretty good. Just a very very light blood. Using a panty sheild. I had very bad cramps right after the procedure but thats it. I was a little sore when I walked a lot.

I wanted to tell you that my doctor told me I could go about my normal routine immediately and I could have sex, take a bath and wear tampons after 3 days. Just wanted to let you know what my doctor said about that. I'm sorry to hear about the bleeding though... I hope it has stopped and was wondering how you are doing now?
Take Care,
Kim

yes i also had tigh pain i thought it was just muscle pain from surgery i had surgery six days ago and i have alittle pain still but i am very bloated and my breasts are very very swollen i cant fit into any of my bras!!!! Good thing but very wierd

3weeks ago I had the EA. My procedure was pretty much painless but I was given several medication before surgery to help with the cramping. This was done in office. It was done with hot water which I know they have several different ways to do this. The first weeks just clear fluids then the seconds week started bleeding bright red . I just went back for my po and was doing well but the bleeding seems to come and go. It gets heavier and then lighter. I was a very heavy bleeder before. I have dealt with much worse. I am having the back pain but the funny thing is it is in the morning time only not in the afternoon. I have had 2 children 20 and 13 yrs old. I am 41 yrs old and over weight so the doctor does not want to put me under for a hysterectomy. I am hoping over time things will get better. But for me a little blood is better than not being able to go anywhere.

Yes ia am experiencing a bloated belly - trying to drink more water and walk daily - helps a little but frustrating