Question for the ladies - Endometrial Ablation?

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

Has anyone experienced and endometrial ablation?

I am getting on in years, long in the tooth, etc etc... Looks like I am peri-menopausal. This is all average stuff, but my cycle has gotten nastier and nastier, heavy and long to the point where I am incapacitated 2 to 3 days out of every month. Last month I bled for 13 days.

So anyway. He suggests this procedure which frankly sounds too good to be true and you know what they say about those things.

anyoe had this? What did you think? Did it work?

 

[Dar]

I had E/A on August 10th 2011... I am scheduled for a partial hyster November 18th...

the success rate is really only about 30%...

the 70% that have had a failed E/A willl have a hyster within 5 years. most will make it past the 2 year mark before the bleeding increases again making the next step of a hyster necessary

some women (my head nurse) lasted 7 months and then she was waiting in a line up at the grocery store and felt a little gush.. thought ok I can make it out of line and dash to a bathroom... a few seconds later another gush... and she was soaked.. was in an OR 3 hours later having a hyster...

the part that really bothered me with the E/A was I would always be waiting for the other shoe to drop... when will the bleeding return?.. what if ????....

but I am lucky.. Mine went from clotting the size of baseballs for 3 days then 2 weeks of heave to moderate bleeding pre E/A .... POST E/A... moderate bleeding for 2 weeks straight but not a super + tampon AND a super maxi like before... it went to a super + tampon in 3 hours...

 

[EweSheep]

My sister had it done and no periods. Its been over five years when she had it done and no complications from it at all. So she is one of the few that had a successful rate.

 

[Uniontown Poultry]

Had one in 2006, Had one in 2008, Had one in 2010.
Will probably end up having more, which is 100% fine by me.
Totally. Worth. It.
I have recommended to my sister who also has Endo (but sadly, no health insurance)

Each procedure provided fantastic relief... for a good while. The pain of recovery was nowhere near as bad as my cramps were each month, only light recovery bleeding. Periods after the E/A were lighter, no big clots, almost no cramps... but over the years, returned to a level just shy of the pre-E/A and I would do E/A again. Which is fine with me.

Endo is like a mold that cannot be eradicated. It is estrogen-fueled and will keep coming back as long as your body's producing enough estrogen for it. I never thought my first E/A (which was done at age 34) would be my last. I don't consider my procedure a failed one because I had to have it repeated. It's just the way the illness is: Endo's not the common cold & it doesn't just go away - it grows back, and when it's causing problems again, you treat it again. Of course, if you're perimenopausal then your estrogen should be declining and maybe you would only need to have it done once.

The E/A's now are far less invasive, far more precisely done (with a laser), so recovery times and complications are reduced greatly. They can be safely repeated (like I did) rather than having to move on to more drastic measures. Outcomes will be dependent in part on the individual woman involved, her body, and the extent of the Endo or other problems that might make the E/A more difficult (such as adhesions that need removed to get to the Endo) - individual results will vary. A lot, though will depend on your practitioner. How many of these has he done? How long has he been doing them? If he refers you to a different doctor for the surgery, what is that person's experience? Also, educate yourself as much as possible. There are photos out on the web from these procedures, probably a video as well, and lots of good info. The more you know about it, the easier the whole procedure can be (you may even discover an alternative option, you never know). Good luck!

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

Well ladies, I appreciate your sharing your stories! I wonder if you'd be willing to tell me the type of ablation you had done??

It seems as if there are about 7 different methodologies for doing an "ablation" and they seem to be getting better. I got a second opinion from my sister (she's a surgeon) and she said I should do it with the newer version which is called Novasure....

In this case you should stop periods altogether. I am still digging. But, apparently the older version of the hot wash is the one that had the lowest success rate. The laser versions have higher success rates. Uniontown which method did you have??

I don't have endometriosis, I have internal uterine fibroids. They are bad but we don't want to do a full hysterectomy just yet. I think I want to try this first.

Tell me about what methods you all used.....

 

[Uniontown Poultry]

I had laser ablation each time, which might account for the easy recovery. In 2006 I had a D&C as well, and it turns out my uterine problem is polyps, which I had removed in a surgery (non-laser this time) a few months ago. I anticipate an eventual hysterectomy b/c my mother died of endometrial cancer, which increases my risk for that disease considerably. As soon as DH and I either have a successful pregnancy or else give up trying the inexpensive, natural method of having a kid, I am getting the uterine time-bomb removed - I can't wait to stop worrying about what it's doing down there while my back is turned.

Since your issue's not endo (sorry I assumed that), you outcome may be different from mine, but it sounds like you've got knowledgable and supportive folks around you so that's a good thing. It may be more similar to the polyp-removal surgery (although I know most polyps are surface of endometrium only, while fibroids can go into deeper layers), and that one weht as easy as the others, with not too much pain or activity restriction. Only used the painkillers on day one. If you decide to proceed, hope all goes well!

 

[Dar]

I have WHAT in my yard? :

Well ladies, I appreciate your sharing your stories! I wonder if you'd be willing to tell me the type of ablation you had done??

It seems as if there are about 7 different methodologies for doing an "ablation" and they seem to be getting better. I got a second opinion from my sister (she's a surgeon) and she said I should do it with the newer version which is called Novasure....

In this case you should stop periods altogether. I am still digging. But, apparently the older version of the hot wash is the one that had the lowest success rate. The laser versions have higher success rates. Uniontown which method did you have??

I don't have endometriosis, I have internal uterine fibroids. They are bad but we don't want to do a full hysterectomy just yet. I think I want to try this first.

Tell me about what methods you all used.....

I dont know what "kind" I had.. all i know it was heated water... not a laser... on my file it says D&C w/thermal ablation OB said it was water NOT laser cause I questioned him..​

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

I love your icon BTW, very pretty. Are you pagan/wiccan??

Anyway, it sounds as if both of you had procedures designed to preserve your ability to have children. Mine will remove any possibility of ever producing.

No, seriously, what I am having makes it impossible for you to implant an embryo. I am old and have already had my kids so I am good with it. I suspect that is probably the major difference in both the procedures and the "success" rate. Success would be in what you want the outcome to be.....

Ending my period all together and not hormonally messing any further with my menopausal process is my goal. I am already perimenopausal with hot flashes and skin changes and weight gain

and night sweats.... woo fun stuff!

It feels like adolescence in reverse!

Oh yeah, lets not forget the breakouts!

 

[Dar]

I have WHAT in my yard? :

I love your icon BTW, very pretty. Are you pagan/wiccan??

Anyway, it sounds as if both of you had procedures designed to preserve your ability to have children. Mine will remove any possibility of ever producing.

No, seriously, what I am having makes it impossible for you to implant an embryo. I am old and have already had my kids so I am good with it. I suspect that is probably the major difference in both the procedures and the "success" rate. Success would be in what you want the outcome to be.....

Ending my period all together and not hormonally messing any further with my menopausal process is my goal. I am already perimenopausal with hot flashes and skin changes and weight gain

and night sweats.... woo fun stuff!

It feels like adolescence in reverse!

Oh yeah, lets not forget the breakouts!

wiccan thanks

I was told that I would never be able to carry a child to full term because of the E/A... it damages the lining so the embryo would not attach properly and I would carry to a few weeks then self terminate. which is fine by me my tubes were tied and burned and rolled up in a ball in 2002 after my daughter was born. we are proceeding with a partial hyster because I am tired of playing games... they are leaving the ovaries so it does not put me into early menopause


we are also waiting for a gastric by-pass and if it were not for the by-pass doc saying that he would delay my surgery until my heavy periods were under control my OB would not have agreed to the hyster.​

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

Wicca is one of my fav religions. I am more eclectic pagan myself.

Well my insurer said I have to have another doctor's visit with my GP before they'll approve.... Honestly there is no one system that works, but there is a reason some arenas: medicine police and fire and I also say teaching should not be for profit enterprises.

But, I digress. I am perimenopausal and am starting the periods that last two weeks and the two periods in one month thing too. I get anemic very easily so this is an issue for me.