ablation--gross stuff is in this post, sorry

[BlueStarryHat]

This is ridiculous that they won't do it. If a 30 yr old man wanted a vasectomy, they'd do it without question.

Times have changed since my Mom had to get written permission from my Dad to have her hysterectomy in the early 80s, but not that much. When it became clear that nothing would work for me but a hysterectomy in my 30s, as I said upthread my male gynecologist told me to have a baby so that all of my "female problems" would disappear. I changed doctors, but had to endure another decade of horrendous and prolonged periods and failed attempts to regulate them before I *finally* got a gynecologist who said to me, "you need a hysterectomy, in my opinion." I actually cried because someone was finally listening to me and observing my history without any kind of gender prejudice.

 

[nicolita3]

Yeah I had a fibroid that was as big as a 5 month pregnant uterus and the doctor really was hesitant in giving me my hysterectomy

 

[MrsCobraBubbles]

Can I ask how you all got your doctors to do the ablation? I have had such heavy cycles for years, which results in the severe anemia and infusions also. I wear nothing but black pants and underclothes because it is always likely I will have a leakage issue and hate going out at all besides work during that time. I have seen a few gyn's over the years, most tell me to lose weight (which is so difficult with all the other issues I have) but the last one I saw said he wouldn't do anything unless I have tried all the other hormonal birth control options first. They are really pushing me to do the mirana, but I had such a bad experience with a copper IUD before (I know they are different). When I tried depo I got pregnant anyways, the one week I didn't bleed, and miscarried. I tried pills following his insistence, but stopped after the first month because I felt ghastly as I did when I tried them in my 20's. I haven't been back to the gyn since, why bother. I am so sick of not being listened to and pushed aside. At times it seems easier to deal with the crap I have, at least I know what to expect. I am almost 42, I have begged for a hysterectomy which I know is extreme, but why can't I find a doctor that will try the ablation?

I'm so sorry! My gyn was the one to suggest the ablation because of my symptoms. I know how frustrating it is when doctors ignore your concerns and dismiss your pain

 

[MrsCobraBubbles]

I had an ablation which worked really well -- totally stopped all of the bleeding and I felt great. However, because it was just a sample, the GYN was concerned that the part selected for biopsy didn't catch the actual pre-cancerous cells that could be there so 2 months later I had a hysterectomy. However, I didn't qualify for the laparoscopic one, and wound up being out 8 weeks. And she had a problem removing the cervix, so I still need to have pap smears.

I'm worried about this too. My biopsies were negative, but I'm worried that my gyn is going to suggest the hysterectomy if my uterus is still swollen when I see him in a couple weeks. Can't wait until the appointment finally gets here so I can relax! I can't sleep!

 

[MamaLema]

Can I ask how you all got your doctors to do the ablation? I have had such heavy cycles for years, which results in the severe anemia and infusions also. I wear nothing but black pants and underclothes because it is always likely I will have a leakage issue and hate going out at all besides work during that time. I have seen a few gyn's over the years, most tell me to lose weight (which is so difficult with all the other issues I have) but the last one I saw said he wouldn't do anything unless I have tried all the other hormonal birth control options first. They are really pushing me to do the mirana, but I had such a bad experience with a copper IUD before (I know they are different). When I tried depo I got pregnant anyways, the one week I didn't bleed, and miscarried. I tried pills following his insistence, but stopped after the first month because I felt ghastly as I did when I tried them in my 20's. I haven't been back to the gyn since, why bother. I am so sick of not being listened to and pushed aside. At times it seems easier to deal with the crap I have, at least I know what to expect. I am almost 42, I have begged for a hysterectomy which I know is extreme, but why can't I find a doctor that will try the ablation?

I suffered for 15 years listening to a doctor who was dead set against ablation.
By chance my friend recommended me to her gyno . After performing all necessary tests, she did the ablation. The last 2 years I have been living the life I always wanted playing sports and going on vacations.
I wasted 15 years of my life being tired and sick because I thought my doctor knew everything.
Keep looking for a doctor who will listen!

 

[ronandannette]

I suffered for 15 years listening to a doctor who was dead set against ablation.
By chance my friend recommended me to her gyno . After performing all necessary tests, she did the ablation. The last 2 years I have been living the life I always wanted playing sports and going on vacations.
I wasted 15 years of my life being tired and sick because I thought my doctor knew everything.
Keep looking for a doctor who will listen!

I think this is good advice in many situations. It can be difficult in some places to access numerous GP's and at least here in Alberta, they are the gatekeepers to specialists like gynecologists. But sometimes even a trip to a walk-in clinic can yield a referral one's own doctor hasn't seen fit to make. I'm happy you've had such a good outcome.

 

[MrsPete]

Can I ask how you all got your doctors to do the ablation?

Frankly, I'm shocked that this is a problem! I had never heard of an ablation until my OB/GYN suggested it. Since it's so much less invasive than a hysterectomy, I thought it was kind of a "first shot" thing.

If I were in your shoes, I'd ask friends about their OB/GYN and ablation. I know a number of people who've had the procedure, so I suspect you'd find someone who'd say, "Yeah, my OB/GYN recommended it for me."

Incidentally, I can totally relate to your list of problems. Big overlap with the things I suffered. One small thing you might try as a stop-gap measure: Get a menstrual cup ... before I started having problems, I'd put it in, and it'd last all day. I'd empty it in the shower at night and again in the morning -- in between, I never thought about it. THOSE DAYS WERE SO EASY. Once my problems began, the cup + a pad helped me make it through my first class every day (which was kinda like 6:00 am - 8:45 am).

Yeah I had a fibroid that was as big as a 5 month pregnant uterus and the doctor really was hesitant in giving me my hysterectomy

I forgot this: At a regular yearly appointment, I told my doctor about my problems -- but I'd been reading on the internet that periods can become heavy-heavy as you approach menopause, and I'd convinced myself that this was normal. My doc originally suspected fibroids -- but she set me up for a test, and we ruled that out. The point: fibroids and Menorrhagia (that's the term for the super heavy periods that many of us have experienced) can look alike.

Also, echoing another poster whose message I didn't copy: Yes, my doctor did emphasize to me that an ablation can "hide" the symptoms of cancer. She told me that it's on me now: I must never-never-never miss my yearly PAP Smear.