Female Problems and Endometrial Ablation

[sms]

I know this is pretty personal but I know I can always turn to my dis-friends. Not too long ago I asked you guys if 44 was too old to have kids. Now I'm going in a totally opposite direction. I have been having extremely painful and heavy periods. I have been given the option of an endometrial ablation or a hysterectomy. I have thought about this and have decided that Ifeel like I'm too old to have another child. Its not something that I just decided overnight. I have been doing a lot of thinking and praying. I would like to have one of these procedures to avoid anymore "female problems" in the future. Not real familiar with the Endo. ablation. Has anyone had this procedure? What do you think about it?

 

[nskjerven]

I know this is pretty personal but I know I can always turn to my dis-friends. Not too long ago I asked you guys if 44 was too old to have kids. Now I'm going in a totally opposite direction. I have been having extremely painful and heavy periods. I have been given the option of an endometrial ablation or a hysterectomy. I have thought about this and have decided that Ifeel like I'm too old to have another child. Its not something that I just decided overnight. I have been doing a lot of thinking and praying. I would like to have one of these procedures to avoid anymore "female problems" in the future. Not real familiar with the Endo. ablation. Has anyone had this procedure? What do you think about it?

I had an albation last fall due to polyps - it was easy for me - no recovery issues. I'd question why have it removed if you can have a less envasive procedure?

 

[Southerngirl71]

I just had a d & c, ablation and tubal ligation a week ago. The dr told me a two to three week recovery since I was having multiple procedures and I truly could have been back to work after a few days. I asked for a hysterectomy and she would not do it because she told me it was too extreme for my problems.

 

[5lilfish]

I know this is pretty personal but I know I can always turn to my dis-friends. Not too long ago I asked you guys if 44 was too old to have kids. Now I'm going in a totally opposite direction. I have been having extremely painful and heavy periods. I have been given the option of an endometrial ablation or a hysterectomy. I have thought about this and have decided that Ifeel like I'm too old to have another child. Its not something that I just decided overnight. I have been doing a lot of thinking and praying. I would like to have one of these procedures to avoid anymore "female problems" in the future. Not real familiar with the Endo. ablation. Has anyone had this procedure? What do you think about it?

I had an ablation 13 months ago. Up until a couple months ago, I would say that I was thrilled with the results. At the time, i was having extremely heavy periods and a lot of pain. I really wanted a hysterectomy. My ultrasound did not have anything on it that would satisfy the insurance company and allow for the hysterectomy. So I had the ablation and a tubal (because the ablation does not guarantee you will not get pregnant and pregnancy after this procedure is dangerous). The procdure was easy and the recovery was a breeze. My periods were almost non-existant after the procedure. Life was great. Then, the pain came back. Last month it got bad enough that I went for another ultrasound. I have adenomyosis. The only cure is to have a hysterectomy. So one year and one pretty much wasted surgery later and now I get to have surgery again. I'm a bit frustrated.

Jess

 

[4forMe]

I am 45 years old and had the procedure done in October. I had posted in another thread that I wasn't happy with the results; however, now that it's been 7 months, I am thrilled with the results - very light bleeding (minimal) and ZERO cramping. It has truly been life changing, and I wish a had done it two years ago when my doctor first mentioned it to me.

Here is the link to the other thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2597340&highlight=endometrial+ablation

 

[Witch Mountain]

I had the ablation a few years ago and was pleased with the results for a while. Then, I started having severe pain that I attributed to a possible ovarian cyst (family history of them). Soon after, my periods returned, along with the pain.

I went to my Gyn (new insurance, new doctor) and he thought I was nuts, but ordered an ultrasound-and found that thanks to 2 c-sections, I had a 'pocket' that wasn't reached by the ablation. The best option at that point was the hysterectomy, because fixing the 'pocket' wouldn't be a long term fix, KWIM?

So, if you've had multiple C-sections, I'd suggest having your doctor do a really thorough sonogram prior to the ablation. Other than that, it's a great procedure. I even went back to work the next day after the ablation.

(Can't quite say the same for the hysterectomy)

 

[Mermaid02]

I went for my annual yesterday and they mentioned to me having this done. I think I'm going to go for it! I will read up on the other thread linked here- thanks everyone.

 

[bianca]

Add me to the list of initially successful ablations that after a year quit working. I had my ablation in 2000 and a year later had a hysterectomy, since all prior problems had returned. I was 41 when I had the hysterectomy and I can honestly say it was the best thing that ever happened to me! Good luck with your decision, but just know that an ablation is quite often just a temporary fix.

 

[tlbwriter]

I wanted an ablation but wasn't a good candidate because my uterus was enlarged. My doctor said he could still do it, but it wouldn't be as effective. I had a hysterectomy instead and don't regret it.

 

[Pugdog007]

I had the ablation a 1 1/2 years ago and have been very happy with the results. No bleeding, no cramps.

 

[stashbin]

I had the ablation with tubal and I have never been happier! It's been 2 years and I have only experienced minimal spotting maybe once or twice.

 

[princessnoelly]

I had a hysterectomy after several years of problems (adenomyosis, endometrosis, abnormal paps, cysts on ovaries, etc). I asked for it and was told no due to my age (I was 33 at the time). They did another procedure (not a ablation) and then three months later scheduled the hysterectomy. I wish they would have done it the first time. It's been almost 18 months and my life has improved. I didn't realize how much pain I was in all the time until it was gone. I had a bladder lift too and can jump on a trampoline now!

I still have some pain with my left ovary. I'm scheduled to have another ultra sound this summer. The Dr. didn't want to take it out but did say that I might have to have it done in the next few years.

I would encourage you to get the hysterectomy. I didn't like having two surgeries within 9 months of each other. It was hard on my family emotionally and financially.

Good luck...female problems are NO fun!

 

[minkydog]

I had endo ablation about 8 years ago and i couldn't be happier. I had a lot of symptoms, the worst being severe anemia. My GYN offered me the choice of ablation or hysterectomy. I am not a fan of removing undiseased organs, so I opted to go with the ablation. I could always go back to do the hyst if I need to. Well, the ablation was a piece of cake. I had mine done in outpatient surgery because I needed to be put to sleep. It takes longer to actually put you to sleep and wake you up than it does to do the procedure. I had heavy cramping for about a day but after that it wasn't any worse than a normal period. I think I took a few Motrin for it.

 

[Jeafl]

I know this is pretty personal but I know I can always turn to my dis-friends. Not too long ago I asked you guys if 44 was too old to have kids. Now I'm going in a totally opposite direction. I have been having extremely painful and heavy periods. I have been given the option of an endometrial ablation or a hysterectomy. I have thought about this and have decided that Ifeel like I'm too old to have another child. Its not something that I just decided overnight. I have been doing a lot of thinking and praying. I would like to have one of these procedures to avoid anymore "female problems" in the future. Not real familiar with the Endo. ablation. Has anyone had this procedure? What do you think about it?

I've had it...twice! After the first time I had no bleeding whatsoever for almost 6 years. After that I gradually started having very irregular periods again. The doctor suggested I have it done again, so I did. When I woke up in the recovery room after the second one, she told me that it didn't work because of previous scarring. I was VERY upset, but the strange thing is, I've had no bleeding at all for the past year. Go figure.

All in all, I have been thrilled with the results and would do it again in a heartbeat. There is virtally no recovery period at all, at least for me.

 

[AmazingGrace]

I had one done about a year ago. Great recovery, minimum cramping and bleeding.

 

[Minnie's Pal]

After hearing several success stories, I decided to have an ablation. It didn't work. It didn't change a thing...not even for one month. Now the plans are to have a hysterectomy sometime in the near future.

 

[hambirg]

I just want to say that I've never had any female problems. . .I almost feel guilty about that. My BFF has had terrible problems since we were teens. She had ablation and to be honest it didn't help. I think at your age I would just have the hysterectomy. I have friends that had problems in their 30s and once they decided they were done having kids they had the hysterectomy and they have been very pleased. Sorry I don't have any first hand experience. . .just what I've seen some of my dear friends go through.

 

[stashbin]

After hearing several success stories, I decided to have an ablation. It didn't work. It didn't change a thing...not even for one month. Now the plans are to have a hysterectomy sometime in the near future.

That stinks. I have heard instances that the procedure didn't work. I really hate that for you, but at least you tried! Good luck!

 

[tvguy]

My wife had it done 2 1/2 years ago. Great for 2 years. Same problems returned. Had it done again 2 months ago. Here's hoping. And to avoid anything further.
Only thing we notice that changed was our insurance. First time co-pay was $250. This time, $2,100.
Amazing, my wife was in there less than an hour, total bill was $30,000!!

 

[Mermaid02]

My wife had it done 2 1/2 years ago. Great for 2 years. Same problems returned. Had it done again 2 months ago. Here's hoping. And to avoid anything further.
Only thing we notice that changed was our insurance. First time co-pay was $250. This time, $2,100.
Amazing, my wife was in there less than an hour, total bill was $30,000!!

That's almost as much as my hip replacement!