Endometrial Ablation...has anyone had one??

[YommyMommy]

I was referred to gyn and had my appointment today...I am going in for this procedure on the 6th November.

Was just wondering if anyone had already had it and what your experience was like?

Thank you x x

[chocolateistheenemy]

Yommy Im on the waiting list... will be interested to read your replies too. Hope you're not feeling too nervous...

[YommyMommy]

Hi Choc,

I'm not Too nervous...I think I'm having it carried out under local anaesthetic so more worried about the pain of the jags, lol!!

I have had really heavy bleeding for 4 years (since birth of DS2) I hadn't realised just how bad it was until I was rushed into hospital a few weeks ago for a blood transfusion :/ it had been diminishing over a very long period of time which lead to severe anaemia.

So I am just relieved it's being felt with now and so quickly x x

[Acekicker]

I had it done about 18 months ago, it has genuinely changed my life and I am so pleased I had it done. What do you want to know about? The procedure is relatively quick, I had a general anaesthetic. I was in quite bad pain for a few hours afterwards but I suspect that was actually period pains rather than the op as I'd come on the day before and had my mirena out the month before. I was home about 6 hours after the op and just took normal painkillers for a few days, after the first few hours in hospital the pain for the next couple of days was pretty low key - certainly less painful than my periods had been. If I'd not been a bit crap with the anaesthetic (made me throw up and took all my energy and appetite for about 4 days) I could well have imagined being back at work within a couple of days, I ended up having a week off but that was partly because for the last couple of days (I'd had the op on a Saturday) I was still not ok to drive due to anaesthetic after effects.

Periods since the op have been amazing, I'm now like some annoying woman off a tampax advert... A couple of regular tampons in my bag and I'm good for a day at work, no painkillers, no bags full of pads, tampons etc.!

[PandaNot]

My mum was one of the first women in this country to have this procedure, it was only being done in Manchester at the time. I was a teenager at the time, completely wound up in my own world and I remember her changing completely when she had this done, it was the best thing she ever did.

[VivaLeBeaver]

I had it done under a GA. They do some under local but mine was a severe case or something

Painful afterwards, but I was told if you have a GA you're generally in more pain after than with a local. I had a canister of gas and air and then pethidine afterwards which made it very bearable. In fact I fell asleep with the pethidine and woke up 2 hours later right as rain.

Had nasty, nasty discharge for 2 weeks afterwards. They said there might be some but the amount scared me. I was soaking through pads with foul smelling yellow liquid. But not painful.

Hardly have any periods now. Fantastic, I'd recommend it for sure.

[RandomMess]

I had novasure and was sterlised at the same time.

My sitches got infected and in all recovery took 3 weeks (antibiotics made me unwell I think!)

Absolutely no regrets, I have my life back, can exercise, don't need to use sanitary protection, no more waking up during the night because of flooding etc etc etc

[Tuttutitlookslikerain]

I had it done 4 years ago under GA. I had horrific back pain when I came round, but I have severe SPD and Sacroilliac joint dysfunction so it could have been because of that.

I had a watery discharge for a few weeks afterwards. I had very, very light periods, only requiring a panty liner until about 6 ago, when they stopped. I have had hormone tests to see if it was menopause but it's not, so my GP presumes it is the because of the ablation.

I am so glad I had it done, it changed my life for the better.

[YommyMommy]

Thank you for so many positive stories ladies

I am also hoping that it is going to help with the dreaded anxiety increase that usually kicks in about 2 weeks before my periods!!

Thanks again! I think I might go with a general if it's on offer!! X x

[Vajazzler]

I had it done in february last year under a GA at the same time as having a cyst removed from my ovaries. I recovered really well and wasnt in any pain at all. I had bleeding for a few weeks then it settled down and my periods were bliss! I went from losing 180-200 mls in 4 days with big clots thrown in for good measure to barely filling my mooncup during a whole cycle.
Now though, i'm about half way back to where i was before. I'm losing 90-100 mls per period at the moment and it seems to be increasing by 10mls every other cycle.
I was told by my gynae consultant that the results last up to 5 years.

[YommyMommy]

Hi vijazzler,

Sorry to hear you are now going back wards now :/ your periods sound as bad as mine are now...it's horrible although I'm lucky in that I don't get pain! The Consultant told me it had an 85% success rate. If this doesn't work I will consider a hysterectomy.

X x

[doglover]

I have an appointment with a gynae consultant on Monday and think that the ablation is probably going to be recommended, too. It's great to hear about others' experiences.

[YommyMommy]

Hope all goes well doglover...I'll b interested to hear how you get on x x

[doglover]

Thanks, YM. Will do! x

[doglover]

Had my consultant appointment today - very interesting! Unfortunately, my GP hadn't sent through my ultrasound scan results etc so I'll need to return for a further consultation when these documnets have arrived. Anyway, based on what I've told him, he mentioned the Mirena coil, ablation and hysterectomy. I need to do some research about these 3 options - not sure I've heard too many positives aabout the former .................... Anyone got an opinion?

[RandomMess]

I tried the mirena for 18 months but it didn't suit me- worth a try as long as your assertive enough to get it taken out if you don't get on with it.

[Tuttutitlookslikerain]

I had Mirena for about 6 months, it was the work of the devil for me!

[doglover]

Thanks, ladies x

[thegreylady]

I had an endometrial resection (ablation) 18 years ago and it changed my life-no more pain,no more periods and reduced menopausal symptoms.It can be done as a day case though I had to stay overnight as my op was late in the day.

[doglover]

Thank you, TGL.

[gregssausageroll]

I will give you a different story. I am one of the few people that it doesn't work for. I think they say 8 out of 10 are good results. Mine wasn't. The only improvement I have had is that I not longer flood but is good but I am still beyond heavy and need changes of clothes, sleep on towels etc. I still bleed every 19/21 days.

I was so upset when this didn't work as I had such high hopes. It did nothing to help with period pains either.

All in I am glad I gave it a go. I am facing a hysterctomy in January.

[Ebor]

Had Mirena for nearly a year - supposed to cure frequent/prolonged bleeding. I ended up bleeding very lightly, but almost all the time. Had it taken out. Since tried Loestrin (Pill) for 6 months. Try-cycling stopped the bleeding but taking it normally does nothing and am back to where I was.

Dr now suggesting Novasure but the horror stories in the Web are scaring me off. Am told it is more successful for older women (I'm 46), presumably because we are heading towards menopause?

[doglover]

Gulp! You poor thing, GSR :( I hope your op in January is successful and you can start to regain your quality of life.

[Stylelostinlabour]

Hello

I had it done 6 weeks ago under GA was and is amazing - first period started today and the first time in years I have used 1 regular tampon... Went in at 1pm and was home in time for emmerdale, no pain at all after and took the week of work to rest but really could have gone back but thought well they have given me a sick note for a week so why not (never had a day off sick before) and I think this was the key to recovery I feel.

I'd say mine were very heavy couldn't get downstairs without flooding sometimes!

Bonus is I have no period pain or symptoms it was only because hubby said I was a little shouty that made me think I might be coming on

Go for it - it's changed my life :)