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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to consider cancelling Novasure Ablation tomorrow because I'm TERRIFIED

63 replies

WhatsGoingOnEh · 16/10/2018 21:39

I made the mistake of googling Novasure Ablation, and found a thread where women have shared their experiences of having uterine perforations, sepsis, near-death infections, cervixes that close up with scar tissue, but still bleed so they're filling up with blood every month, agonising pain....

I've suffered from heavy periods for the past 2 years, lasting about 10-12 days per month. I've seen two gyneas; one recommended a hysteroscopy but I chickened out. The second one recommended Novasure and I said yes.

Now it's the night before and I'm seriously BRICKING it. It's under general -- is that risky? I have two kids.

My periods are horrible but I'm 47 so I might not have much longer to suffer them...? I have several small fibroids. Is there a way to treat those and reduce the bleeding rather than shoving a microwave up my womb?

My gynae said I could have the procedure now, or wait a few months. But I said now.

I don't know what to do. Part of me worries this might cause more, and worse, issues than it solves?

HELP.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatsGoingOnEh · 16/10/2018 21:42

I'm naturally a worrier. I don't know whether to put my trust in the hands of my doctor, or back off and just cope with the bleeding for a few more years.

I've had two c-sections. Can that increase the likelihood of adverse effects? Argh, I wish I'd never started this, and had just suffered in silence.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatsGoingOnEh · 16/10/2018 21:44

Things I've tried so far: Transexamic Acid. Didn't like it, huge clots.

That's it. Maybe I could try more, non-invasive procedures first?

What happens if you turn up for an operation, then decide you can't go through with it?

OP posts:
SlatternIsTrying · 16/10/2018 21:51

I had an ablation about a year ago.

I experienced no problems at all with the procedure or recovery. The next day I had some mild cramps but nothing too bad. It took a few days to get the general out of my system but I was back to work very quickly.

A year on and unfortunately my period is back to the same heaviness as before but I do believe it helped a bit.

Queenie8 · 16/10/2018 21:56

DON'T CANCEL!!!!! I had it done in May, it is the best thing I ever did 😊

Barely any pain afterwards, although I had a spot of bother with the anaesthetic. But recovery was about a week.

I was like you horrendous periods, passing out etc. I too have had two sections. All the different pills made no difference. The coil was awful.

I wish I'd done it years ago.
Good luck whatever you decide 🤞🏻

UnsinkableRubberDuck · 16/10/2018 21:57

I had an ablation in August. Didn’t have a general. Only lasted about 2 mins. Honestly was no worse for me then a smear test. Dosed myself beforehand on ibuprofen and suffered only mild cramps. Bleeding has reduced by about 50%.

Personally I would have the procedure as my heavy bleeding was causing anaemia and hence chronic tiredness. I desperately wanted to tackle that.

Bloomburger · 16/10/2018 21:58

Best thing ever, painless, hardly and discharge afterwards and hoorah, no bloody periods. I did a spin class the next day and felt perfectly fine.

Original poster
WhatsGoingOnEh · 16/10/2018 22:00

@QueenieB

I had a spot of bother with the anaesthetic

This means you nearly died, doesn't it? (I'm glad you didn't.)

OP posts:
KatyN · 16/10/2018 22:04

Had one 18 month ago. It was brilliant. Crapped myself before because i’d Never had a general. It was a breeze.
Had a bit of diaharge afterwards which was told was the scabbing (boak) but i’ve Been totally normal (and non anaemia) since a week after the op.
This time tomorrow you’ll be back in your own bed, all done and no longer a slave to your period.
Kxxxxxx

Ollivander84 · 16/10/2018 22:06

Don't google! I read all the horror stories about GA before my first one (never had one as a kid)
What actually happened was I woke up and demolished half the hospital food, drank about 5 mugs of tea and then spent the night people watching in a&e as I was too wired to sleep 

TinyTwat · 16/10/2018 22:09

I had one, had no problems with it except it made no difference at all. I ended up having a hysterectomy in 2011. Best thing I ever did!

JamPasty · 16/10/2018 22:09

I've not had an ablation, but have had a general anesthetic. Totally and utterly fine. It's a big thing for you, but for the people in change of doing it, this is totally routine. Hugs!

Queenie8 · 16/10/2018 22:10

Whats no not at all, I just reacted badly to the GA. I couldn't stop crying, utterly uncontrollable crying, it was so embarrassing. The previous GA was my crash section, and they couldn't wake me up afterwards, I just don't do well with GA.

Original poster
WhatsGoingOnEh · 16/10/2018 22:40

It's a big thing for you, but for the people in change of doing it, this is totally routine.

That's a great way of looking at it. She says, writing a will. :)

OP posts:
Kenworthington · 16/10/2018 22:43

Dont cancel the op op! I had it done three years ago and it is the best thing I have ever done. It has changed my life! I’ve never had a period since. Good luck , you won’t regret it. It’s so routine for the surgeons

welshweasel · 16/10/2018 22:44

Talk to the surgeon tomorrow. Ask about the percentage risks of all these things. Yes perforations happen. You want to know how likely it is to happen to you. Then you can decide what level of risk you are prepared to take. It doesn’t sound like you’ve been wel consented for the procedure to be honest as they should have been through all this. If you decide to cancel on the day nothing happens. You just go home! I’m sure they will be able to put your mind at rest but if I’m doubt you can always say no.

Original poster
WhatsGoingOnEh · 16/10/2018 22:55

Thank you. :)

I also didn't have a biopsy, which I've (just) read is standard procedure before the ablation? My letter from the gynae mentions doing a biopsy tomorrow, though.

And I didn't have a pre-op assessment with swabs, blood tests, etc. Just a form to fill in, then a telephone consultation.

The gynae is lovely but his secretary seems scatty. It's a posh private hospital - my Dad has used it a lot and is actually in there now having a knee replacement! I guess I'm just scared.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatsGoingOnEh · 16/10/2018 22:59

It doesn’t sound like you’ve been wel consented for the procedure to be honest as they should have been through all this.

Again, I'm kind of blaming his secretary. I saw the gynae for my referral from the GP and we decided on a scan (to check my fibroids) and the ablation. I had my scan, then heard nothing for 2 months, until his secretary rang and said, "We've got a cancellation for next week - want to come in?"

I was like, "WTF?" and asked for a consultation before I went ahead, to discuss my scan results. I went to see him, he was fab, put me under no pressure. He mentioned some of the risks but I really didn't want to hear those!

And now I'm due to have it done tomorrow afternoon and I'm a scared mess.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatsGoingOnEh · 16/10/2018 23:03

Should I have had swabs (for MRSA) and my blood-group taken? Is this all a bit cavalier?! I'm a redhead, we bleed... What if I'm gushing like a red geyser tomorrow and they're all, "Secretary! What blood does she need?" and she's all, "Ah, yes. Oops."

My over-active imagination is a curse. I see all the What If scenarios like actual Hollywood movies.

OP posts:
Dippysnowoman · 16/10/2018 23:07

Don't cancel Op.
I had this procedure 2 yrs ago... local anaethsetic. In at 8 am home by 1pm.
Little bit uncomfortable but stopped my heavy bleeding and cramping so was worth it best 15 months ever!! No pain no periods.
I too have now had a hysterectomy but would still have the ablation first x

CaledonianQueen · 16/10/2018 23:11

I know that GA is scary, have you been sick after morphine before? If you have, make sure to tell them, they can tweak the anaesthetic so you are not feeling nauseous or are actually sick after you wake up.

My Mum had horrendous periods, so bad that she needed blood transfusions and iron transfusions. Mum had two lots of the microwave treatment (first didn’t work ) and her periods stopped completely which was life changing for her.

Sepsis can occur after/ with any infection (I should know, having just left hospital after my second bout of Urosepsis), be it a pimple or tonsillitis. Hospitals are very thorough and you will be in the best of hands (whilst also having gourmet food if your local private hospital is anything like mine).

You will get a chance to talk to the consultant/ surgeon and the anaesthetist before going under, so hopefully they can put your worries to rest.

Original poster
WhatsGoingOnEh · 16/10/2018 23:12

Thanks! Can I ask why you ended up having a hysterectomy?

The stuff I found on google said that many women in their early 40s ended up having a hysterectomy within 5 years of an ablation.

OP posts:
PookieDo · 16/10/2018 23:14

I had an ablation. Was totally fine. 4 weeks later periods resumed exactly the same as they were before. I think I got unlucky - nothing terrible just bloody pointless!!

Original poster
WhatsGoingOnEh · 16/10/2018 23:14

I know that GA is scary, have you been sick after morphine before?

I don't think so, I've only ever had one GA before. I woke up with the anaesthetist telling me I had to stop smoking, as I'd coughed through the whole thing. (I have stopped.)

The only weird thing I've ever had with anaesthetic was my BP dropped like a stone during my C-section, and I thought I was going to hurl, but didn't.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatsGoingOnEh · 16/10/2018 23:15

4 weeks later periods resumed exactly the same as they were before. I think I got unlucky - nothing terrible just bloody pointless!!

Oh no!! Literally bloody pointless! You poor thing. Do you know why?

OP posts:
PookieDo · 16/10/2018 23:16

@WhatsGoingOnEh

Most likely just not possible to remove every trace of tissue (also fibroids) so the whole lot regrew 🙈😂