decisions decisions-getting second opinion

Heavy bleeding started spring of 2000 and has gotten worse and the past year has been a nightmare, flooding, clots, Depends when I leave the house (lol), long periods-you name it. Last week I went to a local doctor who advertized Her Option Uterine Cryoblation Therapy. We moved to this area a year ago so I am unfamiler with the doctors here. This doctor did an ultrasound in his office and found several small fibroids and one large one. He recommended a D&C and biopsy and (forget what it's called) but the visual inspection with camera, which took place today. in his office.

I'm almost 53 years old and the doctor is telling me that I could go either with the cryoblation or hysterectomy but he is not giving me a lot of hope for the cryoblation but is willing to try it. He said my uterus is enlarged and would be the largest one he has done the Cryoblation on-this disturbs me, plus it would not take care of the fibroids. His opinion is that it might reduce the bleeding enough to be manageable until menopause but he clearly is more in favor of the hysterectomy. I asked about fibroid surgery but he said nobody would do that at my age-just the hysterectomy. The fibroids aren't bothering me, I don't have a lot of pain or cramping--my big problem is the flooding.

I just don't feel confortable enough with this doctor to have him do the hysterectomy. I just met him last week and today he got ready to do the D&C etc. & didn't even remember that he had done a sonogram on me and that I had fibroids! He was also not able to answer some of my questions-such as do I have endometriosis (maybe he needs test results) but I thought a visual inspection was supposed to answer that. I would trust him to do the Cryoblation but there is something else bothering me.

I realize insurance matters can be confusing, and it was his staff insurance person advising me, but they basically told me the D&C plus Cryoblation would run about $6000.00, (this was after talking to my insurance company). Their insurance expert told me I would end up paying about $4000.00 of that because my insurance pays 90% of "usual and customary" and they bill me the rest. Well this is an "in plan" doctor for me and I was surprised that insurance didn't cover more. Today I've checked with my insurance company to see the comparison between Cryoblation and hysterectomy and there was very little difference in what I would end up paying and it wasn't anywhere close to $4000.00! They told me the doctors office COULD NOT bill me for more than the contracted in plan amount! This makes me lose confidance in this doctor's office. In fact the doctor's office required $300.00 from me today and my insurance said I was only obligated for $25.00!

I immediately asked the insurance company for a referral for a second opinion. I hate to start over but I feel like I need to find more options for heavy bleeding without hysterectomy and without being taken to the cleaners by what seems like a greedy doctor's office! I could be totally wrong but I've learned when there is an uneasy feeling about something-it's best to slow down. Any advice?

SGail,

Wow...I would definitely get a 2nd opinion if I was in your shoes. Sounds like it is moving really fast. I actually got two hyst opinions and it was the best thing I ever did!! I have seen some Hyster Sisters who even get 3 or 4 opinions. The bottom line is you have to feel comfortable with the decison and most of all not feel rushed.

I have heard of uterine cryoblation. From what I know, it is pretty cutting edge. And I do not know anything really about it. Could you reply again and detail it?? Would love to know.

I had large fibroids. My Dr. gave me (3) possibilities. (1) "observation" and they would probably keep growing. And I was too far away from menopause for it to help out. My Dr. honestly told me that menopause would not shrink my fibroids enough so I felt normal again.

(2) A myomectomy where the fibroids are just removed - and my Dr. said my fibroids would probably grow back. In my case I was not a candidate, since I had fast growing fibroids.

(3) A hyst. It was a hard decision to make and I have not looked back. It has really improved my quality of life and my health.

I can suggest you just keep doing what you are doing so well. Gathering information. You just need to find the alternative procedure or type of hyst that works for you.

Good Luck.

I would get a 2nd opinion. I did and I am very happy about it.
My 2nd opinion Doctor did my surgery. And I am very happy about that I did not know him very long, but he earn my confidence quickly! My other Doctor I would have never been able to trust him to do my surgery.
Unfortunetly, I had to have bladder surgery also, and scheduling doctors together was a problem. So I ended up having a Urologist that I was not happy with. I have to go see him tomorrow and dread it .
So yes you should get a second opinion. Go with your feelings
about these Doctors, you would be surprised at how right you can be about them!!!! It is just so much easier if you have some kind of trust in them. Having a doctor you trust will also make it easier to make the discisions you have to! At least that is the way I feel!

I wish you all the luck in the world!!

s

hello historylady,

I have read some posts from a few others who have had the cryoblation but I think the real cutting edge one right now uses microwave treatment, believe that is NovaSure.

A link for cryoblation is: http://www.heroption.com/

NovaSure link is: http://www.novacept.com/

From what I can gleen from questioning the doctor, cryoblation uses freezing to destroy the lining of the uterus and takes about 20-30 minutes. The microwave method takes maybe 5 minutes. The doctor uses whatever method he has bought for his office. This doctor has the cryoblation method and was really complaining because it takes "to long" compared to the microwave. (This doctor seems competent but really bored with what he is doing, going by some of the remarks he has made. He looks like retirement should be in his future very soon!) I can't figure out from questioning or reading whether one method is any better than the other.
Yes, thanks for the vote of confidence, I'll keep researching!

Thanks Mary,
I'm really kinda dreading the first doctor finding out about the second opinion but it's something I have to do. I'm so glad this website exists so we can share our experience and help each other. I don't know what I would do otherwise. Susie

Susie,

Thanks for the info. on cryoblation. Wow...freezing.

Hey...do not worry about the 1st Dr. finding out about the 2nd Dr. What if you get more then two opinions?? Maybe the 2nd Dr. will find out about the 4th Dr.??

Kidding aside, this is about YOU. Not your Drs. You want to make the best and most thought out decision for yourself so if that means some different opinions, so be it, if that is what you want.

Some Hyster Sisters are comfortable and trust their 1st Dr.

And some need 2nd and 3rd opinions. That was me and I do not regret it for one minute. It got me to my LSH and I am very pleased with my surgery results.

Good Luck.

I wanted to post an update. I went to another doctor on Friday. She does not do ablations and said she never has but refers them out if someone insists. I'm not trying to discourage anyone else but she was not in favor of one for me. She thought it was unusual for a doctor to want to do an ablation right after a D&C and wanted me to wait a month and try the Depro Provera if I still have heavy bleeding. See how that works and if my uterus is growing, (fibroids growing) then she recommends the hist. She has slowed things down for me and I am more confortable with that. She also checked iron levels and gave me a prescription for that. (The other doctor did not do that) I know Depro has been getting a bad rep. but I would rather try that first before a hist. and at this point I have decided against an ablation.

As far as the insurance issue I had with the other doctor, I have been checking some on the web and found out that some states have laws against Balance Billing (billing the patient the remaining amount after the insurance has paid when the doctor is "in network") . If the original doctor tries to do that I'll definitely fight it and report him to the state insurance commissioner. Makes me real mad to think they may be getting away with that.

Susie