ablation or hysterectomy??

I am 37 years old and since I had my tubes tied in 1993 I have had cramps and never had them before. It scared me the first time it happened because I had never experienced that before.
Normally I can take a motrin and it reduces the pain to a dull throb. For the last few years, however, the pain has gotten to the point where motrin doesn't help and the pain shoots down my legs and sometimes I vomit from the pain, and the bleeding is out of control (extra long pads and tampons and I still bleed through everything in a hour).
The last 6 months I have been having extreme pain and have had a ct scan, vaginal ultrasound and pelvic ultrasound and they found a golf ball sized fibroid and my uterus is enlarged but the ovaries and everything look fine. This pain is so bad I want to die, they put me on percocets and birth control. The birth control did nothing for me and I resented taking them since I had my tubes tied to NOT have to be on any birth control. The percocets make me sick but they take the pain away.
I am going in on Friday for a biopsy and they are going to put a camera in there to see if they can see anything maybe the ultrasounds missed. If they can't find anything the options I was given were two types of ablation or a hysterectomy leaving my ovaries.
I looked up the two ablations online and got nothing but bad reviews (I am sure that is because people with GOOD experience normally don't go leave opinions...at least I hope that is why it was all bad reviews)
The two ablations were thermachoice and heroption, one using heat and one using freezing method.
Honestly from everything I read so far I am thinking the hysterectomy is looking like what I want to do...the thought of never having a period again is a nice one but I am also scared because I have heard people say your bladder will come loose, you will go crazy etc...I know 3 people who had a hysterectomy and did very well with it but I could be that ONE that has the problems. I know a few with ablations too and one loved it the other two didn't. So I have a big life changing decision to make and hoping this site will help me make it.

sorry this is so long.

I had an ablation last year, the heated one. The surgery failed. I would say that for the first 4-5 months after surgery, my periods were lighter, I could wear a super tampon and a pantiliner and be fine. The 2nd six months were horrible, EXTREME pain, and Horrible bleeding, xtra super tampon, full pad, went through in before an hour. I put off my hysterectomy for years, and did the ablation as an alternative. I wish I would have just did the hysterectomy first. But...I am the type that tries the easier way out first!! I am 2 weeks post op...and feel alot better!!
Good luck at your appointment!!! You have to make the best decision possible for yourself!! We Sisters are always here!!

Well, I feel for you and I am sure you will make the best decision for yourself. I also had a choice between the ablation and the TAH, I had horrible bleeding for the past 6 years, cramps, saturated pads to the point where I could not leave my house the first 3 days of my period. I chose the TAH and kept my ovaries. I had my surgery on 9/16.09, and am doing great. Can I tell you how happy I am that I will not have to worry about anymore Flood Zones! Each of us has to make our own choices, I just wanted to say I am very happy about the one I made. I will pray that you will make the right choice for you. There are so many beautiful people on this site, I could not have had such an easy transition without the help of all my sisters. Good Luck to you.

I think you are right on the money with your comment about those women with positive experiences not posting as much as those with negative experiences. Keep in mind you'll find that here - since this is a hyst site, those who've had success from endometrial ablation rarely need to be here. It's sure nice when they come back to post, though.

In my circle of ablation friends, I'm the only one who had to go back for a hysterectomy. My older sister was absolutely convinced she needed a hyst and was mad at her doc for telling her he wouldn't do one for her until after she'd tried the lesser options. She felt sure she would prove him wrong, but her E.A. was an absolute success. She never had another period and is a very happy camper!

I knew I wasn't a very good candidate for one, but since so many around me have had success... I wanted to try that route too. I didn't have much to lose if it didn't work.

Mine failed due to adenomyosis. I am very glad I tried it though. It was worth an afternoon of my time. The procedure was waaaaaay easier for me than one of my horrid periods, so it was truly easier on me than what my own body put me through every month.

Only when it failed was I sure that a hyst was really necessary. I have had complications since my hyst, so I'm glad I tried the ablation first, otherwise I'd probably be kicking myself wondering if the complications could have been avoided.

Good luck with your decisions. We are here for you no matter what you decide.


Beth

sistbeth my experience sounds identical to yours. I had my ablation July 2008 and hyster March 2009. The pain from andenmoysis was horrible(like labor) I have know other whos ablations were great. I had a complication from hyster to a vaginal fistula(leaked urine for 3 mos). It is a personal choice and I hated I wasted the money but I can see your point too.

I am almost 25 and went to go have an ablation done and couldn't because my uterus was to tilted. I have been bleeding so much it makes me sick. So it boils it down to this and I hope having a hysterectomy will solve my worries. I have been told that is the best thing they ever did.

You might find some helpful information about ablations by visiting Endometrial Ablation Discussion Group.