Post Ablation Let Down

Please forgive me if I am not posting in the correct place.

I am so disappointed right now that I actually laid in bed last night and cried! I had my Therma-ablation done almost a month ago. I have my post ablation follow up next week. After forcing myself to lay on the table dealing with intense labor-like pain getting the ablation done, I started my period last night. So far the only thing different is that I started cramping a week earlier than I did pre-ablation.

I was hoping to be one of the lucky ones who had no period at all, or at least just minor spotting, but it looks as if I will still be having periods.

I really do not think I have quit cramping since the ablation was done. It is just not as intense at times, but once my cycle starting coming around the cramps have intensified. I feel like I tortured myself for nothing! Had I known how bad it would have hurt during the ablation I would have never had it done. Evidently the block they used did not work properly and between "balancing" the balloon and actually doing the procedure it was about 30 minutes of agony and all for nothing but more pain!

I have dealt with female issues since I was 13 years old and now I am approaching 40. They have already removed 1 ovary and tube. I think I have done my time with cramps that double me over and periods that require 3 boxes of tampons!

So now what? What do I tell the doctor next week? How do I continue to go through this each and every month? I feel I have to plan my life around my period, between the flow and the pain! I am honestly crushed right now. This was supposed to fix it but the only thing it seems to have done it create a longer time span of pain.

Somebody please tell me it will get better, that it is still just too early to know the full results.

Sorry if I sound like a big baby, I really am trying to put my big girl panties on and deal with it, but right now I just want to lay in my bed with the covers over my head and cry, with my trusty heating pad of course!

SassyPeach

I’m sorry you’re having problems that bring you here but am very glad you’ve joined and hope you’ll find information that is helpful.

Whilst you're waiting for further replies, you may wish to visit a dedicated endometrial ablation discussion board <link> www.endometrialablationboard.yuku.com for more information and post-op support.

I hope you're feeling a little better now and can decide on a course of action with your doctor next week. We're sending positive thoughts!

Thank you Poodle!

I will check out over there.

Sassy Peach,

i too had an ablation in July 2010 and was not one of the lucky ones who no longer had a period. as a matter of fact I got my period 1 wk after that darn surgery! I was lucky as I did not have the pain you are describing but I did notice that my cramps were way more intense after the ablation then before. I say it wasn't intense because I was still able to get relief from motrin. Fast forward 2 yrs and the fibroids are back and getting bigger, hence the hyster.

Discuss with your dr the concerns that you are having regarding your pain. I would also discuss what he/she considers to be the next course of action if this doesn't work to control your bleeding. My bleeding was less with the ablation but my fibroids continued to grow. Once I heard "size of 15wk fetus" I finally threw in the towel! BTW, you definitely don't sound like a big baby I have no idea how you endured an ablation awake. They put me under and when I woke up, I didn't know what the heck had hit me it was so painful. I never felt that with this surgery. So ask questions and be your own advocate. And if the dr doesn't want to listen, get a 2nd opinion!

Thank you LaineyLaine.

The ablation was very painful and I was awake for the entire thing. I had a numbing agent put down...there. A suppository that was supposed to help with the contractions, which had opium in it and two shots, one was an anti inflammatory and the other for nausea. It was horrible. I felt like I was going to black out a few times. I wanted to stop mid-procedure but the thoughts of continuing with my periods the way they are kept me from doing so.

I have always had killer cramps but never for this long. Honestly, all I do now is cramp. I actually took a pain med last night because I had a searing pain going through my lower right side down my leg that just would not let up. I slept for a couple of hours and woke up still hurting.

I will say a positive is the fact that I can now use regular size tampons and not make a complete mess! That I am very excited about.

My doctors appointment is next week and I am hoping for some answers then. This cannot be the way it is supposed to be. I have my fingers crossed that this is temporary.

I'm from the cancer board on this site and was about to post here regarding my daughter which I saw your post.

Admin note: questions regarding daughter moved to new thread in the "In Search of Info/Support for ..." forum: http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...d.php?t=491062

Awake for the ablation and they continued even though you were in such pain? That's absolutely barbaric. I'm so sorry to hear this.

Suzanne

I feel your pain Sassy. I had my ablation a year and a half ago but thankfully I was completely knocked out for it. I have a friend that was awake for hers and it sounded like torture. My bleeding lessened but my cramps and other menstral symptoms were intense. Ultimately my fibroids are back! I know several women who have had successful ablations but I wasn't one of them. I decided to go ahead and get the hysterectomy done before I feel worse. I feel pretty bad even though my bleeding and clotting isn't too heavy. My belly feels huge likes I'm stuffed from just eating but it feels like that all the time. I also cannot lose a pound even though I am regularly walk/jogging. I just don't have the energy to run like I used too. I wish you luck on whatever you decide to do. Keep us posted.

Hi there, I'm so sorry you're going thru such agony. I'm in my third post ablation year and I don't bleed but have horrible episodes of cramps and many other awful symptoms. But not to discourage you, I think the two main options we have are taking progesterone to stop the uterus from growing a lining, or a hysterectomy. It's scary and lonely, but you can make your own choice and end up better off. It's not forever . Lori

I had an ablation on 5/23/12 and have had horrible periods three weeks apart since! I suffer from adenomyosis and have such heavy bleeding and cramping that I can't even leave my house when it is that bad! My doctor was hoping the ablation would help, but apparently it it did not. I am scheduled for a hysterectomy on 8/14. While I am extremely nervous about it, I am looking forward to finally getting some relief once I am recovered! So I feel your pain! Hope you get some answers that work for you!