Failed Ablation

I had a HT ablation 2/14/07. It made my cycles wonky, but still heavy, crampy, and miserable. On top of that I continued to have cramping when I wasn't bleeding and now I'm in horrible pelvic pain.

I had an ultrasound this Tues, and my primary dr said my uterus is "really" enlarged and my endometrium is "super thick." She asked for my gyn's number and I gave it and they consulted and primary called back saying she faxed the results to my gyn and both agree that I need to do the hysterectomy at this point.

I have horrible cycles: stand up and the flow is so fast a pad can't catch it...even after the ablation. Cramps were always miserable. PCOS on top of everything else. Everything hurts and I'm absolutely miserable.

My appt to see my gyn is wed. Right now I'm doing a lot of processing and research.

What's best?? Keep the cervix? take it? keep the ovaries? take them? I'm 31. Thanks.

I am sorry your ablation failed and you are looking at having a hysterectomy. I hope your appointment goes well on Wednesday. Take a list of all your questions and concerns with you to your appointment.

I would also suggest at least a second opinion before scheduling surgery. And you will want to be sure you have a doctor who is knowledgeable about PCOS since there is no cure for PCOS as it is a problem with the endocrine system.

We do have some articles you might find helpful:
Keep Cervix?
Keep Ovaries?
Keep Ovaries? Keep one or both?

Do in there and many best wishes to you! s

Hi Della Sue,

Keeping your ovaries can be a difficult decision for all of us, but a little harder when we have PCOS.

While one of the symptoms of PCOS is polycystic ovaries, it isn't a symptom that eveyone has. Have you tried other treatments for your PCOS? Sometimes the ovarian cysts are brought under control when the Insulin Resistance and hyperandrogenism is controlled. Again, not everyone has all of these symptoms, but if you have PCOS you will have at least 2 of them.

I had my ovaries removed, and for me it was great. My hormones were so out of whack with my ovaries that I was in a state of constant of hormonal upheavel. No where close to a balance of any kind. Having my ovaries removed helped me to be able to take HRT to keep my hormones level.

My Dr explained to me that while removing my ovaries made the PCOS worse, it at the same time made it easier to treat. I was 49 when I had my surgery.

It is very important that you have a Dr who understands that PCOS is an endocrine disorder and who has an interest in helping you bring your hormones under control. It becomes even more important if you have your ovaries removed, as finding a hormonal balance :balanc: is tougher for us. It took me about 2 1/2 years to find a balance that I felt really good at. My Dr also understood that the insulin levels had to be brought under control before any estrogen balance could be found. So even though I began estrogen therapy right away, my main focus was on getting the other hormones, thyroid, insulin, and testosterone levels where they should be first.

I would recommend that you see a hormone specialist....an endocrinologist, before making a decision about your ovaries. If you have access to a Reproductive Endocrinologist, that is even better. Each of us is different, and only a specialist will be able to tell you if you will likely be better off with or without your ovaries. They will also be able to tell you what kind of treatment you will need regardless of your decision.

You are very young and honestly, if at all possible, I would suggest that you try every optional treatment for your ovaries before deciding to have them removed.

s and Best Wishes,
Kay

I just had the ablation suregery done less than a month ago. Went back for my two week check up after and with in a day of going for that my period was due and sure enough mine failed I bled just as heavy and the pain was so severe I couldn't even stand up. So now my only option is hysterectomy

Jerzey,
Did the doctor explain that your first few cycles may be heavy? I had mine mid October and still bleeding. Been bleeding for about a month now. And about to get my first period after the ablation. I go for my appointment tomorrow and will have to ask her what she thinks that I've been bleeding so long. I sure don't hear too many ablation success stories which makes me wonder why the insurance companies require you to try that first. My surgery was about $7,000 and haven't stopped recieving bills yet!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by DellaSue I had a HT ablation 2/14/07. It made my cycles wonky, but still heavy, crampy, and miserable. On top of that I continued to have cramping when I wasn't bleeding and now I'm in horrible pelvic pain. I had an ultrasound this Tues, and my primary dr said my uterus is "really" enlarged and my endometrium is "super thick." She asked for my gyn's number and I gave it and they consulted and primary called back saying she faxed the results to my gyn and both agree that I need to do the hysterectomy at this point. I have horrible cycles: stand up and the flow is so fast a pad can't catch it...even after the ablation. Cramps were always miserable. PCOS on top of everything else. Everything hurts and I'm absolutely miserable. My appt to see my gyn is wed. Right now I'm doing a lot of processing and research. What's best?? Keep the cervix? take it? keep the ovaries? take them? I'm 31. Thanks.

Della;

I was told mid 2006 that I needed to have a hysterectomy primarily due to prolapsed uterus, heavy bleeding, cramping, constipation, and that I most likely have endometriosis. I opted not to have the lap done to see if I did have endometriosis. I was not ready mentally to have the hyst. I am not going to have any more children, but I just felt weird about having a hyst. My gyn talked to me about the ablation and it took me 7 months to actually go through with it. It stopped my bleeding, but I still had the other symptoms. I had it done in January 2007. I was at work in August, outside with a friend, I had white pants on, and the flood gates opened. I bled all over myself. I stayed calm, although my friend didn't...he wanted to rush me to the emergency room! I called my gyn, he told me that sometimes the ablation will fail, but usually within the first couple of months. I went in to see him and my uterus had slipped down even further, and I have spotted since. He called me at work a couple weeks later to see how I was and told me that I needed to part ways with my uterus and cervix. I finally agreed. As far as what to have removed and what to keep, that is to each individual. I am having uterus and cervix removed definately. My cervix does not play a part in achieving climax during sex, so they can have it. I have a long family history of cancer, so why keep it if I don't need it. I don't want my ovaries removed if they are healthy, but more than likely he will have to take them because of endometriosis. If there is even a speck of it, he will take my ovaries. I would rather lose them now and not have to be back in the operating room in the next few years. I am also 31, will be 32 this month. I wanted to share this with you, as we have a lot in common with our symptoms and our ages. Hopefully this will help you, but ultimately, you have to be comfortable with your decision. As I said, it took me a year and a half from the first talk of a hysterectomy to finally scheduling it. I think it will be one of the best decisions I have ever made. Good luck at your appointment!

Tiffany

Thanks to everyone who responded and shared! I really appreciate the support

I had an EA in May 2007. Unfortunately, mine didn't work either. I had no bleeding for the first 4 months post EA, but I had horrendous cramping that just got worse each month. I started bleeding again at 4 months, not heavy like before, but right back to a pattern of bleeding every other week and then eventually back to bleeding 2-4 days out of every week. I went back to my doctor and he decided it was time to talk about a hysterectomy. I ended up having a TVH exactly 6 months to the day after my EA. It turned out I had adenomyosis, which was why the EA didn't fix everything.

I hope you have better luck!

HI I'm new here, I just had a ea yesterday so far i'm ok but it's too soon to tell if it's a success.

I'm so sorry that you all have tried the ablation and it failed. I have had very heavy periods for yrs. I think so many things have contributed to that fact like my birth control pills I was on them for a very long time and a high dose. After going off them I gained weight and it really threw my body into a bad way.

I dealt with it for yrs and April of last yr I started bleeding heavy everyday, bad clots and the pain was worse than natural child birth. My gyn suggested an ablation. I was excited to finally have a chance at a normal life. First we found out that I had polyps so I went in for a dnc the results of that were that I wasn't a good conidate for the ablation.

He suggested pills for three months to see if that would help, well that was all good but I was SO tired of trying things I was at the point where it was affecting my life in every part. Only I knew exactly how much I was bleeding and the pain.

I figured three months of pills and chance it not working or I can have the Hysterectomy and be healed before the three months. I was already showing signs of anemia and still am.

I already feel so much better and how nice it is to not have to worry about wearing a tampon,pad and YES even depends!

I wish the best for you all and if you have to make that choice of a hysterectomy do what is best for you.