Ablation failed...?

Hi everyone, I had my ablation about 1.5 years ago and I've had nothing but irregular bleeding, pms etc. I spot every week and every 2 weeks i get a period. Dont get me wrong the bleeding isn't as bad as it used to be but i can't leave home without a pad. I went to my gyn who is basically fluffing me off. She did an FSH level and that was 20.4 which she told meant nothing and then I had an u/s today and it showed a 7mm+ lining, how can I have a lining if I've had an ablation?

I did schedule a 2nd opinion with another doctor, I am just os frustrated. I go tomorrow. I honestly really wish I had opted out of the ablation and gone thru with the hysterectomy, I've waisted alot of time and agrivation I think.

Would you think the regrowth is proof that it failed? I am 44 years old.

Thanks so much

Jean

Hi JeaniaBeanie2

Sometimes ablations fail, and it can be frustrating. When I had my ablation, my doctor explained that it isn't foolproof. Even a few cells left behind can begin to re-develop and bring bleeding back into full swing over time.

My hysterectomy was two years after my ablation. During most of that time, I was quite happily free of bleeding. The last several months, though, I was starting to develop some monthly discharge with just a trace of color in it--so I could tell the endometrium was starting to grow back.

Although I am glad I had my ablation, I can certainly understand the feeling of wanting to be done with the frustration and move on with life.

I hope your second opinion provides some good information to help you make the best decision about moving forward.

I thought about having an ablation before I had my TAH. What I found out after my TAH was the condition that I had called Adenomyosis would not have responded to an ablation anyway. In fact, I was told that this condition very rarely will show up on even a biopsy! And that the "cure" is a hysterectomy. I hope that your second opinion can give you some answers! And good luck!!!

Hi JeanieBeanie2 -

I think Laurieb1 is right, that adenomyosis is a major cause of heavy bleeding and pain but not easily diagnosed. Ablation does not work if you have it. I had the Novasure in Feb 2010. Periods lightened up but were still 10 days. All of a sudden in August I started with pain, and spotting/bleeding off and on. New U/s showed a complex lesion in the myometrium (the uterine wall). Dr took a guess the adenomyosis was present, decided to try me on depo provera to "quiet" my uterus down. That just made it worse. Been bleeding straight since 11/28 and it's getting heavier. My choice is to try to live with it til menopause kicks in (I'm 45) or time for a hysterectomy. Like you JeanieBeanie, felt like my dr. was sidestepping it. Wondering if it's from guilt that he screwed up. From the research I'm doing, I'm finding that the ablations aren't as great as the doctors promote them to be. Stories of women suddenly hemorraging 2 years after ablation, misdiagnosis of adenomyosis, etc.

I am also going for a second opinion this week. I think that in the next few years there will be lawsuits against the Novasure procedure. Don't know about you, but my dr painted this rosy picture that life would be perfect and wonderful after I had it done. It may work for some, but I think we'll find for the majority of women there is that hidden condition that will make it ineffective, and possibly make the condition even worse.

I'd like to know how your second opinion goes. Thinking hysterectomy is my only option at this point, just a matter of how soon to have it done, what method to use, and do I really trust my old doctor now to do it. I know it has sent me into a tailspin emotionally and physically. Once you've gathered as much knowledge as you can, go with your instincts. Sometimes we women forget to trust ourselves. Good luck and keep us posted.

Yes, if your endometrial lining regrew, the ablation was not successful...

I had ablation in June 2010 TAH Nov 29. It wasn't Novasure because I had fibroids and my dr. said it won't work as well if you have fibroids so he did the Thermachoice balloon thermablation. Yes, the ablation was a dismal failure, but I don't regret doing it. First of all, I refuse to waste time on regrets. When I did it, it was a less invasive option to the TAH so I wanted to give it a try. When it was time to move on to schedule the TAH I wasn't second guessing myself or my Dr. because I knew we had looked at other options and they weren't successful. I am also very thankful for my Dr. who lets me guide all decisions related to my care. I wish all women were so fortunate.