hysterectomy / endometrial ablation

[Michele71]

I went off BC 5 1/2 years ago have been having problems with my period ever since.  At this point I have bled for 63 days straight.  Some days are light and spotting, some are normal and a few have been heavy.  I have some days where I 'flood' and then a few hours later I'm better and back to light bleeding or spotting.  

I saw my family doctor about a month ago for my annual exam and everything came back normal including the bloodwork for thyroid and anemia.  She referred me to a new ob/gyn for a complete work-up.  My appt. is April 16th.

In the past 6 years I have had 3 DnC's, a hysteroscopy, a laparoscopy and more vaginal and abdominal ultrasounds than I can remember.  My 1st DnC resulted in the removal of a possible polyp, but it was unconfirmed because I was bleeding so heavily at the time.  My last DnC, which was about 2 years ago, and laparoscopy resulted in the removal of something that started like fibroid, but it wasn't.  (I simply can't remember what it was called.)

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[Michele71]

Up until January, 2007 my cycles had seemed to calm down, but I'm back at this very long period again.  (The longest one I had was what started this whole mess back in 2001 and it lasted 6 months with very heavy bleeding.)

Last night I was out with friends and 'flooded' my tampon and pad and bled onto my pants (sorry TMI) and had to leave.  I'm back at the point where I'm completely frustrated!!  My husband knew how much 'pain' I was in over what had happened and finally broke down and suggested that I talk to my doctor about getting a hysterectomy.  I'm 35.

While researching hysterectomy, I found something called Endometrial Ablation which is much less invasive, but still results in infertility.

I am overweight, but otherwise healthy.  No problems with thyroid, diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and my last anemia count a month ago was normal.  My husband and I have been TTC since November of 2001.

My doctors have been at a loss other than to diagnose me with dysfunctional uterine bleeding.  I'm at the point where having good test results is almost frustrating because I want them to find something wrong with me, fix it, and let me move past this.  In the 5 1/2 years since this has started I have gained 65 pounds and have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety which I take meds for.

Please, does anyone have any advice for me?  I'm sitting here now on the verge of tears because I am so tired of being a prisoner in my own body.

[tmv]

I have heard that a friend of a friend(sorry) had that procedure done. Unfortunately, I do not know much about the procedure. However, this lady had a period now about every three months or so and only about 3 days. I imagine everyones results would be different, but it's worth a check into. I have heard a commercial on the radio in my town that there is a cleveland clinic fertility office (not in cleveland, oh just a branch) that is asking for women with this problem to come in for experimental treatment. For some reason I think that it is where they insert a type of balloon into the uterus and use cryo-therapy (freezing) a layer off. Not real sure, though. I have been checking out options, too. I have had periods every 2 weeks for the past 7 years and it really is getting on my nerves-literally.  I currently have an IUD(paraguard). Me and my dh are still trying to decide if we want another baby. He does for sure, but I am a little afraid to as I have preterm labor, bedrest and a premie. Anyhow, enough of me. I'd see a dr for sure and see what the latest things are. Best of luck to you and keep us up to speed on your success. tmv

[MomOfTwoGrls]

just wondering what form of B/C were you on, was it buy any chance depo pervera.  

[Michele71]

I was on Ortho Novum 777 before I went off 5 years ago.  

In the last few years I have tried several others to control the bleeding, but nothing worked.

[peekawho]

I had an ablation, and it worked well for me.  I love it.

There are different methods to do it.  I have a Novasure ablation, which you can google and find tons of info on.  You must be using an effective method of birth control afterwards.  It usually results in permanent infertility, but this can't be counted on.  If you do get pregnant accidently,  it can be extremely dangerous and life threatening for both you and the baby.  So you must NEVER become pregnant afterwards.

In some cases it doesn't work.  To me, it was worth a try.  It only takes a few minutes done as an outpatient.  I only have a very little spotting now.