The 3 Month Post Surgical Checkup

It's been a bit less than three months since I had an endometrial ablation, but I've had three periods since then, so I'm calling it 3 months.

Yes. I said I've had THREE periods since the surgery that was supposed to decrease or remove all monthly Slaughterhouse Nine references, but If you know ANYTHING at all about me, you'd know that I never do anything the right way.

Easily squeamish? Are you Male? Anyone related to me by birth, death or marriage or anyone that might have trouble looking me square in the face after some intensely personal info that's below this fold - why not go read some Easter Basket ideas, School Lunches don't have to be Junk or how Food can be as addictive as Cocaine. I'll be here tomorrow with a good story that you'll want to read. Pinky promise.

Ok. Now that it's just me and probably one other reader, let's get this party started. I had an endometrial ablation right after the first of the year to try to reign in periods that had gone completely bezerkers. How crazy? Try a super pad an hour, for the first three days. Try sleeping on towels, sitting in cars on towels, showering twice or three times in one day and changing clothes repeatedly for the first three days of each 25 day cycle. And then about 6 days of what would be considered "normal". Try not exercising for those three days, and not leaving the house except to take kids to and from school and carrying extra clothes in your car.

So, maybe just a bit of a problem.

I had the ablation, and was told that it was tougher than anticipated, but that there was a 80% chance that it would work. But it didn't, and I went back today for my yearly checkup combined with my post surgical check up to discuss how things went. (After I got dressed in my clothes, of course, which I'd carefully folded and placed on the chair, with my bra and panties hidden inside the pants. OF COURSE. The doctor is all in my ho-ha, but she would be offended to see my undergarments strewn about the room. I'm so weird.) So, my options. Of which there are five.

1. Repeat the ablation. I'd have to see if my insurance would cover it, and since there was trouble before - I'd taken progesterone to ensure that I didn't begin my period before the surgery - and yet I DID - I'd have to take Birth control Pills for three months before in order to be certain I'd be on track, cyclically speaking.
2. Take the pill until I go into menopause. I'm not in favor of this one, as the hormones have had ugly side effects in the past.
3. Have an IUD inserted. Against this one for the same reason.
4. Keep going the way I'm going until menopause, which is realistically another 12-15 years away.
5. Have a hysterectomy. This would need to be done when I'd have low obligations and much support, for the doctor said it would be a 4 week recovery period, similar to the recovery when I had my inguinal hernia repair.

Growing old SUCKS.

My husband is completely upset with the entire thing, for he feels like the doctor was negligent - since it didn't work, she clearly did her job wrong and just wants to do it again for income purposes. I strongly disagree. I knew going in that it was effective in 80% of the cases - just didn't think I'd be one of that 20%. But I maybe should have known, since I have a history of hemorrhaging after each childbirth. So I'm totally and completely 100% frustrated and would love to know your thoughts - my one reader who remained.

If it was you, or your daughter or sister - what would you do?

Comments

[Domestic Extraordinaire]

I am with you on the folding your undergarments neatly and tucking them inside the folded clothes so that you don't even know they are there at all. No one taught me this trick so I wonder if its something that is instinctive to us chicks. (or maybe us weird ones) (Also the folded clothes keep my undergarments away from the GERMS!! But you know how much I am a freak about those)

my sister had this issue and at 28 she decided to do the hysterectomy. She had 3 boys and really couldn't live like this any longer as she was a single mom that couldn't take off each week for her period that came twice a month. She took a month off of work and we all helped out.

It stinks, but something has to be done-Like I told her...you aren't living when you are living this way.

((hgus))

[Shannon]

"The doctor is all in my ho-ha, but she would be offended to see my undergarments strewn about the room."
LOL - I am the SAME way, folding things neatly and hiding the underwear.

I'd have a hysterectomy. Just get it all out of the way. But my opinion needs to be taken with a grain of salt because I have no idea what the after-effects of the procedure would be. In my mind, it makes sense to deal with a month or so of recovery and inconvenience, as opposed to repeating a procedure that STILL may not work or dealing with another option for the next 15 years.

[Beth A.]

Ok, so perhaps I'm your 1 remaining reader. I have never had to have that procedure...or know anyone who has had it. I just wanted to tell you that I tuck my "unmentionables" into my clothes too. Seems like you aren't all that odd afterall Carmen!

[kalisa]

See, I'd be all, "Take it out. All of it." but I'm kinda at that point now. I have the IUD and I like it but when I went off the pill my face started breaking out like a teenager before prom. At 40!! And the doctor was all, "Oh yeah, that's because your ovaries have gone back into production." and I'm all, "Well I don't really need them anymore. You can totally have them." So I'm ready to get rid of it all over PIMPLES. I'm probably not the one to ask.

[Tina]

Well, I don't know what your "side effects" are for taking the pill... but I would stay on the pill (not go off once a month) and skip the whole period thing. That is what I do... I have huge hormonal mood swings and cramps so I NEVER go off the pill and my doctor is fine with that and I'm fine with that and my husband is FINE with that. No crazy woman once a month!
Also, I use a low estrogen formula of the pill because otherwise I would throw up every morning... so maybe try some different levels of the pill maybe.
I also don't like being on "synthetic hormones" but I'm weighing the good with the bad.
But if the "side effects" of being on the pill are worse then having a hysterectomy then I would just remove my uterus... But I'm not an expert on that. Anyway, best of luck.

[Headless Mom]

question...Would you have to take hormones after? Might that interfere with your migranes?

[Jennifer Joyner]

Sounds like having the hysterectomy would make the world of difference for your quality of life. In the short term, it may be hard to deal with in terms of getting household help,etc...but in the long run, it would solve your problem. Let us know what you decide!

[Liralen]

Well... if it were me, I'd probably be saying "Take it out! Take it out!" - but then I'd try either birth control or an IUD first, in the hopes that one or the other would regulate matters to the point that a hysterectomy wouldn't be necessary.

I'm sure you've been over the fine points of your options, but - have you considered a copper (i.e., non-hormonal) IUD? There are also a lot of hormonal options (Pill options with various doses of hormones, the Nuvaring, patches or shots, etc.); you might well be able to find one with side effects that didn't affect you so much.

[Mar]

I just had a hysterectomy 6 days ago, and haven't felt this good in a very, very long time! (Yes, I said SIX days ago!).

My doctor used the davinci method and everything went well.

I am 34 years old and could not the thought of living in agony for how many more years to come.

I would be happy to share more with you (if you so desired)if you have any questions.

Mar

[Katie]

Is it not worth trying the IUD and seeing what happens. If it works then great, if it doesn't then surely it can't be much worse, you take it out and explore the permanent surgery options....

[Thumper]

My first choice would be the Pill--taking it back to back for 3 months nonstop to avoid any periods--but the only issues I have with it are weight gain. Which is why I stopped taking it...

I'd probably then opt to just get the plumbing removed...but then I'd worry about my libido.

Kind of a crap shoot...

[girlsmama]

While I'm not in the same boat I have family and friends that are, if you are done bearing children, go for the hysterectomy. There may be some long term medications involved to keep things balanced, but they would be much more tolerable that Mt. Fiji every month or twice a month if you're that lucky. And in my opinion why have a period at all if you are done multiplying and replenishing.

[Elizabeth]

I had a total hysterectomy over Thanksgiving for similar reasons. I'm 42 and my recovery was actually quite easy. Of course I only have 1 child who is 5 and doesn't have tons of obligations.
For recovery, I went in on Mon & went home late Wed. I was back at light duty in 2.5 weeks for work but I work from home answering the phone (call center). I feel sooo much better! If you take it easy you will heal faster. I could tell when I overdid for sure. I was able to drive within 2 weeks as long as it was short distances. No heavy lifting is the biggest thing to avoid!!
If your ovaries were left in, you wouldn't need HRT necessarily assuming they will keep producing estrogen. I would definitely think about the hysterectomy. My life is much better!

[Beth]

I'm in the same position as you are in right now. Most of the ladies I've talked to are in the 20% who had ablasion and a few who had the procedure done 5 years ago are right back to the same old problems! I just stopped the BC thing b/c of nasty side effects, but I'm fighting for that hysterectomy with my insurance company. In our area, they can do a complete (ovaries included if you'd like) hysterectomy thru the belly button if you never had a c-section before! 6 days downtime! That's my plan.

[Patricia]

I fold and hide my undies too. Seriously, why is that -- and I think that question as I'm folding and hiding them every single time I'm at the doctor.

Ok, my totally non-professional opinion is --- hysterectomy. I'd get one if I could convince someone to just take it out already -- but alas, I'm in the midst of the menopause phase -- so with luck, I'm going to be done SOON (hear that uterus?)

I know the recovery won't be easy, but truly it is the only way to stop the nightmare periods and if you get the ablation again and it doesn't work again, you will be here again.

But the big question is -- are you sure you are done with having kids? Wouldn't you like just one more little baby to hold and snuggle ;)

Hugs (and I'd come and help you, if you would like)

[KatieButler]

You may already have done this, but what about a second opinion? Or is there a specialist that has experience with the 20% for whom the ablation isn't successful?

I know "none of the above" isn't a choice, none of those five seem great, sort of the lesser of two evils, you know?

Thoughts & prayers for you as you make this decision.

[wookie]

If it were me (and it probably will be in the next 5 years) I'd:
1) Get a second opinion
2) If that one concurs, have "it" completely taken out.

[Cheryl]

I'd go with the hysterectomy, quick-like, and be done with it.

[Megan]

I would go on the pill, because it seems like the most reversible and least expensive option. Your insurance will probably cover it, it's available in generics, and you can stop it anytime. Have you discussed various options for the pill and what's available now v.s. when you were on it? I've been on the pill for 7 years (probably TMI, sorry) and am now on a low-dose one. No weight gain, breakthrough bleeding or nausea. Then again, maybe the lower dose wouldn't work so well to curb your heavier periods.

And I totally do the hiding the undies thing too. Must be in our DNA.

[Wendy E]

I am totally with you on tucking undergarments inside your pants. As for the choices, I would vote for the hysterectomy. It sounds like you could have a partial done and keep your ovaries so that you won't have to take hormones. I had one done vaginally less than two months after my youngest child was born at the age of 32 and I have not regretted it for one minute. I love not having to worry about menstrual cycles of my own any longer. Now I just get to worry about my daughter's which is a whole nother issue in itself.

My point is, I am grateful every day for the hyst and would do it again in a heartbeat. Oh, and for the record, my recovery wasn't bad at all. I was back at work full time within about a week and a half (I have a desk job).

[Tricia]

I hide the undergarments as well, maybe it's because I don't want him to see that I have inappropriate holiday underwear on, and a bra that looks like it's been through a world war. Hey, I'm just saying. As far as your options, which IUD did you use? Was it chemical or non-chemical? I had the NON chemical IUD and it was fantastic. I don't know if you have to have the chemical one for medical reasons, but if not, you should give the non chemical one a try. If it doesn't work, you can always take it out (which is not too painful at all). If you've had the non chemical one, then I'd say the hysterectomy, if you're positive you're done having babies. Get rid of the thing! And if it takes a bit to recover, you get fun pills and food delivered to your bedside. Sounds good to me! But it's really whatever you feel is right for your particular situation. We're all here to support YOU.

[addy]

I had a partial hysterectomy - took the playpen only. It worked wonders. I was so tired of hauling around clothes and running to restrooms in public places. I was also certain I wasn't having any more kids. We tried everything else first and nothing helped.Tough decision for you. Good Luck!

[Mimi]

I've had several friends and family members go the hysterectomy route recently, and they have not regretted it.

[Iowamom]

I had the ablation done just 3 weeks ago and worry that I'll have similar results as you. I have had light spotting on and off since the procedure which has been termed "normal". It's a waiting game but my Dr. told me that same statistics and also said that in a few years you never know what kind of new and magical thing will be invented. If I were you I'd take the uterus and leave the ovaries. You need the hormones but you don't need the uterus. That will be what I do if my ablation doesn't work. Best of luck to you!

[C]

Lawdy. What a post to delurk on. Hysterectomy, all the way. I had a partial 6 months ago and feel great. I had 2 months of weird menopause-lite but that went away and now it's all good.

I also fold and hide. Some dignity is required.