Thank you so much Lily. I appreciate your response. I did finally get a hold of the dr.'s assistance and she did tell me the same as you just said, basically thats normal. I really didn't know what to expect actually. I was just hoping that once it was done that would be it. ha ha wishful thinking. I will give it time and hope that it will get better, can't really be much worse than my periods I have now. Lord I hope not. Well have a good day and thanks so much again.
Hi Daisy,
I just wanted to update you some more. I stopped leaking one day during week six. I have no more cramping since, either. I hope your situation is improving!
Lily
I just had the in office thermachoice ablation yesterday 1/11/2013. Most of the information about the procedure and on what to expect was from posts on the internet. Pre-medication was 800mg 3xday, 4 days before surgery then 1 percocet 1 hour before the procedure. I was given a sleeping pill under the tongue and a shot for pain about 45 min before the procedure to relax. Procedure started a noon. I was not nearly as relaxed as I thought I would be after the pain pill and the sleeping pill. I was given shots in my cervix to dilate. I was not expecting that and it was pretty painful. All I could focus on was "In through the nose and wiggle your toes" so I wouldn't forget to breathe. After about 15 min, the doctor performed a D&C then started the ablation. I felt a lot of pressure and moderate cramping during the procedure. It was uncomfortable but not unbearable for me. Once the procedure was complete the nurse sat me up and once my vitals stabilized my husband was allowed in to help me dress then we were off. We went for lunch and I took another percocet. We live about 35 miles from the doctor. It was on the way home that the meds kicked in and the cramping began. Have a heating pad available as that helped tremendously. The pain meds helped to knock me out and sleep but the cramping was pretty severe. It felt like labor pain without the breaks in between. I am pretty tolerant of pain but the cramping was almost bringing me to tears. I slept with the heating pad for the rest of the day and boy did that help. At about 130am I woke up and got something to eat and to take another percocet. I was able to stay up for about 2 hours. I did not have the severe cramping anymore after that. At 7 am the next day I was up and feeling a lot better. I still have some mild cramping which I expected but not enough to need the pain meds. I am on the 800mg of Motrin and am doing ok. I do not tolerate the vicodin/percocet types of medicine. I hate the "out of it feeling" and the nausea. I am having the pink watery discharge so we'll see how it goes over the next couple of weeks. My best advice for this procedure is to definitely have a heating pad for your recovery period. I would not have wanted the full anesthesia procedure since the whole process was complete in an hour. If you are not very pain tolerant, do have the hospital procedure instead of the in office as they have a lot more pain medication available for you. The procedure is painful but hopefully well worth it if i can stop having the heavy horrible periods.
I am in the UK and thought I'd write up my very recent experience with Thermachoice. I am 46, no children and was diagnosed with fibroids that were causing heavey periods. My consultant (NSH) only carries out procedure under general anesthetic (she says too much for a local). I would say I've quite a high pain threshold by the way.
I was due a smear test and when I told the consultant, she kindly) did this prior to the procedure, which took place on Tuesday 5th February 2013.
I was told that I should refrain for intercourse for between 3 to 4 weeks, or after my next period (which is due anytime now). The smell & discharge was mentioned and that it could occur for anything up to three weeks.
I was given Diclofenac - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug whilst anesthetised. On leaving I was given Co-codamol (500mg): 1 or 2 up to four times daily Ibruprofen (400mg) one to be taken three to four times a day (taking them between each other).
I was first on the list; it was 09:20 when I was put under and was back on the ward by 10:30. I came around from the anesthetic ok, just tearful and pains in my lower abdomen and back; I'd describe as similair to a bad period. It took around 45 minutes to get home, where I went to bed with a hot water bottle and slept for 3 hours and felt ok.
On Wednesday I felt 'grotty', nothing to write home about and kept checking my sanitary towel as I was expecting a 'torrent', but it was minimal and this continued until the Thursday afternoon. I even joked that it was nothing and I'd be back at work on Monday! However, by Friday I started to spot heavily and on passing urine, quite large 'lumps & clumps' appeared. This continued thru to Saturday night/early Sunday morning.
Since Sunday (Feb 10th) I have been having a pink watery discharge and the smell is noticeable. Two or three times I have stood up and felt the discharge coming out and I am having to change my towel every one to two. I visited my Doctor (GP - General Practioner) this morning and asked to be signed off sick from work. I ahev not taken painkillers since Sunday morning but do feel lethargic and I was sick on Saturday night and Sunday morning. I do not know if this is related to the procedure (I've had a RNY gastric bypass; so ccould be that I just ate too much).
I'll try to complete 'my story' in a few weeks as I really hope that within six weeks life will be much brighter!
I had the balloon procedure done February 2012 and it has been a fantastic outcome. I did notice reading these that the people who had this procedure done outpatient hospital versus in the physician office did tend to have a better outcome overall so that may be something to consider.
Prior to the procedure I was going through super tampons every 45 minutes or so for the first 2-3 days and then still had to use them for 7-10 days. I would literally go through a box of tampons in a month and a half. Since the procedure I have just finished a box and it has been a year--my last period was last week and I only used 4 tampons and my period only lasts 3 maybe 4 days. My periods are now 25-27 days apart where they were anywhere from 18-23 prior to the procedure. I do not have the horrible cramping that kept me sleeping in an upright position with a heating pad for the first 2 nights of every cycle.
I know this is a personal decision that every woman needs to make for themselves but for me it was a god send and I would recommend it. I, too, did much investigation and I felt very confident in my Dr and her expertise and I also felt that she only did in an outpatient hospital environment very reassuring.
I am so pleased that I found this site! I feel so much better having read all of your posts on this topic, a little scared, but better.
I am 36 years old, and I am happily married with no kids (by choice!). In 2009 I had my tubes tied. For one year after that I had wonderful periods, They only lasted a few days and were very light. That changed in January of 2011. For over two years now I have been having heavy, painful periods. Every month I think it can't get any worse, and every month it does. Last month I bled for 33 days. A lot of those were heavy and I was passing large clots as well (a lot of the clots were the diameter of a hockey puck). I usually miss at least one day of work due to the cramping and nausea and have had to visit the hospital on two occasions because I was so painful and bleeding so hard that I couldn't stop vomiting w/o drugs. The only reason I am not still bleeding is that it was recommended that I increase my birth control to 3 pills per day for one week, in hopes of getting my uterus under control. It seems to have worked (knock on wood!!)
I am on my third specialist for this problem, my first OB-GYN did nothing, only told me that I was getting older and to try taking Midol!! My second OB-GYN performed a D&C and laparoscopic exploratory in December of 2012. The D&C did nothing to help with my heavy, painful periods. They picked up right where they left off and continued to worsen. My new OB-GYN has decided that I am a candidate to try the Thermachoice balloon ablation procedure. I wanted a partial hysterectomy, but he recommended that I have this procedure done first.
I have had two sets of ultrasounds in the past 6 months, with no indication for endometriosis or fibroids. My last ultrasound included an intra-vaginal ultrasound. I was bleeding at that point and I warned the ultrasound technician of that fact. During the ultrasound I began bleeding so heavy that I could feel blood dripping out of me. I soaked the table and the floor below me. I was absolutely horrified. I drove back to work balling my eyes out and was so traumatized and was bleeding so heavy that I was sent home. I have been off work for over two weeks now due to nausea, dizzyness and stress associated with the heavy bleeding. I just want my life back!!
My procedure is booked for next Monday, Mar. 11. It is to be done in the hospital, so I am assuming that I will have a g/a for the procedure (I will get all the details at my preop app't later this week).
I am a little worried after reading some of the posts on this site, but I'm hopeful that this will finally help. I am not naive enough to believe that my periods will stop altogether, but at this point a "normal" period would be wonderful. What I wouldn't give to be able to make plans with my family and friends and not have to work things around my blood crazed uterus! I will put an update on this blog when all is said and done. Wish me luck!!
Hi
My name is Sue, I am 52 yrs old, not menopausal and have had no children. I have been suffering with heavy periods & clotting. On 2nd March 2013 I had this preocedure carried out in the UK compliments of the NHS in a private hospital.
Unfortunately I was last on the list for surgery. Admitted 7.20 a.m discharged at 9 p.m. No ill effects from the anesthetic. Some cramping and I have only had to take 3 of the coedine tablets I was sent home with. Initially it had been painful when I laughed, bent over or stood up.
Yes I do have some discharge which is a pinkish colour, no strange smell. I think I am fortunate considering the procedures that were carried out while I was under.
Just waiting now for the discharge to stop, the few stitches in my bikini line & belly button to disolve and the lovely bruise on my tummy to go.
Back to see the consultant on 15th March.
Well, yesterday was the big day. I was scheduled to have the uterine ablation procedure at the local hospital. Everything went fine with my anesthetic and the hospital staff was very professional and took care with my concerns about post-op nausea.
When I woke up in recovery my OB-GYN came to talk to me quickly and reported that he did not perform the ablation because he found a golf ball size fibroid in my uterus so that was removed. Surprise, Surprise. I don't know how that could have gone undetected all this time! Especially with the procedures already having been done as I described in my last entry.
Anyway, I feel terrific and it is like a switch has been flipped! My bleeding has stopped completely and I only had mild cramping for a few hours after the procedure. The fibroid was removed trans vaginally so I have no other incisions to worry about. I am finally going back to work tomorrow after 3 weeks off. My hemoglobin is still very low (83) but I will be on an iron supplement for a few months yet I'm sure and will continue to have periodic bloodwork to monitor my levels.
What happens now? I'm not sure. Fibroids have a good chance of growing back so at my follow-up appointment in a couple of weeks I will be sure to discuss my options then. Usually a uterine ablation is done in combination with fibroid removal so I am not sure why I still did not have that procedure done. Perhaps they ran out of time after removing the fibroid, or the placement of the growth made ablation impractical at this time... Who knows. So far so good though.
I know this is an old post but wanted to pipe in. I had a balloon ablation and essure procedure 2 weeks ago and awake the entire time. The only thing that hurt during it was the novacain to the cervix and after that I felt nada but everyone is different. I had major discomfort about 3 hours after the procedure once the numbness wore off regardless of pain meds for a few hours and then was fine. I now 2 weeks later have a watery discharge that isnt heavy but isnt light and mild cramping but both are better than what I experienced before. I dont know if they are from the ablation or essure. I figure it will take a good month for things to regulate and if still off or uncomfortable then I will contact my DR. I will still take a heavy watery discharge over a bloody heavy period that soaks thru a SP tampon + pad every hour! I figure any procedure like this is going to have some symptoms and take time for things to fully heal inside and if i can avoid having body parts removed that cause even more issues then I will give it a try! I know when I had my gall bladder removed I had twinges and mild discomfort for months after but hey just because you cant see a wound dont mean its not there and still healing. Scar tissue tends to cause mild pulling pain or cramps and any type of cut, tear or burn causes scar tissue so some discomfort is expected. As long as there isnt a foul smell or severe pain or fever then give it time. If you think its not normal or are concerned call your Dr. better to be safe and paranoid than sorry!! Dont rely on internet to know it will either make you more paranoid or cause you to ignore things you shouldnt. However there isnt anything wrong with looking for answers just dont take what is said as the rule!...rather listen to your body and gut feeling!
There are many factors that go into the ability to have an ablation done. Your gyno is going to perform lots of tests to make sure you are a good candidate. Almost 1 year later I am very happy with Thermachoice. I was awake during the entire procedure. I won't lie. It was ALOT of pain. I took 4 days off from work and needed every day of it. I would recommend being put to sleep or at least a twilight sleep to have this procedure done. I believe the sheer fact that I was only given a shot of Novocaine made the recovery time much longer. But, I would do it all over again (just with more sedatives) if I was guaranteed these wonderful results!
My gyno was a bit more thorough it sounds for pain control. I had to take 800 mg of Ibuprofen every 12 hours for the 3 days before my procedure supposedly to help with cramping then the day of I had to take muscle relaxers, valium and a pill for nausea 1 hour prior to the procedure along with a shot of a more potent Ibuprofen in my butt...which hurt!!! I had the Essure procedure done at the same time right before my ablation and I didnt feel that either but did get to watch them insert the coils into the tubes via the monitor the doctor uses to see what she is doing which was weird. I honestly had no discomfort during my procedure just pressure except the shot of novacain. My biopsy i had done prior to rule out other things however hurt like hell!! Everyone is different and I am sure each doctor has their own prep procedures to help with pain and some are more thorough than others ...or I just got lucky :) I do know people who had discomfort as well and I didnt like the idea of being awake because I think that can add to the discomfort since your mentally aware of what is going on. They were really good about talking to me to distract me as well during it all as there was a Rep from both Essure and Thermachoice in the room advising the doctor if needed as well as nurses chatting away to me. I was miserable for a few hours later that afternoon but otherwise felt pretty good considering. I was sent home with Vicoden and only took them the day I had it done. I think maybe all the Ibuprofen the days before may have been the key to faster recovery. I chose the Thermachoice because its suppose to be allot less painful than the Novasure even tho it is allot longer procedure. All in all it was a good thing and I am happy. But I would suggest people find out what sort of pain control their doctor uses I guess before deciding to be awake or not.
I had the Novasure done in April 2013. The procedure itself went okay; I only had minimal cramping for a day afterwards. It seems to have failed for me, though. My periods are the same as they were before the procedure and I am still experiencing bleeding nearly every day. Very discouraging.