Severe menstrual cramps after endometrial ablation

Sorry, Adf1211, that you're experiencing what I call the "death pains."  Mayo Clinic had my folder labeled "Pelvic Pain,"  quite honestly, I think it would have been more aptly named, "Abdominal Agony."

I have just had 5 days of pains (feeling better today) and those should be my last as my hysterectomy is now scheduled for next week.  The pain medication required 2 percocet and 2 roxicodone to knock out on the past two months.  You just want to be knocked out enough to sleep.  Hot water bottles and heating pads have become some of my favorite things.  You are right about never knowing when it will "hit."  Mine hit this month at restaurant while out eating breakfast.  The car is the worst spot... no way to get comfortable.  Can't imagine RUSH HOUR.  YUK!

I have been on progesterone for just over a month.  This high dose of hormone is used to thin the uterus walls and help prevent getting a "period."  The pain was different this month, but certainly not "gone" and the mood swings that come with the hormones are just not worth it for me, hence the scheduling of the hysterectomy.

From everything I've read, we were lucky that we didn't start consistent pains until so long after our ablation surgery.  Some experience them just months after having the surgery and they don't stop.

Contact your regular doctor or gyno to help you manage pain for now with stronger meds until you can get a more permanent solution.

Goodluck to you!

I had the ablation two years ago and the cramping just started yesterday.  I'm really concerned because I had dealt with a great deal of pain and horrible periods for 6 years before the ablation.  I was examined by Doctors all over the country.  The ultrasounds saw nothing but a small fibroid.  However, when they went in to do the ablation, they found a huge polyp.  They do not show up in exams and, because they are composed of water, do not necessarily show up on ultrasounds.  I'm afraid that they're going to have to go back in to find out why I'm hurting again.

 

I have to say that after reading all of your posts I am truly scared. I had my ablation/tubal done a little over four years ago after my third child was born. I went in for a consultation for the tubal and he knew of my past problems with bleeding/pain he assured me that ablation would fix my problems. I got the procedure done when I was 26 and for the past two year it has been hell. I found out from a former OB that she would never recommend the ablation for someone so young. I have times when I feel like something inside me is tearing from something else. I had extreme pain before this procedure was done to the point that I ended up in the ER but only received pain meds for my discomfort. I am 30 now and I am beginning to bleed during intercourse and bowel problems. The problem I am having is that when I go to the dr they all make me feel like I don't know what I am talking about. I don't I just know that I am living with pain and I never know when it is coming. I don't know what to do anymore.

I am so sorry you're having issues.  Do not give up.  I, too, started having bowel problems after the ablation.  When I have a difficult bowel movement, I bleed but not from the bowels.  It's odd.

The hysterectomy I had to correct the issues has been my saving grace.  The pain I was feeling monthly was like no pain I have ever felt before and I have given birth twice with no pain meds.  It was worse than any kidney stone I've ever had, either.  I never knew when the pain was coming either.  Once at a restaurant, I had to leave.  It was horrible.

A vaginal ultrasound showed fluids trapped in my uterus... it was my period that had no where to go.  Don't give up.  Find a OBGYN who understands the complications that ablations can cause.  At first, they all blew me off, too..... but finally, after 4 months of what I called, "Death pains," I got them to believe me when I went into Mayo Clinic WITH the pains.  I was hypervenhilating the pain was so bad.  They did a vaginal ultrasound WHILE I was having the pains and they found the problem.

The first couse of action was to try to put my body in an induced form of menopause (with medication).  It didn't work for me.  The meds made me incredibly moody and depressed.  It was odd.  Two months later, I had a hysterectomy.  So far, no issues since... and that was 6 months ago.

Goodluck.  Write anytime.  You are not losing your mind... we understand that the pain is real.

 

I, too, had the nova sure several years ago.  I started bleeding afterwards, but it was lighter (thought still 10-14 days).  My doctor said I had to have a hysterectomy.  I found a new doctor who was willing to work with me; however, I wish I'd just toughed out the heavy periods (or gone on bc again).  About 6 months ago I started having these horrible cramps.  They are different from the ones prior to the ablation.  They don't hurt horribly if I stay completely still, but if I move I feel like something is tearing.  Heat and pain meds are the only thing that help.  They seem to be getting worse, so, I'm planning on talking to my gyn. 

Has anyone found anything that works aside from a hysterectomy?

Sucks that there is this side effect for some people who get the nova sure.

Hi Dia,

I went on drug therapy at first to essentially put my body in a state of menopause.  I tried it for a month.  It was not working well for me.  I was in constant state of premenstral syndrome.  I was crabby, always teary and it just didn't do what I needed it to do.  The pains did subside a bit and I have talked with others that did not suffer the same side effects so it might be worth a try.

Lisa

Hello all,

First let me start by saying thank you to all who have posted here.  I have read some really helpful info and plan on putting it to use.  Here is my story.  I used to have severe cramps and would have my period for 30-90 days at a time.  My doctor said the novasure was the greatest thing ever and would cure my problem as the progesterone makes me sick and plays with my moods.  I had it done.  No problems until a year later and my period came back with a vengence.  My doctor decided to do the procedure again and added a cyst removal as well.  The first ablation was in 2007 and my second in 2008.  I have been very happy these last few years with no periods and no complications until a few months ago.  It started as just cramping around the time my daughter would have her period so I chalked it up to cycle issues.  The next month the same thing although it stuck around a little longer.  This month when it was time for her cycle I knew well before she did.  The cramping is mainly on the lower right side of my abdomen and occasionally my lower back.  This is a pain I have never felt before and I have had 21 surgeries to date.  This by far tops them all.  I went to the obgyn and was scheduled for an ultrasound today.  My doctor did tell me about the scar tissue and that has to be what is going on with me.  I have always been active and a small petite woman, but the other day my best friend asked if I was pregnant because I am swelling.  I don't know if that is the fluids stuck in there or inflamation from all the pain.  I was given pain meds, but like many others on here I just don't like taking them.  I have been living on motrin for a while now.  I take it everywhere because like many of you have said you just don't know when it is going to hit you like a sharp knife.  My doctor said if the ultrasound comes back ok the next step for me is the partial hysterectomy since I cannot take the progesterone or birth control.  I hope there is something else out there because the thought of a hysterectomy at 35 scares me. 

Hi Blondie,
So sorry you are experiencing what most of us seemed to have.
Your story is similar to mine (very active person, swollen belly for the first time in my life, pain that is indescribable and got worse as the months went buy).... but where your story is different... is that your OBGYN was quick to discuss the scar tissue.
I had a partial hysterectomy in late April and my pains have not returned. They left my cervix and ovaries. I have not had mood swings (at age 45) and I'm feeling well again.
I will not lie to you. The hysterectomy was truly a 6-8 week recovery period and was certainly not without pain..... but the pain I felt from the surgical hystectomy was nothing compared to the monthly pains I felt as a result of the scar tissue and ablation.
Keep us posted. I wish you luck.
Lisa

I had Novasure in July 2009.  The procedure went fine with no complications at all!  It was great.  In August 2010 my son's gf moved in with us.  She has severe cramps and PMS.  In July 2011, I began having the same symptoms as her during the week before and week of her period.  bloating, leg pain and mild dull cramping, no bleeding.  In August I had the same only my cramps became severe and lasted approx. 2 hours each day for three days.  In September andOctober, I knew she was readyto start her period from my symptoms.  The spotting along with the other ailments arrived one week before hers.  however, November has arrived.  I am one week ahead of her, I have spotting of dark brown blood.  the spotting has lasted three days with dull cramping, and then today out of  no where, severe, intense labor pains started. i couldnt walk, breathe or even talk.  I had to crawl.  I had profuse sweating and light-headedness, followed by nausea.  my hair and tshirt was soaked.  This lasted approx 45 minutes.  I have three children and compare the pain to labor.  the pains were like contractions. they went around my lower abdomen, across my back and down my legs.  I finally got some relief if I would get on my knees and lean on the couch.  this is very similiar to what I did when I had my last child.  i called the dr. only to find out my obgyn is out of town and the covering dr. gave me a response of" ok, ok i get it u r having menstrual pains, How old are u?"  when i told him 40, his response was take ibuprofin and if that doesnt help call us next week after the holiday.  After reading the stories on here, i see I'm not crazy and not just cramps. 

Hi Kat25901....
So sorry to hear of the "death pains" ... that's what I used to call them.  I have had two children with natural childbirth and this pain absolutely compares and was worse than anything I remember from giving birth.  You need heavy duty pain pills to get through this until you can get more permanent relief.  I was literally having to take two vicodin and two percocet to get through.  I just wanted something to put me to sleep.  Don't hesitate to go to ER for pain control.  I know how horrible it is.  My doctor at Mayo clinic eventually prescribed major pain meds without the tylenol in them because she didn't want the tylenol to effect other organs.  I pray you make it through these horrible pains.  My thoughts are with you.

Lisa

:|Third time lucky. l have typed this three times and it keeps disappearing!

I had a novasure 9 months ago. I was surprised how tired I was afterwards and had three to four weeks of bleeding/oozing.  I then went on to have 5 normal cycles.  My periods now light and only 3-4 days long.  My cycle was still short 25 days but light and short periods was just great.

However, since August I had two one day only bleeds - great!  And nothing now since October.  In November the ball game changed.  The time of my expected period I got a day of cramping.  Sometimes it took my breath away.  It didn't last long but I thought nothing of it, and almost wondered if it was just trapped wind!!!

However, this month has confirmed my worst fears... I went to bed on Thursday night with some horrendous cramps.  On Friday they got progressively worse.  Painkillers didn't touch them. By the afternoon I decided I needed to talk to my GP.  She suggested I take some tramadol. This did nothing other than make me feel sick/dizzy and drunk!  When I was actually sick I decided enough was enough.  I went up to A&E

My pain was lower left and middle and the spasms came in tsunamis.  They were breath taking, excruciating and it was hard to talk or even walk. I just wanted to crawl into a ball.  

After blood tests/wee tests prodding poking and monitoring I was admitted. My blood pressure was through the roof and they found inflammation markers in my blood. Voltarol did nothing either. The only thing that seemed to help was Buscopan (an anti spasmodic).  I had a fitful night attached to a drip. Yesterday morning the pain seemed to subside.  The only pain came in small waves - just to remind it was still there.

I have spent the last 48 hours being prodded and poked.  No internal. No Scans.  Just prodding my abdomen.  SO FRUSTRATING.

I saw a gynae today and he prodded my tummy too.  He suggested it might be retrograde bleeding through my fallopian tubes into my pelvic space.  He said I should write a diary for 3 months and keep an eye on it.  

I'd like to see him go through this every month.  Hence my visit here today.  I am lucky enough to have private health insurance and will be following up with all the information I have gleaned from you all and taking it private next week.

My sister in law said it sounds like endometriosis. 

Hi,

So, I saw my gynocologist this last week, and we're going to try going on birth control.  But, we are also doing an ultrasound in the middle of my cycle, and then maybe an endometrial biopsy.  We'll see how things go.  I'm not looking forward to this cycle, as I don't start the bc until 6 days in (make sure the ultrasound is accurate).  I'll  let you know what they find.

Hi Lexiloo and Dia,

I'm so sorry you're feeling the pains.  Originally they were thinking endometriosis for my diagnosis, too.  This is a difficult thing to diagnose.  My first set of ultrasounds showed only pockets of fluid in my uterus and they were not concerned about that.  It wasn't until the DEATH pains kept coming that we were fortunate enough to figure it out.

Goodluck to both you of.... I'm always curious how things turn out for you.  May you rest and be pain free.  Goodluck!

Lisa

 They did a vaginal ultrasound WHILE I was having the pains and they found the problem.

They called it, "Post Ablation Syndrome."