WNYMoms.com

I know we talked about this around a year ago on the old site when another mom asked about endometrial ablation, but it's a year later and I still haven't made a decision about whether I should do it too. I really suffer with pain and heavy periods, I have uterine polyps and fibroids, and it interferes with my functioning. It has only gotten worse since I entered perimenopause. I need advice so I can make a decision.

Have you or a family member had an endometrial ablation? How was the recovery? Any regrets? What was the outcome? Thanks so much for any advice you can give me.
-Gail

Hi Gail sorry I missed this. I had it done this year in April. Best thing ever for me. I had really heavy periods. Had to wear a tampon and a pad the first 2-3 days of each period and would have to change every hour the second day of my period. I would get really anemic. I had to have a biopsy done one time during my period and my doctor was astounded at how much I bled, he appologized to me for having to go through it each month. Even though I had my tubes tied 20 years ago I was on the pill to try and make my periods lighter, still didn't help. So after trying so many things and nothing helping that was all that was left to me. I had thermal laser ablation and it was an in and out procedure. You are definitely put out for it and when I woke up I did feel pain. To be honest I felt a lot more pain than the doctor said I would when I got home but it only lasted about 8 hours. It was like super severe cramps. Where I broke out in a cold sweat. But then it was over. Now I am a wuss when It comes to pain. They say you can spot or have really light periods afterwards. I never had any periods since then and then last month a had a period for like half a day. Strange but my doc said normal. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks Cathy. I appreciate your candid discussion of what you went through. I have decided to go through with it. I really feel I have no choice at this point. I have been having some days that are so bad that I can't get out of bed and the bleeding is so heavy that it is like I am hemorrhaging. They put me on major drugs when this happens, and the side effects are unbearable for me. I am definitely anemic. Last year I was on the fence about it because it was inconvenient, but managable. The last 4 months however have been awful.

It's good to know what to expect. I know it will be painful, but in the end it will be less pain in the long run. And I know the risks, but doing nothing is risky too. So at this point my decision has pretty much benn made for me. Thanks for the encouragement.

I'm going in for the ablation next week. My doctor has already given me a script for Lortab that I can take after the procedure. My husband took 3 days off from work to be with me. I'm hoping for an easy recovery.

Hope everything goes well and my fingers are crossed that this will help solve the problem.

Thanks. I can't wait until it's over and done.

Prayers for a quick recovery!

I hope all goes well. You should be fine even after the second day, but take it easy still. Since your husband is taking the time off let him pamper you and just relax for a bit. Even though you shouldn't feel really any pain by the 3rd day, you are still healing on the inside. Good luck and I hope it works as well for you as it did for me!

Good luck Gail!

From Mrs and I:

Best of Luck
Quick recovery
You're in our thoughts and Prayers

Please let me know how it goes, I feel like i'm one step behind you.

I'm sure you'll be back on your feet in no time

Sorry, just seeing this post now; good luck Gail!

Thanks everyone. Tomorrow is the big day!

We'll be think about you!!

We'll be think about you!!

I guess that should be think"ing" about you!

We'll be think about you!!

I guess that should be think"ing" about you!

How are you feeling Gail?

I've been crazy tired and my stomach was off, but overall I feel good. I am going to go for a walk around the block. That might be pushing it, but I feel like I need to move my body. Not working out for over a month is going to be rough.

Glad to here your up and about so fast

Glad you're doing well!!

Just an update: Looking back, I can't get over how easy this was. I had very little pain after I left the hospital. I took one pain pill as soon as I got home and never needed anything again. It was less pain that a period normally is for me. My biggest problem after the surgery is that I was sooooo tired. I slept for days, but was very refreshed afterwards. I want to publicly thank my dear friend Shannon921, who made dinner for my family for the first two nights I was home. I didn't realize how badly we would need that. I also have to praise my husband for taking care of me, our kids, and our friend's child who was staying with us for a week. He was amazing.

It's been over 3 weeks and I have started back with aerobic exercise, but I can't lift weights yet. I will be able to resume all activities in about another week. My doctor said that I can't really evaluate the outcome until I see what is happening with my body 3 months post surgery. But if this first month is any indication of what is to come, then it was a huge success. I have had no menstrual cramps at all, and virtually no period. Amazing!

So glad you're feeling well- its always a scary decision to have surgery, and always a relief when you know you've made the right choice.