Marge, I have a question

I am thinking seriously about having that procedure you had for you heavy periods. Is it called ablation? How are you? Did it stop your periods? Do you feel better since having it? Do you have any regrets? My periods take everything out of me. I bleed heavy, I am in so muc pain that I can't do anything but pray and cry, I vomit, I am weak, moody, suicidal....you name it. Something has to give. I have an appointment with my doctor on 03/05 and I am going to discuss it with her. Any info you have would be greatly appreciate Thanks in advance

Tricie, my sister had this procedure done a few years ago.  It's called uterine ablation, and from what I understand, it's kind of like a roller ball instrument they use to cauterize the lining from the uterus.  No lining, no periods and no abnormal bleeding. My sister told me her only regret is that she didn't get it done sooner.  She had wanted a hysterectomy due to her heavy bleeding and the doctor wouldn't do it, so she just suffered until she changed doctors and learned about this procedure.  It was fairly new then, but now it's a pretty routine thing.   As far as post-procedure goes, I think she had mild cramping for a day or two, but nothing else.  I remember her being surprised that curing her problem ended up being such a simple procedure. It's just my opinion, but if I were suffering as much as you do (I wanted to cry when I read what you go through!), I'd run to the doctor and try to have it done ASAP.  You're too young to suffer so! Congrats on moving back to Illinois, and sorry about the weather!  It has been a wacky winter for those of us in the Plains and Midwest. Kix

Kix Thanks for responding Do you know if birthcontrol is still necessary with this procedure?

Kellie gave you the correct name of the procedure, sorry about that!   After seeing your question, I looked online and because this procedure destroys the lining of the uterus, you need to be sure you are done having children (or, if you don't have children now, you aren't planning to have any in the future). Oops, I just read another little footnote that said pregnancy is still possible if a piece of endometrium is left in place, so you will need to continue with birth control if you haven't reached menopause.  (Knowing my luck, that's exactly what would happen to me if I had this done!  ) My sister was in and out of menopause before she had it done, and once she had it done, her menopause finally concluded.  I don't know if the procedure had anything to do with it or if it was just coincidental, but she was pretty happy about the whole thing. Kix

Hi, Tricie.  Both of my sisters had endometrial ablations during the past year and, so far, it has solved their problems (which were very similar to yours).  Pain was minimal and recovery was not bad.   Good luck at your appointment - hopefully you can get this resolved pretty quickly!   {{{{{hugs}}}}} Kellie

Does anyone know if this procedure takes care of the heavy bleeding only? Or does it also solve the emotional roller coaster side of the period (PMS). I'm wondering because this may not help with the hormonal changes from the ovaries, even if you don't bleed. Anyone? Tricie, I just read from Kix's post, and then saw your avatar, that you moved back to Illinois. Congratulations, as I remember you writing how much you loved your family and being with them. This must be a wonderful comfort. -Julie

Julie I am not sure if it will solve the emotional roller coast I ride during that time of the month. However, I might not be such a wreck if I wasn't in so much pain. Not to mention the pain medication I can take is limited due to allergies and WLS. I moved back home on 12/29/07 after several years of physical and verbal abuse. I have to say that it has not been an easy ride but one I should have taken years ago. I am finally getting to know me. I didn't know how I was going to make it at first and then things started to fall in place. I start working on Monday 03/03/2008 doing the same thing I was doing in GA. A couple of weeks after I got here we found out that yet another one of my sisters, the one I live with, has cancer. She goes in for surgery on Thursday. She is a single mother of 2 and she will need me afterwards. It is so funny how god makes a way out of no way. Just when you think someone is helping you.........anyway I didn't mean for this to turn into a testimony.  I will write the question about the hormones so I don't forget to ask my doctor

Tricie, it takes a lot of courage to leave a situation, no matter how abusive.  Congratulations on making a fresh start!  I'll send positive vibes to your sister and hope she makes a full and uneventful recovery. Kix

Tricie, the universe has a way of making things work out as intended.  I'm pleased that you're moving forward and making positive changes for yourself.  You've taken courageous steps and I commend you for that.  Keep working on getting healthy, and keep talking about where you've come from and where you are going.  It's hard to change years of unhealthy thought patterns, but you've taken the first steps which are the hardest ones.   My thoughts and prayers are going out to your sister.  I'm sure it is a blessing to her to have you nearby as she faces the unknown battle that is cancer.  As I said, the universe has a way of putting us in the right place at the right time - be open to what is sent to you and continue your journey onward, and upward... {{{{{hugs}}}}} Kellie

HEY TRICIE,       WHAT I HAD WAS CALLED ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION... IM SURE THERE ARE DIFFERENT NAMES FOR IT BUT WORKS PRETTY MUCH THE SAME. I HAVE TO SAY THAT I HAVENT HAD A PERIOD NOW FOR TWO MONTHS... WHO HOO!! I DO STILL GET THE LIL BITS AND PIECES OF CRYING JAGS FEELINGS AND ALSO MOODINESS BUT I THINK ITS JUST BECAUSE IM *****Y MORE NOW THAT IM OLDER LOL WHO KNOWS LOL... I CANT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT IT THOUGH. I JUST COULDNT EAT OR DRINK AFTER TWELVE THAT NIGHT AND THEY DONE IT ON A FRIDAY AND WENT HOME AFTERWARDS. MAYBE THREE OR SO HOURS LATER. I FELT FINE... LIL TWINGE HERE AND THERE FOR A FEW DAYS LIKE A PERIOD FIXING TO COME ABOUT. BUT I HAVE TO SAY I WAS FINE. I WENT WALKING AROUND AFTER MY DISCHARGE IN THE STORE WHILE MY PRESCRIPTION FOR PAIN WAS BEING FILLED. I DIDNT EVEN USE IT AT ALL. I HEAR THAT ALOT OF WOMEN NEVER HAVE A PERIOD AGAIN BUT THE BROCHURE THE DR GAVE ME TELLS ANOTHER STORY. SO MANY OF A % CAN STILL HAVE ONE BUT AFTER HE SHOWED ME THE PICS OF THE INSIDE OMG... HE SAID LOOK, I BURNT YOU LIKE TOAST LOL... SO GUESS THAT HELPED LOL...I SAY GO FOR IT. I WAS HAVING TERRIBLE TIMES WITH BLEEDING. I DIDNT HAVE PERIOD PAIN THOUGH.. MINE WAS JUST HEAVY HEAVY BLEEDING THAT YOU HAD TO JUST ABOUT WORK YOUR LIFE AROUND WHEN THAT TIME OF MONTH... I WOULD DO IT IN A NEW YORK MINUTE AGAIN IF HAD TO, JUST GET ON THE INERNET AND READ UP ON IT... IT IS AN AMAZING THING. THE DR SAYS THEY ARE DOING THAT NOW INSTEAD OF THE HYSTERECTOMY WAY IF THEY CAN. YOU SHOULD BE THRU WITH CHILD BARING THOUGH BEFORE HAVING THIS... IT WILL MAKE YOU ALMOST DEFINITELY NON ABLE TO HAVE KIDS... THEY SAY IT IS HARD TO DO WITH THIS PROCEDURE. SOMETIMES THE BENEFITS OF THIS ISNT A CHOICE... YOU CANT LIVE LIKE THAT FOREVER UNTIL MOTHER NATURE DECIDES SHE IS THRU WITH YOUR PERIODS MONTHLY.... SO I SURE HOPE THIS HELPS. IF CAN THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE TO ASK... FEEL FREE... HUGS MARGE