Post Endometrial ablation (Page 1)

Hi,

Welcome to the ehealthforum and I am really glad to help you out. Since you are having chronic pain after your endometrial ablation, so chances of adhesion formation, leading to this pain cannot be ignored. I would suggest you to get an examination done from your gynecologist and an ultrasound or CT abdomen done. It will also rule out other gastrointestinal and genitourinary causes of this pain.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations, and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care.

I had this done FEB. 2011, this month, TERRIBLE cramps worse than labor cramps, all along abdomen as well as lower back. Just want to lay under an electric blanket all day. Hard to function, seriously!!!!

I am 45 years old and had my eblasion done roughly four years ago, I had my tubal ligation done 18 years ago. After severe bleeding, clots, and almost debilitating pain, my gyno told be about Novasure. I begged for it!! I have been great and have had some spotting here and there. no big deal. Then i noticed around my cycle this pain for a few days. I could handle it. Now for the last month every day from 10 am to ? longer and longer each day I am having horrible cramping. I thought i was constipated. i was lactose intolerant, then IBS, Ok ! with a med. chest full of milk of magnesia, laxatives, antacids. I finally went to the ER and was told I have fluid on my ovaries and in my uterus its thick and rigid. Now a biopsy on Tuesday. I started doing research and dam. This is me to a perfcat T... God I hope my Gyn. knows and understands this. I am scare to have a complete hysterectomy. So what about a D&C and a pill to stop me from ovulating? Well see, till then in severe pain and crying from 10-3ish daily!!

I had the novasure done July 2011 and I spot for 3-4 days now but the pain is unbearable. It was so bad last month that I went to the ER screaming due to the pain. I was given a shot for pain and was prescribed Naproxen which does not affect the pain at all. I went to my ob gyn a couple of days later but was told to monitor my symptoms when I have my cycle the next month and if it's still bad, I will have an ultrasound in December. It's now a month later and the pain is back. I am hoping and praying this will get better because I am very afraid that this will eventually lead to a hysterectomy.

Hi laurie31466

I had my tubal ligation and endometrial ablation done in January 2009. It stopped my cycle completely. I have had to wear a panty liner every day because of the milky discharge that sometimes has an odor. I was fine with the procedure until August of 2010. This is when I started spotting but very lightly. It didn't even require me to wear a pad or a tampoon but just a pantyliner which I was already wearing. Then shortly thereafter, the horrible pain in my lower abdomen and lower back began. The pain is intolerable. I have given birth to two children and that pain is nothing compared to this pain. I have taken over the counter pain pills which does absolutely nothing. I have complained to my doctor who will not give a prescription for something stronger. I just recently made a visit back to her office and I had to ask her about a hysterectomy in which she gave me a prescription to have an ultrasound done first before she will even consider it. I have these small but very painful periods every other week. I would love to live a normal pain free life and I definitely will not recommend an endometrial ablation to anyone.

Hello, my daughter, age 30 had endometrial ablation done in June 2011 and her endometriosis is much, much worse than before. She has ibs symptoms, intense pain days at a time every week. Painful sex, hot flashes, mood swings. She is seeing a specialist this coming week and we are going to talk about long term solutions. She is not married, however she is in a relationship and is not ready for a baby. I had endometriosis in my teens and early 20's. I had 3 children back to back.. They are 30, 31and 32 now. After my daughter was born I had a partial hysterectomy. Best. Thing I ever did!!

I just read through this whole thread and I'm so relieved to see that I'm not the only one, even though my doctor treats me like I am. I'm in the middle of changing OBGYN's right now b/c of it. I only have pain during my period. I still spot, and sometimes will bleed enough to use a tampon. It's the pain. I've always had severe cramps, but now I get horrible headaches, lower back cramps (the worst) and uterine cramps. The doc prescribed Lortab for me for 4 months, but won't give them to me anymore. She prescribed me enough for 2 periods, not 2 months, and I stretched them out for 4 periods. I hate calling every time for a refill, and the nosy receptionist always wants to know what prescription I'm looking for, and why I need the doctor's approval every single time. She gave me some NSAID this time and said if it didn't work to come see her again (3x in 4 months). I refuse. She wants to perform a hysterectomy, and I will not have surgery unless the pain continues more than 3-4 days/mo. Right now, I think pain management for those days is the best therapy. However, I will not be made to feel like some junky because I want relief from this intense pain that only lasts 3-4 days. I've been seeing the same doctor for 8 years, and w/ the same practice for 10. This is absolutely ridiculous. Not to mention, I still have pain from the tubal.. I'll be darned if I let her cut on me again.

I am a principal of a public school. I had an ablation done several years and was BRAGGING about how good I had it......until the last month. SEVERE lower right pain, I have been claiming my right ovary, no meds even touched it. All scans done and even a laproscopy. Found a small adhesion and thought we struck gold...but it came back. It is when I ovulate.....the pain is so bad. I would never recommend an ablation to anyone.

I am a principal of a public school. I had an ablation done several years and was BRAGGING about how good I had it......until the last month. SEVERE lower right pain, I have been claiming my right ovary, no meds even touched it. All scans done and even a laproscopy. Found a small adhesion and thought we struck gold...but it came back. It is when I ovulate.....the pain is so bad. I would never recommend an ablation to anyone.

I am having this SAME exact pain. Once a month (well now it lasts about 3 days sometimes), only on the right side. VERY painful. Am taking 6 vicodin and still in pain, but by then I'm so stoned I don't care about it. Has your dr prescribed anything that works? I'm thinking if vicodin isn't helping I'm not sure what will!

I know it has been several months since you posted this. I hope you found the cause. I have JUST been going through what sounds like the very same thing. I had an ablation in Sept 2011 and thought it was very successful as it stopped my heavy bleeding and I felt great. But starting in August 2012 I began having HORRIBLE abdominal pains. They kept getting worse and worse and would last at a level 10 pain for HOURS. I went to doctor after doctor and was at the ER two different times for pain. Finally after the ER giving me morphine someone finally figured out that I had hematometra...or blood in the uterus. Just last week I had a hysterecotomy and while still recovering from that surgery, the level 10 pain that was dibilating and kept me from my life, my work, my family for 6 weeks, seems to be gone. Has anyone else experienced this??

Tacodog, That sounds just like what happened to me, if you read my post on end of page 4

I had the Endometrial Ablation as well as my right ovary removed on November 16, 2011, due to severe endometriosis, heavy bleeding and a rupturing cyst on my ovary. I am experiencing more pain post surgery then before surgery. I function ok during the day, but my pain is still a level 5. Then night rolls around and I can hardly stand to be in my skin. The pain is dibilitating. My right side where my ovary was removed keeps feeling like stabbing pain and shoots down into my right leg, up into my side a bit and into my lower back. Not to mention the usual uterus cramping which feels like I'm in labor. I hate night time. I can't sleep! My doctor so far seems to think that I will be ok and makes me feel like a druggy for asking for additional pain meds which she refused to give me. I went to the er that the surgery was done at the day after Christmas and they did an ultrasound, which they said came back normal. They are all making me feel like it is in my head, but it's not. Laying in bed crying because my pain level is an 8 or 9 is not my imagination. I've called my dr, but the nurse hasn't called me back in well over a week and half. I don't know what to do. My heating pad is wearing out fast.

I can sympothize with you although all I have had was the ablation. Mine was in 2009 and for a year or more, I was thrilled! Now, I am getting severe cramps about 2 weeks per month. They seem especially worse when lying down. Until finding this forum, I thought I was the odd person for feeling this and have just been pushing through it. From what I'm reading, I will have to mention it to my dr but a hysterectomy is the last thing I want!!!

I'm sorry for all you ladies going through this! Since my over-treatment experience (hysterectomy), I've discovered that any gynecological procedure that alters the normal functioning of the reproductive / sex system (uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes) has a high risk of causing permanent problems which may be worse than the problems that prompted the procedure. This explains the various "syndromes" - post ablation syndrome, post tubal ligation syndrome, post hysterectomy syndrome.

A medical study in PubMed talks about the "probability of hysterectomy after endometrial ablation." This risk is quite a bit higher if a woman is younger than 45 at the time of ablation and increases the younger she is. It exceeds 40% for women younger than 40.

With the prevalence of gynecological procedures, it's critical that women get an accurate diagnosis and fully research that diagnosis and all treatment options along with the risks and benefits of those treatments. Their doctors don't always provide the information necessary to make an informed choice.

Thank you for the reply. It has been difficult to get a doctor to take me seriously. Two doctors now have given me shots for the pain but said "Some women have bad periods." I'm frustrated.

I had a NovaSure three years ago. It was a complete success until a few months ago. Now I am having horrific cramps overs the days I would normally have a period. The cramps are so painful that I cannot walk and am now taking Vicodin, as ibuprofen and naproxen don't touch the pain. My pain is also below the navel and is worse than the cramps I had before the ablation. No bleeding just terrible cramping.

I am experiencing the same problems. What have you done about it? I can't continue with the monthly pain.

Those were the same meds I was handed last month when I had my "pain" attack. My pain sounds much like yours, just below the navel. Walking is impossible. I wonder if this could be post ligation/ablation syndrome? I'm finding it difficult to get a doctor to do anything more than hand me pain meds!

Same here, Carrie. The doctor who did the ablation, who gave me Vicodin if ibuprofen didn't work, said it would be very unusual for it to be my uterus causing the pain since it is three years after the ablation. But I know what uterine/menstrual cramps feel like. I have had them my whole life, although this month and last are so much more painful. I am suffering through day two of this pain syndrome for this month. I also think it must be post ablation syndrome, but I don't think the docs want to admit to it. And, severe cramping was one of the major reasons I had the ablation.

I am so happy to find these posts,although under the bad circumstances. I had the ablation 11 days ago and I know I'm probably still in the recovery period, but this is a nightmare. I have been through all of my pain meds and crying, HORRIBLE back pain, thighs hurt, overall don't feel good. Do back for check up in a week but I am wits end about too lose it!!!

I had mine 3yrs ago and have been thrilled with results! Praying your pain is better already. I have been totally period free. Good luck.

I had the HER Option done in 2/07. I never had much discharge after the ablation, and really did not have periods after either. I did have some spotting issues, and had a painful episode, my doctor noticed blood trapped in my uterus, made a path for the blood to escape and the pain got better. Everything was pretty good until the last few months where the lower left side pain has been almost constant. I had horrible pain at the beginning of this month, the next day a burning cramp like pain as low in the abdomen as possible, and then bleeding for that day only. I saw my doctor yesterday who said " I know exactly what you have" " You have been mentioning this low left side pain since you had the ablation. She told me about the PATLS syndrome?? She has suggested a hysterectomy, said she doesn't want to push me, but recommends it. I want to be sure that IS what it is...I feel like my whole abdomen is a mess, it seems like I have more bloating, bowel issues, general uncomfortableness. Have any of you had other stomach issues along with pains? I'm thinking it has to be due to the ablation too since I didn't have this til I had the ablation.

Oh my, this is exactly what I am experiencing right now. The low left pelvic pain started about 8 months ago. I've tried to distinguish between intestinal issues and pelvic. It has taken 8 months for me to personally decide the pain has to originate from the pelvic area. I had a Novasure ablation in June 2009. Bleeding & pain disappeared until Nov 2011. My GYN suggested a D&C, hysterectomy or wait and see. I've had enough wait and see and am going straight for the hysterectomy in the next month or so.

I just recently started experiencing this same type of pain. I had my tubil/ablation this past December. Everything was great until April. I experienced extreme pain in the abdomen. I suffered through that first month but ended up in the er in May. I was sent home with pain meds. In June I returned to the er and discovered that I had appendicitis. My appendix was removed and I thought my pain wouldn't return. This month I once again found myself at the er. I was admitted to the hospital for four days to assist with pain relief. I can't tell you what a relief it is to read these posts. I have an appt with my obgyn tomorrow. I will print these posts and bring them with me. I hope they take me seriously.

This is exactly what I have been dealing with since November of 2009. I had the Nova Sure ablation done and never wish I would have. I have been in severe pain for the last year or so. I just thought that I had to deal with it according to my doctor. It wasn't until April of 2011 that I went for a second opinion. The doctor I went to immediately said that I had post ablation syndrome. After looking through all of the post that are online, I came to the realization that this is what I have. I decided to go straight for a hysterectomy even though I am in my mid 30's. I can't stand the pain anymore and I have two beautiful daughters so I don't plan on having anymore children. I am so thankful that I went for a second opinion and I am truly hoping to get out of this pain soon. I am scheduled to have a robotic hysterectomy on August 5th and hope all goes well. I need my life to get back to normal so I can make it to work and take care of my young daughters. Spending day after day in bed with a heating pad gets really old. Pain medications don't even touch the pain that I am in. I hope that your hysterectomy takes you out of the pain that you are in as well. Good luck

I had my Novasure done in april 2005...I am constanly in pain ..I was (for some strange odd reason one yr after this procedure dx with fibromyalgia). I have monthly side pain and pain the radiaites down my legs...I can not take it any more I have been to the ER multiple times which they make you feel as though you are nuts (that I wont even go there anymore) I grin and bare the pain...I am scheduled for hysterectomy on Aug 31...I am praying that ALL these pains go away and I can start feeling myself again..

I had my Novasure done in april 2005...I am constanly in pain ..I was (for some strange odd reason one yr after this procedure dx with fibromyalgia). I have monthly side pain and pain the radiaites down my legs...I can not take it any more I have been to the ER multiple times which they make you feel as though you are nuts (that I wont even go there anymore) I grin and bare the pain...I am scheduled for hysterectomy on Aug 31...I am praying that ALL these pains go away and I can start feeling myself again..

I had ablation done in 2009 and am now have pain in my lower back, feels like labor pain. Very intense pain at times. My doc recommomends hysterectomy if I feels its bad enough. Not ready for that yet, but am worried. How did your hysterectomy go and how are you feeling now?

so glad I found your posts. At age 49 I had NovaSure endometrial ablasion 12/2004. Had one more heavy period in 1/2005 and no further bleeding. After about two months post surgery, pain started like severe menstral cramps, & a burning sensation. Gyn examined me and said it is part of the healing process. Gave me vicodin. Said I will continue to suffer with cramps eventhough I do not have periods. 2 small non-cancerous (myomas) were found on my uterus, and a monthly cyst on my right ovary. Now, 5 years later, abdominal/uterine/bladder pain and burning never cease. I do not have cancer. Although NovaSure stopped heavy periods and anemia, what I believe to be the side effects, are not worth the ongoing agony. I am glad to hear that I am not alone and "crazy." I would not recommend NovaSure.

I had the ablation done the summer of 2008 now I went to the hospital because I was having pain and found out I have a 6in mass of blood in my uterus and now I have to have it removed if I knew then what I know now I would not have done it.

I had NovaSure January 2010. This was supposed to help with my heavy monthly bleeding which got to the point of never stopping and horrible cramping. 7 weeks after the procedure I am experiencing a medium flow of brown and black gooey discharge and absolutely horrible and at times near debilitating cramping. Is this normal? I got the feeling my doctor doesn't completely believe my symptoms andhe seems to be a bit patronizing.

I had the Novasure in December 2008, still experienced
periods slightly less of a flow. The discharge in between
the periods has taken a toll on my emotions. The constant
gooey, white discharge sometimes tinged with brown or pink
has become an annoyance. Recently the pain has increased
tremendously at the onset of the period. I am literally
doubled over and unable to walk. I have been to the ER
numerous times and always thought of as appendicitis.
Finally this week it has happened again and I am not
stopping till I get answers. 5 doctors later, I have
finally found one who says yes, there have been instances
where the scar tissue isn't allowing the blood to flow
outside of the uterus which appears to be creating this terrible pain. Option: Hysterectomy
Great, I am so disappointed in this procedure and feel
that besides the uterus it may have injured my intestinal tract. It hurts when I eat too, the entire area behind
the belly button seems so inflamed which radiates through
the left and right lower abdomen. I am glad to hear I
am not alone in this mission to find answers!

All this pain sounds very bad. I am considering having NovaSure done since my dr. recommended it due to heavy periods. However I also have some uterine prolapse and possible fibroids inside my uterus. The dr couldn't feel any fibroids but said my symptoms are probably due to fibroids. I may require hysterectomy at some point anyways. I am wondering if anyone has had a decrease in sexual feelings after their ablation, as I have heard of one person who did experience that problem.

The problem is that this precedure is so popular right now. I had one done 20 days ago. I am having a very watery, heavy period. I had temperature and no one call me fron the dr office because I happen to have the surgery on the memorial's day holiday. Anyway, I seen my dr today because I am bledding so much all my clothes got full of this watery/bloody discharge last night as I was walking out of a restaurant. The pain is unbeleaveble strong and pain meds only work for a few hours, but I am so drowsy I cannot even work. My advise to you is to have a histerectomy if your dr agrees to it. If not find a dr that will. Good luck

i had the norvasc on june 2 and have not had a period but my pms is off the charts and i am so crampy and ecky feeling -- i am having alot of left sided low back pain and lower abd pain which radiates down my left leg -- i just don't feel right i was told on my left ovary there is a tumor and maybe i have adenmyosis the doctors don't know I got prescribed birth control to help with the pms which is crazy to me since i had my tubes tied in '98 -- my doctor canceled my follow appt and i am going to see her on july 1 i just want my life back

my pms just to clarify is extremely bad -- I gain at least 10 pounds water weight gain, have severe mood swings (I get very emotional), no sex drive, nausea, severe headaches, and hot and cold flashes --- my pms starts about 2 weeks before my period and goes away usually a day or so after my bleeding stops - anyone out there ever experience this -- my doctors are not saying anything

The problem is that this precedure is so popular right now. I had one done 20 days ago. I am having a very watery, heavy period. I had temperature and no one call me fron the dr office because I happen to have the surgery on the memorial's day holiday. Anyway, I seen my dr today because I am bledding so much all my clothes got full of this watery/bloody discharge last night as I was walking out of a restaurant. The pain is unbeleaveble strong and pain meds only work for a few hours, but I am so drowsy I cannot even work. My advise to you is to have a histerectomy if your dr agrees to it. If not find a dr that will. Good luck

I just started researching this pain as it has gotton worse each month since my ablation in 2009. I have also lost ALL! of my sex drive. I used to be very sexual and my husband and I had a great physical relationship, now, I have no desire at all and we are on the verge of seperating. When I do have intercourse it is painful and I have experienced no arousal or orgasim for 3 years. I am calling my OB/GYN on Monday and asking what the hell happened to me. I am also having the overall stomach issues with the pain and terrible weight gain along with it.

All the comments are so familiar. I had the Novasure procedure in July of 09 to hopefully stop the very severe flow each month. I had the pinkish/brownish discharge for over 6 months afterwards and then the pain started. Each month, the first two days of my (milder) period, I have horrible lower abdominal pain so bad that my doctor prescribed Naprosyn. It does not help. The last episode was so bad I barely could walk to my car and strongly considered going to the ER. I thought I was dying. If you are thinking of having that procedure done, I'd think twice. I don't think double pads and super tampons all at the same time were as bad as the pain each month. Very disappointing.
Donna

Carrie,
I was so glad to see that I am not alone! I had Novasure done in early 2005 and about 8 mos later, I began these horrible pains. The first time, it presented on the right side, and I went to the ER thinking it was appendicitis. Five years later and many doctors later, still no answers. The pain has worsened (it happenes a few times a month and varries from side to side but mainly on the right). I now will throw up from the pain everytime, because it is so severe. I will not be able to walk and will be doubled over. It sends a burning pain down the tope of my leg. I have asked several gynos if they think it is from the Novasure and they have said absolutely not. This forum has helped me greatly! Thank you for posting. I am seeing a new doc next week and will show her my findings on the internet. Please keep me updated with your progress.

I had E.A. in 2007, and although my periods are lighter, the pain is excrutiating. I have been to the E.R. twice, and have had a CT done. The blood is being trapped in my uterus behind scar tissue. The pain is so severe, that 3 Advil and Lortab don''t touch it. I throw up and end up in bed for 2 days. If I had to do it all over again, I would not. My new dr. wants me to have a hysterectomy, but I''m a little afraid. I had a stroke in 2008, and take blood thinners and high blood pressure medications.

I had E.A in May 2009, periods have calmed down alot i still have a period 5 to 7 days and what i call normal bleeding, i can leave the house with out worrying about having an accident. About 4 to 5 months ago i started getting severe pain around my belly button area above and below shooting right across. I noticed if i ate or drank anything this would set it off, i feel bloated and tender and last night the pain spasms was so painful i was in tears with them. I am pleased i found this site as i knew it was something to do with the ablation, but my mind kept saying maybe it is something i have eaten and was trapped wind. I wish i had the courage to have a hysterectomy but i am terrified of being operated on. It took a lot of guts just having the ablation done.

Thank you for all of the information. I too had an ablation 10/2008 and now experience the same pain described. I have terrible bowel problems and now periods 2x month or not at all. I have gone to the Doctor and was told symptoms were IBS. Also had U/S "normal" however, 3 fibroids. This forum has helped me tremendously.

I had ablation done may of 2010 and nothing have changed my bleeding is heavier and I still have clots. after the procedure I went straight to using overnight pads again and never stopped and it's now september, this was THE WORSE PROCEDURE dont waste your insurance just get the hysterectomy.

MrsGranny2bSoon(STL)

I had ablation done on 12/10. The first four monthes were not so bad . Then the pain began so severe and vomiting that i had to go to the ER. They told me it must be a kidney stone . I was put on morphin drip and sent home. The following month not so bad light ,light brown blood. June 2010 had to go to the Er again for severe pain and vomiting . My gyn was there and he said this sometimes happens that the blood has no place to go and then goes into the muscle causing extreme pain . Again had to be put on morphin and sent home with percocet for pain . The pain gone the next day . Followed up with gyn who now recommends partial hysterectomy . Ausust , pain not that bad. Well here we are in September had to take everything for pain , it was extreme again . Bleeding started again and vomiting. Surgery schedualed for Novemember . I can't wait ..I would never have gotten this done if i knew the pain i would be going through now. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS ABLATION . IT WAS NOT WORTH IT .