First and foremost, I’d like to say how sad and outraged I feel for all of the women out there who were hurt by Essure. I had the procedure about six years ago when it was relatively new, at least in my area. It has worked for me flawlessly; but, I must admit that I don’t have any recollection of being asked (although I may have been) about any nickel allergies (of which I don’t have). Yet, I am surprised that the new manufacturer (Bayer) does not make it more evident to test for nickel before the procedure. I guess the mighty dollar rules again.
Back when I had my procedure, my ob-gyn gave me explicit instructions to find alternative contraception for the three months it would take for the scar tissue to form. This would help to prevent pregnancy as the process was happening. As I had recently gotten a divorce (already had two kids), I told him it wouldn’t be a problem. Abstinence for me. I was then told to make an appointment for three months later when a procedure to check the blockage would be performed. I was awake for this and some dye was injected into my uterus and we could all see on an ultrasound monitor that the dye was being blocked and that the coils and scarring were in the correct placement. Success.
My concern for those of you whose devices moved (among many concerns) is if your physicians performed this follow-up. And if not, why? Has the training changed? My ob-gyn was one of the first in my area to perform this procedure and he had to go to through special training. Are physicians at fault, along with the manufacturer? Just a thought to put out there.
Again, I am sorry for all of the suffering you ladies have endured. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Your courage to fight is amazing! And, thank you, Ms. Brockovich, for bringing this out into the open where these ladies can be heard.
~Darcy Anderson