At age 48 I had the Essure procedure done – well, almost. I went in the office to have the procedure done and was told it is not painful. They give you the pain meds and a shot in the hip and start the procedure soon after. I found it to be extremely painful! I remember saying that I would have preferred birthing all three of my children all over again, one after the other than to experience that pain. Anyhow, after the first coil was supposedly inserted, we decided it may be to my advantage to do the second coil under sedation. Before I had that appt. scheduled, I decided that I would rather have a tubal ligation done. So, on July 7, 2012 I had that done. When I went in for the ‘dye test’ to be sure the fallopian tubes were fused, the technician said that the coil was not even in the fallopian tube, it was lodged into the wall of the uterus! I asked the Dr. if it could be removed and he said it would not cause me any trouble since it was made of the same material they use for hearts/valves, etc.
Beginning that Fall, 2012, I was experiencing vaginal discharge and had been treated for infections on multiple occasions. I had redness around my nostrils and they were raw. I was told I had bacterial vaginitus and was given a prescription. I was never completely clear. I even tried using cleansing systems to clear my whole body. I did a juicing diet to rid myself of anything that may cause me to not be clean. This was the only thing that cleared my nostrils and helped to heal small cuts, otherwise it was taking 4-6 weeks for a small cut to heal. As time went on, I began to have serious muscle stiffness/weakness. I could not and still cannot get up from sitting on the floor without using my arms to assist. My legs are not strong enough. In June I had a hair and live blood test done. Nothing showed any signs of having trouble. It looked as though I was perfectly fine. My vision was changing and I require reading glasses. In October of 2013 I was told to take Calcium and vitamin D because I had low counts on some bloodwork. I had severe leg muscle pain when taking that. I started having trouble with Plantar Faciitus in April of 2014. The muscle weakness is rediculous. If I sit for any length of time – when I get up to take my first steps, I have tremendous pain. I walk like I am 80 and now I am only 50. My Doctor said that there is not conclusive evidence that the Essure coils are causing these problems. If it is not in the Medical Journals then it must not be true?!! Why won’t they listen? I am dying here and they are not even trying to help! They consistantly draw blood to check levels and everything is within the specified normal range — so, they conclude that I do not have anything wrong?!!!
I had called the Gynocologist, who did the procedure, on several occasions over this past year and a half to see if the infections, the discharge or the pain are related to the Essure coil causing an allergic reaction and they (nurse and Dr.) have consistently said ‘No, that is not what is causing your trouble’. I am finally going for 2nd opinions in the area but out of my network of Doctors so I get a fresh evaluation instead of the Doctors within my clinic reading each others notes and not diagnosing me on their own. I have contacted Mayo Clinic and am awaiting a call to schedule an appointment. I have an appt. on Nov. 4th and Nov. 7th with a new Gynocologist and a Rheumatologist.
I visited with a new physician on October 24th and she mentioned that she has several patients who have similar issues as mine and there has not been any diagnosis for them. She did mention that she had one lady go to Georgia to have surgery and she is doing well now. Right now I am optimistic that help is around the corner. I believe that I will be well again once this coil is removed.