Due to smoking and my age, 40 at the time, my doctor would no longer prescribe birth-control for me and he suggested – instead of getting a tubal – that I use the product called Essure. He said it would be implanted under general anesthesia, but I would not have a wound when done. He also said it was as if not more effective than a tubal ligation. I received my Essure implant on 03/08/2010. I was never tested for a nickel allergy as recommended, nor was I given the card with any information on it. Me, my mother and my daughter are all allergic to nickel in belts, jewelry etc. I was never even asked about nickel!!! The implantation went fine, some cramping and bleeding but otherwise un-eventful. I had a fluoroscope 3 months later and was told it was successful. I was never informed that it is recommended to get it rechecked at 1 year and 5 years.
The problems started in late 2010 early 2011. I felt sick, all the time, still do. The nausea is unrelenting coming over me in waves. Starting in 2011 the tip of my right toe started to go numb. Through the course of the next year the numbness, burning and tingling continued to spread across my entire right foot and then started on my left. In 2012 I went for a test and it was determined that I have a peripheral neuropathy. I developed numbness in the middle of my back, and my left ear. I have been tested for everything they could think of that may be causing these symptoms, lupus, diabetes, etc. I have pain, everywhere! I am sweating, horribly, which I was told must be a side effect of the Lyrica that I now have to take 3 times a day along with Tramadol ER to control the pain, but now I am wondering. I also have reoccurring excruciating pain in my left hip, a MRI showed no problem. I get rashes on my hands and have memory problems, dizziness/vertigo, sexual dysfunction, loss of libido, developed anxiety and panic attacks (which I had never had before in my life), and the migraines which I used to only get once a month with my period now happen sometimes 5 – 10 times a month. I was eventually diagnosed with idiopathic (unknown cause) peripheral neuropathy and fibromyalgia. Starting in 2013, I have a horrible pain on the lower left side of my abdomen. The ER doctor advised me I had a diverticulitis pocket and that was the cause of my pain. It never occurred to me it could be the Essure! After living through the pain for over another year, the doctor advised that I needed that section of my colon removed. I had that surgery in November of 2014. Now I wish I hadn’t. The pain didn’t go away. It’s still there. I just learned about the problems with Essure about a month ago. My neurologist has sent me for another heavy metals test, this time she included nickel at my request. I have scheduled an appointment with my doctor. I really hope Essure is not the cause as I do not want another surgery, but the more I read and research this device, how can I not believe it is the cause of the last 5 years in hell?
I too have been diagnose with neuropathy. In my research I have not found many with neuropathy. Mine is small fiber neuropathy – hypersensitivity to touch, numbness in my legs, lack of being able to feel cold on my skin, lack of feeling vibrations in my feet.
It all started after the Essure implant. Digestive issues, sensitivities to jewelery, makeup and sunscreens. The procedure was in 2007. Symptoms began around 2009 with severe constipation that required prescription, reactions to metals and joint pains, low sex drive, mood swings. I also had a uncomfortable pain when pressure was applied to my lower abdomen -but not sharp, just uncomfortable. I contributed that to constipation/digestive issues. It was uncomfortable to wear certain pants, seatbelt if it was too high, it would be very uncomfortable. It almost feels like there is something in there. But my pelvic exams come back normal. Pelvic floor dysfunction (I have not been diagnosed with it, but I have issues down there – docs seem to ignore it) I contributed my joint pains to active sporting lifestyle with my kids and just getting older (I was 37 at the time).
In 2012 I had a back fusion L4-S1 and the hardware was titanium alloy with aluminum, and vanadium, and PEEK cages. About two years later I noticed I was only sweating on half of my body. I had some other heath issues so the sweating thing I just put to the side.
Within the past 2-3 years starting 2014-2015), everything has snowballed. There are so many different things going on with me. Not sweating on one side, excessive sweating on the other, hidradenitis suppurativa (a dermatology issue of bumps under the armpit and sometimes groin area), headaches, rib pain, achy pain from waist to upper thighs, lower back pain, gall bladder issues – within the past year anemic, heavy periods, and large clots. I am constantly cold if the temperature is in the 70’s. But, I can not tolerate anything in the upper 90’s because of the sweating. (thyroid is under control with meds, so I was told it is not my thyroid causing this problem. I was told to deal with the cold. Wearing a hoodie last week in my house! June in TX!) I can not drink alcohol any more- if I have more than 2 drinks, I have nausea/vomiting the entire next day. I feel funny when I eat certain foods – I’ve been told it is a histamine intolerance. All test are normal – no autoimmune, no cancer, not diabetic.
I am curious if your test for nickel was able to be done with the heavy metals test and what the outcome was… The Essure will be the easiest to remove, and start with, to see if some of my symptoms go away. The back hardware will be more difficult, but can be done.