I had the Essure done after my fourth daughter was born in 2008. I opted to have the Essure, because my doctor told me that it was a simple way to have a tubal without the pain, and having to take off of work the traditional 4-6 weeks. I was the primary bread winner of the family and this seemed like the best choice.
I had requested to have the procedure and follow up testing done to check the placement of the coils , prior to my insurance ending. I was able to have the procedure done and was rescheduled to have the follow up HSG ultrasound done, which ended up being scheduled after my insurance ended. So needless to say I never had the follow up performed.
Just a few days after I had the procedure, I started having very bad pain in my lower left side and excessive bleeding for 5 months. I went to another doctor since I moved out of state and was placed on birth control pills to assist with regulating my periods. This did help, but now I am having heavy bleeding again during my periods, extreme pain in my left side, headaches, nausea , and joint pain. My moods are very up and down and I feel like I have bloated up like I am pregnant. Even after changing my diet and adding exercise and drinking a lot of water, I loose weight every where else, except my extreme bloated belly.
I thought I was alone and have just chalked it up to getting older, but I am only 38 years old and am very frustrated at feeling this way.
I have finally obtained insurance again and decided to go ‘discuss’ my health problems with a new OB/GYN, and literally was told that I was ‘insane’ to discuss a ‘removal’. He stated that they do not do that, not that he is aware of. He asked’ did you decide at the time of your procedure you did not want anymore children’ I said ‘yes, but I am talking about my health issues’. I did mention that my husband did pass away several years ago and my finance have ‘ talked’ about the possibility of maybe having a child together, but that my health is more important.
Again he said’ Are you insane?’ and proceeded to ask my how old I was, to which I replied ’38’. He said, ‘well you know that your chances of conceiving a child at your age it slim to none, even without the Essure’. I stated that I knew that I was a little older, but I wanted to discuss my health issues, to which he said’ I highly doubt it has anything to do with your Essure but mere coincidence’ and told me that I can take Motrin to alleviate all of the ailments I was discussing.
After several condescending comments and diagrams, I told him that he was obnoxious and was not even listening to my concerns, and that I was leaving and that they better not bill my insurance as I was going to leave and find another doctor that would actual listen to what I was trying to say.
I am very happy to find this website and now feel a sense of hope , that maybe one day, I can find a doctor that understands and I now know that I am no longer alone in the unfortunate situation.
Anna