The implantation in September 2013 was a little rough, but not too bad thanks to the Valium and other drugs. I was awake, but pretty dopey. By that evening I was fine. I think I took some ibuprofen 1 or 2 times over the next few days, but that was it.
In the weeks following I’d have some pain periodically, but nothing awful. I figured it was normal. I don’t think I ever took ibuprofen or anything for it.
In December 2013 I had my 3-month HSG confirmation test, which was no big deal to experience. It showed one coil in place and that tube blocked. The other tube was wide open and the coil was in a questionable place. A subsequent MRI shows the coil embedded in the uterine muscle; it may have pushed through the outermost layer of the uterus into the peritoneum (i.e., abdominal cavity). I have a little pain from time to time and have only had one period while on it. I was terrified what that period would be like, but it was fine.
I’m now in the process of getting opinions from several GYNs about what the next step should be. The device folks (Bayer now, who bought Conceptus) claim nothing needs to be done. I’m not convinced. The options: nothing; remove coils though laparotomy (surgery via traditional incision like a C-section); hysterectomy (removing tubes, uterus and cervix but leaving the ovaries). Removing coils through laproscopic surgery does not appear viable. I likely will have to see a sub-specialist for the surgery and I may have to pay $6000 or so for this.
I’ve always considered myself to be savvy about medical matters and cannot believe what I mistake I made with this. The data about 99.84% effectiveness is highly misleading. This is based on SUCCESSFUL implantations, not TOTAL implantations. The data of successes based on TOTAL implantations is unclear, but may only be around 87% or less (per the original physician instructions provided by Conceptus). I thought that what I saw online about the effects was largely hype, but I think it’s much more legit than I gave credit for. If you are having issues or are considering Essure, I highly recommend joining the Essure Problems group on Facebook where you can access databases of docs who do removals, participate in data gathering in case there is legal action and more. Reporting to the FDA is also critical (and easy)…both initial reports and updates.