My name is Laura and I am 45 years old. I have 3 beautiful, healthy children. I am very conscious of what I eat and drink because I believe that it is the first line of defense against illness and assists in the body’s ability to heal. I will mention that I have other medical issues but they have been brought about by more recent events and affect me in completely different ways. That being said;
I have had the Essure device since 2009 and I’ve experienced more intense abdominal pain, nausea, headaches, loss of appetite, bloating and fatigue since the procedure. I began to notice specific problems soon after the Essure device was implanted. The doctor insisted that I have the device implanted when I was treated for fibroid tumors in my uterus by a method of uterine ablation. I wanted my pain and heavy periods caused by the fibroids to stop so I agreed to have the implant. There were ‘no side affects caused by Essure’ according to my doctor and it was a ‘necessary precaution to prevent pregnancy’.
Now, it is all I can do to get myself to work and make it through the day. As soon as I get home I change into pajamas and get in bed. My weekends are mostly spent in bed as well. My 13 year old son helps me with shopping, meal preparation and any household chores I can’t handle. I have no energy because I can’t sleep with the pain. My doctor gave me Ambien to help me sleep but that made me feel worse so I stopped taking it. The pain would wake me in the night anyway. I have urinary pain and a feeling of having to go all the time, huge blood clots, irregular bleeding, sometimes quite heavy and dark in color. The pain radiates through my abdomen, my lower back, pelvic floor and down my thighs. Though my hormone levels don’t indicate pre-menopause an ultrasound revealed my ovaries have changed. One ovary has “gone missing and the other has shrunk”.
I had always been active and enjoyed camping and hiking and other outdoor activities with my family but I can’t do these things anymore. I have struggled with agonizing pain, lack of sleep and the worry of not knowing what was wrong with me. It’s very depressing to think this will not ever get better. The pain and worry has caused problems in all areas of my life; work, relationships, joy and my peace of mind. After years of frustration and pain I’ve started to question my own sanity. I know something is wrong but no one will listen. During the most recent visit to a gynecologist it was suggested that my pain was stress related and I should perhaps seek counseling. The doctors I’ve seen about the problems I’m experiencing have never mentioned that there may be an issue with the implanted device. I need answers, if the device is causing the pain and other symptoms I’m experiencing I have a right to know.
Now that this information has come to light about the Essure device and that others are experiencing the same problems I am, it makes sense that I too am affected by this product. I want to add my name to the class action lawsuit with the hope that it will help all who have been adversely affected by this product and get it removed from the market if it is proved to be the cause.
Thank you for reading my story and if you are one of the many women that feel you too may have been injured from this device then I urge you to speak out. No one should be left to suffer because of bad medical advice or procedure. Don’t lose hope.