Where do I begin…. My name is Rena, I am 33 years old and within those 33 years I have gone through more than any one person should. lets start from the begining of wanting to become a mom. On 11/5/07 I had a misscarraige the day before my bithday in the bath tub with my husband and father by my side. I was not given a DNC to clear me out…
11/26/07 I woke up in pain and bleading. I passed out on the toilet and called my mother to take me to the emergency room. I was diagnosed with Pelvic Inflamitory Disease and was kept in the hospital for three days on an IV drip of morphine for the pain. My Dr. said they had just caught it in time. I could have died. I was told by my Dr. that I could not have anything inserted in me for a source of birth control now because of this.
12/17/07 Tubal pregnancy caught in time and I found a lump in my breast. I had injections done on this day to remove baby before my tube burst and scheduled a surgery date to remove lump out of my breast…
3/4/08 I had surgery to remove lump and it came back bonine. Not long after my surgery I found out I was pregnant with my daughter Audri. I had 2 normal pregnancies with 2 baby girls on 12/04/08 Audri and 7/15/10 Nya.
6/20/13 I had my final child, my son Trenton. After my son was born, my husband and I decided that I would get the Tubal Ligation procedure done. I researched my 3 options before scheduling an appointment to talk to my OB about what I wanted and to schedule the procedure.
7/25/13 Dr. Bergstrom scheduled tubal ligation
7/26/13 I signed paperwork for tubal ligation signed one for essure under the assumption Essure was the name of the bands they were using to tie my tubes off for tubal ligation. I was given no information on it at all. When I went over my three options with my Dr. about my tubal ligation surgery she said nothing about Essure coils or in office proceedure. Afterwards, I continued doing research and watching videos so I would be prepared to tell my Dr which one of the three proceedures I would like to do the day of my surgery.
8/27/13 At 11am I walked into the hospital ready to have my surgery done. While checking in with the nurse I was handed a pamphlet on Essure in spanish, was told that I was not going to have tubal ligation surgery. They were putting in Essure instead because it is an in office prossedure and I would be able to go home right afterwards. I had told them no I am having surgery today, Im getting a tubal ligation. they said no you are getting Essure today. I was not given any choice in the matter, thats what was happening.Essure implantation was done 9 weeks after the birth of my son not 12 weeks like essure requires before implantation. I did not know this until my husband did research on Essure after my procedure. The very next day I had a 104 degree temperature, was barrolled over vomiting my brains out , screaming in pain. I had an adverse reaction right after the procedure. He also found out that Essure has nickle in it and I can’t wear earings unless made for sensitive ears because I get an allergic reaction instantly. I called my dr. that day, she was rude to me and said, ‘Well, I did 10 essure implants that day and you are the only one who has had problems,’oh really…I said to myself.. So my husband and I continued to do research on essure.. I saw that my raction after surgery was considered normal from their website.. so I didnt think anything of it until I continued to feel worse, not better. I would complain to my husband every day it seemed about something new that was bothering me.
Heres my List of side effects after essure was implanted:
Gynecological, etc. Crampimg Sharp/Stabbing Pelvic Pain Constant spotting Discharge odor (Horrible) Endemetriosis Uterine Inflamation Painful ovulation Night sweats Loss of Labido Hot Flashes Bleeding/Spoting after sex ( This was so bad It looked like someone got murdered in my bed.) Painful Periods (Dysmenorrhea) Bleeding between periods (Metrorrhagia) Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia) Long mentral cycles Sexual Disfuntion ( Unable to orgasm or feel pleasure) Yeast infections Bacterial infections Urgent/ frequent urination UTI Cervicitis/Vaginitis (Swelling, Inflamation, Infection of the Cervix or Vagina) Itching, Burning, Stinging, Stabbing of Vaginal Entrance (Vulvodynia) Breast Pain/Tenderness Abdominal Spasms/ Twitching/ Fluttering
Pain Back, joint, chest, leg, breast, neck, spine, hip Chronic Pelvic Pain Face pain (Trigrinal Neuralgia) All Over Body Aches/Pain
Gastrointestinal Nausea, vomiting, gas, constipation, diarrhea Severe bloating Metallic taste in mouth Heartburn Bowel issues
Neurological, Mental Health Headaches or migraines Dizziness Tingling sensations Numbness Brain shocks Nerve pain Brain fog – cloudiness, forgetfulness Anxiety/Panic Attacks Mood swings Depression (Sadness/Suicidal Thoughts) Ringing In Ears (Pulsatile Tinnitus) Black Out Spells/ Fainting Diminished brain function (brain fog, confusion, cloudiness, forgetfulness, short term memory loss) Mood Disorders Numbness in Thigh (Meralgia Parethetica) Numbness/Tingling in Extremeties (Hands/Feet) Sensation of Burning, Stinging, Tickling or Prickling of Skin (Paresthesia) Nerve Pain Tremors/Shakiness Dizziness
Blood Issues Anemia/ Iron Deficiency/Low Ferritin Vitamin D Deficiency Unexplained/Easily Bruising Vitamin B-12 Deficiency Elevated Blood Counts
Autoimmune Disorders Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Allergies/Sensitivities Chemical and food sensitivities Metal Allergies (Nickel) Heightened Allergies/ Allergic Reactions Food Allergies Gluten Sensitivity Allergic reactions Hives, rashes Cysts, boils, acne Skin Irritation/Itching
Heart Issues Heart palpitations
Other issues Swelling of legs or feet Hair loss or changes Hair growth in new places Dental issues Insomnia Weight Issues (Gain) Swollen Glands Swelling/Numbness in Jaws/Lips Unexplained Fevers Swelling of Legs/Feet Muscle Spasms Vision Problems (Floaters, Blurred Vision, Decreased Vision) Excessive Sweating Dry Skin/Hair/Eyes Severe Bloating Blood in Urine…
While all of this was going on, I was always in bed, and my son was only 9 weeks old. I was breastfeeding him, so my husband had to bring him to me, I was unable to pick up and hold my nb son or spend time with my kids and my husband. I felt like my life was slowly slipping away from me. I did not want to fall asleep breastfeeding my son for fear that I would no wake up again. Having sex with my husband was painful and scary.This was not good at all.. Is this what my life was going to continue to be like? So, I kept calling my OB and explained to her all of my complaints on the phone or in emails. She treated me like I was crazy and told me that she has done hundreds of these essre implants and these issues could not possibly be related to essure. So, She gave me all of these medications and sent me on my way. Nothing helped. Until finally, my husband found the Essure Problems Facebook Group and I am so glad he did.. I was able to see that I was not loosing my mind..My husband also found and joined a Spousel Essure Problems support group, for himself. After talking to all of these women who had the same issues and problems as me I emailed my OB and told her that I want these Essure coils out! She got the hint and referred me to Dr. Ramos. Thank Goodness!
I went to my appointment stressed out and nervous, as soon as he came into the room I felt a calm come over me. He sat down and said,’ how can I help you?’ I said can you help me get my life back? He sat and listened to every word that came out of my mouth. He did not aurgue with me, or tell me that this had nothing to do with essure.. After I was all done he said,’ I completely agree with you, lets get these things out of you as soon as possible. He explained to me that he will do everything he can to get my life back on a possitive road to health.. I was so happy and amazed that finally someone listened to me and that now I would be getting Essure aka E HELL out of me for good. We set my surgery date and as an extra bonus he tranfered me over to him as my new OB and did not want me dealing with Dr. Bergstrom ever again.
1/23/14 This morning I had a really bad dental and gum issue and was in extreme pain in my mouth. I felt like I had gotton socked in my face. I wish I could show you the pictures.. At the Admissions office, My surgery day essure removal @ 2:02 PM By Ramos, Wilfredo R (M.D.)HPS.. The happiest day of my life! Not excluding marrying my husband or giving birth to my three children, you ladies know what I mean… I had SALPINGECTOMY, ROBOT ASSISTED LAPAROSCOPIC surgery done @ 3:45 PM by Ramos, Wilfredo R (M.D.) Well, I had my tubes and coils completely removed..I got pictures of the procedure too. Right after surgery when I woke up I asked for a mirror. That gum issue I was having had completely dissapeared. I could not believe it! Man, am I glad to be E FREE!
The only issue I am dealing with now is getting my essure coils from the pathology department. They wont give them to me unless I hire an outside forensics department and sign an agreement to allow kaiser pathology to release my coils to them because they know how to properly store them and give them to me and their department does not…What?….I dont have the money to hire an outside company to give kaiser permanente permission to give them my essure coils to then give to me.. This is not fair to me at all! So I am unable to get my coils because I dont have the money to.. My other concern is this, even though I had Essure removed, I have no idea what damage has been done to my body and if I will ever fully recover from what Essure has done to me. I also lost a whole year of my sons life that I will never get back, also lost time with my daughters and my husband. Essure took it all away from me…I hope that my story can give you some hope, some help, and some peace of mind. Thank you for reading. Rena Ochoa