Hello. My name is Takesha! I had the Essure devices implanted back in July of 2010. I had given birth to my youngest son in May of 2010 after being hospitalized for weeks. My last two children were premature, and my doctor advised that another pregnancy may not last. After discussing and reseaerching different birth control methods, my husband and I decided that Essure was best. The procedure took no time, and I expereinced no pain at all. I was back at work and continuing my normal activities in no time. Within a few months, I noticed that my periods were heavier and lasted longer than normal. Assuming the complications I had with my pregnancy, and my age, I didn’t mention it to my doctor right away. In December of 2010, I had two periods in one month, both lastig 8 days. I became alarmed and visted my gynecologist. There was no mention of the Essure device, as she advised that it should not have any bearing on my periods.
Shortly after, the headaches started. They were constant and annoying. Over the months they grew severe and eventually turned into migraines. Eventually, I started developing pain and numbess in my legs. By 2012, it was to a point where I couldn’t walk some days. I had nerve test, MRI’s, and x-rays done to try and determing the cause. I started different medications and muscle relaxers to try to ease it. My neurologist diagnosed me with arthritis, not knowing exaclty what the cause of it was. That same year, I started experiencing abdominal pain. Initially, my primary care physician assumed it was related to my periods. But, that theory was ruled out after an ultrasound discovered swelling. Again, I was advised that my birth control device should not have any bearing on what my body was doing. I was diagnosed with an infection and given antibiotics to treat it. It didn’t seem to help. In 2014, my doctor shared concerns with my weight. My weight had been fluctuating rather oddly since 2011. I would gain 10 lbs, lose 15 lbs. A few months later, I would gain 20 lbs, lose 25 lbs. My doctor thought I was dieting, but then she noticed the amount time that this had been happening and shared her concerns. At this point, we still had not made the connection.
Through the years, the headaches/migraines, abdominal pain, heavy periods, leg numbness, and weight gain/loss continued. But with it came new symptoms. I was extremely tired. My skin began to change. It became very dry. I developed this pain on my right and left side. I was taking 9 pills a day, everyday. I was tired of medicine. Tired of going to the doctor. And tired of all the money I was spending trying to get better. Then, my life changed. On May 13, 2016, after having being sick for 9 days, I paid a trip to the ER. I had been vomitting for 3 days and nothing seemed to work for the nauseau. The doctor asked if it was possible that I could be pregnant. Of course, I said no……I had Essure! Turns out, after 3 test, he comes in and says to me and my husband, ‘You’re pregnant!’ I was in total shock, could not believe what I had just heard. They preformed an ultrasound, which put me at about 3 weeks. I panicked!! How did this happen? Why did this happen? And more importantly, how was my Essure device going to afftect my pregnancy!!
I immediately starting doing research on being pregant with the Essure device and was devastated by the many stories I read of other women and their expereinces. I was horrified that this was happening to me! I asked my OB doctor how it would affect this pregnancy and her response was, ‘bed rest’. So, here I am, almost 13 weeks pregnant, with 4 other children, on bedrest. I can’t work! My livelihood has changed. More importantly, we are now going back through the extra precautions to help prevent premature birth, which was the main reason I had the procedure done! I am more than disgusted with the makers of Essure for their lack of concern for women’s health. I received no warning and I had never been advised that these symptoms were possible. If so, I would have chosen something safer! As of right now, we are limited to what we can do because I am pregnant. But chances are great that once this pregnancy is complete, I will have to have a complete hysterectomy to remove everything, including the Essure implants. Again, something I wanted to avoid. I sincerely hope that Bayer is held responsible for what they have done to countless women and what we have suffered. How inhumane for anyone to push for something that could cause serious harm, even death to others!!!