I’ve had the Essure implants since 2011 and have experienced myriad symptoms since.
After consulting with a new doctor about chronic bleeding and uterine polyps, he recommended removal of the polyps and an endometrial ablation to remedy the problem. He also recommended the Essure procedure, saying I should be concerned about becoming pregnant post-ablation. I was 46 at the time and was certain I was approaching menopause.
I expressed my concern to him of having anything medically unnecessary implanted in my body and he asked that I at least consider it because an accidental pregnancy could be very dangerous for me. We spoke again about two days before my scheduled surgery when he asked about the Essure once again. I reminded him, once again, of my concerns and he responded by saying I could change my mind any time, even right before the surgery.
On the day of my surgery – the ablation and polypectomy, I was admitted and was being prepped for anesthesia, which I historically don’t respond well to. After several unsuccessful attempts to anesthetize me, I nearly passed out. On the third attempt, they were finally able to get an IV in my left arm when my doctor came in to speak to me before surgery. He asked, a third time, about the Essure and I said I really didn’t want it. He responded with ‘what have you got against these things?’ All I can recall were how absolutely weakened I was between nearly going out cold and having the IV kicking in, and having the consent forms shoved in my face…… and me signing. When I came to after surgery, hours later, it occurred to me that I had agreed to this. Within days of the procedure, I began experiencing pain on my left side near my hip, numbness down my left leg, and exacerbated inflammation – I have several autoimmune diseases and a history of ovarian cysts. Since that time, the pain, numbness, and now tingling, too, have spread throughout the entire left side of my body, particularly when I am having an autoimmune flare-up. The symptoms include palpitations, stiffness, sharp, stabbing pains, muscle tightness and atrophy, vibration sensations in extremities and in my chest and neck. I’ve had MRIs, EKGs, ECGs, countless labs…… all reports are normal.
I am certain that the implants have worsened my already existing chronic inflammation and frequency of cysts….. yes, I can feel when one develops. What concerns me most about this experience is that there was no screening whatsoever to determine if there COULD be complications – no allergy test, no inflammation/reaction test…… only the very peculiar insistence from my doctor that I NEEDED this procedure in spite of my age and the fact (that I didn’t find out until later,) that I was beginning menopause anyway.
Now I live every day anxious about my worsening symptoms and what will happen in the years to come.