[Trueveggie14]

Permanent Sterilization without surgery
Anyone who doesn't know what Essure is (it's a fairly new procedure) or wants to see some more info on it, you can find that here: http://www.essure.co...http://www.essure.com/Home/Understanding/FAQs/tabid/59/Default.aspx


I went in for the Essure procedure on Friday Apr 14th. They used an IV anesthesia. My gynecologist used the closest hospital to perform the procedure. The only thing the hospital really provided besides a safe location was the anesthesiologist.

The night before I could not eat or drink anything after midnight (or I'd turn into a green, evil thing ..http://img.epinions....http://img.epinions.com/images/opti/8e/b6/pr-Toys-NECA_Gremlins_Stripe_Head_Knocker-resized200.jpg hee hee)

I checked into the hospital at 6:30 am. I made it into the prep room ..where the anesthesia was injected around 8:20. Originally my doctor told me that it would be just me, her, her assistant and the anesthesiologist in the surgical room. Now all of a sudden I'm being introduced to 3 students who want to watch. Two of whom were female and one was male. I was annoyed but did not protest because I do believe they need to experience procedures and operations in order to later be good doctors. I also just wanted to get it over with. Another thing that bothered me, and it may bother any of you who decide to go in for this or another sterilization procedure is I was made to repeat what I was there for about five times. I understand the first time - check in, the second time - the anesthesiologist, but those three students came into the prep room one at a time and made me tell them too. I felt like I was being JUDGED. It got me so annoyed that on the fifth time ... I believe I started saying "I don't like babies. No, babies. I do not want to have any babies." (in a "what is your problem" "don't you understand English", kind of tone)

I didn't wake up until 11:00 am in the recovery room. I woke up very groggy and screaming "it didn't work". My doctor was nowhere to be found. I was surrounded by hospital nurses, who really didn't understand what I had done. They yes ed me to death and told me that everything was fine. Oh yeah, I was Freezing!!! It was 75 or 80 degrees outside and I know the A/C wasn't on that high in the hospital, but it felt like 20 degrees to me.

Eventually I was wheeled over to the bathroom and allowed to use the toilet and change into my clothes. I had a medium amount of bleeding and of course was not allowed to use tampons. I had to use one of those thick hospital maxi-pads. At least it wasn't the really old type with the belt and all..

I was released to my sister's care at 11:40 am. Still freezing, a little nauseous, dizzy / loopy from anesthesia and I also had sensitivity to light. I slept in 2 to 5 hour increments. I never did vomit or anything. The bleeding and freezing stopped around 6 pm. Friday and Saturday I didn't feel good unless I was lying down. When I sat up, stood up or tried to walk around I felt cramping, bloating, shortness of breath and pressure on my bladder.

Despite the way I felt I wanted to get home, because I knew that I would have to return to work on Monday. Saturday night I drove myself home around 6:30 pm. It was a very painful drive. I grabbed some plastic bags half way through the ride because I thought I was going to throw up. Again, I didn't. Made it home in one piece to my comfort zone. I ate dinner and then layed down on the couch. I went to sleep around midnight. Surprisingly I woke up at 7 am with a little bit of energy. My cramping, bloating, shortness of breath and pressure on the bladder had NOT subsided, but I wanted to mow my lawn while I had a chance. I probably shouldn't have. All this time I never heard from the hospital staff (who told me they would check up on me the day after release) or my doctor.

Monday I started trying to get in touch with people. I did go to work, mostly because my job is closer to the doctor's office and hospital than my house is. The hospital just kept transferring my call. After 6 transfers I gave up and hung up the phone. I called my doctor's office and left a detailed message at 9:30 am. She didn't call me back until 6:30 pm. It was at this point (mind you, 3 days after the procedure) that she tells me "it didn't work". :wall: Remember me screaming that in recovery? Apparently she did come talk to me after the procedure (I was just all doped up). She was able to get the micro-insert into my right fallopian tube without a problem. My left fallopian tube decided to dance and spasm when she tried to place the micro-insert. She said she did get it in at one point but the spasm-ing bent the micro-insert. She then removed it and tried Advil to soothe my spasm. I don't get that part. What made her think Advil would do anything? It didn't. So now I have one tube prepped for "closure", but the other one is wide open. She said she wants to try again next month and she'll give me an anti-spasmodic medicine before hand.

My pain / cramping must have been from the spasms. I would also imagine that the tube and uterus were swollen from going through such an ordeal... explaining the pressure against the bladder. The shortness of breath we don't have an explanation for. All of these symptoms fully subsided by Thurs Apr 20th. All of the Essure brochures say the women felt great / normal within a week of the procedure. It also says that the women returned to work within 24 hours... No Way in H E L L!!! I even contemplated calling in on Monday which was 3 days (72 hours) later. Yes, I was able to work. Certainly not to full capacity though, not till Wednesday or Thursday.

Just called my insurance company (Mamsi Life and Health / United Health Care) they said the second attempt will be fully covered and no prior authorization is required. This is good news.

[Trueveggie14]

Here's how most health professionals describe Essure

The Essure procedure requires a gynecologist experienced with the product and the procedure to place a soft, flexible micro-insert into each fallopian tube through your body's natural pathways. The entire procedure takes approximately 35 minutes, with only 15 minutes required to place the micro-inserts into the fallopian tubes. During the three months after the procedure, your body and the micro-insert work together to form a permanent tissue barrier that prevents sperm from reaching the egg.

Benefits
The method is 99.8 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. Unlike tubal ligation or vasectomy, the Essure procedure does not require incisions or punctures to the body and there is no cutting, clipping, suturing or burning of tubes. The micro-inserts do not contain or release hormones and are constructed with medically safe materials.

Risks and considerations
The procedure is considered irreversible-removal of the inserts would require surgery. Not all women who undergo the procedure will achieve successful placement of both micro-inserts. The procedure is newer than other procedures and therefore lacks long-term follow-up. Another method of birth control must be used for at least three months after the procedure.

----
In November 2002, the FDA granted approval to the Essure Permanent Birth Control (Essure PBC) device, a small metallic implant placed into the fallopian tubes through hysteroscopic guidance. A total of 677 women were studied in phase II and III clinical trials done by the manufacturer.30 No comparison group was used, and the maximum duration of these studies was 2 years; no pregnancies occurred in these women. The device requires use of alternate contraception for a 3-month waiting period after insertion and hysterosalpingographic confirmation of tubal occlusion. Most common side effects were cramping in 20% and nausea/vomiting in 8% of women (during placement); more serious side effects included expulsion (2.2%) and uterine perforation (1.5%). Advantages include lower cost and avoidance of surgery and general anesthesia. This device is promising, but long-term and controlled trial data are needed to compare this with other forms of contraception.

~As I fill you in on my actual results as compared to what is described above, feel free to ask questions and I will do my best to answer them.

[SallyK]

I'd never heard of this. I'm really interested in learning more. It doesn't sound like you had the greatest experience though. How come you had to have anethesia?

[SallyK]

I was reading further and began to wonder if they tested you for a nickel allergy/hypersensitivitiy? I am afraid I may fail that test and wouldn't be able to get this procedure done if I ever decided to do it.

[SallyK]

I was reading the 20 page brochure (pdf form) from the website and found an explanation for shortness of breath. I don't know if it applies to you or not.

From page 13: Overabsorption of fluid. Rarely, women in the clinical studies absorbed too much of the fluid
used to expand the uterus during the placement procedure. This can result in shortness of breath
or the need for medication to get rid of the excess fluid. If this condition is not treated by your
doctor immediately, serious complications can occur, including death.

[Trueveggie14]

My doctor said she wasn't working in the uterus long enough for the fluid absorption. She also asked me questions that ruled it out. My symptoms didn't match that scenario.

Yeah, I didn't have the best experience at the hospital or with my doctor. However, these are specific to the people I entrusted to care for me. Honestly the gynecologist is not my regular one. I just found someone in my area trained in the Essure. I met with her 2 times before the procedure, but if your regular doctor is trained in this --- obviously things should go smoother.

I'm planning on "demanding" no students, use of a cd walkman with soothing music playing and some kind of proof of proper insertion at the next attempt.

When my doctor first discussed anesthesia, I was also taken aback. I read in all of the brochures that all you needed was a local. She said that it would feel like more than a pinch with just a local and also you risk moving while she's trying to place the inserts. Maybe it is just that she is inexperienced (she has done more than 100). I usually side on the no-pain argument.

[catswym]

i think i would rather have "more than a pinch" than having general anesthesia.

anyway, i doubt you having to repeat over and over what you wanted was about judgement--i would think it is more to train the students. but they should have told you students would be there, and of course, it is your right to say no to having them.

hopefully everything will go smoothly next time! and thanks for sharing your experience.

[Trueveggie14]

I don't mind sharing.. especially if it will help others make informed decisions.

I don't want the students in for the second attempt... just for that reason. It's a second attempt! Maybe thinking about some male college kid looking at my uterus was a little uncomfortable and made it difficult to relax. I've had problems with spasms in the past. Once they thought I had IBS, but it turned out to be really bad spasms. I was in intense pain and laid out for three days. (This was in 2001).

I know it was probably SOP for them to question what procedure I was there for.. and they'd do the same thing with a gallbladder operation, but it bothered me and in case it bothers anyone else I wanted you guys to have fair warning.

[SallyK]

Did they test you for the nickel sensitivity?