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Ablation v Esmya?

Posted , 5 users are following.

nicola76148
nicola76148

Hi everyone, I've never joined a forum before, I just read everyone else's, but as I'm desperate for anyone's help or advice I have decided to join. 

I am nearly 51 years old and have a 3cm fibroid which was discovered after having the marina Coil removed after 8 years. I sometimes bleed heavily with clots for 3-4 days and my periods are all over the place. Sometimes 32 days apart then 18 days apart.  My gynaecologist who says I am perimenopausal first suggested an endometrial ablation, but then I read about Esmya and thought it might help shrink the fibroid, stop this horrendous bleeding and give me some time to see if the menopause will kick in, as you can use it for up to a year, which would then make me 52. I am terrified of having a general anasthetic which is what I would have to have for the ablation as the last anasthetic I had some 20 years ago, I woke up on the operating table and remember the whole experience.  I am slowly going crazy with worry as not sure which option to choose, can anyone give me their experiences of either?

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

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  • Ginagirl
    Ginagirl nicola76148

    Posted

    Talk to the Doctor/ anaesthetist before Hand about your situation, they will ensure that you are well under.. personally at your age a Hysterectomy might be a better option if peri menopausal.. I was 52 when I had the same problem. Get it all removed won't get any better leave the ovaries . you'll eventually be pleased you did, no more bleeding!! You won't look back..good luck!

  • maisie05
    maisie05 nicola76148

    Posted

    Hi. I've lived with a 4cm fibroid, and many small, since it was discovered over 4 years ago. Usual heavy bleeding, clots, anaemia, constantly taking iron. I'm 58. Like you I thought it would shrink after menopause and I put off having treatment. I'm still not in menopause and still have heavy periods. I take tranexamic acid now at the time of my period which reduces the blood loss.

    The only treatment I was offered when the fibroid was discovered was the mirena coil to minimise periods but I declined. I've read about ablation and UFE but never been offered either. I'm waiting results of a hysteroscopy I had recently because of midcycle spotting and to see if it's grown. I'll then decide what next. I'm scared of a hysterectomy but I wish I had asked for one 4 years ago. The last 4 years have been totally draining. 

    • nicola76148
      nicola76148 maisie05

      Posted

      Thats my worry as in waiting for nature to do its thing and still waiting in five years time. Just feel this Esmya drug is worth a try, might buy me some time to consider the ablation or hysterectomy. I find it totally draining too. I am a swimmer but not swimming much at present as tampons just wouldn't do the trick and I would never dare risk it. So find it's taking over my life at the min very upsetting. 

  • UFE27
    UFE27 nicola76148

    Posted

    Hi nicola76148,  you have nothing to lose by trying Esyma first and then if that doesn't work for you then considering the ablation.  Why didn't they fit a new Mirena coil if this has been working so well for you in the past?

    Ablation is a quick procedure with a fast recovery but not everyone has thier desired results but that is the same for all procedures.  There is some cramping aftyer the procedure that doesn't require more than strong paracetomol.  I had the procedure in May 2016 and they also inserted a Mirena Coil and it reduced my heavy bleeding considerably to just spotting.  I developed a ovarian cyst 4 months later and removed the coil but my bleeding although heavier was never the same as prior to the procedure.  

    • nicola76148
      nicola76148 UFE27

      Posted

      Hi UFE27 thank you for your reply, I had the coil removed as it went from years of no bleeding whatsoever to suddenly spotting then the spotting got worse each month so doctor then found the fibroid and eventually recommended having it removed to see what happened and it's been down hill since then. My feeling is to try the Esmya drug for as long as I can then if that doesn't work either the ablation or hysterectomy. Both the latter terrify me. But I feel I am delaying the inevitable. My gyno confident the ablation then popping a coil back in would work but naturally she won't guarantee anything. The joys of being a woman!

    • nicola76148
      nicola76148 UFE27

      Posted

      Forgot to ask how did you find the ablation procedure? Were you under anaesthetic for long? Did you come out the same day?
    • UFE27
      UFE27 nicola76148

      Posted

      I did the procedure privately in Portland Hospital, London, so I had an overnight stay, not sure that this is always required for this outpatient procedure.  I believe I was under for less than an hour but I had an enlarged uterus of 14cm, so the consultant had to work very hard for a fibroid resection (slicing down a 2-3 cm submucous fibroid and polyp) as well as removing the endometrial lining.

      I recovered very quickly and as the Mirena was inserted at the same time, bleeding was kept to a minimum and I spotted for about 2 weeks.

      If the nursing staff know that you are nervous, they look after you well enough to ensure you are comfortable.

    • nicola76148
      nicola76148 UFE27

      Posted

      Thank you UFE27. They do know I'm scared and why. Ironically my consultant gyno - who works both privately and on the NHS recommended I have the procedure on the NHS and not privately as I had been enquiring about the possibility of having it done private - if I were to go ahead that is. She said due to my past anaesthetic disaster years back, I would be better monitored by her anaesthetist on the NHS. Anyway I am hopefully going back to see her soon to discuss options and the way forward. I am curious as to whether once the fibroid has shrunk a little from the drugs whether they could then put the coil back in ? Thank you for you help. 

  • glen_pen
    glen_pen nicola76148

    Posted

    Hi Nicola

    I am 52 years old and in October 2015 was diagnosed with an 11cm fibroid and multiple smaller ones.

    My gynaecologist suggested that I try Esmya. I must admit the first 5/6!weeks weren't easy as I suffered side effects of tiredness/ bloated but these soon passed. After 3 x 3 month courses I had a scan and the largest fibroid had shrunk to 5cm and the others shrivveled away! I am now on a break but can report that my periods are really light 3/4 days with NO CLOTTING! Hope this info is helpful to you. Dont plunge for major surgery, check out your options first x

    • nicola76148
      nicola76148 glen_pen

      Posted

      Hi Glen

      Thank you for that information that is so helpful and reassuring to hear. What were your side effects??

    • glen_pen
      glen_pen nicola76148

      Posted

      Hi Nicola

      The side effects only lasted a few weeks and were mainly feeling bloated and tiredness. I found that taking the tablet at bedtime helped!

      Up to now for me, it was well worth enduring the side effects for the improvement it has had on my life. Before the Esmya I had to 'plan around' going out of the house as I suffered with terrible clots and flooding. Hopefully, like you, I will reach the menopause soon!

      Best of luck with whatever option you decide!

      Glenys x

    • nicola76148
      nicola76148 glen_pen

      Posted

      Thank you Glenys, that is all very helpful information, I too am constantly scared to go out for the same reasons you mention at certain time she of the month.  Hoping to see consultant soon and get started.  I will let you know how I get on. 

      Are you now off the tablets? And you say things are still better than before?

      thanks again Nicola x

    • glen_pen
      glen_pen nicola76148

      Posted

      Yes i ve been off them now for over 2 months. Had 2 periods and been so much better! You take 1 a day for 3 months then have a break. You start taking them again on the first day of 2nd period for another 3 months. They are quite an expensive drug, around £135 for 28 tablets and some health authorities wont fund them. My GP cant prescribe them, it has to be a prescription frim my consultant. At the end of the day if it works for you then its better than a hysterectomy and cheaper for the NHS! Do let me know how you get on.

      Take care and good luck x

    • nicola76148
      nicola76148 glen_pen

      Posted

      Thanks you so much I cannot tell how helpful all that information has been. Yes it's the same in our area the consultant has to prescribe them not my GP but they are on the NHS here as long as it's through the consultant. Hope to see her again in next two weeks. I will be sure to let you know how I get on. Thanks again 

    • nicola76148
      nicola76148 glen_pen

      Posted

      Hi Glen just thought I would give you an update. I have been on Esmya for nearly two months now and like you I had a dodgy few weeks at the beginning mainly spotting though for me but that soon stopped and I've had no bleeding since and so I'm back to my swimming again and loving having no bleeding. Saw consultant yesterday who has given me another three months supply so in October I will be scanned and if the fibroid has shrunk I will come off the Esmya and have the coil put back in. If not I will stay on the pills for another 6 months. Feeling more positive now that I made the right decision starting Esmya.

      How are you?

      Nicky

    • glen_pen
      glen_pen nicola76148

      Posted

      Hi Nicky

      Great to hear that the Esmya is making a huge difference to you! So glad you persevered with the side effects and are now feeling the benefit. I have been off the Esmya for four months now, periods better if somewhat erratic! My Gynocologist suggested that now the fibroids have shrunk, I could try the Mirena coil which hopefully will stop my periods altogether! So going back to see him in a couple of weeks and hopefully this is what I will try next! As Im 52 im hoping that i am nearing menopause!!!

      Anyway, good to hear you re doing well and thanks for taking the trouble to keep me updated! Good luck with everything xxx

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