Anemia-?? Re: Endometrial Ablation

[lisakuney]

I am chronically anemic, and not absorbing oral iron supplements. I am scheduled for iron infusions.

Has anyone had/explored endometrial ablation as a means to try to mitigate the blood loss? I wouldn't describe my periods as abnormally heavy, but the first couple of days require at least one middle of the night trip to the bathroom.

I am trying to use any means I can to get my reluctant iron levels to normal, and to stay there

Thanks!

 

[GutlessWonder86]

hi lisa,

I am a female crohn's patient that was scheduled for an ablation 3 years ago but when the day arrived, I wound up with an open abdominal wound from surgery 8 months before and they couldn't do it due to risk of infection. Stupid thing just would pop open and not heal so I had to go in and see another specialist, etc. to get to the bottom of it. When it would close up, I'd reschedule AGAIN and then before my pre-op clearance, had to cancel due to it reopening.

I was all set this year for the ablation as my cycles were really abnormal day wise (30-50 days apart but then it stopped)Mother nature decided to put me in MENOPAUSE so I don't need it now. I asked my hematologist to run a check on my hormone levels and sure enough...they were high indicating my body hit menopause.

I am anemic or rather was and had iron infusions this past July. It only took 1 1/2 hours the first time and 2 weeks later a second time. The protocol changed ALOT from 4-5 hours in 1 shot in a clinical setting which works better as your whole day isn't wasted.

My heart goes out to you as I can relate to blood loss and the iron infusions. My Gyn suggested the ablation when I told him how heavy I was getting the first 2 days and I was anemic. Remember that with an endometrial ablation, you can't have kids once it's done. :hug:

hang in there lisa. hugs. Gutless WonderWoman

 

[lisakuney]

Thanks for your feedback, Gutless

I am completely regular every 28 days. No signs of impending menopause yet.

The youngest of my 4 kids will be 21 soon, so no worries regarding procreating. I'd be a widow, my husband would drop dead of shock after asking me who the father was :rof:

I had a tubal ligation in 1992, so no more were planned anyway.

I don't think I could take another one like him. He sent me a face book funny "Most moms give birth to sons and daughters. My mom gave birth to a legend. Way to go, Mom!"

 

[GutlessWonder86]

WOW!! 4 kids. you are wonderwoman!! You look so young to be a mom of a 21 yr. old.

Oh, I meant to share with you that the procedure would be around 45 minutes long, they would sedate you, and it is usually an outpatient procedure in the hospital. AND you would be sore for a few days so have some pain meds on hand and NO lifting. This is what I was told the day of my ablation before I had to cancel it.

Something funny I have to share with you: When the RN asked if there were any chances of me being pregnant, I told her that it would have to be an immaculate conception seeing as DH & I weren't together for 9 months due to my exploratory surgery. THAT would've been one for the books. lol

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

 

[lisakuney]

The one on the right is the youngest. The oldest is 31, and I don't have a recent picture of her in uniform.

Thanks for telling me what to expect. I will discuss with my doctors and see if any think this might help any.

 

[prplkow]

Just now seeing this post....sorry for a late response. Like gutlesswonder said, that is about the extent of the procedure. You will be sore for a couple of days. I did have one to see if it would help with menorrhagia. It did work for a few months, but it came back in full force about a year later. I had endometriosis though and ended up having a total hysterectomy, so that might be why. Hope everything works out.

 

[Naturelover]

I had one gyno tell me to get a uterine ablation. He tossed the pamplet on it at (or was that supposed to be to?) me and told me to schedule an appt for it, then promptly left the room. Bad advise. An ablation wouldn't have helped. I went to another gyno who had me get my annual vaginal ultra sound etc. Turns out I have what's known as a "mushy uterus". In other words, the uterine lining is growing into the uterine wall. The only cure for this condition is a hystorectomy. Ablation is not for the "mushy uterus." I bleed so much during my cycle that I am up multiple times during the night changing and doing wash. During the day stinks. I try not to go out if I can help it. Tampons and pads used at the same time do not necessarily work. I do a lot of wash during my cycle. I am mildy anemic and my iron levels continue to ever so slowly decline but I can't take iron orally since I have severe constipation issues. The doc won't consider iron infusion until the iron levels are a lot lower. She has seen people go into anaphylatic shock from the iron infusion. She feels I'm not at the point yet where the benefit would outweigh the risks.

In summary, make sure your condition is one that ablation works for. It never hurts to get a second opinion if your unsure.

Keep us updated. Blessings!