essure failure

[pbjones42]

My daughter, 40 years old and a smoker, is scheduled for this procedure in a couple of weeks. The 1st week of May she lost a baby at 4-1/2 months. She and everyone else feels that she just can't go through that again. Besides the trauma of losing a baby, she carried it for almost a month. It took 3 days in the hospital for the medication to work and labor to start so she could deliver her dead baby. She had the birth control shot when she went back for her check-up but time has run out on that or at least it's about to run out. 3 different GYN's have told her she shouldn't take birth control pills because of her age and the fact that she smokes. She's apprehensive about this procedure and I think she's right to be. The other option is tubal litigation. I had this done when she was born (she's my 4th) and had no problems AT ALL. I understand that this procedure has even changed and now, with all the medical advances and technology, it's not that simple any longer. I still wonder just how safe this ESSURE is. Any help will be appreciated.

[CHARITYS_MOM]

My daughter, 40 years old and a smoker, is scheduled for this procedure in a couple of weeks. The 1st week of May she lost a baby at 4-1/2 months. She and everyone else feels that she just can't go through that again. Besides the trauma of losing a baby, she carried it for almost a month. It took 3 days in the hospital for the medication to work and labor to start so she could deliver her dead baby. She had the birth control shot when she went back for her check-up but time has run out on that or at least it's about to run out. 3 different GYN's have told her she shouldn't take birth control pills because of her age and the fact that she smokes. She's apprehensive about this procedure and I think she's right to be. The other option is tubal litigation. I had this done when she was born (she's my 4th) and had no problems AT ALL. I understand that this procedure has even changed and now, with all the medical advances and technology, it's not that simple any longer. I still wonder just how safe this ESSURE is. Any help will be appreciated.

HI !! I AM 38 AND JUST HAD ESSURE DONE YESTERDAY. I AM ALSO A SMOKER. I ALSO HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE,TYPE II DIABETES AND HIGH CHOLESTEROL. I HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND MY HUSBAND IS 51. I WANTED KIDS ALL OF MY LIFE. WHEN I WAS TOLD I HAD TYPE II DIABETES AND THEY GAVE ME PILLS TO TAKE. IT WAS THE BEST FERTILITY DRUG I COULD EVER HAVE GOTTEN !! I TRIED FOR 13 YEARS. WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE !! I HAD TWINS BUT ONE DIDN'T MAKE IT. SHE LIVED FOR ONLY 16 DAYS. I WASN'T DUE UNTIL 5/17/04 AND THEY WERE BORN 2/14/04. AT 38 I THOUGHT WELL THIS IS GOOD ENOUGH. GOD GAVE ME WHAT I WANT. I WENT LAST YEAR TO GET MY TUBES TIED AND WHEN I WOKE UP THE DOCTOR TOLD ME THAT HE DIDN'T TIE MY TUBES !! I ALREADY HAD MY LEFT TUBE AND OVARY TAKEN OUT 11 YEARS AGO AND HE DIDN'T KNOW THAT. HE KNEW ABOUT MY OVARY BUT NOT MY TUBE. SO, INSTEAD OF TYING THE ONE HE SEEN, HE DIDN'T TIE ANYTHING !! WITH MY HEALTH, IT WAS RISKY GETTING PUT TO SLEEP IN THE FIRST PLACE. HE SAID THAT IT WOULD BE TOO RISKY TOO PUT ME ASLEEP AGAIN. HE ALSO SAID THAT ANOTHER BIRTH COULD CAUSE ME TO DIE. I SEEN AN AD ABOUT ESSURE AND THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE THE BEST THING FOR ME TO DO. OF COURSE I WON'T KNOW IF IT TOOK UNTIL THREE MONTHS PASS. I WILL JUST PRAY !! GETTING ESSURE DONE WAS PAINFUL. BUT, NOT AS PAINFUL AS A LOT OF THINGS I'VE BEEN THROUGH. I GOT RIGHT UP AND WALKED OUT OF THE OFFICE AND HAD CRAMPING FOR MAYBE ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THE MORE TIME WENT ON, THE LESS PAIN I WAS IN. WITH THE TIME IT TOOK (45 MINUTES) AND BEING ABLE TO WALK OUT OF THE OFFICE LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED WAS GREAT !! SINCE BIRTH CONTROL IS TOO RISKY, I GET THE DEPO SHOT EVERY THREE MONTHS. HOPEFULLY SEPTEMBER WILL BE THE LAST ONE !! I HOPE THIS HELPS !!

[Jade83]

never even heard of essure. hope everything goes well with your surgery skblackmar. just stick to the pill next time. or abstinance. LOL.....................

[colesks]

I had a similar experience in that after 3 months, the dye still did not show a blockage of the tube on one side. I had to go back 3 months later and have the test done again. At that time, the blockage was confirmed on both sides.

To back up, I scheduled the Essure procedure for March of 2007. I was told I needed to have a shot of Depo Provera at the onset of my period the month before to help thin the lining of my uterus. I got the depo shot in February. I spotted daily from it, along with the monthly period. When in June my test did not show a blockage, my doctor had me get another depo shot. I wasn't wild about the idea, but I did it anyhow. This was in June. Spotted daily until November of 2007. Then, started getting my period about every 14-20 days and it's super heavy. This has been ongoing.

I mentioned this at my annual exam and doc ordered blood tests (came back normal) and an ultrasound which the tech (a) saw the essure coils in my tubes and (b) saw numerous tiny cysts on my ovaries. He took an endometrial biopsy and the results were due today. This was 5 days ago. Yesterday, my body expelled one of the supposedly scarred in Essure coils, after 18 months!!!

I left him a message this am about the coil, and the nurse called a while ago with my biopsy results (normal). So I asked the nurse *again* for the doc to call me, as I haven't found a thing on google about women expelling the coils after so long. I'm hoping I'm not pregnant (I don't know if they were in the right place when the ultrasound tech saw them) and I got no idea from the nurse what a normal biopsy means, since I don't know what he was hoping to find/not find on the biopsy anyhow. It would be nice if he would call me back to tell me what the heck is going on.

I never had cysts before all of this, and my cycle was 28 days like clockwork. I can't help but think that my problems all go back to Essure. I still have the one coil in there somewhere, but I'm thinking tubal ligation the old fashioned way along with a side of novasure to take care of the period issue.

Argh! It's frustrating to me because I'm a little freaked out by this coil showing up on my toilet paper. Even the nurse this morning was like, "it came OUT?! Are you sure that's what it is???" You'd think after 2 messages my doctor would be calling me to find out what the heck is going on.

Anyone else have an experience like this with Essure?

[pbjones42]

My daughter has backed out of having this procedure, thankfully. She said she's going to go ahead and have her tubes tied and be done with this problem. I had my tubes tied when she was born and never had a problem. I've been told that having your tubes tied now is different. They go through your belly button and fill you up with air! YUCKKK! Whatever happened to sticking to the tried and true? I suggested that maybe her husband could get a vasectomy instead...cheaper, quicker recovery time for him and quicker procedure. She insists that "she's" the one that needs to be fixed. She was considered high risk when her 1st child was born and is even more so now, so why take chances? And the Depo shot is something she doesn't want to get again. The spotting is driving her nuts and she just feels bad all the time.

I sure appreciate all the information you've given me. Being a woman today is a complicated thing and we've got to stick together!
Pat

[Lilly49]

Hi PB,

Try not to worry too much about your daughter's procedure. As I said in my earlier post, when my Essure failed, I had a regular surgical tubal ligation done. They do go in through the belly button and do fill your abdomen up with air so they can see around in there - they use a tiny camera to see what they're doing. For me, it was not bad at all - two tiny incicions (one in the belly button and one in the lower abdomen). After surgery, I was groggy and slept most of the first day. Then after that my abdominal muscles were pretty sore for a few days, but it was really fairly minimal. The benefit of the newer surgical procedure is that they can use really small incisions (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch) - less pain and less time to heal and less time under anesthesia. Had I known then what I know now, I wouldn't have been nervous at all. I wish you both the best!!

Lilly

[mommy3]

Hi! I the essure procedure in March 07. My question is regarding problems afterwards- especially colesks's post!
colesks: The coils actually fell out?!? What did they look like? Did you have a lot of pain before this happened?
I have been having terrible pain in my left and right sides since the procedure and my dr. assures me it's not from the procedure. It's always blamed on ovulating, my period or possible cysts. My HSG test after the procedure showed 100% blockage, but I've read that those test aren't always accurate. I'm concerned that maybe my tubes aren't completely blocked or that the coils have come out. I'm not really worried about becoming pregnant because if I did I would deal with it, but I'd like to know if that is a possibility!?
Thanks for any advice or stories that relate!

[mominflorida]

I had Essure done in November '07 and 1 side is still not blocked. I go next week for my 3rd HSG to see if there are any changes...seriously considering scheduling a surgical tubal if it is not blocked by now. I'm disappointed in the results of the procedure, and even more disappointed that 3 Drs. cannot tell me why one tube is still not blocked.

[beadwithamy]

Hi there-
I had Essure done in March of 2008. The procedure itself was smooth sailing. Recovery was easy. In my opinion HSG Test should entitle you to an epideral. That to me was worse than any period and ranks right up there with childbirth. After three months my HSG showed good placement and total blockage. My Dh and I had enjoyed sexual freedom for the last 2 months. I admit that I do worry about them falling out or something happening that gets me pregnant. My latest concern though is that my periods are getting further and further apart. It has been over 30 days since my last cycle and I am not preganant but I can not find any info on this being a side effect anywhere. I plan on calling my GYN on Monday but I really think they do not know much more than the patients. So if anyone out there can shed some light I am all ears!

[kym4]

Had essure done in July. Already have had to have them removed due to severe pain. I did not do any research before procedure because I trusted my doc. I only started researching the product because of the pain. My doc assured me that no way was the essure devices the cause of my pain. When I finally found another doc to remove them it showed that the device had twisted and perforated my uterus.

I have since been researching everything I can find about these things and I am of the strong opinion that it is going to prove to be a bad procedure. There are too many "IF's" associated with the procedure. If they can place them, if they stay in place, if the tubes occlude. If I had known there were so many if's I would have never agreed to procedure.

There are some other forums that have quite a few posts about the failure of these devices. There are cases whereas the things came out of place after confirmation, embedded in other areas of the body. Most women are told the same thing by their doc that it is no way device is cause of their pain.

I think the procedure is so new even the docs don't know alot. Try finding one who will take them out without hysterectomy. Ladies it is just not worth the risk. Go get your tubes tied and in 2 weeks you'll be done with it. No other form of birth control for 3 months or longer, no other painful tests to be performed. (Yeah they don't tell most women that the HSG test can be painful). Some docs are actually trying to use other methods besides the HSG to confirm placement and tubal occlusion because women are complaining about the HSG but the HSG is the only FDA approved method and the company itself does not sanction any other method.

Please do your research. The coils can and do come out of place. The equipment used to place the devices seems to malfunction alot. You have to dig deep to find the info cause the things are so new. Look at adverse events fda.