Novasure

[silver]

Hi, I'll try to answer. yes I put it together quickly and I understand you just want it done YESTERDAY! The gyn. doctor had a cancellation and I had to nag my primary to get it processed through. My primary is good but I literally did this with one weeks notice. I was calling everyday to get the biopsy report.

But as it turned out, the gyn would have done the biopsy prior to the procedure anyway.

It was done in her office. I got there around 7:30 and left around 9:30. The procedure was maybe 10 minutes of that. It was IV sedation. I took a valium, then had a lorodal (sp?) shot in my hip and then IV something. I drove myself there and a friend drove my home. DD picked up the van later in the day. I was very groggy all day. But not in any real pain. I did take advil but just for mild cramping that I didn't want to get any worse.

I'm going to look through my lit to see if I can answer any other questions.

So far since the procedure, my bleeding is already minimal compared to what it was before.

Bummers are can use tampons or have sex for 4 weeks.

not hijacking, we'll have lots of good information accumulated here.

I can't find any info on polyps...

I couldn't eat anything for 6 hours prior.

[Zen]

Mud, did you look at the Novasure website?

Mine was only three years ago but it's difficult to remember details. I had it done as an outpatient procedure at the hospital under general anesthetic but thats because I had laproscopic surgery.

[IFjane]

Hi Silver,

I think (and this is just my memory), that he said that it doesn't work as well if fibroids are the cause of the bleeding problems.

It was so wonderful to be able to plan rides, trips, and now skiing, with no worries about managing an unexpected heavy period. The feeling of freedom and ease is wonderful.

Exactly! I had a deeply embedded fibroid in the wall of my uterus and that is why the procedure was probably not going to work for me. I opted for a vaginal hysterectomy. No incisions. Very, very little pain.

[Flybye]

Silver, just wanted to say that I am glad that you are alive and kicking! I am eager to hear if you get the results that you want from this!
Rest. Demand lots of extra special attention. Didn't the doctor say that you couldn't vacuum for at least 8 months? And no cooking? But that it was okay to be on the bike as soon as you felt up to it? I am sure that I read that on a site somewhere................

[mudmucker]

Mud, did you look at the Novasure website?

Hi Zen, yes, and it said nothing of using the procedure for polyps. However I was a little confused when folks were talking about things other than what the website showed. For example, Silver was referring to biopsy and I wasn't clear. I wasn't sure if it's typical to have an endometrial biopsy taken automatically prior to the procedure anyway or if it was because of a polyp. If so then I missed the post. I know when you actually do have polyps removed they send it to pathology. And then about the procedure - you mentioned laproscopy and so it sounds like there were different variants in terms of when you might use it and what kind of anesthesia.

Also, my diagnosis, in the form of a letter, said that I had an endometrial polyp, singular not plural and loaded with them. I don't know if there are minimum conditions - the website says nothing about less complicated polyps and from what blueskies mentioned it may not be suitable. I'll find out soon enough. Well, not actually soon enough.

[blueskies]

Mudmucker, this is purely my own conjecture & I have no medical training whatsoever...

The Mayo Clinic web site says "Uterine (endometrial) polyps consist of areas in your uterus where the lining of the uterus (endometrium) becomes overgrown and forms a mass (polyp). Uterine polyps may attach to the interior of your uterus by a large base or a thin stalk and range in size from a few millimeters — the size of a sesame seed — to several centimeters — the size of a golf ball or larger."

So, I think that the polyps will need to come out, and the ablation would not be the procedure to do that.

On the other hand, if you have multiple or recurring polyps, then an ablation (after the current polyps are removed), sounds like a sensible way to prevent future recurrences. Ablation basically desroys the endometrial lining, and that would seem like it would prevent overgrowth into future polyps.

Just one person's speculation....

Silver - so glad to hear that your procedure went so smoothly. I remember having that same sense of "Can we do this tomorrow?" when I'd made the decision. Hope you'll get great results!

[Zen]

On the other hand, if you have multiple or recurring polyps, then an ablation (after the current polyps are removed), sounds like a sensible way to prevent future recurrences. Ablation basically desroys the endometrial lining, and that would seem like it would prevent overgrowth into future polyps.

Makes sense to me but I'm only licensed to practice medicine in certain areas of West Virginia and Kentucky.

Maybe you should print out this thread and highlight the parts you want to remember to ask about or write yourself a list.
I always forget to ask about at least one thing

[silver]

things are still going well for me. I had the procedure tuesday morning. I slept most of Tuesday.Did some easy chores and errands and took a nap during the day on Wednesday and then taught cycling that evening. I did take it easy though. Today i feel great. I taught cycling, ran 3 miles and swam 10 laps.

Prior to the procedure I had to use tampons every day (not my period) and have only had to use panty liners since the procedure (can't use tampons for 4 weeks)

I'm still a little tired. Of course, I was exhausted prior to the procedure assuming due to loss of blood. I'll take a nap again today.

It did sound like to me that an endemetrial biopsy is standard procedure for the doctors to do prior to the Novasure. I had mine done one week prior. I think that the basis is to rule out cancer. I would guess that cancer would be harder to diagnose after the lining is gone and I would also guess that if there was cancer, you would want to have the entire uterus removed rather than this procedure. But......you know the thing....I'm not a doctor.

Based on my limited knowledge, I would agree with what blueskies says about having the polyp out first then the ablation. but It seems like this could be done at the same time. ??

sorry we are confusing you.

I had wondered whether the vaginal hysterectomy would be a good option for me. I have an enlarged uterus. It's been that way since they started monitoring it's size. I blame this for the rounded belly that I can't get rid of with ab work. Now don't get me wrong, I'm proud of how my abs look, I can see my 6 pack, but my lower belly rounds out and nothing tightens it up. But after the tests that they did, there's no medical reason to have the uterus removed, it would just be cosmetic. So, for me, even though I'm not against cosmetic things (have implants) I'm not ready to go that route. So far it looks like the novasure will be good for me.

[Zen]

I can see my 6 pack, but my lower belly rounds out and nothing tightens it up.

Same here.
that's part of the reason I started the 'how do you wear your shorts' thread.
Learn to love it. There could be a LOT worse things...

[TriMom217]

I'm posting this before reading all the replies, so I apologize if I'm a day late, a dollar short, or just not very helpful.

I did Nova Sure on a Wednesday last June. I did a Half Ironman the Sunday before, and a Sprint tri the Saturday after. There was no down time.

And I have not had a period since. No cramps, no monthly ANYTHING. The only regret is that I didn't do it years ago.

[Zen]

I sometimes get very minor cramps and other things associated with a monthly hormonal cycle but no periods YAY NOVASURE!

[Nokomis]

A few more questions...

It sounds like many of you don't have period related symptoms any more. Does this help reduce PMS?

The website mentioned 2 week recovery time - is that the case? If that's two weeks off the bike, it'd have to be in the off season.

What (if any) difference is there when menopause hits?

I'm looking for a solution to spotting. Periods are moderately heavy when off the pill, however even on the pill I have a mid cycle bleed; sometimes lasts half the cycle. My gyn is having me take extra estrogen to see if that helps, but isn't overly hopeful that it will resolve these issues.

[silver]

A few more questions...

It sounds like many of you don't have period related symptoms any more. Does this help reduce PMS?

The website mentioned 2 week recovery time - is that the case? If that's two weeks off the bike, it'd have to be in the off season.

What (if any) difference is there when menopause hits?

I'm looking for a solution to spotting. Periods are moderately heavy when off the pill, however even on the pill I have a mid cycle bleed; sometimes lasts half the cycle. My gyn is having me take extra estrogen to see if that helps, but isn't overly hopeful that it will resolve these issues.

I only took one day off the bike. I could have ridden if I had wanted. No restrictions except "nothing in the vagina" for 4 weeks.

I am doing well. I have had 2 or 3 mini periods (several hours of light flow) in the last 8 weeks. Nurse says this is normal and It may take up to 3 months to get the little to no period results. I still think it's been worth it, but I think that I need more time to be able to gauge the success.

[Zen]

It sounds like many of you don't have period related symptoms any more. Does this help reduce PMS?

No menstrual flow at all, still some monthly breast swelling and occasional minor cramping. Novasure is a cauterization of the endometrium and is primarily for extremely heavy menstrual flow. PMS is hormonal.The hormones are still raging and the endometrium is no longer responding but the brain is.
I don't think it will help you there.