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Hello, I had my tubal ligation done 11 years ago immediately following the vaginal birth of my last son, (7/7/2003). My tubes were tied merely by being cut no clips or burns.Initially I didn't notice anything different with my body but as the years progressed I started getting estrogen withdrawal migraines and extreme cramps and irritability to the point I was taking 2 prescription strength 800 mg Motrin. My cycles were heavier and longer than they had ever been prior to having my tubes tied. I had never had acne growing up and the last few years have experienced cystic outbreaks that have left some scarring and are very painful. I have full lipid panels ran annually which always come back great but would stay extremely cold all the time and experience night sweats. I would get extreme fatigue to the point it was chronic with no identifiable reason for the fatigue. I started researching and found info on PTLS which made things make much more sense. My cycles were so heavy I would bleed through a super plus tampon and pad within 45 minutes. I found a fertility Dr./obgyn who I consulted with regarding a TR. I did want to TTC as well but also for my overall health and well being. On 11/18/14 I had my TR completed. A good portion of my tubes were left because the Dr who did my TR cut my tubes closer to the grabber. Since then, in only 2 weeks, I have noticed vast improvements. I am on a 28 day cycle which was not interrupted by my surgery. I have woke up with more energy and less fatigue. My last cycle prior to my TR started on 11/1/14. My first cycle post TR started on 11/29/14 and has been pretty much how my cycles were pre tubal ligation. The entire time on my cycle I was able to use regular tampons, no cramps, no headaches, no fatigue, very little to no irritability! I am now on day 5 of my first AF since TR and I am off!!!!! After my TL My cycles would run 7 days. Due to the heaviness of my cycle I thought maybe I had fibroids or endometriosis or adenomyosis but after TR surgery my Dr. said not a trace and my female organs were completely healthy. My acne breakout has not stopped yet but was not as bad as it has been. I was also craving chocolate on my cycle post TR which I had not had since my tubes were tied but I'll take that! I may have a long journey to wellness but the results thus far have been promising and I feel whole again! The only thing post TR at present is the numbness on my stomach with pain to the touch but I was informed of this and was told it could take 3 months to a year to go away.
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I was 21 and my husband was 23 and we were expecting our second child. We decided early on in the pregnancy that we were done with children and we began discussing permanent birth control methods. I thought since I would already be in the hospital, I might as well get a tubal ligation done. I had a midwife and when I went in for the weekly appointment, I figured I should bring it up. My midwife was very surprised, not only because I would have 2 children (both girls at that) but also because of my age. I was asked 'are you sure?' more times than I can count. She told me it was permanent and irreversible, nothing other than that. She had me sign a consent form and that was the end of it. At 37 weeks, my water broke and an hour later a healthy baby girl was born. I asked when I get wheeled down for surgery and everyone was confused. I asked when I get to see the midwife and they were even more confused... Turns out the midwife left the practice a few weeks before. Even worse than that, they had no consent form. I was so sure of my decision, my husband and I spoke about it, how easy it would be and how great it would be. At 6 weeks postpartum, I signed another consent form. I had a list of questions for the doctor: what are the side effects? Does it matter that I have a metal allergy? What is post tubal ligation syndrome? ...etc I also wanted the cut and burn method but this doctor only uses Filshie Clips, she didn't answer any of my other questions and I didn't really ask anything else, just signed a form and left. The day of my surgery came, June 28, 2013, it was filled with more 'are you sure' questions. As soon as I woke up from anesthesia, I noticed a dull ache over my left ovary. Weeks went by and still that pain was there, I was breastfeeding so I had no problem with periods. Weeks turned into months and I began to wonder what the pain was from. I visited with the surgeon and she said that pain was normal, so I left with even more questions. Slowly more symptoms came up: fatigue, weight loss, moodiness, more ovarian pain. I began to chart my cycles again, I was still ovulating on the same cycle day and my periods were 3 to 4 days of very light bleeding, they were better than before the tubal. That pain became the worst thing ever. I didn't want to get out of bed, couldn't go on our long walks anymore, felt awful. I went from doctor to doctor to doctor trying to find answers. Finally just before it had been one year since the tubal ligation, I got answers from a different doctor. He did a sonogram and found adenomyosis, possible endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome, ovarian cysts, calcification of the bowel wall, and blood clots in my fallopian tubes. At least I knew what the pain was from, it wasn't long before I wanted to know what caused all these syndromes and problems. That's when Google searches began finding more about PTLS and problems with tubal ligations. I contacted my health insurance and found that a full reversal was covered, found a doctor who would do the surgery, everything was coming together, the doctor and her staff didn't think I was crazy, she actually wanted to help me, I thought I would feel myself again... Then I found out that the hospital wasn't in our network and we couldn't afford it. I contacted every hospital within 50 miles of where I live and either they had no doctor who could perform a reversal or that didn't offer that service at that hospital. Other doctors hadn't done a reversal in so long, they opted for IVF. I began to lose hope, here I was, a 22 year old feeling like death was around the corner, like nothing could be done. I began blaming myself for not researching enough, for not asking questions. I had no energy to do anything, my hair was falling out in clumps, acne everywhere, moodiness, anger outbursts, constant dull ache over my left ovary, forgetfulness, dry vagina, extreme pain during sex, and nausea every morning. The women from the Facebook post tubal ligation support group were so helpful and nice, for once I finally felt like I wasn't alone. On November 11, 2014, I met with a doctor who could remove my clips but not do a full reversal and on November 24, 2014 I had surgery to remove the Filshie Clips.
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After having my daughter 5 years ago, I started having severe panic attacks about 6 months later. Many of the attacks sent me to the ER thinking I was dying. I have been to the ER more times than I can count on my hands. I started to try my luck at different docs who all tried to put me on SSRIs to help the anxiety. All of the crazy meds made me more anxious and more panick attacks. Was then put on ativan which is the only thing that calms an attack. I started timing when I had the attacks and they were right before my period and the worse episodes were right before ovulation. I knew there was something wrong. With the panic attacks, I had hair loss, acne, terrible mood swings, headaches, numbness in arms, legs, sometimes head or face, body aches and arthritis like pain in joints. My body literally feels 90. No one will recognize that I had a medical problem. Was told it was in my head. They tried me on progesterone and that caused a bunch of problems with my blood clotting disorder. My thyroid was borderline hypo so they started me on levothyroxine and anxiety is lessened but still have alk of the symptoms even though my thyroid is back in the right range with the meds. After looking on line I found out about PTLS and have all of the symptoms. Still, no doc recognizes it. At this point, I am on thyroid meds, vitamin d, calcium, multi vitamin, fish oil, l-arginine and zyrtec (I have allergies now). I am hoping I can get a tubal removal as I've heard many say it worked for them. Hopefully PTLS will be recognized as a medical condition so many of us can get the help we so desperately need. I just want my life back. It has taken it's toll not just on me but my husband and kids. I am not as patient any more and my mood swings are out of control. I need help but can't seem to get any. Hoping this site will bring awareness.
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