Well everyone, here is the latest on my quest for a uterine ablation. My gyn had told me that I could have it done and stay on coumadin since I was having the freezing technique done. I had the procedure scheduled and then heard from my pcp that my gyn wanted me to come off of coumadin and take injections of lovenox. I spoke with my pcp who is an internest and he suggested that I cancel the ablation and we could discuss this the next time I was to see him. I have since spoken with him about this and he told me that my gyn doesn't want to do the ablation while anticoagulated because of the numbing injections given and the possibility of bleeding from the injections. My pcp told me that I have a 6% chance of a stroke if I am not anticoagulated for the procedure. A chance I am not willing to take. He told me eventhough I may be on lovenox or heparin that during the procedure my blood would be the same as the average person not on anticoagulation.
My pcp had just taken blood from me recently to check my cholesterol etc....and the results came back that I was anemic. When he drew the blood I had been bleeding and passing clots for over a week. I was taking iron at the time but he has me taking even more iron because of the anemia. I went back and was retested for anemia and it was fine, but I hadn't started my period yet. I just started my period the day after he drew the blood and I have now been bleeding for 11 days and passing clots for about 9 days so far and still going. My pcp told me that if the heavy bleeding continues to make the anemia worse then I will have to change my mind about having the ablation. I have been searching around for a gyn that would consider doing the ablation while on coumadin but I haven't heard anything back from any of them yet. I contacted a gyn at UVA and I am getting ready to contact some others. I really hope I can find someone to do the procedure without coming off coumadin. That 6% chance of stroke is something I am not willing to take. I would think that if I was in the hospital having the ablation and I started to bleed that I would at least be in an environment where they could control whatever bleeding occurred. That seems more reasonable to me than a 6% chance of a stroke.
I will also be talking with my gyn again to find out why he told me I could stay on coumadin and then changed his mind. I also want to find out if he has ever performed an ablation on someone who takes coumadin. I am guessing he hasn't. He did tell me that he has done ablations before where women not on coumadin have had some bleeding. I'm not sure to what extreme but maybe that is why he is concerned. I don't know. I just know that I am going to eventually need to have the ablation done and I definitely want to stay on coumadin. I just need to find someone who is willing to do it. If anyone is aware of any physicians in Virginia that have done ablations or would be willing to consider doing one please let me know. So far it just seems like no doctor wants to touch me while on coumadin.
On the bright side, after being on coumadin for 3 1/2 years, I have finally gotten my pcp to say yes to a home monitor. I have contacted QAS and they are working on it for me. I hope everything goes smoothly. I am a little afraid that my insurance may give me some problems and won't cover the unit. At least I have the ball rolling. I'll let you all know what happens.
I know this thread has gone on and on. Sorry for the rambling on.
I know it seems as though I haven't been around lately but eventhough I haven't posted much I check in everyday to see how things are going with everyone. You guys are the best.
Take Care!
Gail
My pcp had just taken blood from me recently to check my cholesterol etc....and the results came back that I was anemic. When he drew the blood I had been bleeding and passing clots for over a week. I was taking iron at the time but he has me taking even more iron because of the anemia. I went back and was retested for anemia and it was fine, but I hadn't started my period yet. I just started my period the day after he drew the blood and I have now been bleeding for 11 days and passing clots for about 9 days so far and still going. My pcp told me that if the heavy bleeding continues to make the anemia worse then I will have to change my mind about having the ablation. I have been searching around for a gyn that would consider doing the ablation while on coumadin but I haven't heard anything back from any of them yet. I contacted a gyn at UVA and I am getting ready to contact some others. I really hope I can find someone to do the procedure without coming off coumadin. That 6% chance of stroke is something I am not willing to take. I would think that if I was in the hospital having the ablation and I started to bleed that I would at least be in an environment where they could control whatever bleeding occurred. That seems more reasonable to me than a 6% chance of a stroke.
I will also be talking with my gyn again to find out why he told me I could stay on coumadin and then changed his mind. I also want to find out if he has ever performed an ablation on someone who takes coumadin. I am guessing he hasn't. He did tell me that he has done ablations before where women not on coumadin have had some bleeding. I'm not sure to what extreme but maybe that is why he is concerned. I don't know. I just know that I am going to eventually need to have the ablation done and I definitely want to stay on coumadin. I just need to find someone who is willing to do it. If anyone is aware of any physicians in Virginia that have done ablations or would be willing to consider doing one please let me know. So far it just seems like no doctor wants to touch me while on coumadin.
On the bright side, after being on coumadin for 3 1/2 years, I have finally gotten my pcp to say yes to a home monitor. I have contacted QAS and they are working on it for me. I hope everything goes smoothly. I am a little afraid that my insurance may give me some problems and won't cover the unit. At least I have the ball rolling. I'll let you all know what happens.
I know this thread has gone on and on. Sorry for the rambling on.
I know it seems as though I haven't been around lately but eventhough I haven't posted much I check in everyday to see how things are going with everyone. You guys are the best.
Take Care!
Gail
