My story started in 2006. With 4 children, I approached my GP regarding sterilisation. However, I fell pregnant at that point and had to cancel. I was told about a new procedure that was fantastic - no anaesthetic needed. I was asked to be a test subject for the procedure, known as Essure:
"A small Essure insert is permanently placed into each of your fallopian tubes by your doctor. These inserts work with your body to form a natural barrier that keeps sperm from reaching the eggs, preventing pregnancy. It usually takes about three months for the barrier to form.
The Essure micro-insert is a spring-like device that consists of a stainless steel inner coil, a nickel titanium (Nitinol) expanding outer coil, and polyethelene terephthalate (PET) fibers. The PET fibers are wound in and around the inner coil."
In 2008 I went again and met with the same doctor, he told me the offer was still there. He said lots of ladies had been on the trial and it was working great, so I went ahead.
I had the operation in October '08. I was really ill during the procedure and had to be kept in for observation due to the left hand spring not releasing from the applicator. The doctor tried to insert it four times (a new insert each time).
3 months went by, and I then had to return to check the placement of the inserts. I expected something called an HSG - an x-ray dye test, which is how the instructions say that Essure should be checked - but instead a scan was completed. I was told at this point one Essure spring was missing, and booked in within days to be sterilized the normal way. I thought that meant they would cut my tubes. I had the surgery and left the hospital.
Years went by, I was a full time working mum. however in 2011 my health began to fade, I had to give up my job, I started to suffer with:
Back pain
Hip pain
Anxiety attacks
Depression
High blood pressure
Low B12 folate readings
Dizzy spells
Vision problems (at times my sight disappeared in one eye)
Swollen stomach and body
Rashes
Weight gain
Dark rings under eyes
Pale skin
Head aches
And perhaps worst of all, bladder incontinence.
My list of problems grew and grew. I stayed at home never leaving the house, and used a walking aid. I couldn't understand what was happening to me. I thought "I'm dying," it felt like my body had started to shut down.
When I was then diagnosed with arthritis in my hips in 2016, I decided to start asking questions. Why was this happening to me? Whilst doing some research an Essure group popped up on my news feed.
An alarm bell started to ring, but as far as I was aware the Essure was missing. After all, hadn't they re-sterilised me? I contacted the hospital to find out what was seen on recent x-rays I had. After numerous calls to the hospital (and a fair few doors closed! It was hard to get straight answers), I was invited in for a chat. I was horrified to find out that inside me were both Essure implants and "Filshie" clips (a titanium clip on the Fallopian tube).
So I was in fact sterilised twice. I have since found out that it was noted that one Essure spring was in the roof of my womb back in 2009. It's not supposed to be there - they are meant to be in the Fallopian tubes! After I found that little gem out, I was told no, it was in fact in the right place. I'm still not sure what to believe.
I would see my GP about my various issues and he looked at me like I was mad. I was called old, menopausal, you name it! All I wanted was answers. I needed to know what was causing me to be so sick all the time. So I persisted.
Warrington hospital no longer fitted Essure, so I was sent to Liverpool Womens to a surgeon there who I was told could help me.
My blood pressure was so high even at the pre-op, there was a chance the operation could not go ahead, but working with my GP we managed to reduce it with medication for the operation to go ahead.
My day of surgery arrived. I was sceptical, I didn't know if this would give me my answers, however I had so much support from ladies I had met on the Essure group. Ladies from all over the world, all suffering the same as I was. I had nothing to lose.
My operation started. For hours I was in theatre and my husband was so worried, but on waking from the anaesthetic, I could feel my bladder sensation again. Within days the colour returned to my face. My mobility returned. It was like being a whole new person. I have lost just coming up to 6 stone in weight in just over a year. Some ladies are not so lucky, due to fragments of Essure being left behind in the body, symptoms can remain.
I know my pathology report was very vague. The Essure coils were not even sent to the pathology lab to be tested as I'd requested; they were thrown away. I still fight for answers - I don't know why I was not told the exact truth of what happened during my operation.
The change in me being free from Essure has been remarkable, so I decided to start a page to offer hope to ladies in the UK and Ireland, a group were we can support each other, and let others know we are not alone. Essure symptoms are so, so real.
We hope to reach ladies both locally and nationally, and support them in asking for help. Some ladies will have already had hysterectomy procedures, and now know why. Some ladies may read this and an alarm bell will ring for them. It would be nice to liaise with other ladies in the Warrington area, to share stories, and hope.
Essure will be removed from sale here in the UK 1 September 2017, and the date is drawing nearer. Ladies here in the UK will keep spreading the word near and far. I thought Essure sounded great; it's taught me that if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
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