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Post by pattyraindrops on Feb 20, 2018 3:28:42 GMT
My doctor attempted a uterine biopsy today. She attempted many times, but my cervix just wouldn't let her past.
Now I have 2 options.
Medicine I take the night before that is supposed to open my cervix. It may cause cramping and bleeding. It may not actually open my cervix so I may end up doing surhere anyway. When pregnant with my first pitocin did nothing to my cervix. This is a different medicine and different situation, but the doctor said it could possibly have related problems.
Surgery. While in there they would do a D&C. If I have fibroids or polips that didn't show up on my ultrasound (which came back as "limited") then those will come out at time. They will also be able to get a better sample for the biopsy.
So it seems like surgery is a better choice except that it is surgery and has all the problems with that - anesthesia, cost, recovery etc.
So I'm trying to figure out if the benefits of surgery are worth the risks. Have you been through this? What was your experience?
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Post by dewryce on Feb 20, 2018 3:39:53 GMT
What are the problems related to taking the medicine to open your cervix? If they are minor, it seems like this is the safest route as there are always potential complications with any surgery. Some other questions I would be asking myself:
What does your doctor say? What are the odds of you needing something removed? Any risk factors for you going under anesthesia? Any benefits to the D&C?
My only experience is lots of endometrial biopsies and...ouch. I will consider myself fortunate though that they have been uncomplicated. Except the first time. For whatever reason she had to do 5 "punches" before she got a good sample. But still, she was successful and no further treatment was needed so I shouldn't complain.
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AmandaA
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,502 
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Post by AmandaA on Feb 20, 2018 3:53:05 GMT
Having just gone through major GYN surgery, I would try the less invasive route first. If the cervical ripening agent doesn't work, the side effects are minimal compared to the side effects of going under anesthesia. But if you are having symptoms that would be resolved or improved with the D&C, then it might be worth it for you. If you do opt for surgery, you need to be prepared for a worst case scenario recovery time re: work, kids, etc.
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eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Feb 20, 2018 3:58:52 GMT
I had a biopsy - it was no big deal. I then had the ablation, and needed a biopsy for a hysterectomy. HOLY SHIT! BIG DEAL! Apparently, the scarring from the ablation is "difficult to get through." He numbed the hell out of my cervix, and pushed through. I went that way because it seemed like the best course of action at the time. If I were you with the history with Pitocin, the US report... I'd probably just go for the D&C. At least you'd be knocked out. What's your insurance like? What's your ability to have time off? How do you handle anesthesia? Do you have time to try both procedures (if necessary?)
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,366
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Feb 20, 2018 4:22:53 GMT
If the medication is cytotec, AVOID AT ALL COSTS! I did this medication for a miscarriage. It was HORRIBLE! If you want details, let me know....
I've had multiple D&C's for miscarriages as well. Recovery is quick and much preferred (by me) over the cytotec (misprostil? Or something like that)
I had laparoscopic for an ectopic. Major surgery but 3 holes, easy recovery.
2 c-sections. Not much fun recovery wise but after my first attempt at delivering via cervadil and pitocin and being stuck at 2 cm for 3 days after being given both, I’d do the c-section again.
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Post by pattyraindrops on Feb 20, 2018 4:56:10 GMT
What are the problems related to taking the medicine to open your cervix? If they are minor, it seems like this is the safest route as there are always potential complications with any surgery. Some other questions I would be asking myself: What does your doctor say? What are the odds of you needing something removed? Any risk factors for you going under anesthesia? Any benefits to the D&C? My only experience is lots of endometrial biopsies and...ouch. I will consider myself fortunate though that they have been uncomplicated. Except the first time. For whatever reason she had to do 5 "punches" before she got a good sample. But still, she was successful and no further treatment was needed so I shouldn't complain. Problems with medicine - cramping, bleeding, may not work, won't get as good of a sample as surgery. Doctor just gave me pros/cons, but didn't reccomend one over the other. Odds or removing something and benefits - Don't know the odds. Benefit may be that it helps with the bleeding. My period was 2.5 weeks in January after years of having 3 day periods and it came very shortly after the last one. My February period was very heavy the first day (more than ever has been, but back to 3 days. Risk factors for anesthesia. I didn't ask. I have had 3 c-sections where I wasn't out and one major leg surgery where I was out and haven't had problems. |
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Post by mom on Feb 20, 2018 4:57:41 GMT
melissa knows all about this stuff. Maybe she will see this and chime in.
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Post by pattyraindrops on Feb 20, 2018 4:58:58 GMT
Having just gone through major GYN surgery, I would try the less invasive route first. If the cervical ripening agent doesn't work, the side effects are minimal compared to the side effects of going under anesthesia. But if you are having symptoms that would be resolved or improved with the D&C, then it might be worth it for you. If you do opt for surgery, you need to be prepared for a worst case scenario recovery time re: work, kids, etc. I'm a homemaker and my youngest is 16. My volunteering has recently become much less physically demanding, but even if it hadn't then the organization is good with giving what you have and not pressuring for more. |
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Post by pattyraindrops on Feb 20, 2018 5:04:05 GMT
If the medication is cytotec, AVOID AT ALL COSTS! I did this medication for a miscarriage. It was HORRIBLE! If you want details, let me know.... I've had multiple D&C's for miscarriages as well. Recovery is quick and much preferred (by me) over the cytotec (misprostil? Or something like that) I had laparoscopic for an ectopic. Major surgery but 3 holes, easy recovery. 2 c-sections. Not much fun recovery wise but after my first attempt at delivering via cervadil and pitocin and being stuck at 2 cm for 3 days after being given both, I’d do the c-section again. I think, but I am not sure, that it is the cytotek. I would have to ask again. When I had the pitocin it was something like 12-14 hours and if I remember right he said my cervix hadn't even softened. I was on mag sulfate though with pre-eclampsia which can sometimes counter the pitocin (at least that is,what I was told 20 years ago). |
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Post by dewryce on Feb 20, 2018 5:19:53 GMT
What are the problems related to taking the medicine to open your cervix? If they are minor, it seems like this is the safest route as there are always potential complications with any surgery. Some other questions I would be asking myself: What does your doctor say? What are the odds of you needing something removed? Any risk factors for you going under anesthesia? Any benefits to the D&C? My only experience is lots of endometrial biopsies and...ouch. I will consider myself fortunate though that they have been uncomplicated. Except the first time. For whatever reason she had to do 5 "punches" before she got a good sample. But still, she was successful and no further treatment was needed so I shouldn't complain. Problems with medicine - cramping, bleeding, may not work, won't get as good of a sample as surgery. Doctor just gave me pros/cons, but didn't reccomend one over the other. Odds or removing something and benefits - Don't know the odds. Benefit may be that it helps with the bleeding. My period was 2.5 weeks in January after years of having 3 day periods and it came very shortly after the last one. My February period was very heavy the first day (more than ever has been, but back to 3 days. Risk factors for anesthesia. I didn't ask. I have had 3 c-sections where I wasn't out and one major leg surgery where I was out and haven't had problems. I often bleed heavily for months at a time so I feel your pain. It seems like there aren't any real cons to doing the medicinal route first? Except the sample not being a good one, I'd ask for more info on that. I'm all for surgery when needed and the benefit outweighs the risks. But personally, if I was able to avoid it with minimal issues I would do so to avoid the risks with surgery and financial costs. I hope you're able to get enough information to feel confidant in your decision! |
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
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Post by melissa on Feb 20, 2018 6:04:56 GMT
They probably gave you cytotec. The mechanism of action is completely different from pitocin and this is different from labor. The issue isn't really whether the medicine will work or not, but why is your cervix so stenotic in the first place. The medicine will work, but your cervix may have scar tissue that will still make the biopsy difficult. It's a small diameter tube that is placed inside the cervix into the uterine cavity, so you don't need much of a change. I would definitely try that first.
the biopsy itself is pretty quick. Not worth having anesthesia and a bigger procedure if you can get it done this way.
Just my opinion
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
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Post by melissa on Feb 20, 2018 6:06:19 GMT
Pretty funny.... I answered and just now saw that I was actually tagged. LOL
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Post by pattyraindrops on Feb 20, 2018 6:14:27 GMT
They probably gave you cytotec. The mechanism of action is completely different from pitocin and this is different from labor. The issue isn't really whether the medicine will work or not, but why is your cervix so stenotic in the first place. The medicine will work, but your cervix may have scar tissue that will still make the biopsy difficult. It's a small diameter tube that is placed inside the cervix into the uterine cavity, so you don't need much of a change. I would definitely try that first. the biopsy itself is pretty quick. Not worth having anesthesia and a bigger procedure if you can get it done this way. Just my opinion Thank you! What could cause the scar tissue if it is there? All of my children were c-section. No injuries or abuse of any kind that I know of. I don't know if it is related at all, but the opening in my hymen was teeny and I had in office surgery for that and a catheter is difficult to put in because of some kind of kink/bend - I've always just assumed I was just a little different down there. If there is scar tissue is the difficulty on my part or my doctors or both? |
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Post by mikklynn on Feb 20, 2018 13:23:10 GMT
I had a uterine biopsy and D&C last summer. They gave my cytotec for the night before.
My experience was really easy. I hope your's will be, too. I had no cramping after the first hour. The spotting was minimal.
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Post by kibble on Feb 20, 2018 14:26:00 GMT
I can't give any advice about the medicine but I had the uterine biopsy in office first then still had to have the surgical biopsy as the first test was inconclusive. I did recover from the first one easier but it hurt something awful during the procedure.
The one under anesthesia was longer to recover from but if I had to do it all over I'd skip the in office one, not just because of the pain, but more piece of mind since they were able to get more samples surgically. I didn't know at the time I might need another one.
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