Re: To Drill or Not to Drill?
From: a.l. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 24 Feb 2002 15:36:26 -0600 (CST)
Thanks Tera,
Definitely something to think about. Guess this isn't going to be easy.
I am having pain though, and wonder if I shouldn't let the doc take a
peek in there and perhaps let him remove any adhesions or endometriosis
he finds... I really don't know. This is NOT an easy decision. I've
got to try SOMETHING or these symptoms are just going to continue to
worsen.
A.
At Sat, 23 Feb 2002, tera wrote:
>
>Hi!
>
>I have had the drilling -- twice. I do not recommend it. It is
>essentially supposed to do the same thing that "the wedge does", the
>results can be extremely temporary and it WILL cause scar tissue and it
>can also cause your ovaries to stick to your bowels, etc. just like
>"the wedge" (it happened to me). The only time I would even have anyone
>consider it (and maybe not even then) is if they were trying for
>pregancy only if EVERY other option for pregnancy had failed --including
>possible IVF. I would not do it for any other reason.
>
>I have researched both "the wedge" and drilling. Like I said, they are
>essentially performed for the same reasons but "the wedge" is considered
>to be far more invasive. This surgery is now considered old fashioned
>by cutting edge reproductive endos -- especially "the wedge". My endo
>said that she would NEVER recommend it under ANY circumstances including
>TTC. She said that there are many other ways to accomplish that. She
>does not recommend cutting anywhere near our reproductive organs unless
>there is real pain or an emergency.
>
>I've talked to my doctor about going in and cutting out most of the scar
>tissue but if you cut tissue what happens? It SCARS. Cutting out scar
>tissue will leave scar tissue. I can see them going in to remove your
>ovaries from your bowel or from other places (I've had to have that
>done) if they're sticking there or if you are in real pain but NOT to do
>any more cutting than that unless it is absolutely necessary.
>
>The "window" of time to see results from drilling or from "the wedge" is
>very short. It can be as long as three months. That's why if you are
>TTC they tell you to try to become pregnant within the first three
>months. After the "window" closes scar tissue forms and it's back to
>business as usual. I got a regular period for almost a year after my
>first drilling (which is considered to be an excellent outcome) but
>wasn't really regulated much at all after my second drilling.
>
>My drillings did nothing for any of my other PCOS symptoms (weight,
>hair, etc.). My PCOS instead has continued to progress. I would
>definately not do the surgery if I was in your shoes. Given the fact
>that your ovaries have already had "the wedge" I would not damage them
>further. You would be removing scar tissue to replace it with more scar
>tissue for the possibility that you could have regular periods for MAYBE
>a few months. It will not permanently regulate you by any means and I
>have not heard of anyone who has had relief from PCOS symptoms because
>of the surgery (weight loss, help with hair, etc.). My cousin had "the
>wedge" and I had drilling and even though "the wedge" is supposed to be
>more invasive than drilling I supposedly have more scar tissue that she
>does!
>
>Plus, if you eventually want to try to become pregnant the scarring from
>drilling and the potential damage to your ovary will make it MUCH more
>difficult for you to become pregnant. I did the surgery to try to
>become pregnant without doing much research on it. If I could do it
>over I never would have had it done. There are many other ways to
>become pregnant than to use drilling. Like I said before, "the wedge"
>is supposed to be a more invasive surgery than drilling and if you did
>not regulate after having "the wedge" performed I doubt that you would
>regulate after drilling. You do not have an easy decision to make.
>Sorry so long. I just wanted to share my experience. God bless! Tera
>
>At Sat, 23 Feb 2002, a.l. wrote:
>>
>>Hi everyone,
>>
>>I'm an on again off again participant of this board and I'm a long-time
>>sufferer of PCOS (diagnosed age 12, now am 35) and I've had it all. In
>>1985 I had a big cyst removed from my right ovary. While the surgeons
>>did not remove my ovaries - he did do a "wedge resection" of them. It
>>was supposed to make me regular - it didn't. But apparently wedge
>>resections can leave lots of scar tissue on your ovaries and also
>>adhesions, where the ovary is stuck by the scar tissue to the abdomen or
>>bowel.
>>
>>Anyway, I've run out of options. I've tried Met and have also tried
>>every BCP under the sun (including Yasmin). Couldn't tolerate any of
>>them. My doctor now wants to operate, use a laser to remove the scar
>>tissue and any adhesions left over from my old wedge resections, and
>>then use the laser to do some ovarian drilling while he's there.
>>
>>The important thing to consider here is that I'm NOT TTC!! This drilling
>>would be done purely to see if it would make me regular, reduce the
>>ovarian testosterone output and give me some relief from symptoms - even
>>if its only temporary.
>>
>>(My worst symptoms are hair growth on the chin, depression, anxiety,
>>irritability and the long irregular bleeds. I'm not that overweight,
>>but am still a good 20 pounds over what I should be and can't seem to
>>shake it.)
>>
>>Anyway, I want to know if anyone out there has had drilling done - if so
>>did anyone notice that it had either a positive or negative impact on
>>their mood/hair growth? Did anyone else have it like me who wasn't TTC?
>>How long did the results last?
>>
>>Thanks for any feedback you guys! Its nice to know that if I have to go
>>through this, at least I'm not totally alone.
>>
>>--
>>A.L.
>>
>--
>Tera
>
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