Meet Praybelieving…
I am a Registered Nurse and have worked most of my career in Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit. I took a three year break and worked in Labor and Delivery and really loved that, as you can imagine…EVERY day was THE best day of each of my patient’s lives. I loved being a part of it and was emotional during just about all of my deliveries! My husband is a wealth builder…he owns his own financial firm and does investment/financial advising.
We have a happy family with 5 children and would feel blessed with another child biologically or through adoption; unfortunately both of us were sterilized during our previous marriages. No one ever plans for their spouse to leave, their marriage to be torn apart, and be left infertile. As my new husband and I had very similar stories, morals and beliefs and united in marriage and family, we thought long and hard about adding to our family to essentially “tie” our children together with a half sibling– so that when they are older and we are gone, they will still be close and not drift apart. This is what led me to do my research about tubal reversal surgery and what led me to Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.
Before this point, I had NO IDEA that Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome (PTLS) existed and I did not know all of my many symptoms were probably linked together due to the decision I made to have my tubes tied in 2003 after the birth of my daughter. I researched PTLS even further and found a very long list of symptoms and just cried as I showed the list to my husband one night. I was literally astounded.
I remember my mom telling me before I had my tubal ligation she had always heard a “Tubal ligation makes you have much more severe cramps and heavier periods”.
I asked my OB/GYN this question as I was making my decision (I worked with this doctor in L&D at the time) and she said this was not true at all. It is evident that many physicians do not recognize PTLS as a true syndrome and it’s saddening. I am very blessed that my husband empathized with me and all the symptoms I had and supported me in having the tubal reversal for symptom relief, without a second thought. I had my tubal reversal 7/31/08 and if it is God’s plan to add to our family, He can provide that miracle…but if not or until then…I am extremely happy to have had the opportunity to be “reconnected” by Dr. Monteith.
Below is a list of symptoms that I found on a PTLS website and I listed the symptoms I have (there were many, many more).
1. Bouts of rapid heart rate: In 2005, I was having palpations so frequently that I saw a cardiologist that I worked with at the time. He did a stress echo, which was fine, but placed me on a beta blocker medication due to the symptoms interfering with my everyday life. I have since weaned off of the medication myself and it only happens on occasion now.
2. Irritability/mood swings/PMS: I was never this bad before…I’m a very pleasant, laid back person and the past 4 years or so, my PMS symptoms have increased in length more and more until it was about 2 weeks long, and it would go away two or three days after my cycle was over.
3. Trouble sleeping thru the night: Absolutely! I have had severe insomnia since 2003 or 2004. Of course, my doctor gave me another pill to help this symptom…but I hate having such trouble sleeping and try not to take the medicine. I have tried hypnosis, herbs, melatonin, Benadryl, and acupuncture…many things other than using the prescription medicine.
4. Irregular periods: Not so much irregular, meaning I have 25-28 day cycles, but HEAVY and EXTREMELY painful…To the point of being doubled over in pain for the first two days of my cycle and curled up in a ball. It’s worse than any labor I had before I had to have my C-section. A couple of years ago, I would bleed up to 11-14 days every month and I was advised to have a hysterectomy due to the pain and bleeding. Being age 32 at the time, I refused to go that route.
5. Anxiety: I was never a very anxious person before. I have had increased anxiety, to the point I talked to my doctor about it (I was also going through a difficult time)…and was given yet another medication to try. It did help, but it was an antidepressant used for anxiety and was very hard for me to get off of once I decided I did not want to be on medication anymore.
6. Decreased energy: My energy level has dropped so much, but I just figured it was from getting older. I’ve never been a morning person, but this is much worse…it’s like constantly being tired and sluggish.
7. Feelings of doom/apprehension/despair: Some months, not all (especially a couple years back), my PMS symptoms are so severe, that it makes me think very sad thoughts…and it’s always about 2 days at the end of my cycle (which is the same point my migraines come as well…so it could be related).
8. Depression: I’ve had some bouts of what I call depression (non diagnosed) over the last few years…my “depression” is more in the form of anxiety/overwhelming feelings and wanting to sleep and not face anyone.
9. Headaches: Migraines…I used to have them in college when I was on birth control pills. Finally, when they figured out it was probably the hormones and I came off the birth control pills; I did not have any more migraines, until AFTER my tubal ligation. I’ve been on a migraine medication for over a year and use a different one if it gets out of hand. They can be debilitating.
10. Weight gain: I have had a very difficult time trying to lose my ‘baby weight’ from my last pregnancy from 2003 and tubal ligation. Although I had always been proportioned before, the worst of my weight now is around the middle.
11. GI problems: I have had reflux or heartburn since my tubal ligation as well.
I have only had one cycle since my tubal reversal, so I will be watching for much symptom relief!
A complete discussion of Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome and the stories of other PTLS patients who have undergone tubal reversal can be seen in our blog series on PTLS. The first of fourteen articles is Pain After Tubal Ligation: A Symptom of Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome? .
Readers can also view other patient submitted stories about their menstrual symptoms, reasons for reversing tubal ligation, and outcomes after reversal reversal surgery. Each patient’s story is listed below:
We invite readers to join our Tubal Reversal Message board and discuss and share personal experiences with tubal ligation. We also have a dedicated PTLS forum for readers to share experiences of worsening symptoms after tubal ligation procedures.
December 24th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Wow! I’m in shock right now because for the last 6 years my symtoms have been increasing and like yourself chalked it all up to getting older and moving to MT from Florida. I’ve been tested for everything by my Dr and seen a nutritonist and workout trainer with unsuccessful results because of an ongoing weight gain since my tubal ligation in 2002. It never crossed my mind that the two could be related. I only came across this web site because I’ve lost 2 fantastic men when I told them I was “fixed” and I just can’t handle that heart break again as well as my own growing internal desire to have a family. I now have another reason to pursue this procedure for my own well health because with an annual average weight gain of 10-15 lbs at only 4′10″ my heart health is now at risk. THANK YOU for new hope at a full and happy life again!
November 18th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
I am nearing my 4th month after having my TR and I can’t even begin to tell you how different my periods are! It’s hard to express in words! I used to be bent over in extreme pain or curled up in a ball, crying…with at least 7 days of heavy bleeding. Last month the pain was much more mild, but this past month, I used a little motrin and kept on going my merry way! Completely different! 2 days of heavy flow and 3 days of very light flow. Thanks Dr. M!! No pain that could not be tolerated or that debilitated me from normal activities!!
November 12th, 2008 at 2:13 am
Hi,
I have the worse case of “PRAYBELIEVING”. Ever since the day I had my tubal done, I have literally spent hours and hours praying to get pregnant again. I have regreted losing that part of myself…that was 25 years ago. I am so destroyed because I was only 22 when I had this permanent disfigurement. I had how it has made me suffer. I have been in horrible mental and emotional agony since Oct. 26, 1983. I found this site surfing the web. I am so ready to have this awful thing undone. It ended my marriage, because when I had it done, no one wanted to believe I would actally meet a man good enough to marry and have a child with. This has put me through years of HELL. I WILL be doing whatever I can to get into Chapel Hill. I will pay this off faithfully until it is done, then I will go and reclaim myself. I want so much for you to get well and feel better. Take Care.
Barrenmami
November 11th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I believe that I am most definately suffering from PTLS. I had my tubes tied 5 years ago after my 3rd child and 3rd c-section. In the past few years I have suffered extremely heavy and painful periods. More recently I have began suffering from depression, extreme mood swings, rapid heart beat and anxiety. I was never informed of any side effects from tubal ligation and I am shocked at this information especially considering my health issues. I am also now on anti-depressants. I am feeling very upset and worried by all of this. Thank you for sharing your story, but I really don’t know what to do know?
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:40 am
I’m sure your pain and aggravation can be felt by others who have suffered symptoms from PTLS. Thank you for your time in expressing what you’ve been through and thanks to Dr. Monteith for creating this blog.
October 24th, 2008 at 4:45 am
I remember meeting you when you came for your surgery. Thank you so much for your willingness to help others. Best wishes to you!
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:04 pm
It sounds just like me over the last 3 years!…It is so disheartening that this syndrome is not studied more or widely accepted..It affects so many women, both knowingly and unkowingly. I hope one day this will change so that women can avoid this kind of unnecessary suffering.
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
It sounds like you have already received great peace of mind from your decision to have a tubal reversal for symptoms of PTLS. I’m sure your positive attitude will be contagious to others trying to make the same decision.
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:12 pm
You are very nice to share your experience so that others can learn about PTLS. We appreicate your time and hope you find relief like so many of our patients do!
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:37 am
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I have so many patients inquiring about the reversal hoping to find relief from PTLS. Every story helps these patients make an informed decision about choosing to do the reversal.
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:53 am
Thank you for sharing your story. It is a familiar story we hear from many ladies. I hope you are feeling better since you had the reversal. May God bless you,your husband and family.