I had an ablation about 6 years ago. I had previously had surgery to remove a couple of fibroids and that helped considerably, but a year later I was still having bleeding issues and I had the ablation. (my doctor had suggested it at the time of the fibroid removal, but I didn't want to do them both at the same time). My periods didn't stop, but I discovered Light tampons, and only needed about 5 of them a month. I haven't heard of women having hormonal problems after ablation. I certainly didn't have any problems with my procedure, which was done with the balloon method. I had cramping for less than 12 hours, then felt fine. You do need to use birth control, because you can conceive, but there is no where for the embryo to implant without the lining, so a pregnancy could be dangerous. I think that it's important to know why you are having bleeding problems. For example,if you have fibroids like I did, an ablation isn't going to remove the underlying problem.

So sorry to hear this. It may be too late for Brad to try the therapy in the link, but take a look at it. LDN is safe in the low doses prescribed, with very few if any side effects. According to this study it was very sucessfull in treating Crohn's patients. It's cheap too, so even if insurance wouldn't pay (since it would be an off-label use at this time) his family could easily afford it. Sending good thoughts for Brad!!! Here is a link that might be useful: LDN and Crohn's

ALLEUIA,this is the first i've been able to get on here in several days,since i posted that question about the security alert.After i posted that,i could never get back here til now.I was having severe withdrawl symptoms!!LOL Anyway,i need to have knee surgery,and have needed it for the past few years.Dr has suggested that i wait awhile as it really doesn't last for the rest of your life.So i have done that,but am seriously considering having it done this spring.I too have arthritis in my knees,and i'll be 70 in March. My ds had it maybe 5 years ago,but his knees were worse than mine due to motorcycle/dirtbike racing.He got the knees from a cadaver and is doing very well.His recovery was super fast,He had it done on a thursday and went back to work on Monday,at first in a wheel chair for a couple days,then on crutches.He never went to rehab,instead he had some contraption set up in his bedroom at home as he told his dr,i have a businees to run,and don't have time to be running to someplace for therapy,so they got him set up and he did very well.Now you would never know he had knee problems. My sons dr and my dr both told me i should start exercising my legs now to get them strong before the surgery as that will make the recovery shorter and less painful.So ds is going to bring me his stationary bike and set it up in my sewing room.Yipee!! Not,LOL Kathi

Oh my good friends! I love and appreciate all you so much! Reading your replies has lifted my spirits and my courage. Honestly! Since I have no choice in the matter (well, I do have a choice: stop doing anything that requires the use of my left leg.....) I might as well have a good attitude. Knowing I can come here for support means a great deal! In answer to the questions...I hope I don't miss any!... Fear and terror is how I lost the weight. Truly. See, the joint works fine. The weakness, pain and swelling is in the femor and the tibia. Any exertion created problems. My leg hurt while I was sleeping. When I started feeling the prongs of the joint moving around is when I got serious about weight loss. Basically I cut out the sweets and used portion control. If I wanted to have a dessert, I didn't eat bread or potatoes with the meal. I pretty much ate what I wanted but the portions were very very small. Eating a high protein breakfast each day kept me from snacking. Two months of physical therapy helped immensely and now I am in pretty good shape. I blew it the last week what with the holiday sweets and treats but they are all gone now. Insurance: My insurance will pay for the second surgery. However, everything involved in this process is in subrogation. If you recall, immediately after the accident my surgeon's PA read the radiation scan and scheduled a knee revision for the following month but I could not get into the see the surgeon for another ten days. During that ten days I got calls from every insurance company involved, including our health insurance, wanting to record or conversations and asking me to sign documents. This is when I sought the advice of an attorney. I told the surgeon I could not agree to another surgery until I knew the bills would be paid which is when he said the knee was not injured and told me to carry on with normal activities and come back in a year. Basically I have turned everything over to an attorney. The last time we spoke he mentioned a settlement. I told him for now all I was concerned about is the bills got paid. You see, there is still over three thousand dollars of medical bills incurred immediately after the accident that have not been paid. For now I just want to be able to walk again and stay out of the poor house. As some of you pointed out this time around I know what to expect and can prepare. Thank you for putting this into perspective for me. The surgeon says I will spend at least three days in the hospital for physical therapy. I spent less that 24 hours in the hospital the first time around which horrified my current doctor. He said he requred more time to observe and monitor my progress before letting me get over a hundred miles away from him. The first time I was told I couldn't go home until I learned how to use crutches. Considering I've spent a LOT of time on crutches in my life (this is the twelve surgery on this leg since I was a kid) I proved in a hurry I was crutch-competent. LOL I got in the room at 8 o'clock at night and was on my way home by 8:30 the next morning. I came home with a staph infection (something the surgeon was not very concerned about; they referred me to our family doctor for treatment) which set me back considerably in my recovery. Apparently my current knee can't be re-used. It will have to replaced. I wonder if they will let me keep it? LOL This leg has been broken, set, rebroken and reset and the knee rebuilt once and I have the hardware from each episode. I'd like to have the knee to add to my collection. LOL How morbid is that? Thanks again everyone. I appreciate it! I will keep you updated. Lori