I am new to this board. I have seen a lot of postings about Mirena. I am at my wits end and wondered if any one can provide me with any advise I had the Mirena put in in June 2005 because of heavy bleeding. At first it was brilliant It was a blessing. Very little bleeding, no stomach cramps, I felt I'd got my life back. Then problems struck. I had a very heavy period, lots of stomach pain, in December. I then have bleed on and off since then. I originally had it put in my the gnaenology department at the Hospital they then discharged me. When I had these problems I had to go back to my doctor to get refered back to the hospital. I finally got back to the hospital this week. After an internal examination I was told they couldn't find the string or locate it. I am now really worried, I have to go back for an ultra sound scan to find it. Can it have come out with out me realising? I am also worried if I am pregnant. I would appreciate any advise.
I experienced something very similar. Had the coil fitted last year and had bleeding on and off. then nov period lasted 6 weeks. Gynea agreed it did not suit me and tried to remove minera.
Like you he could not find the strings! I know that you are worried, but either your body has rejected it or it has moved. (Mine had moved!)
The scan will tell you were it is in a matter of minutes!! If it has come out, you may not have noticed it, if you had a big bleed (remember it is very small!!!)
If (like me) it is still there then your gynae may suggest a D&C to remove it! I had mine removed under a general (although i did have problems...my minera had buried itself in the uterine muscle, so when it was taken out I developed a tear!)I am slowly getting myself sorted out, but it has been a very bumpy ride and the Minera has a lot to answer for!!
In the meantime though, perhaps you should use other contraception until you get sorted out.
Try not worry too much! I hope that you get sorted out very soon! alj x
Thanks for your reply. I am still waiting for an appointment for a scan. I feel in limbo at the moment I just want to get sorted. Will let you know how I get on
I have lost all faith now with hospitals. Its now 2 weeks since my original appointment and still no date for a scan. I have rung up today and been told it will be approx a month before I'm seen. I'm getting pains in my stomach I dont know if its related. I just want the dam thing out.
I am another one with Mirena problems over 6 years.Had it out in November and subsequent periods were hell. Told I have a fibroid, small and in the wall of uterus. I was referred for endometrial ablation which I had last week. Told I will probably have periods due to the fibroid but should be lighter. I opted to be sterilised too as I must not get pregnant after ablation. Ask your doc about this and get out the Mirena. They are containdicated in women with fibroids anyway and the fibroid causes you to bleed when other women dont so the mirena doesnt solve the problem.I am waiting on the result of the ablation but at least I havent got that thing inside now! Good luck!
Have had my Mirena in for 5 years and am due to have it changed/removed. Started to look into it a bit and discovered this site. I was really shocked as I have suffered from most of these symtoms for the last five years that my doctor has put down to my weight gain. The other problem is I am a midwife and regulary discuss contraception with women postnatally, I would like to try and find some research on this - is anybody aware of anything, the only stuff I can find so far is comparing it (in a favourable light) to the copper coil?? Not really much help!! None of the books I have highlight any problems. My GP is reluctant to take it out - no wonder don't they get paid for putting them in? One site I saw mentioned side effect of dark urine, which my doctor has always put down to dehydration - has anybody else heard of this?
okay i was in my human sexuality class yesterday and they were talking about how mirenas are only for women who have had kids... i havent had any kids but i had one put in. when i went for my checkup they said they couldnt find it, so now i have to get a sonogram which wont be for almost 2 motnhs. what are some problems that could arise from the mirean moving..? im just a lil freaked. its the only problem ive had so far, but im also concerned about being infertile because of it....know anything about that??
Hi Misstinney You say you have to have a sonogram, is that another word for scan? Sorry if I'm being thick. Anyway, when I had a check up for my merina they told me they couldn't find it either, I had a scan and it was in the right place, it was just the strings that had moved so they said don't worry about it until it is time to get it out. I have had it removed now, was given a local anesthetic down below and after a few attempts finally got it out. Hope this info helps. But let us know what a sonogram is please. By the way I don't know about the merina but I know the copper coil they say it is better for women who have had children but I know women who haven't had children and have got it and had no problems. Tracy P
I have had the Mirena for just a little over a month and it has been pretty good. Insertion was very painful, and I began bleeding immediately (but was due to begin a monthly period). Since it was inserted, I have not stopped spotting. It was only heavy (period-like) bleeding for the first few days, but I have had some bleeding every single day since then. Has anyone else experienced this??? I know they say your body can take some time to get used to the hormones but it is so annoying!!!!! I am so tired of it and wondering if and when it is ever going to stop!!!
As for the questions about having it inserted before you have a baby, I think they just say that because it is much easier to insert it into a cervix that has already been dilated for the birth of a baby than one that hasn't. From what I have read, there is no greater risk of sterilization from having it inserted before you have had any kids.
At what point do you think I should say enough is enough and it is not working for me???? Maybe my body just isn't going to get used to this thing?????
Posts: 1 | Location: Dallas | Registered: 01 April 2007
Thanks i feel a little bit better. A sonogram is basically a scan, its like when you are pregnant and they scan/give you a sonogram to look at the baby, to check the sex ect.
I did bleed for about 3 months, it was very irritating, it was off and on heavy vs. light, so you might be having a better end of the bleeding, maybe you'll stop sooner. But, I would say after 2 or 3 months maybe get a checkup.
I had my coil fitted in February through my local hospital due to heavy periods (I'm 50). I can honestly say I haven't had periods to date but have swapped problems... I have an awful time with cramps, back ache and now an infection.
I went back to the hospital for my 8 week check, armed with a list of personal pros and cons of this coil and was told by some arrogant young doctor that the Mirena was fantastic, although I told him that at the present time the heavy painful bleeding I had experienced over the last 12 months was certainly a lifestyle choice! His reply was that my GP could remove it if I felt that I wanted to go down that route. He was all ready for discharging me with the safety net of my GP.
That was like a red rag to a bull!!! I refused his suggestion and said that I would like to come back to the hospital for an appointment. They inserted it and, if after the infection has gone, I feel I don't want it any more they can remove it.
Interestingly he made an appointment for two months - I wonder if he will still be in that department then, I think SHO's move departments every 3 months??!
I feel bloody awful and have been on antibiotics for almost 14 days - only 7 more to go!!!
I finished my antibiotics and began to feel a lot better, then I had a very heavy period, followed by another some 15 days later.
5th June I had my coil removed. Almost immediately the awful backache went, also a lot of the discomfort. The doctor assured me that I am in a very small minority that experience problems as I described.... hmmmmm. She didn't warn me about the heavy bleed I would get - thanks to your postings I expected it.
I am hoping that my HUGE boobs go down now that I don't have the hormone running through my body. I don't feel depressed or irritable - but you'd better ask my colleagues that question!!! I look forward to the hospital appointment in September. I am researching ablation - anyone had this procedure done... want to know the good points as well as any hiccups!
Thanks for your stories - made me feel that I wasn't losing my marbles.....
My story continues. My next visit to the hospital I saw the senior consultant; her words were 'an awful lot of women have problems with the mirena coil'! She asked me what I would like her to do, we talked about ablation.
In December I had my ablation. Whoopee!!! My periods have been 'normal'; same degree of pelvic pain as I have always experienced before a period but no flooding or excess flow. I feel like a new woman, I'm no longer tired and my hair and skin look really good. I only wished I had had this procedure done back in February 2007 and not had to, I feel, bully my way to having the mirena removed.
Good luck to you girls out there!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: wyvonie,
Posts: 3 | Location: UNITED KINGDOM | Registered: 31 March 2007
i have just found this wonderful forum. had a smear test yesterday and spoke with dr. regarding changing iud. she was only interested in replacing with the same copper iud as i have for the last number of years. i was surprised she didn't mention mirena and when i did bring it up she just went on about release of hormones etc and that i would be better to stick with what i have. i was a bit dissapointed as i have dreadfully heavy periods etc. but having read up on all this info on this forum i think i will stick to what i have. i'm sorry for all the difficulties you have but thanks for all the information it has been so helpful in making my decision.
I had a mirena coil fitted just over two years ago and have suffered a long list of side effects. I had extremely sore and swollen breasts and was referred to a specialist who prescribed Tamoxifen...nothing to do with mirena I was assured.
I put on nearly 2 stones in weight and felt bloated all the time. The doctor advised me to drink more water, eat less, and exercise more! I actually became convinced that I had a thyroid problem, but the results of the test came back negative.
I had terrible mood swings and severe depression...again nothing to do with mirena so I was prescribed Prozac followed by Lithium. I needed to wee a lot and sometimes I couldn't hold it, and so was prescribed more drugs for this. My joints ached and I felt lethargic all the time (to the point where I gave up doing my PhD and nearly split up with my long term partner), and I had severe headaches (especially in the morning).
I am so grateful that other women have shared their experiences because I had absolutely no idea what was happening to me, and when I suggested mirena to doctors it was completely dismissed.
When I found out that this really was the problem I was so desperate to have it out that I tried to remove it myself. I ended up in casualty in a lot of pain and, although it was a fast track way to get rid of it I wouldn't recommend this to anyone else.
It has been two days now...on the first day I felt dizzy and nauseous and slept most of the time. Today I feel a lot better - less bloated already, but I realise it is going to take a while for my body to recover from the chemical abuse of the last few years.
I am so looking forward to having my life back, and I just hope that no-one else has to go through the misery that I and others have been through.
Caitlin you tell such a sad story, but I reckon a lot of girls can recognise themselves in it. I also discussed my Mirena problem with the doctors and consultants more than once and was told 'no way was the Mirena to blame' I was also told that the mirena would help my PMS problem, gauranteed!!!!! How wrong they were. Now I want you to be patient with this withdrawal effects. You may feel bad for a while but the artifical hormones are well in your system and in your fat storages. Hopefully you will be able to stop all these extra pills and potions and get back to health. The best thing you can have now is a Positive Outlook, and take every day one step at a time. Good Luck Caitlin, and good riddance to that Mirena. Angie*
[QUOTE]Originally posted by caitlin313:
Posts: 536 | Location: United Kingdom | Registered: 24 May 2005
thankyou so much that's just what I needed to hear - it is day 4 now and I am beginning to realise that this is going to take some time (although the problem with not being able to hold on to pee disappeared on day 1 which is such a relief). My head also feels clearer, but I am still exhausted. Am taking supplements including magnesium and EPA.
Finally been back to the hospital. Got multiple small fibroids. Now booked in for hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy, laparoscopic sterilisation and uterine balloon therapy early July as day patient.
I didn't think you could have this treatment if you had fibroids. The specialist assured me you could.
Can anyone tell me their experiences of this and how long it took to recover, how much time was taken off work. I'm feeling very confused.
hi I stumbled across this forum accidentally I have had a mirena for over 2 years - first few months painful and spotting then suddenly no pain but heavier blood loss for first 2 days of period - heavier than prior to mirena. Mentioned it to GP along with hair loss that started a few weeks after insertion Several visits to GP re hair loss - mirena not mentioned once as possible cause anyway I pulled it out accidentally 3 weeks ago - saw GP mentioned again heavier bleeding with mirena and she said "that shouldnt happen" Im like "oh cheers" Anyway am leaving it out for 2 periods to see what happens Am now worried that something else is going on Has anyone else experienced heavier bleeding with mirena
Hi, I am looking for advice I was on depo provera the three monthly injection. I thought it was fine. I developed a pain in my right side, the doctors thought it was appendicitus (just to give you an indication of where the pain was). Gynaecologist decided it was because of the depo. I was 4 stone overweight, lethargic, no interest in sex, and had pain in all my joints.
A year after the depo, I have lost 2 stone,have energy to go to the gym, socialise in the evening and generally enjoy life to the full. Even the pain in my joints went.
Downside was that I have very painful periods. Not heavy just soooo painful. Doctor recommended mirena coil. Didn't tell me any of the side effects, told me they were very few! Ha! Six weeks later am still in pain in my pelvis and lower back. Have acne. Don't feel like doing anything except lieing in bed with a book. No interest in sex, and unless I keep myself starved put on weight, don't know if thats because I can't be bothered if the food I eat is low fat. No interest in sex!
Saw GP yesterday and she has told me to try it for another 6 weeks as it sometimes settles down.
Ladies I would love your oppinion
Posts: 2 | Location: home | Registered: 09 June 2007
