Second thoughts about Mirena coil ...

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I am having one fitted on Monday but after reading this

this

I am having second thoughts.

Please reassure me with your experiences.

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Bump

[RandomMess]

Installation and removal were not an issue at all but I was 2 weeks post birth with dc4

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I am having it fitted under GA as I am also having a D and C.
It is the horror stories of side affects that are worrying me.

[RandomMess]

Well when I decided I wasn't happy with it I went along to family planning and argued with the dr who said I'd be pregnant within a year but she took it out.

[bodiddly]

I had mine put in about 6 weeks ago and am still spotting - actually I think I would call it more than spotting. The cramps have largely stopped now though thank goodness as they weren't nice!

[RandomMess]

bo

[bodiddly]

hi random .... i was bullied into having one when they couldnt do anything else to help my excessive bleeding problem. I can't say i am too chuffed with it so far. I was told NOTHING about the bleeding and cramping at all but will stick with it for 6 months to see if it does the trick. I wish they would just whip the whole lot out to be honest!

[RandomMess]

Well that's why I had novasure ablation, but def no more dc for me - so depends if you're prepared to go the sterile route or not...

It's heavenly still bleed for 7 days with my period but as someone told me "it's like a skid mark on a pant liner" - just wear black pants for the week no protection required

[bodiddly]

wow that sounds great .. I wonder why the dr didn't suggest it? Is it an op under ga or just a procedure while you are awake?

[Dilligaf81]

Im going to go against the flow here. I had mine 8 months ago and its great. No spotting in fact probably about 10 days total bleeding in that time.
Ive never had cramps, I love it and wouldnt go back to pill, implant ever again.

[RandomMess]

GA - cost and your age and the fact you only have 1 dc?

The consultant told me that we needed reliable contraception and that condoms weren't enough once I'd had ablation so I had my tubes clipped at the same time. It did not go well, I ended up on morphine drip and 2 nights in hospital instead of 4 hour discharge. However I was unlucky and a month later all was fine (got an infection in the stitches and the antibiotics made me ill) and I have my life back, have started exercising again, can erm have sex when we want. No regrets.

[Dilligaf81]

Ive just read the link fully and I have a few more comments.

1 - my sex drive has probably increased as there is a very small risk of pregnancy.
2- Insertion wasnt a problem for me at all, it was no more uncomfortable than a smear
3- No real bleeding.
4- No pms.
5-no cramps etc.

The one thing I would say is that before the mirena I always had very light periods and hadnt really suffered from any of these effects before other than when I had the implant for 6 mths - that was awful.

[RandomMess]

I had horrificly long and heavy periods and the combined pill nor mini pill controlled my bleeding.

The coil threads irritated me and I felt like I had mild thrush the entire time.

No cramps though.

[bodiddly]

sorry to hear it didn't go smoothly Random ... the contraception thing isnt an issue as am single so no danger of pregnancy. I would've thought that at my age the dr would have thought it fairly likely I am not going to go for any more children but I guess that if they can get away without it and it saves them money I understand. I was basically told that this was my only other option though which is annoying!

[QuantitativeSneezing]

Another positive one for you - I had mine fitted 10 months ago, and it's been fine.

Fitting was uncomfortable bit didn't hurt. Cramping for 2 days bit no worse that normal period. Since then a v light period each month. And the real bonus is I haven't fallen pregnant!

[RandomMess]

bo if the coil doesn't work out for you insist on a referral for ablation. Well worth it IMHO

[mothiman]

I had one put in. No problems with it being put in. Just slight discomfort. Bled for about 3 months. Then stopped bleeding altogether.

But felt very strange on it. Weird thoughts, unable to cope mentally, unable to think straight. Boobs hurt and felt enourmous most of the time. Put on over a stone in weight.

At one month check up they couldn't find the strings. I was sent for a scan. Took about 4 weeks to get a scan. They can see the coil, it's in the right place.

Due to weird side effects I ask to have it taken out. Dr can't find it. Sent to gynaecologist (another 4 week wait). He can't find it. He books me for another scan at a hospital 30 miles away. I wait another 4 weeks and take a day off work to get there. They see it and book me in for an operation to have it removed.

I have a pre-operative appointment at the hospital, I have another appointment for bloods, then I turn up for my general anaesthetic op. They can't do it that day (despite the fact I've starved, booked childcare, trained a temp for my job, my dh has taken time off work to look after me as I'm not allowed to be left alone after a GA).

EVentually I get it out - after something like 10 medical appointments, numerous days off work and a whole load of hassle.

Unless you really need this thing, I would say steer well clear.

[bodiddly]

god I wish I hadn't allowed myself to be bullied into this! Fingers crossed I am one of the lucky ones where it stabilises soon. I already have had some weight gain but of course that could just be summer over-eating ... I have to be honest and say so far I wouldnt recommend it to anyone but I guess it is early days!

[mothiman]

Bodiddly - i think it does solve problems for a lot of people - but if you're one of the unlucky ones it's a right pta

[FunkyChicken]

I'm on my second one. Had first one in place for 5 years and removed for having dc. Now got my second one. No problems - bleeding vitually non existant. Cramps likewise. I already get migraine (since a kid) - no change in that. No weight gain (other than through too much cake!!). Only problem was took two attempts to get first one out as GP couldn't locate the 'strings'. No unwanted pregnancies. My sister is on her 2nd too. Also happy with hers. Getting them in/out - only a bit worse than a smear.

[twlight]

i went into severe shock having mine put in - took four hours to be able to sit up - then it gave me thrush which wouldn't go away until i had it removed.