I expelled my Mirena IUD last night.... :(

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

First period in 9 months since having the coil put in place...

Felt a lot of abdominal discomfort last night and dashed to the bath in time to lose a blood clot the size of my palm with my Mirena tangled up, bent and strangled in it.

I though this was the answer to my prayers after 7 years of debilitating bleeds and clot loss due to a fibroid. All this time I've been kidding myself that those periods were a thing of the past, and I've felt so liberated this year without the headaches, fear of going out and losing blood, fear of even coughing or getting up from the chair at work.

I knew it was too good to be true and that this pulsating beast of a fibroid was planning something spectacularly horrible to remind me it was still there!

Has anyone else had this happen? I can't get to see the gynecologist until tomorrow, and her main concern was that I didn't have unprotected sex! After producing that lovely item from my lady parts last night I am amazed she thinks I might possibly be in the mood!

I don't know how I'll feel if she suggests placing another one...I'll be terrified of every cough and stomach pain I ever have.

But what else are the choices? Ablation, hysterectomy, goodbye womb?

Can anyone advise?

Also I've kept the offending article in a freezer bag. Am I mad, or should I take it to my appointment tomorrow? I thought she might want to check it's all there in one piece?

[pansyflimflam]

Yes I have got rid of two of them in fact! No fibroid nothing they just came out! Mine were both perfectly intact and fine and I was fine afterwards just think my body was not up for it!

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

Did you have a third one then Pansy or did you call it a day after two?? I didn't know if it was a really common thing as the doctor told me no! But two, is pretty bad luck I'd agree!

I'm gutted as my other options are pretty final in terms of childbearing.

I'm not young and I have a DC but I don't want to wave goodbye to my womb just yet!!

Maybe I need an anchor sized one.

[Mamf74]

I had 2, the first one was removed (accidentally) during a smear, the 2nd was removed as I'd partially expelled it.

I have endometriosis and as such my cervix is in a weird place so it's tricky to insert them, although I did have a scan with the 2nd to check position and it was initially fine.

I could have kept having them put in, there's no limit to the number you can have, but I called it a day after 2 simply because I'd had both of them inserted within 6 months of each other. As I'd only had a few months with each I was always in the "settling in" phase too.

So, sadly no great suggestions here, only sympathy! If you have another one could you ask for a scan to check it's placed correctly, then see what happens? Apparently it's not common but not rare either; apparently some women can have very strong contractions during their periods that can dislodge them but it is a pita when it happens!

[Mamf74]

Ps, I'm now on the Depo Provera jab and it's helped my bleeding, get very little (spotting really) and certainly no clots like I used to. Could be a comprise?

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

Thanks Mam it's great to get some supportive messages, but sorry that you've experienced this too. Not as rare as the doctor made out then!

I will definitely speak to the gynecologist about the possibility of the Depo jab. I'd been thoroughly enjoying having my life back after seven years of hideous bleeds.

I know what you mean about another time span of settling in a Mirena, had a particularly uncomfortable first few months with the Mirena and that's one thing I can't face again. There were times when I felt like ripping it out with my trusty kitchen tongs......urrgghhh!

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

But yes I did have a scan, in answer to your post, after 6 weeks to ensure it was in place. All was okay at the time.....I just wasn't expecting this 9 months later!

[bubbles1231]

I couldn't get on with a Mirena. Continual spotting and stomch cramps. It was a relief to get rid of the thing

[ChairmanoftheBored]

That really sucks, you must be so dissapointed. I have worked in family planning before and as I understand it, it is fairly unusual to have repeated expulsions, so maybe worth another go? However, as you have read it is not unheard of either. Are you thinking of having more children? If not ablation could be good for you.
No other advice i'm afraid other than saying I understand how pissed off you must be. I expelled my copper IUD, unfortunately I had no idea until I found out I was pregnant. All very upsetting!
Good luck x

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

Sat on two folded bath sheets losing hideous clots and feeling faint and woozy.


Back to the old days....ah well let's see what she has to say tomorrow....

Thank you for the posts, yes I am truly gutted after getting my life back for a short window....

[gregssausageroll]

The ablation could work for you. I had mine last year. In and out in a day. Discharge for 6 weeks after but unfortunately, mine failed. I am still glad I gave it a try though. I am currently recovering after a hysterectomy.

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

How are you feeling about it Greggs? Are you a bit sad or just glad it's over?

I have been given my options to think over today:

D&C where they try and seal off the fibroid.

D&C and put the Mirena back in

Ablation with an electrified rollerball.

Hysterectomy.

I have to decide by next Tuesday when I get my scan. She was genuinely shocked that it had come out. Could be that the fibroids grown and pished it out. Good job I took it in a ziplock bag (with lovely wobbly clot attached) or I don't think she'd have believed me. It's apparently never happened to any of her clients before.

I felt like I was counselling her for a bit!

If this fibroid has grown it must be the size of a bloody pasty now!

[gregssausageroll]

To be honest, I feel fine about it. My periods had taken over my life so anything is an improvement. When my ablation failed I will admit to being very upset. I had such high hopes. I have not been upset over loosing my womb etc. more of a delight at never having to worry about bleeding everywhere 2-3 times a month.

I do know other ladies on my ward struggled with the thought of having their womb and cervix removed though. One lady broke her heart on surgery day. She was very distressed.

[gregssausageroll]

You don't have to decide by Tuesday. You need to research and talk everything though. They should understand if you want to go away and think and come back with an answer. It is a lot to take in and a big operation. Have you got someone to go with you?

Mine was an easy decision in the end. Failed ablation meant hysterectomy or continue has I had been.

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

I kind of do, though Greggs not from pressure by the gynecologist, mainly because I just have to get on and solve this to stop missing days from work.

Before I had the Mirena I'd have to have at least 2 days a month off due to the blood loss, let alone barely surviving in work. They have been pretty patient but it's been brought up in my appraisal and documented regarding how much time I took off. I remember almost crying with relief when my worst bleeds were over weekends or holidays.

I have to find a fairly final long term solution that doesn't impact on my work too much. I'm in a senior position with a team of 16 and can't spend another year with irratic work patterns being unreliable...

Glad to her that you have finally had some release from this nightmare. I can totally sympathise with the lady you were describing in hospital. Get well soon x

[gregssausageroll]

I hear you. Good luck with your decision.

[Concentrateonthegood]

I had large fibroids, painful, painful periods and heaving bleeding. I was anaemic and was bleeding every three weeks. Had total abdominal hysterectomy at age 42. Never looked back.

[VivaLeBeaver]

I expelled my first one and had a second one fitted which was fine.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Btw, I had my coil for contraception reasons. But some years later got sterilised so had it removed.

I then got really heavy periods and had an ablation done which has been life changing. I can recommend them.

Can't they get rid of your fibroid?

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

No the fibroid is buried in the wall of the uterus. But they will combine an ablation using heat with a method to try and cut off the blood supply to the fibroid.

She is recommending a D&C and this method. But hey, I'm 42 and I have an 8 yo ds. I think my child bearing days are done, so I am leaning more to the ablation, but strangely not the hysterectomy.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Hysterectomy is major surgery, if the ablation works then there is less risk, quicker recovery, etc.

If it doesn't work then you can have a hysterectomy. But I'd try the less invasive option first. Good luck.