Mirena coil

[Lizzer]

Hi all, after my treatment (see smear tests) I am wanting to have the Mirena coil fitted. I've read the blurb but don't actually know anyone who has one. Really I'm interested more in the fact that it often changes / stops periods because of the small amount of progesterone in it, and was wondering how this affected people. Also I was told there is a lot of breakthrough bleeding when first inserted? I was under the impression that you can't feel it at all, but wondering if that's true? I've never had a coil fitted before so hope it is the right decision for me. My GP told me it was as affective a contraception method as man having a vascetomy!! Which sounds great for me at the moment... Any comments welcome.

Wish you well Kay9, Im seeing the doctor this morning to try and get the mirena removed. It's been in place for 18months now and in that time my weight has ballooned, moods swings are very eratic, I feel tired all the time and no energy to do anything, and with 4 children to look after that is no go. My husband has walked out on me twice next time he will not come back. Does anybody else have the feeling of worthlessness?

Oh god I've just read some of these comments and this is me down to a tee. I've only had my mirena since September but in that time I've had the most horrendous mood swings, my poor hubby says I'm a right b*tch and I don't know how he's putting up with me. I,m following the lighter life diet and I have actually lost weight but not as quick as everyone else who is in my class so its definately interfering with my weight and I think if I had not been surviving on 600 calories a day, and had been eating normally my weight would have seriously ballooned. I've got headache, terrible fatigue and awful stomach cramps and bleeding right through the month. I'm going in hospital for a laparoscopy in February to see how bad the state of my insides are (I have endometriosis and it sticks my womb and bowel together) and if its feasable and safe to do so they are going to do a hysterectomy at some point this year. I'll put up with the Mirena until then but to be honest I feel as though this horrible little thing has been a complete invasion of my body. I completely empathise with everyone who feels the same.

I've just been laughing to myself, I spotted my previous post from 9th October and I must have been feeling very optimistic. Unfortunately things went downhill shortly after writing that post. If only I had known ....

Hello, I am so glad I have found this thread. I have been called all sorts including "emotionally unstable", evil and nasty which is not the true me.

My Gynae Consultant advised me to have a Mirena fitted in Dec 2003 for PCOS. Since then, I have been experiencing all sorts, from the great benefit (including no pain, very light spotting instead of a normal period & pcos symptoms, no concern about getting pregnant) to the ugly (feeling pregnant all the time (not the months when you are blooming!), severe PMT/S, fatigue, mood swings, weight gain (I am over 1.5 stone over my average weight), severe pins and needles in my limbs (most painful in my legs), migraines and very unhappy with myself. I thought the palpitations and panic attacks I was experiencing was due to feeling worthless. After reading this thread I am beginning to wonder.

The Mirena co-incides with me starting a relationship with my now husband (we married last May). We have had the usual relationship (adjustment to each other etc) however to cut a long story short, my relationship appears to be in tatters. I appreciate that there maybe other factors but I know that my life changed when I agreed to have a Mirena fitted, some good but many bad.

It may have helped others but I am relieved to hear that others have experienced similar experiences and that I am not mad and need help!

I have seen my GP several times. She has one fitted but does not experience what I do but agrees that it is not a magic wand for all. I have even gone back to the Consultant who fitted the Mirena several times and he advised me to keep going because of the PCOS benefits. Even though they know that I was ill when using the contraceptive pills.

I want to have it removed but the experience of having it put in was like being trampled by a herd of donkeys and I was lucky enough to have a local anaesthetic .

V. sad, I just want my sparkle back so I can enjoy life again!

Clarelouise, I really feel for you. I am sat here at the moment and I know I have got to get off my bum and do something but I am so bloody tired and my head is throbbing. Regarding your GP who has one fitted, I'm glad it works for her but I think for the majority it's just not the case. I had a laparoscopy last year to investigate my insides (I've got to go have another one on Valentines day - how very romantic ) and when I went to the GP practise nurse to get my stitches removed I was telling her they had offered me the Mirena and she said she had one and had it out within a few months as it caused her the most horrendous headaches, and she said she would not recommend it. So the proof is there that not everyone gets along with the Mirena Coil. My consultant seemed to be calling it some kind of miracle cure though and was really raving about it - I suspect that she's probably never had one. Even if it had worked for me just the thoughts of having it fitted again in 5 years was making me cringe - my eyes are still watering now, I had it done without an anaesthetic and it was the most painful thing I've ever experienced, it was over quickly I must admit , but I was in alot of severe pain afterwards. When I go for my investigation in Feb I think I will ask them to remove it while I'm under the anaesthetic as I suspect its just s painful to take out as it is to put in. Anyway I'm just looking forward to getting some normality back in my life and I think the only way to do that is to get it removed. If they find that its too dangerous to attempt a hysterectomy then I think I will put up with the endometriosis, at least I know when I'm going to get my periods and when the pain will take hold, rather than having the Mirena and having bleeding all the time and pain at all times of the month. Take care

Two more days now until I have the mirena removed. Luckily it will be under a general as I am chosing to be sterilised at the same time. I can't believe the amount of woman who suffer from panic, low mood after having the mirena fitted and its sad to hear how it affects relationships with partners. I will share with you all what its like afterwards and hope to bring lots of positiveness to this thread. x

I have had Mirena since Aug 2005,to treat prolonged bleeding, 10 months none stop. Mirena was presented as only option, other than what my Mum calls a "Hystericalrectum". Had it inserted under general and it was still Bloody awful experience, Painful afterwards, bit like labour pain really. No result yet - bleeding less but still continuous and have constant pelvic pain, teen spots, Wiped out Tiredness and have gained a 2 stone in 5 months. Hospital review in December was washout - Dr insisted all was well and going as expected. So So pleased to have found you all. Have another review in March. So Ladies, Does it stay or does it go? Grateful for any advice.

I went to see my doctor this morning with a list of symptoms and asked to have the mirena removed, she looked at my list and said not all of them would be caused by the coil but i'll remove if for you anyway. so its been removed on tuesday night/.

I have made my mind up, the coil is coming out. I got up yesterday morning and burst into tears, I felt so worked up, depressed and emotional. I got up this morning and was screaming at my poor family like a bloody banshee. My hormones are all over the place, and I got so fed up with it that I actually attempted removing the thing myself in the bath (not recommended) out of sheer desperation but it was far too painful and I must have only pulled it by about a millimetre, so I think I will leave it to the experts. I am going to ask my consultant gynae to remove it while I am under anaesthesthetic for my laparoscopy on 14th Feb. I will just have to put up with it until then. From what others on this thread have been saying about the attitudes of the GP's and consultants etc it seems to me like they must be getting paid something for each woman who has this thing fitted because they all seem so reluctant for anyone to have them removed. Being on this thread with everyone else who is sufering the same proves that we are all not imagining it and this coil is causing our problems. What does anyone else think?

It's really quick and easy to remove.Mine hurt like hell being fitted but didn't feel a thing when it was removed and it took about 30 seconds from start to finish.
My doc said copper coil costs £1.25 each and the mirena costs £125 each which is why they are reluctant to remove them. I had mine for a year and hated it and my doc had no probs in removing it for me, but then again, I have a great doctor.
Good luck to all of you having it removed, hope that your symptoms improve x

Are there as many problems with the other coils??? I am about to go to Docs to have one fitted and am now really confused

Evs09, sorry I don't really know about any of the other coils out there but the Mirena coil is a usually given to women who have gynae problems as it releases hormones into your system which are supposed to alleviate pain, make periods lighter etc. Unfortunately it has not really worked for me and the hormones are sending me loopy. All I can suggest is that you give it a try, but if you suffer with it don't hesitate to get it removed. Good luck x

Evo93 - just to give you some positive feedback - I adored my mirena - bit nippy on insertion but fine within 1/2 hour. No bleeding for nearly 3 years. Painless removal after one month of random bleeding (not as heavy as a period but more persistent) and will happily have another one if/when we have #3. HTH

Calemjoe thanks for putting my mind at rest a little. I still think mine is going to hurt when removed though because I must have a really sensitive cervix or something because I remember having it fitted and the pain was horrendous (even though I have high pain threshold) and the doctor was saying that my cervix was putting up alot of resistance when she was trying to get the coil in. It is nearly 11 years since I had my daughter so I would imagine that's maybe why it hurt so much because they do say its not as painful to have something like that done if you have it done shortly after having children. I defintely upset something when I tried to remove it though because I've been bleeding ever since, oops!!

Louise, I have a Mirena fitted and am on Lighterlife - The conbination doesn't seem to have effected my weight loss rate at all.
Lighterlife weight loss is all down to the water you drink. Are you drinking enough ?

There's a three month wait for the Mirena here . I go for my exam on Wednesday and then hopefully on the waiting list for one.

They've got two female doctors who do nothing but fit these things on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so here's hoping it won't be too bad - can't be worse than giving birth w/no pain relief!

Kaloo20, yes I do drink the water, my weight loss is steady, I've lost 4 stone in 4 months which is probably the norm but there have been weeks when I've lost nothing, then nothing again the following week, then just 3lb the week after. Logic says that if that happens then I should have lost 9lb in the third week but it just did not happen. In November I only lost 5lb all that month so something is amiss. I'm still not disappointed though, 4 stone in 4 months is brilliant but I feel sure that my mirena has caused some disturbance, whether hormonal or water retention, who knows but I've decided to have it out anyway because of my horrid mood swings and constant cramping. I'm glad to hear it has not affected you though!! You lucky thing!! How have you b een with the mirena in general, any side effects?

Expat, a 3 month wait?? good grief. Don't worry too much about having it fitted, everybody is different, some ladies say it really hurts and some ladies feel nothing, I think it all depends upon your own body. If you are apprehensive I think you can ask for a local anaesthetic, I know ladies who have had one since I came on this thread. Unfortunately I did not realise you could be offered one until after I had mine fitted. I wish I had known then I culd have considered it as an option, it makes it a little less daunting. Good luck and I hope you aren't left waiting too long.

4 stone in 4 months - wtg

Had a dreadful time with two previous - non M. coils since DS was born (awful cramping and shooting pains after a few weeks), this is my third attempt.

Still getting lots of spotting though .... but early days

Hope you feel better soon, once it is taken out the relief is instant :-)

Im hoping there's a cancellation and I can get in sooner.

I'm not worried about pain upon insertion - I gave birth to DD2 7 weeks ago w/no pain relief (got to hospital too late for it) and it's my new standard of pain threshhold. I doubt there's a coil fitting aroudn that can touch that!

Besides the clinic where I'm having it done does A LOT of coil fittings.

What I'm worried about it alternate contraception in the meantime. DH HATES condoms. Come to think on it, I do, too. They make me itch.

I've always been a steady weight and never had probs w/the Pill, so I'm assuming I'll be allright w/the coil.

At nearly 35, I have a strong history of heart disease and don't want any more kids, so after thinking about it for a few days, this really is the best option for me.

Plus, the thought of having no periods is nice.

I had a coil fitted a year ago.Think was Mirena coil! Not had any probs with it. Periods stopped for a few months but back now.didnt hurt being fitted.Just a bit uncomfortable. Never had it suggested to me b4. Until had my 4th child!!

Hi all,

Was just looking for some advice as I have being to see my doctor to have the mirena coil removed as we are planning to have another child(already have 2)and surprise,surprise he could not find the strings.I have being referred to a gynae,I really do not know what to expect and to be honest I am petrified about it.With regards to the coil I had it fitted by a specialist doctor as my GP would not do it as I had 2 previous sections,no probs all went fine.I have being absolutely fine for the past year and have not had a real period for about 6 months(which is great).Please if anyone out there has had this coil removed let me know your thoughts.

Kar B.

Just had the coil removed, and I can honestly say i never felt a thing, it was really painless . Just got to work on losing excess weight now, I have osteoarthritis in my leg so need to shed 2 stone if Im gonna save on the pain later on in life . I also have to try and save my marriage, as I have been really irrational with my hubby.

I am so glad I found this web site - I was starting to think it was all in my head when my GP said she had not heard of the side affects I am suffereing from.

I had the coil put in July 2005 and have put on a stone in weight and have terrible mood swings. My family are going through hell with me constantly snapping and being moody - I've even fallen out with my boss, he says I have changed over the last couple of months - how can I tell a male boss it's all down to a coil, very tough.

I was hoping the coil would improve my PMT and painful periods but it has made the PMT worse. I also get very sore breasts for about a week before my period. I tried to get the coil removed last week but my GP could not find the string so I have to go back when on my period, and then the hospital if still no joy. I am totoally fed up with this coil.

My childminder recommended it, she had one for 5 years and said it was great - obvioulsy it is not for everyone but you don't know till you try.

Hi

I'm looking for other views on weight gain and the coil. i had the marena coil fitted in Nov 04 and in the last 6 months have put on over a stone which i can't seem to shift no matter how little i eat and how much i exercise. I don't seem to have any other problems with it and wondered if anyone else suffered wait gain after having it a while?