Oh my god!...pelvic actinomyces

[worriedstupid]

I'm really hoping there is a doctor on here who can give me some much needed advice.
I've had a copper coil in for about 5 years. For the last few months I've had constant bleeding and horrible infections down below. I've been to the doctor god knows how many times and last appointment had a smear, which was negative but showed actinomyces. Today I got a phone call went in and they removed the coil. But saw a typical older male doctor who said a lot,..but very little iykwim.
What does this mean?
Whats the prognosis?
Does this mean a hysterectomy?
Can it spread from your mouth? I have tooth infection, is it related to this?
Please please please can someone help as I'm nearly at the end of my worry tether.

I have no idea, but will bump for you...

thanks taffy

Well, I've just googled it for you and I haven't read anything about hysterectomies and I can't find anything saying that it can spread from your mouth.

Did the doctor not say anything at all about possible treatment? It sounds more like a case of antibiotics.

Sorry have to dash off. Hope someone more knowledgable comes along in a min.

Thanks adam ant. No, doctor wouldn't really say anything other than I'd have to see a specialist as it's rare. I thought it would be antibiotics too, but dr says not for pelvic. Tbh I've heard so many differing things in my surgery alone I'm not sure what to believe anymore.

please anyone????????????

i've not got any medical background, just been googling too. you might find this page useful:-

www.attract.wales.nhs.uk/question_answers.cfm?question_id=1532

looks to be the main treatment is removing the coil then abs. It really doesn't seem to be anything to do with your mouth, it seems to be the coil that it's associated with.

Hope you feel better and get seen by a specialist soon.

Thankyou so much Total Chaos, that has really calmed me down . I gave up googling as the 1st thing I found frightened me half to death!

bump
still hoping a medic might be around.

.

actinomyces
are like a all the time there and do no harm organism
for the low down on them you have to trawl thru the Faculty of Family Planning website
I am a nurse who was trained to fit coils(theory but need practical trainer) and lecturer said these were not a problem
lol no hysterectomy
no tooth connection
you could consider an implant instead which would have no effect on womb
hth
WWW.FFPRHC.ORG.UK
CURTIS EM PINE L
AM JOURNAL OF OB/GYN
1981 , 152, P287-90

what have you been doing to think your tooth infection could spread to your fanjo?

Actinomyces are associated with both copper and mirena coils. If you have no symptoms of infection they can be pretty well ignored; and usually the only way you find out you have it is that they show up on smears. If you have symptoms (pelvic pain, discharge, not explained by any other infection) then they can sometimes mean you have to take the coil out (but it's usual to try antibiotics first). But that's it. No hysterectomy. HTH

Thanks galaxymummy but reading through my letter again today I think they are saying I now have PID, god knows how many infections. including thrush, bacterial vaginosis and actinmyocsis. Tbh I don't think dr had a clue what he was talking about. I'm feeling much better thanks to mumsnetters though

Oh I know it sounds stupid but dr said actinomyoces is usually in your mouth!!! I know brain overdrive!!
He mentioned hysterectomy as a worst case scenario, but I wasn't sure what he was talking about by then. I wish doctors could just tell you what they think without loads of disclaimers, ifs, buts. I don't know about anyone else but I find it sooo difficult to pick out the tiny little nugget of fact.

Also they've tested me 3 times in the last 4 months for chlyamidia (sp?) and other stds, all of which are negative and I've explained I'm long term married with kids and I'm not likely to have a std (or any sex for that matter). Why would they do this?

Chlamydia is a common caused of PID, and altered bleeding patterns, so if they suspect that, that would be why they're testing you. It can be asymtpomatic in a lot of cases, and no-one entirely knows how long you can have it, but highest risk is if you've had a different partner in the previous year. You sound very low risk, but with the best will int he world, GPs have to have a certain degree of suspicion sometimes!!

For the thrush and BV you could try natural yoghurt, or probiotic drinky things. Are you run down generally, predisposing you to infections? Any diabetes in the family? Using anything down below - daily pant liners/wet wipes/bubble bath/strong soaps - horribly bad for the normal balance of your bits! Have you been treated for thrush? And has dh got any symptoms? Has he been treated too? There are lots of causes of altered bleeding as well though, and if you don't have confidence in your GP then see another.

I am really run down at the mo, no-one has tested me for anaemia (sp?) but could this be a possibility as I have been bleeding quite heavily for so long? I think I've felt worse ever since I took the first lot of antibiotics for infection. I really do think this coil was the problem though. Since yesterday when it came out, I'm still bleeding but not brown and smelly thank god (sorry tmi!)
dh hasn't been treated for anything but he hasn't been near me in ages, as down there has been so disgusting. Poor man has booked us a romantic trip to paris for next weekend! I think he was hoping to have a bit of a fumble....

Bless! The copper coil can cause periods to become quite a lot heavier, so it's not impossible that has made you anaemic, which in turn has made you run down and more likely to get an infection. If everything settles now the coil is out, then hopefully that's an end to it (well, aside from the contraception thing, how does dh feel about the snip ); but if not, it needs followed up. Have fun in Paris!

thanks so much it'scold I really appreciate it....