Mirena coil!: Hope we`re all hanging in... - Endometriosis UK

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Mirena coil!

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Hope we`re all hanging in there,

it`s been a while...so I`m having the mirena coil fitted within a month, before I go down the route of a second surgery. I know every women is so different..but anyone care to share any thoughts about the Mirena, however successful, or not?? Thanx X

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10 Replies
seg86 profile image
seg86

I had mine fitted with my lap last November. It still hasn't stopped my periods, unfortunately. Am giving in 9 more weeks and counting! My first period with it had me hospitalised for 3 days due to extreme pain, but this was also my first period post lap so I don't blame the coil. I have quite severe endo so I am hoping it works cause I'm young and not keen on the next option of chemical menopause. Don't let this put you off because I think in the long run if I can make this work for me I will be happiest with it!

cjampot profile image
cjampot

It didnt work for me and made some symptoms worse and period were still regular as clockwork although a lot lighter. I ended up keeping it for 4 years mostly down to a horriffic gp who wouldn't accept that my pain isnt normal and inferred i was making it up. I had mine removed in june at my 2nd lap and im back to trying different pills again.

However, i have had some great success stories so everything is worth a try! X

Emilina29 profile image
Emilina29

I went into cervical shock when i had mine put in as I have never had children. Within 6 months id put on 3 stone, i kept thinking i was pregnant as i kept feeling movement in there. Hormones were all over the place so they gave me a mini pill on top of the coil to help balance my hormones. Came to 8 months, i was depressed, suicidal at some stages and i said if doctors didnt take it out, i'd rip it out! Within a week of it being taken out I'd lost 1.5 stone and felt back to my normal self. I know it can work for some people but for me, it didnt. I do have a really sensitive body though. Any increase/ decrease in hormones sends me off! Also they try not to use it on those who dont have kids but they didnt know what else to do for me. They'd initially suggested it 3 years before when i was 15 but i was a virgin and it meant medically 'un- virgining' me (forgotten the medical term lol).

Its probably best to try it though as it may be the one thing that helps you xx

Bluetit profile image
Bluetit

I've never been in so much pain as when I got my coil fitted, it was like contractions but as I had it fitted as a family planning clinic the only pain relief I had was the tramadol I take for endo. The staff were not sympathic in the slightest and basically left me in pain whilst I waited for my mum to get me and laughed when I asked if I could take tramadol after paracetamol as the dr didn't think I should be in the pain I was in. I very nearly went to hospital to have it out (family planning told me I'd have to go a and e if I was in that much pain) so if you do have it done make sure its with someone who understands how painful it can be just in case. Apparently it's worse when you've not had children but I also find internals painful so I think this contributed.

However it did help with the pain but my periods became a bit random and generally very light. I had mine in for about 1 and a half years and just had it out to have my daughter (not painful having it removed by the way). I decided to have it done because a friend with endo said it was the best decision she ever made and wasn't painful for her in the slightest even though she'd not had kids either so it's really down to each individual to how it's going to work. I'm glad I tried it and would consider it again if done in the right environment

SazRah profile image
SazRah

I was talked into having it about 8 1/2 yrs ago, fitted during the major surgery endo removal procedure, as I have bad endo and heavy periods. I don't have children. That night I was in agony, I was in hospital and the on call dr was called and told me I was having contractions which can happen apparently. I wanted it out then and there but he convinced me to let it settle. The severe pain didn't last thankfully, but I have had lots of problems with it. I'd never had acne (well a few spots here and there when due on or stressed) as a teenager, but I got it with that! You would think that I would have had it removed at the first available opportunity, but I was talked into having a replacement when the 4 1/2 years was up! I have another med problem and at the time I wasn't well enough to go through new effects of alternatives, it was better the devil you know if that makes sense! I still have acne despite being on tetracycline antibiotics for years! I also have spotting almost every day, but my periods are lighter and recently became once every 2 months for the first time ever, even when taking several packs of pill back to back they stayed monthly lol! I would caution you about a couple of things

1) as mentioned above if you haven't had children you can get contractions afterwards which are really painful, but so much worse if you're not expecting them and you are terrified about what is happening!

2) if you get pain during ovulation, and have cysts form during this that disperse themselves (I'm not talking about polycystic ovaries) the coil isn't recommended as it can increase their formation and pain - I found this out after I had mine, even though my consultant was aware of my problem 😡!

3) It can cause acne even in people who have no history of having it as a teenager!

I'd also like to recommend having it done under anaesthetic! It may seem like I've listed some horrible experiences, but i wouldn't let me put you off, after all I do still have it and allowed them to give me a second one lol! If you've tried other things and are still having problems it's worth a try! I am 33 and had 4 grapefruit sized cysts (endo) removed when I was only just 16, then I've had repeat laps 5 times, one major surgery to excise endo patches, tried every pill on the market, been through the menopause 4 times with zoladex injections, and am now on my 2nd mirena! I haven't had any regrowth since the major op and mirena, and I'm off the pill. I have however got horrible skin with acne scars on my arms and thighs and back, a few on my face but lots of breakouts on my face. I also get them on my scalp and ears (?!). I have to always wear sanitary towels due to spotting, and I get severe pain during ovulation, but less period pain than before! I have put on quite a lot of weight but that is also due to my other health condition which has left me in a wheelchair so I have difficulty exercising! Personally speaking I would rather have a course of zoladex and a lap than another mirena, but like you said everyone is different...and if you are lucky and get minimal side effects then a mirena is a good decision! Hope it goes well for you xxx

in reply to SazRah

Thanks ladies, for your comments..still no further a field with my feelings about it. It does really vary from women to women, but from what I`ve read, most women seem to have had a tough time with it. Im also more concerned my womb will just explode as I too dont have children, an scared about not coping, constant spotting is one, butto be in excruciating pain aswell or 6 till your body settles down, is another!!! I am having it fitted under general anesthetic in about a month or so we`ll see. X

SazRah profile image
SazRah in reply to

Hi! Just remember that people on here have had trouble, but they fit thousands every year, there must be lots of people who find it a breeze! I know another person who had it fitted for heavy periods rather than endo, and she was fine! Xxx

I had one fitted with local anaesthetic and went into cervical shock, I kept it in for 3 months but couldn't handle the pain so had it out. They then put another one in under general anaesthetic when I was having endometriosis removed, it has been fine since then. Occasional contraction symptoms but nothing compared to the pain monthly from proper periods. I spot when I'm ovulating but it has been the least invasive of all the treatments (pills, 8 ops, anastrazole and zoladex- ie. 2x pseudo menopause). It takes a few days to settle but it should be pretty unnoticeable after a week or so. Try it if you feel you can, if you don't like it they can always take it out. Good luck!

Chants88 profile image
Chants88

Hi

Just thought I would add my experience of the Mirena Coil. I had mine fitted as I was no longer able to be on BC tablets. My endocrine Dr recommended that I have the Mirena coil fitted as my periods came and went when they felt like it and were really heavy. I had mine done at a Family planning clinic and I took 2 ibuprofen 30 mins before the procedure. I have never had children. I had my boyfriend in with me so I could squeeze his hand when the pain got too much. For me it was uncomfortable a really bad cramp feeling and the pain kicked in later. The staff who fitted it for me were really kind and told me what pain I may experience. I have had quite severe mood swings with it while it settled in for about 3 months and I have not had a period for 5 years. Mine is due out in Oct this year but wont be having another fitted straight away as I would like to start a family. As it is nearing the end of its cycle I am starting the mood swings again and will be going to my GP if they get more severe.

Its always best to try and you can always have it taken it out if it doesn't agree with you. x

Yellow112 profile image
Yellow112

Hey I had the Mirena coil fitted in with a lap two years ago, I have never had children either and think I went into cervical shock also. The pain was horrendous afterwards, it felt like I was getting stabbed in the pelvis every few mins, there was a constant daily spotting which lasted about 8 months. I am small framed build and I gained lots of weight, especially around my thighs and my knees. Looked so bizzare

I tried to get the coil taken out by my GP 4 times and they insisted I kept it in, finally after the 8month of having it in a doctor removed the coil but was extremely reluctant to do it and was trying very hard to persuade me to keep it in making up all sorts of excuses why she cant take it out blaming no nurse being present, the time etc. she was angry when taking it out and yanked the coil out..., left me to clean myself up as she went on the deal with another a patient!

I felt soo much better after taking it out though, I lost the weight and the annoying cervical pain stopped. the spotting stopped also and it was a few months before I got a period and back to the normal endo pain. its bad enough having the endo pain but adding the nuisance of the coil was 10X worse.

Good luck

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