Can the mirena coil help endo fatigue? Feeling desperate.

[Z_tz]

Hi ladies,

I'm at my wits end. Endo fatigue is taking over my life. I've been signed off work for the past five weeks and can't see an end to the severe exhaustion I've been experiencing since the start of the year.

I'm not able to use the pill (combined or mini) to manage my endo as they don't agree with me and make my symptoms (particularly, my fatigue) worse.

I know everyone's bodies are different and respond to things in different ways but I wondered whether the mirena coil has helped anyone to manage their endo fatigue? I know this is going to be the next thing my gynae suggests when I see him in two weeks' time.

Please can I ask that you don't share your horror stories with me - I'm very nervous to try the coil after the problems I've had with artificial hormones in the past!

Thanks,

X

[Z_tz]

Thanks for your message. This is useful context as I feel my gynae will just recommend the mirena regardless.

I had excision surgery in April last year. I'm lucky in that my pain isn't as bad as a lot of endo sufferers and responds ok to Naproxen on bad days.

It's the fatigue I can't cope with as it is relentless. I really don't know what else I can try to help it. I eat extremely well but have also tried an anti-inflammatory diet and, sadly, that didn't make a difference.

[Starry]

Everyone reacts differently so the only way is to try unfortunately. For what it's worth my experience below. My endo subtype is deep infiltrating recto vaginal.

Like you meds don't agree with me and fatigue was my killer symptom. My Mirena did not help my fatigue, it stopped my periods so almost worked on that front which did afford some relief. My fatigue got worse through the same period but that I attribute to trying zoladex at the same time which most definitely messed me up and I would not recommend. The mirena is worth a go overall but takes a good few months to settle and trial properly. I removed mine in month 5 as it gave me a niggly pelvic pain in exchange for period relief so overall I decided the trade off was not a net improvement. I proceeded to surgery.

Following my excision, which triggered a virus, I still did not improve fatigue wise and have ended up being diagnosed with ME-CFS.

I now take an immune supporting Probiotic and diprobase along with the diet adjustments mentioned above to help manage my fatigue, along with pacing. But as yet I've been unable to return to work.

I hope you find something that helps and good luck. X

[Verity123]

Hi, I can completely relate to your situation regarding the relentless fatigue. I too suffer with endometriosis and have undergone excision surgery (a few years ago), which has relieved my symptoms somewhat. Like you, I can not tolerate the pill in any form and hence I have never trialled the coil. Firstly, I would act on the advice given previously. However, to get to the root cause of fatigue, I recommend that you book a blood test with your GP for the following: full iron panel, ferritin, folate, vitamin D and vitamin B12. Low vitamin/nutrient levels seem common with immune diseases. I must stress, these nutrients need to be at an optimum level for you to feel well. Frequently, I have had GPs state that my results are 'normal' when in fact particularly my ferritin levels were dire. If you discover any deficiencies then obviously supplement as necessary. You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results with the ranges, so please request this from your surgery. Post again if you need any help interpreting your results. I hope this helps and that you get to a stage where you can manage your fatigue more effectively. X