Pain with the Mirena Coil

[Aussie79]

Hello, I had the Mirena Coil fitted on 8 June to treat Endo after I couldn't tolerate the side effects of Prostap. My consultant insisted that the Mirena is "the number one treatment for pelvic pain and painful periods". I had braced myself for terrible pain when it was fitted and was advised that I'd get period like cramps initially, but I didn't experience any discomfort. However, 10 days in and the cramps are unbearable and I've been prescribed antibiotics just in case there's a pelvic infection! I've got pain radiating down to my public bone and hips. Has anyone else had pain with the Mirena? I had high hopes but they've been dashed and now I'm really worried. Thanks in advance

[BattyForBats]

Sorry to hear your having troubles. I had the same coil as you have. It didn't sit well with me at all. Lots of pain. I went back to the doc and they said it needs to be there for at least a month to settle. So I tried to wait the month out but by week 3 I couldn't take the pain, it was worse than the endo pain. I ended up with an emergency scan to see if it was in the correct place. It was but I had had enough of thr pain and said I wanted it out. Again I was told that I needed to let it settle but I said no and had it taken out.

[Aussie79 in reply to BattyForBats]

That sounds awful. I'm also finding this is worse than Endo pain. I feel like my body doesn't like the coil and is trying to expel it!

[Silks32]

Hello, so sorry to hear about your pain. I had the mirena coil fitted in March and had really bad cramps/pain in pelvis and hips and bleeding/spotting every day which I managed with painkillers, but was very tempted to have it taken out. It started to get better gradually and after 2 months the cramps were gone, I still get random spotting but periods are much lighter and menstrual cramps have improved for me. Everyone is different though, but just wanted to let you know it improved for me, so hopefully it will settle for you. Also I find that certain things made cramps worse like coffee, so avoided that for a while. I hope it gets better for you soon.

[Aussie79 in reply to Silks32]

Thanks for sharing your experience. My doc wants me to persevere to see if it improves my Endo symptoms. I must have had an infection because I had flu like symptoms with the cramps, but the antibiotics seem to be working and now I've just got cramps.

[Silks32 in reply to Aussie79]

Will have my fingers crossed for you. Glad that the antibiotics are helping with the infection, sounds like it was really painful

[Aussie79 in reply to Silks32]

Yes, and the pain ramped up over night, so my GP examined me today and he said there's no sign of a perforation, but my consultant has arranged for an urgent scan just in case. I'm tempted to have it taken out, but I also want to persevere in case it settles and improves my Endo symptoms in the long run.

[Silks32 in reply to Aussie79]

Glad you’ve got a scan to check everything is alright, hope it all goes well. It’s a tough one, my pain was manageable with ibuprofen but sounds like you’re in a different situation.

[Aussie79 in reply to Silks32]

Yes, unfortunately I'm limited on the painkiller front because I'm not can't take NSAIDs , so I've been prescribed oramorph. I think antiinflammatory drugs are more effective for this kind of pain though.

[A5555 in reply to Silks32]

I’ve noticed that coffee makes it worse too. I got told by my GP that my cramp pains may be exaggerated due to coffee triggering IBS symptoms

[Silks32 in reply to A5555]

Interesting! Probably for the best, needed to cut down on caffeine anyway

[Aino26 in reply to Silks32]

Urgh I'm on week 3 and have barely stopped bleeding. I'm usually ok until around 4pm and then it all starts to kick in with horrific cramping. It's weird it's always roughly around the same time. I'm trying to give it time. I can't remember my previous one as it's been over 10 years. Currently, I'm hating it but trying to persevere. I'm hoping it'll settle like yours has 🤞

[Aussie79 in reply to Aino26]

Sorry to hear you're suffering. My consultant after some persuasion arranged for me to have an urgent scan to check that the Coil hadn't moved. Thankfully, it's in the "perfect position" but I've got a 'bulky uterus"! He's managed to persuade me to persevere and he'll review in a couple of weeks' time. I hope you find relief from your symptoms soon x

[Aino26 in reply to Aussie79]

Thanks. I ordered more pain drugs from my GP through the app and left him a note. If he's concerned, I'm sure he'll call me. I'll give it a couple more weeks otherwise it's not easy. Plus a new job!!! Since my last lap earlier this year my Endo symptoms have been mild, but now this. It's frustrating but got to stay strong! x

[Aussie79 in reply to Aino26]

How frustrating and far from ideal when you're starting a new job and having to contend with the Coil cramps! I was working from home when my cramps were at their worst but there's no way I could have gone into the office. My GP has referred me to a gastroenterologist to check my gastrointestinal system is ok. I've got the colonoscopy tomorrow and dreading it. Not had a Lap yet. Stay strong x

[Aino26 in reply to Aussie79]

I was in agony yesterday by the time I got home. Curled up after taking a load of codeine. I was glad I wasn't working later. It's weird I can almost time it. I hope it all goes well tomorrow. It is best to have everything checked. Stay strong too x

[A5555]

I too have been having awful pain on my right side of my pelvis 3 days a week with the mirena but if I’m honest, I’ve had such horrible symptoms with every other birth control so I just deal with it because everything else was worse so I just take naproxen to get through the pain. This definitely shouldn’t be the case though so I’m hoping there are solutions to this out there

[0Jasmine]

Hi, I was similar to you as well, I remember the first two weeks with the mirena were the worst - waking up with severe cramps that I couldn’t stand up/sit etc. I persevered with it, the pain averaged around 20 days a month, no pattern compared to the endo pain so that was so emotionally draining. I gave it 9 months and was like instant relief! Stopped my bleeding but made my pain worse. Everyone is different though and I’ve heard it has helped a lot of people.

[Emm10]

My pain lasted for more than 2 weeks and started from the night it was fitted, and quite honestly, I was fully prepared to go and have it removed again! However, it started to ease after 2 weeks and it has had a huge effect on the pain I would normally have gotten each month. I still bleed and have other side effects, but the pain is now little or non existent (more like mild cramping) and I've had it in for over a year now. Hope this helps x

[Jem33]

hi just wondering if you kept your mirena and if things settled down for you?

I had mine fitted a month and a half ago to stop endo progression and adhesion to bowel. I had cramps only for 2 days but then the pain and bleeding was constant for a month and then i collapsed and was admitted to hospital finding out I had an infection. The infection has cleared but since the painkillers the hospital gave me ran out my endo pain has come back with vengeance in my hip (my larger cyst is on the left ovary) back and stomach.

They keep telling me to give it time and will review again at MRI in 5 months but how can someone live daily like this it’s soul destroying. The more I read I’m more accepting that I will have to live with this to a certain degree and I am lucky compared to some other ladies stories I just want to be able to function.

I really hope your journey has improved and appreciate you sharing your story.

X