OP: Mirena (IUS) advice please

Hey info...

Sorry about the depo. I did well with it, I guess I was fortunate. I think Brandye is best to answer your questions...

I know they can come out but it's rare. The hormone doses are very low. I know cramping is a common complaint during their periods; most say it subsides with time & Motrin. I have heard they are not painful on insertion. Note: All are observations. Brandye can give you the most feedback!!!

Good luck!

sera300

Posted: 29 Sep 22:59

thats for the quick reply will wait for Brandye...

I just remembered i get random painful cramps now completely at random times even with no period tad annoying haha

info_junkie

Posted: 29 Sep 22:59

I just remembered i get random painful cramps now completely at random times even with no period tad annoying haha[/quote]Brandye is good..I am sure she will answer for you. She has much more experience with this then I can ever give you!! Let me know how you do.

sera300

Posted: 29 Sep 23:00

Your reports on the depo experience have been all too common among my patients. You can get the ring through private clinics in the UK if you are willing to pay. I have a few patients who have gone this route.

Most women adapt well to the Mirena. There is so little hormone in your system that it is almost undetectable. The primary reason for its being there is to help alleviate cramps and irregular spotting - neither of which are big problems for most women. I have never had a patient expel the Mirena and the incidence of expulsion is about 3%. No real problem there.

One cautionary note to discuss with your GP: How long should you wait until you have the Mirena inserted. I have had patients who have not had a period for a year after being on Depo. I generally would want the woman to have a couple regular periods before insertion.

The IUD, in all its ramifications, got a bad rap with one particular brand and shape nearly thirty years ago and has been underused ever since. You are making a good choice but be certain that you are completely over the Depo before having it inserted.

Brandye

Posted: 29 Sep 23:00

Brandye what is the reason for waiting for insertion until the return of a few cycles? I know the depo can take up to, if not slightly beyond, a year to return a period. And BC must be used once the shot is complete with the 5 day window.

In practice, why do you prefer women to wait? Just curious. Info. searching here!

sera300

Posted: 29 Sep 23:00

I think its to be sure she isn't pregnant, and make sure everything is okay down there. If you have any problems (cysts, PID, etc) its supposed to be bad to insert, and certainly if you're pregnant. ;)

Oh and for the record, it is painful to insert...the worst is getting your cervix measured. After the actual insertion, you'll be crampy for a couple days, probably the worst cramps you'll ever have...but I took some pills and it was fine.

I had a similar experience with depo, weight gain, constant PMS, and worst of all...suicidal thoughts. :(

curious_woman

Posted: 29 Sep 23:01

Good question, sera. One is to be certain that she is not pregnant and some women need a little help, in the way of another shot, to get the cycle back on some sort of schedule. Because the IUD can cause spotting during the first few months, we do not know whether the bleeding is the body getting back to normal or a side-effect of the IUD. Likely some doctors will not be that concerned.

Brandye

Posted: 29 Sep 23:02

Understood. I was uncertain since we just do a serum preg.

But I know the return of a cycle had to be induced for me after the one year...we wanted to begin a family.

Later, an IUD has been suggested, reduces an event if an egg slips and decreases some of the oral HRT needs. Not really certain what to think but I have a few months.

Here is the joke of all; now nearly 2 months of IV Rocephin/OD 2 gm month 1, 1 gm month 2, guess what returns? The Menstrual cycle-- which has been gone for a year or so now? Spoke with a gyn which I know well and she seemed pretty convinced this was not abnormal with Lyme's---same gyn from the regular group I see. But the one issue is regardless of pending FSH/LH & est. prog. test. levels no viable eggs--no big deal. Turning into a damned "case study". Missing hormones and lab values for years...ie: + intrinsic factor and zero B12....tons of IV Infed.

sera300

Posted: 29 Sep 23:02

Cheers again for all those responses. Very helpful. But I was wondering if a pregnancy test take care of those concerns? I want to continue being on a contraceptive and dont want to just really on condoms. As people have said it could be months b4 a period. :( Not that I desperately want one lol

EDIT: I did take a test recently due to well... depo paranoia I guess so I know I am not :D which is good. Dont really want to "have" kids lol

info_junkie

Posted: 29 Sep 23:03

Im glad im not the only one with questions about mirena... thanks brandye...

on a totally different note, sera, how quickly were you able to conceive after your cycle was regulated? I have Lyme's as well and the rocefin has made my cycle absolutely haywire and I would like to have a family in the sometime (not immediate though) future. Thanks guys

hollywood807

Posted: 29 Sep 23:03

I was successfully able to become pregnant within 6 months of regulation; no issues.

sera300

Posted: 29 Sep 23:03

sera your cycle was "induced"?

info_junkie

Posted: 29 Sep 23:04

Yes, it was with methyprog. orally. Also, women should consider the types of materials used in an IUD metal v. plastic. Why? In the event you require an emergency MRI. Certain metals set the object launching...especially if done on the lumbar spine. Some are contraindicated, yes they can be removed, but if an emergency is occurring, it can be over looked. I would consider plastic only.

sera300

Posted: 29 Sep 23:05

Thanks I never thought of that... scary thought.

I am going to see the nurse next week. Not getting the shot tomz as planned. So fingers crossed for me really. I am worried that they will say no IUD/IUS which I hope they dont as I feel I lack other options really and I hope they dont make me wait till a period... That could be ages. Would they make me wait? gr annoying thoughts.

Thanks again :D

info_junkie

Posted: 29 Sep 23:05

Brandye answered it in this thread for me. I was uncertain myself. I do know they can induce a cycle, had it done. I would think a serum preg test (both qualitative & quantitative) would clarify the pregnancy factor. As she states if a regular cycle has not begun inserting a IUD causes bleeding regardless and can be confused if it's the depo wearing out or a side effect of the IUD. I looked into them briefly, but held for other medical reasons a few years ago.

I am uncertain of your health system & what they consider when placing one. I do know here, in the US, it's a non-issue once pregnancy has been ruled out. However, BC is pretty liberal here & not a restrictive in the options available. Use a form which is tried & true. She did state you can private pay for the nuvaring in the UK; perhaps try that for a few months?

BC has been a nightmare for you!

sera300

Posted: 29 Sep 23:05

I know I am very very unlucky if it comes to anything remotely medical since my immune system crashed haha. Thanks I didnt quite get that... I dunno why lol. I dont have the money to pay, guess i will have to wait it out....

info_junkie

Posted: 29 Sep 23:06

An update....
I have been given really by one dr one option. The implant. And despite telling her that:
a) I have like the worse fear of needle and knives (I have a blood test today, took an hour because they couldn't get blood :() Also I hate the idea of something in my arm, I cant feel other ones I find it very gross.

and

b) I am wanting the Mirena because its the higher dosage of hormones is in-fact affecting me she said well the Mirena its only for older women really. Not recommended for teens at all! She did try putting me off.

No my problem here is that she was saying the implant is very very common and no problems. I know people that have had the muscle grow over the implant and had to have a minor op. My old nurses and dr said there are WAY better methods that that.

Worst of all I saw her notes on the convo earlier when getting my blood done and it sounds so condescending! "I tried explaining the difficulties with Mirena and that fitting it is harder than a (some weird saying here). Is looking at the implant, possibility of having this" (or along those lines. It goes on) I said I didnt want this, she wanted me to have this. I feel pressured. She told me there is the patch. I said no she asked why. I said its weird having a patch on your ass dont you think?

She said the pill would not be effected by my medication and would get used to it... I explain it is not constant at the moment and she said it wouldnt matter... Now i know this information is wrong as at least 5 other doctors have told me otherwise.

I asked about the Nuvaring. She had never heard of it and said it is not in the uk and i cannot have it at all.

So I have to go up to the family planning clinic soon to ask about the implant or Mirena... They are really discouraging me off it. I am finding this unfair. As well I am getting put of contraception altogether which is horrid as i know i need it! The dr followed by telling all the negatives I knew, then never mentioning the bad points however the implant can do no harm!

I dont know what to do! I am scared (thanks to the stupid dr) of both. I could get the injection again... but it screws with me however tomorrow is the last day of the week I should get it then I am into my 12th week of the previous injection.

Comments welcomed

info_junkie

Posted: 29 Sep 23:07

OK, some disloyalty to the NHS here. You are one of the reasons Gordon Brown is promising a more "personal" NHS.

Get to a decent doctor who is willing to work with you and include you in the decision process. Some of your friends have encountered them in the NHS but if this means spending a few quid on a private clinic, do it. It will be cheaper, and you will be more comfortable, in the long term.

Many doctors do not recommend IUDs for non-parous (no children) women. So there is something behind what you have been told. Other doctors see no problem. Given your history with the shot, the implant needs serious thought. The doctor was correct that the ring is not in the NHS formulary but it can be gotten rather easily. You do pay for it. There are other IUD besides Mirena. This needs all to be discussed with a doctor who is willing to consider your situation.

Brandye

Posted: 29 Sep 23:07