Calling Nebe!

[Keepingthefaith21]

Hi Nebe - I am sure this post probably belongs in Hangout but I thought I might have an easier time getting your attention on LIW since the board moves a tad slower.

I was told yesterday my only BC option is Mirena (long story short I am not properly absorbing the hormones in NuvaRing anymore and they think the same thing will happen with any hormone based BC). A friend of mine who has Mirena said I should not go to the appointment alone...that she had to spend some time laying down in the office recovering because the inital cramping was so bad. She mentioned she was lightheaded as well which made her feel sick.

I was wondering if you wouldn''t mind sharing your experience with me so I can be as prepared as possible for this. I haven''t officially made up my mind yet, haven''t even booked the appointment. I just really want to make sure I am 100% sure I want to go this route and personal experiences are always the best IMO.

 

[beesknees]

Hi Keepingthefaith21,

Although I''m not Nebe, I too have the Mirena and thought I''d tell you a little about my experience.

I''ll be honest, and keep in mind that this is just my experience and it might be different than yours. Putting the Mirena in was quite painful, especially once they get it in place and have to clamp it down. I was advised to take some aspirin a half hour before coming in and you definitely should do that too. I was able to drive home after the appointment but if you have someone that can be there with you I''d recommend that. The next couple of days were not pretty. I was in a lot of pain and was miserable. But, if I had to do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat. I love the Mirena and have had it for the past 4 years without a problem. It''s so nice not having to remember to take a pill everyday and my periods (which were VERY heavy before) are almost non-existent.

My friend on the other hand, also has the Mirena and didn''t have the problems that I did. In fact, she didn''t complain at all. But she''s also had children before so I think she really knows what serious pain feels like.

I hope this helps a bit and good luck!

 

[Keepingthefaith21]

beesknees: Thank you so much for responding! Quite a few people have mentioned it is a painful procedure so I am bracing myself for that part. I am glad you mentioned the days following because I wasn''t sure if I should try to get an appointment on a Friday so I would have the weekend to recover.

I guess with any BC there are going to be risks and side-effects so I''m just gonna put on my big girl pants and schedule the appointment as soon as my regular test results come back.

Thank you again! I feel much better knowing what to anticipate.

 

[nessvan12]

I''m not Nebe either, but thought I''d add my .02 cents...

My sister had a Mirena. I went with her when they put it in and was glad I was there. She did experience cramping and was glad to have me drive her home. Everything was fine for 1 year then she started having severe pains in her abdomen area and had to go to the ER.

Turns out she had gotten pregnant and had an eptopic pregnancy. She required surgery and they could not save her left fallopian tube. She is very depressed about her now slimmer chance to have kids one day. Not trying to scare, but the doc did say that if you get pregnant while on Mirena the chances of having and eptopic/tubal pregnancy are very great as opposed to getting pregnant while on the pill or some other form of BC and still being able to have a normal pregnancy.

She nor any female member of our family will use them now. I do know others, (my best friend) who have it and love it and have never had an issue. Everyone has to make their own choice I guess. Just wanted to share her experience.

 

[beesknees]

You''re welcome! If you have any more questions in the meantime I''d be happy to answer them for you.

 

[nebe]

Hello!! I''ve never been "called" before. I feel so honored

As far as my experience goes, I got shared here (much to the dismay of many

) when I initially got mine. I''ll quote anyway.

I had issues getting the appointment due to the fact that my period came really late on Friday afternoon. I finally got an appointment on Monday at 1pm. FH got the day off, I did as well. He took me out to brunch before we went and I ate a pretty good amount out of nerves. Oh well.

We finally got to the doctor''s I took a pregnancy test and changed. We twiddled our thumbs in the room for about 5 minutes, FH looking horrified while looking at the things I was supposed to put my feet in. When the doctor came in she explained what she was going to do, any risks and percentage rates. All stuff I had looked up, so nothing was a surprise. After that she dilated my cervix and did a sounding (measuring of the uterus, it has to be over 6cm to fit an IUD) and said I was just on the edge, so she was going to try once and let me know if it would fit. FH did so well, he held my hands and rubbed my forehead, breathed with me. Very supportive. She put in a catheter and placed the IUD. Which was the worst part because of all the pressure. It kind of felt like someone had both hands around my uterus and was twisting in opposite directions or something, but it could have been a LOT worse. From sounding the insertion was probably about 5 minutes, and when they tell you to breathe... you better do it or you''ll pass out.

My "post-op" was pretty yucky for the first few days because I was still on my period. I had a lot of cramping and ended up taking a few days off of work. I just took motrin and used a heating pad for that; I found that hot baths made me feel better too. Just take your time, get your favorite comfort foods and some good TV. I get cramps about once a month but they only last for a day and they''re no where near as bad as previous years. I also haven''t had a period since I got my Mirena!
I would totally do it again. More than once in fact. I haven''t had any problems and I love it. My sister has one as well (she had a child first though) and she loves hers as well. If you use livejournal, there''s also a community called "IUD_Divas" that is super helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions, I''ll be happy to help!

 

[Keepingthefaith21]

Ladies: thank you SO MUCH for sharing your personal experiences with me. I appreaciate it very much! I still have time to think everything over but since this is my only option (other than barrier methods which I just don''t trust) I am leaning towards having one inserted.

Nessvan12 - I am terribly sorry to hear about your sister. I know this is a risk with the IUD but at this point I''ve exhausted most of my options. If I was engaged to my SO I don''t think I would be so concerned with an unplanned pregnancy but because I am still "single" in my mind, I want to make sure I am protected. At the rate my SO is moving on a proposal (slower than a tortis) I will probably be past "normal" childbearing age by the time we decide to have a family anyway!

Thank you all again!