(TMI) Getting Mirena on Thursday

[Mauvaise]

I'm really quite nervous. Please talk to me about your experiences.

I've never had kids, am 41, and will be on my period (as recommended). I have a script for Ativan to take before hand and will take an Aleve as well. My appointment is at 10am in the morning.

I am most nervous about the next couple days after the insertion - I am supposed to go out of town the following day for the weekend - will I still be in a lot of pain over 24 hours later? Can I go back to work the next day also?

How bad will the insertion be (pain-wise)?

[Ferret Herder]

Follow your doctor's instructions for pain relief - IIRC, I pre-dosed with Motrin and used a vaginally-inserted pill intended to "soften" the cervix. I don't recall the name, sorry.


I was fine enough to walk a few blocks to a nearby restaurant with my husband afterwards, have lunch and a few beers, and then walk a few blocks to do some shopping. I wouldn't have wanted to run anywhere, but really felt quite fine aside from a mild ache. I did go to work the next day as well.

[Ferret Herder]

Forgot - pain of insertion was definitely significant but bearable. Sort of a "grit your teeth and breathe; it'll be done soon" sort of thing. Sharp, not agonizing, and faded quickly after the insertion was finished.

BTW, other than occasional spotting (every 3-4 months), the Mirena completely shut off my periods, as well as my frequent migraines. Bonus!

[Kaio]

The pain varies from person to person. I knew someone who got an IUD, and she was basically bedridden for a couple days after. Me, I was up and walking around 20 minutes later; I even had a difficult insertion.

Insertion did hurt for me -- more specifically the sounding did, because the sound is wider than the IUD insertion device (and this was what was getting stuck on the way in -- she ended up calling another clinician in to do it). However, it was manageable by deep controlled breathing, plus I'd had a couple of Advil an hour before, but that was it for medications. It doesn't take long, so just focus on relaxing through it. Once the sounding was over, the insertion was so easy that she was done before I realized she'd started.

[VOW]

Depends on who is doing the job.

First one I had, the sound was intensely painful, and I damn near crawled off the table. But I recovered quickly and walked over a mile back home. No biggie.

The last one I got, the doctor said that the sound was unnecessary, because the insertion device made a beautiful sound in itself. Truthfully, I didn't even feel the insertion.

You'll be fine.


~VOW

[Motorgirl]

The insertion of my first IUD was the most painful thing I've ever felt up to that point. The pain was so bad I threw up and then fainted.

The attempted insertion of my second IUD was even worse than the first. My gynecologist had even given me Mifepristone to use the night before to soften my cervix. The cramping from that was so bad I got up twice during the night to throw up. My doctor tried for many minutes to insert the sound, and I finally asked her to give up. I specifically went to her for this because she had a lot of experience with IUD insertion in nulliparous women.

Both experiences, as bad as they were, didn't have lingering after effects. I was up and operating normally a few hours later. Mild cramping but otherwise fine.

[CrazyCatLady]

I had really awful cramping for about 12 hours after my first insertion, but I've never been pregnant, didn't have any meds except some ibuprofen before, and wound up working a 10 hour shift at the vet ER about an hour afterwards. And even at that, I was down to normal (though still sucky) period cramps by the next day.

Take it fairly easy Thursday and you should be fine.

[Time Stranger]

It really does just depend on the person. I have never had kids and wasn't on my period. Insertion felt like a strong cramp, but the cramp was over almost instantly. I took two advil beforehand and did a lot of heavy breathing throughout insertion. I then continued about my day normally. I did have some excessive abdominal bloating the next few days, but it went away eventually and wasn't painful.

Good luck! I hope it goes well. Getting an IUD was a great decision for me, and hopefully you'll like it too.

[Snickers]

Insertion is a bitch, there's no two ways around it. I had my first one inserted in the afternoon, and had cramps and hurt all night until bedtime. (After I fell asleep, I didn't feel it anymore.) However, it was short lived - I think I had light cramps the next day, but nothing ibuprofen couldn't handle. You're already ahead of the game with the regimen to follow beforehand - I think you'll be right. The next day should be no problem, I'm hoping.

My second insertion went more smoothly - I took Advil before and don't especially remember any cramps after.

[RedBloom]

I had the Mirena done at the end of November. I wish my doctor would have told me to take some pain meds beforehand. I'll be honest, it hurt like hell (and I've birthed 2 children). It cramped pretty bad for the rest of the day, but began tapering off over the course of a week. Take the NSAIDS before the procedure, and you'll have to endure a bit of pain. It goes fairly quickly, however.

(FWIW, I'm having it *removed* tomorrow. I've gained 10 lbs since having it inserted, get zits now, dizziness, and horrific irritibility. Unfortunately for me, the bad outweighed the good. I exercise and eat moderately/healthy and instead of losing weight, it keeps adding up. Ask your doctor to review the side effects with you. I wish mine had been more forthcoming about what to expect instead of just telling me "It'll stop your periods!".... I was disappointed it didn't work out for me.

I wish you the best of luck.

[Lasciel]

My insertion hurt like a motherfucker. That sound was the worst pain I have ever been in. I blacked out for about 15 seconds, but I lied my ass off and swore that I hadn't so she would keep going. (I have never given birth, nor do I plan to.)

However, not only was I nulliparous (great word) I was also a virgin who had never even used tampons. It took 6 months to convince her to do it, and it would have had to hurt a shit-ton more for me to give up.

Afterwards, I rested for about half-an-hour before I felt confident enough to stand up, and once I was home, I slept all afternoon, took another four ibuprofen, slept all night, and then had excellent wake-up de-virginizing sex the next morning with no pain. It was awesome!

The second one hurt like a bitch too, but nothing compared to that first one, and I would say by that evening, I was back at 90% again.

So - expect it to hurt, but even if it hurts like a stone bitch, don't expect it to hurt for any length of time.

[Finally]

I don't want to scare you but I thought it was awful. I passed out on the table, drove myself home afterwards, then took to my bed for the rest of the weekend (insertion Saturday morning). Then I had bleeding/spotting for 6 weeks. I was ready to call the whole thing off and have it removed.

But now it's been in place for 1.5 years, I only get occasional spotting, my PMS (the reason for getting it in the first place) is practically gone, and I'm no longer anemic. By the time it comes out I should be in menopause.

I'd do it again but I'd insist on meds ahead of time, my doctor didn't suggest or prescribe anything.

[lindsaybluth]

I have a Paraguard that was inserted 5 weeks ago. No kids and no pregnancies.

I wanted strong painkillers but my brother got "addicted" to them (had to slowly wean himself off them after an operation) a few years ago so I went with a huge dose of advil and nothing else.

It was horrible. I drove myself home afterwards and laid in bed for about 9 hours. I took tons advil for about 5 days and the smaller doses for 2 days. Then I was fine, although if I'd get stressed I'd get some lower back pain (like a two on a one to ten scale) but that's it. I should add that I have a terrifically low pain tolerance.

Totally worth it for the temporary misery, IMO.

ETA I was entirely functional that night with advil and for the rest of the week.

[Dogzilla]

I did not pre-dose with any sort of painkillers, not realizing I'd need them. Insertion really hurt. I had a rough insertion and the doc almost gave up, but I wouldn't let her. "I've made it this far; just try one more time please!" I drove myself back to work and worked the rest of the afternoon -- at my cushy sit-down desk job. I'd have rather curled up in a ball on the couch with a bong or something, but that was a preference, not a necessity. I was fine for pretty much all activity EXCEPT sex by the day after. I was not interested in sex for about three weeks. Doggy style took about six weeks to be not uncomfortable. Take something before you go in and take it easy a bit for the rest of that day, but after that, you'll probably be fine.

[lindsaybluth]

Oh, I should add that I'm in a long distance relationship for now and I did not have sex for 2 weeks after insertion. And it was good like usual.

In case you haven't already gone in yet, do big relaxing breaths during insertion. Some dumb nurse (NOT the usual one there for my exams) kept irritating me during the procedure but if I stopped doing deep relaxing breaths or tensed up, pain went up 25%.

[Mauvaise]

Overdue update:

My initial appointment was canceled and I finally went back yesterday. And it was a total failure.

I had taken my 800mg of Advil an hour before and 1mg of Ativan 30 mintues before, but my body didn't want to cooperate.

I wasn't on my period and my cervix naturally tilts downward. He attempted the sound (the one he uses is smaller in diameter than the Mirena applicator), but was only able to pass it about 1.5" which isn't nearly enough. And that attempt was intensely painful (why they don't put handles on those tables, I'll never know.

He said we would have to approach this another way:

1) I need to come back on my period when the cervix is naturally a little more open.

2) I need to jam some Cytotec up there a couple hours beofre.

3) Upped the Ativan dosage. I tried to get Valium instead because it works better, but he wants to strengthen the Ativan dose.

4) Repeat the 800mg of Advil.
Now all I have to do is wait for my period to show up and pray the increased Ativan dosage will actually do something.


I feel like I failed, but the doctor said this could happen given the circumstances.

[Ferret Herder]

Sorry to hear that. I'm fortunate in that my gynecologist did know I would have some success with insertion and cervical angle, as I previously had a transvaginal ultrasound with some kind of catheter insertion into the uterus during it. Good on you for giving it another try. My insertion was done on my period, with Motrin and Cytotec (vaginal for the latter) pre-dosing.

I will say, though, that the difference in catheter diameter between the two procedures was obvious, so the one didn't prepare me for the other in that respect. I had no medication pre-dosing for the ultrasound, and was able to casually chat with the (male) radiologist during it about what kind of imaging equipment we use in ophthalmology (that's my work department; I had the ultrasound at my workplace and still had my ID badge on). I figured hey, it's awkward enough to be lying there with what looks like an electric-corded vibrator stuffed into your vagina, might as well make the best of the situation. For the Mirena insertion - yeah, there was gritted teeth and a short period of 'whoa'-level pain.

[lindsaybluth]

Aww, I'm sorry OP It should be better when you're on your period. I think it really does make a difference.

[Mauvaise]

Originally Posted by Ferret Herder

For the Mirena insertion - yeah, there was gritted teeth and a short period of 'whoa'-level pain.

I tried to convince him to keep going as "I wasn't at my breaking point." He replied that he would "get me there" and that wasn't going to be fun for anyone.

Hopefully with the period + Cytotec it'll be enough to just get it done. I'm tired of not having sex with my boyfriend.

[Motorgirl]

Originally Posted by Mauvaise

I tried to convince him to keep going as "I wasn't at my breaking point." He replied that he would "get me there" and that wasn't going to be fun for anyone.

Hopefully with the period + Cytotec it'll be enough to just get it done. I'm tired of not having sex with my boyfriend.

I found that even with a cervix softener it didn't work. I gave up and went with Nuvaring. I'd much rather have Mirena.

[Mauvaise]

Originally Posted by Motorgirl

I found that even with a cervix softener it didn't work. I gave up and went with Nuvaring. I'd much rather have Mirena.

I think the next step my doctor would do would be doing it at an outpatient place and really drugging me up something fierce (I'm assuming a Demoral/Verced drip type deal).

Though if it doesn't work with the softener, I may just quell my fears about general anesthetic an just get my tubes tied.

[Motorgirl]

I wish you the best of luck. I kind of wish I'd persisted but DAMN that hurt.

[lindsaybluth]

Originally Posted by Mauvaise

I may just quell my fears about general anesthetic an just get my tubes tied.

If that's on the table, why isn't he getting snipped? Outpatient, less invasive, FAR more effective...

[Nefarious Chipmunk]

I am one of the few (it seems) where the Mirena was a horrible experience in my life. I had never been pregnant but they gave me one anyways. I went into a bit of shock during the insertion, but was fine by the next day. The Doctor made a comment during the insertion that I was "just big enough." I thought all was well until my next period came around. I had the worst most debilitating cramps I have ever had. My period was heavier and longer. Now, I have always had relatively mild periods so maybe I was spoiled, but it felt like someone was jabbing a knife into my uterus and occasionally giving it a wiggle. It was even worse after sex if I orgasmed. This went on for three weeks out of the month for four months before I had it removed. I couldn't take it anymore.

My sister had a similar experience when she had one in before pregnancy and had it removed within a few months. She got another after having her daughter and all is hunky-dory now.

I am not trying to discourage you, but I just want to let you know that everyone talks about how awesome and wonderful they are (and safe to get before pregnancy), and for most women that seems to be the case, but no one told me how bad it could be so I wanted to just give yo up heads up. Especially if they are having a hard time with insertion. I switched backed to the Nuva Ring which works fine for me.

[Mauvaise]

Originally Posted by lindsaybluth

If that's on the table, why isn't he getting snipped? Outpatient, less invasive, FAR more effective...

We haven't been together long enough that I wanted to bring that up. But if the second attempt doesn't work, maybe I'll bring it up as an option.

[b]Nefarious[b] I'm hoping I don't have those issues. But since I'm never going to have children, I'll never know

[Lasciel]

Nefarious's post also reminded me of something.

One of my friends from college (not really close, call her "Elle") had a copper IUD, and swore up down and sideways about how great it was. She was a good part of the reason I was so determined to get one myself.

Fast forward more than a few years, and a couple of replacements and kids later, and another friend in common told me in passing that "Elle" had a post on her Facebook just recently that she was having awful pains and periods with her IUD this time around, and was raving about whatever pill formation it is that lets you skip all your periods instead.

So - even if it works for you one time around, once kids and age and chemicals change around a bit, it isn't guaranteed to work the next time.

[Ferret Herder]

I'm pretty sure that a gynecologist can have you take any birth control pill continuously, as long as it's not the type where you get a different dose each week to help simulate a "natural" cycle or something. I was on Yasmin/Ocella continuously but was under the impression that neither was "special" in that way.

[Lasciel]

Originally Posted by Ferret Herder

I'm pretty sure that a gynecologist can have you take any birth control pill continuously, as long as it's not the type where you get a different dose each week to help simulate a "natural" cycle or something. I was on Yasmin/Ocella continuously but was under the impression that neither was "special" in that way.

The info I got is at least third-hand, possibly worse (acquaintance's doctor/adverstisement-Facebook-friend-me-messageboard-you)...

...but the impression I got was that the whatever-it-was was being specifically marketed and sold in packets that provided continuous coverage, rather than the GYN or the person taking it having to "skip" a section of pills or prescribe the next batch "early" to achieve the same result.

On checking websites, perhaps she was talking about Lybrel or Seasonique? Dunno - but it sounds like a good (if late) decision by the FDA to finally agree that bleeding once a month isn't actually necessary for anything other than being fertile.

I'd still rather a Mirena or IUD so I don't have to remember a daily pill, but I could get behind something that also killed off my periods.

I was a lucky Mirena person who didn't have periods at all while I had it. I'm in-between methods at the moment, and I truly forgot how unpleasant it is to go through that every month. Yeesh.

[Ferret Herder]

Oh yeah, Seasonique is the one I recall being marketed as the "4 periods a year!" version. I wonder how much that costs compared to just continuing to take the pill.

I used to think I would be paranoid as crap if I wasn't getting a period. Turns out, I'm pretty darned thrilled about it.

[Mauvaise]

Originally Posted by Mauvaise

1) I need to come back on my period when the cervix is naturally a little more open.

2) I need to jam some Cytotec up there a couple hours beofre.

3) Upped the Ativan dosage. I tried to get Valium instead because it works better, but he wants to strengthen the Ativan dose.

4) Repeat the 800mg of Advil.

Attempt number two scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. I have they Cytotec, a 2.5mg Ativan, and will take the 800mg of Advil and pray that this all works and I will have some plastic swimming in my uterus by tomorrow evening.

[Queen Tonya]

I'll think relaxing thoughts in the general direction of your cervix tomorrow. Open, open, open!

[Mauvaise]

Originally Posted by Queen Tonya

I'll think relaxing thoughts in the general direction of your cervix tomorrow. Open, open, open!

Now I'm picturing someone standing with their nose up against my cervix saying "Open, open, open" like that old Mervyns (??) commercial.

[Mauvaise]

Originally Posted by Mauvaise

Attempt number two scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. I have they Cytotec, a 2.5mg Ativan, and will take the 800mg of Advil and pray that this all works and I will have some plastic swimming in my uterus by tomorrow evening.

Success!! I do, indeed, have some plastic swimming in my uterus.

The insertion of the sound hurt like a motherfucker, but I just gripped my boyfriends hands tighter, and tried to steady my breathing (and concentrated in not letting loose with a string of profanity).

Once the sound was in as far as it needed to go, the insertion of the Mirena was a snap. I thought it would be even more painful because it's thicker than the sound, but apparently the sound blazed the trail and the doctor said it was in before I had a chance to even get ready for pain.

They did a quick ultrasound after to make sure it was in place and I was on the road in less. All said, I was in their office less than 30 minutes. And it should be covered with just the co-pay.

I'm a little hungover from the Ativan and a little crampy (but actually less so than I am with normal period cramps) and I'm cleared to play tennis tomorrow and have sex on Saturday.

[Ferret Herder]

Awesome! So glad to hear that did the trick.

[Queen Tonya]

Congrats!

Tennis will probably be fine, but be aware that happytimes might result in a little cramping around your wee plastic alien. Took me a few months for it to settle happily enough in there that orgasms didn't cause cramping. Kind of a catch 22, now I can have the sex, but the sex causes ouchies. It doesn't happen to everyone, mind you, but if it does happen rest assured that this too shall pass.

[Lasciel]

Hurray! Congratuations on your new hardware!

[Mauvaise]

Cramping is mostly non-existent now, but I swear I know exactly where that sucker is in my uterus. I'm sure it's just my imagination. Standing and lying down is more comfortable than sitting - that's when I feel that I can tell exactly where it's located. I'm sure I'll get used to it.

Period hasn't stopped but normally it wouldn't have stopped yet anyway. I'm hoping I don't spot/bleed for the next 3 months as the doctor warned I might.

[Nefarious Chipmunk]

I wish you luck. There is nothing better then a Mirena that is working as it should and nothing worse then one that isn't.

PS My sister, kkrose, accidentally posted as me upthread. I am the sister she spoke of who had one pre and post baby.

Congratulations on you plastic baby (as one of my friends calls it)!