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[Noheroicsplease]

Hi all

I had the mirena coil fitted about a month ago. I also apply estrogel once a day. Before then I hadn't had a period for about 10 months.

I've actually felt pretty good the past few weeks - less emotional, more robust. Sleep isn't much better, although maybe a little

But the past couple of days I've felt like crap physically. Joints ache, back ache. I thought I'd overdone it in boot camp but my nipples feel sore today and I have this odd very slight cramp feeling in my tummy. Plus there was a teeny weeny bit of rusty coloured blood - a few specks - when I last went to the loo.

I'm ashamed to say I don't know if I should be expecting to bleed? And if so, would I be getting PMT symptoms?

Sorry to be so unenlightened.

xx

[peri]

Hi noheroicsplease you've had your mirena roughly the same length of time as me (mine's 4 weeks on Friday).  It just goes to show how different we all are.  I haven't had any pmt but have had spotting on and off for the last week.  The worst symptom I've had is feeling a bit flat and fuzzy thinking, and I think what's wrong with me and then I get the spotting and realise what it is. I think physiologically it's too much for my body to go through bleeding anymore and that's why I went for the mirena because hopefully long term it will solve this. If this is as bad as it gets I think I can manage.  It does sound like your due a bleed.  Keep us posted as to how you go on x

[Dancinggirl]

Ladies - it's early days - Your body will be settling and adjusting to the hormones.  It sounds to me as though you are both doing extremely well.
A bit of bleeding and spotting is quite normal in the first few weeks or months.
It's very cold right now so some aching joints is normal - there are some nasty little viruses around as well.  It's so easy to attribute everything to the the HRT regime one is using.
Since stopping systemic HRT 6 months ago, I now realise that I blamed so many things on the HRT when in fact most of the symptoms were just happening anyway.
It is quite natural to be anxious about all this.  We're here to support you.  Try to relax.  Dg xxxxx

[Dollydream]

Hi ladies

I hope I can give you some positivity! I've had the mirena for nearly 2 months now with the oestrogel (2 pumps at night).  Had some period like bleeding with cramps about 3 weeks after fitting and still get the odd spotting but it's hardly noticeable now and I feel so much better in myself - hot flushes gone, aches and pains gone, brain fog gone - I feel like my old self again.  This is the third type of HRT which I've used after the first two gave me bleeding problems, so I'm hoping things continue. Hopefully things will settle down for you ladies too.

DollyD xx

[Noheroicsplease]

Thanks all, that's helpful.

I'm not anxious Dancing Girl! I don't need to relax, I don't think - I'm just trying to understand what's what! I fully get that there will be loads of reasons why I feel a bit bluergh.

But this is a very specific sort of period-y feel in my tummy. As if I'm about to get my period.

Also, I might be a little more observant than I was, but more hairs are falling from my head. Not handfuls but more.

Is this possible too? I dread hair loss. I had it badly a few years ago down to low ferritin levels and it totally sapped my confidence.

How likely is it that it could be hair loss and increase in shedding?

Thanks all

[Dancinggirl]

Noheroicsplease - I quite understand where you're going from. When trying anything new we tend to notice all sorts of things and will naturally believe it is down to whatever new we are trying and there will be initial side effects from the Mirena.
Dollydream has given you an excellent post - there are many positive stories about the Mirena - it's a shame one hears so many of the negative ones.  There are good reasons why so many gynaes recommend the Mirena.

I do believe that there is an initial hit of progesterone after the Mirena is fitted and this will often bring more side effects that, of course, settle once the body has adjusted. Trying to predict or even understand these side effects will be very difficult, simply because we all react to things in a different way. The period type symptoms are also quite normal - your womb will be responding to the hormones and you will possibly get some bleeding - whether it will be a true period or not nobody will be able to tell you - this will depend on how far into peri meno you are.
After my Mirena was fitted ( I was 53 and very post meno by then), I got bleeding and spotting for several weeks, some cramping and often felt quite sedated.  These side effects gradually reduced over the next 3-6 months and apart from the occasional bit of spotting and cramps after that, I actually forgot had a Mirena - I used 2 pumps of Oestrogel each day alongside.
Any hair loss or thinning must be worrying (if you've had this in the past) but your hair may well improve as the oestrogen does it's magic - I've forgotten what dose you are on? Beware of doctor web with horror stories of hair loss with the Mirena.
If I were you, I'd expect to get cramps, bleeding, brownish discharge and maybe one or two other strange side effects for the next few weeks and if these side effects don't gradually reduce or perhaps get worse, then you need to seek professional help.   
Sometimes it can help to understand what's going on and sometimes it's best to not over analyse or try to understand.
Good luck  Dg x

[Hurdity]

Hi noheroicsplease

Sorry to hear you are still feeling a bit rough.

I've never had a Mirena so not sure if the period-like feelings would happen even with the normal bleeding/spotting that you expect from the Mirena or whether it can indicate ovulation. Sorry I haven't time to look this up at the moment but just saw your post! You could still have the occasional natural cycle which I presume you may notice despite the Mirena - not sure about this!

In particular please don't worry about not knowing - this is what we are here for - to try to help - and in fact your doctors should have informed you as to what to expect - if you feel misinformed it's down to them! They should have told you that bleeding/spotting in the first six months is common! I hope we can help though

The progestogen in the Mirena is one of the more androgenic types so it is possible, I presume that hair loss could happen. What dose of oestrogen are you using? Perhaps you may need to increase a little if you are only using 1 pump - perhaps try two - and mention to your doc? I remember discussing this before but sorry I can't remember!

I would give it a while longer, maybe increase the oestrogen and see how you feel. Have you tried other HRT types?

Sorry I can't be of more help and hope you feel better soon . Let us know your progress.....

Hurdity x

Edit - Dancinggirl - posted just after you so might have repeated some of what you said as was writing at same time!

[Noheroicsplease]

Thank you all so much. I really appreciate it. Xx

[peri]

Dancing girl 'spotting and feeling quite sedated' that's exactly what I'm getting now, it is manageable though.  Glad to hear it settles down, that's reassuring to hear.  Also, specialist told me to stick with it 6 months, which I aim to do.  Hope you're hair loss settles down also noheroicsplease xx

[Murphydurf]

Hi noheroicsplease - I had a Mirena for almost 8 weeks and had it removed last week due to prog related side effects (I'm really NOT good with prog). During the 8 weeks I had almost continual bleeding/spotting also cramping in first 4 weeks. Some days everything would stop only to start up again the following day. I believe this is entirely normal for up to 3 months, sometimes 6. I'm post meno so didn't have a cycle, I'm not sure where you are? I really wouldn't worry about bleeding in the first few months. Presumably you've been on the Mirena website? It does state that bleeding is common in the first few months. Perhaps a call to your GP or whomever fitted it would help ease your mind? You're lucky that's the only problem you're having, sounds like it's going to work for you and it's a great solution if it does.

Mx

[elsie001]

I spotted for well over 6 months after getting my coil fitted.  A small nuisance but nothing compared to the heavy periods I had to endure pre-coil.  Have now had the coil 1.5 years and although the spotting did stop, I have had more this past week or so.  Would still rather put up with this than risk going back to flooding etc again.

[walking the dog]

I had mirena fitted end September irs really strange as no spotting at all however I continue to have regular periods bang on time every month , I can only assume my own hormones are over riding the mirena ?

[Murphydurf]

Noheroicsplease - did you get some bleeding? How are things?

Mx

[Noheroicsplease]

Hiya,

Nope, I've had no bleeding beyond a rusty colour fleck the size of a pin prick.

The periody type pains of this week seem to have gone.

I feel much better again - apart from this blip, I've felt better on the coil and oestrogel.

Thanks for asking xx

[Murphydurf]

Oh that's great! Sounds like you've found your ideal combo. Good for you.

Mx