Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Chi chi on April 05, 2016, 09:06:44 PM
-
Having the Mirena fitted tomorrow and feeling apprehensive 😬 Think I've got a chest infection too! Happy days! :-\
If anyone's interested I might keep a diary?
-
Good luck Chi Chi. I would be really interested to know how it goes. I have a friend in her late 40s who says it is the GP's contraceptive of choice - she has had one for years. I got as far as booking it, but then chickened out, much to my embarrassment! Really hope it eases your meno issues. Xx
-
Good luck! I had no problems with the getting it put in when I had one. Did your doctor advise taking an ibuprofen before? I did that and barely felt a pinch. I've had regular pap exams that hurt more.
-
Thanks X
I'm not worried about actually having it fitted just how I'll react to it being as I'm prog intolerant ???
I had one years ago so I kind of remember what to expect, does anyone else's dr's still fit them? Mine doesn't so I've had to jump through hoops at the sexual health clinic to get it ::)
Anyway it's at 3.15 so I'll let you know how it goes 😬
-
I am having one next week, the 13th!!
Really nervous about it as have not had one before. One of the female doctors is trained to do them at our practice, but have had to wait several weeks.
I am hoping that they are able to fit it with no problems as I want to restart my Estradot patch which I had to abandon as I couldn't stand the side effects of the Utrogestan.
Hope all goes well for you and do come back and let us know
-
I have one and had it fitted 6 months ago at the Docs. No more uncomfortable than a smear test. I did have low mood for a while but I think it was just my body adjusting to it as mood has now improved. I had daily bleeding (not much - didn't need more than a panty liner) which has lessened but I think I'm going to one of the unlucky ones who still gets light periods. Main reasons for getting the mirena were flooding & insomnia, which improved dramatically since getting it fitted - progesterone is apparently a sleepy hormone!
Good luck for tomorrow Chi Chi - I'm sure you'll be fine.
-
Just a little update,
Finally got called into appt half hour late ::) she went through my history and why I wanted it, got the impression she was fitting it under duress as it's more for HRT than contraception :-\
She was interested in the fact that I'm no better than when I started HRT? and questioned whether I need it and that maybe I need to look at other reasons for low moods etc :-\ but then went on to talk about shutting everything down and starting from scratch ??? And a hysterectomy?? Very odd appointment really and I felt I was being tested in some way?
She was concerned that I'd not had much prog so she did a scan and biopsy while she fitted the Mirena. She said everything looked normal but that my lining was thicker than shed liked/expected. Also noted that one of my ovaries looked small and both were pretty "quiet" meaning not really doing much, she said due to the estrogel. When she was fitting the Mirena she said they come in 2 strengths but I need the higher one as the other isn't licensed for something or other?? She didn't really explain it and when both me and hubby tried asking questions we felt like we were putting her out ??? Like I said earlier very strange appointment :-\
It was a bit painful nothing excruciating, I'm just waiting for the numbing to wear off now but I'm bleeding fairly heavy already.
Anyway it's in now so..........
Just hope I'm ok with it? I said to hubby oh well wait for the **** to hit the fan now! Really hope it doesn't :-\
-
So far so good, bleeding had settled down by evening and is now hardly anything. Also had no pain :o
Just seem to have a niggly cold/chest infection of some sort
-
Glad you're feeling ok Chi chi. I must admit that I've never heard of the Mirena being available in two strengths before!
Taz x
-
I hadn't heard of the Mirena being available in two strengths.
There is the Jaydess but I think that is only for contraceptive use not for the progesterone part of HRT.
-
I didn't know anything about jaydess, maybe that's what she meant?
-
Chichi. Please let us know how you make out with the Mirena. I've also considered it many times but am very afraid of what it'll do to my mood...maybe nothing.
I think it's about the only alternative to hysterectomy though that lets you do whatever you need with your estrogen without having to worry about the darn uterus. Always messing things up that uterus. Ah well.
Tara
-
Update,
Not had much in the way of pain since having it, had an initial, quite heavy bleed the day it was fitted but hardly anything since.
My mood has been ok, well as it was ! No better no worse really although last night after quite an upbeat day I became really quite anxious and kind of agitated? I had waves of thinking what have I done ??? Haven't really slept any better but I've got a stinking cold at the moment so difficult to tell what's causing what ?
-
I'm on my 2nd mirena due to be changed in August.
I've been fine with it but don't know if I will have another one fitted at 55 ???
-
Pleased to her you have been happy with yours Dyan.
Having mine fitted this week, really hoping it suits me.
I am nearly 53, why do you think you may not get yours replaced?
-
Update: Things seem to be going ok still, bleeding is a bit erratic, one minute heavy and the next nothing! Expected though I suppose. Little niggles of pain now and again but nothing major. Mood is the same, no better no worse. Hasn't affected my sleep in any way yet.
I'm on antibiotics at the mo for chest infection so feel pretty lousy with that :-\
-
Hi, I had my mirena fitted beginning if December, advised by gynae as I had a bleed more than a year post meno, and had been using estriol cream for bladder/va, so it was suggested to protect my uterus.
I now use oestrogel and have an estring for bladder.
After initial slight discomfort (nothing unbearable) lasted about 5 days, it settled, but then had spotting most days for about six weeks, now all settled, and feeling the best I've felt in years! I think the oestrogel is beginning to prove its worth now after four months. Hoping the estring, and oestrogel combination continue to improve my overactive bladder issue, I still have bad days with that! 😟
-
Lisajp...I am having a Mirena this afternoon, good to hear you are happy with yours.
-
Very happy with it Tinkerbell, just give it time to settle, I did panic at first, especially with the spotting, but all settled now 😊
-
Just thought I'd update as its been just over 3 weeks now although there's not much to say really. Things are pretty much the same, still bleeding I.e red blood sometimes with clots, mood still the same no better no worse, still feel like I'm clinging on by the skin on my teeth though! Quite tired still and still getting the headaches ::) A couple of occasions my anxiety had suddenly spiked bordering on feeling like I'm gonna have a panic attack or something which has really scared me as I've never experienced that before :-\
One thing I've noticed is my eyes seem to have like a glaze over them, the whites are looking a bit yellow and also slightly bloodshot?? Not sure that can be linked to the Mirena though??
-
Sorry to hear of your problems Chi, how are you today?
I had my mirena in for a couple of weeks now, just had a bit of spotting but I did have some awful palpitations earlier in the week. I was worried if this was a side effect, but seems to have settled now...fingers crossed!
-
Please continue to keep us updated regarding your progress with the Mirena. I am still contemplating one but am terrified of any possible mood fallout as my experiences with progesterone have been horrible to say the least. This is the option i haven't tried. But would like to know how you do with them.
-
I'm on my 2nd mirena and it's due to be changed in August but I'm not feeling great mood wise,anxiety and my heart is sometimes beating strangely.
I have been very happy with the mirena but right now I feel awful. Couldn't get an appointment with GP until May 24th ::)
-
Seem to be having more niggling pains and I'm sure it's now affecting my sleep? I've been so sleepy lately.
Not sure if it's affecting my mood but I think I've felt more down in the dumps the last few days and also had another episode of feeling like I'm gonna have a panic attack :-\
Bleeding is still there and it's more than spotting! I'm still on 4 pumps of estrogel could this be causing the bleeding as opposed to spotting?? Annie Evans said estrogel would help with spotting/bleeding?
If that's the case God knows what it'd be like if I wasn't on it ???
-
Hi Chi Chi sorry to hear your still suffering :bighug:
4pumps seems very high,maybe these is causing the lining to build up and then the mirena or your own uterus is sloughing it off. Have you thought of dropping your estrogen down to see if this helps ?
-
Thanks dazned, yes I've thought about reducing it but as usual scared of rocking the boat! ::)
-
Try it and see,at least with the gel its so easy to adjust ::)
-
Hi Chi Chi
Progesterone is known as the sleepy hormone and the coil has definitely improved my insomnia which is great, but I also find I get into a daydream-like state sometimes which is a bit inconvenient at work!
I had discharge for a full 6 months after having my coil fitted which wasn't brilliant but I only needed to upgrade to a towel on a couple of occasions.
I think it affects my mood a bit too. Infact, I've been feeling a bit glum over the past few days but not so much that I want to remove the mirena.
Hopefully the oestrogel will help with your low mood - it did with me but it also brought the insomnia right back so I had to stop using it which was a shame. I'll try again some time though, as I suspect there are times of the month when my oestrogen levels are fine (high even) and others when it's low.
-
Mines more than discharge, as the days gone on the cramping pains have got worse and I'm starting to get low back ache too :-\
I really don't know what to do about reducing my estrogel, so worried about making things worse especially mood wise :-\
I've actually been bleeding for 2 months solid now! 4 weeks before the Mirena and 4 weeks since having it! Surprised there's any left ::)
-
I was advised to take Noristherone if bleeding was heavy post-coil fitting. Might be worth asking for a prescription?
-
Chi chi - it's very early days. Using such a high dose of gel will mean that bleeding etc. may take longer to settle.
I felt a bit sleepy for the first few weeks after I had the Mirena fitted and I put that down to the initial big hit of progesterone. All these things should settle - you were bleeding a lot before the Mirena and as you are using such a high dose of the gel I would expect the bleeding to continue, especially if you are still peri meno. I really would try dropping down to 3 pumps - if flushes return then go back up but you need to try at least 2 weeks on 3 pumps and then possibly go down to 2 pumps per day (which is considered the normal dose) - I think your bleeding would settle on less oestrogen. High oestrogen makes me jittery and wired. Dg x
-
Just thought I'd give another little update, 5 weeks today!
Still bleeding ::)
Still getting the bad bad headaches, right at the base of skull radiating up and over to my eyes which still feel weirdly glazed over?
Sleep is still an issue, either really really dog tired or unable to sleep or sleeping but not feeling like I have.
Mood still hasn't improved.
Seem to be having gum/toothache problems again :-\ I had lots of this before and was at the dentists almost every month! I was only thinking the other day how I hadn't been for a good few months and that maybe all that was behind me :-\
Appetites gone up a bit too.
-
Chi Chi - remind me how much oestrogen you are using? The headaches could be to do with tension and lack of sleep.
Have you tried Nytol or some other antihistamine type sleep aid? If I go a few nights not sleeping well I find a couple of nights using Nytol can break the cycle and get me back sleeping again.
As to mood, I'm afraid it is early days - 5 weeks is really not long enough for everything to settle. I think it took at least 3 months when I had the Mirena with Oestrogel. The gum and tooth ache problem could be to do with grinding your teeth - has your dentist suggested a shield? If you are grinding your teeth this could cause headaches as well.
It is easy to blame the Mirena and HRT hormones for the way we feel but one must always look at other causes as well. I'd have a chat with your dentist and ask if there is evidence of tooth grinding.
Are you getting out for some brisk walks?? - it's spring, the birds are singing and everything is wonderfully green - fresh air and nature can work wonders for the mood - great form of exercise as well which gets the endorphins going. Dg x
-
I got the mirena coil fitted last October & I can definitely relate to the eyes glazing over - mid-afternoon onwards that's me!
I sleep really well on the coil alone but if I add in Oestrogel, I'll have a totally sleepless night so I've stopped using it, which is a shame as it improved my energy levels.
I have a gum sheild as I clench my teeth in my sleep and I have a dental implant which could break if I clench to hard.
Did you sleep ok before adding on the Oestrogel, Chi Chi? Might be worth getting your oestrogen levels checked by the nurse - I know these blood tests aren't wholly accurate but it should at least be able to tell you whether or not you need added oestrogen at this stage.
-
good points elsie001 - if you are still peri meno (so still producing some oestrogen yourself) then having too much oestrogen can make one feel wired and headachy in my experience. DG x
-
Hi Chi Chi
I'm really sorry to hear that you're still feeling poorly.
I have been considering your description of your jaw/tooth and gum pain along with your constant severe headache. Could this be migraine?
Migraine affects the trigeminal nerve which is a cranial nerve that has three branches on either side of the head. Each branch supplies sensation to either the forehead, cheek or jaw. I suffer severely with migraine that are totally hormonally driven and when in migraine I have severe toothache, earache, sinus pain and tooth, gum and jaw ache. I too have seen my dentist about this and he, as a fellow migraine sufferer, is well aware of this connection. I am totally unable to tolerate HRT and unfortunately very sensitive to any hormonal change or attempted manipulation.
I am not a doctor but this is something I am well aware of from my own experience. Do check it out online and then speak to your GP or whomever is managing your HRT. Perhaps your dosage could be adjusted but either way if it is migraine your suffering from, they should be aware of it.
I think there is a school of thought that the trigeminal nerve is in some way involved in the creation of migraine (very little is still understood about the condition) but many migrainers suffer with this type of pain whilst others are not as affected by it.
I do hope you get it sorted, it's not a very comfortable experience.
Good wishes.
-
Funny you should mention that elizabethrose but last week my ear felt odd on the same side, almost like an infection was erupting or it was blocked ??? I just put it down to prob another gum/tooth infection ::)
I used to grind my teeth at night but think I've stopped at the minute as hubby hasn't said anything lately??
I was on 4 pumps of estrogel as I've always been since starting HRT but just recently dropped to 3 to see if it would help with the bleeding (as recommended on here ) to be honest I don't think it's made much of a difference yet but I think it's only been about a week maybe a little more. I think I'm beginning to feel slightly less anxiety but my mood seems slightly lower too :-\ I just don't want to do anything, got no enthusiasm for anything :-\
Do you think it's a coincidence that on the days the bleeding's been slightly heavier my mood's been worse?
Just wish I could see an end to it all :-\
-
Oh poor you, can you not go back to the GP who fitted it? Surely if you have lots of questions and concerns they should address them. I'm absolutely NOT an HRT expert and I think I'd be knocking on their door requesting some reassurance and support.
Some of the ladies on here seem to have a real depth of knowledge re HRT, Dancing girl, Hurdity, perhaps you could ask them? However, if you're not knowledgable yourself how can you have the confidence or experience to start adjusting dosages? Blimey, I'd be completely out of my depth. I've had long old sessions on all sorts of combinations, all with horrible results but everything was managed by specialists. They wouldn't give me a Mirena.
I'm sorry I couldn't be more help to you, I just thought that there may be a connection with this jaw, tooth pain etc and the pesky headaches. I too had a mouth guard made because they wondered whether I was grinding but it became clear I wasn't. I only had the tooth, socket pain etc with the migs.
Get on the phone, start demanding women's rights! ;)
-
I think we are all out of our depth with complex situations re HRT! We can only give the info as we understand it from what's available on the web - but with individuals and their history it's impossible!
(As an aside are you a different Elizabethrose - you sound different - there is another Elizabethrose who started with another name, deleted her account so her posts have gone to her old name and then rejoined again as elizabethrose. Maybe the spelling is different but she talks about jaw pain too! This is going to get confusing !!!)
Sorry to hear about your ongoing problems Chi Chi - see if you can ride it out for a while longer to see if the side effects ( if this is what they are) settle. Do you have a review appointment coming up where you can discuss this with your gynae - I'm not sure who you are with now?
Hurdity x
-
Hi Hurdity
No I haven't been on this site before, I joined up after discovering it listening to Radio 4 just a few weeks ago. I noticed there is an English Rose, is that who you are thinking of? Hah, that could be a little tricky if there are two of us with the same username. How do I check that out?
-
Just checked through the members list and it appears I'm the only Elizabethrose, lots of Elizabeths!
-
Oops sorry - now this is really embarrassing! I'm getting mixed up with Englishrose and there are definitely two of these! Sorry!!!!!
Hurdity x
-
Hah, thought you were trying to see me off!
No problem ;D
-
Hi Chichi
I'm awaiting appointment to have a coil fitted too.
Did you have it fitted towards the end of your period ?
If so what happens if your appointment misses your period dates? Do you have to wait for the next period and hope you can get another appointment to coincide ? Or can you have it fitted anytime.
I think I may not be having my own bleed so I guess I could change my current patches round to generate a one maybe 🤔
Ann x
-
Smokey....I had one fitted 4 weeks ago it was not during a period as my last one was a year ago.
I don't think I would have managed to get a fitting appointment if I was still having periods...as mine were always irregular and the doctor who fits them is only part time!
I had no problems with the fitting even being post meno.
-
Thanks for that Tinkerbell
That's reassuring to know. I'm expecting letter for appointment any day.
Ann x
-
Just another update as its now been just over 8 weeks.
I think the bleeding is finally starting to settle, it's a lot lighter in colour and volume now. My mood has been ok I suppose, not any worse I don't think but certainly no better either :-\ I was secretly hoping that it might just improve a little now that things are supposedly "balanced"
No improvement in energy, aches and pains and sleep.
What I am noticing now is my hair! It's fine and pretty lifeless anyway but lately it seems much worse! The textures changed and I just can't seem to do anything with it :-\ it feels like it's in really bad condition now!
-
Sorry to hear that you are not too happy with it.
I can't remember, but are you taking any oestrogen as well?
I had mine 7 weeks ago and my spotting has only just settled down.
I seem to be sleeping really well as well.
-
Spoke too soon!! Spotting has started back up after 6 day break :-\
-
Chi Chi and tinker bell - it really can take at least 3 months for things to settle re bleeding and spotting etc.
Chi chi - I doubt you can expect the Mirena to help with mood, it will simply not give the negative effects that many progesterones bring. I have forgotten where you are in the meno journey but it could be worth looking at the oestrogen levels and Vitamin D levels to see if you need more of both and I really recommend you practise some relaxation techniques and possibly consider an SRRI if low mood and poor sleep are a real issue.
Low vit D will result in aches and pains, low mood, fatigue and poor sleep!!!! Spring is late this year and if you don't get enough sunshine there is good chance you are Vit D deficient. Dg x
-
I was on 4 pumps of estrogel but went down to 3 to see if it would help with the bleeding as suggested on here, not really sure if it did or if it would of settled with 4?
So frustrating when you finally think things are settling down and then bang! No ::)
Dancinggirl, I'm in peri (I think) at least that's what I've been told by Annie Evans and Prof Studd. I've been taking Vit D for 2 years now since Studd recommended it. I'm also on escitalopram (max dose) and also lamotrigine. I've tried most AD's with little success which is why I initially saw Studd as I thought it was all down to hormones, I'm beginning to think it's not and questioning if I really need to be on HRT ???
-
Why not take a break for a couple of cycles and see what,if any symptoms you have,and start from scratch,just a thought .
-
Chi chi - it would be very interesting to know what the oestrogen levels are - if you are peri you could be really over dosing with oestrogen, even on 3 pumps per day!!! The fluctuating of your own hormones will not be helping either.
It is very difficult to advice you as it is mainly low mood and anxiety that are your main issues and these are very difficult to treat successfully.
If I were you I'd be tempted to drop your dosage, perhaps down two 2 pumps per day for 2-4 weeks and see how you feel and then drop further to one pump for a few weeks after that so you can really judge where you are and what works. You need to do this gradually I think and I'm only offering this as a suggestion. DG x