hysterectomy or mirena iud after failed ablation (2009)

Pony Rider,
Glad you are doing well! You certainly deserve it after all you went through. Thanks for sharing.

I have just had an appointment with my specialist. We are going to try for the IUD. He is going to put me under local anesthesia and see if there is space for the IUD. He says if there isn't room, he will book me for a hysterectomy. I feel I have to exhaust the options before I go for the "Big H". I am a little worried about the hormones. The birth control pills did not work for me. We even tried a double dose. I recognized my spiral into a depression and took control of the sitution, choosing not to take them anymore. I worry that I could end up back on that slippery slope as moodiness is also a possible side effect with the Mirena. My second concern is cramping. Since my ablation, my cramping has become more frequent. I cramp everyday. I think the Mirena may make it worse. I have agreed to try it for two months. If I am not happy, my gynie has agreed to go ahead with a laproscopic hysterectomy. Everything has risks. There are women who have had incredible successes and then there are the horror stories. You just have to make a decision you are comfortable with and take the leap. There are unknowns, no guarantees for any procedure. Do what is right for you.

On Aug 28 last yr I had the novasure ablasion done on me, at first it went well until the bleeding became heavier and unpredictable, one month I would bleed for 3-5 days , the next would be for 9-10. Insurance had changed so I found a new dr based on her reputation....she was supposedly a compassionate dr, not true. After looking over my charts she recommended the iud, I reminded her that I had an ablasion the prior yr, that I was told by previous dr that an iud could not be done. After some talking, she assured me that she had done this same procedure to many other women. So the day came that I went back to get my iud, NEVER SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS! After trying to dilate me for 30 min so she could get it in place, I was done! The pain that she caused execellerated 100 times over, not to mention now it happens every month-AFTER my cycle and lasts for about 2 weeks for the past 4 months since.
My advice living in pain is not living at all. Going in Fri for follow up and to schedule hysterectomy. I also found this online, I wish I had searched before the attempted iud;

http://www.popline.org/node/316825

My experience was the same as ponyrider... I really should have had a hyst 5 years ago. I could not tolerate hormones.. felt great for two months , very slight periods.. but it made my heart race. Also HBP made any more hormone experimentation out of the question. Large fibroids were the culprit. I was waiting for menopause, which didn't happen.. and may not for a couple of years yet.

After having a period ( not the first time) last three weeks, thru a vacation and business trip - I had finally had it. Made an appointment, Dr readily agreed it was finally time.. and never looked back. My regret is that I was no longer a candidate for laparoscopic, as my 'friend' was just way too large. I will be 4 weeks post op on Thursday, and am so excited about being able to wear light colors again, and not have pads and tampons everywhere.. just in case. Good luck to you !

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Originally Posted by health52 I am 52 and have been having heavy and painful periods ever since I went off the pill a year and a half ago. Actually, even on the pill they were some what heavy but I at least knew when to expect them and how long they would last. In December I had a d and c and Novasure ablation. No fibroids or other problems have been detected. The ablation has failed, and my periods are heavier and more painful. I also have bleeding between periods and a low iron count. The doctor that did the ablation, said a hysterectomy is what I should be considering, but I asked if I could try Depo Provera and she said I could try it for three months. I went to another doctor, and she said her gut reaction was to have a hysterectomy but I could try Mirena. Neither doctor thinks I should be on the pill because of my age, and high cholesterol, and a very high family history of heart attacks. Second doctor doesn't like side effects of Depo, and said Mirena would probably lighten my periods somewhat but would have to go through those first months of possibe spotting and heavy bleeding. I really am so tired of having to deal with days of needing a tampon and two pads, and still leaking.......and taking pain meds around the clock. Bur I have this nagging voice inside of me saying maybe I should try the mirena.....then again I am 52, am done having children, maybe I should just get this done. Second doctor said could possibly have DaVinci surgery..... Anyway would just like some opinions of others who have maybe been in same situation. Really don't like the idea of having that coil in me, but again is that better than surgery? Also, just don't like the idea of still possibly having problems with Mirena, and no end in sight..... Thanks for listening.

I feel the same about the DaVinci, I'm opting for the laporoscopy, had a few before, healing is a breeze.

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Originally Posted by health52 Thank you for your responses. I am still trying to decide what to do. I guess there is no real way of knowing how the Mirena will work for me, without trying it. Some of you that have been going through this for so long, how do you plan your life around all of it? For example, vacations, a child's wedding, visiting extended family, work?? I feel kind of guilty whining about it since it's not like I have anything terminal, but it really is affecting the quality of my life.

I am 44 done with the baby train, I have 4 and totally sick and tired of heavy bleeding, clots and anemia. I also had an enlarged uterus and top side fibroid that was large enough to cause tinkle leaks by pressing on my bladder. For me the choice was easy. I wanted to go on vacation without bleeding. I wanted to go to family functions without using the bathroom 10 times. I bled for weeks or months at a time. I saw 3 doctors first wanted to try options, second found the huge fibroid the first guy missed and the third said treatments might work temporarily but the best option was a hysterectomy. I wanted it to stop, I chose option 3. The decision was based on all the times I couldn't enjoy myself because of excessive bleeding, vacations I couldn't go swimming and romantic weekends that turned out to be TV weekends. I am one week post op and I couldn't be happier. I look forward to my new found freedom from my evil, angry uterus. Good luck to you. The best choice is what works for you. I made my choice by what works best for me.