Surgery cancelled ... for now... trying the Mirena

Hello sisters!

Well, after 2 agonizing weeks of wavering, I finally got to speak with my gyno today. She didn't feel comfortable doing a hyst if I wasn't 100% sure. And I wasn't.

She said that a laparascopy would not be beneficial as she could see my ultrasounds clearly show adenomyosis.

Also, my blood levels are still really low and my main GP was quite concerned about it.

She said she thought trying the Mirena was not a bad idea at all. I asked her if she'd seen women in my condition who it had helped and she said 'absolutely'. She thinks because I handled the endometrial biopsy ok that I could handle insertion without going under!

I have to say, the endometrial biopsy was NOT a picnic. In order to cope, I took 2 ativans, 2 ibuprofens, and one Percoset first. And then she 'numbed' my cervix with some spray (actually it felt like my cervix was on fire for a moment or two) and THEN injected the cervix with something else! And I *still* felt some pain! So I am ***NOT*** looking forward to experiencing all that again.

I totally know there are risks to the Mirena, that I might be throwing away $350, and at best it will only buy me time, at worst it will make me feel even worse than now and I will have to have it removed. But if I have to have surgery, I want to know that I had tried everything and never look back.

Part of me thinks I should have just gotten everything over with, and that this is kind of a dumb move, but I have to honour that part within me that is holding back. Now I will have another period even before the IUD is put in. Not good.

I am going to use this 'experimental' time to take really good care of myself. I want to eat only the best foods and join a gym. I want to try deep relaxation and visualization. Not to rid myself of the adeno, because I know once its there you can't will it to go away. But just to make my body as strong as possible so that if it is apparent that hysterectomy really is the only viable option, that it will be smooth and easy.

I do not regret that I had made the decision to have a hyst because I researched it to death and now, if and when I do go through it, I will be fully informed! Over-informed, in fact!

I will stay on the boards and let everyone know of the progress, and to continue to support the sisters I know now, and ask any more questions I might have!

Oh, btw, my gyno said that a 50% failure rate of ovaries after hyst even if left in, sounds way too high.

Thank you all for your support and I am still here!

Steph

Good luck with the Mirena, Stephanie! Please post any updates about your experience with it here in the Options Forum so that other members who are trying to avoid having a hysterectomy can learn from your experience.

That is terrific. How wonderful to have a doctor that did not make it seem as though hysterectomy was your only option. Please do keep us posted. Good luck!!!

Hi Carmen,

I will without a doubt, because I know it has been very hard for me to find such information, and I want to make it easier for others to decide. I hope I will have a positive story to tell.

I think my adenomyosis is pretty bad.... at least the symptoms sure are.

Steph

Steph,
You made the right decision. If you do have to have a hyst you will feel much better about it as you have tried other options.

and your plan to get healthy and strong is excellent. I did that for the years prior to my LSH. And did a whole strength training program the 2 months before. I know that helped my recovery.

You sound much more at peace.
I am so happy for you

Let everyone know how things work out for you

Hi again,

I wish I felt more at peace than I do. In fact I've been on edge ever since I made the decision! I don't know if its just because I'm tired of this condition running my life, or what. Part of me just thinks I'm crazy not to just get it over with. Unless I plan on being on the Mirena for 10-15 years, which I don't think is really healthy, I'm just going to end up with a hysterectomy anyway, eventually. So why put it off? And the stories about the Mirena's possible side effects are absolutely bone-chilling. I do know a couple of women personally who have it and love it, and I hope I am one of them.

I am telling you, I don't wish this situation on anyone! But here we are! And then I think if this is the worst I face in terms of my health then I am lucky.

Ah well. Upwards and onwards, so they say. I wonder if there are things I can do to help my body adjust to the hormones? Here I am all saying I don't want HRT if my ovaries fail and what do I do? Put synthetic hormones in my body!

I tolerate the pill well, though there usually is some weight gain, about 5 pounds, that's about it. Except the times I tried to use it continually and just bled constantly. I really hope the Mirena will not do that!

Well, anyway, thanks for your support again and I will keep you posted!

Steph

Hi Steph

I also tried an alternative treatment (in my case, it was for fibroids) before having my hysterectomy. I will always be glad that I did. It gave me two years to remember how good it felt to not have pain and to come to terms with the prospect of having my uterus removed. By the time I grew a new fibroid and decided to have the hysterectomy, I was very confident that this was my best option. If I hadn't tried something else first, I always would have wondered.

It sounds like you have a good doctor who's thinking about what's best for you, and that will be important as you continue on your journey.