Mirena or Hysterectomy - Hysterectomy Message Board

dsmegnky · 10-01-2005, 11:27 AM

Hi, I am 35 years old and have had 3 children, one has passed away due to congenital heart disease, which could have been due to my uterus. I have a bicornuate uterus-heart shaped-(which I just found out about), a small fibroid (2 cm), heavy long periods with a brown mucus discharge, painful intercourse, bad headaches during the end of my periods, horrible lower back pain, horrible upper leg pain down to my knee caps, a heavy feeling when I am on my period like right before you have your baby. I went to my obgyn for several years with complaints and she never did tests or anything on me, so I just switched doctors and she have been running tests on me. The ultrasound showed heart shaped uterus and a fibroid. She also said my uterus was enlarged, should be an 8, but it is a 12. She also did a test to check for cancer which was negative. She said that I could possibly have endometriosis. She said my options are Mirena (iud- used as birthcontrol) or a hysterectomy. The pill is out due to past issues with headaches and the pill. So we talked about trying the Mirena first to see if that would help me, but I am have second thoughts about it. The more I read about it the more it makes me wonder. Like it is mainly used for birth control, not problems with periods. I am not having any more children and my husband has had a vasectomy, so I don't need to worry about birth control. Also does it work with a heart shaped uterus? Then do I want to feel better for a few years then have the same problems again later with the same options? With the Mirena it will make your periods heavier before they get lighter, what fun! Has anyone else had the same problems or used a Mirena for the same reasons? Should I try the mirena first or just get a hysterectomy?

Has anyone had a similar experiance or any advice.....

Thanks.. dsmegnky

sunnydaze1 · 10-01-2005, 02:00 PM

My doctor is offering that to me as a last resort before I go ahead with the hysterectomy. I'm 50 and so close to menopause (although no symptoms yet), he feels it's worth a try and I trust he knows what's best for me.

I really cannot offer you any advice as I haven't had it put in yet, and probably won't for about another month. He had to order it; get insurance approval, etc.; and then said would be inserted on the last day of my period when the cervix is still open.

Once I have it placed, I'll try to drop a note here and update how it's working for me.

Hope you get some answers and some relief! BTW, so sorry on the loss of your child.

dsmegnky · 10-01-2005, 05:06 PM

Hi, Thanks so much!
The doctor is also ordering it in for me, but I was trying to see what others had to say before I went ahead and did it. I have read alot of people who really like it and alot that have had several problems with it. I just don't want to go through all the stuff that goes along with it and then end up having a hysterectomy anyway. Thanks and good luck with yours, I will also update.
Thanks so much again, dsmegnky

sunnydaze1 · 10-01-2005, 08:02 PM

Yea, I know what you mean; I'm going into this pretty much not expecting much, but I have nothing but time on my hands for now. I can't have surgery now, anyway, due to other things going on, so the closest I'm looking at a hysterectomy is next July.

I just hope I don't end up bleeding all month long. I only have 3-4 bad clotty days out of the month...I sure don't want more than that, especially now.

Well, you and I will have to keep track of each other and compare notes!

dsmegnky · 10-02-2005, 01:04 AM

Well I wish you good luck with it. Let me know how it goes for you. I just wish I could find someone who has a heart shaped uterus or/and enlarged uterus to see if Mirena worked for them or if it wasn't even an option. I have read lots of information on Mirena, but never saw any thing about that. I do have their number so I will call them on Monday and see what they say and let you know. Thanks, dsmengky