The bleeding has STOPPED!!! I'm so excited for that to be over.
I don't think I am over the Mirena Crash 100%, this weekend I was moody and emotional. I warned my boyfriend, but I still felt bad for the way I acted.
Also, I lost 2 pounds even though I made bad food choices all weekend!! For the past month, I have been running and doing light weight lifting 4 to 5 days a week, and then eating healthy, with lots of veggies and protein. NOTHING. Not one pound was shed, I think I even gained 2 pounds. There is the argument that I was gaining muscle, but I was not weight lifting enough to warrant that kind of result. It's these kind of changes that make me never want to take birth control again. Feeling more awake at work, seeing the results of my hard work with diet and exercise, and not having the random shooting pains. I also noticed it was worse whenever I did kegel exercises, which is weird, but I stopped doing them because of that.
I have decided (for now) to reach my ideal weight and then pick a birth control option. Might be Skyla again since I didn't experience a loss of sex drive or really gain any weight. But I might also try Paragard, at the risk of heavier, crampier periods. Who knows though, I change my mind constantly.
Well, readers, This will probably be my last update for a good long while. I hope this information finds you and it helps you make a more informed birth control decision.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Friday, March 20, 2015
Last Update For Awhile
Today, I actually feel like the bleeding is letting up! And I am still in love with my menstrual cup and mad I hadn't bought one YEARS ago. I still had to get up at 3 am and change it out, but that was after almost 4 hours! Plus, it was really more because of the clots than actual blood.
I also felt more awake today and actually slept pretty well last night. I'm thinking the Mirena Crash has worn off now. My sex drive is in full gear, so I'm pretty happy about that (just wish I wasn't still bleeding :/). I've even noticed I'm not gaining weight after one cheat day too! It's so frustrating that feeling normal means not having the safety of birth control....
Anyway, this will be my last post for awhile. I've been updating a lot with out any major updates, so I promise to only do another post when there is actual news.
I also felt more awake today and actually slept pretty well last night. I'm thinking the Mirena Crash has worn off now. My sex drive is in full gear, so I'm pretty happy about that (just wish I wasn't still bleeding :/). I've even noticed I'm not gaining weight after one cheat day too! It's so frustrating that feeling normal means not having the safety of birth control....
Anyway, this will be my last post for awhile. I've been updating a lot with out any major updates, so I promise to only do another post when there is actual news.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Menstrual Cup Heaven!
The bleeding is still going strong. The Soft Cups just don't work when you get heavy clots, I've decided, otherwise I think they'd work pretty well. BUT, the menstrual cup IS A GOD SEND!!!
With the Soft Cup, it lasted about 2 hours, about the same as a tampon. Then I would get up and a gush of blood would come out and let's just say that I am thankful I have been wearing nothing but black pants. Somehow they spill out and it isn't pretty. Perhaps its user error, I'd need a free weekend to really troubleshoot. I just resorted back to tampons because I couldn't fuss with the Soft Cups while at work.
When I got home, my Eva Cup was waiting for me (finally!!). I immediately washed it and tried it out. It took some wiggling and squatting to get it up there, and then it didn't open. So I stood up, fussed with it some more, then squatted down again and it felt like it had opened. If it hadn't, I had a pad on anyway, so I wasn't too worried. Anyway, I clearly did it right because its been 3 hours and no leakage!!! HUZZAHHH!
I've read a lot about how there is a learning curve and most people need time to figure it out. I guess since I tried Soft Cups and kinda got the hang of those, the cup isn't as difficult for me? Not totally sure, and for all I know its beginners luck. Either way, I've almost forgotten I've been bleeding for almost two weeks straight.
Anyway, that's all for now.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Mirena Crash?
Not sure if my body isn't keeping up with the blood loss or if I am experiencing the dreaded Mirena Crash, but either way; I am very, very tired. Like falling asleep and not remembering I even closed my eyes tired. Which is making me a tad delirious, woozy, and spacey. I just feel like my entire system is out of balance, almost like PMS but with less control.
I read this blog, Empowered Sustainability, and I won't say I agree with everything she says about tampons and PMS, it did give me good advice on how to get my hormones back in balance.
The bleeding isn't getting better. I wanted to wait to take the mini pill until the bleeding stopped, but it appears that might not be an option. I'm really not sure how long I should wait for the bleeding to stop either. And then that gets me to thinking about how much birth control has fucked my system up...... Do I really want to go on birth control again to stop these symptoms that might be part of a larger problem?
There is a huge hormonal birth control push back and while I do not believe half of what is posted, it still gives me pause.
I hate to say it, but when it comes down to the bottomline, the fear of pregnancy is always going to win. And statistics don't pull in favor of Natural Family Planning.
If the bleeding doesn't stop by Friday, I'll start on the mini pill. Until then, I need all the sleep!
I read this blog, Empowered Sustainability, and I won't say I agree with everything she says about tampons and PMS, it did give me good advice on how to get my hormones back in balance.
The bleeding isn't getting better. I wanted to wait to take the mini pill until the bleeding stopped, but it appears that might not be an option. I'm really not sure how long I should wait for the bleeding to stop either. And then that gets me to thinking about how much birth control has fucked my system up...... Do I really want to go on birth control again to stop these symptoms that might be part of a larger problem?
There is a huge hormonal birth control push back and while I do not believe half of what is posted, it still gives me pause.
I hate to say it, but when it comes down to the bottomline, the fear of pregnancy is always going to win. And statistics don't pull in favor of Natural Family Planning.
If the bleeding doesn't stop by Friday, I'll start on the mini pill. Until then, I need all the sleep!
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
More of the bad
 |
| My current stash that is quickly depleting |
Today and yesterday wasn't a good day, period wise.
On Monday, all seemed to be clearing up well. The bleeding was tapering off and I thought it would all clear up by the end of this week. God, was I wrong.
At 3 am Tuesday morning, I awoke to that horrifying feeling of a dam about to break. I could also feel clots, big ones. To make matters worse, I strained the lower left side of my back pretty bad, so I could barely get out of bed fast enough or bend down to get the towels I would clearly need.
The few short steps to the bathroom made it clear that my best option would be to clean up in the shower. I took off my clothes and it was horrific! I had at least 4 huge clots spilling out and my pajama shorts were drenched.
I took a shower, cleaned up and painfully prepared for a repeat occurrence during the night; and I'm glad I prepared because it happened again!
Since this has happened before with getting Skyla removed, I didn't freak out too much but was quite annoyed between the whole mess and my back. I waited to go into work, to make sure this wasn't going to happen all day. Luckily, it didn't although I am still bleeding and I did just pass one pretty big clot.
However, I had a repeat occurrence last night, although I handled it much better and it wasn't as bad.
However, I had a repeat occurrence last night, although I handled it much better and it wasn't as bad.
One problem is that I don't know how to manage this amount of blood loss. It leaks everywhere, tampons are almost useless, and towels don't go well with my skinny jeans. Last night, I tried Soft Cups, which are basically disposable menstrual cups and can be worn for 12 hours (at least that's what they say).I think I didn't insert it right, but I get better at it everytime I try. Here is hoping that tonight I finally have it down. I also ordered a reusable menstrual cup but it won't be here until Thursday. Until then, I'm hoping these Soft Cups help, at least for overnight accidents.
Oy, this has been a tough week and it doesn't appear to be getting any better.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Going forward
Just got back from talking about my options at the GYNO and its slim pickins'.
In my last post, I said I wanted to try Nuva Ring, which turns out to not be an option because of the estrogen in it. The synthetic form of estrogen is super potent and its basically what conflicts with most seizure meds, specifically in my case Lamtical.
The GYNO had this handy chart, published by the CDC (click on the picture for the full article link)
What does all that mean? Here is a breakdown. Anything with a "3" is bad, and anything with a "1" is safe.
COC/P/R= Combined Oral Contraceptives/Patch/Ring (BAD!)
POP = Progestrin Only Pill (mini pill) (GOOD!)
DMPA = Depo (GOOD!)
Implants = Implanon/Nexaon (GOOD!)
LNG= Hormonal IUDs (GOOD!)
Cu IUD -Copper IUD (GOOD!)
It basically outlines the high risk BC options, which is any combined (progestrin and estrogen) contraceptive, even Nuva Ring and the Patch.
What I can take is still the same:
Depo:
NOT HAPPENING
Implanon (Now Nexaplon)
NOPE
Mini Pill: This is the option I chose for now.
This one only has progestrin but it is taken orally. The CDC says it is safe to take wiith Lamictal but it may lower the effectiveness of my BC. So there is a risk of pregnancy, but they really don't know how much it can lower the effectiveness. Which is why....
IUDs
Even though I have expelled two IUDs, I can still get them if I want and almost every site I go to is recommending them for people in my situation. My GYNO said that one of her other patients keeps expelling them and then getting a new one. Longest she has had one is 3 years, the rest are 6 months to a year. The pain out weighs the alternative, my GYNO said.
In the last post, I talked about how I really don't want another IUD, but looking at my other options, its the most effective of them all. Yes, they are painful, yes I hate the hormones, yes I have had all the horrible side effects.... But I'm sitting here thinking like an optimist "Maybe next time will be different."
In all honesty, I will probably get another IUD, possibly the copper one. I'm just going to wait awhile so my body doesn't have to get anything invasive for now.
At this point, I feel defeated. Maybe I should just stick to condoms.... I'm not totally sure :/
In my last post, I said I wanted to try Nuva Ring, which turns out to not be an option because of the estrogen in it. The synthetic form of estrogen is super potent and its basically what conflicts with most seizure meds, specifically in my case Lamtical.
The GYNO had this handy chart, published by the CDC (click on the picture for the full article link)
What does all that mean? Here is a breakdown. Anything with a "3" is bad, and anything with a "1" is safe.
COC/P/R= Combined Oral Contraceptives/Patch/Ring (BAD!)
POP = Progestrin Only Pill (mini pill) (GOOD!)
DMPA = Depo (GOOD!)
Implants = Implanon/Nexaon (GOOD!)
LNG= Hormonal IUDs (GOOD!)
Cu IUD -Copper IUD (GOOD!)
It basically outlines the high risk BC options, which is any combined (progestrin and estrogen) contraceptive, even Nuva Ring and the Patch.
What I can take is still the same:
Depo:
NOT HAPPENING
Implanon (Now Nexaplon)
NOPE
Mini Pill: This is the option I chose for now.
This one only has progestrin but it is taken orally. The CDC says it is safe to take wiith Lamictal but it may lower the effectiveness of my BC. So there is a risk of pregnancy, but they really don't know how much it can lower the effectiveness. Which is why....
IUDs
Even though I have expelled two IUDs, I can still get them if I want and almost every site I go to is recommending them for people in my situation. My GYNO said that one of her other patients keeps expelling them and then getting a new one. Longest she has had one is 3 years, the rest are 6 months to a year. The pain out weighs the alternative, my GYNO said.
In the last post, I talked about how I really don't want another IUD, but looking at my other options, its the most effective of them all. Yes, they are painful, yes I hate the hormones, yes I have had all the horrible side effects.... But I'm sitting here thinking like an optimist "Maybe next time will be different."
In all honesty, I will probably get another IUD, possibly the copper one. I'm just going to wait awhile so my body doesn't have to get anything invasive for now.
At this point, I feel defeated. Maybe I should just stick to condoms.... I'm not totally sure :/
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Life without Mirena - Day 4
Well, I got my ultra sound results back and all is normal. I guess I just have powerful uterine muscles (doctor said that, not me!). There really is no explanation for why my body expelled it, I'm just the one in 100.
When I read more stuff about mirena on some blogs, some women said that you can expell it without even noticing/feeling it. I say that is a flat out LIE. YES YOU CAN FEEL IT! It's like intense cramps that don't go away for several minutes!
Okay, now that I have said that, on to the after effects...
I have been bleeding like crazy again, No where near what happened when I expelled Skyla, but enough that it is annoying. I keep having leaks even with super plus tampons in! The clots are manageable, but they are frequent and larger than normal. Again, not golfball size like before! I am purchasing a menstrual cup now that I don't have an IUD, hoping that it will help with the leaks and crappy tampons. Can't seem to find any that can do the job! As a temporary solution, I cut up an old towel to wear around the house with some over sized men's pajama pants. It sounds gross and unattracitve, but I seriously don't know what to do anymore. I'm also quite moody, but I am aware of it and let people know that it might slip out. Other than that, I actually feel FANSTATIC!
Another thing that happened was that I had unprotected sex with my boyfriend on Wednesday night (and it was soooo worth it, despite the following information), and Mirena came out Thursday morning. According to other articles, pregnancy can happen the moment an IUD becomes dislodged, and who knows how long mine wasn't placed right before I birthed it out. I called my doctor and they said I should take Plan-B, just in case. Even though it was highly unlikely that I would get pregnant given I was on my period already. They actually prescribed me Ella, which is the NEW emergency contraceptive on the market that offers a wider window (5 days), less side effects, and its more effective. But, no pharmacy I could get to in time carried it yet, being so new and all. So, I also had to take Plan-B. Another cherry on top of my weird and complicated situation.
Now, on to my next array of BC options. I still don't want the Depo shot. I don't want the chemicals in my body for 3 months, and I don't want all the side effects since I seem to get all of them. My last options are:
-The Patch
Haven't heard good things about the patch and some people mention complications with Lamictal and the patch
-Nuva Ring
Back when I got Implanon, I said I didn't want the ring because I lived at my Dad's house and didn't want to have a fresh vagina ring hangout in the fridge. Now that I live with another girl roommate, it isn't such a big deal. I also read some things about women having interactions with the ring and their seizure medications. But I've also read a lot of success stories too. My gyno(s) and pharmacists have told me there is no interaction because its the same hormones as Implanon and Mirena. The mixed info is confusing and scary, but until that male birth control is FINALLY released in the US, I need to make some decisions.
- Condoms
Condoms are fine and all, and if it really is too risky to take any BC, I will resort to the good ole fashion condom route. I really want BC for its numerous other benefits like clear skin and regular periods. Granted, I do experience a lowered sex drive with BC and I just don't orgasm the same. I'm honestly torn on this but...
I am going to talk to my doctor about Nuva Ring as an option tomorrow. My friend who has a high sex drive said she liked the ring the best. It didn't lower her sex drive and never had any problems with it.
I will update accordingly. Isn't it interesting how this started out as an Implanon blog but now I've trying every unique birth control option?
When I read more stuff about mirena on some blogs, some women said that you can expell it without even noticing/feeling it. I say that is a flat out LIE. YES YOU CAN FEEL IT! It's like intense cramps that don't go away for several minutes!
Okay, now that I have said that, on to the after effects...
I have been bleeding like crazy again, No where near what happened when I expelled Skyla, but enough that it is annoying. I keep having leaks even with super plus tampons in! The clots are manageable, but they are frequent and larger than normal. Again, not golfball size like before! I am purchasing a menstrual cup now that I don't have an IUD, hoping that it will help with the leaks and crappy tampons. Can't seem to find any that can do the job! As a temporary solution, I cut up an old towel to wear around the house with some over sized men's pajama pants. It sounds gross and unattracitve, but I seriously don't know what to do anymore. I'm also quite moody, but I am aware of it and let people know that it might slip out. Other than that, I actually feel FANSTATIC!
Another thing that happened was that I had unprotected sex with my boyfriend on Wednesday night (and it was soooo worth it, despite the following information), and Mirena came out Thursday morning. According to other articles, pregnancy can happen the moment an IUD becomes dislodged, and who knows how long mine wasn't placed right before I birthed it out. I called my doctor and they said I should take Plan-B, just in case. Even though it was highly unlikely that I would get pregnant given I was on my period already. They actually prescribed me Ella, which is the NEW emergency contraceptive on the market that offers a wider window (5 days), less side effects, and its more effective. But, no pharmacy I could get to in time carried it yet, being so new and all. So, I also had to take Plan-B. Another cherry on top of my weird and complicated situation.
Now, on to my next array of BC options. I still don't want the Depo shot. I don't want the chemicals in my body for 3 months, and I don't want all the side effects since I seem to get all of them. My last options are:
-The Patch
Haven't heard good things about the patch and some people mention complications with Lamictal and the patch
-Nuva Ring
Back when I got Implanon, I said I didn't want the ring because I lived at my Dad's house and didn't want to have a fresh vagina ring hangout in the fridge. Now that I live with another girl roommate, it isn't such a big deal. I also read some things about women having interactions with the ring and their seizure medications. But I've also read a lot of success stories too. My gyno(s) and pharmacists have told me there is no interaction because its the same hormones as Implanon and Mirena. The mixed info is confusing and scary, but until that male birth control is FINALLY released in the US, I need to make some decisions.
- Condoms
Condoms are fine and all, and if it really is too risky to take any BC, I will resort to the good ole fashion condom route. I really want BC for its numerous other benefits like clear skin and regular periods. Granted, I do experience a lowered sex drive with BC and I just don't orgasm the same. I'm honestly torn on this but...
I am going to talk to my doctor about Nuva Ring as an option tomorrow. My friend who has a high sex drive said she liked the ring the best. It didn't lower her sex drive and never had any problems with it.
I will update accordingly. Isn't it interesting how this started out as an Implanon blog but now I've trying every unique birth control option?
Thursday, March 12, 2015
The End
Well readers, today my Uterus pushed out Mirena :/
Last night, I had sex and everything was totally fine and normal. Then, when I woke up, I noticed my period was getting heavy which is unusual after being on it for 5 days already. As I got ready for the day, I noticed I was having increasungly bad cramps. I thought it was strange and planned to call my doctor when I got to work.
On the bus to work, they got worse. But they also came and went, so I really wasn't sure how alarmed I should be. As I walked to work, I noticed I needed to walk slower and I was winded faster (I have to walk up a steep hill). When I got to work, I called my a nurse right away, telling her my issues. She got me in that day and I initially decided to try to work a few hours before going.
That did not happen. Within an hour, I was having intense, not-going-away-even-with-pain-killers-type-cramps. I went into the bathroom and doubled over in pain, punching the stalls and deep down knowing that I was probably pushing it out. I left work and asked to get in the doctor ASAP.
On the bus to the office, the cramps got better and I figured maybe the pain killers finally kicked in. The doctor asked me a few questions before taking a look. I told her everything was normal until today. When she looked at my strings, she thought she saw the tip of plastic but wasn't sure until she did a manual exam. Sure enough, it was practically already out. As I mentioned in a previous post with Skyla, getting it taken out is painful! Anything passing through your cervix is painful, even blood clots. So, when she pulled it out, I was shocked when I didn't feel a thing. My body had done it already.
I also had to get an ultra sound to see if there is an observable reason why I push out IUDs. Could be that I have a funny shaped uterus, could be a fibroid, or I might just have strong uterine muscles. I get the results back tomorrow.
Now, I feel amazing! So relieved and free! No more pain, no more random cramps, no more shooting pain (especially in my ass... not sure if that is normal)! No more extreme drowsiness the week before my period either! No more reduced sex drive! I also noticed that with Mirena, my orgasms just weren't the same. Not as intense and I didn't get as into sex as I used to. Now I get to have better orgasms too!!
Not looking forward to the acne but meh.
From here, I don't know if I have any other bc options. I'm going to discuss it with my gyno on Monday but I'm prepared to hear that it's only Depo-Prevera. Either way, this weekend is going to be lovely and hormone freeeeeeeeeee.
Last night, I had sex and everything was totally fine and normal. Then, when I woke up, I noticed my period was getting heavy which is unusual after being on it for 5 days already. As I got ready for the day, I noticed I was having increasungly bad cramps. I thought it was strange and planned to call my doctor when I got to work.
On the bus to work, they got worse. But they also came and went, so I really wasn't sure how alarmed I should be. As I walked to work, I noticed I needed to walk slower and I was winded faster (I have to walk up a steep hill). When I got to work, I called my a nurse right away, telling her my issues. She got me in that day and I initially decided to try to work a few hours before going.
That did not happen. Within an hour, I was having intense, not-going-away-even-with-pain-killers-type-cramps. I went into the bathroom and doubled over in pain, punching the stalls and deep down knowing that I was probably pushing it out. I left work and asked to get in the doctor ASAP.
On the bus to the office, the cramps got better and I figured maybe the pain killers finally kicked in. The doctor asked me a few questions before taking a look. I told her everything was normal until today. When she looked at my strings, she thought she saw the tip of plastic but wasn't sure until she did a manual exam. Sure enough, it was practically already out. As I mentioned in a previous post with Skyla, getting it taken out is painful! Anything passing through your cervix is painful, even blood clots. So, when she pulled it out, I was shocked when I didn't feel a thing. My body had done it already.
I also had to get an ultra sound to see if there is an observable reason why I push out IUDs. Could be that I have a funny shaped uterus, could be a fibroid, or I might just have strong uterine muscles. I get the results back tomorrow.
Now, I feel amazing! So relieved and free! No more pain, no more random cramps, no more shooting pain (especially in my ass... not sure if that is normal)! No more extreme drowsiness the week before my period either! No more reduced sex drive! I also noticed that with Mirena, my orgasms just weren't the same. Not as intense and I didn't get as into sex as I used to. Now I get to have better orgasms too!!
Not looking forward to the acne but meh.
From here, I don't know if I have any other bc options. I'm going to discuss it with my gyno on Monday but I'm prepared to hear that it's only Depo-Prevera. Either way, this weekend is going to be lovely and hormone freeeeeeeeeee.
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