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!
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
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.
Monday, October 6, 2014
From Skyla to Mirena and Everything Inbetween
Hey Readers!
Sorry I've been IMA. But, as the nurse who gave me an HIV test at Planned Parenthood told me "No news is good news." Well, there was no news for my HIV test but there is news with my IUD, Skyla.
I got Skyla inserted way back in October. Everything was fine after the first 3 months. Sure, I had bad cramps and sometimes shooting pains a week before my period, but it was all managable. Plus, the cramps were getting better, my periods were light (albeit 9 days long).
Then came mid-July. I had a normal period, and the day after it was done, I had sex for the first time with it in. That night, I had horrible cramps after. Then there was something weird going on with my vagina (a weird, not normal smell). Then, two weeks later, I got ANOTHER period and this one was like Niagra Falls. Never had that heavy of a period since I had Skyla put in (hell, haven't had one that heavy since I was 15).But it stopped after 8 days and I figured I'd see how the next one would go.
20 days later, I got another period but this one was more typical. Light, lasted for 8 days. Everything seemed fine. But the not-normal-smell thing wasn't totally resolved. So, I went to Planned Parenthood to get things checked out and told them about the period problems I've been having. I'll break down what they told me in a handy list:
1. I had cervicitis
-Cervicitis is caused by STIs, latex allergies, spermicide allergies, or puting stuff up your vagina like cervical caps, or like sponges or whatever.
-I am STI free, so it is probably from a latex or spermicide allergy. Which, totally makes sense to me because all this started after I had sex WITH a condom (and all subsequent sex with a condom). And I have a lot of skin allergies.
-They prescribed me a one dose antibiotic and it all cleared up!
2. My IUD strings were kinda on the short side, but everything still looked good.
Well, my next period came and it was another Niagra Falls situation! I even attempted period sex with this new guy I am seeing and that had a horrifying outcome. Luckily, the guy I am seeing is awesome and understanding, but there was more blood and clotting than I had ever seen my body produce.
I was a bit suspicious at this point of what was going on, so I emailed the doctor who put in the IUD and asked about a second opinion. She said what was happening was not normal and that I should come in. The reoccurring bleeding and the excessive clots were cause for concern. Long story short, I had to come in earlier than the original appointment I had made because of the heavy bleeding.
They checked everything out, did an ultra-sound to see the IUD and it turned out that it was a bit dislodged and my uterus was starting to push it out (expelling). Heavy bleeding can dislodge the IUD and that is probably what happened because this doctor told me that my strings were long! So, she decided to take it out and in a week, I could come back and get a new one.
Getting it taken out HURTS! But, you'll live. But it hurts. She also said it was on its way out looking at how long the strings were (remember, at Planned Parenthood, they said mine were kinda short, so it changed in the two weeks of bleeding).
An hour or so after that, the bleeding got worse, I started soaking tampons and pads every 2 hours and the CLOTS WERE INSANE! One of them was a foot long! So, after talking with a consulting nurse, I went to the ER. I got in pretty quickly, but the doctor said it was no cause for concern. He said that it was a slow bleed and basically, didn't know why it was happening. They took like 5 things of blood (just what I needed, more blood loss after heavy bleeding for 9 days straight). Ultimately, they said there was no cause for concern. They said to come back if it didn't stop but otherwise, I should follow up with my GP.
The next day, the wonderful consulting nurse called me to check up on me after seeing that I called the other consulting nurse and that I had been to the ER. I told her the bleeding hadn't let up, so she said to come in.
More long story short, my blood count is fine but my heart was feeling the blood loss. They gave me
Nortrel
- a pill birth control pill that I had to take 4 times a day to stop the bleeding!!
Nausea medication.
- Taking 4 pills a day causes nausea (makes sense) so these would counteract the nausea that Nortrel would cause. And boy does it cause nausea!!!! I was supposed to take one every 8 hours, but I had to take one every 3 to 4 hours to survive.
The bleeding let up a bit after just one pill and the clots weren't as horrifying, but there was still bleeding and clots.
NOW,,,,
I just came back from the hopefully final doctor visit! She told me that some women just don't respond well to IUDs, and brought up that I didn't bleed with the arm implant, so maybe I should go back to that. I told her I'd rather not since I had weight gain and paltry sex drive. She understood. She then said Mirena is for heavy bleeding, so that would be the best option for me.
I asked her repeatedly if that was going to be a good option, if it was the best option, and if it had the best likihood of stopping the hormone imbalance that was clearing happening. She said yes and was pretty confident about Mirena being the best option.
So, the nurse prepped everything and I got Mirena in a few mintues later. For whatever reason, this insertion hurt WAY MORE! I let out a yelp (two actually), one for when she put the measuring device in and another when the IUD was put in. I jumped alittle too. But, I was also exhausted and not feeling very mentally prepped for that kind of pain so I'd like to think I was just at a bad pain threshold point.
Anyway, I'm not looking forward to the insuing cramps to come later tonight or this week, but if it stops all the god damn bleeding, then I do not give two fucks.
Basic summary:
1. My IUD got dislodged but did not puncture my uterus
2. The bleeding was from a hormonal imbalance, and the heavy bleeding probably caused the displacement.
3. The birth control pills helped correct the imbalance and stop the bleeding. If you read my blog, you know that I can't take the pill because it interferes with my seizure medication. However, I was closely watched while taking it and it's only for a short period ( 3 days).
4. I now have Mirena and I am hopeful that it won't cause problems.
Alright, sorry for the long post. Updates to come.
Sorry I've been IMA. But, as the nurse who gave me an HIV test at Planned Parenthood told me "No news is good news." Well, there was no news for my HIV test but there is news with my IUD, Skyla.
I got Skyla inserted way back in October. Everything was fine after the first 3 months. Sure, I had bad cramps and sometimes shooting pains a week before my period, but it was all managable. Plus, the cramps were getting better, my periods were light (albeit 9 days long).
Then came mid-July. I had a normal period, and the day after it was done, I had sex for the first time with it in. That night, I had horrible cramps after. Then there was something weird going on with my vagina (a weird, not normal smell). Then, two weeks later, I got ANOTHER period and this one was like Niagra Falls. Never had that heavy of a period since I had Skyla put in (hell, haven't had one that heavy since I was 15).But it stopped after 8 days and I figured I'd see how the next one would go.
20 days later, I got another period but this one was more typical. Light, lasted for 8 days. Everything seemed fine. But the not-normal-smell thing wasn't totally resolved. So, I went to Planned Parenthood to get things checked out and told them about the period problems I've been having. I'll break down what they told me in a handy list:
1. I had cervicitis
-Cervicitis is caused by STIs, latex allergies, spermicide allergies, or puting stuff up your vagina like cervical caps, or like sponges or whatever.
-I am STI free, so it is probably from a latex or spermicide allergy. Which, totally makes sense to me because all this started after I had sex WITH a condom (and all subsequent sex with a condom). And I have a lot of skin allergies.
-They prescribed me a one dose antibiotic and it all cleared up!
2. My IUD strings were kinda on the short side, but everything still looked good.
Well, my next period came and it was another Niagra Falls situation! I even attempted period sex with this new guy I am seeing and that had a horrifying outcome. Luckily, the guy I am seeing is awesome and understanding, but there was more blood and clotting than I had ever seen my body produce.
I was a bit suspicious at this point of what was going on, so I emailed the doctor who put in the IUD and asked about a second opinion. She said what was happening was not normal and that I should come in. The reoccurring bleeding and the excessive clots were cause for concern. Long story short, I had to come in earlier than the original appointment I had made because of the heavy bleeding.
They checked everything out, did an ultra-sound to see the IUD and it turned out that it was a bit dislodged and my uterus was starting to push it out (expelling). Heavy bleeding can dislodge the IUD and that is probably what happened because this doctor told me that my strings were long! So, she decided to take it out and in a week, I could come back and get a new one.
Getting it taken out HURTS! But, you'll live. But it hurts. She also said it was on its way out looking at how long the strings were (remember, at Planned Parenthood, they said mine were kinda short, so it changed in the two weeks of bleeding).
An hour or so after that, the bleeding got worse, I started soaking tampons and pads every 2 hours and the CLOTS WERE INSANE! One of them was a foot long! So, after talking with a consulting nurse, I went to the ER. I got in pretty quickly, but the doctor said it was no cause for concern. He said that it was a slow bleed and basically, didn't know why it was happening. They took like 5 things of blood (just what I needed, more blood loss after heavy bleeding for 9 days straight). Ultimately, they said there was no cause for concern. They said to come back if it didn't stop but otherwise, I should follow up with my GP.
The next day, the wonderful consulting nurse called me to check up on me after seeing that I called the other consulting nurse and that I had been to the ER. I told her the bleeding hadn't let up, so she said to come in.
More long story short, my blood count is fine but my heart was feeling the blood loss. They gave me
Nortrel
- a pill birth control pill that I had to take 4 times a day to stop the bleeding!!
Nausea medication.
- Taking 4 pills a day causes nausea (makes sense) so these would counteract the nausea that Nortrel would cause. And boy does it cause nausea!!!! I was supposed to take one every 8 hours, but I had to take one every 3 to 4 hours to survive.
The bleeding let up a bit after just one pill and the clots weren't as horrifying, but there was still bleeding and clots.
NOW,,,,
I just came back from the hopefully final doctor visit! She told me that some women just don't respond well to IUDs, and brought up that I didn't bleed with the arm implant, so maybe I should go back to that. I told her I'd rather not since I had weight gain and paltry sex drive. She understood. She then said Mirena is for heavy bleeding, so that would be the best option for me.
I asked her repeatedly if that was going to be a good option, if it was the best option, and if it had the best likihood of stopping the hormone imbalance that was clearing happening. She said yes and was pretty confident about Mirena being the best option.
So, the nurse prepped everything and I got Mirena in a few mintues later. For whatever reason, this insertion hurt WAY MORE! I let out a yelp (two actually), one for when she put the measuring device in and another when the IUD was put in. I jumped alittle too. But, I was also exhausted and not feeling very mentally prepped for that kind of pain so I'd like to think I was just at a bad pain threshold point.
Anyway, I'm not looking forward to the insuing cramps to come later tonight or this week, but if it stops all the god damn bleeding, then I do not give two fucks.
Basic summary:
1. My IUD got dislodged but did not puncture my uterus
2. The bleeding was from a hormonal imbalance, and the heavy bleeding probably caused the displacement.
3. The birth control pills helped correct the imbalance and stop the bleeding. If you read my blog, you know that I can't take the pill because it interferes with my seizure medication. However, I was closely watched while taking it and it's only for a short period ( 3 days).
4. I now have Mirena and I am hopeful that it won't cause problems.
Alright, sorry for the long post. Updates to come.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
3rd Period
Ok, so this period has been a breeze compared to the last two! I had one or two really, really bad cramps, but for the most part nothing!
And the PMS was so much more manageable and I didn't go around picking fights with people!
My periods have been lasting for about 9 days, but they are light. Panty liners work perfectly and no need for a tampon.
It's kinda cool how it's just bright red blood, and none of that gross brown stuff I used to get at the end of my period. But, it's also annoying because I have no indication of when it will end. It has consistently lasted for 9 days, so that seems to be the best indicator.
One thing I will mention, and no idea if its a cause for concern yet, is how difficult it has been to lose weight again and how easily I put on weight. I'm dieting and excreting, and usually, I at least lose a pound or two in the first week. It's been 2 weeks: not one pound has been shed. Now, granted, I've been bad about really exercising, so I'm just going to have to see what happens now that I'm able to exercise more.
I her than that, things are good!
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