I'm not really sure if "question" really sums it up...more of a statement, with a "what questions SHOULD I be asking".
38 years old, I have an IUD nearing the end of its lifespan (Mirena). History of cysts (chocolate and long-lived fiunctional ones), including a laparoscopy appx. a year and a half ago to remove a larger one at 6x7x5 cm. There was some very very mild endo at that time elsewhere, but not much. Family history of fibroids, cysts, and endo.
After the first 8-12 months or so of the Mirena, things evened out, and I basically had no periods. (FWIW, I'd never had a history of heavy--or even significant periods. No cramping, always very light and short. They might be inconsistent, but never anything excessive at all. And, like I said, after the Mirena "evened out", they by and large ceased, or were a day or two of very light, nothing really needed, spotting.
So I was a bit taken aback when on April 23, not only did I get a "real" period, it was HEAVY. Like large amounts of blood--wayyyy more than I'd ever seen. I used more feminine products in a five day span than I had used in like...well, years. Day 7, still going. By day 10, it had slowed/lightened, but not stopped. Here we are on Day 15, and I would say it has finally achieved what my "normal" period was like--spotting. ( I'm not sure how I had that much to shed, given that I have an IUD.) This was accompanied by cramping, intense burning (sometimes, this would wake me up at night), back pain, feeling of having to pee, etc etc.
I had an US done (on Tuesday, so Day 13). TV (reg. and 3D) and TA. The IUD is in place, but my endometrial lining is quite thick (esp. for someone who spent two weeks feeling like Sissy Spacek), at 9.6 mm. There is (what appears to be) an intrauterine fibroid on a stalk 1.5 cm inferior to the right arm of the Mirena\. Also, an endometrial cyst on the right ovary approaching 3 cm.
So, now they won't do an IUD removal/replacement, until after I talk with an MD/Surgeon about the results. Which I will do next week. My question is...should I be alarmed? Or, rather, what questions should I ask? Is this something they can fix and do the new IUD at the same time? I can't imagine they'd tell me I SHOULDN'T have an IUD, as isn't that one of the first lines of treatment for AUB from fibroids? Is there a solution to this problem, or is it something I really just need to deal with for the next 10-15 years? Tests I should ask for? The history of cysts has given me a certain amount of...tolerance for discomfort, and unless they A) rupture or B) get really big, I largely ignore them to the best of my ability. It's much harder to ignore the AUB.
Any thoughts or experiences would be great...
Sorry for the TMI! :-)
mmm-mmm-Momo Charms
Handmade beverage charms, jewelry, and miscellanea
http://momocharms.wordpress.com
38 years old, I have an IUD nearing the end of its lifespan (Mirena). History of cysts (chocolate and long-lived fiunctional ones), including a laparoscopy appx. a year and a half ago to remove a larger one at 6x7x5 cm. There was some very very mild endo at that time elsewhere, but not much. Family history of fibroids, cysts, and endo.
After the first 8-12 months or so of the Mirena, things evened out, and I basically had no periods. (FWIW, I'd never had a history of heavy--or even significant periods. No cramping, always very light and short. They might be inconsistent, but never anything excessive at all. And, like I said, after the Mirena "evened out", they by and large ceased, or were a day or two of very light, nothing really needed, spotting.
So I was a bit taken aback when on April 23, not only did I get a "real" period, it was HEAVY. Like large amounts of blood--wayyyy more than I'd ever seen. I used more feminine products in a five day span than I had used in like...well, years. Day 7, still going. By day 10, it had slowed/lightened, but not stopped. Here we are on Day 15, and I would say it has finally achieved what my "normal" period was like--spotting. ( I'm not sure how I had that much to shed, given that I have an IUD.) This was accompanied by cramping, intense burning (sometimes, this would wake me up at night), back pain, feeling of having to pee, etc etc.
I had an US done (on Tuesday, so Day 13). TV (reg. and 3D) and TA. The IUD is in place, but my endometrial lining is quite thick (esp. for someone who spent two weeks feeling like Sissy Spacek), at 9.6 mm. There is (what appears to be) an intrauterine fibroid on a stalk 1.5 cm inferior to the right arm of the Mirena\. Also, an endometrial cyst on the right ovary approaching 3 cm.
So, now they won't do an IUD removal/replacement, until after I talk with an MD/Surgeon about the results. Which I will do next week. My question is...should I be alarmed? Or, rather, what questions should I ask? Is this something they can fix and do the new IUD at the same time? I can't imagine they'd tell me I SHOULDN'T have an IUD, as isn't that one of the first lines of treatment for AUB from fibroids? Is there a solution to this problem, or is it something I really just need to deal with for the next 10-15 years? Tests I should ask for? The history of cysts has given me a certain amount of...tolerance for discomfort, and unless they A) rupture or B) get really big, I largely ignore them to the best of my ability. It's much harder to ignore the AUB.
Any thoughts or experiences would be great...
Sorry for the TMI! :-)
mmm-mmm-Momo Charms
Handmade beverage charms, jewelry, and miscellanea
http://momocharms.wordpress.com