When I broke my toe back in April, I was quite happy to stay in bed for the first few weeks because that’s what I always tried to do anyway. I was weak from my eating disorder, drained by constant seizures and only really climbed out of bed if I had to.
Due to a medical procedure yesterday I am stuck in bed again – and I’m not enjoying it at all. Okay, so the pain isn’t as bad as a broken toe, but I’m uncomfortable all the same. I am also going stir-crazy, even though I know I’d baulk at the idea of leaving the house if given the opportunity (yes, I am a contrary old curmudgeon. This has been mentioned over the years).
The reason for this spell in boring bed this time is this handy-dandy little device:
Tiny, isn’t it?
This is a Mirena coil. Many women use this as their “weapon of choice” when it comes to contraception. I’ve been using the Mirena for ten years now. Not for contraception, because I’m sterilised, but for other reasons.
In my case it’s used to control a severe hormonal imbalance, but it can also be used to treat heavy periods, PCOS and endometriosis. For women like me it is not a lifestyle choice, but a neccessity when it comes to living more-or-less normal, pain-free lives.
I am always sore and achey for a few days afterwards, but this five-yearly discomfort is better than the alternative. Besides, thanks to my little friend here you don’t need to worry that I’m going to tear your head off and use it as a basketball when you meet me.
Some of you might be wondering what on earth this has to do with epilepsy or autism. Almost nothing really, except that pain can cause a seizure and this procedure is painful! If you need to have a Mirena or any other contraceptive device fitted for whatever reason, always have your partner with you in case of seizure. My husband always comes in with me for my fitting as a precautionary measure, and most GPs will happily allow this practise if you explain your needs (I’m so well-known at my surgery that they’re suprised if D isn’t with me).
Spend the rest of the day tucked up in bed with painkillers to hand, and have your other half (if you have one) make your favourite comfort food for dinner – I snarfed down a big plate of chish and fips last night before falling into a pleasant, valium induced, sleep. If you don’t have a partner, spoil yourself and have your favourite takeaway bring you some treats.
Getting tiddled on your favourite beverage helps with the pain too.
Your partner needn’t worry, unless you start looking a bit strange and demand brains for dinner. In that case you have become a Zombie and will have to be shot in the head. Unless, of course, you eat animal brains on a semi-regular basis anyway; then your partner is probably safe.
I think I might wander off and play some Runescape. I’m sure I’m still a bit high from the Valium, and the repetitiveness of Runescape is soothing. Does anybody else here play?
I have one of those little ‘gadgets’! Best thing I’ve ever done!
The procedure and the initial few days of discomfort are more than worth it in the long run, aren’t they? If not for this neat little device I would have needed a hysterectomy in my mid-twenties, and who wants one of those?
I tried runescape but my stupid woman wouldn’t do what I told her to do ( I refuse to accept I have no hand eye co ordination she was obviously wilfully ignoring my directions)
If someone (and I know who it was even though they deny it) hadn’t hacked my original RS account I’d be one of the higher levels by now.
If you ever want to try again, hit me up and I’ll take you through it
Glad you have something to take your mind off things. And yes, it is far better to take a minor procedure of uncomfortableness over a major procedure of serious uncomfortableness and inconvenience. OK, you may not actually need your womb, but it’s part of what makes you a girl, and parting with it when you don’t have to is quite a big step. For a lot of women, a hysterectomy seriously messes up their heads. (For some, it’s actually the start of a new life, but I guess it depends on what sort of problems it’s caused you.)
Faith x
The Mirena has been heralded in some places as “HRT for the younger woman” – and that’s exactly what it is. I don’t want to lose my womb or my libido just yet – I’m not quite 39!
It’s because of the HRT effect of the Mirena that I get to keep it long after the menopause – and why I didn’t lose my womb at the age of 28
Hope you are better soon
I was able to get up yesterday afternoon. I had ants in my pants so would have made it downstairs achey or not
Okay but do not over do it !! BTW I don’t need to tell you how brave and valiant you are …. because you know!
Yes, I’m so brave that I spend most of my life hiding in the house lol – but thank you anyway
It’s this method of HRT or a hysterectomy. I’ll take the HRT, because once everything settles I forget it’s even there and I don’t lose my libido
Being older that you (20yrs older) I have had some problems too and for the last 6months I have been fitted with a HRT ring which as soon as it’s settled down I have no idea that it is there except that I feel so much better (touch wood) and the most of the symptoms I had including thrush have all but disappeared!
When I was younger I had the dreaded coil fitted it was neither as small or made of the same material as yours and the fitting alone was horrendous and I almost passed out I do not remember how I got home, put the children to bed or struggled through the next few days, I just remember ending up in hospital and then thankfully leaving eventually minus the coil!!
Luckily things have moved on since then!!
Years ago (before we even knew that the bleeding was caused by a hormone imbalance) I tried the regular IUD. After two attempts with breaks in between, constant agony and a worsening of my symptoms it became apparent that I’m allergic to copper!
The Mirena has literally saved my sanity as well as my womb: for three weeks a month I felt as though I was going mad – if it wasn’t insane rage it was deep depression
Yes I understand thank God for modern science , I suffered for years! Thankfully like you I decided that that was not what life had to be! Modern Medical science.. Bring it on!!
xxxx
I am actually glad that I suffered for 5 1/2 years before begging for a hospital referral – I’d have lost my womb for sure because the Mirena was very new when I had it fitted but was “showing good results”. Finding out that I’ll be close to 60 before they stop fitting me with them has really made my life
Good and beyond too !!
Well, we’ll see. Having seen what some of my residents went through with their hormones when I worked as a carer, I really hope so. I suppose they can always remove the “final” one and see how I cope – I can always have a new one if there are problems
Yes , they may even of come up with something even better by then!!
I’ll be surprised if they do, because this little device has been an absolute godsend and I really don’t think I’d want to try anything new when I know this works for me
aye better the devil you know !!
I’m getting a real education here. I went to the Mirena website to read up on it. Thank you for always posting interesting subjects for us to learn from! Never a dull moment on this blog!!