samantha25
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,914 
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Post by samantha25 on Oct 15, 2015 2:50:33 GMT
UPDATE 10/16- After ultrasound and x ray: My Mirena has left my uterus! I guess it expelled during all of the heavy bleeding. I'm not sure if it was positioned correctly initially. No ultrasound was done on day of insertion. The scarring from previous surgeries possibly looked like the Mirena during an ultrasound check. My OB did not physically examine for strings, just did an ultrasound. I presume that the next one, we will definitely make sure it is in the proper position.
OB couldn't get it out! She tried for 15 minutes and she mumbled that she was one of the best ones to retrieve difficult ones....I'm scheduled for an ultrasound/xray to determine where it is. Hoping that I don't need surgery to remove. I guess the good news is that is why my periods have been very heavy is because it moved to a place that doesn't help bleeding (fibroids). My OB suggested inserting a new one to help with bleeding to avoid hysterectomy, but really questioning if a new IUD will work. Anybody with experience with this?
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Post by 950nancy on Oct 15, 2015 3:09:39 GMT
You are speaking my language. I had an IUD go MIA. My fibroid was huge and apparently ate it and flushed it out without a single trace. I got the hysterectomy at 42 and was thrilled to be done with my heavy blood clotting period. I don't know why you couldn't try another one before trying something else. Most people have good luck. I am not most people.
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Post by kellybelly77 on Oct 15, 2015 3:41:27 GMT
Mine shifted upwards but is still firmly implanted in the general area it should be! As evidenced by an u/s. As soon as the wand hit my lower abdomen the screen lit up!
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Post by mom on Oct 15, 2015 3:54:00 GMT
melissa is probably the best to answer this. She is an Dr.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Oct 15, 2015 4:00:24 GMT
I had never heard of this, but just yesterday a friend was in the hospital with severe pain. Apparently her IUD implanted in a muscle. She had surgery to remove it and they were unable to get it out. She may need a hysterectomy now.
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Post by SnowWhite on Oct 15, 2015 4:21:31 GMT
Mine is still exactly where it's supposed to be more than 10 years after insertion (I can still feel the strings) but I know someone who had her IUD end up in her abdomen, I'm fairly certain her provider punctured her uterus during insertion. Good luck to you!
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samantha25
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,914
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Post by samantha25 on Oct 15, 2015 4:29:01 GMT
Mine is still exactly where it's supposed to be more than 10 years after insertion (I can still feel the strings) but I know someone who had her IUD end up in her abdomen, I'm fairly certain her provider punctured her uterus during insertion. Good luck to you! I thought they were only good for 5 years.... I am on second Miranda, as the first five years were no bleeding.... what's your brand |
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blue tulip
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Post by blue tulip on Oct 15, 2015 12:19:56 GMT
Mine is still exactly where it's supposed to be more than 10 years after insertion (I can still feel the strings) but I know someone who had her IUD end up in her abdomen, I'm fairly certain her provider punctured her uterus during insertion. Good luck to you! I thought they were only good for 5 years.... I am on second Miranda, as the first five years were no bleeding.... what's your brand she must have the copper type, not the hormone type like mirena. I know those last quite a bit longer.
i feel like this is going to be my story, in 5 years.  just had one put in late august, had my "check the strings" apt last week. the doctor thought she could see the end of the strings, but not easily, so she sent for transvag ultrasound. turns out i am a really shitty candidate for that type of US because of 2 c section scars, and my uterus apparently resembles a battered, withered, misshapen pear. they couldn't confirm it was there, but we're all making an educated guess that it's where it's supposed to be, since i haven't had any severe cramping or abdominal pain. still bleeding tho, hopefully that stops soon.
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Post by gryroagain on Oct 15, 2015 12:21:12 GMT
I had the copper one and it is for 10 years, and mine was 13 years because I was lazy and procrastinated. I think the hormonal ones like Mirena are different though.
No help on the moving, mine the string were too long at first but when they cut them I never could find it again myself. I am also bad about getting pap smears and went 5 years without one, I was worried since I hadn't even thought about my iud let Aline checked it and I couldn't find it anyway. Lo and behold, it was right where it should be, I was impressed with bc you can totally ignore for 5 years (you probably shouldn't do that, but it's pretty awesome you can!). With mine even though I could not check or feel the strings to know it was still there, at pap smears the dr always saw it no problem- so if yours is not where the dr can see it that's a bummer. I hope it isnt too lost!
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flute4peace
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,757
Jul 3, 2014 14:38:35 GMT
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Post by flute4peace on Oct 15, 2015 14:27:14 GMT
Who's the pea that lost her cervix? That was the best thread ever.
O/P I hope things will turn out to be ok for you, and they can get it removed safely. |
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Post by jovifan on Oct 15, 2015 14:41:13 GMT
Oh geez. I have my physical next week and was considering this. Now, not so sure  |
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Post by Delta Dawn on Oct 15, 2015 14:47:50 GMT
a) I am sorry that this is happening to you.
b ) this scares the $hit out out me why I didn't want one in the first place. It can MOVE. If it had been me it would have moved on me, too. (Worst case scenario). I did not know they could move, either.
c) I hope the fix for it is
i. Easy
ii. Painless
iii. Free of charge
iv. Never happens again.
I am sorry.
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
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Post by melissa on Oct 15, 2015 14:57:08 GMT
IUDs occasionally migrate. It happens. It is obviously more likely to happen with a larger uterus, such as one enlarged or distorted by fibroids. Removal is actually usually pretty simple even if you do need a procedure. Often a hysteroscopy where fluid is placed into the uterus and a scope is used to visualize exactly where it is, does the trick. It is not truly a surgery as there is no cutting involved. I'd consider it a procedure and not an operation per se.
Would a new IUD work? Sure. Could the same thing happen again? Possibly. Could you consider other options for bleeding control such as medication or surgery? Yes.
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Post by jovifan on Oct 15, 2015 14:59:32 GMT
Melissa, how much do you charge for online consults |
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Post by chirpingcricket on Oct 15, 2015 15:02:57 GMT
I'm getting endometrial ablation tomorrow, and it's stories like this that convinced me to go this route. Now I'm scared spitless of the ablation -- just general anxiety about anesthesia and surgery; I've had a rough year health-wise and feel like such a dork to be so scared. Anyway, I wish all of y'all much luck and hope nobody has to have surgery to get their IUD's moved/removed. ("Mystery of the Moving Mirena" should be a movie on Lifetime.)  |
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Post by ro on Oct 15, 2015 18:34:13 GMT
I just got the Mirena and my doctor told me that for birth control it is good for 5-7 years. As I'm now in my mid-40's, she said I can probably keep it for 10 years. Thank goodness because it was extremely painful to have it placed in.
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Post by Lexica on Oct 15, 2015 18:53:59 GMT
Who's the pea that lost her cervix? That was the best thread ever.
O/P I hope things will turn out to be ok for you, and they can get it removed safely. That is my cervix. And technically, I didn't lose it, it either escaped or went deep, deep under cover. The following year, the OBGYN still couldn't find it. She swabbed to the best of her ability and hoped it landed inside the cervix and would contain the correct cells. Nope. No cervical cells on that swab. The next pap I have is to be preceded with a pelvic scan to act as a pirate's map to the treasure. Wish me luck. |
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Peamac
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea # 418
Posts: 4,218
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Post by Peamac on Oct 15, 2015 19:46:02 GMT
Who's the pea that lost her cervix? That was the best thread ever.
O/P I hope things will turn out to be ok for you, and they can get it removed safely. That is my cervix. And technically, I didn't lose it, it either escaped or went deep, deep under cover. The following year, the OBGYN still couldn't find it. She swabbed to the best of her ability and hoped it landed inside the cervix and would contain the correct cells. Nope. No cervical cells on that swab. The next pap I have is to be preceded with a pelvic scan to act as a pirate's map to the treasure. Wish me luck. "a pirate's map to the treasure"-  |
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Post by penny on Oct 15, 2015 23:04:56 GMT
I'm an IUD newbie so what I lack in experience I make for in all the information they gave me during my appts and consults...lol
Copper can be in for the longest, ex. 10 years... Can increase bleeding and cramping but no hormones...
Mirena can be in for 5 years (recommended on the package), but sometimes left in up to 7... It's hormonal and eases bleeding and cramping for most women... First three months are all over the place with bleeding, spotting, and cramping - 50% of women bleed or spot for more than 40 of the first 90 days, the rest bleed/spot for less than that... At one year, most women have no periods, with the remaining having limited and light periods...
I have a Jaydess (also known as Skyla), which is the baby sister of the Mirena... It's physically smaller and contains a lower dose of hormones... It lasts 3 years... Same deal about the first three months, but a slightly lower percentage of women have no periods at the one year mark and a slightly higher percentage have limited/lighter periods (compared to the Mirena)...
My GYNE said that while they can migrate, it's more likely for them to be expelled... And apparently an IUD dropping out of a uterus isn't as noticeable as you'd think it would be...lol She said that a number of migrating IUDs were incorrectly placed or perforated part of the uterus during insertion (which makes it easier to go walk about, I guess)... She also mentioned that fibroids or masses can move them too, but that in cases she knows of the patients had symptoms and didn't get them checked out...
She stressed to me that just because I have an IUD doesn't mean I can ignore changes in my uterus/lower abdomen... Said she'd rather have me come in, be examined, get an u/s to check and find no problems than me assume it's 'part of having an IUD'... That came up because I'm a biopsy away from being officially diagnosed with IBS, so I have lots of odd feelings in that part of my body...lol
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Post by SnowWhite on Oct 16, 2015 15:55:20 GMT
Mine is still exactly where it's supposed to be more than 10 years after insertion (I can still feel the strings) but I know someone who had her IUD end up in her abdomen, I'm fairly certain her provider punctured her uterus during insertion. Good luck to you! I thought they were only good for 5 years.... I am on second Miranda, as the first five years were no bleeding.... what's your brand As other people have already said on this thread, I have a Paragard copper IUD. I've had mine for over 10 years now. Manufacturer says they last for at least 13 years, but they're only FDA approved for 10. Just a heads up, in case it matters to anyone (it doesn't to me), the copper IUD is generally considered an abortifacient. There are a couple of theories as to how the copper IUD works, but it's suggested that copper slows down sperm, possibly preventing fertilization, but because the copper IUD disrupts the uterus, it will prevent a fertilized egg from implanting. For anyone that thinks life begins at fertilization....well, thus the abortifacient label. The hormonal IUDs work similarly to the pill, they trick your body into thinking you're pregnant so you don't release an egg. |
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Post by SnowWhite on Oct 16, 2015 15:57:05 GMT
She stressed to me that just because I have an IUD doesn't mean I can ignore changes in my uterus/lower abdomen... Said she'd rather have me come in, be examined, get an u/s to check and find no problems than me assume it's 'part of having an IUD'... That came up because I'm a biopsy away from being officially diagnosed with IBS, so I have lots of odd feelings in that part of my body...lol I haven't been to a gynecologist in 10 years. My CRNP (my primary) does my pap smear and 'well woman' check. I think an annual u/s is overkill, as long as I can still feel the strings (and I check every month), I know where my IUD is. |
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Post by penny on Oct 16, 2015 17:16:49 GMT
She stressed to me that just because I have an IUD doesn't mean I can ignore changes in my uterus/lower abdomen... Said she'd rather have me come in, be examined, get an u/s to check and find no problems than me assume it's 'part of having an IUD'... That came up because I'm a biopsy away from being officially diagnosed with IBS, so I have lots of odd feelings in that part of my body...lol I haven't been to a gynecologist in 10 years. My CRNP (my primary) does my pap smear and 'well woman' check. I think an annual u/s is overkill, as long as I can still feel the strings (and I check every month), I know where my IUD is. She didn't say for me to have an annual u/s - she said that if anything felt unusual then for me to come in for her to check... Depending on my symptoms, she would check how she sees fit... |
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Post by SnowWhite on Oct 16, 2015 17:33:31 GMT
I haven't been to a gynecologist in 10 years. My CRNP (my primary) does my pap smear and 'well woman' check. I think an annual u/s is overkill, as long as I can still feel the strings (and I check every month), I know where my IUD is. She didn't say for me to have an annual u/s - she said that if anything felt unusual then for me to come in for her to check... Depending on my symptoms, she would check how she sees fit... Ahh, don't know how I misread that! That makes much more sense. |
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Post by 950nancy on Oct 16, 2015 17:42:32 GMT
And on a lighter note… my mom gave me her little blue plastic IUD from the 50's on my wedding day as part of the something borrowed something blue tradition. I swear it was the best gift ever.
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flute4peace
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,757
Jul 3, 2014 14:38:35 GMT
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Post by flute4peace on Oct 16, 2015 18:20:36 GMT
Who's the pea that lost her cervix? That was the best thread ever.
O/P I hope things will turn out to be ok for you, and they can get it removed safely. That is my cervix. And technically, I didn't lose it, it either escaped or went deep, deep under cover. The following year, the OBGYN still couldn't find it. She swabbed to the best of her ability and hoped it landed inside the cervix and would contain the correct cells. Nope. No cervical cells on that swab. The next pap I have is to be preceded with a pelvic scan to act as a pirate's map to the treasure. Wish me luck.
Seriously though, I hope your next exam is much easier and less painful.
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Post by penny on Oct 16, 2015 23:04:21 GMT
She didn't say for me to have an annual u/s - she said that if anything felt unusual then for me to come in for her to check... Depending on my symptoms, she would check how she sees fit... Ahh, don't know how I misread that! That makes much more sense. No worries... I had to go for colposcopies every 6 months after I had an abnormal pap... Between those, uterine biopsies, three tries at the IUD, and all the associated u/s, I probably wouldn't have even noticed... It was quite busy in that area for a while there...lol |
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Post by penny on Oct 16, 2015 23:06:32 GMT
And on a lighter note… my mom gave me her little blue plastic IUD from the 50's on my wedding day as part of the something borrowed something blue tradition. I swear it was the best gift ever. That's hilarious! The staff at my gyne office all have display/non-functioning models attached to their key car lanyards... I'll have to tell them about 'something blue'  |
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Post by SnowWhite on Oct 17, 2015 0:32:37 GMT
Soooo, how long have you been without birth control?  This is why I check for my strings every month at the end of my period. |
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samantha25
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,914
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Post by samantha25 on Oct 17, 2015 1:05:42 GMT
Soooo, how long have you been without birth control? This is why I check for my strings every month at the end of my period. Exactly.. "funny" (not really) how the docs didn't mention using a back up. I think I will be checking from now on. Although, I didn't have a period with the last Mirena. Maybe I should put a reminder on my phone. |
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
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Post by melissa on Oct 18, 2015 12:43:27 GMT
I hope folks realize that when we speak of IUD migration, we aren't talking about it actually fully leaving the uterus. It does not migrate out of the uterus to other parts of the body. Even with the HIGHLY unusual situation of a perforation, it is a little bit of the IUD that penetrated the wall. Often, if it is "stuck" it just became embedded partially in the endometrium.
Generally, "surgery" to remove it isn't really a surgery as there is no incision involved. It is more of a procedure with the use of a scope to actually see inside the uterus and see where it is, which makes removal a piece of cake. Normally, removal IS a piece of cake btw. It slides right out, quick and easy. And, it is true that for whatever reason, women do not seem to notice if it falls out. Always amazes me,
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just had one put in late august, had my "check the strings" apt last week. the doctor thought she could see the end of the strings, but not easily, so she sent for transvag ultrasound. turns out i am a really shitty candidate for that type of US because of 2 c section scars, and my uterus apparently resembles a battered, withered, misshapen pear. 
This is why I check for my strings every month at the end of my period.