[redding]

Aleve and the heating pad are definitely my friends. Thanks raskel... it sounds bearable.

[raskel]

Redding, Aleve is the only thing that helped my cramps. Also, those playex heat patches work surprisingly well. They were on and off for the first week, then only during ovulation/my period.

[redding]

Ouch, Obelix! Were those excruciating cramps off and on throughout the month, or just around your period? Not constant excruciating cramps, right? Did ibuprofen help? I'm glad to hear it gets better, though. Sounds kinda scary, but I think it'll be worth it. I had the same problems with depression and the pill, so I'm looking forward to going nonhormonal. Thanks for the info.

[raskel]

I got the copper IUD in January, I'm back to normal now. I just started my period 10 minutes ago, go figure...but right on schedule. I have light cramping with it still, but that's it. I'm glad I went with the Paragard.

[obelix]

Redding-
I had bad cramps before my IUD, and I went for the copper for the same reason as you. I went into a deep depression on a low-dose pill, so I couldn't use the Mirena. I want no extra hormones in my body at all.

My cramps were excruciating the first month, but they've gotten less and less so every month. Now, a year later, I'm pretty much right where I was before I got the IUD.

[redding]

Vera, my doctor said she bled and spotted for three months straight when she got her Mirena IUD, so your 49 days isn't as bad as it could've been! I'd prefer Paragard because I just don't want the hormones, and I really don't mind having a period every month.

[vera]

I got the Mirena, it is good for five yrs. and 20-40% of women don't have periods at all. The ten yr. one causes heavier periods. I wore a tampon the same day. I've finally stopped spotting after 49 days. Yahoo, hopefully I'll be in the percentage that doesn't even have a period!!!

[redding]

Hello all,
I’ve just gone off the pill after 6 years, and I’m considering the Paragard IUD because I want to be hormone free. I’ve already had the consultation appointment and am all clear to get it, but I’m still thinking. I’ve read all your incredibly helpful posts and from what I’ve gathered, while it affects everyone differently during and after insertion, it seems that the cramps and bleeding/spotting diminish month by month. So, your period eventually gets back to close to normal, but a bit heavier and a bit crampier, right? It does become more bearable as the months go by, eventually to where you forget it’s there and you’re not having cramps or spotting all the time? In short: This isn’t going to be a 10-year crampy period is it? I had bad cramps before I started the pill, so I wonder if the cramps will become horrendous after I get the IUD. Anyone with bad cramps prior to IUD use have an opinion on that? Thanks!

[raskel]

maddy, you're just not supposed to use them because of infection, so just make sure you change often and go ahead with the tampons. that would be my advice.

[maddy29]

Oh how weird, that everyone heard something different. I looked on the Mirena website, and all it said was a FAQ that said you can still wear tampons with the Mirena. But, it didn't say for how long you need to wait. Ah well, thanks for the responses!

[freckleface2727]

my drs told me NOTHING. hell, the nurse asked me if I needed a pad once it was inserted and I told her I was good, and put a tampon in there at the hospital!
damn! they're 0-2 on not telling me shit.
guess it was still ok though bc aside from the never-ending periods it's worked out.

maddy, glad your insertion went so well

vera,
I totally sympathise and wish I knew what else to tell you except really & trully, I'm w/ ya in frustration.

over-all from this board... I think we are really a mixed bag of pro's/con's, but as there are no better options for non-chemi-girls still, I do believe it's a good choice and would have still made the same choice to get mine. only I'd have been a LOT smarter about doping beforehand etc etc

[raskel]

hmm, so...I wore pads for 2+ months for nothing??? damn...

[wrightwrongs]

My doctor told me 48 hours.

[obelix]

Oops. I got mine during my period in April, and wore tampons during my next period. I don't know if I was told to wait.

[raskel]

I got mine in the beginning of January and I didnt use them until March. I was told "a few months" by my doctor.

[maddy29]

Hey, does anyone know how soon I can start using tampons? I got my iud on April 19, do you think it's ok? I'm going to assume it is....but if anyone knows it's not, let me know! Thanks

[maddy29]

Ahhh, ok. I thought you were saying you were taking it out. Now that you've gone through the worst part, hopefully you can just relax for 5 years

I'm randomly spotting again-I guess that's normal for awhile...

[vera]

NO, I am NOT removing it!!! Hell No (haha). I went for my ultra today so they could see that it was there and of course it is. I am looking forward to years of not worrying. When the time comes they'll put me to sleep to remove it and I'll have another one put in at the same time.

[maddy29]

Wow Vera, this has been such a rotten experience for you. So you are definitely getting it removed? I can't believe it took them an hour to get it in there!!

[vera]

34 days and still bleeding. Went for my 30 day check and the strings HAVE disappeared. I'm scheduled for an ultrasound tomorrow to make sure it's still in there (HAHA). It took two of them almost an hour to shove it in (hurt like a mother) and that thing didn't fall out. She tells me that it doesn't matter that it went in. No problem and has assured me upon removal she'll put me to sleep (Thank God). That string did feel like a wire and I'm glad I've swallowed it. It bugged the crap out of me and had my husband frigid. I can certainly do without it. I kept feeling of it is probably why it went in if anyone else is interested.