Anyone have/ have had an IUD?

[Drgnfly423]

I originally posted this in the Haven, but only 3 people read it, hopefully it's not TMI! LOL! Men might want to avert their eyes now!

I just got an IUD on Monday and it was not a pleasant experience, to say the least. I had a really bad reaction. Flu like symptom immediately after the insertion. Sweating, nausea, severe cramping. They had to give me a shot of Demerol and have my sister come to pick me up from the office to take me home. (my DH was in a meeting at work, he felt terrible!)

Anyway, I'm wondering now if I made a huge mistake in getting this stupid thing! They said the cramping would go away in a week, and it has been getting better every day. Someone reassure me, Please! LOL!

Has anyone else had experience with one? Any advice or stories would make me feel a little better.
Thanks!

[walker24]

Trust me it gets better. The first week or so was uncomfortable to say the least. The cramping slowly gets better and before you know it they are gone all together. I don't know about other's experience, but I haven't had a period since the first month it was inserted and I've had mine in for 4 1/2 years. That's a huge plus. Sorry if that's TMI

[Parksfamily5]

It definitely gets better. Just make sure that you are taking Motrin around the clock to ease the pain and cramping. I really liked the iud once I got adjusted to it. Good luck.

[Greebo]

Why, God, why did I read this thread??? The idea gives me the CREEPS!

Oh - and no, I've never had one...

[LexTysMommy]

Yes i had one put in a few months ago. I had the cramping you wrote about, asprin helps alot. For me did not last past day 4. I have had no other problems ( knock on wood) with it, and get lighter if no period at all some months.

(hugs) it does get better, and if not after some days call doctor.

[suebeehoney]

It does get better over time. Think about it this way - it's a foreign object inside your body. Your body is designed NOT to accept long-term foreign objects, and will try to reject it by making you feel really crappy until it finally realizes that this new thing is actually supposed to be there - then things will smooth out. Kind of like having a splinter in your finger - at first it's dang uncomfortable...but you either pull it out, or if it's small enough, your body softens it up and absorbs it, or simply heals over it and forgets it was ever there.

I'm going to hop on my soapbox here for a minute - PLEASE get those annual exams, ladies. This thread was a big reminder to me of what recently happened to ex#1's mother. She had an IUD put in back in 1963, after ex#1 was born. She never had it taken out. Never. And she never went back to the doctor for an annual exam. Ever. 40+ years. Now, keep in mind, I believe this was one of the IUD's that has long since been recalled and shouldn't have been in her body in the first place, let alone for 40 years. After that long of a time, the "foreign object" theory I mentioned above becomes a problem again. Instead of her body accepting it being there for so long, it attempted to absorb it into her uterine wall. She was diagnosed with uterine cancer after she FINALLY went to the ER because she was bleeding so badly and so sick for weeks. She was diagnosed last summer, about August, and passed away in April of this year. If she had gone to the doctor even once in that 40-year span, this wouldn't have happened. I'm not saying she wouldn't have gotten ANY form of cancer, but it most likely wouldn't have been this one, which was one of the most aggressive forms you can get.

I am NOT trying to scare anyone into not getting an IUD - what I AM trying to do is scare you into having your annual exams. If you don't have insurance, go to a health clinic or contact your local Social Services office to see what options are available for you. But by all means - GO. Have that exam. It's unpleasant, but so, so necessary. It can literally save your life.

[DixieJ]

I had an IUD many years ago, I do remember the cramps for a day or two when it was first put it. My periods were heavy for the first 6 months or so as well. Of course, this has been many years ago and I'm sure the IUDs now are much improved.

[banana]

I had an IUD inserted and I remember almost passing out from the pain. They had to bring out the smelling salt. I had the one that lasts for 10 years. It does get better. Go for you yearly exams and everything will be fine.

PS: I was sooo scared to have it removed and it was a piece of cake!

[Drgnfly423]

Why, God, why did I read this thread??? The idea gives me the CREEPS!

Oh - and no, I've never had one...

You're too funny! I said "men avert your eyes"!

[PrairieRose]

I had one many, many moons ago and yes you're right the pain is unbelievable (especially if you had it before you had a baby....like I did ). It does get better, just hang in there for a while before you give up on it. It's very convenient for birth control if you can tolerate it.

[Greebo]

You're too funny! I said "men avert your eyes"!

Yeah, like that's gonna work. You know human beings, if someone made a big red button with a giant sign in front that said, "DO NOT PUSH, END OF WORLD BUTTON", the paint wouldn't even have time to dry...

[kettlecorn]

I had one put in a little over a year ago and have had no complaints. Having it being put in wasnt too bad, although that was at my 6 week post partum checkup so anything was better than the cervadil they gave me and the pain of childbirth! I had a little cramping that day and haven't had a period in a year! Nice!!!

[Drgnfly423]

Thanks for everyone who was brave enough to reply! I'm getting it removed today...it started to expel on it's own on Saturday so I guess I'm not made to have one yet. I might try again after I have kids.
Thanks again!

[suebeehoney]

Thanks for updating us on your progress!

Sorry it didn't work out for you, though.

[Telephus44]

I have heard that your mody is more likely to accept it after childbirth. I have one, I got it put in about 3 months after DS was born - I had pretty minimal cramping at the time, and am extremely happy with it. The only I wish was that my period would disappear like it does with some other women!