My D&C, polypectomy, and IUD insertion.

[justforapicture.livejournal.com]

So I got my D&C today, as well as getting my Mirena put in.
After months of very weird, sporadic bleeding (even when on continuous birth control) we found some odd shapes on my ultrasound. I have also had severe cramps. Today, I hoped to have gotten the answers.
I went in for 8:45 AM, didn't go in for the surgery until 12 (couldn't pee in the cup to save my life, got bloodwork to prove I wasn't pregnant), and went under.
My doctor was gone by the time I had woken up. She talked with my mother, saying they found a small polyp-y type thing and removed it and sent it to get biopsied.
She also found a very odd black lining, thinking it may be very old blood, but is confused as all hell by it. She scraped it off and sent it to get biopsied as well. She seemed baffled by it.
My Mirena is in, and I'm rather confused as to what to do next. Check the strings? No idea! My follow up is on July 20th.
What should I do next?

Comments

[paraxeni.livejournal.com]

Don't put anything in your vagina for at least five days, fingers included! Your cervix is dilated, the inner surface of your uterus is raw, and traumatised, and wide open to infection.

I went through exactly the same procedures you did, breached the sanctity of my poor vag after four days, and got a horrible infection. It was only a mild infection (my surgeon said so) but it disrupted my healing and made me feel like I was dying. Considering I've been through endometriosis and kidney stones you'd think an infection would be a breeze, but it was hell.

So as tempted as you'll be to check it, resist!

[justforapicture.livejournal.com]

Okay! I tried to put a finger (before I read this) and couldn't even get it in! It felt dry and icky. Thanks for all of your help!!

[paraxeni.livejournal.com]

You're probably fairly swollen, and will certainly feel dry and tight for a little while.

Oh, what I will say is that depending on the pain relief you were given earlier you may feel pretty ok right now, I wanted to go shopping at the late night supermarket after my hospital let me go! However, the next day I was really crampy, my back hurt, and I felt rough as hell. Apparently that's pretty common after a d&c. Heat really helped, whether it was sitting against the radiator or using a hot water bottle on my back to help with the cramping. Make sure to stay hydrated, try and take things easy, and don't be worried if you start to bleed. I bled every day for a month, on and off for two weeks after that, and then didn't bleed again.

I hope your follow up goes well *hugs*

[justforapicture.livejournal.com]

Yeah, she already warned me of the bleeding-for-a-while-thing! I'm just starting to get cramps again (first time since waking up from anesthesia yesterday) but have a bag full of Motrin and Tylenol, as well as a heating pad! I'm prepared! It just stinks, I'm at my boyfriends apartment and nobody is here to talk to (other than his roommate, who's kind of quiet, and wouldn't want to talk about my uterus), so it's funky!

Sometimes I swear I can feel a little pinch or something where my IUD is, is that normal or am I making it up? I'm gonna post on IUD divas a bit later, as well :)

Thanks for all of the advice/help/support. You're a huge help!!!

[paraxeni.livejournal.com]

You will almost certainly feel little pinchy or stabby sensations as things settle down. Your cervix will be closing back up and trying to recover from being stretched, and your uterus is trying to get to know it's roommate! You may also occasionally feel a pinprick type scratch from the strings poking you. Won't last long though!

[jennifer0246.livejournal.com]

yeah, probably because they use a tenaculum to hold the cervix stationary during the surgery and IUD placement, and the tenaculum can leave small bleeding spots, so they use monsel's solution to speed healing and stop bleeding. monsel's is awesome stuff, but makes the vag seem very dry and grainy and causes some pretty strange discharge (coffee grounds-like).

[justforapicture.livejournal.com]

Ooooh I see! Thanks!

[io2012.livejournal.com]

I'm just curious, what kind of a "doctor" is providing your care for this procedure? Are they an OBGYN? How many cases of this type (irregular bleeding, NOT related to pregnancy) do they typically see? I get nervous whenever a healthcare provider comes out with the "Well that's weird." or "I really don't know!" response. Sometimes that can mean it's time to find a care provider who specializes in what you're dealing with.

On that note, has the term "endometriosis" ever been thrown around while discussing your irregular bleeding? It's a relatively common condition that manifests OUTSIDE of the uterus, so wouldn't have been detected on your procedure. It does cause pain and irregular bleeding....

Good luck with everything, it sounds like you have a bit of recovering to do! (((hugs)))

[justforapicture.livejournal.com]

I've heard of endometriosis, but since the cramps just began a few months ago, it was never in question. The dr is an OBGYN. She's extremely intelligent, and blatantly honest, which I value more than a doctor who's going to take a stab at what I have and be wrong, y'know? If this procedure doesnt fix me, maybe endometriosis is the next guess. I appreciate your help and well wishes! <3

[paraxeni.livejournal.com]

Endometriosis can be totally invisible, no symptoms at all. Many people only find out they have it if they're opened up for a c section, or sterilisation, and have visible deposits. So in your case it's entirely possible that it could be endo. My symptoms started at around 13 years of age, it really can crop up at any time.