Mirena coil

[Seabreeze]

Lorraine,
So sorry to hear about the reoccurance...3.5 years is much longer than the 2 years they sometimes say for those who are struggling with tamo side affects or wanting to try for pregnancy. Hope the reoccurance was spotted early and can be treated without too much intrusion.
Sea breeze x

[lorrainex]

Hi there. I had a marina coil fitted suggested by my oncologist, however, I have had a reoccurance of breast cancer but I also only took tamoxifen for three and a half years first time round because I had such severe migraines so who knows, 

Lorrainex

[sheba56]

I had mirena coil pre breast cancer it was great for problem bleeding but like others as soon as I was diagnosed I was told to have it removed as it could contribute to recurrance and affect some treatments. I am convinced (perhaps wrongly) that having the coil contributed to my bc as I am also convinced that at 58 I am in the group that first used the contraceptive pill when it was still a high dose of hormone and that is why so many people in my age group are being diagnosed with bc. I wonder what others think.

[MaryGrace]

Interesting discussion. People seem to have different experiences and different advice but then I guess bc is not one disease with the same histology for all of us. I had a Mirena coil before dx, it is low dose of progesterone not oestrogen, or at least mine is. As my mother had bc I had been told not to take the pill so had limited choice. I found the coil fine, no problems, but I still wonder if it contributed to my bc as I am highly e+ p+ 8/8. Suffice it to say, my BS told me to get it removed as soon as I was able. It was replaced by an ordinary coil, which does not involve any hormones. 

But then I have heard a number of other people being told that Mirena Coil is fine. Maybe hormone receptor status is the decider? I am also on tamoxifen, I was grade 1, stage 1, so I don't have any other explanation, unless opinion is just divided. 

[Barbie40]

Sea breeze I have found that since taking tamoxifen I haven't had any periods, in fact haven't had one since the middle of chemo in February. Started on tamoxifen in April. I am 41 so still a bit young for the menopause so no idea what will happen over next few years.

[Mysticalmoo]

Seabreeze, while I am still working out whether the coil is safe in the longer term post BC and while on Tamoxifen, I can assure you that it was a miracle for reducing my bleeding. I literally have no bleeding at all! This has made it a bit challenging to work out whether I am still menstruating and the only way to check my menopause status is with blood tests. I am keen to keep my coil for as long as I can so waiting to hear what blood results are...

[Seabreeze]

Hi that's interesting - I'm in my early 40's have a couple of days of mega heavy flow, scan found fibroids around the same time breast cancer diagnosed. No one has suggested the coil to me so interested to know if that really helps.
Also, while I understand tamoxifen may cause thickening of endometrium have women with heavy periods generally found tamoxifen makes periods lighter? or irregular? And what when one gets to the end of the 5 years of tamo?
I'm currently waiting for a referral to check a few fertility aspects before starting tamo and my GP started me on tranexamic acid (taken on and just before the really heavy days only) which from reading the medication blurb affects speed of blood clotting/loss so may not be appropriate when I start tamo. Only tried it for one period so far and reckon it helped a bit but not tons.
Seabreeze

[Mysticalmoo]

I have had a coil and was diagnosed in feb 14. Have started on tamoxifen and my oncologist said mirena will not affect tamoxifen effectiveness or give me increased risk. The hormones are so low and only locally effective. She said "you don't want to deal with heavy periods whilst everything else is going on..". She said will monitor my menopause status with a series of blood tests (I'm 43) and then decide what to do...

[melly04]

No, I would say don't have the coil. I had my mirena coil taken out once I was diagnosed with BC. I'm now going to see a gynaecologist about ovary removal due to heavy periods.

[Barbie40]

I had the copper coil fitted after completing treatment. The mirena coil releases oestrogen so not recommended whilst on tamoxifen.

[fluffy]

Hello, I had to see my gynaecologist because I've been having extremely heavy periods (flooding) and he has said the best thing for me is to be fitted with the mirena coil to control the bleeding.  Has anyone else had this after having breast cancer?  I was told I wouldn't be able to use HRT when I reach the menopause so wonder how safe the coil is.  I was on tamoxifen for 5 years.

On Monday I'm going to ring my breast care team to find out what they think, but in the meantime would like to hear other women's experience,  By the way the gynacologist knows I've had breast cancer.   To be honest the col was the last thing I expected him to suggest.

Hope to hear some views. Thanks.