Expert: Norman Solberg - 1/12/2009

Question
It is Sunday night. I  got an IUD (Paragaurd) inserted Friday afternoon around lunch.  The insertion was fine, I felt no pain, but as soon as the doctor walked out the of the room, I stood up and I GUSHED blood, an unbelievable amount of blood!  It wouldn't stop and it was just coming out like a faucet.  I tried to put in the tampon that the doctor gave me, but I was unable to because the blood flow was so heavy.  My hands were covered up to my wrists in blood and there was a lot of blood on the floor.  Long story short, I managed to get cleaned up and dressed.  I was really embarressed about the amount of blood all over the floor, so I cleaned it up the best I could, until I felt like I was going to pass out.  At that point, I notified a nurse and she put me in "observation".   My bleeding has lessened to more of a normal to heavy flow.  However, I am still having severe cramping and back ache.  What's really bothering me is that it's only on the left side.  IT feels like the same area as my ovary.  It is a very dull pain.  However, since the IUD, I can not lay on my left side or the pain greatly increases and sends shooting pains.  Also, my abdomin is extremely swollen, I've had 4 people think I was pregnant.  About 2 in below my belly button, I am very sore to touch and I can feel shooting pains up inside my vagina. This does not seem normal to me, however, I've called my doctor and she said to take IB Profren and see how I do through out the week.  I'm now starting to get sick to my stomach, feeling like I"m going to throw up.  I don't know what to do.  Should I go back and ask her to check it?  Could she have put it in wrong?  Or is all this normal? Should I call another doctor?  I'm concerned because I have had problems, in the past with low platlets and anemia.  I'm also worried that if it has been put in wrong that it could cause me some serious problems and I certainly want to have more children, just not right now.  Does this sound normal?

Answer
Hi Christina,
Wow!  None of this is normal.  I suspect it's related to your low platelets that you bled so much.  I think you need some evaluation, starting with a hemoglobin check and platelet count.  With your swollen abdomen I suspect some of the blood from your uterus went out through your tubes where it causes irritation, swelling and pain.  An ultrasound could help evaluate that.  I suspect that the IUD was not put in wrong, but if you get an ultrasound this could be checked.  If your doctor won't do some evaluation I'd see another doctor.  You need to take iron pills too.  Good luck.