Mirena
Some of you mentioned in another thread about Mirena and how you loved it, so I decided to check it out. I'm officially done nursing, so I'm ready to switch from the mini-pills I was taking. I called my doctors office today to get the scoop and to find out the cost. My insurance doesn't cover anything preventative, so birth control isn't covered in any way shape or form (and neither are mammograms, my yearly ob appts, physicals, or my kid's well visits or shots...yep, it's crappy insurance). I found out the cost would be around $1,000, and I have to pay it all out of pocket (and another $250 to have it removed if we decide on more kids).
Mirena is good for 5 years, and breaks down to about $17/month, which is cheap for birth control, especially birth control that is 99.9% effective. So, for those of you who had Mirena, is it worth $1,000 out-of-pocket to you?
worked for us
I had one for 3 years before i had my historectomy... i didn't even know it was there...are you planning on more children?
i don't think so
I am pretty sure we are done having kids, but we aren't ready to close the door completely yet. This is a great alternative, worry free for 5 years, but not so permanent we can't change our minds.
Jessica
~ Mommy to Luke and Shawn
yes
I love Mirena I nurse and have it implanted. It is very low hormonal and ok to have while breastfeeding I am very lucky did not have to pay for it out of pocket Medicaid covered it. And it is nice to know no more babies for 5 years worry free. With no side effects. I love it.
One suggestion
If you can at least wait until 2009 then you can sign up for the $1,000 to be put into your medical expense account and have it be tax deductible. I assume you didn't already include it in this year's expense account. That will reduce the effective cost by at least a couple hundred.
Can't wait
That is a good idea, but I would probably have #3 on the way by then! I am terrible at taking those pills on time :) It just really ticks me off our insurance won't cover any portion of it! I have the money, but it just seems like so much to drop at one time for something like this. It's easier to swallow the $30 a month at the pharmacy counter. In the long run the Mirena is cheaper though, and I can't see that we would want it removed before the end of the 5 years, so it seems like a good "investment."
I also found out that I can order the Mirena directly from the manufacturer on my own and save about $200. They send it to my doctor's office, so I would only be paying the dr. for the office visits (rather than the paying for Mirena and the dr. markup on it). Plus through the manufacturer, they will allow you to set up a payment plan. I would probably just opt to pay for it up front and know it's paid for and remove the expense from our budget, but it is another option to consider.
I also know that sometimes a dr. office will give you a discount if pay for your services immediately, don't make them hassle with insurance, or don't use their payment plan services. Has anyone done this with Houser Norborg?
Jessica
~ Mommy to Luke and Shawn
depression with birth control
Did anyone feel sad or depressed with it? I am back on the shot and this last time I felt real depressed right before my next shot was due. I dont know if it is from the med's messing with your hormones or if it was me going thru some hard things at that time. I have 2 kids and am scared to death to get pregnant again. We just dont have the money for any more. Since I was so depressed last time I am thinking of trying something new, since my husband is to much of a wimp to get himself fixed.
Yes
I had ppd after having Shawn. It was such an awful feeling. It's overwhelming enough having a new baby, but having feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety, etc on top of it all is terrible. I did start birth control soon after Shawn was born, so that may very well have contributed! I am still taking the pills, but I have noticed a small difference since I completely stopped nursing/pumping a couple weeks ago. It takes so long for hormones to adjust after having a baby! I never had one ounce of hormonal issues with Luke, so this past year has been tough! You make a good point about the pills and depression, I never really put too much thought into it, but it will be interesting to see how my mood changes after I stop taking them soon.
Jessica
~ Mommy to Luke and Shawn
I have heard nothing but bad things
My sister-in-law tried the mirena and She said it was painful to get and on top of that three months later it fell out. Yes!! I said fell out. Luckly she noticed. She said it wasn't worth paying all that money for soemthing that isn't guaranteed to stay in. Yes it may be 99% effetive but that is if it only stays in. The doctor told her when she went back in after that happened that 10% of people who get have trouble with it. So you weigh your options. Yeah if they could guarntee you that it will stay in then great but if it doesn't then what your out $1000 and back to taking pills, or worse yet another kid that you may not be ready for. See I made my mind up almost a year ago. I had my tubes tied and I don't regret it. I was scared that I would get pregnant again and I didn't want anymore, because like you I wasn't good at the whole pill thing, or the patch which always fell off before my week was up. anyways do you live near a womens clinic. All they ask is you donate some money and they help you out when you don't have the money. The womens care center was my saving grace when I didn't have the money. It's something to think about!!
This is what worries me
If I had insurance to cover 75% of it, if it failed in any way, I would only be out $200 or so (still alot of money, but I would have felt like it was worth a try). But it scares me to give $1000 and there is a possibility it doesn't work, it falls out, etc.
Hubs getting snip snip would be so much easier (and cheaper in the long run), but I think we are both still undecided at this point, so I think I would regret it. I really doubt we have a 3rd, but I think I would regret closing the door completely when the kids are still so young. A 3rd would be a big shock, but it would be welcomed news...eventually :)
Jessica
~ Mommy to Luke and Shawn