Mirena IUD--ever have one? tell me about your experience, plz.?

I'm 45, not menopausal, or even premenopausal, but i have ridiculously heavy periods that are getting fewer and fewer days apart. Saw a specialist, had a D&C, back in March, hasn't helped lighten them up at all. I really wanted a hysterectomy but its almost like you have to 'deserve' them, if you know what i mean. I'm not a good candidate for the laser thingy that stops your period, as I have fibroids, in fact a couple are quite large. Sorry, I can't recall the technical name for this. The only other option both the specialist and my family dr recommend is the Mirena IUD, not so much for the birth control, but apparently it should lighten your period and in some cases the IUD has made periods completely disappear. so of course I get on the internet and find a forum all about it and some of the stories are *yikes*! some are terrible. please tell me about your experience with it, including, how long have you had it, your age, ever had an IUD before, etc. Thanks so much for answering