Just a quick note – I’ve never had much traffic on this blog, since I’m crap at keeping it up and finding relevant topics to write abotu that I’m actually interested in, but my posting on the side effects I was suffering from the Mirena IUD has been by far the most commented-on posting. I plan on continuing my journal of side effects, post-removal discoveries and other germaine postings on the Mirena as I come accross them. This ‘simple’ product has done more damage then the average physcian realizes and women need to be aware of what can happen with this product. At any rate, here’s an account of the post-removal process thus-far.
After a delay in treatment, I had the Mirena IUD removed on March 12th (now almost 2 weeks ago).
Because I needed general anesthetic to have the IUD removed, it needed to be in a hospital. (Small side note: Regardless of what people say about the Canadian health care system, the treatment I have received has been excellent, and free to me. The system is slow – no doubt about it – but I believe that the majority of those working in the system are working on improving it as much as administration, politics and the media allow. It’s not perfect, but I am very thankful for universal and free health care access.)
The lead up to the removal was very emotional and I was in a lot of pain. I would have daily cramping (both uterine and around the ovaries) and was on a daily regime of ibuprofen and acetaminophen to deal with the pain. The surgery was scheduled for first thing on the 12th and after being prepped and wheeled into the operating room, I woke up about 45min later to the Dr telling me everything went perfectly and that the strings on the Mirena were exceptionally short. The short strings combined with the fact that the IUD was in the upper part of the uterus is what caused the difficulty with removal, although does nothing to explain the cramping and pain I was having. I was initially scheduled to have a D & C (dilation and cutterage to gently remove the lining of the uterus in order to encourage new cell growth / remove anything not healthy) but it was unnecessary since the IUD was just poorly placed and not embedded (w00t!).
The recovery from the surgery was very easy. I went home around 1pm after the surgery and besides being ravenous, I was in a bit of pain and cramping, dizzy and bleeding. Immediately post surgery I noticed that the bloated feeling I was having was gone, as was the cramping around my ovaries and my skin had cleared up immensely – clearer than it has been in the last 3 or 4 years at least.
Gradually between the 12th and the 16th the symptoms I associated with Mirena and and also with the surgery began to allieviate themselves – reduced mental fogginess, feeling of being happy and calm, reduced anxiety, clearer skin, less bloated, less hungry, no cramping at all, no kidney / back pain, no breast tenderness, increased sexual drive and just a general feeling of well-being. I’m still tired, although less so and I’m also attributing that to the fact that we just moved and I’m grossly out of shape and need to get back to the gym.
Currently I’m doing well – a little irritable and anxious this week, but otherwise I’m happy and calm and feel good. I’m consistently amazed at how much better I feel – just a feeling of calm and for lack of a more eloquent word, better. I have been taking 3000mg of Evening Primrose Oil (1500mg 2x day) since about mid-February and find that it helped before the IUD was removed with the breast tenderness and some of the mood swings. Since having the IUD out I’ve been less consistent in taking the pills when I get up / go to bed, but overall I find when I’m consistent in taking them there is a reduction in the mood swings, and while they still happen, the peak / valley is much less dramatic and easier for everyone to manage (including my partner).
Once I start my next period I’ll begin to chart my cycle – but if all goes well, hopefully it will take no time for that to get back on track and for me to feel like a normal, moody, happy, dynamic woman. I can’t wait. :-)
If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading. I will update this blog during the post-Mirena period, and as always, I encourage relevant comments – my experience is only one of a million or so.
I desperately need to know about this afet Mirena crash. I had mine reomved 3/24/08, I felt great that evening, I worked out for 2 days and I loved life. A few days later, I thought my period came and I began the Yaz. That Friday I became weepy again. From then on, I am an emotional time bomb waiting to explode without the energy. I feel tires again, and I am on an emotional roller coaster. How long will this last? What is this? I am I experiencing the worst or am I at the beginning?
Hey Sandra,
I’m no Dr – but from my own experience I too am moody and tired, but not like from before. It could be that your body is reacting to the YAZ as it tries to recover from the Mirena IUD. My personal suggestion would be to take a month off until you have a full cycle and then start the pill. It could be that the bleeding you experienced was the shedding of the uterine tissue you had at the time because of the hormone shift and that you’re not back into a cycle.
Ultimately I’d suggest you do some more research online (there are some links in my previous Mirena posting from Feb) and talk to a physician. There could be many many reasons for you feeling the way you do.
Good luck – hope you feel better soon!
I am having mine out tomorrow, after 3 years of pure hell. Please let me know what to expect.
I ha my IUD removed on Thursday and I am lying in bed with flu like symptoms. I have had for the last 6 months sweats , foggy brain , forgetful ness and a loss of libido. I have put on so much weight despite regular exercise . Is this normal? My liver feels swollen and I am so teary.
What is the crash? that every one is talking about?
I had my Mirena removed last Wed – alomost one week ago. Same side effects for me, fogginess, weight gain ( I walked 2 miles a night and NEVER noticed a pound lost!!!) I started developing terrible yeast infections after my period in the last 3 mths. Only had this IUD for one year and WOW am I glad to have this out. My breasts are so tired of soreness!
Hi!
I was given the Mirena as an option to help control my out-of-control bleeding during my periods (I’m now every 3 weeks..ugh). My uterus was looked at and measured. I was told I measured on the high end: 10cm as opposed to the norm of 8cm. I had asked even then if that would be a problem and told it wouldn’t be.
From the day I had it inserted I felt more cramping than I normally do. The bleeding lasted 4-5 days and within that time frame, I could literally feel the device move out of position and to the right side of my body. I had constant pain and after a week, went back in to demand its removal. The DRs office confirmed that it was “to the right” but still in the uterus (they did this by feel, not by any imaging) and I should just “stick with it for another week” and “didn’t I realize I wasn’t taking enough Advil?” (I couldn’t believe it. They want me to pump UP my Advil use) What part of avoiding having to eat Advils on a consistant basis to battle cramps did they NOT get? I started bleeding again after their exam and never stopped. I stuck it out for two more weeks and then demanded that they remove it. No ifs, ands, or buts. They finally did, but I still felt it was a battle just to get into the office. The removal did have a moment of pain and after a few hours I went into waterfall bleeding mode. This continued for DAYS, along with cramping. When I called the office I was told to deal with it – it was the body’s way of getting back to normal. (this isn’t normal!)
I contacted a rep at Mirena to complain about their device and why I couldn’t find more information on what to expect and what is not normal after a removal and I received a call back within hours. (wow) The rep did say I should call the DRs if the bleeding didn’t stop and that yes, uterine size has a big part of whether or not you should have the Mirena. I was told that my size was fine by the DRs office, yet here this rep is telling me that Mirena is not recommended for anyone that measures above 9cm. Great. It’s also NOT approved for usage other than as a contraception. This device was touted to me as a way to control cramps and bleeding.
I just don’t get how the DRs get away with saying that and promoting it as that when it does the exact opposite.
I still have pain in that right area. While the bleeding has stopped, my skin is still breaking out and the weight gain hasn’t gone away. And, again, I was only using it for 3 weeks.
NOT a device I’d ever use again.
Hi, I had mine taken out on Sept 3, ….
only 6 months, but the last 4 months have been hell…i never had so much anxiety that I COULDNT handle before. The last two days i have had so much of the panic sweats….i have a hard time to settle or know how to bring myself down from flight zone. On Tuesday i have an appt at a anxiety disorder clinic….no one who has a slight history of depression/anxiety…should be given this device in my opinion…speaking from my personal experience…
Would anyone consider sharing how the hormone is removed from our system once the iud is removed..
and by the way, when the doc said its done, i said really…he said..would you like to see..
I said…you bet i would.. haha…
i just wanted to feel better…not much to ask.. as Kerrie Anne mention…its like a flu that never leaves… thank you my friends… for letting me share here.
paulina
victoria bc
Just got mine taken out today. I must say, and I’m sure it’s just because I’m relieved, but I felt MUCH better even just after removal. It’s amazing.
I just had mine removed today (after 1 year) due not only to many of the side effects that others have listed but also because my husband and I want to try to conceived at the beginning of next year. Everything that I have read indicates that I will need to give my body AT LEAST three months to get rid of most of the effects Mirena caused. So far I am feeling good…light spotting and a little tired but happy that it is gone.
If you are considering having the Mirena IUD inserted please, please believe what you are reading here and on other sites.
I am 43 with two children, 11 and 4. After the birth of my youngest my periods seemed to never stop. By my child’s fourth birthday I was bleeding nearly everyday, very heavily. I thought I could no longer cope with the bleeding.
I read about the possible side effects of Mirena and even questioned my doctor about the weight gain possibility. He assured me this was most unlikely. I don’t even like to take pain medicine so the thought of having continual medication in my body was not pleasant but I was worried about bleeding to death.
In three months and two weeks I have gained 20 pounds. I now weigh more than I did when I gave birth to my son. My eating habits haven’t changed. I have trouble remembering things. I find that I am more critical in dealing with my children and feel so bad that I seem to constantly be fussing at them or about anything in general. The depression is overwhelming. I have lost all interest in sex which has caused stress in my marriage and I love my husband more than my next breath.
I am contacting my OB/GYN on Tuesday to make an appointment to have the IUD removed. For my sanity I know this is the right decision. I’ll take the bleeding over the effects that Mirena has wreaked on my body and family.
Ontario
I just had mine out on Dec 16 2008. Before having it removed I gained 18lbs, moody, acne which I have never had and they hurt, tired no sex drive and then lower back pain. On wed when they took it out it felt like a rough swab or a pinch and it was over. I stood up and it was like instead back releaf. I still have a little discomfort but seems to get better. Though today day 2 from removal I’ve had bad cramping like my period was coming! I’ve started yaz. Oh the most yah my headaches are gone! On top of this I’ve had thyroid cancer and I have been hypo for the last several months, the dr could not regulate my tsh levels!
Has anyone had a bad pap reading after having it removed? I had my annual done before removal! Just didn’t know if anyone has had a bad reading after having or after removal!
I guess it’s the cancer thing and why I hate doing this every year! I had a clean on last year and nothing any pervious years and been doing it for 9 years now.
Hi everyone!
Thank you for all the posts, I am glad I am not alone in this battle to wellness! I have had 3 babies in the last 4 years, a 4 year old, a 2 year old and a 1 year old. With my last baby I had the Mirena inserted at the 6 week check up because having another baby was not an option. So here my story begins…
I had the Mirena placed in September 2007 and from that moment on the anxiety took over. For several months this emotional roller coaster wreeked havoc on my family. I went to my doctor to be told I was experiencing post-pardom depression and that I needed an antidepressant to get me out of it. Feeling at my lowest ever in my life – even at times suicidal I took her advice and started Effexor in May 2008. Well, this was another roller coaster in the beginning but I stuck it out and eventually it put me in a state of mind of numbness. No anxiety anymore, no emotional wreck, but no happiness or joy either, but I never did have the other side effects other people had reported so I felt thankful for that. I ended the Effexor last November 2008 and for the first time felt pleasure in my life. I couldn’t wait to play with my kids, I couldn’t wait to start the day. I actually felt like I was high on life, until about a month ago….
Then I started slipping back into my fogginess, my anxiety level has been up, and I can slowly feel myself slipping into the depression again. I never even thought of my Mirena and its side effects until I started researching…and now I am wondering if it was the major cause for my depression. Effexor did pull me out of the emotional wreck I was in but I wonder now if I didn’t have the Mirena would I have been there in the first place. Anyhow I can’t live by the “what if’s” in life and have decided to take matters into my own hands, away from doctors and do what feels right for me and having the Mirena removed feels right. I see my doctor in 2 weeks and then from there will have a referral to have it removed. Wish me luck on this journey back to myself again! Hormone and drug free! I can’t wait!
hi girls, after reading about 299,000 blogs on mirena, i’ll share my thoughts. so i hate, let me stress that, HATE taking the pill. i decided to use nuvaring. no problems. but then i heard about mirena. ever hear if something sounds too good to be true…it probably is. lesson learned…
i’m 32 and have no kids, not planning on any time soon, either. so i talk to my doc about mirena. he’s been on the up-and-up on things for years (i.e.taking the pill to skip your cycle, etc.) he thinks mirena is great. so i trust his judgement and i had it inserted 3 weeks ago. can i just say, not having kids, that HURT!
JEEZ-US!
so far, i’ve been tired, moody, snapping at my students (more than normal, so much so that my kids are asking if i’m ok!)i’ve worked out less, had cramping for 2 weeks, joint pain, recent painful acne,(EW)my mind seems foggy and i can’t afford to feel that way, i teach math, to high school students. one of my students said i seemed “empty”
thought, maybe it’s me. maybe i’m reading too much and it’s all in my head. then i went to sleep the other night at 4 pm and slept until midnight. woke up with blurred vision, which lasted for a good five to ten minutes. scared the crap out of me.
i am newly dating someone who when he talks to me, i’m instantly turned on, yeah, not so much anymore. no feeling of sex. or an interest in it.
i forget what i’m talking about, i was drooling the other day, in the middle of a sentence!! am i dying?
did i mention i’ve had my period since last tuesday? that’s 10 days! don’t think that’s normal.
i made an appointment to have it removed next tuesday. i’m so let down. i thought this was a good idea, wow, no worries about birth control for 5 years, woohoo. not so much. :(
some other girl said she pulled her’s out. i wouldn’t recommend it. it’s inside your uterus, past the cervix. i wouldn’t risk damage to your cervix. let your doctor do it, worse case scenario, his associates have to do it, not him (if they’re THAT busy)
i would love to say i’ll wait it out, but i can’t say i’d like to give up more time of my life, or my face, i’m shallow. this acne is gross (it’ll be 3 weeks by the time i get it out) it’s not worth it to me.
watch, next week they’ll come out with a new one which is all new and improved, NO SIDE EFFECTS!
good luck girls. i’m going back to the ring. twice a month to worry, no side effects?? deal!
Hi everyone!
I just had the Mirena removed on January 23rd (almost 1.5 weeks ago) and I finally feel like I am on the road to recovery.
Like so many other women out there, I was told that there would be no side effects to the Mirena. I originally planned to get the copper IUD because I wanted to avoid taking hormones in fear that I would have mood swings. Because the copper IUD wasn’t covered under my insurance plan, my doctor advised me to go with the Mirena, promising me that the hormone levels are so low that there wouldn’t be anything to worry about. Well, she was incredibly mistaken.
I endured excruciatingly painful cramping for two weeks(I was actually in tears because of the pain)and even went back to the doctor who merely told me to take aspirin – making me feel like I was wasting her time.
Following this, my mood quickly started to become a serious issue. Within three months I was so low and depressed that suicide even crossed my mind and my boyfriend was on the verge of ending things. I chalked all of this up to life stress and heightened PMS from the IUD. I thought that if I could just hold out a few more months that things would go back to normal, but things only got worse. I tried everything to get rid of the fogginess and depression that plagued me – diet, exercise, vitamins, self-help books but nothing worked.
Last December I had my period for three weeks on and off. This meant that I had bouts of PMS three times in a row! I was depressed, irrational, and felt like I didn’t know myself or who I had become at all. My doctor put me on anti-depressants and I preyed that things would improve.
After my boyfriend and I almost broke up again in January, I decided it was about time to give up and get this devil stick (so-called by my boyfriend) out of me. I am so happy and hopeful that I will get back to being me again.
For the first week after removal I still felt horrible. I was incredibly tired, nauseous, had an upset stomach, breakouts, and continued to feel depressed and forlorn; however, I feel like I had a breakthrough last night. Suddenly it seemed that the fog had lifted and I am desperately hoping that the worst is now behind me. I finally feel like I can think clearly, rationally and positively.
I am incredibly angry that doctors aren’t informing people that there ARE side effects!!!! I will not be going back to my doctor and will be looking into filing a complaint with the FDA because I feel like I have been robbed of the last 10 months of my life.
I am so glad that I read these comments and knew deep down that I wasn’t crazy. This doctor really had me thinking that I needed a psychiatrist (which is what she pretty much hinted at). Apparently the 4 weeks I had Mirena, all the pain and suffering was in my head and she would repeat over and over that it would possibly take 4-5 months to settle down. OMG 4-5 months????
Got it removed 5 days ago (she pretty much ripped it out and stormed out of the office) and now I feel like he!! in every other way but I am so glad it is out. See my family dr. on Monday and hope he can tell me what to do other than more Advil and Tylenol 3′s…. I haven’t taken this many pills in my life!!!
I had to beg 3 times to have it removed and wish that I read this site sooner. I wouldn’t have hated myself for this whole time. I feel now that things may get better but until then I am stuck with very sore boobies, strange bowel issues and lots more fun after effects.
I will let you know when I feel better.
I am 36 with no children and I have been on the pill for 20 years. My new gyno won’t prescribe me the pill anymore because of my age and because I smoke. She suggested Mirena she has it in and everything is cozy!!@! i took some information and i’m just waiting for my insurance. Thank God I have common sense to look up things and every thing has a side effect and everything doesn’t work for everybody but this is to much!!!! I’d rather get pregnant first than run the risk of Mirena.I’m going to take my last pack of pills and if I get knocked up oh well! I just feel sorry for all the women that had to suffer!
I have an appointment to have mine taken out tomorrow (after having it for three years). It gave me all kinds of wacky side effects and they’re just getting worse and worse, it’s miserable. I’m worried that my Dr. won’t take it out tomorrow (maybe if I threaten to rip it out myself?) I’m also concerned that he won’t find the string, since it constantly moves up and down, in and out of my uterus. Well, here’s hoping for the best!
I just had my mirena out on Wednesday. I didn’t have to many probs while on it. My face did break out a little and I did gain weigh. I had it in for five years and after three months I had no bleeding for the whole five years and my sex drive was through the roof. I’ve read all the stuff that people have been writing about after removal so I’ll keep everyone updated on how I do. But I do have a question, does anyone know how long it takes to get pregnant after removal?
I had my Mirena removed today. I’m so happy with my decision. I had the Mirena for 1 year. After about 8 months, I started having high blood pressure and very bad headaches.(ouch–it really hurt) Not only that, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure (never had that b4). Today, my headaches have decreased and I’m waiting for my blood pressure to go back down. I hate this and, I do not and will not request for anyone!!!!!!!!!PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM THIS!!! GOD please don’ let this have caused any problems to my vital organs. I want to live.
How long does it take for your body to return back to normal????!!!!
IUDs have been an unmitigated disaster for both my family and I. I first had the copper IUD inserted, and got pregnant on it. This pregnancy ended in miscarriage, (As do many pregnancies that occur while on the copper IUD) and they did a D&C. They told me they removed the IUD during the D&C. Then I went to my doctor and asked her what the next option might be as birth control pills really affected my health in a negative way. I bled too much and had terrible episodes of depression, etc. She recommended Mirena. I had it put in, and had the same symptoms as everyone else – horrible acne, foggy brain, lack of interest in sex, etc. etc. After about a year, I went to my doctor and had it removed, and nothing really changed with my health – and I have been wondering if the effects really took two years to clear up? (This is after many consultations with my physician about my on-going health problems.) Then a few days ago, I had an x-ray of my uterus, on the recommendation of another physician, and the radiologist had to stop the x-ray as I had an obstruction in my uterus – an IUD was lodged high up in my uterus! I was truly shocked! Clearly, my doctor put in a second device without knowing that the first one had not been removed. And the gynecologist who said that the IUD was removed at the time of the D&C clearly made a huge mistake too! When my doctor removed the IUD, I don’t know whether she removed the non-hormonal IUD or the Mirena. I suspect she took out the non-hormonal one as I have been taking antibiotics off and on for many months to control my skin. It frustrates me to think how sick I have been and for no reason. I am looking forward to the results of the class-action lawsuit against the manufacturers of Mirena.
Here’s my story…for what it’s worth. There doesn’t seem to be any posts on life after the Mirena. So, here goes. I got the Mirena about 4 years ago, after the birth of my second child. During the 2.5 years between the first and second child, we just used the “family planning” method which actually worked quite well for birth control. However, I have always had very heavy, painful periods. And that was still an issue even though it was somewhat manageable with 800mg of Motrin. Then, I heard about the Mirena from some friends and made an appt right away. The insertion was a little uncomfortable but not bad. I felt a bit of cramping, but it was gone that day. I bled for about 6 weeks, and then reaped the benefits….NO cramps and VERY light periods for 2.5 years! No weight gain. I felt like I was finally free plus we got the bonus birth control!! THEN, we moved from NY to CA. The move went well, but I was incredibly weepy….like I couldn’t stop crying. My husband and children were scared of me. I also started noticing strange cramping 1 week before my period every month. They weren’t like regular menstrual cramps. I can’t really describe them. But, they would get increasingly more painful until my non-existent period came. It felt very strange and the 800mg of Motrin barely took the edge off. So, I started researching depression and cramping associated with the mirena online and found out that I wasn’t alone. So, I had it removed. I discovered that the actual device was lodged up and pushing on my cervix somehow, which explained the cramping. I felt relief as soon as they removed it. And the moodiness seemed to go away too. Then again we made some new friends and life became a lot easier at the same time. So, I wasn’t quite sure if the depression came from the mirena or just the move. I do have mental illness in my family. And then, I got my period for the first time. My period was more like a lifting of the flood gates. It was payback time. I had to replace my super tampons every hour. The cramps were unbearable. And my mood was definitely affected by this. I wouldn’t say that I was depressed like before….just an overall heaviness from all the discomfort and pain. This went on for 5 months!!! I couldn’t take it anymore. I went back to my doctor to find a solution. He informed me that the only solution I had was to do some sort of surgery that would make it nearly impossible for me to have more children (not an option as I am 34yrs old and not sure I want to end it for good) or replace the IUD. Of course, the doctor never thought that the moodiness was caused by the mirena in the first place. And as long as the device stayed put, I thought that the cramping wouldn’t be an issue. So, I decided to try the Mirena one more time. I had it inserted again about 2 months ago. The insertion was horrific. 10 times more painful than before. And I bled heavily for 2 weeks afterwards. The bleeding stopped for 1 week and then I started bleeding again. It started out heavy and then tapered off to about mucus-like spotting. And I am STILL bleeding about every other day, especially after sex. Sometimes I have to put in a tampon. Other days, I just ruin my underwear. I have a little bit of cramping every day. My moodiness is back….then again, my husband has been traveling and I’m a bit overwhelmed. I wouldn’t say I’m completely depressed like before, but I certainly don’t feel like doing much of anything, which is unusual. And I don’t know what to do now. If I take it out, I’ll certainly be rewarded with those crazy periods. If I keep it, it might work itself out, but what if my mood continues to deteriorate. I have no answers. If any of you have a solution, please do let me know by posting on this site!! I’m going to a new doctor next week. Thanks for listening.
Hi all.
I’ve had my Minrena now for the “prescribed” time of nearly 5 years! It loves me so much it decided to attach to my uterus wall. Not at all good! Now I have to have it taken out under general anisthetic and I’m quite scared. Will make it through, though and will NEVER EVER fall for the lie again. Good luck to all of you.
Elke
I had the Mirena in for only three months. I couldn’t stand it anymore and had it removed. The cramping was awful. My mood was terrible and I was in a fog all the time. I was constantly fatigued which was the worst. Having had it removed three weeks ago, I am still spotting every few days and having awful cramps like I’m about to start my period. My stomach is bloated and I am still sooo moody! Is this normal??
i had the Mirena in since May 2007. slight cramping, and period light for 3 days until my first year exactly, visited the Gnano, and immeidately after i gained 10 lbs, note i am 47 now, had it over 2 years. The first year, lots of bloating, Gas, flatulence, period overall still stayed light. However in every picture i take with my family i notice my face puffy, water retention etc, everyone told me and asked me if i was on steriods. Weight was an issue for me. My gynao encourgaged me to stay with the side effects as this eased my heavy bledding for over two years.
i had two yeast infections, and also my visit this year june, my pap smear showed abnormal, second testing again in october this year. Not sure if the mirena is causing all this problem. I am going to ask him to remove it in October, once i go for my second bioposy. I take cranberry tablets, also the IUD on the whole helped me drastically with my heavy flow. To date since june i had no periods.. Still puzzled to changes in the body.
I had mine removed two weeks ago. A day after it was taken out, I was a new person. I wasn’t hungry all the time, moody or mean. I read somewhere where a woman was feeling just like me.. I too was thinking I hated my hubby, the whole world after three months with this thing. a week after removal, I loved my life again.. actually more like a couple of days after the removal.. I didn’t feel depressed anymore.. life was just different.
I read it takes three mo for the hormone to leave the body..
Oh man…this is seriously insane. The last three days ive been obsessed with getting on my computer and finding more blogs of women, like myself, on this terrible ..horrible mirena! So this is my story:
I had my son august 10, 2007 and had the mirena put in at the six week check up. I bled for a long time and then i stopped having periods all together. I thought it was great. But not having a period and not worrying about getting pregnant was sooooooo not worth it. This thing has nearly destroyed my life. I feel angry that this thing stole precious moments i could have had with my son that i will never get back. I was instantly depressed..i only held my son when i was feeding him milk and changing him, then i would put him back in his swing. I wanted nothing to do with him. I felt like a horrible mother..and i just slid deeper into depression. My boyfriend and i broke up twice before my son turned two. I really dont blame him i was completely crazy.. irrational….could not be pleased no matter what he did. He tried and tried to make me happy but it was never good enough. I would be so depressed all day and anxious for him to get off work and just get home and then when he finally did get home i would meet him at the door and hug him and then within 10 minutes i was screaming profanities at him. It was INSANE! Luckily we have been patching things up this past year but everyday is a rollercoaster. Every morning when i wake up i slowly open my eyes and and just lay still to see what mood im in…to see how the days gonna be. about 6 months ago things turned for the worse..believe it or not ..it has gotten worse. Ive been diagnosed with i dont know how many mental illnesses..each dr having a different opinion with whats wrong with my head. Depressed…Bipolar…have Anxiety attacks…..ADHD…im currently on prozac ativan and ritalin. all which have been recently doupled in potency this month. Because i just keep getting worse. I have gained 25 pounds in 3 months as well…which let me tell ya really helps my depression. HA. I have absolutely NO energy and im even on ritalin which is pretty much synthetic speed. I have not eaten in a week and my weight hasnt moved an inch! WHAT THE HELL ……sorry for the outburst but as im writing this ive just realized how the last two years of my life have been practically ruined because of this thing in me. Now my family and friends watch me like a hawk thinking that im this unstable crazy person….i just feel like no one understands. Ive actually started drinking alcohol to an excess like a 6 beers at least a day ..at least. went through a faze of drinking a 1/5 of vodka every other day just for a release of this inner torment..kinda like an escape from the reality of what my life had turned into……..wow. I didnt even mean to write this much..i was just going to say a comment and look what it turned into. But im seriously thanking God right now that i stumbled acrossed the blogs (just because i thought i was preggo and wanted to see if it was possible on mirena) Now i feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel and this madness….Im calling a dr TOMORROW to get this thing out and if they refuse ..i will make a scene. Ha…i mean what do i care about making a scene when everyone already thinks im crazy and unstable! I will not leave without them taking this out of my body thought thats for sure! Thank you so much everyone for sharing your stories. Maybe mine will help somoene like yours have helped me. I just cant wait to be “me” again. Fun loving, happy, active, people person. God i cant wait!
Wow this makes me so enraged to think that Mirena has been the source of all my problems. I am 25 and have had the Mirena about 3.5 years, I have gained about 30 pounds, depression, anxiety, acne on my face chest neck and back, unbelievably extreme mood swings, anger and sadness…where I would cry for no reason, “emotional breakdowns. severe lower back pain, cramps, bloating. a distended abdomen that looks like I am about 6 months pregnant, little to no energy. The scariest symptom is I have developed “multinodular goiter” on my thyroid. For the last year I have spent hundreds out of pocket on ultra sounds, blood tests and hours at specialist trying to figure out why my thyroid has these problems. I had no thyroid issue until after Mirena insertion and all thryoid blood tests have come back normal. My doctor basically told me there was nothing I could do except have $300 ultra sounds to monitor my thyroid and hope it didnt get worse. It is horrifying and stressful, worst case scenario is I have to have my thyroid removed, and I AM ONLY 25! I finally made a connection when on the advice of a friend visited a chinese herbalist hoping to get some other kind of treatment option. He asked if I was on any perscription meds and I said no (which Im not) he asked if I was sure and for some reason it triggered an epiphany, the only thing in my body was the IUD. After speaking to the herbalist about the extreme long term danger about having these synthetic hormones in my body and doing more research I am CONVINCED it is the Mirena at the source of all my problems. I made an appt asap and am getting it removed. I want it out NOW and am livid at the thought of all the damage I have caused my body having this horrible object in me for almost 4 years. I want to cry. I am telling my story because I dont want others to go through the same thing I have. I was on the depo provera shot for 2 years before Mirena and have horrible side effects with that methos too, but not as terrible as Mirena. It should be pulled from the market. STAY AWAY FROM MIRENA, it will damage you emotionally and physically!!!
I just had my mirena removed Friday Feb 12 and even though I had a lot of problems with it in the decreased libido(and im just 22), mood swings,depression,increased appetite(haven’t gained a lick of weight though) now with it out Im still having the same pain and bleeding I had with it in(I know it has only been a couple of days). Im not sure if it’s just normal to feel this way when its removed. It feels a little different from menstrual cramps. It’s like the pain started immediately after the mirena was removed and have not stopped since.Feels almost like my uterus was scarred or something (however that feels).I just hope it leaves with time.It’s very annoying and painful. ANd then I am still having some bleeding, which is the reason why I went on ahead and got the mirena taken out because seemed like I’d never stop bleeding. I was hoping the bleeding would stop once I got it taken it out but its still going. I don’t know maybe now my body is trying to adjust.just don’t know wat to think……
I had my mirena removed yesterday. It was done under a general anaesthetic because the Gyno could not remove it in clinic. It was placed too high and embedded. I feel okay today , a little cramping and bleeding.
Im soooo pleased to have it gone. It can only be described as pure evil.
I was encouraged by my gyno to have it as a cure for the painful sickening periods I have had for the past few years. I had two laproscopic surgeries last year to assist this, cyst removal etc. So in sept 2009 they put in the mirena at the same time as my surgery. One week later I ended up back in hospital in utter agony and had a post op infection. Given antibiotics and then went back home after it was under control. Since then I had constant pain , cramps , sharp pains in one side of my uterus that radiated down my leg. Acne, weight gain like crazy, depressed, moody, sore breasts, painful pressure like pain during sex, forgetfulness and couldnt focus at work, terrible sleeping patterns I could go on…..When I talked to my gyno about this he said that it cant be the mirena because the hormone is local so it should not affect me that bad. I felt like my body was trying to reject it all the time. It was supposed to stop my periods but over a period of 70 days there was only 10days that i didnt bleed and have cramps…I gave up monitoring after that…I felt like I was a hyprchondriac and that I was going crazy….I felt that people didnt understand how bad I felt all the time….stopped wanting to socialize etc too.
Im feeling very positive about the removal of the evil IUD and hope that the hormones wont take too long to leave my body…im still recovering from the general anaesthetic today but back to zumba and walking next week…hers hoping the weight will come off now too….wish me luck…all your stories have been really great to know that we are not alone…thankyou all.
I can’t believe I am reading my life in your stories. My ObGyn nonchalantly suggested I get the Mirena right after I had my last daughter 3 1/2 yrs ago. The Pill hormones didn’t agree with me – and he absolutely advocated the Mirena! It took about 6 or 7 mos for my periods to not be 3 weeks on/1 week off – had an appointment to consider getting it removed, he said give it a while longer – made the “yes I want it out” appt and by that day my periods stopped and I cancelled.
After about 6 mos I had turned my life upside down, divorced my husband, was forced back to work after being a full time mom, missed by 2nd daughter’s babyhood because I was working – kept it together for a year or so – then about 2 years ago started with “depression like feelings” a few days before my period – then they’d be gone and I’d be my very happy go lucky, energetic self. I was in a new and excellent relationship, kids were doing well, money fine – just a few days I’d be “blue”. I had post pardom depression, so was told I was predisposed to that – New family Dr put me on Pristiq (antidepressant) which supposedly had very little side effects – by day 4 of me taking it I was so buzzed and my hands shook so badly I couldn’t type and could barely see straight so on the advice of my pharmacist I stopped that. I guess since it’d only been 4 days I shouldn’t crash too badly? WRONG – wound up in the hospital because I was suicidal – Same Dr suggested another anti depressant which he begged me to “stick out” for 2 months, and go to counselling. I did, losing all sex drive and ability to feel any joy or pain. I was just n…eu…t…r…a…l. Wound up quitting that one too, figuring that a few rough days per month were better than no feeling at all. Therapist said “no, not hormonal, something happened when you were young that makes you feel depressed a few days a month”…Dr checked hormones and showed OK. Since then the “lows” have gotten worse – In September I quit my job and staying home with my girls to reduce stress, gain some lost time with the youngest, maybe that was the problem? I kept it together ok for a few months, thought I fixed it and then CRASHED hard and was suicidal again, each month crashing, more and more thoughts have been put into planning my death to be as easy on my family as possible. I don’t want to die – but I can’t remember how to live. I am AFRAID that one of these days the thoughts will just be too overwhelming. The anxiety and depression is SO suffocating when it appears.
Finally I switched back to old family Dr who sent me for lots of blood work and an ultrasound today to see where that Mirena was (strings aren’t reachable or gone). I asked about PMDD, but he was the first to acknowledge some women don’t react well to the iud. All 4 Drs I’ve had have known I’ve had it – and NOT ONE suggested getting this iud out. I am absolutely getting an appointment to get it removed. I am terrified of the crash – I can’t imagine sinking lower, but at least it will be over.
My boyfriend was shocked when I told him I had an IUD (he works at a pharmacy) and any time I felt crappy he suggested that may be causing it. I naively said, “no, dr’s said it’s fine. My body got used to it after 6 mos or so”. I had no idea that maybe it didn’t. I have been very lucky that he’s stuck by me through the torturous moods, and irrationality. And I am super LUCKY enough that he’s getting a vasectomy so I can just be “me”. My girls (3&5) will be super lucky too; keeping their Mama.
I am so desperate to get this done! I would do it with a hand mirror and a coat hanger if I thought I could! Wish me luck! And thank you for all your stories. We are NOT alone.
Hellooooo Ladies,
I finally had my Mirena removed after 7 years of use. I never attributed my moodiness and emotional outbursts to the IUD, but in hindsight realize that could have pushed already stressful situations over the edge. I had mine “renewed” last April and it was VERY uncomfortable compared to the first. I had cramps for 3 weeks, but loved the convenience of interal hormone therapy and protection for 6 years and decided to opt for another 6 years of it. However, I have had everything from skin problems to extreme pregnancy symptoms with this one. After going through massage therapy and acupuncture to manage anxiety, I finally decided to have it removed. I IMMEDIATELY felt a sense of flooding relief and didn’t realize how having something stuck inside of me all of that time was blocking the flow of energy in my body. I had light cramping for the remainder of that day and discharge for a couple of days. Almost one week later and I’m having lower abdominal cramping…THAT is what I’m concerned about now. Yesterday I had spotting…but none today. Has anyone else dealt with inconsistent cramping and spotting AFTER removal? Oh and the weight gain…I gained over 50lbs during the entire time I’ve had the Mirena. I’m not a Ms Piggy eater so I KNOW it was the hormones. I’ve been watching cals for the past 8 months or so and consistently working out for the past 2 months only to result in about a 8 pound weight loss total. I’ve gone down 2 dress sizes so where the weight mass is coming from is a mystery. I’m planning to go through the summer without the Mirena and see what happens all around. I’m looking forward to bouncing back to the sexy, sweet, energetic me that I was before I got it…I’m excited to get “myself” back after 7 years of ups and downs. Please keep me in your prayers!
Hi all!!
Well here we are, in our quest to “control” our life. We are ingesting, injecting and inserting synthetic man-made hormones into our already hormonal bodies and wondering why we feel like complete and utter “hot-messes” for lack of better terms.
I just had the Mirena IUD removed after 3 years. I had requested a tubal ligation at my 6 week check after the birth of my second child. A beautiful surprise conceived while nursing my 5 month old and taking tri-cyclen, obviously i missed a pill. So my GP suggested I try Mirena, no periods, no pills to forget…sounded GREAT!
Insertion, no problem. First 6 weeks, normal expected flow. And then it hit me, this panicked foggy brained, unbelievable migraine pain, dizzied new version of myself. It had taken a short while before these symptoms showed up…so I went back to the GP. Not connecting anything, I was sent to neuro and ENT to verify I was infact just a hormonal mess and not developing a brain tumor. I still never connected these things to the IUD. I spent the last few years with random migrains and daily chronic headaches. Not much else to speak off, oh and the lack of sex drive, I mean no desire what so ever. OH yeah and now my hair is thinner than ever…yeah that it, i think.
6 Months ago, I had experienced something I hadn’t it quite some time, a period. A heavy painfull, cramp filled period. Back the GP, she checked for the strings, which were no where to be found. Sent for pregnancy test (false) and sonogram to ensure IUD and I were still one. We were…lucky me. And they found a nice big cyst too, but that’s another story…although I’ve read probably brought on by the Mirena. Anyway, off a gyno for the removal of the Mirena, I went to see her 3 days ago. A very friendly doctor who spent alot of time looking for the darn thing. She noted I had extreme tolerance for her proding, as most would be in very much pain, I couldn’t feel a thing? Anyway, she kept saying we had to go to the OR…but ALAS…she saw it and she removed it!! Hooray…it was out! Now to deal with the withdrawel symptoms of levonorgestrel. Which is why I found this site.
Just a head’s up, it is the worse flu like feeling I’ve had in a while. I’m dizzy, sweating and very moody (so sad). I just started Cyclen tonight, in hopes that some level of progesterone and estrogen will relieve this side affects. And in 6 months I will go back to see that specialist for tubal ligation. A non-hormonal solution for BC. I wonder what the real me, the added hormone-less version, is actually like.
Good luck everyone.
WOW. I got Mirena put in after my 2nd child was born. Had it put in Sept 2007. I was 28 when I had it put in. I never gained any weight. I always stay around 105 lbs. I thought it was the greatest things invented! I spotted for about 8 months, which was very annoying. My sex drive wasn’t the greatest before the Mirena, so I didn’t think much about that either. However, after having it for about a yr and a half, I started having stomach issues. Feeling like I had the flu and like my liver was going to explode. I figured I had IBS, but this flu feeling was sporadic and unpredictable. It subsided after about 3 months. I was tested for everything, had an EGD and colonoscopy done. I was feeling normal by about May of 2009. Then it all started again Feb 2010. The stomach issues, feeling like I had the flu, no enegery…..docs kept telling me it was gastritis, “functional nausea,” a stomach bug….
My upper back started aching, i had discharge from my nipple, headaches…
All tests have come back clear! I decided to get the Mirena out about a month ago (june 12, 2010). I felt relieved to have it out. I had a very light period for about 5 days. Then it all started… Feeling dizzy and awful headaches again. I was peeing every 15 minutes…and peeing large amounts. I had bloodwork done and everything was still normal. He put me on an antibiotic. The dizziness stopped and the stomach issue started on day 2 of the antibiotic (i’ve been on the same antibiotic b4, with no side effects.) I felt like I had a stomach ulcer. The pain and weakness was horrible. I hardly ate anything for a week! Doc did another EGD….he saw inflammation, but other than that everything was normal. I finally started my real period July 1st. I felt great most of the holiday weekend until July 5th. The peeing started again. The dizziness followed a few days later. More blood work was done and everything was pretty much normal. No diabetes, no infection. I had a CT scan of my head this morning, so we’ll see if something is going on in my brain. If not, I will be convinced it’s hormones. I never had the peeing a ton and dizziness until the Mirena was taken out! It’s not so much DIZZY….more like a fog….hungover….woozy in the head feeling. AHH. I have developed a thick feeling around my neck too. Like it’s my thyroid. They tested my thyroid a couple months ago and all was fine. I don’t know what to think anymore. Some of my symptoms are the same as others’ that I’m reading…..but no heavy bleeding or weight gain. Has anyone else experieced the “foggy head” or peeing alot after having Mirena out??
My sex drive has improved though (when I’m not dizzy)! I totally regret having that thing in. I will never do it again. My friend is doing something called lady comp (www.raxmedical.com). It’s expensive at first, but probably well worth it to not have hormones in your body! Thanks everyone for sharing on here.
just an update….my CT scan was normal! Now going to a urologist even though my renal bloodwork was normal….
I have Mirena for 5 year. It was great except my melasma. It is horrible. I’m so suffer about it . It’ all over my 2 cheeks. I just removed 2 week ago for hoping my melasma could be faded. If any one have this problem, could you please share the your story with me and the forum. Do you know how long does it take to get the period again ? I haven’t seen my perior so i hope the period could push the hormone out of my body in order to get melasma fade.
well i had the mirena put in in march of 2008 i had it removed yesterday because me and the hubby want to try for another baby. my old ob told me that since i got prego on the pill that the IUD would be a great thing for me. i loved the idea of no pills to take and no cycle after awhile. i didnt have any problems with the IUD (well at least i didnt think i was). i started having really bad back pains but it was in the same place i had my spinal block because i had a csection. my sex drive went from being really high to the thought of doing it made me sick at my stomach, i didnt think it had anything to do with the IUD. i had it removed yesterday 8/26/2010 and it didnt hurt at all but the after effects is horrible but can be expected though. i have been cramping so bad that it feels like something is beating my uterus up. my dr told me to to wait about 6 weeks before we actually start trying to get pregnant. this is for all the hormones related to the iud to be gone and for my uterus to heal completely so i can carry a baby. the main thing you have to keep in mind with the IUD is every womans body is different and everyone is going to react differently to it. even after a year of having it my periods finally stopped and the lack of sex drive (i would still force myself in doing it) after we have our next child the chances of me getting another one is about 99.9 %. i believe the mirena is all in all a good thing i work for a pharmaceutical co and every medicine that is produced is going to have side effects just remember its going to strike everyone differently. i will definetly go back to Mirena