Adjustment period symptoms and conditions

I got my Mirena in October of 2005 when I was 37. Prior to that I'd had two surgeries to remove fibriods and had severe heavy bleeding (life threatening, actually). My new husband was scared to death that he'd married a truly defective woman! ;-) So when my doc suggested the Mirena, I was thrilled with the idea. Insertion was painful, but bearable even though I'd never had children. I had a rough couple of months with cramping and such after insertion, but I attributed it to going off a high-dose BCP after 17 years. My body had an adjustment period to get through. After insertion and a little spotting, I never had another period. To this day, 4 years later, I haven't had a period. After all the bleeding issues, I think I was willing to accept a few other side-effects to be flow free.

Fast forward 4 years - my symptoms? SEVERE lower back pain (I had no idea that Mirena could cause this until about a month ago), weight gain despite picking up a new sport and being much more active than previously (I've put on 40 lbs in 4 years despite trying to lose), and vanishing sex drive. I've not been abnormally moody, but I have seriously lost my ability to multi-task. I would never have connected that to the Mirena until reading this site. I've got an appointment with a new doc tomorrow (we recently moved) and my hope is that I'll be able to get the Mirena out at the same appointment. The back pain has gotten so bad that I'm actually occasionally missing work. If I bend over, I cannot stand up again without using my arms to push off something because my back is so weak. For the past 4 years, I've basically changed the way I function in the world in order to deal with it without even thinking about what I was doing. At this point, it's bordering on being debilitating and it has definitely gotten worse over time.

The weight gain has really been difficult. I've always had to fight my weight but in the past, I was able to maintain at the high end of 'normal'. Now, not so much despite eating a much better diet and getting significantly more (and more consistent) exercise than I ever have in my life.

Looking back, I'm trying to come to terms with why I've ignored these symptoms for so long. It's hard for me to truly remember, but I was so distraught with the blood loss and problems I had back then that I know I was willing to remain blind to other factors to be 'cured' of that. Honestly, as much as I can't wait to get this out now, I don't think I made the wrong choice at the time.

Let's see how I feel in a couple of months post Mirena.

My Doctor also told me that these pills were the answer! I am 49 years old and as soon as I went on the Femcon pills I noticed cramping in my calves. Not severe charlie horse type, just the nagging soreness like if you worked out too much. It made it painfull to walk or run. I also had severe headaches. I stopped this pill after just 4 packs and demanded that my Doctor find me something else. She kept telling me that headaches, feeling sick to your stomach were "normal" effects of this pill and would go away after 6-7 months! What is with these Doctors? Why would you prescribe such a pill? They must get kickbacks. I had no insurance, so these things cost me $65 a month. I had to be firm in the fact that I wanted off these pills. I am now on Sprintec and have no problems.(and only $9 month!) I had no adjustment period like the Doctor said I would have with Femcon. I felt great from day one and even lost the 5lbs I put on when I was on Femcon!

I had the most horrible experience with this medication. Part of it was due to my doctors poor care. On Monday I started at a new doctors office which is rather large. I gave him him my history with migraines and told him I was finally ready to start some sort of treatment. My previous doctor in the town had often recommended that I take something but I didn't want to take a daily medication. I am a fairly healthy 21 year old who gets between 5 to 10 migraines a month and many more headaches a month. I told him that my doctor and I had always concluded that my migraines were stress related. I told him that I have been experiencing a high degree of anxiety (I am a junior in college and it's the last week of class before exams.) He recommended Topamax and told me that it was an anti-seizure medication that was often used to treat migraines. He warned me that if I had any trouble with speech to let him know immediately but other than that he hasn't seen any other problems. He prescribed me 50mg twice a day,which he did not titrate as he should have. I took the first dose before bed Monday night and woke up so dizzy Tuesday morning I missed my first class. The dizziness passed and I just thought it was an adjustment period so I took my morning dose. I began to feel some tingling in my hands and feet and my reflexes were slowed (I felt like a drunk driver) I am a manager at a retail store and I forgot to do some of my most basic tasks. I took my evening dose and was described by fiancee as zombie. On Wednesday I woke up very emotional and cried a lot but didn't really think much of it. I took that mornings dose. By midday my anxiety and depression was so high I became suicidal. I had a panic attack while driving, i stopped off at my place of work because i couldn't drive anymore and my manager informed me that I was having a panic attack. I had never had one before. I have not been taking this medication for 48 hours but it has not left my system yet. I sought out counseling and am no longer depressed but I still have a great deal of anxiety and have been on the verge of two panic attacks today. I can write today, which I could not do yesterday. I do not recommend this medication to anything. Especially after what it did to me in just 3 days.

I got on Nuvaring back in Nov., because I was getting married (I had not had sex prior to this). I liked the convenience of not having to take a pill daily (I'm very bad about remembering to take pills), and that it was a lower dose of hormones than pills, which to me made it seem safer.
Unfortunately, once I got married, I noticed I have no interest in sex w/ my husband, which stinks because I was really looking forward to it before. I thought something was wrong w/ me, because we've been married 3 weeks tomorrow & probably have had sex 10 times or less, which I discovered REALLY bothers my husband, but I hadn't given it much thought. The sex is ok (as far as I can tell) when we DO have it, although I do notice I'm drier "down there" than before, but I'm just not interested in it.
Other than that I've had no problems w/ Nuvaring. If they could work this one issue out I'd be sold on it!

I am curious as to know if anyone else has experienced the same problems I seem to be experiencing now. I got my Mirena inserted Oct 28, 08 and bled heavily for 3 weeks. Since then I have had spotting every now and then but no period. I have cramps all the time and it feels sort of like being prego but I am not. I also have discharge all the time and it started after I got Mirena put in. I am trying to remain optimistic about this because I want it to work, will someone please give me some advice as to what I should do?
Thanks

I had my Mirena put in on 12/23/08. That was just a little over one month ago. Thus far, I have had almost constant bleeding, or spotting, almost every day since I got it put in. That is expected, so I've been told, so I'm not too concerned. However, last week, my first real "period" started. Since then, I've had headaches, have been crabby and completely fatigued. I could sleep forever. I'm not sure if these problems are going to subside. Most of the postings on here have had the Mirena for over a year. Can anyone recommend how long I should give this thing a chance before getting it removed? There is no way I can live life this crabby and tired.

Thank you to all of the ladies that have written to this site. I've never sent in feedback, but it has been so helpful to read these stories and try to diagnose my issue. I am in the second month of the NR and will remove it tonight. We have 2 children (2.5 and 18 months) and are unsure about more so we have been hesitant to get my husband fixed. I found the site while unable to sleep because of a migraine during the first month. I have never had migraines before, but figured it was from a head cold Then the almost intolerable itching began...that has been awful, but I thought it may just be the "adjustment period". Because of 2 small children and a stressful career, I didn't notice the loss of sex drive right away. But recently, I noticed that NOTHING turns me on. I have always been able to orgasm almost every time we have sex (or even on my own), but now I cannot even stimulate myself or get turned on from sexy shows or ANYTHING. I am only having sex for him and it burns like crazy in my vagina right after we have sex. It was bad enough with babies in the house, but now I seem to have no sex drive AT ALL. So, the whole point was to get away from condoms but since I don't want or enjoy sex...guess that logic goes out the window. To sum up...migraines, crazy crotch itch, and no sex drive. I'm sure this works for some women, but if it is not working for you, take it out. I'll write again after I am clear of it to update.

Hi, I'm a 24 year old mom of one. I got the Mirena in December of 08. Which was about two weeks ago. I haven't felt the same since. No Joke I have gained 7-8lbs since then. I also haven't stopped bleeding. And a foul oder has been added to it. I'm also having some serious chest pain, Feels like heartburn. But I know its not. I recently moved from the state that I had it put in. And now have to wait till my medical kicks in. I was told that this was the best birth control out there.. But found out thats its just an abortion over and over again. I'm a Christian women and have my beliefs on that subject. I feel sick all the time. Not like being pregnant.. Just flu like. And my poor child. I don't think I have ever lashed out on her the way I have been. Can anyone explain to me why my body is changing so much so fast. I was also told that there was NO hormone in this. Its just an unsafe place for sperm to be.

I've been taking Zoloft for nearly a month. My sex drive has not decreased but it takes me a very long time to have an orgasm. It is frustrating because my partner and I have always had a very active sex life. Now, I'm hesitant to have sex because it takes too long to have an orgasm. Any suggestions?? Sexually Frustrated

This is by far the worst pill I have ever taken. Before Yaz I was on Nordette, Ortho Tri cyclen and Alesse. I saw the commercials and got sucked into trying this pill. All I can say is proceed with caution. I ended up taking this pill for the unhappiness 8 months of my entire life. I had problems with other pills causing weight gain (Nordette, Ortho Tri cyclen) or acne (Alesse). However, those symptoms are mild compared to what Yaz inflicted on me.

I have always been described as happy go lucky and Yaz gave me extreme moodiness, panic attacks about my future and life, and major depression. I did have the best skin of my life and lost about 5 lbs but I was an emotional MESS! I would cry at the drop of a hat and find fault in everyone and everything. This symptom didn't start right away but each month I was on Yaz got worse. My friends coined my "alter ego" "she devil." I almost felt possessed at times on this pill. I finally realized it was the pill and not life causing these problems when 3 of my girlfriends had the same problems and got off and the problems went away.

Prior to having this experience I thought people tried to blame too much on the pill but my experience showed me just how much these can mess with your body. I switched back to Alesse 5 days ago and it's like I am a different person--even my skeptical boyfriend noticed the change. As for the acne, I am going to go to a dermatologist to address that. I will be happy to have a few zits as opposed to being a crazy woman.

Proceed with caution on this pill and watch your moods carefully. Just because you've been on it for a few months doesn't mean you're safe. The majority of my emotional disorder started about 5 months in. I do have some girlfriends that like this but most have found it to bring out "she devil".

I have been on yaz for a month now. I was taking apri before and was switched when I found out that I possibly had a cyst that has burst. I was in a lot of pain, but the gyno said that she thought taking birth control would help but didn't like what I was taking. So now for the past few weeks, I can't sleep, dizziness, headaches, crying hysterically for no reason, lack of sex drive, extreme fatigue, irritability, moody, feeling hopeless, feeling out of it, can't remember things very well, can't concentrate, and my eyes are sometimes blurry. I am hoping this is just an adjustment period. But after reading other peoples side effects, I am starting to wonder. I will wait another month or two, but if it doesn't stop, I am going back to apri.

I have been on 40 mg Geodon for over 6 months, and I stay like I am in the clouds and my legs and hands will shake ,bad anxiety,I don't want to go out and do anything.I want to get off this drug against my docs orders , does anyone have any information on withdrawals from the Geodon?and how do you tapper yourself off it . email me *** thank you Melissa

Had my Mirena installed in Sept 07 after having a bad experience going back on the pill (LoEstrin 24) for a few months. I am 43, was on the pill for years in my 20s with no issues. After 5 months on the LoEstrin, my blood sugar went through the roof...thought I was having a stroke....never had anything like that happen before, doesn't run in my family. Anyway, decided to try the Mirena. Went through the usual adjustment period....30+ days of spotting, headaches, nausea, dizziness. It got a little better but the bloating remained. Didn't have my first real period until Dec....then another one 3 weeks after that...lighter, but 10+ days long!! Acne has been horrible! Never, ever had that kind of problem before, not even as a teenager. Insomnia almost every night and severe brain fog every day....can't concentrate at work. This past month, the extreme fatigue set in....and to top it all off, the libido is in the toilet....that was enough of that. Went to my OB/GYN for my annual 2 days ago, told him I had enough. I started on my list of side effects and he was finishing my sentences. He said something to the effect of "A year ago, I was really excited about the Mirena, but now, not so much"....he apparently is hearing a lot of this and bless him, he did not try to talk me out of having it removed. After only 48 hours, I feel like that Claritin commercial where the layer of haze is peeled back. Just now starting to spot a little....removal was nothing, just one small cramp. I am happy for those who can use this form of BC without any problems but not all of us can. What's scary about this is that you don't always connect the side effects with the IUD....who would have thought that the stuffy nose had to do with something in that part of your body??? And today I woke up with a clear nose for the first time in months...what a difference. Am expecting the "crash" but maybe I will be lucky and it won't be so bad. It seems that perhaps the longer you have it in, the stronger the crash is. In any event, the difference is already perceptible and everyone around me has noticed. Good luck to all....good health and a good sex life should not have to be this difficult!

What can I say, Breakthrough Bleeding, Breakthrough Bleeding, Breakthrough Bleeding!!!!!!! I have been on this pill for about 3 weeks and have only experienced two side effects, a little nausea and as you can guess breakthrough bleeding. The doctor warned me that I may spot a little but this is ridiculous. I have ruined about 12 pairs of underwear and 2 sets of sheets. I am going to give it a little longer but if the bleeding doesn't stop soon I am going to switch pills.

I have been on Celexa for a little over a week for panic attacks/anxiety. The first 2 days I took it I felt like I was in a dream, light headed, tingly, pretty much just intensifying my problems in the first place so I stopped taking Celexa for a few days.. then I spoke with my doctor and she said to try taking it at night instead of the morning. So I began taking Celexa at bedtime. I didn't have much side effects except for a little trouble sleeping, but I actually was starting to feel "better", for about 4 days I was feeling really well and resuming normal activities. Then out of nowhere on that 4th day in the evening I got a really bad panic attack, and for the past 3 days since I've been feeling high anxiety and panic again. I don't understand, because I really felt like I was getting better. I told my doctor what has been happening and all she said was that its normal to have set backs and to continue the Celexa. I'm also taking Ativan to help control the anxiety until the Celexa "kicks in", but in the past few days nothing has been seeming to help. Has anyone experienced this? Is it because I've only been on Celexa for a week? I feel like I am going crazy being back in this lightheaded fog.

Hi all...I am not currently on Yasmin, but I was on it over a year. Never experienced a SINGLE side effect. In fact, I'm pretty sure that my mood, acne, etc actually IMPROVED with my use of Yasmin. I plan on going back on Yasmin.

For all of the people here who are within the first three months of use of Yasmin or any birth control, my doctor told me that there is a three month adjustment period. Try to hang in there; maybe it will get better.

I'm not a drug rep or anything of the sort...just a satisfied customer. I was once on the patch, but while I used the patch I experienced very serious mood swings. I stuck with it for over two months, and I simply couldn't wait out the three month adjustment period.

If Yasmin isn't for you, try to switch. The patch didn't work for me, but Yasmin did. If Yasmin doesn't work for you, it is not a reason to swear off all birth control pills. The difference between every pill is that there are different dosages. Each pill has a different dosage, so another pill might work a lot better.

I've been using the ring for barely more than a week and have had breakthrough bleeding and low energy. I had gone off the pill three months before and had adjusted to my normal cycles, so I am fully able to distinguish between 'normal' and 'hormonally-controlled'. This is similar to the pill for me. No difference. I'm not interested in an "adjustment period". I've NEVER adjusted to synthetic hormones and I don't expect to this time. May be my last month for the ring.

I was definitively diagnosed with endo at 27, but had symptoms for years prior. I am now 42. My doctor told me at the age of 27 he was not going to put me on Lupron, as the side effects could be horrific for a woman that age; my goal was not conception, but rather pain relief. He said if I could ride it out until I started showing menopausal symptoms, then we would go with the Lupron prior to hysterectomy.
The endoscopy done at that time bought me about 4 months of relief, then the symptoms started to slowly recur. With my having had a precocious puberty, it was a pretty sure bet I would go premenopausal in a few years.
Started at age 37; the endo pain has gotten so severe that it now keeps me up nights, mid-cycle (whenever that may be - my cycles have been doing their own thing now). I already have hot flashes, night sweats.
I was given the Lupron 2 weeks ago, in order to calm the inflamed lesions prior to my hysterectomy in a few months. They also plan on taking one ovary, and this will give my body an adjustment period prior to surgery (the hope is I can maintain my female hormone levels without redevelopment of full blown endo before I am naturally finished with menopause).
Headaches? Night sweats? Hot flashes? Insomnia? Had them before I started Lupron.
And in my case, I have lost 4 lbs in 2 weeks without really trying; except for the fact my craving for candy is diminished. I still eat some, but when I go to the store, I can pass the candy aisle without even having to browse, to see what's new. I just don't care anymore.

I am 27 yrs old. I took OrthoCept for 9 years. Off one year and on Yasmin cuz doc says its the "best".
Started in Jan.
In perfect health, never been sick, hospitalized or have any illnesses, nor taking any additional medications.
Started with mood swings, anxiety and up and down. Blamed it to the 3 month "adjustment period".
9 months later, still "adjusting".

I have experienced alot of the side effects. I have felt as if I were depressed, but have NOTHING in my life to be depressed about. High Anxiety. Very scary panic attacks (never had one ever until this past 6 mths, have had 8) increase in breast size, breast soreness and tenderness when not having period, headaches (never had one before this yr either)NO SEX DRIVE (not even for pocket rocket) cramping, constipation (serious) I tried changing diet, fasting etc, nothing works. Lots of bloating.

I have layed in bed at night with my cell in my hand waiting to call 911 because I was certain I was going to have a heart attack.

Panic attacks have ruined my life. I do not go out. When I have one, my heart pounds and my mind races. I cant think or breathe and just feel like I am a freak.

I have seriously thought I was crazy. I have wondered how long it would take my friends and family to commit me. I am unable to focus on anything and I feel like I am shaking inside. I often feel like I am walking through a fog as if my life were not real, just a dream.

My relationships/friendships have desperately suffered. I have lost many friends because I have lost all interest in pretty much everyone and everything.

I have nothing to be depressed about. But yet I am not living.

Often when I sleep, my limbs fall asleep, this also never happened before in my life.

I quit Yasmin one week ago and entered therapy cuz I was convinced I had a chemical imbalance or an anxiety disorder but after reading this board, I am pretty sure I may be okay.

I have been having really bad headaches though since I went off and I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this? I read on a health board it was common but I was wondering if anyone knew how long it lasts? How long before all the Yasmin is out of your body? If you want, post here or email me please at ******

I think I am going to let my body be for awhile. Let my hormones do their own thing and feel normal for awhile. TROJANMAN......