Bloodstream symptoms and conditions

I had Mirena inserted 6 weeks ago and just had it removed. My medical history includes TIAs (mini-strokes) and migraines. I had a migraine EVERY DAY while I had Mirena. I also experienced ZERO LIBIDO (so what was the point of birth control!?), weight gain and mood swings. I had Paragard inserted a few days ago and I am already slowly returning to normal. My point - if you have had problems with hormones in the past, not only estrogen, but also progesterone, you may want to stay away from Mirena. My OB/GYN argued with me the entire time that there is no way Mirena could cause these symptoms since progesterone is not released in the bloodstream - BULL!!! Women, listen to your body and trust your gut.

Btwn, ladies - what is it called when you no longer get your period and your progesterone levels ( in your bloodstream) are low ( because your body no longer circulates progesterone as it it generated locally in your uterus. ) ? Let me tell you it's called MENOPAUSE! I think a lot of what we have experienced are symptoms of a very abrupt menopause.

My nightmare began Feb 24, 2009 when I had the Mirena IUD inserted. Amazing how crazy we all are! I have an almost 3 year old daughter and my husband and I are pretty certain that we are just having one child, but just in case we changed our minds, we wanted a form of birth control that was not permanent. Before I had this IUD placed in I talked to my ob/gyn about the Mirena vs the Paragard, I decided to go with the Mirena because my ob/gyn explained to me that because of the low level of hormone that would be absorbed into my bloodstream, that I should be okay and not have any side effects and I would have a very light period. I have tried other birth control pills and the nuvaring and all of them have affected me from anxiety to headaches to cold sores.

I have experienced the same symptoms as all of you. dizziness, foggy brain, numbness on right side of body, anxiety, acne, irritable, moody, bloated, headaches, weight gain (although I do exercise 3-4x/wk I gained 5 pounds in 2 mos.), hives( I have a history of allergies which I have been able to control with antihistamines 2x/wk and then all of a sudden I could not control it--saw my allergist who switched my meds), GERD which I was diagnosed with 10 years ago and had successfully arrested the symptoms after treatment), spotting, period every 3 weeks, etc.

I called my ob/gyn a couple of months later to tell her about my symptoms especially the anxiety and was told that it was probably related to my cycle and for me to chart my symptoms and to let her know how I was feeling a month later if things did not improve. Well after putting all of the pieces of the puzzle together, I figured it out that it was the Mirena that has been causing me this hellish nightmare.

On June 15, 2009 I went to go see my pcp to address my GERD issue and to start meds again. I told her that I was considering having my IUD removed because of all of the side effects that I was having. I told her that I was going to go home later and call my ob/gyn to make an appt. She told me that she would be able to remove it for me and so she did.

I instantly felt better--it seems like all of my symptoms have lessend or disappeared, and I had a bit of spotting which my pcp I was a happy person again--I was nice to my husband and was actually laughing when my 2 year old was having a tantrum in the bathtub! About 2 days later I began to bleed heavily and began to feel lightheaded, heart palpitations, cold sweat, and I felt like my legs were going to give from under me. I was thinking that I needed to go to the er. This occurred at 11:00 pm. I called my pcp and spoke to the on-call doc and he told me that if the symptoms continued that I should go to the er; I also called my ob/gyn on call doc (answering service) that I needed to have the symptoms addressed by the doctor who removed it and not my ob/gyn ( I was livid because I have been her patient for 10 years). Anyhow today I called my ob/gyn and spoke to the np who I am not very fond of and she told me that only the bleeding is expected and that all of the other symptoms are related to something else and that I should see my pcp for those. I disagree with her and believe in my heart that all of the symptoms are related to the removal of the IUD. Unfortunately I was not able to talk to my ob/gyn because she is off today. Anyhow I feel like I am feeling better although I feel like it will be a slow recovery and hope that there are no long term side effects.

What makes me the most upset is that the drug manufacture does not disclose all of the side effects, which I am sure that they are all very aware of. There are thousands of women with the same complaints and yet this birth control is still allowed to be distributed to women. Shame on them.

To all of you considering the Mirena: DO NOT HAVE IT INSERTED

I just recently posted about my experience with mirena and had then read some more posts, and I had a thought. With SO MANY of us experiencing these symptoms-can't we do something about it?? Couldn't we send copies of these thousands of posts to Bayer or whomever is the top of mirena, I think it's Bayer. Or someone who can help us! Obviously we're are not all crazy! There is obviously something going on here. I mean I want to make sure other women are aware that this product may not be the greatest thing in the world. Anyone else who has a thought on this msg or reply please.
Thanks for listening!
And blessing to all.

I had Mirena put in three months ago after my doctor told me the hormones would not enter my bloodstream (I am very sensitive to hormones and reacted adversely to traditional birth control pills). I didn't notice the side effects immediately but they have progressively become worse over time. My side effects include bouts of constipation (2-3 days) followed by diarrhea, nausea, frequent (1 a month) vaginal yeast infections, abnormal vaginal ph (causes a terrible odor), pain in my abdomen so extreme that I landed in the emergency room once, irritability, depression, weight gain, thinning hair and acne like I've never had. My fiancee thinks I'm making all of this up but I am absolutely convinced it is caused by the Mirena. I'm having it taken out this week and will be back to share whether it has alleviated my symptoms.

Have been on Welchol for IBS for many years. It stopped my IBS symptoms but does cause constipation. I try to eat healthier in order to help with that. About 3 months ago, I began having pain in my fingers. I thought it was probably due to carpal tunnel syndrome. In the last two weeks, the pain intensified and spread to all the knuckles on my hand; I also had swelling and redness. The pain then spread to my toes, the rest of the bones in my feet, wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, and ankles. Next came stinging and burning and then sporadic numbness. By late afternoon, the fatigue was incredible, and I would become dizzy. I went to the doctor, and he ran every blood test available. Everything came back normal, which was great, but my doctor couldn't pinpoint what was causing my problems. He said none of my medicines would cause such symptoms.

My boss asked me if I was taking any cholesterol medication, and I told her I took Welchol for IBS. She said she had read article upon article connecting cholesterol medication to joint paint and encouraged me to check online to see if I could find any answers. This site was one of the many I found where other people mentioned symptoms very similar to my own. My boss suggested I mention this to my doctor. I was thrilled at the prospect of finding such an "easy" solution since my other medications are not easily replaced.

My doctor instantly said that there was "no way" that Welchol could cause these symptoms since -- as so many of your doctors have told you -- that it is not absorbed into the bloodstream. However, he approved my stopping Welchol as an "experiment". I noticed that many of you mentioned it took a few weeks or more for the symptoms to reduce. My doctor warned me again that this was not the solution and that in a couple days, he wants me to consider taking Neurontin or going on a sedative for stress. He thinks, since all the tests have come back negative, that stress is the real culprit.

I know that stress can cause many health problems, but it just seems too coincidental that so many of you have experienced the same symptoms I'm facing. Do you think I'm making the right decision? My symptoms are difficult to cope with at times, but they are not incapacitating. I would really like to try staying off of Welchol and see if it helps in the weeks to come instead of adding yet another medication to my list.

I would appreciate your advice and thoughts. Thank you for your posts -- they have given me real hope for a solution.

I had my mirena inserted about 13 months ago before Christmas after the birth of my 2nd child , I was naturally shedding the baby weight until Mirena came into my life and then I gained 10lbs effortlessly within 2 months! even though my diet is always the same (I am coeliac). I had to start working out running 4 times a week and gradually have lost 8lbs but its been a huge battle.
Last May I woke up one morning bright red covered in a sunburn type rash all over my body it was scary, my joints ached so bad and my hands and feet were really swollen as if my body was reacting to something.. my gp did some blood tests and nothing it kept happening for 2 weeks and then the rash went,..I put it down to a virus at the time but felt as weak as a kitten and suffered night sweats, anxiety and flu like symptoms for months.

Ive had to really fight to keep up my running because most of the time I feel tired and depressed and run down and I have awful PMT the past few months have been dreadful I feel rubbish most of the time..everyone is getting on my nerves, I have little sex drive too and I am sure its down to the Mirena..its side affects remind me of the mini-pill which I took once for a few months it sent me so extremely loopy (paranoid and anxious) that my husband flushed them down the toilet!! well I think its the same/similar type of synthetic hormone that my body DOES NOT agree with.

I saw my Gp the other day and asked her about the side affects and she still said that I shouldn't have any after a year and it was very rare but after reading about it on here I cant believe it... its obvious and Im getting it removed. Ive had over a year of feeling terrible and various ailments so much so that I think my immune system (which is already sensitive) has suffered.

I had the Mirena for over 5 yrs. I also had it for bad periods. I spotted constantly for the first couple of years but I left it in because I figured the annoying spotting was better than the alternatives (hysterectomy, ablation, etc) Finally, I was having some months with no bleeding for the rest of the time. What I didn't realize until after I was due to get it "switched" after the 5 yrs was up, was that I have been having so many of these side effects as everyone else. ( I stumbled across this and another site while looking for codes for the mirena to see if my new insurance would cover it). I have gerd, weight gain, back pain, UTI's, chest congestion, just to name a few. I always blamed it on me being overweight and getting older. One good thing about it was I didn't have pms anymore and I didn't feel so drained from the heavy periods. Oh yeah and I had INCREASED sex drive. I spoke with my doctor about how other women were complaining of the same side effects and she said she did not think it would cause all of that because only a little of the hormone gets into the bloodstream and it is less than the amount of bc pills. I decided not to have a new one put in right now and see if it was the Mirena that was causing me all of the extra problems. I had it out in September and I spotted for a week or so then I did not bleed for 1 month. I even went out and got a pregnancy test because I couldn't understand it. Then I started bleeding and it has been HORRIBLE. I have the most disgusting "period" I have ever had in my life. Not much pain though. I am still suffering and it has been over 1 month with no let up. I finally called the doctor's office and they want me to have another Mirena. I told them no. I do not want it. I do not know what I am going to do. I am waiting for some suggestion from my doc. I need some relief soon, though.

I am scheduled to get Mirena tomorrow and after reading this will call and cancel! I went off the pill five days ago in preparation for Mirena and haven't felt this good in years! My doctor recommended Mirena and said she even uses it herself. But I'm super sensitive, can't even tolerate anything but the minimal dose BC pill because my breasts are cystic and hurt all the time. I am certain I would get all the terrible side effects you all are describing, I am the type who's prone anyway, and from what I see hear, this is NOT for me. THANKS.

Everyone here PLEASE LISTEN TO ME! Dr. Holtorf in Torrence, California is the only one who tests for REVERSE T-3 and 80% of people are not being treated properly for thyroid function. The Holtorf Medical Clinic is the ONLY way you will find the answers and people are experiencing miracles.

Cipro is a chemotherapeutic agent that is stored in fat cells and is reabsorbed into the bloodstream when burned and can potentially damage any system it comes in contact with. I took this for two weeks.and had horrible pains and kept having what could best be described as partial seizures and heart palpitations as well as peripheral neuropathies. As the drug recycles every few months back into my blood the symptoms start over and sometimes new ones occur. I am currently experiencing floaters, brain fog, vision problems, burning sensations, panic attacks, partial seizures, dizziness, depersonalization and extreme fatigue even nine months after taking 27 pills over the course of two weeks. Cipro is used to kill anthrax and should not be used on people even though Bayer is making a killing in its sales. You don't have to look far to find thousands of people who have had their lives destroyed by this drug. Remove from the market ASAP.

I just wanted to share my experience with Mirena and hope that it helps someone else. I had Mirena inserted on 7th July 2008 after having a copper IUD removed. I chose the Mirena because I had heavy periods and understood that the hormone would be localized to my uterus and only a very small amount would enter my bloodstream.

After a very short time (probably a day or so), I started getting symptoms of nausea, headaches, dizziness, forgetfulness, depression, bloating, cramping and just a general feeling of something wrong with my body. One day I was just sitting at my desk at work and my heart starting racing! I also felt very anxious and panicky a lot of the time.

The nausea and headaches just got worse every day until I couldn't stand it any longer - I was completely miserable - and called my doctor's office to make an appointment to have the Mirena removed. When I went to the appointment, my blood pressure was sky high and I had a severe headache. Although my doctor said she believed I was having these symptoms, she didn't think the Mirena could be the cause.

Anyway, I had the Mirena removed on July 25th and a few hours later, my headache had completely gone. I slept great that night and woke up for the first time in 2 weeks not feeling nauseous. I had my blood pressure checked today (2 days later) and it was back to normal.

I'm pretty sure that the Mirena made me sick and I wish I'd done some research before I had it inserted. It's been interesting to learn that so many people are experiencing similar problems.

I never put two and two together... but starting thinking that my mirena's hormones may be causing my issues. I had the mirena inserted a yr ago when I had the copper IUD removed. I told my OB/GYN that I was scared of the pill after trying it in college. Hormone-based birth control doesn't seem to work well for my family. She said it was a tiny dose and wouldn't get in the bloodstream so I shouldn't see side effects. HOWEVER, over the last year I have struggled with my weight. I have always been reallllly lucky. I am 5'8 and weigh about 135 without trying too hard. I have a high metabolism. But, I've started to feel pudgy last few months so have really tightened up my diet. I thought it was because I am getting older (29)...

As far as exercise, I used to be very active (mini-triathlons, 5Ks, sports etc.) but haven't felt like working out this year. Just can't get motivated. Today I was working with a personal trainer. We checked my records from January and I have gained 7 lbs!!! This is after I have really firmed up my diet. I have stopped eating carbs at night and trying to not eat after 7ish. In the past, this would really help my body look its best after a week or two. But, these last few months hasn't seemed to help me at all... Maybe it's the MIRENA?!

In addition, my cycle is about 7 days lator than it used to be. However, I still have the PMS symptoms I used to the week before my period but now they last forever! They start on the 20th and last until my period starts on the 7th!!! I get so irritable with my 5 yr old its ridiculous. It's not fair to her or my husband. I just wanted to share, that even with an athletic body type and a ridiculously high metabolism I am struggling. 2 yrs. ago I could eat 2300 calories w/out exercise, 2500 or more if working out that day. I used to eat as much as my 6'2 husband.

Well I had my Mirena inserted 2 weeks ago. First week was good except for some light bleeding, cramps & bloating. This second week I just don't feel like myself. I feel depressed & cry at the drop of a hat. Doctor said I wouldn't notice any changes so I am surprised. I still have some cramping and very light bleeding once in awhile & the bloating is still here. Sex is a little painful in certain positions where it wasn't before. I just don't feel like myself. Do you think this will go away?

I've been on Flomax almost a month now and am pissing like a teen ager once again. I am 60 years old and have had BPE for several years, Tried saw palmetto with no results. Within a day of beginning Flomax, I noticed a much improved pee stream, started easier, finished when I was empty not when I was tired of straining.

Sexually, I still achieve a satisfying climax; however, there is zero ejaculate. But, I am well beyond that time when I want to conceive a child, so this is no biggie as long a s the orgasms are satisfying.

I have read many of the horror stories of the guys (and girls) posted here and feel truly lucky I am able to tolerate the medication as well as I do. One could get the impression from reading here that the drug is very dangerous with many serious side effects, but then again, generally only those with a problem typically will be found posting to sites like this one.

I had the Mirena fitted not quite two weeks ago. Friday evening, I had a panic attack with depressive tendencies including nasty, nasty thoughts -- along the "my kids would be better without me" lines -- not suicidal, but horrible nonetheless. This is so completely out of line with my normal thinking, it was as if an alien had taken over my brain! Fortunately, a good friend of mine helped me to get re-grounded, and insisted that I speak to a doc about a return to antidepressant meds (I'd been avoiding them, but completely agreed). She called me back perhaps 1/2 hour later with one simple instruction: "Google "IUD Depression." I was shocked to see all of the horror stories of the Mirena. Like many, I'd believed that the hormones were limited to the reproductive tract, so wouldn't affect the rest of my system. Whoops.

Knowing that I'm highly sensitive to hormonal BC (the pill makes me a crazy person), I'm having it out at my 2-week check tomorrow. What good is birth control if it means I'm irritable, cranky, and completely pissed (for no good reason) at my husband?

Back to TCOYF for me -- and I'm now on a mission to learn to love condoms. Oh, and to determine if I really *need* AD meds, or if removing the Mirena will do the trick. Any thoughts?

Hi ladies,

I have had Mirena out for a week. I feel better. "Nyrek" posted yesterday about Bayer and the information on their website. here is the web address: ******
Scroll down and look for Mirena. Hit the first PDF for Product Monograph. She is absolutely right!
Quite upsetting to know that within 2 YEARS I may be able to get pregnant! I don't have that much time to spare. My little girl will be turning 5 at the end of May. It is now or never. I hope that I was able to get rid of much of the hormone from my body. I have been feeling way better. No crazy fatigue. Nothing. Some nausea (my period) and some joint pain but I had those before Mirena. Not as severe now. i have Fibromyalgia. Hopefully that goes away too.
There is a huge difference now compared to before. My body has been adjusting and coming back to its normal state. It is amazing! I am really ticked to have read that the hormone enters the bloodstream in 15 min. I thought it was a localized thing. It explains the extreme bloating and weight gain those weeks after insertion. Plus acne. Then I lost weight once the anxiety and depression set in. No wonder we are all messed up! Not cool at all!
If you all need my account for that class action suit, let me know. They make this thing out to be so wonderful when all it does is make you a walking wreck. Absolutely scary. It does work against pregnancy but at what cost?
One side effect that always got me was that I felt these spasms in my uterus, much like the ones I got when I was near the end of my pregnancy. It was crazy! At times I thought the thing had failed and I was truly pregnant. Anyone else had these weird spasms or cramping up? I still urinate a lot. Still feel some pressure down there but not like before. I still think it is my period as I'm at the end of the cycle. I have this bad feeling that although they say the hormones leave at half life, each woman reacts differently. While I felt relief on Day 1 of removal, others have taken longer. Just how long does it truly take? Especially when it has wreaked so much havoc in our bodies? I hope it does not affect my ability to conceive. That is definitely not nice!
Well, if anyone could let me know about the weird spasms, i would appreciate it! If any of you have had a baby after Mirena, how long did it take you to conceive???
As always, Good Luck, Ladies!

Ok ladies...day two since removal. Still no major relief of symptoms...but I did start a period...pretty moderate flow. I'm exhausted and my emotions are all over the place. (I have cried about 4 different times today...and yes I've been at work for most of it. Nice.)

I found a posting on here earlier...can't remember whose it was (Sorry!) about checking out a site from "nerdnuggets" where it posted a product monograph which is the informative packet released by Bayer Corp. in Canada. If you can find that posting, do it! Pull it up and print it out...it's a 46 page description of the medication. Page 10 specifies all of these side effects...even the tendinitis I've been treated for! Page 33 lists the absorption and distribution of the medicine into our bodies and specifically discusses how the medicine becomes systemic in our bloodstream within 15 minutes of insertion! So what I did was printed out several copies, attached letters, and sent it out to all my doctors and specialists, including my EX-gynecologist asking him to use the information to educate not only himself, but his staff as well so they do not grossly discount another patient's side-effects they way they did mine. Keep in mind that this information is not readily available to us here in the US...this is a Canadian report.

Hence my other phone call made today to attorney Justin Wikin (out of Florida I believe...thank you, Amayaa, for this info) at 850-916-7450 regarding a possible class action suit. They took my story down and recorded names of all my physicians and told me I should hear back from them within 7-10 days.

In the report, I also found how it is excreted form your body once removed. It has a half life of about 20 hours. Layman's terms: After 20 hours, or approximately one day, only about 50% remains in your body. The next day, 50% of that is removed, leaving about 25% in your system. (So: Day 3, you should only have about 12% left, Day 4 = 6%, Day 5 = 3%, Day 6 = 1%.) Realistically, every day should get better and better...and I should start feeling some major relief when, after about 1 week, all this is out of my system.

Good luck to us all and for those of you who are having the same problems with their doctors as I have been...print out that report! (Plus, it's fun to see the look on their faces when you show them a medical report that they cannot dispute!)

As I read through these posts, I had mixed feelings between thinking they were a little too whiny (please, no offense) to too many memories sweeping back in.
Here is my story... I was on Yasmin for a few years, a few years ago, from ages 18-21. I am now 26. I'd always been active and in shape, no major health problems. At 19, I started to get weird leg pains, tingling and numbness. It got much much worse. Long story short, I had two herniated discs in my lower back which was causing pinched nerves. I had steroid injections localized to my herniations. At this point my adrenal gland stopped working, my face swelled up like a balloon and I lost a ton of weight. Eventually, I had surgery on my back, but went to specialist after specialist to figure out what was going on with my non functioning adrenal gland. We figured that somehow the steroids had gotten into my bloodstream, which doctor after doctor told me was next to impossible. They were ready to do a write up in a medical research journal about my case. Eventually my 3rd Endocronologist (sp?) FINALLY told me to get off Yasmin. Somehow, this small bit of information was missed. My adrenal gland eventually kicked back into shape, my bloating went away and I finally and slow got healthy again.
So... coming back to Yasmin. After reading this site and continuing research on the effects of an influx of potassium, all of my symptoms lead straight to this source. The potassium increase caused the face swelling, muscle spasms, possibly even the nerve weakness (Only speculating, could have caused the herniation.) , from what multiple web sites state.
I must say that this is all speculation; however, light bulbs have just gone off in my head.
I was considering getting back on Yasmin because I now live in Thailand and they offer this pill. I have been on the NuvaRing and I love it, but I cannot find it here. If Yasmin was the cause of what happened to my body or not, I will not take my chances. Most of the symptoms listed by other women are effects of increased potassium. Please research this fact to become more informed about what is happening with your body. It helped me. I hope my story will in effect, help someone else.
And, I'd love to hear if anyone else had something similarly severe...

I was prescribed the 5-day Z-pack for bronchitis and after two days I quit taking it. I am not psychologically and emotionally perfect (who is) but this drug is causing extreme agitation, nervousness, hard intense dreams that leave me fatigued even after a full night's sleep, and depression with crying spells. I am aware that this drug stays in your bloodstream for a long time. It's half-life is 68 hours and after taking 500 mg. on Feb. 6 and then 250 mg. on Feb 7, I still have somewhat less than 200 mg. in my blood today, Feb. 13. Even at today's level I still have no relief from my symptoms and I am praying that this will all go away when the level of the drug gets to a certain point.
My bronchitis is gone and I am trying to live my life as if I have no symptoms (I teach 7th grade U.S. History) but I cannot ignore the fact that I feel like I am cracking up.
I am not trying to bash this drug. Most people are fine with it. Good for them. But some people have these types of problems because I have seen stories like mine on many internet places.
Hang in there anyone who is suffering like me. I hope it goes away and I can return to my life where I get nervous now and again and maybe once in a while I do not sleep well.
This is horrible.
Anyone who has gone through this and returned to normal please respond. I need to hear some good news.

Thank God for the internet. Seriously.
I am really trying to give Mirena a fair trial, however, some of the side effects are worrying me.
I have been having hot flashes (I just turned 40), my mood swings are disturbing, and my breakthrough bleeding happens often without warning. I also have the weight gain. However, to be fair, I don't know that I can really attribute my weight gain to Mirena. This is pretty important; has anyone else out there experienced addiction feelings? To cigarettes? Alcohol? I have never had strong urges for drugs and alcohol, however, I have lately... Again, can you really say that Mirena is to blame?
The upside is that my periods are, blessedly, light. This is a definite upside for someone who had heavy periods. I also don't feel the strings, nor does my husband. After reading some of the postings on this site, that concerns me.
Thank you.
MaryKay

so I had been taking Citalopram (Celexa) for about 4 and half weeks before my anxiety completely subsided; it obviously worked! hooray right? no. like clockwork, after the drug had made itself obvious in my bloodstream, I began getting migraines with aura. I've gotten these migraines since I was about 14, but they have slowly gotten less intense and now I barely get 2 a year. which
I can more than live with. once I got THREE migraines in a week and a half (within my 5-6th week of Celexa,) I started tapering off. I went from 20mg to 10mg. then after a week of 10mg, I cut it to 5mg. about 3 days into my 5mg intake, I got another migraine. that was FOUR. four in like 4 weeks. that never happened even at my worst point in adolescence. I stopped cold turkey from Celexa at that point. I considered it safe because I had only taken the damned drug for 6 weeks and still tapered off for a week and a half. anyway, the very next day I got my FIFTH aura migraine. either that or the fourth one never quite went away. anyway, the point is, I can think of nothing else in my life that had changed drastically to bring my migraines back but going on Celexa. has anyone else had this problem? I'm totally at a loss. I have found one article about migraines being triggered by Citalopram, but it's part of a journal of neurology and I'd have to pay 35 bucks to read it... I just need some reassurance. this is definitely the worst month of my entire life. I'd avoid saris. try natural/alternative solutions to anxiety/depression. that's what I'm tackling now.

Geodon - Weight Loss, Mania Anyone?
________________________________________
I've been on Geodon for 5 wx & have lost 15 #'s. I usually weigh 130, now 115. looking anorexic, but my depression is a lot better now, I'm happy, first time in ovr a yr. nothing else could break the barrier except the Geodon, but it makes me manic, on top of already being manic…can't sleep. as I was about to crash & burn (thu), before I went running to the ER, i found my stash of 4 mg Risperdal that I just weened myself off of 3 mos ago, due to the long term side effects I was having (td, slurring, twitching, sexual dysfunction...). it took the edge off, til I can talk to the pdoc on tue.

like many of you, i’ve tried everything. i’m at my wit’s end. This bizarre combo seems to work for me. It puts a muzzle on the mania, allowing me a more hypomanic state where I can function & still feel really happy. although I’m going to try 40 vs 60 mg geodon. & try going down to 2 mg risperdal or try another a/p. adding the risperdal allowed me to sleep, along w/the lorazepam. but, I prefer not to be on risperdal

So, as of now…i'm on 60 mg geodon, 675 mg lithium, 4 mg risperdal & 1 mg lorazepam X 2/day.

has anyone else had this experience? Especially w/the mania & weight loss?

PLZ HELP! QUEENIE

I had the Mirena inserted 11 days ago. Since then, I experienced a 4 pound weight gain, increased joint pain, depression, and sore breasts. After reading this message board, I decided I didn't want to wait another day to get it removed. I already have a diagnosed mood disorder and I lost 50 lbs a year ago, which I have successfully been able to keep off through diet and exercise. I didn't want to risk gaining weight and becoming more depressed. I made an appointment to get it removed this afternoon and the appointment was with a male doctor I had never seen before (he was the only one in the practice with a last minute opening). Luckily, my female doctor checked in with me for a minute before my appointment to find out why I wanted it removed. I told her and she said she completely understood. The male doctor later came in and said he couldn't understand why I was having the side effects because the hormones were only in my uterine area and not in my bloodstream. What a jerk! He went ahead and removed it anyway. I am so relieved I found this board and I had the darn thing removed.

Hi, I was on Prednisone for a little over a month for Crohn's disease. I had minor side effects while taking it: couldn't sleep, no patience, dehydrated, dry eyes. It is the side effects from AFTER stopping prednisone that concern me. I''ve been off Prednisone for 3 weeks and I think I am losing my hair and getting acne-that I didn't have before or during taking Prednisone. Anyone experience side effects that started after stopping the med?