Breast feeding symptoms and conditions

I had my Mirena put in when my daughter was 7 months old (August 08), I stopped breast feeding that day. Last week when I went to have it taken out in order to get pregnant, found it had perforated. i am having surgery (breathing tube and all) on Monday. I have also had acne, which I haven't had before, and headaches for about 2 months, guess Ill find out if it is related. i guess if you have the mirena put in while lactating it is more likely to perforate. I had small shooting pains for 3 days after it was put in, then they disappeared.

My horrible experience is finally over with Mirena as of today and I’m SOO relieved. I had Mirena inserted after my daughter was born because I liked the idea of not needing to remember to take a pill (esp with mommy brain). For the first few months, it was fine because I was breast feeding and did not have a period at all. However, once I stopped breast feeding, Mirena kicked it and it was awful. Granted, I think I’m in that 10-20% that has annoying side effects and does not like it. But, I would feel nausea a few days a month (and I did not have that when I was pregnant), I would have cramps 3 out of the 4 weeks in a month, spotting all the time, periods were all over the place (which would have been okay, but the spotting was really annoying), more headaches than normal and I felt tired all the time. Yes, it is tiring taking care of a toddler, but I was sleeping 9 hours a night and I was still tired. I basically felt like I was pregnant when I was not. No thanks.

So, I called the doctor’s office and they said they have heard of headaches, but not cramping. The doctor never called me about it (I spoke to the nurse), so after doing my own research, I decided to just get it out. So, I go in for the IUD removal. The doctor comes in and brings in a nursing student to view how easy it is. I guess that cursed me since she could not find the strings. It was sooo painful. The doctor has the student try to look to see if she can find the strings (I was mortified, just want I want, is someone else looking down there). She can’t find the damn thing, so she asks for an IUD removal hook. Just want I want to hear is the work hook and my cervix. So, she finally gives up after I’m ready to bite her head of because I’m in so much pain and screaming for an epi (the only pain I could compare it to was getting an internal exam during labor before the epidural).

The doctor sends me for an u/s to make sure the IUD is in there. Thank goodness it’s in there. That was also not fun since I had to had an internal u/s and that was a bit painful. The tech says it’s in there okay, the string just curled up.

So, fast forward to today. I went to the doctor’s office to have it out via a scope. Starting last night, I had to insert a tablet into my vagina so that the cervix would dilate. Waking up this morning, I felt really weird and had cramping from my cervix being dilated. Once at the doctors, they did a pregnancy test to make sure that I was not pregnant. Luckily, I was not. They then took my blood pressure and O2 level. My o2 level was fine but my BP was high because I was nervous. No big deal since it’s usually low and I’m quiet healthy. I then get a shot of toradol in my butt and have to wait about 20 minutes to kick in. I just felt kind of woozy. They then bring me in the room and the fun begins. Legs in stirrups, 2 nurses and a tech (who did not know what she was doing and was making me nervous). They gave me a shot of lidocaine in my uterus before the procedure. That was moderately uncomfortable, but luckily, a nice nurse let me squeeze her hand during that. The doctor then sends the camera up there and also sends water up my vagina so that she can work the camera. That was really weird to have water flowing out all over. The doctor got soaked, but I’m sure she’s used to it. I had lots of cramping going on and she see the IUD, grabs some kind of instrument and pulls it out. When she pulls it out, she noticed that the strings were all twisted, so that’s why I would not come out. I actually saw it out and was very relieved. The whole procedure probably lasted about 5-8 minutes, but it seemed like forever. They then cleaned me up and told me I’ll have cramping today. I’m still crampy now, so I’m taking advil every 4 hours. Hopefully, I feel fine by tomorrow.
The doctors office did give me the option to take valium and percocet for the procedure, but then I would not be able to drive home. So, I did not take it since it was hard enough to get someone to babysit, let alone drive me home. But, if you are the nervous time and have a ride, I say go for the other drugs! I was fine as soon as it was done and got out of there ASAP! I hope I’m not back in the office for a very long time. I’m going on the pill as soon as my cycle returns to normal since at least I did not have problems with that before.
I know I’m in the minority with these problems, but I wish I knew all the complications that I could have had since it would have saved me a ton of time, stress and money. I can only imagine how much it would cost to have the damn thing out, thank goodness I have decent insurance.

My 3rd child was born in November of 2008, because I'm very fertile (having 3 children in less than 3 years) and not sure if I'm completely done, but not wanting any more any time soon, I opted for Mirena. I didn't want to deal with Depo because of the constant stories of weight gain, so Mirena sounded great. I hate taking pills because I'm forgetful. Anyway January of 2009 at my 9 week check up I had the Mirena put in...within a month my periods were virtually non existent, some of it could be due to breast feeding, but I still pretty much have no periods. Last month however I went in to the ob/gyn to have him check some pains I'm having in my lower abdomen, an ultrasound confirmed cysts (i read the tech type this out) and then the doc lied and told me there weren't any. Before Mirena, I had gone down to 175 lbs within a month of having my son thanks to weight watchers, after Mirena weight watchers wasnt working. So I quit paying for it so I of course gained back 10 lbs. I'm still eating less than 1500 calories a day, I chase 3 kids around all day, eat decently, don't exercise a whole lot but still don't sit on my butt all day and weigh about 190 lbs. If I even consider eating a piece of pizza I gain weight. This is ridiculous. My doc said he'd remove it if I continue to have pains because that usually helps, well that just one of many reasons I'm calling as soon as Im done typing here. I'm tired, my face is worse than it was in high school, I wear my husbands clothes all day, my wedding ring won't come off, I snap at everyone for everything, I'm sad, and I'm fat too boot. I would love to get back down to pre-pregnancy before the third baby 172lbs, but no matter what I do it doesn't work. Hopefully after removing this thing I can lose that and then some. I'll actually want to work out and have sex again! Not to mention have the desire to play with my kids rather than chase after them and fuss at them for everything they do.

i posted some "side effects" a few days ago that i feel are related to the mirena. in the past few days since, i've found that the use of my arms and hands has severely diminished, being achey and unable to grip for too long - the aches in my back have increased, even trying the heating/cooling routine before bed. I thought back to what made me stop breast feeding (baby was only 3 months at the time) - and it was after a night that i'd pumped out some milk for the next day, in case we went to my mother-in-law's for the day, and it was almost like a dirty/milky/watery color, something I'd never seen in feeding my 1st child, whom i had to pump milk w/ b/c she'd been unable to latch.

I've been "itchy" all over - and noticed just today (june 18th, 2009) blotches that look like hives on my chest and neck area - the only thing that I know for a fact that i'm allergic to, to give me hives is medication containing sulfa.. i've always verified that anything i'm treated w/ has NO sulfa in it at all, including this implant. - i've not been around any kind of poison ivy/sumac/oak at all.

i'm desperate to have it gone now.

I had the Mirena put in on the 5th of April, 8 weeks(ish) after the birth of my 2nd child. I wasn't 100% recovered from the labor, as I had some spotting and cramping from the breast feeding. When I was 7 months pregnant, I was told I have a very sensitive cervix, meaning that it bled easily. Upon insertion, there was some bleeding that they had to use silver nitrate to stop for this reason. I was informed this may also cause it to bleed a little longer. This being said, since my daughter's birth (Feb 25th) there has been a total of maybe 12-15 days where I have NOT bled, only increasing since the iud. When I had my first period, I was throwing up for 24 hours, dizzy and crampy, with a very thick discharge. Before pregnancy, my periods were no where near this bad, controllable PMS and bleeding for only 4 or 5 days, max. I'm still spotting. I've been trying to be more active, to little avail, as I've been exhausted and temperamental, wanting to do nothing but sleep, cry and argue. The day after I had the mirena put in, i began training for my job, and I felt ready to cry! But I persevered! I pushed myself to walk to work, trying to get out of the funk, to get myself more exercise and maybe help the pinch in my back work out (a side effect from being preg hehe)
In the past month and a half, I don't have as much control over my moods - swinging from "fun, let's sing and dance mommy" to "get away from me, and stop crying" mommy in mere seconds! and it terrifies me, b/c i've ALWAYS been an easy-going lovable person; very mellow and rarely losing my temper. as hard as i've tried to make myself more active - park w/ the girls, as mentioned before, walking to work - non stop moving while i'm at work, i've actually gained weight! I've bloated up at least 1 and a 1/2 sizes! and in the past 2 weeks it's only gotten worse. I get home from work, feeling ready to fall over - to an extreme. I can't focus on anything in particular w/o losing interest or just not being able to complete it, even something as simple as doing the dishes! just this past friday i began to experience joint pain that was only dulled by a tylenol 800 (i'm taking AT LEAST 1 daily now). ZERO sex drive, and the sensation of movement in my abdomen (which i thought was just in my head and i was losing my mind) - I thought i was beginning to suffer from PPD, and was completely prepared to mention it to my doc on my follow up appt, but after reading all the symptoms and experiences, I'm beginning to think that it has little to do w/ that. - something else, and i may have overlooked it, but i've also had an increased craving of sweets, especially tarty candies. has any one else had this happen?

I just want to be me again, and if that means going back to and OTC contraceptive, then so be it!

YEAHA!!!! IT'S OUT!!!! 20 seconds, no pain, just a little cramp and that was it. What was interesting is that I had state my case for wanting it out, to the nurses and then the doctor. The nurse even said "don't get undressed until you talk with the doctor." I really felt like they were all trying to "talk me out" of wanting to have it removed. And then the doctor said "well this is your first baby, and all of the side effects (acne, hot flashes, facial hair, rage, extreme tiredness,no interest in sex, headaches, weight gain) can be caused by breast feeding.(Spoken by a woman who has no children.) I felt like saying, are you f*#king kidding me??? Instead, I simply said, "please take it out".
LADIES, you know you body better than anyone, trust yourselves and do what's right for you!!!! I wish I would have sooner!

Had mirena inserted 2 mo ago. Loss libido immediately, but liked the fact that I have had no periods the last 2 months. Then, the last several weeks I've felt like I did when I was 5 months preg. with my son who is now 9yr. old. I have gained 14lbs in a month, have breast tenderness and I'm lactating. I'm nauseated, craving sugar, salt, and very thirsty. I went to the Dr. this morning who told me it's nothing to be concerned about. I seriously feel pregnant, but have taken 4 tests that come back negative. I've just gotten my narcolepsy, depression and anxiety under control and now this? Has anyone else lactated as a result of Mirena?

Hi Everyone! I am a 40 year old mother of 6 that has just had her second Mirena IUD put into place on April 10th, 2009. On Easter Sunday (April 12th) I woke with a lot of joint pain, back pain, breast pain, severe nausea, headache, dizziness, faintness and extremely low blood pressure (87/54). My first Mirena was placed in October of 2001, 6 months after the birth of my last child. All went pretty well with no real bad complaints the first time other than the normal cramping and bleeding. I didn't even have headaches or moodiness (my doctor thinks it was because I was breast feeding at the time and the body produces a lot of natural progesterone during this). Things took a turn for me in 2003 though and have progressively gotten worse since; I have had so many crazy ailments (everything from muscle spasms, thinning hair to stabbing pains behind the eye) , that even I was beginning to think it was all in my head! It all started with an ovarian cyst that had to be surgically removed in Dec. 2003, from there I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and an extremely high heart beat rate in Sept. 2004 (on meds to current date). I get sick very easily now and I had gotten strep 3 times in the winter of 2006, so I had to have my tonsils and adenoids removed in March 2007. I have now been diagnosed with Raynauds Phenomenon and Glaucoma and suffer from an array of symptoms. My most recent mammogram showed that I have a lot of breast cysts now as well. I have been tested for MS, Lupus, Lime Disease, RA and many other things; everything comes up negative. Due to the current symptoms and symptoms I have had during the first Mirena (never made the connection until now) it prompted me to do some research. What I found was just shocking to me! The Mirena is made with a synthetic progesterone (progestin) called levonorgestrel. If you research this, you will find a huge list of possible adverse side effects; many of which I have suffered from. I have read many different sites and posts from countless people that have been affected by the Mirena. Most of these stories have a huge similarity to each other. I am now 10 days into these symptoms; yesterday I went to my Dr. because the symptoms were not getting any better and I wanted to discuss the possibility that most of my problems since 2003 may have been caused by the Mirena. My doctor did not confirm my suspicions, but she did not deny that it could be a possibility either. What occurred to both her and I was that I had left the first Mirena in longer than suggested; it should have been replaced around late 2006 to early 2007, but I was sick and had other surgery, so I just kept putting it off. Due to this, the effectiveness of the hormone progestin was wearing off over the past year or so; in the past 6 months (until now) I have been pretty much symptom free (that was why I had the Mirena replaced). The fact that my symptoms are suddenly back and in full force only 2 days after the insertion of the new Mirena, strongly suggests that the Mirena is responsible for most if not all my ailments. Over the last 6 months, even my blood pressure had gotten better and I had to lower my dosage of meds to compensate for the change; now my blood pressure is jumping all over the place again. I am now considering having the Mirena removed before it causes any other symptoms and completely ruins my life! It horrifies me to think that the Mirena is still on the market considering the potential it has to cause havoc on other peoples lives as it has mine.

I had Mirena put out at my six weeks check up after my second baby. I liked and have really enjoyed the fact that you do not have to visit the doctor every three months for a shot like was the case when I had depo.

I have been having a lot of issues which I am beginning to think are effect of having mirena. The main issue was my weight. I have put on over 40lbs and now weighing 213lbs as against 180lbs I weighed at pregnancy. I have been suffering dome depression bouts which I concluded was caused by the fact that I have been trying to get a job.

The most scaring thing now is that I have breast milk leaking out of my breasts that is over 9 months after I stopped breast feeding. I am scared, my doctor has scheduled some tests and I am having a mammogram later this month.

I am wondering if any body has had this issues of breast milk coming out of breast with no pregnancy. I have scheduled an appointment to remove the mirena. I am forgetful when it comes to medications hence I am scared the oills will not be good for me. I ma have to go back to the depo, i only gain a little weight with that.

Thank everyone for posting. I was lying in bed last night trying to figure out what was wrong with me. I finally decided to do a search of side effects of the Mirena this morning, and stumbled upon this site. I literally thought there was something seriously wrong with me. I just had mine put in on March 6, 2009. Today is April 16th, 2009. I have had the bleeding nonstop from the start, but my other symptoms popped up three weeks ago. I thought I had strep throat, but I was missing the fever. I went to the doc anyway to get a throat culture. Of course it came back negative. So to all of you thanks! I really do not know what I would have done if I didn't find this site. I am a Mom of three, and I cannot stand this exhaustion I have had anymore! I have an appointment tomorrow at 2:30 to have it removed. Here is every symptom I have felt that I never had prior to the Mirena:

Extreme joint pain in neck, shoulders, hips, and back
sore throat
Constant severe headache
Severe exhaustion, can't even function
Dizziness
Low sporadic and severe cramping
Forgetfulness
Nausea
Uncontrollable sugar cravings (very weird)

If anyone has anymore links to other websites that I can print off and give to the doctor tomorrow, I would really appreciate it. Here is one that I found that tells about side effects as well as making a statement that breastfeeding isn't as safe as they want you to believe while using Mirena. Which I am currently doing with my six month old.
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Hello ladies,

I had mine put in 1/4/08 and taken out about two weeks ago. I've experienced almost everything that is explained below. The insertion was easy until I left the docs office. Then extreme pain led me to pull over on the way home, go into Walgreens and crouch down on the floor of there disgusting bathroom until my husband came and picked me up because I could not drive. After that I guess I never noticed over the course of the last year and a half all the things you've described below. I have two children so I was done. I started Mirena right after breast feeding and not getting my period for 7 months anyway. I figured I would just morph into the Mirena no period zone from the breastfeeding no period zone - perfect. Well I did get my period (although much shorter and lighter). It never really went away. That wasn't my major problem. I am not sure about any hair loss but I've been working out like a crazy person and experiencing some weight loss but nothing that I would think. I am wondering now that I have taken it out if I'll lose some weight. Anyway, the biggest side effect I think was the same as one listed below. I always felt like my body was trying to push it out as well. I went to the doctor twice for that. I always had discharge (sorry for the descriptiveness). Also, my husband was stabbed a few times so I went in and they trimmed the strings. Then we thought it was lost (I apparently have a long uterus) so they had to do an ultrasound to find it. Then once my husband told me I didn't smell quite right, I immediately went in and had it removed. After reading all this, I am glad I did. As far as the sex drive goes, I guess we haven't been doing it as much (we used to all the time) even after the first kid. We are still very much attracted to each other and love to mess around so I am hoping that this is removed I will be more receptive to the idea. Lastly, I have just gotten off the phone with my doctor since I have a very heavy period today with large clots. I am concerned and also a bit light headed. I am not a baby when it come to pain so the insensitive girl below has to understand everyone is different and if it's working out for her, she is blessed. I am glad I had it removed. When you have that many attempts and trips to the doctor to find, correct and monitor something, it's probably not working. The best part is, because of me trying and not being successful, my husband agreed to his vasectomy finally. Now all I have to do is wait until I regulate (and I'm hoping someone posts something about that) and he needs to do his thing about 30 times and we should be good to go. I send out happy thoughts to all the brave ladies that have tried this. I am a true believer that we need to listen to our bodies and ever one of us in unique.

Update to my March 18th entry. I got an x-ray at Med express after my Gyne's office treated me like a wacco and my PCP said they couldn't help it wasn't their field. I didn't know writing for an x-ray was so difficult. I went to med express and they did the x-ray and confirmed my fear that it was still in me despite what the ultra sound. I ended up in the ER on Thursday night and had Surgery at 12am to have this thing removed. I had to have a CT before surgery because the x-ray didn't show exactly where it was it just showed it was still in my abdomen area. I was also told by the x-ray tech at med express that women who are breast feeding have an increased risk of the mirena moving and should wait. Nice to know now. Hope this helps anyone else.

I was prescribed Reglan to increase my breast milk. I have no history of depression or anxiety. After a month or so having taken Reglan I got extreme anxiety and insomnia. I knew I was experiencing something that was NOT normal for me. It was a terrible experience. I had to move in with my mother so she could help me with my baby. I was diagnosed with post-pardum depression/ anxiety and put on antidepressants. Something I never would have believed would happened in my life. I am now weening myself off of them. Although my Ob/Gyn says that this experience was not due to the Reglan I was on. I am not convinced. I was taking it three times a day. I will never take Reglan again.

My mother actually stumbled across this site and encouraged me to look into a possible connection between my severe joint pain and the Mirena IUD. I had the IUD inserted in July of 2007. For a few months following I experienced breakthrough bleeding but that did eventually end. I suffered from some mild bouts of depression and would completely fly off the handle at my two children. Always linked it to stress. My sex drive became nil. But no other real problems to complain of. But this past Nov (2008), I started having pain in my wrists and hands. I type all day so I assumed carpel tunnel. Then we began a kitchen remodel. After one particularly tough day of demolition, moving and climbing up and down stairs, I became really stiff and sore. Of course I didn't think much of it until a week later when the pain was getting worse, not better. After a few more weeks, the joint pain became so severe that I could not get up and down off the couch, off the toilet, out of the car, without wincing in pain. I felt 90 years old! My doctor had prescribed Naproxen (which wasn't helping at all) and gave me a course of Prednisone. The Prednisone made me feel like a million dollars. Problem is, you can't stay on it. That's when we found this site. I immediately called my OB/GYN and had the IUD removed 2 days later. Of course, doc didn't believe this could be the issue (Surprise, Surprise!). Once the course of Prednisone was over, the joint pain gradually came back, albeit not as bad as the first time. RA and Lupus panels were negative, no thyroid disorder, no diabetes. Going to see a Rheumatologist next month so we'll see. I can mention that I already see a difference in my moods. I feel more patient with my children lately and that alone was worth having the stupid IUD out.

i had Mirena inserted on the 28th of September, i usually check my waist measurement every week since i had my baby- i lost 4 inches after delivery and exercise, i was so shocked this evening to find out i gained 2 inches on my waist in two weeks! i have been asking myself why i am so gassy these days, am always sweating, sleepless nights and i noticed my stomach looks like am pregnant. am so shocked! and the most scary part is that my baby developed skin rashes all over her body, right about the time i had mine inserted. i have tried all kinds of cream, changed her laundry detergent (mine as well), skin care products, but the rashes wont dry up. my baby`s skin was flawless before i had this mirena. i always dress her appropriately, moreover the weather is not hot for her to develop rashes. i feel so guilty that i put her through the discomfort,am getting the mirena removed to confirm my suspicion but i know already that mirena is the cause as there is no other possible reason. its unfortunate that the professionals won`t tell you the truth and i specifically asked if it will affect the baby because i am breast feeding. i am so glad i did this research to validate my sanity, even though the harm has already been done. thank you all for sharing your experience.

hi ladies, i hope everyone is doing good, i had mine mirena removed 3 days ago, and i feel so what better, i recommand everybody takes it out not only for your sake, but also, if your breast feeding, it is very bad for your child.

I have had Mirena for 6 months and I am a complete mess. I am 39, had baby number 4 last December and Mirena sounded perfect for me. Until today I had no idea what was wrong with me. I have had severe depression, mood swings, fatigue, acne on my chest, joint pain, absolutely no sex drive (don't even want him to touch me), forgetfulness, and insomnia. I am exhausted all the time, have no energy but I can't sleep half the time either. The depression and fatigue have been the worst. I was beginning to think something was really wrong with me. I went to the doctor, and he did blood work, etc and everything came back fine. I have been so frustrated. Then this morning I decided just to check and see what the side affects were for Mirena and found everything I have been battling. Mirena was great at first. I didn't have to think about it, no periods, wouldn't interfere with breast feeding. But then the side effects started and I have been pretty miserable, not too mention hubby has been catching it all. I wish I had known all of this before hand. The doctor told me there were no side affects and I trusted her to take her at her word. For some women that may be the case, however for me this is not the case. I am scheduling to have it removed ASAP. I can't function this way. I actually feel a little better knowing that I am not just loosing my mind and this thing can be fixed.

i am 26 years old and i had my daughter 5/3/2008, at my 6 week i had mirena put in because of the wonderful idea of not having to worry about taking a pill! the day i had it put in i bled like i was on the heaviest period i've every had and i continued to bleed for the next 7 weeks. every day i would at least have one bright, red gush of blood, one day i even had cramping so bad that it felt like labor.... i had a HORRIBLE labor! this wasn't how it was supposed to be, my sister came over to watch my daughter while i curled up in ball for about 4 hours until i took my last loratab from giving birth!!!! i had a strange pain in my left leg daily that ran from my groin area to my knee, i had severe depression to the point that i stopped breast feeding, was so irritated with anything and everything and i cried every day. i hadn't done this while pregnant or the first 6 weeks at all!! i lost all of my baby weight in about 2 weeks after giving birth ( i only gained 17lbs ) but since having mirena put in i've gained at least 7 lbs back. my stomach bloated up so huge it looked like i was 4 months pregnant, even when i would shower and rubbed the soap on my my belly it was very tender to the touch. i also suffer from ibs and with mirena i have never had such horrible, horrible stomach aches and constantly going to the bathroom.needless to say i had it removed 4 weeks ago and the very same day my mood changed dramatically and the bleeding stopped. the weight isn't going anywhere though which makes me sad although i think a good, daily cardio workout will help that. i'm still losing a lot of hair, i'm a hair stylist so i know to expect some, but it's pretty extreme. my stomach is still a little bloated but it is improving and no longer hurts to the touch and the ibs has improved dramatically .... i think every woman should be well warned on what's involved with this drug, do your research. i DO NOT recommend this to anyone, it is not worth the pain and depression. having a newborn is hard enough and adding all of these side effects made me feel like my very stable, loving home and family was falling apart. DO NOT GET THIS PUT IN YOUR BODY!

After having the third shot I noticed my hair began falling out (July 2007). It is now over a year later and after having numerous blood tests, visiting a dermatologist and doing tons of research, I have concluded that gardasil must be causing this. My hair continues to fall out, I have bald areas around the crown of my head and my mood is very depressed by this. I also experienced soreness in my legs and joints but these are not constant. My periods also are out of whack. They can be between 28-50 days apart. I would not recommend anyone getting this vaccine. I wish my OBGYN had not sold me on it. I was 31 when I got it but she said age didn't matter, she said one day insurance companies would cover this vaccine for all women no matter what age they are. I paid $190.00 a shot and now I have a thin head of hair that may one day soon be bald if it doesn’t stop falling out. I think they should take this vaccine off the market. If anyone else has had severe hair loss, has it stopped falling out after a certain point?

I had my mirena coil fitted at my 8 week post-partum check after my second child, this was feb 07. I was breast feeding until july so didn't resume periods until last aug. When they did resume they were so heavy blood would drip onto the floor - and occurred every 2 weeks without fail. I was assured this would settle down, but by April this year I'd had enough. I was referred for a scan to check for cysts - nothing, then sent to a gynecologist who decided to remove the coil...except she couldn't find it. Another scan showed it was not there and I'd probably expelled it, but I had to have an abdominal x-ray just in case. Two weeks ago I finally got the results - my uterus has been perforated and the coil now lies in my abdominal cavity just near my left hip. I am in constant discomfort, and sometimes searing pain (I had to miss work today because the pain was so bad it made me sick) Yet I have to wait a full 2 months to have the operation under general anesthetic to remove the damn thing. I just want it out of me, and am unclear as to whether it can do any further damage. The consultant told me they can fit a new one whilst I'm under, but I'm having serious doubts as to whether I want another one. Interestingly I've steadily put on 4 - 5lbs since October but yet haven't changed my lifestyle at all.

I've been on this bc method right after I stopped breast feeding... and it worked wonders for me. I didn't have any periods at all, which was a concern for me since with most bc methods you still bleed... after talking to doctor, they said it was fine. Then I ran out and then didn't take any bc for about 4 months and finally got back on it. Since being back on it (two months now), I've been crazy. Like most of you I've been very emotional, a little depressed, and mood swing-ish. On top of all that I've been having headaches everyday. I'm always hungry and need to eat something... My face looks like crap, I feel fat and bloated all the time, and I hate looking at myself in the mirror. And to top it off, today, for the first time I'm spotting and it freaked the living crap out of me because it was so unexpected that I ran out and got a pt because I was worried I got knocked up again. Thankfully I'm not... needless to say, be weary of this pill.

My 9 month little girl took omnicef and developed a rash after her second dose. I took her to the doctor - they thought she had either roseola or hand foot and mouth.....By the time I got her home that afternoon and some time had passed - it developed more and looked awful. I called the doctor back and she informed me that with roseola or hand, foot and mouth it would get worse before it got better. That night my baby was very uncomfortable, could not sleep and kept trying to scratch the rash through . The next morning, I called the doctor back because by this time she looked like she had a horrible sunburn and it continued to worsen. The pediatrician then thought she was having a reaction, suggested benadryl for two days and then switched her to augmentin. We will begin taking that tomorrow morning - I am a little nervous because I hope not only that it will work but that she will not have any side effects like she had with ominicef. As far as taking omnicef, my other children have taken it and they were fine -but as for my baby I had it documented on her chart at the doctors office and at the pharmacist so that they will stay away from all medicines that are in the omnicef family. I hope that I will never have to see this again nor deal with it. Jenifer

basically, this was my experience with the paragard:
1. Dec 2004 - Paragard iud was placed post-partum after my 2nd daughter was born. i was breast-feeding, and had no noticeable symptoms until Nov 2005.
2. Nov 2005 - had my first period since my daughter was born. it was heavy and crampy, but i thought "i haven't had a period in 2 years, so this is the price i pay..."
3. Each period hence was heavy, long at 6-7 days, and cramps were intense. again, i just decided that i could manage.
By the end of 2006, my periods were so bad that my husband and i decided i had to see the doctor.
4. Jan 2007 - saw the doctor about removing the copper IUD. she said that the paragard should not be causing such bad symptoms, and since i was did not want to get pregnant, she decided we should try to control the symptoms with birth control pills and Prometrium. I did not want to try Prometrium since I was unsure of how I would react to the hormone. she believed that i might be suffering from severe pms, called PMDD. note that i loved and trusted this doctor - i had some complications during my 2 pregnancy, and some problems post-delivery, and she was attentive, personable, and caring. i was very comfortable and trusting, so i listened to her recommendations. i tried yaz, yasmin, and 2 other pills over the next 3-5 months, but was extremely nauseous and sick with all of them (plus break-thru bleeding).
5. Feb - September 2007: i started having pre-period symptoms of nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea, abdominal cramps, severe fatigue. the first 2 months that i had these symptoms, they were so bad that i believed that i had an intestinal virus - same cramping, throwing up, and bad diarrhea, plus this was BEFORE my period. I then made the association between my symptoms, and the fact that they occurred 3-5 days before my period, and then they would subside about 3 days after my period started. my periods were still long with heavy bleeding.
6. September 2007 - was having same symptoms, but started 7-10 days before my period, and they were so bad that my husband had to take off from work to take care of our 2 girls each month (i stay home with them). i went back to the doctor during September, and was told to modify my diet (no white flour, sugar, low fat, high protein, lots of water) and to try some vitamin supplements since i didn't want more medications. she again recommended taking 100 mg Prometrium to help ease the symptoms. I asked to remove the IUD, again, and she said that "before she took out something that expensive, she wanted to make sure that something else was not wrong" - I was shocked at her statement, but agian I liked her and trusted her, so i went along for the sonogram.
7. October 2007 - In the meantime, I was desperate, so i took the vitamins and Prometrium, which sent me into what i can describe only as a psychotic episode. i had severe emotional outbursts, i was irrationally angry and irritable, and had absolutely zero patience. i am usually a smart girl, and in my normal "mental state" would have associated that the Prometrium had caused this severe reaction, but I was no where close to my normal state of mind, and i just thought that my physical symptoms were now affecting me mentally.
8. LAte Oct 2007 - BY this time I am so down and really ready to get my life back. I am still sick with nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, severe abdominal cramps, severe fatigue, and now my abdomen stays sore and tender through the whole month. FINALLY the doctor calls with the ultrasound results. she said that there were 2 small ovarian cysts - and i was relieved - i thought that FINALLY, we were getting somewhere - but in the next sentence she said that she didn;t think that they were responsible for my symptoms. i was deflated - and at such a loss of words. i listened to her tell me how she thought that i had IBS, and that she was going to refer me to a GI doctor. i know that IBS is a catch-all category of symptoms that some doctors throw on people they can;t diagnose. and remember, i was just a few days out from recovering from 1) having a severe personality reaction to a drug, and didn't know it was because of the Prometrium - i thought i was going mad, and 2) i was just getting over being sick before my period - AGAIN.
I finally called her back a few hours later and left a message with the nurse "since she doesn;t think that the cysts are causing the symptoms, could we please remove the copper IUD?" i never got a reply.
I called my niece who is an RN at a respected women's health center in NC and cried a lot and told her what was going on. she got me an appointment with a doctor there for mid nov 2007.
10. Mid Nov 2007 - tell the NC doctor my medical history, and she says "we need to get that IUD out". in less than 30seconds it is gone with minimal discomfort, 25% of the abdominal soreness and tenderness is gone within 24 hours of removal, and completely gone within a week. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IN MONTHS THAT MY TUMMY WAS NOT TENDER OR SORE!!!
i have a follow-up appointment for mid Jan 2008 with the NC doctor and possible placement of the Mirena
11. Nov 29, 2007 - have my first period in over a year where i am not sick etc - it is heavy and a bit crampy, but is shorter in duration.
12. mid dec 2007 - i start to suspect i may be pregnant, but think that we have been cautious, and my period is probably going to be irregular with all of the crap that has gone on
13. jan 5 2008 - yep - i'm pregnant!! but that was ok - we wanted another anyway.
14. jan 7, 2008 - catch the respiratory flu that has been going around and stay VERY sick for 4 weeks, and i just know that something is unusual - i can't eat i am so sick and am so weak that i shake whe i stand up - call a new local OB doctor and see them.
15. jan 30, 2008 - have miscarried the pregnancy
16. April 2008 - the new ob doctor places a mirena
17. first of may 2008 - my husband is asking if i feel ok, that he has seen similar but much less severe symptoms in my mood as when i was on the Prometrium. i have never had acne this severe on my face, neck and back - it actually hurts and i have some scarring even though i have not picked at it.
By the way, my new local OB told me that HE WILL NOT PLACE PARAGARD COPPER IUDS FOR HIS PATIENTS BECAUSE THEY WORK BY CAUSING INFLAMMATION IN THE UTERUS.
however, he also said that i shouldn't have any issues with the mirena, and now i am starting to wonder if i am going slightly mad...
i want my life back...
i now realize that there is a side effect to EVERYTHING that you put in your body...
i am terrified of getting pregnant right now even though a few months ago i was excited about this wonderful possibility...
i am now talking to a counselor to try to work out the events of this past year+ so i can move on...
i feel like my voice was NOT heard or even acknowledged...
the reality is that WE are ultimately responsible for our own well-being, both physical and mental, and that doctors do treat with preconceived notions about the way health should be and how medications and devices should work...they listen to pharmaceutical reps and not their patients...
i don;t know what to do about birth control now...i suspect the mirena is making me feel this way, but i am terrified of getting pregnant, i can't take birth control pills, and am hesitant to put any thing else in my body that is a chemical...however, i have no libido anymore (my poor wonderful husband) and i use to enjoy the closeness and intimacy of being with my husband...
i don't know how this affects your decision about the copper iud, but i just caution about 1) be careful with sex after the mirena is removed and 2) be mindful of anything that we eat or place in our body.
i do know that i could not find any other information from women who experienced my symptoms, but i find it very difficult to believe that i am the only one who experienced this.
lots of luck, and thank you for sharing your experience with the posting site! it has helped me make an informed decision about removing the mirena, and i hope that the information here will help you make an informed decision about the copper iud.

I made my appointment today to have my Mirena taken out in 2 days.
I have had similar symptoms, low libido, hair loss, and weight gain.
I have been on Weight Watchers since Jan. the same time I got my Mirena inserted and I am at the same weight. I am so frustrated with the weight and the other symptoms I just want it out.
But I did like not having to take a pill everyday. Is anyone considering having the Copper T inserted? It releases no hormones.
Just wondering.

I am 38 and I have been using the NuvaRing since 3/23/08. My GYN thought it would help regulate my hormones, as I was experiencing vaginal dryness and decreased libido. I have been on BCPs since I was 18, except for 2 pregnancies and breast feeding. I had no problems on BCPs, except the vaginal dryness and decreased libido (which have been coming on gradually). So far, I have breast enlargement and tenderness, emotional lability, and I have not slept well since it went in (waking up frequently and vivid dreams). I'm going to stick it out a little while, but WOW, I didn't sign up for this. If this form of BC has less hormones then why do I feel this way?