Contemplating symptoms and conditions

I had my Mirena IUD put in May 1st of 2007 and all the side effects that came along with it......the constant spotting, acne, itching breasts (which I thought was due to new bras that I had just purchased), nausea, depression (which I had to go back to taking Wellbutrin), no energy; tired all the time. My biggest side effect which I have not found any others to have is Allergies. I know it sounds crazy, but I have never had problems with allergies until a month and half after getting the IUD, extreme allergy symptoms, swollen glands, neck pain, very shortness of breath; to the point that I was down for a whole day here and there, I am having to take Allegra; had to get a steroid shot. Now that it is cold, I thought I would be getting break from the allergies, nope. I joined a gym hoping that it would help in giving me energy, nope.........I have talked to my Dr and the nurses that work with my gyno and they act as if I am making this stuff up. It is very frustrating when you know that your body has done a complete 360 in the wrong direction and everyone seems to think your crazy.

Well I am having my IUD taken out as soon as I can!

Just a word of encouragment to those contemplating having their Mirena removed. I was a bit frightened by the reports that removal was painful and caused severe bleeding. I had mine removed yesterday, and I must say, IN MY EXPERIENCE, the fear was much worse than reality. In fact, if it wasn't for the nurse saying "ok, honey, its out", I wouldn't have even known it was done and over with. For me, it was no worse than having a pap smear, and I had very little spotting for a few hours afterward and some very mild cramping, nothing like the cramps I have had while having it in. Just knowing it is out is a big relief, just didnt want anyone to delay having it removed for fear of that pain, everyone is different, but in my experience it was a breeze!

I recieved this shot on July 2, 2007 for a frozen right shoulder and on July 9th a period began that lasted a total of 4 weeks, if was the most unusual period I have ever experienced. It would be heavy for 4 days taper off and then begin heavy again, it was like I was having several periods within a 4 week period. I ended up in the Dr's office because it was such a scary experience, I have never had a period for more than 5 days. I had several tests and ended up in the emergency room 2 days before the period ended because I was passing huge clots. I now have to make a decision on whether to have a D&C. I worry each day that I will begin bleeding again and not stop. I also experienced an extreme depressed feeling the next day after the shot and was unable to sleep soundly for about 2 weeks, I have also had headaches charley horse pains in my right calf, and pain in my left jaw. I am also having at least two to three heart palpitations each day. Of course today I cannot prove that the shot has caused all of these symptome and my OBGYN seems to know nothing about the effects of steroid shots, I have not spoken to my ortho dr. about this but they never mentioned any side effects with this drug, I was only asked whether I had diabetes or not before the shot was given. I would strongly recommend that if anyone is contemplating on having this shot to please do your research. After reading all of the comments here and hearing that alot of the symptoms that everyone has had mimic mine, I am convinced that the shot has probably created these adverse efffects which has lead to alot of worry and expensive tests to rule out cancer and other diseases that could have been prevented had I not taken this drug. Whether or not this drug created these effects will lead me without hesitation to never take this drug again and pray that the side effects that I am having are only temporary.

I used Nuva Ring about a year ago and decided to stop using it due to major mood swings, (Going from laughing to crying in a split second) but I recently decided to try it again, as I liked the conveinence of it and the fact that it's the only birth control I've used that hasn't made me gain weight. Well, I've had the ring in for about 2 weeks now and I'm not liking it!!! I've been feeling extremely fatigued, nauseas, constipated, experiencing heartburn, having brown spotting and abdominal cramping. I don't know if I should keep this thing in or take it out. Right now, I'm feeling sooo nauseas I'm contemplating going to the hospital.

I've been on it now for about a year b/c it is a slow release in hormones and I get migraines from all the other pills. I've noticed a lot of what some of the other posts had noted such as:

- constant discharge (I always feel wet and dirty)
- a smell coming from the area all the time
- mood swings like crazy
- Absolutely NO SEX DRIVE
- fatigue (although this has been a new one I have come across in the past month, so maybe its not related)

none of this is really attractive at all, and I am seriously contemplating going off of it. Does anyone have an suggestions for people who get severe migraines from the pill???

i am 22, and before the levaquin and tequin i was healthy and normal.
Last november while visiting family for thanksgiving, i came down with strepthroat. i couldnt get an appt with tricare so my mother gave me some tequin, she had used it for strep throat. Since then my life has been a living nightmare and it has been the worst year of my life. I took the tequin for 4 days. on the 4day, i left to go back to VA where i live. I got horribly sick that day, but thought nothing of it as my husband and son had gotten the 24 hr bug while we there. pretty soon i started having anxiety attacks and chest pain left and right. The came the stomache PAIN. I thought i was having appendicitis. I ended up going to the er once sometimes 2x a month for things like severe abdominal pain and chest pain, anxiety attacks going out of control, and unbearable migraines (which i had never had before.) i was diagnosed with lots of different things, IBS, Ulcer, pulled muscles, chest wall pain, and once even gall bladder dysfunction. So as a result of all that i have been perscribed all kinds of things for the pain the nausea the headaches the unbearable insomnia etc.
These things caused a major rift in my marriage. My husband has at a few times talked of divorce bc he couldnt stand the hypochondriac *as he put it* that i had become. I have thought i was going crazy, have contemplating hospitalitizing my self etc. Recently my PCM and I decided to try a perscription for depression. One of the major symptoms of depression is"persistand physical symptoms that DO NOT respond to treatment. Such as Headaches, digestive disorders and headaches." so i tryed it. Then a week ago i stepped on something outside and went to get a tetanus shot. They perscribed levaquin 750 mg a day for 5 days, and gave me a 750mg dose at the hospital. That was Monday. it is now 430 am on friday and this week has sucked. My side effects have included insomnia(even with my nightly ambien), nausea, burning/tingling in my entire right arm, chest pain, a sinus infection, knee pain, back pain, shoulder/neck stiffness, headaches, jitters, something kinda like blurred vision..like right on the verge of not being able to focus. Constipation, pain in my hands, and almost overwhelming fatigue.
regretably i had already taken todays dose, and i started feeling bad again so i decided to look up all my current meds online to see if maybe it was an interaction of sorts. I tried the levaquin last, as it is an antibiotic. After reading 9 pages of nothing but negative comments i decided to flush the remainder of the bottle of pills down the toilet. I plan on filing a compaint with the FDA. This is poisin and I cannot belive with all the side effects it is still on the market. I cannot believe that for almost a year my life has been a living, tormenting hell. And all b/c of something that is supposed to make things better? If you read this please stop taking the pills and see your doc about another alternative. I agree that the drug should be taken off the market and soon. i also agree that a class act lawsuit should be filed. These side effects LAST A LONG TIME, they interfere with your ability to function on a daily basis. I am very interested in talking with others about the problems with the side effect, and the longevity of them. My yahoo email/ID is ******* i would appreciate and be thankful for any advice, and i would also like to be in contact with others who have suffered as i have suffered.

Please read if you are on the ring, or are thinking about it. I am a 20 year old who has previously been on the pill and the patch, and have now been on the ring for about a week. First of all, please remember that ALL hormonal birth control methods will give you side effects such as mood swings (yes - that includes crying for no reason and getting angry at people), nausea, headaches, body aches, cramping, dizziness, and weight gain or loss. No, doctors are not quote "trying to kill you" they tell you about all of these side effects on their websites and medication information pamphlets. They also tell you, if you ever bothered to read them, that most of those side effects subside after 3 months of proper use. Most of you, it seems, won't even attempt to wait that long - so why talk poorly about a product if you won't see how your body reacts to in long term, it won't kill you. Like I said I have been on the ring for a week. After having it in for only 6 hours I did have crying fits, I did feel like I was going to puke, my appetite has been lessened, I have headaches, when I stand up from sitting for a while, I get dizzy, I snap at my parents, and my friends. Remember, there is a drug inside you changing your body's chemistry. You are going to feel different, if you don't want the birth control or menstrual regulation, then don't bother taking the drug in the first place. You will get side effects from all hormones, and the degree of side effects change from person to person. I won't lie, I called my doctor after 2 days saying I didn't think I could handle it, I was contemplating a IUD. But she said that if I could, I should try to stick it out, the side effects would slowly, and gradually lessen. After 8 days I have already noticed a change. The ring is comfortable after a few days of figuring out the correct placement. The discharge increase is a little annoying, but nothing a thin panty-liner can't soak up. I haven't had sex yet, but remember if it is uncomfortable for you - you can take it out for up to 3 hours. I think the ring is a great option, and worth a try if you wouldn't freak out right away when your body starts reacting to the changes!! Good luck.

Like other readers, I'm so glad I stumbled onto this site!!! I have been on Yasmin for 3 weeks and have started having severe chest pains, as well as tingling in my arms & muscle aches. I have been contemplating going to the doctor because I thought I could be having symptoms of heart disease. I have now put a call into the doctor to find out what to do next.....of course, not taking it from this day forward is where I'm going to start!!! I just turned 33 and I would hate to think that a bc pill in conjunction with my family history could cause my son to lose his mommy!! It's been so scary for me. I didn't want to overreact...but I also don't want to wait until they have to "crack me open" to do a major heart surgery all because of a pill!!!!!!! I think having another kid would be less painful!!!

I just started Ovcon 35 (this is the 2nd week) after being switched from Yasmin. I had breakthrough bleeding with Yasmin and about a 5 lb. weight gain. Now with Ovcom 35 I keep gaining more weight! I've been exercising every day and really watching what I've been eating and every morning the scale keeps going up and my jeans just keep getting tighter. I'm contemplating just going off of this pill any day now.