Gals symptoms and conditions

Hey Gals,
I had my mirena put in in February 2009. I just got it out three weeks ago.
When I gave birth to my son I weighed 230, having gained 50 pounds during the pregnancy. Two months after giving birth I was down to 190 and losing weight fine. All throughout the pregnancy and afterwards I was eating healthy and exercising, so for people who say its just because we eat poorly and don't change our diet after we give birth, thats not always the case.
Then I got Mirena put in. I gained all that weight back, horrible mood swings where I would start snapping at my husband over inconsequential things. I started getting really bad headaches, (I've never had migraines before, but I'm sure it was pretty close). Constant fatigue; I was always tired, no matter how much sleep I got and never had any energy to play with my son. I also hadn't had a period since February of 2008, just a little spotting after getting the Mirena put in. Not to mention discomfort during intercourse, which just made the act seem unpleasant for both of us.
Now that I've got it out I've lost 15 pounds, I no longer have headaches, All of my energy is back and I'm not as tired as I was before, and I finally got my period! I have never been more excited to have it than before.
I guess it works for some people, but with it and the hormones it was secreting, my body couldn't handle it. I've tried other BC's before too and didn't have any problems.

I am a healthy, active female on a low dose of premarin from a hysterectomy last year, went on a low dose or Lisinopril last June and within a month, was at the ER twice for heart attack symptoms. My EKGs were perfect, thyroid, electrolytes, etc. and we determined, my sis has two MDs that I was over-medicated because the panic attacks started there after and were nightmares! My doc said menopause triggers these even on hormones, I know my body and I was being poisoned with Lisinopril! Been off a month now and this is my first weekend I felt normal w/no more stroke/heart attack signs thank the Lord! Any ideas on what we menopausal women can take for high BP? There is life after this drug but if it high BP runs in your family, some kind therapy is needed for us middle aged gals!

I actually posted my side effects (profuse, foul smelling discharge) before reading many of the posts here. I found my side effects to be common on other sites. I did want to mention that I thought the IUS (Mirena) was not to be used on women who ha not had a baby yet and I read here several women who have had it inserted before ever having a pregnancy! I'd check that out because Mirena literature itself would rule out a condidae based on that. Otherwise gals, my Mirena worked wonderfully--to virtually no pain or bleeding at insertion, to all but eliminating my period. However, I can't and won't live with the excessive foul discharge...CAN"T WAIT TIL 12/29 FOR REMOVAL!!!!!!

August 5, 2008

Thank you for this website. These testimonies has confirmed by suspicions of Advair's side effects.

I am 52 years old and was diagnosed with adult onset asthma 10 months ago. My physician prescribed Advair (500) and Albuterol inhaler. I was instructed to take the Advair 2 times/day and Albuterol 3 times/day. During the last few months, I have noticed a slight weight gain, fatigue, hoarseness, dry mouth and occasional insomnia. The hoarseness has resulted in 2.5 weeks of losing my voice. Also, I have noticed that my recovery from a prior illness, such as cold, was very slow.

As a result, I discontinued the Advair and use the albuterol as needed. My voice began to returned to normal in two days and I am feeling much better.

Now I am wondering if I am experiencing drug withdrawal symptoms due to discontinuing Advair five day ago. The following symptoms are: dizziness, and needle-like tingling in hands, feet and side.

Again, thank you gals for sharing you'll experience with Advair.

Obviously a lot of the gals taking this hormonal formulation need to get a totally different one. What surprises me are all the first-time BC users whose doctors are putting them on a rather high-dose pill (not technically high dose, but it is the highest you can be under the "Low Dose" heading). I would think their doctors would've put them on something very very low and go from there.
Anyways, I was on BC pills for 8 years before we decided to start a family. However, ever since having my first child 4 years ago, I couldn't find a pill that could control my period. It seemed that when I was off the pill, I was fine, but as soon as I started a pill I would bleed 3 weeks out of 4. It was awful--plus insurance wouldn't pay for other methods besides permanent BC methods. I went through at least three different types of pills with no luck. Then we decided to have our second child...so off the pill and my periods were normal and regular up until I conceived. After my second child was born and I was done breast-feeding, my doctor put me on a pill (loestrin, I think?) and back to the same thing...3 weeks of heavy bleeding out of 4 and it made not only me, but my husband, crabby. I tried another pill, then finally got very firm and specific with the nurses and my doctor...they needed to put me on something completely different than the other formulations I'd been on and/or a higher dosage.
First month on Femcon FE and only 1 day of light spotting; lighter-than-normal period (thank goodness!); but I did have some weird abdominal pain in the upper right quadrant of my abdomen. Thankfully that pain went away after eating, particularly high-fiber meals or large meals. Since I had a stomach bug the week before I started the pills, I didn't think too much of it; figured the stomach virus had moved south and was just irritating my gut. It went away by the time I had my period...but it started again after 5 days on my next pill pack, though the pain is considerably less than last month. However, after seeing someone else's comment regarding estrogen's affect on the gallbladder (and that's about where my pain was), I'm going to at least talk to my doctor on Monday.
I have had no other side effects other than the abdominal pain and very very slight breast tenderness (although after pregnancy and breast-feeding, the breast tenderness is barely noticeable in comparison). So I'd like to stay on this as long as I'm not developing any gallstones, etc.

I also have had many of these side effects, constant bleeding, bloated stomache, weight gain (or lack of weight loss), twitching in my abdomen, MAJOR swelling when I eat salty foods, depression . . . I feel so much better since I had my Mirena removed last week, after 4.5 months. I don't look pregnant anymore. I am back to my normal even keeled self. I ate something salty today and can still get my rings off. I haven't felt the "baby cicking feeling".

I wanted to add a thought. I definitely think Mirena should have been more forthcoming with these potential side effects, but it seems as though it is a pretty small number of us. My Dr. had only had 2 or 3 people that had bleeding for longer than 3 months. I know a lot of gals with this that have no side effects at all. So, maybe there are a group of us that just don't react well to medication. I know that the pill made me crazy. When I was induced my uterus went nuts and I had to have a STAT C-section. I know that my body is particularly sensitive so I really don't take any type of medication, under or over the counter. I guess my point is that for most women this seems to be an excellent option . . . just not for us. I do agree that we need to get the word out there because I am sure that there are plenty of other women having these side effects. I thought I was seroiusly ill and was ready to see my General Practitioner and start getting testing for everything.

This is a great forum and I am happy that it isn't just me. My Dr also told me there was no way the depression/mood swings could be from the Mirena but I just knew it was this litte device that was messing up my life . . . . .

I had the mirena fitted to cure my PMT's, I have had the mirena fitted 2 years now only side effect was a little weight gain until this last month i have had constant breast pain, I haven't seen this listed much as a side effect i am very worried has anyone else suffered with this side effect

heather

Hi all! I just began taking YAZ two weeks ago and things were fine up until two days ago. I started experiencing itching on several parts of my boy an last night, realized I had hives on my waist at my back, near my underarms and have serious itching all over the rest of my body including the palms of my hands. Please, please, please if anyone reads this an has had similar side effects, please let me know. Furthermore, I did not take the pill last night as I knew this could be the only thing causing these issues. Does anyone know the reprecution of stopping the pill mid month? Please let me know and thanks for your help!

Hello,

I read about how YAZ birth control pill affects the body and psych and I am now scared. This is my 2nd day of YAZ (I've never been on birth control pills ever and I am 27 years old), it's all new to me but after reading all these negative posts about Yaz I don't know what to do. Before the birth control pills, I was depressed, annoying, serious weight problems - 210 lbs :~~((, low energy, low libido, always tired, terrible migraines every 2nd day, ridiculously increased appetite and excessive hunger, hair where it shouldn't be, menstrual blood clots, excessive cramping etc
I have all these problems for 3 years now and now that the family doc. put me on YAZ birth control pill I am even more scared - mainly of more weight gain, it would be a tragedy for me, I am fat enough already and what's worse I can't lose the weight, exercise doesn't help, diet doesn't help, NOTHING. Will YAZ birth control pill worsen my already tragic condition? I just don't know what to do and what to believe ... I appreciate any advice or help you can give me ... Thank You to all!

I recently discovered that my Yasmin birthcontrol could be what is making me feel anxious and depressed lately.It comes in bursts one or more times a day where I feel lots of axiety, depressed and thoughts that I cant live like this anymore. I have stopped taking it and was wondering if anyone knew anything that could help me to relax when ever I start feeling out of control. I'm hoping to get it all out of my system soon and start feeling back to normal again. I'm tired of feeling scaired and sad and anxious. Any one else feel the same way? Any success stories from stopping the pill and how soon did you start feeling good again?

Since a few days prior to Christmas I have been experiencing constant chest pain about 4 inches below my collar bone. I've been on Toprol 50mg for almost a year and it has helped some with my high BP. I have no idea if toprol is the medication tht may be causing this pain or if it is due to something else. I would describe it as dull (maybe a 2 on a pain scale of 1-10). Worried, as I am only 23, I went to the ER and the ER doc couldn't pinpoint the problem after doing blood work, ekg, and a chest x-ray. I forgot to ask him if the med could be causing such a side effect, but he did know I was on toprol. The pain doesn't seem to be cardiac related as I just got done running 3.5 miles and the pain seems about the same. Again, I don't know if left-sided chest pain could be a side effect of Toprol, but I would certainly like to know if anyone has experienced these symptoms while on the med or can confirm this possibility. Thanks guys and gals!!

To the gals who seem to be losing hope: I've been off of the Yasmin for almost three months and I'm finally starting to feel like myself again! My cycle has gotten back to normal (25-28 days) and the anxiety I was experiencing right around my period each month is gradually lessening. I am optimistic that it's only a matter of time.

I opted NOT to get on ANY medication to help with the mental aspects of withdrawal/weaning: I take vitamins!!!! Hang in there guys...

Hi... I've been on Yasmin since July of '05. I was in the hospital in June, with what I thought was appendicitis. They said no that it could be something else, like gas or an ovarian cyst...they sent me home with some meds and said to come back if the pain doesn't go away. It went away, so that made me think that I had a problem with cysts. I saw my gynocologist, they recommended birth control, for that random, non-diagnosed pain I had, and also for those monthly cramps that were so harmful I couldn't move. Well, the cramps don't come as painful and my period has been starting to shorten, like 3-5 days now. So, I figured Yay for Yasmin. Yeah, well...not anymore. I've had a problem with Insomnia pretty much since then. (P.S. I'm 21, went away for school in August. Oh, and in September, I had to get my appendix removed.) I didn't think anything of it, since as long as I can remember, I've always had a problem sleeping, even when I was about 5 or 6 years old. Anyways, I saw my doctor a few weeks ago for my not sleeping, and he mentioned that this problem could be linked to the birth control I'm taking, but didn't go in depth about it. He was quick to say that I was depressed and that he didn't think anything was physically wrong. Well, the guy was an ass, but that's besides the point. He said come back in a month so we can talk more. It's like he was so anxious to go party for St. Patty's Day! So, he made me take some blood tests to confirm that I didn't have any thyroid problems, anemia, or whatnot. Test results: normal. I have a follow up appointment in a few weeks...I stormed home and cried, because I cry easily, because the doc said I was depressed. I don't want to be. I got the idea from my father, yes, my father, about looking into the birth control idea. I found some things for PMDD, but also that Yasmin is supposed to reduce those symptoms of it. And after reading all these posts from you gals, I'm almost freaking out. I can't sleep, only sometimes when I take sleep aids, which I've been taking almost every day for the past 3 months, because I get so frustrated that I can't even breathe! My heart rate speeds up, I have to take a walk down the hall and try to catch my breath; I am very, very irritable, random mood swings almost all the time, not just around my period; no motivation, some appetite changes, anxiety, stress, feeling of always being overwhelmed...and another strange thing: my boobs have grown almost 2 cup sizes since November!! It's so strange, I get freaked out by myself sometimes...usually once a month. My poor boyfriend, I get mad at him right around when my period is due, cry to him, scream at him...he shouldn't have to deal with that when he does nothing but love me. Sounds corny, but it's true; he's still with me and just lets me scream at him and cry and moan and complain and all those nasty other things that are going on in me. And this post is going to be long...almost starting to sound like one big ass complaint. I'm sick of feeling this way, but don't want to think that Yasmin is what's causing it all. Unfortunately, it's now in my head...I can relate to most of these symptoms everyone here has explained. Everything else with Yasmin has been fine with me... it's helped with cramps, with acne, with the overall regulation of my period... not much weight gain other than my breats... it's just the whole other thing...those emotional problems... Yes, I'm in a dorm room...I can't sleep most nights...the hall is noisy...I'm at a school that's located in the Boondocks, so there's nothing to do most of the time...I don't feel like doing anything anyway... I'm pissed that I'm frustrated. I'm frustrated that I'm moody. I'm moody because I can't sleep. I can't sleep because I'm irritable and sensitive. I'm irritable and sensitive because I don't sleep. It's just one big ass cycle... I hate cycles. That cycle and the cycle of being a woman. That's enough for me. I feel the Tylenol PM kicking in. I vent to everyone I meet. I'm crazy, I just know it. If it's not the pill, I'm crazy.

I started taking Yasmin last Monday (it's Thursday today) I was perscribed the drug for the beginning symptoms of menopause (I am beginning to have 21 day periods and severe mood swings) My ob gave this to me and sarafem, which I have been on before, but have had no reaction too. So anyway, Tuesday I did not feel like eating. Furthermore, it has just gotten worse. I have severe indegestion and almost vomited last night. I also have had a pretty bad panic attack and shortness of breath last night, which is a sympton that I have never experienced AFTER starting sarafem. I wokeup this a. m. and decided to look for possible side effects on the web and found this site. Wow, am I shocked to see others with the same result as me. And very thankful that I put the 2 together before taking this pill for an extended period of time. So gals, if you feel ill, it might not be the flu. Call your OB! I'd rather have mood swings and bleed every 21 days than feel like this...YUK!

amyr - I am glad that you made it through the party. I know how you feel at 3pm because I do the same thing at 7:00 pm, just before getting the kids ready for bed.
i noticed that my appetite is lower, not that it is bad in my case. Could be the paxil, maybe? I am on day 3 of paxil. I only needed one xanax yesterday at 11 am and was ok for the rest of the day.

Lisa - My blood pressure is high as well - 140/90 at its lowest. I have been consulting with a cardiologist and praying that it is temporary.

feel better gals!

What about the bloating gals.
Silke, how is it going in that area. Did it ease up at all?
I'm going to see an endocrinologist tomorrow about this. hopefully he'll help me make some sense out of my body.
take care and i'll update.
Sherry

Hey gals,

3 months post and bloating/weight gain aint easing up.
I'm slowly becoming mad.......................

Hi gals! I just wanted to give you all an update - the last month has been hectic for me, what with the holidays and early deadlines at work and all so I haven't had a chance to update since I posted in early December.

I have been completely off Yasmin for a month and a half now (give or take a few days) and I feel 100% better. My doctor wanted me to try some other BCP and I flat out told her "no way on earth will I try any more BCP!" Well she talked me into trying the Nuva-Ring for a month (stating that's it's better to have a period since I have PCOS than not to have one) so I reluctantly accepted and said I'd try it...Day 1, I kept expecting all the horrible Yasmin type symptoms to come back or the other BCP side effects that I had experienced in the past...Day 2 nothing, Day 3 and so on...nothing either.

My skin is clearer, no weight gain that I've noticed, no constant trips to the bathroom like with Yasmin,no panic attacks, and no severe moodiness, so far so good no real problems or bad side effects with the Ring, except that my period is heavier than normal and (sorry this is gross) I have to insert a new ring tomorrow morning and well my period is still here - yucko!

You might want to give the ring a try and see if it works for you.

Take care,
Shawna

I have nausea. I ended my period Friday, started another pack of pills Sunday and now feeling bla. Is this normal? I called my OB/GYN lsst time I felt this way and she said it couldn't be from the Yasmin. I also called the pharmasist and she said I shouldn't be feeling sick after being on it for 4+ months. Who's right? All I know is that I have nausea and I think it from Yasmin. Maybe I'm reading too much about Yasmin

Has anyone ever taken the mini pill? It has pregestins only. No estrogen. I'd like to get feed back if anyone has ever tried it.

Thanks gals!

db

I am writing because i just got my 4th shot of lupron. During my office visit my dr. told me that because the pain hasnt gone away and the only thing lupron did for me was stop my periods, she now believes what I have suspected all along. I DONT HAVE ENDOMETRIOSIS!!!!! Now i am being referred to an ob pain specialist. She suspects it may be an ovary problem. No surprise considering I have had ovarian problems since puberty. She is suggesting a full pelvic exam with a possible laproscopy. She is fearfull of further surgerous and wants them only as a last resort. GOD BLESS HER FOR THAT!!!...She also is suspecting the uterine tumor and ceasarion scares as a possible problem.. Hey gals my advice is this.....Make sure you know what you have before you get treated. I took all those shots for something i dont even have. All the aforementioned symtoms were not worth it for me. The good news is the hot flashes and crying jigs have stopped. so there is some hope for people oin the shot. And as i mentioned before about the lack of appetite and weight loss....IT IS THE REVERSE OF WHAT LUPRON DOES TO YOU...A good sighn it may not be endo.. She is now worried about that one too. thanks for the posting after mine and may you all gain some insight from this one...good luck to you all..

Hi gals, I have already entered my side effect (I was the one with the endometrioma), so I'm just responding to some of you all who have had other symptoms that kinda set off alarm bells... if you are having spotting, leg cramps and abdominal pain and have not already done so, you should have a transvaginal ultrasound to see if you might have endometriosis, especially an endometrioma. They can sneak up on you for years without causing really debilitating pain, and can get to be softball-sized monsters before you start noticing symptoms. Just rule it out, can't hurt. Good luck!