August 26th
2008
9:11 PM
OK- after reading some of these posts- I have to share......I have been on NuvaRing for 3+ years now. It has worked wonderful for me until 3 months ago. I was told by my GYN that I could use it for 3 weeks and then take it out and immediately put another in to not have a period....I loved that idea. I spotted the whold first month. The second month 1 started 2 days before I was supposed to replace the ring. And this month I started 3 days before I was supposed to replace it. I think I am going to go back to 3 weeks- take it out for 1 week (have my period :( ) and then replace it after. I had no issues before this.
I also have Factor V- which my doctor said actually may be the best type of hormones for me because it is a low dose and constant. However, since I switched up the routine, I have had pains in my legs, and cramping, spotting. (MY SKIN HAS BEEN AWESOME THOUGH)
Just thought I would share.
R
-- By grlnxtd00r | Reply | Send Private Mail
August 25th
2008
5:03 PM
I had the Kenalog shot 3 weeks ago - lumbar region for bulging L5 disk pressing on nerve causing burning pain in my right leg from knee to ankle. 1st shot was DepMedrol - left me worse off than when I started. Next the Kenalog: the fist week afterwards I lost strength in my leg and couldn't walk up the stairs, plus pain worsened and I lived on Percoset. Then into the 2nd week the pain lessened and last week I felt great. Today am feeling some pain again and I've been bleeding since Saturday (I'm post-menopausal). Called my GYN and will need an endometrial biopsy just to make sure it's not something else. Was never told about potential side effects - was told this was a "safe" drug and a safe procedure. I am due for a another shot 9/8 - will cancel it after reading all the posts. I'll probably need surgery - but rather that then some of the horrible side effects I'm reading about. Good luck to all of you.
-- By vickinj08 | Reply | Send Private Mail
August 25th
2008
12:33 AM
I am 44, have had an endometrial ablation surgery to try to put a stop to heavy, ridiculous, debilitating periods (I also have a tipped uterus...) and had very intermittent periods for a couple of years after surgery. Now they're back on a 28 day cycle and I reluctantly went back on birth control. Since on nuva ring two weeks I've had a heavy discharge, low back pain-- and the worst of it is breast tenderness, moodiness and tiredness that mimic the symptoms of pregnancy. I, like many contributors here, feel like condoms and spermicides are a better option. My GYN whom I trust a great deal is a big fan of Nuva Ring
-- By momoffour | Reply | Send Private Mail
August 22th
2008
10:12 PM
My son was born March 2007, when he was 8wks old, to much of my surprise I found out that I was pregnant again. Mirena sounded perfect!!!! I had it placed 7 weeks after my 2nd son was born in Jan 2008. I had what I still assume is normal with any type of birth control method, irregular bleeding,cramping,some slight mood swings. That all seems normal to me when you mess with you body like that. Aug 1, 2008 I woke up at4am with awful abdominal pain sooo bad that I turned to my husband and said that I think I have to go to the hospital. I decided that if I could fall back asleep then its probably nothing major. I fell back asleep (or passed out, I don't know) The next morning I was hurting so bad I couldn't lift anything, couldn't stand up straight, felt weak and felt as though I had rocks in my stomach but had an empty feeling at the same time. The pain was all over my abdomen, stabbing, shooting,pinching. I also had pain aroung my belly button and a noticeable discomfort about my pevic bone. Finally I called my husband to come home, went to the hospital, they took blood, cultures, did an exam and did a ctscan. All normal! WHAT!! Aug 11th still having pain and now having MAJOR HOT FLASHES. I find myself getting so hot and irritated that I cant be around the babies because I am afraid I will yell at them. If I get in a little disagreement with my husband it will most likely end with me saying I want a divorce (I noticed another lady with that same problem) Today I had a ultra sound done and it came back what my (new) doctor says is normal. The problem with that is that one of my ovaries is split and is NOW shaped like a horse-shoe. I was pregnant for almost 2yrs straight and had lots of ultrasounds NOT ONE TIME did anyone say anything about a odd ovary. I'm just going to make a educated guess that it wasn't deformed till after the Mirena. Now I am wanting to remove it but feel like I should get every test known to man first to rule out any other possibility. I really don't want to remove it. I am afraid of getting it removed and even more of getting pregnant when I already have two 10 months apart and still in diapers.
My biggest question is wanting to know if hot flashes are related or if I might be having something else going on. Am I the only one with he hot flashes? I have them all day long!!!!!!!!
Also I noticed after reading other post that some other things may be related like, piercing headaches, itchy flaky oily scalp, weight gain, ear drainage, lower back pain, oily skin, increased smoking, in-grown hairs in inner thigh area, joint pain, fatigue, decrease sex drive.
August 20th
2008
5:31 PM
My daughter had her first shot on Thursday three weeks ago. Starting that weekend she started with a headache, then nausea, vomiting, body aches and fever. This lasted for 5 days. Then followed by a severe headache for another 4 days. It also increased her period from 4 days to 9 that month. The doctors office who gave her the shot told me "that it wasn't from the vaccine", to make an appt. with a GYN ! I guess I need to be looking for another doctor !
-- By kgroves | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
August 20th
2008
3:13 AM
I started using the Ring 2yrs ago, and at age 38 thought it was the best birth control for me, however within 2 to 3 days after putting it in I had extreme low pelvic back pain,and then within the 1st month, mood changes, fatigue, depression, no sex drive at all But somehow 3 months after being on it I got pregnant. Now I am 40yrs and started the Nuvaring again about 4 months ago and have all the horrible side effects as before. I don't know why I let my Gyn talk me into again. I am now experiencing major pains in my left leg, which I have never had such pain in my leg before at all. And I believe it is the symptom of having blood clots. Which is one of the side effects that is listed. I will be going to the Doctor ASAP to check this out. So anyone else that is having any type of pain in the leg, even if it feels like a ingrown hair bothering you or a little pinch feeling or burning sensation here and there, Go have it checked out before its to late and it becomes painful and possibly a blood clot.
-- By jdlmiller | Reply | Send Private Mail
August 18th
2008
2:54 PM
I HAD MY MIRENA PUT IN JULY 28TH NAD I HAVE HAD NON-STOP CRAMPING AND HORRIBLE NON-STOP SMELLY SPOTTING!!! PLEASE HELP..... I FEEL LIKE I HAVE SOME TYPE OF STD......I ALSO BROKE OUT INTO A FACIAL HEAT RASH THAT LASTED ABOUT 6 DAYS. I CALLED MY GYN AND HE SAID IT WAS NOT DUE TO THE MIRENA, WHICH I FIND VERY HARD TO BELIVE SINCE ITS THE ONLY THING THAT HAS RECENTLY CHANGED.
-- By nenna | Reply | Send Private Mail
August 17th
2008
6:29 PM
I USED NUVARING FOR LESS THAN 7MO I ALSO EXPERIENCED BURNING ,DISCHARGE LESS APPETITE SHORTNESS OF BREATH BACK ACHE, STOMACH ACHE AND EXTREMELY TIRED ALL THE TIME. PAIN DURING SEX SO ENOUGH I SKIPPED THE GYN AND STRAIGHT TO THE ER, A CATSCAN SHOWED A 10MM MASS , YES OVARIAN CANCER GO FIGURE , I SAY ALSO GET BACK TO BASICS CONDOMS THE MOST SAFE EFFECT BC YOU COULD EVER USE PERIOD!
-- By mylife | Reply | Send Private Mail
August 17th
2008
2:09 PM
Endo Cancer?
It has to be listed and discussed.
All you ladies out there that have had the Mirena removed:
Are your periods lighter than they ever were?
Are they still?
What is the time frame of having the IUD removed & your return to what is a normal period for you?
If you're still experiencing a "light" or "lighter" flow than what is your norm after having the Mirena out, get yourself to the doctor's office (NOT your Gyn), tell them you were using the Mirena & ask for an ultrasound to measure and look at your uterus. Chances are, like me, you'll have an unusually thickened endo lining. Not just thickened, but irregular as opposed to smooth.
What does this mean? Well, you shouldn't have a THICK lining that keeps growing or stays the same.
I was normal before insertion. (u-sounds done 2 weeks prior)
At about 10 days after removal, u-sounds showed an irregular thick lining measuring at 10mm.
At almost 8 weeks after removal, u-sound test showed the lining to be at 13mm.
NOTE: The "C" word starts getting used if you head toward the 15mm range.
Has anyone in your GYN office addressed this side effect with you?
Mine certainly didn't. Not one word. They didn't even tell me what to expect after my insistant demands for removal. (I called them after to report severe bleeding and clots of tissue, to which they responded was "normal".)
Ok....so if I had a heavy bleed, one would assume that the lining would be completely shed. So, why, after two cycles, and only 21 days of actual Mirena usage, is my endo lining growing like a banshee?
August 16th
2008
11:06 PM
*Did anyone have to sign a waiver, or something, on a Mirena packet, before they had it inserted?*
I didn't even read it, yeah.......I know.... :(
It looked like the doctor version of the pamphlet that I was handed the week before I got this evil thing.
I may print some pages of this blog out, and give it to my GYN when I have it removed. I'm wondering if there's some sorta "kickback" they get for having their patients inserted with it? Free lunches from the drug reps??
I wonder if what I signed made me give up my rights to sue them????? Any thoughts?
-- By bionicsammers | Reply | (3) replies | Send Private Mail
August 16th
2008
8:10 PM
Hi,
I just had Mirena placed this past Thursday. The pain of insertion was unbearable. I was dizzy for a few hours afterward, and had such bad cramps I ended up in the ER later that night, doubled over in pain. They did a CAT scan, and some pain meds, and sent me on my way.
I know it's only been a few days, but the pain is intolerable. I have PCOS, and tried this as a last resort. I'm going to have them remove it on Monday (I know she'll try to talk me into hanging in there, but sometimes you have to advocate for yourself.)
My gyn told me my body is rejecting this foreign object, causing the bad cramps and sharp pains. Also, my "V" is really swollen. This is NOT worth it.
-- By bionicsammers | Reply | Send Private Mail
August 9th
2008
12:03 PM
Hey all,
Just had the Mirena put in last Wednesday. Did not hurt at all (I was SOOOO scared that it was going to!). In fact, I literally didn't realize that she had already put it in. I had a TINY bit of cramping after. Nothing like pmsing or anything. And that was for like 20 minutes a little after I got home. I took some IBProfin and had not had any cramps since. Very minimal bleeding. I am breastfeeding so I am not sure if that plays a role with the bleeding.
So this leaves me with one question (well, just one that I want to post and get responses to)....
For all that had problems with the Mirena, did they start from the beginning? From the moment that it was inserted? I wonder if there is a link...well, honestly I am kinda hoping there is a link. It would ease my mind a bit and it would let all of the women who have problems from the get go know that it isn't for them and it could be removed right then.
Oh, and for those that had a problem with the acne, how long after the Mirena was inserted did the acne come into play?
Thanks in advance!
-- By iheartvinny08 | Reply | (10) replies | Send Private Mail
August 7th
2008
6:35 AM
I had my mirena fitted April 08, and four days ago I had it removed... What a relief! A week after it was fitted, i went to a gyn because of the cramps and they scanned my uterus. Everything was in perfect order. But the cramps didn't stop and I was bleeding more or less all the time. Sometimes I could feel it when having sex, and my boyfriend did too. I also had that PMS feeling for about three weeks before having my period, getting irritating and moody. Before period I got acne and blisters in my mouth (never had any of it before!). I had to convince the doctor to take it out, she said it was such a good birth control.
Now I am feeling happier with no mirena in my body. But I am bleeding quite heavily. I can't find any information about what happens to your body when mirena is removed?
-- By rag | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
July 31th
2008
12:04 AM
Wow, am I glad I came to this site! I've been reading these posts for almost an hour now and I feel relieved! I am on my second pack of Femcon and hopefully my last! I've had a lot of success with Low-ogestrel for several years but my gyn. gave me samples of this. In the time that I've been on this pill I've experience ALL of these side effects-- I've gained about 10 lbs. (IN ONE MONTH!) even as I've been dieting and exercising. The mood swings have been horrible-- I thought I was just losing it! I feel like crying all the time, even though my life is really good and I am normally a very happy person. I feel bloated constantly, it's really become unbearable. I look like I'm 6 months pregnant now. I feel uncomfortable in my own skin. I'm hungry but I feel too full to eat (if that makes sense!) and I'm just miserable in general! I know it takes time to get adjusted, but I'd just as soon go back to what was already working for me.
-- By jamielynne | Reply | Send Private Mail
July 26th
2008
11:07 PM
I had Mirena put in on November 2002. I had no problem with the process of having it put in but when I went back for my three weeks check up my GYN had to take it out and replace it because it was not where it was suppose to be. Eight months later I woke up one morning really sick. Almost with Flu like symptoms. I had a fever of 104.0. I went to the ER and while I was there I became even worse. My hands and feet drew up and I was in server pain and my body had started loosing all feeling. After two hours of testing they find out that the IUD had came out and inserted itself in my cervix causing a pelvic infection and blood poisoning. I was taken to surgery to have the IUD removed. I had to go through blood dialysis. It took me almost two years to recover from having the Mirena IUD. I don't recommend it to anyone. I know every person is different but I wanted women to know that this risk is out there.
-- By pauletta24 | Reply | Send Private Mail
July 24th
2008
2:33 AM
I started NuvaRing just like the directions stated. I have never taken any birth control ever in my life. I am 30 yrs old and me & my husband have always used condoms. A few hours after inserting it, I had horrible cramps all night. I started feeling different emotionally and physically (bloated). I completely lost my usually high sex drive. I HATE NUVARING!!! I hung in there for the full three weeks, trying to give it a chance. I started having horrible headaches, and I became the biggest bitch in the world. My husband even begged me to take it out. After taking it out, I could tell w/in 24 hours that I was already getting back to the "old me". I am supposed to start my period now, but instead have some funky dark brown discharge and there doesn't seem to be any blood...could this really go on for weeks...any advice???? ~Very Concerned
-- By brandiblueyes | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
July 19th
2008
2:47 AM
I'm back.. I posted back in June when I've had my Mirena for a few weeks... I go to my GYN on july 29 for my check up.
I can actually be one in a million to say I'm very happy I had this IUD inserted. I have never been able to take the pills. I tried the shot once and had a period for 6 months straight... and that was only ONE injection....
The first couple of weeks I did feel like I had a yeast infection... it burned when I pee'd... It hurt to shower... I started to get frustrated..
I didi wait it out.... I told myself that I would tough it out until my check up appointment and IF I didn't feel better I woudll discuss removal ASAP !!!
but I'm fine ... I did cramp for a couple days after insertion. That is now gone .... I was moody for a few days ..... moodiness is gone.... I still get tired but I notice that is getting back to normal also....
I FOR ONE AM GLAD I HAD MIUD INSERTED !!!!
I say good luck to the rest of you...
July 18th
2008
2:11 PM
Gosh so happy I found you ladies. I got my in mine in this May, after delivering my 2nd son in March. I can't stop eating, always hungry, haven't stopped bleeding, dry skin, constipation, major major back pains, no energy and weirdest is pregnancy nausea in the evenings. I'm on the phone right now to either take it out or talk to my doc more about it. Thanx ladies for all your stories.
-- By angelgee | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail
July 17th
2008
11:27 AM
I received the MIRENA on Jun 9th 2008, the doctor inserted the Mirena while I was on my cycle. After the insertion my cycle stopped. Its been a month now and I received my cycle for the month of July last week. Since then I have been spotting and wearing pantyliners. So, Tuesday I went for my 6 weeks checkup and explained to my Gyn what I've been experiencing with the Mirena which she said it was normal. I explained that my partner could feel the strings and if she could cut them down. When she went in to cut them down the string were not there. I have a sonogram scheduled on the 28th to see where my strings are. I am am very alarmed and concerned of where they are and why she couldn't see them. I asked is this something i need to be concerned about and she said no,,,,I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this at all. I chose the mirena due to high blood pressure and not being able to take the pill, but now I really don't know if all this was worth it. Im tired of the spotting etc.......No sex drive.....I've had migraines for yrs so I cant say its from the Mirena.
-- By aspen0108 | Reply | Send Private Mail
July 16th
2008
2:09 PM
I have been taking Femcon FE for one month. I am on my inactive week and I have had breakthrough bleeding during week 2 and week 3 and now I am bleeding extremely heavy. I used a super kotex tampon AND an always super overnight pad as a backup and bled through the tampon in 1 hour at the worst of the heaviness. I had some vomiting and nausea the first week but after that the only thing I noticed is mild breast tenderness and my legs are cramping at night. I called the GYN and they said to stick with it until the 3 months are over. I had to leave work today to come home and lay down because I was bleeding so badly. I'm not sure if I should continue to take this or not. I have had irregular periods and had extended bleeding which was light but would last for 3 weeks at a time.
-- By bleedingbetty | Reply | Send Private Mail
July 11th
2008
3:27 PM
I am on my first month of taking this pill. I am on the last brown pills I only have two brown pills left and no period, despite the fact that I am sexually active I just do not think I am preg. we use condoms EVERY time and also pull out while using condoms so i just don't see it... also i feel like I have gained about 3 pounds nothing huge, but enough to make me feel like a fatty. I just switched to this pill after 4 months on yaz, but I had spotting and long painful periods on that. The gyn gave me a month of femconFE and then prescribed me ovcon 35 and said it's the same but some of you ladies said it's not so I am only hoping for something different. I feel very sore and headaches and I cry much more than I used to. I am normally not the type of person to cry but i just have been getting too emotional over nothing, I am definitely thinking it's this pill so i will be on Ovcon 35 in 2 days I am hoping for something better.
-- By genaca | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail
July 8th
2008
1:52 AM
I was on yaz for about 8 months and loved it. I didn't break out at all and I even lost weight. It helped a lot with PMDD. I was very satisfied. Then, after my 4th month, I started experiencing long periods that lasted about 9 days and breakthrough bleeding that lasted all month. My GYN switched me to Loestrin 24 Fe. My period is now very light and about 4-5 days. My only complaint is that I have horrible acne! I have only been on Loestrin 24 Fe for a month and a half so I wonder if I should just wait it out and see if the acne improves. I am very pleased that my period is so short, but the acne looks terrible!!
-- By monap14 | Reply | Send Private Mail
July 2th
2008
11:03 AM
I have been on Levoxyl for about 9 years and have felt awful. I have had weight loss, dry hair, thinning hair,dry skin, muscle aches, migraines and the list goes on. I just got out of the hospital Monday after 4 days of testing of my heart and lungs. I was admitted for racing heart. The doctor's conclusion was anxiety! They said that Levoxyl has nothing to do with my rapid heart rate. The endocrinologist prescribed taking levoxyl .050 on day and .075 the next also a beta blocker, Xanax and Zoloft. I can not take any of these meds b/c they make it almost worse. I KNOW it is not Anxiety and it from the Levoxyl but what do I do?? I am a mess right now can not be in this condition with four young kids and a husband. None of the doctors would say it was the Levoxyl and instead prescribed more and told me to check up with blood work in 6 weeks. I took the .050 yesterday around noon and by 7:30pm my heart rate picked up again and continued until 4:30 this morning. I can not sleep more then 2 hours at a time and wakeup feeling like I am crawling out of my skin. PLEASE let me know of any solutions.
-- By bcantrell | Reply | (9) replies | Send Private Mail
July 1th
2008
5:21 AM
Ugh. I'm so glad I found this list and that everyone has been so candid!!! I am in my 2nd pack of Femcon and the symptoms are only getting worse. Toward the end of the first week I began spotting and did so on and off for 2 weeks. When I took the brown pills, I had my classic day-later start of a true period, as I have done with the Ortho versions I used to be on. Naturally, the period was very light--actually it never did go to red, only icky brown for a whole week. Then I started the first 2 pills of the 2nd pack before seeing my doctor for the pre-op appointment before my Esure procedure. (He put me on this pill when I told him that I didn't trust condoms alone in the 3 month waiting period while the procedure takes--I don't trust the Divine Sense of Humor this close to finally being sterile.) He told me to stop taking them for 5 days while they put me on something else that would thin out my lining so they could better see the entrances to my tubes, then continue them like I had never stopped. Great. I did that and the procedure has healed nicely. I went back on the pills--much to my dismay. I'm back to all-month-long PMS, tender breasts and spotting. I have been baffled and attributing the constant headaches, cycles of insomnia & exhaustion, lack of motivation, depression, acne breakouts, weight gain, dehydration even though I'm guzzling water, bloating, mood swings, and decreased sex drive to the stresses of everything BUT this pill, because I have never had this problem before. In fact, previous ones helped alleviate mood swings, cramping, irregular and heavy periods, acne, and bloating, but I've been experiencing the opposite for nearly 2 months now. The other day, in addition to the cramps and spotting, I started having major stabbing pains in my lower abdomen--where the Esure could be possibly causing pain--except that they didn't do it on that side because my fallopian tube is blocked naturally. My breasts have been getting more and more sore, and tonight they hurt terribly without touching anything except clothing! The cramps are continual, as are the headaches, and I wake up with my hands completely numb. I haven't been able to get to sleep well for weeks (it is 3:05 a.m. now) and I'm dragging all day. Trying to wake up from a nap is like waking from the dead, and then I'm disoriented and out of it. I'm having dizzy spells too. I can't focus and every little thing sets me off--my poor friends and boyfriend! I'm up and down like a toilet seat!! I don't know if the sore throat I've had for the past couple days has anything to do with this, but I don't feel sick. Could be allergies...??? The last couple days I've had diarrhea and an upset stomach, and with how quickly the breast tenderness level rose to horrible, my insomnia and anxiety rose to an all-time high as I feared I was pregnant. So I bounded out of bed to start looking up pregnancy side-effects, only to see that many of them could be caused by birth control--particularly this birth control--and hence I found this list. THANKFULLY! Grrrrrrrr. Needless to say, I'll be making a phone call to my doc tomorrow. Thanks again for sharing your experiences. I hope mine helps others!
-- By izzydancer | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
Yasmin (198) Mirena (58) NuvaRing (38) Loestrin 24 Fe (30) Femcon FE (17) Kenalog (7) Ovcon (7) Lupron (6) Yaz (3) Synthroid (3) Levaquin (3) Singulair (2) Aviane (2) Paxil (2) Gardasil (1) Xanax (1) Melatonin (1) Lisinopril (1) Advair HFA (1) Vivelle-Dot (1) Estrostep Fe (1) Dyazide (1) Prometrium (1) Levoxyl (1) Vagistat-3 (1) Methergine (1) Macrobid (1) Premarin (1) Desogen (1) Zyrtec (1) Vistaril (1) Zithromax Z-Pak (1) Tandem Plus (1)
August 29th
2008
2:32 PM
I had the mirena put in in june after my third child. I did feel a bit dizzy when it was first put in but did not cramp at all. I was still spoting then from giving birth, so it just continued for about 3 more weeks the stopped altogether. I have not had a period since, woooooooohooooooooooo!!!!!!!! I don't feel bad about that at all. I did have a day when I woke up cramping and thought I was going to start but never did. My doctors nurse told me everything I needed to know about the mirena long before i had it put in. I actually made the appointment to discuss it with her. Everyone should have been smart enough to ask questions before it was done, not the day it is. You cant think straight when someone is getting ready to put a device in you. I have to say I love my mirena and would not trade it for a pill, a shot, or any other birth control method. Ladies know your gyn very well before trusting them. I think most of you just think it is your doctors fault. It is not it is yours for not researching it more. And come on what women is not moody a day in her life, not many. How many headaches did you get before the mirena? How were your sinuses before nirena? Probably the same. Some womens health simply changes after having a baby. I also advise against you removing these mirenas yourselves. It is not smart, you could get a bad infection from not being in a sterile environment.
-- By tntwcnc2002 | Reply | (4) replies | Send Private Mail