Inconvenience symptoms and conditions

All I can say is OHMYGOD! I had no idea about all these side effects. I had my son April 4th, 09 and had the Mirena placed October 21st. Since then, I have been constantly spotting, I have headaches, and no motivation to exercise. I have been moody and felt overall like blah. I have noticed some joint stiffness and discomfort in my hands as well as muscle tenderness in my legs. I have not experienced any weight gain or loss at this moment, nor have I noticed a change in hair loss...but will definitely be aware of the possibilities. Well I have a appt. for my follow up, I am going to inform my doctor of my side effects as well as yours, and see if this really is the best option for me. The last thing I want is for this to inconvenience my life when I got it just for the opposite...Good luck ladies!

I am 45 years old. I have had Mirena out for 3 weeks now (had it in for 9 months). At removal I went right back on the BC pill so there was no break in hormone levels. I have never had problems with the pill. I know some of you cannot use them. But for those who say "I just can't remember to take it every day..." consider the alternative of getting this IUD or keeping it inside you. The side effects alone are not worth it. In 3 weeks time that horrible facial/body acne has cleared up, the bloating is gone and my jeans fit much better although I'm not sure I've actually lost weight. A lot of it was just inflammation. The emotional issues just seem to have "vanished". I feel happy again. Imagine that (sarcasm intended). Libido much much better, with no pain or cramping. I started my period for the first time just this week. I thought it would be the period from "hell", getting revenge on my body for not having one for so long. But so far it is fine, and I'm glad it's back to tell the truth! Instead of spotting all the time or who knows when, I'll go back to light periods 3 days a month. Again, it beats the alternative. And a trick to try for taking the pill: put the pack somewhere around your bathroom sink area (away from kids of course) and just take it every morning after you brush your teeth. I mean you never "forget" to brush your teeth in the morning, so take the pill right after you rinse! It never fails. Also, you can tell yourself that if you did have a serious medical condition that required daily medication, insulin, for example, you would be good to your body and make it a priority. As long as the pill doesn't give you any problems, it's 99.9% effective and makes your periods very short and light, but predictable and right on time. No awful surprise breakthrough bleeding. The reliability of it is great. You just have to TAKE it. I'm only writing about the pill because it is the only other option I've tried and it worked well for me. If it's only a matter of inconvenience, try the toothbrush trick. It really works! Hope this helps some of you who are looking for other alternatives. Good luck!!

Vertigo, weakness, fatigue, exhaustion, aching numbness in arms, numbness in face arms and legs, extreme pressure in head and neck, burning feeling radiating from the base of my neck through shoulder blades to arms, foggy brain, waking up feeling (for no reason) like I have a major hang over, chills, aching feet, weight gain, feeling very fearful of my symptoms because they feel like nothing I have ever experienced.
THESE LAST 4 WEEKS HAVE BEEN HELL!
I had my Mirena inserted on June 30 2008. I experienced mild discomfort for the first 4-6 weeks. The spotting was the worst of it and that was no more than an inconvenience. I was happy with my choice of birth control.
Then this hell began about three months after insertion.
During the last week of September the symptoms listed above started. They were mild at first but by within a week and a half I felt HORRIBLE. I suspected that it may be the Mirena, but at the same time I thought I was dying.
October 1 or 2nd (it is all a blur) I was home by myself when I started feeling the numbness and head pressure coming on again (my symptoms were coming and going, not constant) so I laid down on the couch to get off my feet. All of a sudden I felt like I was losing consciousness. I grabbed the phone and called my husband to get me to the ER. I thought I was dying. A blood clot or something. Once there, they did blood test after blood test, an EKG, urine tests, and basically I was told that there were no major system problems. I know this sounds a like classic anxiety, but I know it is not. I have to say they were very good there and encouraged me to see my family physician (whom I had already been to earlier that week) again.
I called to make an appointment to have the Mirena removed the very next day. My GYN kind of shrugged off what I was going through saying that it was anxiety and asked if I still wanted the thing removed!!! of course I did. Having that thing removed was very empowering. I was feeling so helpless and it was the one thing that I could do to possibly help my situation. The feeling of relief was amazing.
I did see my family physician again who agrees that what I am going though is related to the Mirena. She did ordered a CAT scan (came back negative) just in case.
Post removal (It has been 17 days) I have been slowly getting better. My "episodes" are getting more and more diminished and further apart. I have noticed that I am flooded with exhaustion after each of these "episodes". I also never know when there going to strike making it hard to make plans. My husband has been very supportive through out and was convinced before I was that it was the IUD. He has volunteered to get a vasectomy.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL YOU LADIES.
If you have stumbled across this because you are desperately searching for answers, all I can tell you is that I believe that the Mirena IUD has had devastating effects on many, many women, but hang in there you are not alone and you are not insane. What you are experiencing is very real. Have it removed ASAP!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry to post again, but NO ONE REPLIED TO MY POST!

I am 5 days post removal and need reassurance. Unlike everyone else, I have NOT felt better right away. I am just as tired (if not more), more irritable, and JUST GOT ACNE on my face and arms 2 days AFTER removal! I'm still dizzy and the brain fog is just as bad. Have not bled a drop at all.

I know everyone is different, but my removal experience has been completely different... don't feel better, no bleeding/clots, no immediate improvement. IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME??? Was it not the Mirena after all???

Oh, forgot to add -- the few times I have actually had sex while on the NuvaRing I had this intense burning sensation to the point where I was almost in tears and I had to ask him to stop!! Has anyone else experienced this??

Wow...I'm so happy to come across this website. I haven't been on the pill for years -- got tired of the side effects, but am leaving for a beach vacation tomorrow and realized that I'll be getting my period tomorrow too. I asked my doctor if there was something I could take to stop my period, or delay it so my vacation time is less bothersome and she gave me Loestrin24Fe. She said to start taking it the first day of my period, and then my period would phase out after 2-3 days. I'd have to take the whole month just to stay regulated, but I've been really struggling with this decision. This chat room has certainly helped. I'd rather deal with a few days of inconvenience at the beach than deal with increased anxiety, mood swings, pain and lord knows whatever else. Thanks ladies.

I began taking Lupron after I was diagnosed with endometriosis last November. For the first six months, the side effects were minimal. I never had hot flashes and didn't really notice a change in my body. The last six months on the drug I noticed significant differences. My hair started to fall out in clumps and I had trouble concentrating. This past October I had a total hysterectomy because the Lupron was not working. Today I feel like an 80 year old woman. I can't concentrate, my brain is in a constant fog, and I feel like I have Altzheimers. I can't remember anything and it is a major inconvenience. I have suffered from depression for most of my life. However, I believe this drug has worsened it to some extent. All day long, constantly I am battling negative thoughts. I have constant reminders of every little thing I've ever done wrong in my entire life. Recently I've started hearing whispers like I did when I suffered from post-partum depression. I've also been getting headaches every day but I don't know if these are related or not.
It would appear that I'm going to have to seek out a professional to deal with the voices. This is a side effect that I was not expecting, especially not after several months of not being on the shot anymore. The thing that bothers me is that I took the shot every three months for a year. It did nothing for me and I had a hysterectomy anyway. This is something to consider if you are debating whether or not to have the injection.

Vertigo, weakness, fatigue, exhaustion, aching numbness in arms, numbness in face arms and legs, extreme pressure in head and neck, burning feeling radiating from the base of my neck through shoulder blades to arms, foggy brain, waking up feeling (for no reason) like I have a major hang over, chills, aching feet, weight gain, feeling very fearful of my symptoms because they feel like nothing I have ever experienced.
THESE LAST 4 WEEKS HAVE BEEN HELL!
I had my Mirena inserted on June 30 2008. I experienced mild discomfort for the first 4-6 weeks. The spotting was the worst of it and that was no more than an inconvenience. I was happy with my choice of birth control.
Then this hell began about three months after insertion.
During the last week of September the symptoms listed above started. They were mild at first but by within a week and a half I felt HORRIBLE. I suspected that it may be the Mirena, but at the same time I thought I was dying.
October 1 or 2nd (it is all a blur) I was home by myself when I started feeling the numbness and head pressure coming on again (my symptoms were coming and going, not constant) so I laid down on the couch to get off my feet. All of a sudden I felt like I was losing consciousness. I grabbed the phone and called my husband to get me to the ER. I thought I was dying. A blood clot or something. Once there, they did blood test after blood test, an EKG, urine tests, and basically I was told that there were no major system problems. I know this sounds a like classic anxiety, but I know it is not. I have to say they were very good there and encouraged me to see my family physician (whom I had already been to earlier that week) again.
I called to make an appointment to have the Mirena removed the very next day. My GYN kind of shrugged off what I was going through saying that it was anxiety and asked if I still wanted the thing removed!!! of course I did. Having that thing removed was very empowering. I was feeling so helpless and it was the one thing that I could do to possibly help my situation. The feeling of relief was amazing.
I did see my family physician again who agrees that what I am going though is related to the Mirena. She did ordered a CAT scan (came back negative) just in case.
Post removal (It has been 17 days) I have been slowly getting better. My "episodes" are getting more and more diminished and further apart. I have noticed that I am flooded with exhaustion after each of these "episodes". I also never know when there going to strike making it hard to make plans. My husband has been very supportive through out and was convinced before I was that it was the IUD. He has volunteered to get a vasectomy.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL YOU LADIES.
If you have stumbled across this because you are desperately searching for answers, all I can tell you is that I believe that the Mirena IUD has had devastating effects on many, many women, but hang in there you are not alone and you are not insane. What you are experiencing is very real. Have it removed ASAP!!!!!!!!!!

Glad to hear I'm not alone. After being off birth control for three months (to regulate my cycle after missing pills, etc), my doc started me on NuvaRing since I had trouble remembering to take the pill. I noticed that since I've had the ring in (1.5 months), I have been the Grouch. Moody, excessively whiny, and a very bleak outlook - despite a very pleasant and fortunate future ahead of me. My boss noticed it at work and I have since noticed, after taking a step back to evaluate, that I have been utterly irrational, to the point of b**chy.

Over the last week, I've noticed that the second ring that I put in has been sliding out. Not all the way out - but to the point of where it's uncomfortable and slightly painful - almost as if my body won't accept it and is, in way, trying to purge it from my body. Sorry to be graphic, but has this happened to anyone else?

I took it out yesterday and am experiencing major discomfort (dryness?) and UTI like symptoms. The nurse practioner gave me two new NuvaRing's to try. However, after reading this page, I'm questioning whether I should just buck up and force myself to remember to take the pill everyday.

Other side-effects include increased acne (when I was on the pill I noticed decreased acne - not increased!).

Thanks for your posts - very insightful.

I've had my Mirena for about 15 and a half months and I am having it removed today at 2 o'clock. At first I had sharp pains when I would sit down and I felt like the cords were poking me and irritating me. My OB/GYN requires patients to come back one month after having it put in so he can check it and make sure it is still in place. At this visit he also trimmed the cords although he acted like he didn't believe me when I told him that I could feel them poking me when I sat down and that it hurt. At first I didn't notice any bad side effects, but I did have one good one: my periods stopped, but I still had occasional and sporadic spotting. I didn't think to look for any bad side effects because I got the device under the impression that it had no bad side effects. I thought it only had a rare complication of perforating the uterus, but since mine was in place at the one month check, I didn't think about anymore until I started thinking about having another baby recently. I went online to see if I had to have a doctor remove the Mirena or if I could do it myself, and I found out that it's best done by a professional because bad things can happen and then you'd have to go to the doctor anyway. Plus, I didn't want to hurt my chances of having another baby. While online I discovered this whole world of message boards where women were having a lot of the same problems I'd been having in recent months and they all blamed their Mirenas. Some claimed that their problems had gone away since having it removed. I never thought to link my circumstances to the Mirena, but when I saw how many women are having the exact same problems as me I knew that I needed to go ahead and get mine out ASAP. Here is a list of my side effects, and I've found other women have had them as well with Mirena: weight gain, bloated stomach, depression, short temper with husband and daughter, acne, low sex drive, spotting, cramps, constipation, and back pain. There may be more, but I can't remember them all right now. Some of them may not even be related to the device, but I've read of so many women with Mirena who are having or have had the same issues, so I suspect a link between my problems and Mirena. I hope this helps someone out there looking for answers. God Bless!

I am male 37 years old. In June 2007, my blood test shows 249 total cholesterol. After that, I was taking super B-complex, fish and flax seeds pills. It went down to 213 total cholesterol (40 HDL, 136 LDL and TRI 176). And I asked my family doctor to give prescription for Zocor(I asked particular drug because I will get good discount rate at my employer's place). he gave me Zocor 20 mg. After taking 1-month medication I felt some inconvenience during sex . You don’t feel it normal. I can’t do much exercise and some times feel depressed. I usually do 1-hour exercise or any form of exercise (Yoga). After Two months I tested my blood cholesterol level. It shows now total cholesterol 181(LDL 93, HDL 42 and TRI 223). And also showed ALT and urine protein little elevated. Now I stopped medication for past two days, feeling better at day time but night I am having weird dreams and indigestion problem. I guess these are withdrawal symptoms. I would go for natural medication like regular exercise, diet (oat meal, high fiber content, less sugar, less white rice). No more Statin drugs. Any one have same problem?

I have been on lisiipril for 3 months and have a retching cough many times each day that produces clear phlegm. Cough subsides after expelling phlegm, but reccurs in a short while. I do not seem to have any sinus condition, and it doesn't appear to be connedcted to any lung problems. It wakes me up at night 2-3 times. HELP.

The main side effect for me has been urinating frequently. That inconvenience is worth it when you consider the value it has in preventing many strokes and heart attacks. I have made life-style changes like exercise that have brought my bp down from 142/90 to 122/82, but I still take half a 50/75 Maxzide several times a week just for the protection.

I have experienced severe pain at injection site along with awful nausea and vomiting the first few weeks following the injections; unsightly rash/acne over neck, chest and shoulders that is taking over a month to clear; irregular and quite heavy menstruation...even midcycle... equaling three periods in 6 weeks. Palpitations sent me to my primary care md. These side effects have been an insult to injury and embarrassing. The rash has left scars and the constant bleeding has left me exhausted and a little scared. I use an SPF on my face...maybe why it was spared from the breakout. I told my orthopod about the breakout and he and his assistant laughed at me pretty much and said they never ever heard that before. I have been in to see my OBGYN, last week, and will speak to her soon about the likely correllation between Kenalog and my heavy/irregular and never ending periods. I did not make the OBGYN connection until after I read some testimonials. I was going to have some pretty uncomfortable obgyn tests done and they would have been in vain. It sounds like the pharm reps selling Kenalog...or a generic brand...have not been educating their docs on these awful and life changing side effects. I feel that the physicians choosing to use a specific corticosteroid should informl every patient what it is exactly they are injecting into them. Each woman shoud be told of the potential menstrual irregularities and major inconvenience. My husband and I have been trying to conceive and now it seems impossible.

I have been taking Yasmin for 2 1/2 months now. I take only the active pills. I have never taken bcp's before and am only doing it to treat endometriosis. I have been spotting everyday, feel nauseous, daily headaches, ACNE (never had this in my life), and have tender swollen breasts. Am I really supposed to put up with this for 3 months before calling my doctor? That's ridiculous! Women put up with WAY too much pain and inconvenience! I am waiting for my doctor to call me back right now. I'm sure he'll try switching me to another pill...then I guess I wait another 3 months to make a judgement. At least all this daily pain (oh, did I mention hot flashes? Well, I had them worse before anyway) is better than debilitating pain from enometriosis. There's got to be a better way!