Migraines symptoms and conditions

I thought I was going crazy. I have pretty much the same problems as everybody else. The pain that shoots down my legs that sometimes make it hard to walk. I now have really bad back pain that I first chalked up to a bad mattress but now I'm not so sure. I have always had migraines but I now have SUPER MIGRAINES!! I have about 4 or 5 a week that leave me in so much pain I can hardly stand it and no amount of drugs work to ease the pain. I now have to see a neurologist for the migraines because my PCP does'n know what else to do for me. Nobody including my OBGYN told me that if you already get migraines that this might make them worse and maybe I shouldn't use it. I'm on the verge of being alone because of my massive wild mood swings. I feel more depressed than ever and can't lift the black cloud that I feel is always around me. I have no energy or sex drive and my 2 kids want to live with grandma because mommy is CRAZY!! I think it is time to have this taken out and hope my life returns to normal.

I had Mirena inserted 2 years ago. When I first had it fitted, I bled heavy, straight for 7 months. The cramps were almost unbearable. I went to my doctor several times during this 7 month period, which he told me that all of my symptoms were normal. I decided to wait it out.
The bleeding stopped but the cramping never really eased.
I got used to being in constant pain.
I also had severe migraines that would keep me from doing anything until the pain subsided.
My libido was non-existent (which in my opinion, is probably why this form of birth control is so effective). My relationship with my husband deteriorated partially because of this.
Fatigue is an understatement. I could never get enough sleep.
I also felt depressed most of the time and became VERY moody.

After coming to this site a few days ago, I decided to get this thing out of me. It was removed yesterday. It kind of hurt but not as bad as putting it in.
Cramps are gone. I feel energized and HAPPY today!!! I'm SO ready to get romantic with my husband again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been having problems ever since I started Yasmin, and now, stumbling upon this site, I'm SO glad I'm getting off it!

I'm only on the second week of my third pack, and I've felt horrible the last few days. I get anxiety attacks once in awhile - and have since before I started Yaz. But the last few days, it's been worse. Constant is the best word I can think of. Also, I feel weird "down there" (not to sound childish, but I don't know if this bulletin is censored. never been on here before). Down there, I feel rubbed raw, irritated, itchy, etc. And it only started recently, after I got my period for the second pack of Yaz. My period is always late, and this time, it's irregular (i get it one day, then not the next, then again the third day, etc)

Also, my mood has altered. Aside from the increase in my anxiety attacks, I've gotten really tired, mopey, and depressed. Even my mom has noticed. She says I'm a totally different person, and not fun to be around. I suffer from migraines, but when I was on my last pill (Seasonale), I got very few. On the Yaz, I have one almost every day! it's awful.

I called my doctor and he called in a prescription for my Seasonale, which I can pick up tomorrow and I'm starting IMMEDIATELY. From reading this board, I can see this pill is dangerous and I'm so glad I came across here because now I see it's not just me. It's the pill!

I have been on b/c for about 7 years. 6 o those years was on a low dose pill and this last year I have been on the ring. I have experienced a steady annual weight gain despite a relatively active lifestyle. I would estimate I have gained a total of 15 pounds since beginning bc. I have an average of two migraines a month which I initially thought were sinus headaches and were later diagnosed as migraines, I have been able to track them to specific times in the month, which indicates that it is directly related to the hormones. I have experienced a significant decrease in my sex drive, and since switching to the ring I have had issues with vaginal dryness and pain following sex. My periods are light, cramping is very mild and it is a very effective method of birth control. However, I am at a point where I just don't feel that the side effects are worth the advantage. As a married woman with no children, my husband and I are seriously considering an alternate form on bc. Does anyone have any recommendations of success with non hormone birth control?

I am so sorry to read about the bad experiences with Mirena. For myself I was put on it to keep hyperplasia and the beginnings of an oestrogen dependent cancer at bay. I was very hesitant at the thought of having something in me but oral progesterone had left me bloated, with awful migraines and terrible mood swings.

Once the Mirena had been inserted, It took a few months for all the bleeding I had been having to calm down and eventually stop altogether, but the most wonderful thing to me about Mirena were the side effects it had on me. My monthly migraines completely disappeared, so did my terrible depressive PMT, and best of all, the severe almost disabling pain from endometriosis was completely gone! I began to be one of those blessed women who hardly know they are having a period.

Five years later and a repeat one was put in last week. I have an extremely gentle and skilled gynae and a lot of the problems I am reading about seem to be related to incorrect insertion that is leading to terrible pain afterwards, because the darn thing is to low in the uterus and is sticking into the poor woman.

I quite understand those for whom is just seems not to be suitable, but for me I wish I had known about it's wonderful effect on endometriosis, migraines and PMT years ago. I would have taken it for that alone 20 years ago. And it is keeping me cancer free. My sex drive has also not diminished on it at all.

So I post this just to balance the negative experiences. Above all get a skilled and gentle Gynae.......that is the secret of skilled, speedy, and gentle insertion of an IUD.

Well where to start. It started one Weds morning at work. Suddenly came over all dizzy and light headed and felt really really sick. Went home and started with a temperature. Parents say I was pretty spaced out for several days and didn’t really want to talk to anyone. It’s like I was there but I wasn’t. Went to doctor a couple of times and they diagnosed a virus. Problems with sleeping started. Ended up at the hospital out of hours as I was shaking, felt sick, thought I was going to pass out. Nothing found so sent back home. Saw doc again and was referred to a doctor at the hospital who had an interest in viruses. Saw doc and loads of blood was taken for testing. Went back after a couple of weeks and blood tests where clear. By that point I was feeling a bit better so they thought it was post viral fatigue. Went back to work part time and worked myself up to full time. Then it started again. Had to be fetched from work. Colleagues said it was more like I was having a panic attack. Broke down completely. Couldn’t stop crying and was in a right state. Went to docs and was diagnosed with depression and still post viral fatigue. My main symptoms have been, panic attacks, anxiety, faintness, dizziness, nausea, general feeling of unwell, blocked ears, palpitations. There are probably more but I can’t think of them at the minute (Oh yeah, brain fogginess as well !) More blood tests were done and that’s when they said my hormones were a bit low but they didn’t think it was anything to worry about. That’s when I started researching Low hormones and started to come across the problems with Yasmin. I cannot tell you what a relief it’s been. I honestly thought I was going mad and that there was nothing wrong with me and it was all in my head. I sat looking that the screen going ‘that’s me !’ Have stopped taking them straight away. Will see how we get on. Doctor didn’t know anything about the problems and has said he will be interested to know how I get on. I cannot believe they didn’t know. Main thing is I know now and can start getting better.

I have been on birth control for 11 years, never having any severe problems. I had a baby 3 years ago and was taking Yaz. With being on Yaz I had a migraine about every 3 months. My Dr. suggested me trying the NuvaRing. I was on it for 2 months and my bleeding was uncontrollable. During the time of switching bc, my grandmother got really sick and I lost my job. I was concerned about the heavy bleeding and clotting and questioned my dr. and they just told me to hold on for another month or so, it was probably from the stress. I changed from the NR to Seasonique, still the bleeding was uncontrollable. I never had menses like this in my life. Going back to the dr. I had a pelvic examine and they just gave me provera to help stop the bleeding. Well it worked for a week and then here we go again! After about 4-5 months of this cycle I decided to stop taking any bc and let my body try to get back to normal. About a month later I started hemoraging and had to go to the er. They kept me for 2 days and found that I have a fibroid on my uterus. I also had to get a blood transfusion. The fibroid is pushing on my uterus causing my uterus to be double in size. WTH? Where did this come from? I am now having to take the Lupron shot to help shrink the fibroid and hopefully in 3 months I can have it removed. I can only blame this on the NR. I NEVER had problems like this before. It is truly discouraging. I advise anyone thinking about the NR to clearly STAY AWAY!!! I know have several medical bills all from trying to stay away from migraines. I can deal with those much easier than what I have been thru.

I was on Yaz for 4 months. I didn't notice the terrible side effects of that unitl I sat and realized that my being anxious, worried and sad all the time was due to that stupid pill. I had no sex drive and my work outs were harder and harder to go to all the time.....so, I called my doctor and asked to be switched to something with less hormones. They suggested Nuvaring as it has less hormones than the pills we hear of. Well, I put it in last night....but after reading all these posts,,...took it out this morning....soooo, 55 bucks down the drain but sounds way worth it!!!! I'm only on them to help with endometriosis....who the hell needs no sex drive, weight gain, depression, headaches, vaginal dryness, constant worry and being tired to name a few side effects to supposedly help with our cycles???? I'll go back to painful perioids and being me. Good luck to you guys out there,,,,, Cheri

I'm 39 and have been on Coumadin for about a month. Was diagnosed with DVT in right calf after taking Yaz birth control for only about 4-5 months (no other pre-conditions - I'm a non-smoker, fairly active, not overweight, no recent airplane trips or long car rides.) I was on Yaz to treat severe problems with my period which has been the case since I was a teenager, but I was tired of having to call in sick to work every month, and had hoped Yaz would eliminate that problem. I had been on other BCPs when I was in my 20's, and never had any symptoms of clotting, so didn't think that it would be all that risky to try again, despite me being slightly older than the typical woman on BCP. Obviously, I am not taking Yaz anymore, and will not be able to take any other hormonal therapies for the rest of my life. But I guess that's minor compared to the risk of developing PE from an undiagnosed blood clot.

Anyway, I've been noticing I've been getting sudden, severe headaches since starting the Coumadin. I have a history of migraines but I usually only get one or two per year at most. Now I've had what feels a lot like a migraine twice in a matter of a couple weeks. My husband has also commented that I've been irritable and acting "spacy".

My INR has also been all over the place. They've been alternating me between 5 mg and 7.5 mg per day. For the first few weeks I was right where they wanted me - between 2 and 3, but then last Friday my results were 4.6!! Way too high. I go back this afternoon to see if anything's changed over the weekend, after skipping a dose and then doing 5 mg Sat. and Sun. I do hope they can find the right balance and don't have to keep tinkering with the dosage. I'm wondering if that's what's contributing to the headaches. Maybe if they can stabilize how much I'm taking from day to day, my body will adjust.

I wonder if anyone "official" is tracking the number of DVT/PE patients that can trace their onset of symptoms to Yaz. My sense is that this is a much more serious and prevalent side effect than their marketing dept. would like to admit.....

I was on elavil for almost three years. My doctor started me on 1 10mg pill a day and moved me up to 4 pills due to severe migraines. I started feeling like a monster and everybody was noticing it. I had no desire to do anything anymore, I had no energy and wanted to do nothing but stay home and in bed all the time. I had to force myself to get out of bed in the mornings and found myself extremely irritable. I used to be the most outgoing, bubbly, fun person and ever since I was on the elavil I haven't been happy in a very long time. I've been off elavil for about a month and a half now and just hope I eventually start to feel like myself again soon.

Topamax makes things taste yucky!! things like soda, beer, etc. And I've typed a whole report before or listed something on ebay and only looked back later and called myself a STUPIDAS# because of all the misspelled words- should of used spell check- which if you take Topamax make sure your spellcheck is on! Don't know why but the med will slurr your speech and brain. I do still get the occasional migraines while taking it so I'll stop it, plus tired of the spelling probs I have while on it. But my doc says I should be persistent with it, just like everything else out there... there's always a price to pay! Other than that, no side effects like stomach pain or weight loss like I've heard in others. Oh but it will make you tired..especially at first..very tired!

I'm glad I found this site. I have a history of migraines so I never thought it could be the Nuvaring. I got on it in Nov 07 and I just realized I experienced a loooottt of the symptoms. Headaches that turn to migraines, suddenly crying even listening to a song on the radio, I get hot and sweaty at night and feel cold at the slightest feel of air conditioning., mood swings, scattered thoughts, lower sex drive, no desire to socialize. weight gain in 10 months I've gained 11 lbs. I welcome it actually cuz I've been 110 for like 8 years. now I am a whopping 121 pounds. I have curves now, I love it

The perks: my breast went from a b to a nice c love it. the ease and clock work of my period. That's about it

I had a migraine so bad I couldn't keep my eyes open, I took the ring out immediately and within hours I felt relieved. I've spoken to my doctor about other forms of birth control and after all my research Nuvaring is actually still the top choice. We all know these BC's have side effects. How can they not. After all the craziness I have read about Ortho, Depo, Yasmin, Yaz, I see only one option. Get off the pills completely be back to my old self I used to be fun and get my boyfriend to wear condoms.

I was started on Topamax late 2007 after a week long migraine that did not respond to my usual migraine medication, Relpax 40mg and Xanax 1mg and I needed the second dose 2 hours later. I was given samples of Topamax 25 mg with a schedule to slowly increase the dose. The first 3 days I noticed an improvement in my migraine. By the 4th day, I started coughing. As I increased the dosage of Topamax, my coughing got worse and more frequently. I had to return to the doctor a week later for the cough. I thought I had been exposed to bronchitis because I had worked in the church nursery.
However, the doctor heard a wheeze with my cough and stated I had asthma. This came as quite a surprise because I have never had any lung problems or asthma problems and I am 52 years old. I was referred to a pulmonologist who put me on 2 inhalers (one steroid, one rescue inhaler, nebulizer treatments, chest x-ray, Oxygen to be used a night.
I was still having severe coughing spells every time I moved or tried to talk. I would have to run to the bathroom every time I started to cough because the coughing was so violent that I experienced severe urinary incontinence every time I coughed. I checked the internet and with my pharmacist, both stated that developing a cough was very common with Topamax. After learning this, I slowly reduced the Topamax until I could stop using it. As I was reducing the Topamax, my cough started to decrease. When I mentioned to my doctor about my problems with Topamax, he stated that Topamax did not have any respiratory side effects. I had a brochure from his office for Topamax that stated Topamax should be used with caution with people with lung or asthma problems.
I am now taking 800mg of Magnesium, CoEnzyme 100mg, and Vitamin B 2 100mg twice a day as a preventative. These supplements were prescribed by my neurologist. Since starting these supplements, my number of migraines has decreased.
Kay/redpoppies

I am 36 years old and LOVED my Mirena UNTIL I started getting all the side effects. I have had it for 3 months now. I also know about 10 women who use this product and not one of the complain about anything. They all love it and that is why by their word of mouth also that inspired me to look into it. I have had mine since June 08. By researching it more I have found that everyones body is different and this product is releasing a very small amount of progesterone that can make you gain weight. That is the male hormone that causes this. I was on the Pill for 15 years and had to get off and some people have side effects on that. Everyones body is different and some people get effected by the pill. But my stomach looks like Im pregnant and is a big huge ball and my breasts were huge and now are enormous and I cant even fit in a bra. I have gained 30 pounds in a short time. The weight that I gained went directly to my middle and I gained it in 3 months which was 10 pounds a month. Insane considering I am a person who hasn't gained weight in 10 years and have had 3 kids. Just anyone taking this product be careful if you do see a difference. I do love it, but everyone is different and what I think is you wont know till you go on it. Like I said my friends are fine. Who knows, maybe being on the pill so many years, my body is different. But just wanted to give my input. I have lost my migraines that I received from the pill and don't have them anymore which is great. But then see some people have migraines on the Mirena, but not me. And I went immediately to the doctor to have major bloodwork done because I knew something was wrong. And every blood test down to a thyroid test came back fine. So my only issue that it must be is the Mirena. At this time, I am deciding whether to take it out or not, and have come to the conclusion either I am going to look huge and leave it in or pull it out and get my body back. Still deciding on that right now as I do not want to get pregnant after 3 kids. But I will say my sex drive on this product is awesome compared to some peoples side effects on this, but thats why I say everyone is effected differently by this product so don't not try it because you are scared. Kindly someone please let me know if you have had the weight gain, and you had the Mirena pulled out if you lost the weight???? Please someone let me know? I would hate to pull it out and then still look HUGE. Supposingly it should go down from what I hear, but who knows. Thanks and Good Luck to Everyone????

-- By msnbf1306 | Reply | (5) replies | Send Private Mail September 24th
2008
11:00 AM
I have had the mirena for 7 months now..
I never realized that I was having all these symptoms until reading tons of websites..

I'm constantly suffering from severe sharp stabbing pains, and my migraines are back are like hell now.
I'm having crazy lower back pain(to which I believe only 1/2 of it is to be blamed on mirena.. other half is to be blamed on my 9 attempts of an epidural)..

I'm going to get it removed today so we can ttc #2(Presleigh our daughter is 1 yr and 2 weeks old:)) I'm terrified of what it will be like to get it removed.. anyone been through this?

-- By keytibeth | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail September 24th
2008
6:32 AM
Let's face it....this site is for side effects and there is unlikely to be a site for women who think Mirena is fab! I've had mine in for a week (so maybe it's too early to tell if I'll get any!) it was uncomfy having it put in but not as uncomfy as childbirth! I haven't had any bleeding so far...and so far better than the pill for me!

-- By ekky | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail September 23th
2008
1:52 PM
i had the iud since sept 2006 and had it removed last week. i had felt it the entire time ive had it. id go thru hell with cramping and no bleeding. my weight would fluctuate from 135 to 150 in a matter of days, i haven't been able to get back down to my pregnancy weight of 117. i was so depressed that i tried to commit suicide. id cramp and bleed after sex, during i could feel it sometimes my husband could too. i had migraines that would last for days multiple times a week. my eyelashes, brows and hair has thinned out a lot. my skin is horrid with acne that would last for months with the same break out. i was bloated all the time. i was super moody, didn't have patients for anything or anyone. i am usually a pretty layed back person on mirena i was completely opposite, im surprised my husband hung in there! i was constantly constipated, frequent urges to pee, didn't want to out outside. when i was having it removed, my doctor couldn't find the strings, luckily she found them. my experience with mirena was horrible. i don't recommend it to anyone. after it was removed my stomach felt so much better. wasn't constipated, didn't feel a hard uterus, the pain that would shoot down to my feet stopped. my doctor did tell me i might have a mini period, which i am now. but im telling you i feel a lot better now that it is out of my body. if you knew me while i was using the IUD, you would think i am a different person now. i wish i had never gotten it in the first place...

-- By woman | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail September 23th
2008
10:46 AM
I got the Mirenda IUD inserted about 3 1/2 months ago. Since having it I have had nothing but trouble. I have been bleeding almost everyday for the last 3 1/2 months. I probably have had 5 days of no bleeding. I also feel so bloated. I haven't weighed myself b/c I am scared to know but I am bigger now than 6 weeks after I had my baby. My doctor said that this device cannot cause weight gain but I am not a believer. My clothes are so tight and my tummy area is so swollen. I also have started cramping recently. I made an appointment to have it removed on Friday. Anyone have any other suggestions of birth control?

-- By dontdoit4 | Reply | Send Private Mail September 23th
2008
8:38 AM
I have very little little sex drive since putting the Mirena in in early June 2008. I figured maybe it was the constant bleeding/spotting (maybe less then a week blood free days a month) for more than three months (i was warned but now am taking extra hormones to stop that, but still bleeding after two weeks). I've had very very frequent headaches and find myself taking painkillers 4 times a week, this is the most worrisome for me personally.
But a very big problem is that my husband can feel the strings during sex and finds it really uncomfortable, basically, session over straight away. I've had the strings shortened recently but it hasn't changed in his perception. Feel like we've given it a fair trial but Mirena has basically meant an end to our sex life, not just from me feeling rather uninterested in it and trying to avoid it, but also from him being seriously affected by it! It may be the position of my uterus.

-- By vbecky | Reply | Send Private Mail September 23th
2008
1:31 AM
i had the mirena placed in me after i had my last child 2005.i had the mirena inserted in me when he was about 2 1/2 months old.when he was 2 months old i started to notice that my hair was shedding like crazy.i had long beautiful full hair to mention.well it's about 2 years and 10 months later and my hair is still falling out.dry brittle,and unhealthy.i went to me primary care physician and she tested me for all kinds of things...every thing came back negative.i have smelly discharge everyday no matter how much i bath. i can't keep the weight off even though i constantly work out and eat healthy.i am so sick of this in me,i haven't enjoyed it since i had it....but then again,not one birth control method ever worked for me with severe side effects.i didn't even know that mirena had hormones in it.

-- By shinediaz | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail September 22th
2008
11:11 PM
I started mirena 7weeks after the birth of my daughter. As i had forgotten to take the pill previously and fallen pregnant my doctor recommended it. After careful though i decided to go ahead and have it. Ive been bleeding for 16days straight now, have been feeling faint very often and having difficulty focusing at times. Not only this but ive been experiencing chest palpitations on some occasions and abdo and pelvic pains. Has anyone else experienced the same so soon after having it?

-- By bkg143 | Reply | Send Private Mail September 22th
2008
8:35 PM
I have had my Mirena for 14 months. I am looking into having it removed. I have gained about 5-10lbs with it and I have 2 menses per month. I only have about 5-7 non period days each month. My sex drive is at a all time low. I went from a female who wanted to have sex everyday of the week... to 1-2 times per month.
I am always nasty with my mate of 7 years and short tempered with my children. I already had a problem with headaches and I am now having many migraines per week. I just want it out. My new insurance doesn't cover the removal and I may have to pay out of pocket, but I cant get in with my GYN until November. I did read all the side effects and I have them all. Aside from not worrying about getting pregnant... This thing is the worst and I do not recommend it to anyone.

IF YOU CAN TAKE A PILL EVERY DAY, DO IT

-- By dmarijhazz | Reply | Send Private Mail September 22th
2008
5:13 PM
I have had Mirena for about a month now and for about a month i've had funky discharge. Now, it's not the normal discharge it's brown. It's starts out like the "pre period" brown then turns dark dark brown and then light brown and then back dark. What the hell? I haven't had pain or cramping but have started getting acne. I've never had acne before. The acne I can deal with but the brown discharge, NO! Does anyone else have this and does it ever go away?

-- By kvoges | Reply | (4) replies | Send Private Mail September 22th
2008
3:41 PM
I am 30 , have two kids and are done with having kids, wanted to get Mirena so I would not have periods and it sounded like a great form of Birth Control. I have had it for 1year and 9 months now, when I got it I did have cramping and some bleeding for a while, then the bleeding stopped no periods, I have occasional spotting but that is it no actual period. I am thinking about getting it removed before I got it I was a steady 150 never up or down, now I am a HUGE 185 and it keeps going up, I am depressed, do not like to get up in the mornings, have not energy, always tired and very, very mooody with everyone, my husband & children and I never used to be that way and I feel so bad because I am just not my self. I was reading all the other comments and it sounds like what I am going through!!! I am thinking about going in next week and getting it out and just use the pill again, hopefully I will fell better soon after getting it removed.

-- By 27asweem | Reply | Send Private Mail September 22th
2008
1:56 PM
******
I would recommend that everyone read about Mirena at the link above. I had mine removed today and I will post in a few weeks about my experience with it and how I felt after having it removed.

-- By kneupperb | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail September 22th
2008
11:49 AM
I got Mirena put in Feb of 07 almost a year after my second baby. I thought it was the greatest thing one earth for almost the next year and a half. I always had light periods so I stopped having periods completely since it was put in. I had no side effects whatsoever until Aug 08. I started having mild headaches that turned severe and did not go away for over 20 days.

That was my first sign. I started having pelvic pain (which has since gotten much worse) resembling ovarian cyst pain. I started bloating like crazy and my clothes were very tight and uncomfortable. I started experiencing pregnancy symptoms which worried me so I took a pregnancy test and it came out positive. I took another one later and it came out negative. I went to my regular doctor (because she had to order the tests for insurance purposes) and their tests came out negative. I've been pregnant 9 times (7 miscarriages) so I don't need a pregnancy test to tell me I'm pregnant. I know I was but my lack of periods wouldn't allow the uterus to hold a pregnancy.

I looked up my symptoms online and found hundreds of women with the same experiences. My doctor looked for the Mirena and couldn't find the strings or the device so she ordered an emergency ultrasound (lucky for me I have great Drs). They found the Mirena pushed further back in my uterus and that I had a large cyst (which I already knew I had from all my pain). My headaches got worse, my uterus pain got worse, I had back pain like crazy, I became so tired I could hardly move, and I was constantly nauseous. With a husband, 2 kids, and a job there was no time for all of that. I talked to people at work recently and they said when I was experiencing the best of my symptoms they were talking to me and I was looking at them like I was telling them to F*** off with my facial expression. I had to explain to them that it was the extreme headaches and the pain I was in and not them. I didn't realize it got so bad that my facial expressions showed it!

I went to my Ob/Gyn for an appt I had scheduled weeks before my pain started and told the PA about my symptoms so she looked for the strings and found them so the Mirena was back in place. She asked if I wanted it left there and I told her HELL NO. She pulled it out immediately and called it a demon, which makes me believe she knows about the horrible side effects. She didn't try to talk me out of it at all, not that I would have let her. Both of my doctors were very understanding to my need to have it removed and were willing to do it.

After I had it removed I continued having those symptoms but they are beginning to fade off. I did have one day where I woke up and I was a raging B**** from the minute I opened my eyes and I don't know why. I apologized profusely to my family and I knew it was my hormones but I could do nothing about it. Later that day I had my first ever anxiety attack and I freaked out. It was TERRIBLE. I've had continuous spotting since then. All these are our bodies' way of telling us to stop polluting our poor bodies. It's called "the crash"

Well ladies good luck with your little demons and remember the side effects continue until your body can regulate itself again. Don't give up cause it will get better.

-- By lovebeingamama | Reply | Send Private Mail September 22th
2008
10:39 AM
I've had Mirena for almost 2 years. I am bloated and fatigued. My joints hurt, especially my hips. I've gained 5 pounds and cannot lose it, even working out 7 days a week. I workout regularly but not with the stamina I used to have. I am 39 and in great shape. I can't make it through my classes the way I used. I struggle and it's very depressing. For the past few months my sex drive is zero. I am considering having it removed. Was it extremely painful?

-- By victoriav | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail September 22th
2008
4:25 AM
Hi, i have had Mirena for over two years and only recently have started to experience really bad cramping and spotting. I am so incredibly bloated, i look like im in early stages of pregnancy! I have gained about 20 pounds since in the time ive had it and ive had problems with my joints. I was beginning to think i had arthritis, im only 25 years old! I didn't realize that was also a side effect until i started reading more about it. Well Friday, i went in to my doctor's office to have it removed. Unfortunately my doctor was not in so i was seen by the nurse practioner and she could not find it!!! she said it most likely traveled upward to where she cant see or reach it. She poked around for about 20 minutes before finally giving up and saying, sorry i just cant get it. So im scheduled for an ultrasound this Wednesday to find its exact location and hopefully getting it out of there. Im so worried because i have read about other women having to get it surgically removed. Has this happened to anyone else?

-- By leticia09 | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail September 21th
2008
11:06 PM
I'm 21 years old and i had my daughter 9 months ago. I had MIRENA put in June 2008 and so far all i have experienced is BLEEDING and BLADDER PROBLEMS!! How n tha hell do these people who created these damn IUD's expect a young mother like myself to have a normal life!! I understand all the side effects about the spotting and possibly bleeding up to 3 months but BLADDER PROBLEMS! oh hell no im 21 years old and thats not suppose ta be happening to me....At first people was like maybe you have a Urinary Tract Infection, so i looked up the symptoms and i ain't go none of them...so tomorrow im calling my Gynecologist and getting this damn thing removed even if i have to go back to tha pill so what..its better than dealing with this...

-- By laniya | Reply | Send Private Mail September 21th
2008
9:42 PM
I had Mirena inserted in July, 2008. I was feeling pretty good about it, but have come to realize I am experiencing some side effects. Right now, I can say the side effects are worth it compared to the horrific periods I was having for the past 6 years. I have extreme breast tenderness and need to get a Mammogram anyway. I'm sure when the results come back normal, my mind will rest at ease and I will know for sure it is a side effect from Mirena. I've been extremely fatigued, however I used to get the same effect the week before my period. So I'm not sure it's a side effect or normal. I do experience waves of nausea but they pass and I eventually feel better and get back to normal. Other than that, I'm okay. I just hope I continue on this path. I'm sure I'll know after a couple more months.

-- By sweetelle13 | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail September 21th
2008
7:27 PM
I just had Mirena inserted 2 weeks ago. I'm 45 and was sold on it by my Dr. to help with heavy bleeding. It was very painful to be inserted. Every day since I've been very crampy, diarrhea, bloating and lower back pain. It feels like when I was going into labor at about 5 cm dilated. I hope this goes away quickly, this is a nightmare. I'm scared.

-- By sueh | Reply | Send Private Mail September 21th
2008
6:35 PM
Hi all again! I posted on Sept. 15th and 19th and I'm here again! Since I had my Mirena removed, I've had some heavy bleeding which has started to go away. I started to take Slow FE, an iron supplement because yesterday I was ready to drive myself to the ER - I felt lousy - drained to the bone and ready to pass out. After listening to my boyfriend, I went home, gave my kids something to do, and rested for a few hours in bed.
Later on I ate dinner and started to feel better. This morning I really started to feel more like myself (!). I have some bleeding, but it's turning brownish, like toward the end of a period. I am going to the OBGYN who delivered my kids (different doc's ofce than the one where I had the Mirena inserted); I want to get another opinion about the thickness of my uterine lining, the sono report, etc. just to rule out anything serious. My boyfriend thinks that I may have had a miscarriage without realizing I was pregnant (ironically, I was feeling like i had eight years ago when I had a miscarriage and a D&C and didn't realize it until he asked how I had felt then and compared it to now). I would need bloodwork to determine any hormone levels at this point; I'd just like to be reassured that it's not cancer.

Ladies - listen to your bodies. Yes, there is such a thing as allowing your body to adjust and some women haven't had the side effects which a lot of us are writing about; just don't overlook anything that is telling you "this is not normal, this is not natural." Trust your instincts and yourselves; you'll know if it's for you or not. And for crying out loud: if you want it out - insist upon getting it out - don't be coerced into doing something that you don't want to to.

-- By jnoto | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail September 21th
2008
6:00 PM
I have had my Mirena for 2 years. My main problem is that about 6 months ago I started having bad cramps and a period again. Sometimes it lasts 3 days, but now it is up to 8 days. I have also had cramping after sex. Also, I have had some lower back pain, and bloating. The strings irritate my husband sometimes when I am on top. While I love the effectiveness of this IUD, the costs are starting to outweighs the benefit. I think it is time to get this sucker taken out.

-- By alisonengland | Reply | Send Private Mail September 21th
2008
1:11 PM
All I can say is that since having it inserted in Oct. 2007 I began rigorous training to lose extra weight for a breast reduction, I found it extremely difficult to lose 1 POUND let alone 20. Went to the gyn who inserted it and she was not sympathetic at all she said women over thirty just have those problems.....What problem? Walking/jogging at least 5 miles three times weekly, drop your caloric intake by more than half AND STILL ABSOLUTELY NO WEIGHT LOSE?? I am at my ideal weight, just the far end of it and seriously after 7 months training not one pound lost. New gyn thought Mirena might be the cause, I had it removed two days ago and I already feel a difference in my energy levels!!

-- By a_catchy_name | Reply | Send Private Mail September 21th
2008
12:25 PM
I have been reading everyone's side effects. I know everyone is different. I have not experienced hair loss, bad acne, or horrible mood swings. I HAVE, however, gained about 40 pounds since having Mirena inserted in February 2007. My periods stopped after about 4 months; I would have the brownish discharge everyone else has spoken about, plus feeling like I didn't smell good. It did help with my migraines, but here in the last 3 months, I have been getting a migraine once a month, with severe pain and vomiting AND I have started to try and have a period again. This past week I actually did bleed enough to be a nuisance to me. I have had so many problems with birth control I am at my wits end. I am 34, have one child and 2 stepchildren; my fiance and I don't plan on having any more children, so I am seriously considering getting this thing taken out and having my tubes tied. I enjoy the fact that I don't have to think about birth control, but the weight gain among other things is just too much.

-- By gsb474 | Reply | Send Private Mail September 20th
2008
2:44 PM
Anyone experience vaginal swelling??? I'm kind of freaked out. I got it placed 2 weeks ago and was supposed to start my period a few days later, I did and have been bleeding for 10 days now. I normally have 4 day ong periods. I have had some pain in my left side really low but then about 4 days ago I noticed it was hard to place a tampon and felt like things were swollen in there. I looked in a mirror and had my hubby check too. It looks like the side of my vagina has collapsed and is laying across the opening of my vagina! When I push (like giving birth, but not as hard) it kind of pushes out. My hubby said it looks like guts coming out instead of a baby head (we have 3 kids, so we are familiar with that sight). Has anyone else had this side effect??? My midwives can't get me in till Monday but I am worried NOW!! She told me I could find the strings and remove it myself BUT with all the swelling I don't know that I could find the strings or that it would even be safe to pull out like that! HELP!!!!!

-- By lmdmom | Reply | (3) replies | Send Private Mail September 20th
2008
1:20 PM
Mirena has been AWESOME for me. Everyone that is looking for the IDEAL birth control needs to consider this!

Its the MOST reliable form of BC you can have (besides abstinence), and the side effects are less than any form of BC you can be on. Think about it people, every kind of BC has an effect on your body. This one is a no brainer. You don't have to take it at the same time everyday, you don't have to worry about a patch, you don't have to worry about a ring sitting in your vagina. It can lessen, even STOP you from having periods...it did for me! AWESOME!!

I just got mine removed after 2 years, and will definitely get it after we have another baby. I am an OB RN and recommend them to all of my patients!

-- By dawntruck | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail September 20th
2008
2:29 AM
I am not a Mirena user, but was seriously considering it until I came across this site, and read all these comments. I also came across a site warning that Mirena is a levonorgestrel uterine implant, the same progestin that was in Norplant (which is several small implants that are placed under the skin in the upper arm). Once I read that, I definitely would not try this form of birth control. I had Norplant implanted in my arm, many years ago, after the birth of my two children. It was horrible, there were maybe a few days out of the month that I had no bleeding or spotting. They said my period should regulate within 6mths, well I gave it almost 14mths, and couldn't take it anymore. Romoval was not quite as easy as implantation. I used to joke...that it was great birth control, who'd want to have sex when you have your period all the time, well it was no joke.
Read all these warnings, do research, glad I did. I would have made the same mistake I made 15yrs ago, with Norplant.

-- By drums61 | Reply | Send Private Mail September 19th
2008
9:10 PM
hi I had a mirena instu in dec 07, had bleeding on and off, noticed now in sept 08 bad cramping, swollen tummy, very uncomfortable, and bleeding a lot. They say 6 months it will take, I think I will get it removed, and see how the bleeding is without, then a hyster if that s the only answer. Feel nausea, headaches, depression, and stomach pains all exist.T.G.

-- By kuresa1 | Reply | Send Private Mail September 19th
2008
7:28 PM
I have had my mirena for about six months. I have bled all but two weeks of the six months. Because I am always bleeding, even when Im not "bleeding" I am having this brownish discharge. And just when I think its going to stop, I get this clear discharge that smells like sewage. I have never smelt anything so horrible in my life. I have had this three different times in the six months. I don't know what I am going to do. I got the Mirena when I started college because we can't afford a accident pregnancy right now. It was free with my insurance. Now, I have no insurance and I can't afford the 250.00 to remove it.

-- By e_wollitz | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail September 19th
2008
6:06 PM
I wrote a couple days ago. My gyno finally called me back. She admitted that hair loss, fatigue, etc. are symptoms of Mirena and I should get it removed and try something else. I am definitely getting it out Monday. Hope everything works out for the rest of you .

-- By wglidden8 | Reply | Send Private Mail September 19th
2008
4:28 PM
I got my Mirena inserted in June.....I persevered with the cramps and bleeding which did settle down, however, I permanently have swollen breasts, weight gain, spots but have also noticed that I no longer have much energy am 43 and fairly fit.Furthermore, I seem to now be suffering from anxiety attacks which I never suffered before but also ARTHRITIC pain in fingers, knees in fact all over. I did expect some side effects however am getting it out, after finding this site, its more than a coincidence the other effects it is having on woman and which is not covered when prescribed.

-- By bluemia38 | Reply | Send Private Mail September 19th
2008
3:55 PM
I got my mirena in April 2008 and loved it at first. Before getting mirena i tried the depo shot and had my period for the 3 months i was on it and became anemic so i was really happy when my period finally stopped after getting mirena. The insertion was extremely painful even though i was given pills the day before to dilate me. I vomited during the insertion and almost passed out but is probably just because i had never had a kid before so they had to dilate me a lot. I had severe cramping for the rest of the day and minor cramping for about a week after. After about two weeks i started getting some of the normal symptoms listed in the mirena information.. bloating, mood swings, depression. None of them were severe so it wasn't that big of a deal but i've also had a major lack of sex drive, some hair loss, and periods that last about 3 weeks. About 2 months ago i started having extreme pain during sex. Even if my boyfriend stops immediately i can't stand up straight for a couple days after and have to walk kind of hunched over and even that is terribly painful. I thinks it's time i look into getting it removed.

-- By kdaver | Reply | Send Private Mail September 19th
2008
2:12 PM
I was just wondering if anyone else has a yeast infection type of effect from this. The insertion was horrible since it came out the first time they put it in. i was bleeding for almost 2 months and now spotting off and on. i have horrible itching and dryness. they thought it was a yeast infection so i treated it with the yeast infection medicine and did the 7 day one. then 2 weeks later it started again. she think i stopped using the hydrocortizone cream too soon. i don't think that's it. i think it might be the mirena and if it is i want it out asap. i've never had itching or dryness. anyone else had these side effects?

-- By mamii2daend | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail September 19th
2008
2:02 PM
I had mine inserted the first week of July. Yes, it was freaking uncomfortable getting it done and I had cramping the rest of the day, but my OB warned me of that and I made the decision to go ahead. I'm not in a position to complain about it now.
I bled/spot for 2-3 weeks after insertion. Only heavy enough to require a tampon for the first week, but I had it inserted when I was supposed to be starting my period anyway. Again my OB suggested this and warned me about the possibility of bleeding for up to 6 months. Again my decision to go forward!
Since then I have had cramping once a month like I'm going to start my period and never do. Within the last few weeks I've started getting the acne and an oily scalp. It's all over my back and not poppable. I'm hoping it will eventually subside when my body gets used to the new hormone level I'm giving it. If you think about it, it's the same thing in puberty (ie change in hormones) that kicks off the acne so it doesn't surprise me that this is a side effect. If it doesn't subside I'll make a decision then whether or not to have it out.
I have not had any of the other side effects. In fact I had terrible headaches and neck pain before I got this and those have gotten much better.

I was on the pill for 15 years before getting mirena and I had much worse side effects with that (extreme moodiness, loss of sexual desire, bad cramps, long periods, etc). I tried multiple brands of pills and never found one I was 100% happy with. But I dealt with it because I made the decision to go on B/C.
I'll take the acne over those any day! (not to mention I got pregnant on the pill!!!)

I understand that these side effects suck, but you act like it's the company's fault. They specifically list the common side effects and the majority of the ones you're complaining about are listed in plain site Taken directly from their website:
Menstrual changes
Lower abdominal pain (cramps)
Acne or other skin problems
Back pain
Breast tenderness
Headache
Mood changes
Nausea
Ovarian cysts have been diagnosed in about 12% of Mirena® users. In most cases, the enlarged follicles disappeared spontaneously during two to three months of observation.

Did you think that's just for show? Did you ever stop to consider (before getting the product) you might actually get those side effects and what you would do if you did? It is your body... YOU are the only one responsible for what goes inside it. No one held you down and forced you to do this. Mirena didn't hide anything from you or trick you into it. Take some responsibility for your actions! Quit blaming others. This is a great example of what is wrong with our society today!

Take responsibility! Do your research! Make your own decisions and deal with the consequences of them without blaming others!

If you look at the mirena website it gives you the FDA number to call to report side effects. If you're having major ones call the FDA and report it so that more than just people that stumble upon this forum know about it!

-- By trsturself | Reply | (3) replies | Send Private Mail September 18th
2008
11:26 PM
I can't believe I came across this. I have been having the weirdest things going on with me and had no idea they were attributed to my IUD: Mirena. I have had Mirena for a little over a year and actually love it. I stopped having periods all together on it after only having it for 2 months. Never had any cramps, bloating or spotting. I also didn't gain any weight on it. In fact, I lost a lot of weight. However, all my other symptoms are the same as every one else on here. I have an extreme amount of hair loss. I am terrified of the amount of hair I have been losing. I have extremely irritable with my husband and think just don't feel like anything matters anymore. I just feel depressed. Having a two year old doesn't help. :) I also have zero sex drive. I have chronic headaches anyway, but I have had an increase in my headaches. I have had weird low back pain and joint aches in my knees and feet. I have also had a lot congestion and sinusitis, which I read can be a side effect. I have also had some eye and vision problems. Not to mention fatigue, acne, flaky skin, numb fingers and just basically, for the past year, I haven't felt like myself. I am having it removed on Monday and hope that I start to feel like myself again. I am so happy that I started to do some research and discovered this, otherwise I might still be miserable, wondering why. If anyone knows anything about a lawsuit let me know.

-- By wglidden8 | Reply | Send Private Mail September 18th
2008
8:56 PM
I had my Mirena put in on 9/11/08 last Thursday. I got it done on the recommendation of two of my co-workers that recently got theirs a few months ago. I had been having stomach problems, found out I have food allergies and than suddenly couldn't stomach my birth control that I had been taking for several years. Mirena seemed to be the answer. I had it put in on Thursday which hurt like hell. I was a little sore Friday and only spotting from my 2nd day on my period. By Saturday I was very sore and felt nauseous. By Sunday I was bleeding heavily, nauseous and had migraine headaches. By Monday I couldn't keep water down and had the worst headache. I called the doctor and she told me that the side effects were normal and I needed to give it time. I had read these post from Saturday and was getting worried. On Tuesday I couldn't even lift my head off the pillow. I woke up with my hands in a cramped position and couldn't feel them or my feet. I had tingling and numbness in my hands, feet and lips. I called my regular doctor who got me in right away. I had to be rolled in a wheelchair to his office because I couldn't even walk. I throw up about 4 times on the way down to hall to his office also (thankfully they had trash cans along the way). He immediately took the Mirena out and I got feeling in my hands and feet about 10 minutes later.

I was finally able to go back to work today after being out sick. I still have a dull pain on my right side around my ovaries and my stomach is very tender. I have felt like I was in a fog all day today and still a little sick to my stomach. I hope these symptoms wear off soon.

-- By dcaston | Reply | Send Private Mail September 18th
2008
12:17 PM
I had my Mirena implanted after my son was born in May 2006 and at first it was okay but now I am ready to get rid of this thing. My hair started falling out really bad and it is not as bad now but I still have spells where I think I might go bald if it doesn't stop. I am always tired, always bloated, and I cant seem to get the scale to get below 160 no matter how hard I try. But the biggest problem with the side effects is the low sex drive, it is affecting my marriage. There is no way for my husband to understand what I am going through mentally and he has been very patient but if things don't get better after I get the Mirena taken out, Im afraid he might leave me.
We had a disagreement this morning and of course I was in tears most of the morning and could cry now.
Can anyone tell me how soon they got back to "normal" after having the IUD removed, especially with regards to the sex drive problem.

-- By abyrd77 | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail September 18th
2008
8:46 AM
I had Mirena implantewd in June of 2008. The first day was horrible for cramps, but then the next day everything was back to normal. 1 week later I started bleeding, extremely heavy, but that is what is mentioned as one of the side effects. My bleeding went on for almost 2 months before it finally stopped. Now my periods are a little irregular. Some times they last 2 days others go for 5 days. Other than that it's not been that bad. I had the standard side effects that my doctor covered with me and that were also mentioned in the pamphlet on Mirena.
I'm sorry to hear about the everyone misfortunes below, but I really think that you doctor should have explained it better to you, because some of the things listed below are common side effects that were mentioned.

-- By dedeja | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail September 18th
2008
1:02 AM
Hi - I posted a couple of days ago (around the 15th). I had the Mirena taken out yesterday. Yes, still bleeding. Yes, with medium to large-sized clots. Oh, I forgot this side affect also - for some time when I had it in, I had a tinging or numb-like feeling passing through my top lip - I thought I was going crazy at first but I realized it had been happening more and more and it wasn't my imagination. I've had this also since it was removed; not as often though.

Could it be that we are the "3%" that has a problem with this IUD??!! I am following up with a second opinion with another OBGYN because I was concerned that the radiological tech said my uterine lining was "very thick" and my friend's mom (who is a nurse) asked right away if the doctor was doing a D & C...(!) Any suggestions or ideas or comments???

-- By jnoto | Reply | Send Private Mail September 17th
2008
9:02 PM
I just had my Mirena removed today because of some ridiculous side effects (and a couple other reasons). The side effects I had were - fatigue, nausea, headaches, NO SEX DRIVE AT ALL, vaginal dryness, hot flashes...

MY question is - about an hour after I had it removed I began to get tired. I mean REALLY tired - hard to keep my eyelids up kind of tired. Is this normal? Will this extreme fatigue pass soon?

-- By leighznich | Reply | Send Private Mail September 17th
2008
4:16 PM
HI Everyone! I am a 21 year old mother of a 6 month old little boy. I have had the worst experience with the Mirena. I had it inserted in May of 2008. I am trying to have it removed but my ob/gyn won't do it. I have had severe pain everywhere especially in my head. I have been put on migraine meds but nothing has helped. I have had bleeding beyond belief. I have been bleeding almost since it was put it. Pads after pad after tampon after tampon. I have never had bleeding this heavy. I am so frustrated. I rather take a pill everyday than go through these horrible feelings

-- By vmmiller1987 | Reply | (3) replies | Send Private Mail September 17th
2008
11:00 AM
Hi everyone, i had the Marena fitted on 1st july 08, lasted 11 weeks and gave up, nothing but bleeding, cramps, weight gain, being bloated, pelvic pains too much too mention, i had it removed 11th September best thing i ever done, i have not felt this great since before i had it fit, yeah i admit after effects are not very nice, 2 days after removal i had chronic cramping and very heavy bleeding which has all stopped now. i Feel on top of the world, i think i will just go back to my Heavy bleeding and cramps which admit only lasted 2 days, better than that awful ALIEN

-- By minigirl | Reply | Send Private Mail September 17th
2008
10:21 AM
I got my Mirena inserted in February. I only had pain for the first month's period but I spotted constantly for 3 months. My mood went from 1 day of weepy PMS to as of September - 3 weeks of complete depression, moodiness, anger and I even had 2 days where I was completely not able to function. I've put on 20 lbs and even that was a fight to keep it to that. I had it removed yesterday and my Dr. said it couldn't be the Mirena because it is supposed to be non-systemic and in the 4 years she has been using it, no one has asked to have it removed. She also told me that it could be other hormone issues and she hopes the depression doesn't clear up otherwise she'll be mad that the Mirena caused it. I'm pretty sure that is what has caused it and I will prove it.

-- By mress67 | Reply | Send Private Mail September 17th
2008
8:04 AM
Ive had my mirena in for 6 weeks now and Ive only just turned 22. I was never informed of the real side effects of this before it was put in. I have bead depression, and very bad lower stomach pains which I am very concerned about as they come and go but are causing a great deal of discomfort from one side to another. I am very worried that it hasn't been put in properly or that it is infected so I am off to the doctors today to ask about having it removed and go back to the pill as I can no longer put up with this. Another problem is that it is also causing my boyfriend great discomfort during intercourse as he says its hurting him as it is sharp, I regret choosing this form of contraception so quickly without really looking into it first - it just seemed like an easy option but it definitely aint worth the side effects - id so much rather take the pill!

-- By lady_chloe86 | Reply | Send Private Mail September 17th
2008
7:57 AM
I am 24 with 2 children and had mirena inserted in February after going crazy with implanon. I have never really tolerated the pill either and this was the last option. 2 weeks later I was in excruciating pain in my stomach that i could barely look after my kids. My stomach was so distended i looked about 8 months pregnant. After tolerating the pain for a few days i went to my doctor and she sent me for a pelvic ultrasound. they found cysts on each ovary. 1 measured 3 inches in diameter and the other 1 was slightly smaller. Even after they dissolved i was in pain for at least a month afterwards due to my bowels and bladder being pushed around. Since then I have had no problems (touch wood) I have had minor cysts in the past but not to this extent and after doing some research found that mirena caused it. I have opted to leave it in for the time being as i am not having any other side effects that i know of from it. But if I end up getting cysts again I will definitely be getting it taken out.

-- By kendra83 | Reply | Send Private Mail September 16th
2008
4:56 PM
Hi all. I'm wondering if anyone can help me. I'm a 34 year old woman. I gave birth to my daughter in October 2005 and in December 2005 I had the Mirena coil inserted. It's due to finish up this December as it's approaching the 5 year mark.. In the last 6 months, my skin has gone from being clear as a frosty sky to that of an acne ridden 15 year old. I'm breaking out on both my cheeks, neck, jawline and chest. Could this be a side effect of the "winding down" hormones in my coil? I've had the coil in almost 5 years but I'm only getting really bad skin now...... for the past 6 month or so. I've always had relatively good skin so as you can imagine, this is most distressing for me. Could it be the "last of the hormones" in the coil? Could anyone shed light on this for me? I would have thought that if my skin was going to "break out" with the coil, it would have done so almost immediately after inserting the coil in in the first place..... Not almost 5 years later! I've no allergic reactions to creams, lotions, foods, etc. My diet is quite good (I've never changed my diet so it's not diet!), I'm not stressed. I get at least one new spot every day. They last for days, or a week. They are really deep rooted so most of them I can't even "pop"! Can anyone help? It's my birthday next week so it would be the perfect birthday present......

Regards and thank you in anticipation

Y. xx

-- By yvie74 | Reply | (4) replies | Send Private Mail September 16th
2008
9:32 AM
I have had the mirena coil for a year and a half now the insertion was incredibly painful and much worse than I was led to believe. I felt ill and for several days with feelings of being pregnant. I am 46 with 2 children age 9 and 11 so just wanted a change from the pill. I am really interested to read all the comments as I thought I was doing alright - no periods great, no particular weight gain even better but have had a backache that has just got worse and worse. I always did have a lower back problem but that had got better over time and also I do horse ride so put it down to that sometimes. However it has got a lot worse over the last year - constantly aching and over a greater area and at night I can hardly move sometimes I am so stiff. Is this anything to do with the coil? The osteopath I see suggests I check this out with the doctor but I can see from all the comments that it is a common problem. Anyway decided I can't stand it any more so about to make an appt to see doctor. And yes no libido - poor husband! and feeling irritated all the time and very tired. Difficult to know whether this part is an age thing though - gets confusing when there could be a menopause issue lurking as well - don't now how you would know!. will be eager to find out if the backache is linked or not!.

-- By mag1 | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail

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Hi so glad to read this im calling my dr as i read!! i got my mirena in apr of 2005, i was one of the 1st pts my dr did one on. I have no children and am married, we wanted to wait to have kids and i have frequent migraines so the pill is a no-no. the day i had it put in i passed out while leaving the office. they said "oh wow that never happens"...hmmm wonder how many others passed out after i did!

i cant really report any bad side effects until about 1 yr after insertion. i started having terrible cramping where i couldn't even stand up. this would come and go every few months. then i noticed i couldn't urinate as well anymore...the stream was weak and it seemed like my muscles were tense or something. i now have constant pain and pressure of the pelvic floor, my abdomen is always bloated, i have gained 20lbs and i do weight watchers and cant lose a pound, i retain tons of water, i have fatigue and joint/muscle pain. I attributed the joint pain and fatigue to fibromyalgia which i have been dx'd w/ in 2007 but now i wonder if its this mirena!

i have been to different doctors and specialists because i don't feel well, i haven't for a few years now...now i wonder if its because of this mirena. im going to have mine removed and see how i feel. the urination problem is the worst! i always feel like i have to pee but nothing comes out...the urologist said all my tests were normal.

im so glad i read all these posts...i hope every woman reads this before deciding on the mirena.

I have had the mirena for 7 months now..
I never realized that I was having all these symptoms until reading tons of websites..

I'm constantly suffering from severe sharp stabbing pains, and my migraines are back are like hell now.
I'm having crazy lower back pain(to which I believe only 1/2 of it is to be blamed on mirena.. other half is to be blamed on my 9 attempts of an epidural)..

I'm going to get it removed today so we can ttc #2(Presleigh our daughter is 1 yr and 2 weeks old:)) I'm terrified of what it will be like to get it removed.. anyone been through this?

I have had my Mirena for 14 months. I am looking into having it removed. I have gained about 5-10lbs with it and I have 2 menses per month. I only have about 5-7 non period days each month. My sex drive is at a all time low. I went from a female who wanted to have sex everyday of the week... to 1-2 times per month.
I am always nasty with my mate of 7 years and short tempered with my children. I already had a problem with headaches and I am now having many migraines per week. I just want it out. My new insurance doesn't cover the removal and I may have to pay out of pocket, but I cant get in with my GYN until November. I did read all the side effects and I have them all. Aside from not worrying about getting pregnant... This thing is the worst and I do not recommend it to anyone.

IF YOU CAN TAKE A PILL EVERY DAY, DO IT

I have been reading everyone's side effects. I know everyone is different. I have not experienced hair loss, bad acne, or horrible mood swings. I HAVE, however, gained about 40 pounds since having Mirena inserted in February 2007. My periods stopped after about 4 months; I would have the brownish discharge everyone else has spoken about, plus feeling like I didn't smell good. It did help with my migraines, but here in the last 3 months, I have been getting a migraine once a month, with severe pain and vomiting AND I have started to try and have a period again. This past week I actually did bleed enough to be a nuisance to me. I have had so many problems with birth control I am at my wits end. I am 34, have one child and 2 stepchildren; my fiance and I don't plan on having any more children, so I am seriously considering getting this thing taken out and having my tubes tied. I enjoy the fact that I don't have to think about birth control, but the weight gain among other things is just too much.

I was on topamax for about 2 years. I took it for frequent migraines caused by my sinus's. I had all the normal side affects but got used to it after awhile. The only one i didn't get used to was the hair loss. During this time I started allergy injections and now i'm up to my maintenance level. So i decided to ween myself slowly off the topamax. I have been off for about 2 months now and I have been fine on the headache side, but i have started to get other symptoms (i think withdrawal symptoms). They have progressively gotten higher in number as the days go by. First my hair loss has not stopped. I gained about 10-15lbs, I am edgy and climbing the walls all day. I have a really hard time relaxing. I recently developed horrible insomnia, and about a week ago i started having digestive problems including water retention, bloating, gas, irregular bowl movements, and acid reflux. And I've recently had bouts of tightness in my chest and throat which make it difficult to breath (lasts about an hour). I didn't have any of these symptoms while i was on the topamax (except the hair loss), nor did I have them before it.
I am seeing an endocrinologist in a few weeks to make sure nothing on that front is causing any of this, but i really feel it's from taking and going off the topamax. If you can find other ways to deal with your migraines, DO!

I just spent the last 4 days in the hospital due to "status migrainosus" (a severe migraine that can only be treated by hospitalization/IV. I never had a migraine until 2 years ago when I was put on Yasmin to treat endometriosis. Since then I have been anxious, extremely emotional, experienced insomnia and had bad migraines. After reading all the comments on this site, I am convinced this is not a safe drug (at least for me) and have stopped taking it.

IS THIS SITE AN ANSWER TO OUR PRAYERS?

A little while ago less than two hours, after a very emotional, difficult battle with my daughter, we had yet another heart to heart to try to do better. At the end of our talk WE PRAYED for guidance to know how to help the situation. So I'm here looking for a link to her behavior fron the ADHD medication and I see someone had posted about Singulair side effects. I was floored! I have never thought that Singulair was not a safe drug. No doctor has ever mentioned any negative side effects to me regarding it. The more I'm reading about it the more in shock I am. Have I and her doctors been doing this to my daughter? My 12 1/2 yo daughter has been on Singulair for probably 10 years. She was a 28 week preemie and had severe lung issues so it was a needed medication. Her behavior has worsened the older she has gotten. Because of mostly anger issues and problems in school about a year ago she was started on ADHD medications. We are currently trying to find "the right one" . I feel so awful. Could all her misery have been caused by this little pill that was suppose to help her? Why has her pulmonoligist continued to give it to her although she has not had any serious asthma problems in years? I think I will stop all medications and see what happens. My daughter has also been on amytriptylin for about six months also for severe migraines. What do you think? Should I stop all of them cold turkey or gradually decrease one at a time? I would GREATLY appreciate any advise.
Thank you

Well ladies, I don't really have much to add. Weight gain, depression, anxiety, loss of sex drive and as many of you have said the mental problems are the worst.
In high school I tried "the pill" despite my better judgment. Ironically the female doctor I had requested did not believe me when I told her my regular migraines were caused by estrogen. Predictably I became extremely aggressive and angry.Since then I had been taking a pill with no estrogen, a once a day birth control pill, the kind you have to take at the same hour every day.
I changed over to Depo-Provera because I don't trust myself to take a pill with in an hour window. And because with out some sort of birth control I'm worried I might bleed to death. During the short period between the once a day pill and the shot I bled through two tampons and a pad in under five minutes.
I pushed through all of the horrible side effects of the first year, weird bleeding weird discharge. All the ups and downs.
I am glad to say I have no more period.
But I don't know what to do, I'm losing my friends, my life, and myself.
I'm starting to feel like this whole birth control thing is just one big joke. Or worse some sort of sick punishment.
I don't understand how these medications get passed inspection.

I have been on Topamax for about a month now and going to give it a couple more to see if it is the med for me. I use it for migraines. I usually get at least 6 migraines a month - this month I got 4 and only one was really bad. I am very disappointed that beer no longer tastes good and am hoping that if this med does work to reduce or stop my migraines that my taste sense for at least beer will return. Also, I had an odd experience last night - I had 1 1/2 Mai Tai's last night - both of my arms went totally numb/tingly - not just my hands and not just a little tingly - totally scary numb/tingly to the point of considering an ER visit but I assumed the alcohol in the drink just exacerbated the side effect. I may become a non drinker if this med actually works. Guess you have to take the good with the bad! The cognitive stuff---that only lasted the first couple weeks thanks goodness for me. Not giving up yet!

Hi ummmm im kinda new at this sort of thing.......have never taken any sort of birth control pills in my life well then again im only seventeen. Anyway....ive not seen my period since march.......and this is now September....but recently my doctor told me its a great possibility that i might have pcos and she wants to put me on Yasmin but after hearing all you guys criticize it........im not so sure if i should what should i do???!!!???

My 21 yo son started Singulair Aug.5 on Aug 6 he experienced an opthalmic migraine with persistent visual deficits that are constant. He only had one dose. He has never had any type of migraine before or even frequent headaches. Two neuro-ophthalmologists feel he is that rare case his vision may never be normal again. Singulair induced????