Oh my goodness symptoms and conditions

i have been on mirena for 2 yrs and along with everyone else have all the symptoms from hair loss to very serious cramping in the top of my thighs. i know this is a side affect because as soon as i had it put in i have them since and telling the doctor he said child birth could have caused my pains he calls cramps. it almost felt like a hot needle in my thigh and lasted for a little over two weeks. well let me tell you something this is no ordinary cramp it is a burning sensation and does come and go like cramps but it last anywhere from 1 hour to 10 hrs or even longer. these pains are sharp and burn almost like someone is setting your legs on fire. i can't wait till i get to see the doctor again cause this is coming out one way or another.

I had mine removed this week - thank the lord above!!! However, it has been rough and be forewarned that I experienced horrific cramping and HEAVY bleeding for nearly five days. I also had terrible back pains and some pain down my legs as well as some mental fogginess. I only had it in about one month and had gained 3 pounds and outgrown my bras! So now, two boxes of tampons later, I finally stopped bleeding altogether about 24 hours ago and the cramping has subsided. I feel mentally clearer and, believe it or not, have some semblance of libido - my husband is thrilled!

I am exploring other options for managing hormonal changes in perimenopause - including evening primrose oil and am still doing lots of yoga (even during the pain periods I did lots of yoga to help me manage)...Mainly, I feel so betrayed by the doctors (two women half my age) who insisted my symptoms were "all in my head" - to those of you planning for removal I encourage you to tell the medical professionals you work with that you are NOT crazy and NOT the only one experiencing these side effects. I personally believe that many women get too much progestin in the Mirena (which is not Progesterone, either) and this, in addition to overloading our estrogen, is enough to make us completely insane and miserable. I say let nature work its course as regards my own perimenopause and to those out there using Mirena for birth control I managed to avoid pregnancy with little concern using natural/rhythm methods and condoms as well as a diaphragm, conceiving my two beautiful (now teenage) sons without any intervention from hormones except my own. I am going to do peri and menopause the same way here on out. !!!!

Would love to hear how long it took for weight and stomach fat to go away after the removal from anyone who has been there - I eat very healthfully and exercise daily so I knew the pregnant look I got after that month with the Mirena was not due to one too many cookies )as my doctor seemed to infer !

I had my son 5 months ago and had my Mirena put in at my 8 week check up. The day I got it in I hurt so bad and siting down was out of the question!It honestly felt like it was crooked or put in wrong. So I called my doctor office and of course like always no one ever called me back, but luckily the next day my body adjusted to it and the discomfort was gone. But I bled for oh my goodness, i want to say about 6 weeks after that! it was a drag! But now my periods are back to normal , I haven't noticed a difference in decrease yet ( sadly) in fact they may be a little bit heavier and longer. ( or it could just be that they seem that way cause I had a 9 month vacation! I also haven't noticed any horrible side effects other then just one. Sounds funny because im only 21 but i seriously feel like im going through menopause! Has anyone else felt this way?? I sweat in the middle of the night but am cold . Sometimes burning up hot when everyone around me is freezing cold and begging me to turn up the heat. Im boyfriend will probably tell you ive been mood swinging , maybe I have, i cant tell , right now im planning our wedding and raising baby ,I don't have time to tell, or know if anything ive been feeling is from the IUD or just stress from wedding planning. Now last week and the week before that i had a constant headache but again maybe be stress related. And as for depression, I was diagnosed with that when I was i think 16 and take zoloft for that so I don't have any problems with that. But I just want to know if anyone else is experiencing menopause like side effects?

I HATE THIS PILL!!! Oh my goodness I sunk into a deep depression and had no idea why. I cried everyday, and felt horrible. I looked up the pill and sure enough, so many other women had the same reaction. I've been off this pill for over a month now. I quit the pill on a Saturday, and it threw me into my period the very next day. Now, over a month ago, I still haven't had a period. Is this normal, or could I be pregnant?

I had to re-add my original post as it was deleted.. did not realize that personal information (e-mail) should be put in the post. It has now been 3 days since I have had the Mirena taken out. I feel about a 20% increase in my energy.. My hair is no longer falling out in the areas that I would normally be able to gently touch and pull out about 30-40 hairs..and my skin already is starting to calm down even though that was not really that bothersome to me. I must say that my OB is wrong. It was the Mirena. I did not expect my hair to stop falling out so soon, but I am certainly not complaining. I will continue to monitor and advise through posting so hopefully that will give some High expectations to others who were having the same problem.

I have to say to the ones who are noting that they have not had any problems with Mirena that I too did not have any real issues for over a year. I got it in 4/30/08. Maybe 2 months later I noticed the hair and skin being oily.. was no big deal to me.. felt I could deal with that. Then I noticed fatigue and heart palpitations that I forgot to mention as a side effect (every now and then maybe 5 months later). And then around the same time I noticed my feet tingling and my hands on one occasion turning bright red with my veins bulging.. at that point I started to research Mirena.. read some posts.. but didn't think that was my problem. June of this year is when I noticed and nickel sized bald spot on the right side of my head. Because my hair is long and pretty thick I could Hide it and thought I had better get this out of me. I couldn't right away because I have a high deductible on my insurance. Well I just got it out this past Thursday because I found 2 more spots that could be considered 4 because of the pattern of balding.. so Please pay attention to your body. I do agree with my OB that it is probably not the medication.. I think my body was reacting to having the actual device in it and was recognizing it as a foreign object and was trying to fight it off..causing an autoimmune response. As I mentioned.. my hair is no longer falling out.. the only thing that changed was me taking the Mirena out. Please pay attention to your bodies because I don't think the side effects happen all at once. I am just happy that it seems that it has compromised my hormonal balance and hasn't caused any thyroid issue.. but I have a doctors appointment with my PC to get further testing done just to be sure. If any of my symptoms reappear or my hair begins to fall out again.. I will update. !!

Oh my goodness, I have been having these very symptoms and I never related it to the NuvaRing, at least not until my fiance mentioned my birth control and I started researching it. I gave birth 5 months ago and have been on the ring since May 2009 and it was wonderful at first. No worries, just pop it in and I'm good. But this past month has been hell. I have had countless migraines so bad that I was unable to walk because every step made it worse. Yesterday I was so depressed that I was washing dishes and started to cry uncontrollably. I didn't want to be bothered with at all. Today I am so tired and weak and feel as if I am going to pass out. My body aches and I feel as if I've worked out but haven't. All of this PLUS the weight gain. I'm 5 foot 9 and weighed 130 lbs and I have gained so much weight that I feel horrible and I have absolutely no motivation to workout. I also have NO sex drive what so ever. My life sucks and I can't wait to get it back under control.

I though that it was just me but apparently it's not. I just called my gyn and can't wait to tell her what's wrong with me.

I have been on the NuvaRing for a year now and this was the first month I skipped by my own fault in forgetfulness. I went on the ring to regulate my hormones and thought it was useful to have a birth control method that overcame my pill-taking forgetfulness. It has worked really well not only in the hormonal department, but with period regulation and cramps. So many have had adverse reactions with their sex drive and emotions, but I was a lucky consumer. BUT THEN I forgot to insert the ring this past month; I was traveling and one day led to the next and you know how it goes. I brushed it off as a "medication free" month and proceeded with making my plans to move from the West Coast to the East Coast.

Last week was the week before my period and I began to experience HEAVY anxiety. Though I was happy and life was great (even with the large change in my life) my body was reacting in distress. At first I dismissed it as anxiety from moving, but then when I got my period it dawned on me. Usually I would experience heavy cramps before my period but the anxiety replaced it. I didn't even know my period was coming. My regular body clues were off base and this anxiety lead to a heavy chest feeling, short breaths, dizziness, headaches, breast soreness and general feelings of depression. As a woman I can be perfectly honest and say this is entirely hormonal because

Today I went online to research and was more than happy to see that I am not alone in the symptoms this birth control has caused me. Oh my goodness, I am almost excited to get back on it after my period to see if it dramatically changes on the flip side. I cannot continue feelings like this.

I have to agree with the July 11th comments. This medication should not be on the market. I was on Toprol XL for years and experienced side effects from that. Then my doctor recently changed my medication and put me on Lisinopril. Within days I started to experience dizziness, fatigue, muscle weakness, insomnia, racing heart ( these attacks would last for 30-45 minutes following muscle weakness ), weight gain, and oh my goodness the COUGH. That would start shortly after laying down and I would go on coughing for 2 hours. Between the cough and the insomnia what was the point of sleeping. I have been to the doctor twice complaining of the symptoms and they look at me like I am nuts. The worst part is the racing heart episodes which make me feel like I am having a heart attack. The amazing thing is, after all the tests that have been performed since I started this medication, I am a very healthy person. So why is it the doctors I have seen,who have run all these tests, at the cost of my medical insurance, never thought that maybe it is the side effects of this medication. WHY don't doctors listen more and WHY don't they take the time to inform themselves of these medications before prescribing them. They need to LISTEN more to their patients, after all
we know our bodies better than they do. My blood pressure is 104-63 with a heart rate of 110. I am 53 yrs old and my blood pressure should be between 129-142. Don't you think there should be a red flag some where?
This is where my trust factor is zero. I think the more medication doctors can prescribe the sicker it makes us. I can't speak for all doctors but I have seen 4 doctors and not one of them seemed to be looking out for my best interest. DON'T START THIS MEDICATION. Apparently there have not been enough case studies on Lisinopril. Oh by the way did you know that taking this medication increases your chance of a stroke by 60%. One more side effect. Thank you for this web site.

I had a mirena put in 5 years ago and had some weight gain and problems with ovarian cysts. My Dr. never told me the cysts might be related. They are extremely painful when they rupture - like having appendicitis. I had that one removed and then a new one put in three weeks ago. I have never been so sick in my life. I was unable to hold down food for 12 days and unable to get out of bed for 8. After that I started having severe ovarian cysts on both ovaries with one rupturing last Friday. I now have a metallic taste in my mouth that has basically destroyed my ability to eat. My breasts are very tender and I have had faintng spells. I am not sure if they changed the medication in the last 5 years but this is ridiculous. I think I am going to have this thing taken out at the 6 week check up. I am finished with kids and it is not worth it.

I have a question. I'm 27 years old an just switched to Lestrin from Yaz. Had no problem with weight on Yaz. Been on Loestrin for about 2 weeks and have gained about 10 pounds. Anyone else have this issue?

Let me just say THANK GOD for this website...i began taking yaz last may because i saw so many commercials for it and thought it would be great... all summer long i LOVED it and raved about it to anyone who would listen, probably because of the rapid breast growth it caused ( i went from a small b to a double d in a period of six months), but ive been feeling extremely melancholy and moody as of late, and i have ZERO patience; ill snap at the smallest thing. but what inspired me to finally get off of yaz is the weight gain; i used to have a wonderfully toned body, very nice abs and muscular slender legs; since taking yaz, i have gained 17 POUNDS and working out incessantly and watching my diet is doing absolutely NOTHING to help this weight gain...it didn't cause acne, but ive never had acne so im not sure if that side effect really applies to me...but im constantly tired, bitchy, and craving junk food, even when im not hungry. all i want to do is nap all day long and im just extremely depressed all the time. im throwing my pack out as we speak and i suggest anyone who is having similar side effects do the same because they always get worse.

Has anyone had extremely painful, deep, inner bursts in/around a certain side of their pelvic area? Its hard to explain the pain I have been getting since I got Mirena inserted one year ago but I cant take it anymore. Usually when I am constipated it gets worse. It feels better when I lay down. It comes and goes and when it comes I cant take it. It is a pain I have never felt before?

Has anyone else ever had this happen?

I was on Loestrin 24 for 9 months and thought it was wonderful....until I was recently hospitalized for 2 weeks with blood clots in both lungs. The doctors determined that it was the Loestrin. If anyone knows of a class action lawsuit against them, please let me know.

Hi to all Yasmin victims. I have been off Yasmin for 2 months now and still experiencing anxiety in the mornings and depression. Silke, flower babies, whoever is there to help me believe this suffering will come to an end. I lost the joy in life, and cannot function as i used to. Please please write to me girls, i really need support. I am 26 and living on my own in another city. I had to move next to them for 1.5 months in order to survive. I lost so much weight, my thyroid started to work fast (it is under control now). I have a beautiful and loving boyfriend, and he is suffering with me too, our relationship is damaged a lot because of my severely depressed mood. I need to talk to people who are getting better. I am on antidepressants because I was soooo depressed and with no appetite. I feel much better compared to the previous month, I am trying my best to stay strong but sometimes loose my hope. I really need you guys, I really need your supporting words.

Oh my goodness.....my daughter, age 17, had her first injection in June 2008, started losing her hair w/in a month. We thought it was form straightening, some high lightening etc. She had blood work done which showed she was anemic...strange, as 2yrs prior her blood work was stellar, and she had not changed her diet, or physical activity. She increased her iron and protein intake (along w/ supplements).....three months later, and after her second injection, iron was still anemic....worse actually, and her hair loss significant.I found this website last night....and I am floored......I called MERCK today and spoke to a representative wh o was not aware of the hair loss issue, but said that in their case studies, Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia was a side effect.....which leads to hair loss itself.....so I am researching now what to do next.....anyone else have this issue??????

Did anyone find they where extra paranoid and jumpy while on Yasmin especially towards your loved ones? and that your blood was boiling inside you over the smallest things?

Ladies! I think it is wonderful that we are sharing our experiences here and helping one another. I felt it is necessary I share my experience as well. Thank You to all you ladies who have posted. You have helped me.

Got Aviene from my pharmacist saying 'it's same as Alesse, it's cheaper and the drug company covers this versus Alesse.' How dumb of me not to research this despite the fact this came without a box and instructions.Where is this made? Read up on it etc... things one would do BEFORE trying something. I did not do this and this has cost me.

I noticed changes as you all say you did as well. I have been taking the pill for 3 months. I work out as much as I can so about at least 3 times a week, I had a energy loss, I felt in an unexplainable way, just tired and irritated by the day. No, this is not normal for me. I got a great deal on a scale and stood on it and couldn't believe a 20 pound weight gain. This was not exactly a surprise since my clothes don't fit well and I am very uncomfortable. However, this still didn't make sense b/c I have breakfast and it's not junk, toast coffee or eggs with it or serial. For the last 3 months I made healthy lunches, I cooked ahead so took fish, chicken, rice, whole wheat sandwiches, orange juice, water, milk to work. No junk, no pop, no over eating. Had fruits and veggies. I was glad I was keeping up with this but to gain weight from it? I have a full time and a part time job keeping me busy and this life style, what I did for the last 3 months always included weight LOSS not GAIN. I am pretty pissed about this. (Of course, I am on Aviane, we are all pissed off, haha but not really haha right?) I have major issues with my face, considering I am using the same wash... no change...Anyway.. you're all seeing something doesn't' make sense. I have actually had bloating. Major bloating. 3 weeks. Never had this before. I took over the counter aid, that did help. I am 30 I never took over the counter aid.. let's not mention what I took but it helped.

Listen everyone, get off this pill. I will never take this pill again. I have 4 left this month and forget it I'd rather get my period tonight and anticipate change to occur.

On my way home, as usual of late, I tried to figure out WHAT is wrong with me. In conversation with a cooworker I mentioned the 20 pound weight gain and all and she said 'so much in such little time?' I was thinking about it on my drive home... I am at 2 new jobs and have stress but... to gain this much... and it dawned on me. I CHANGED MY B.C. It HAS TO HAVE something to do with it. I came home and goodled. You can't find anything on Aviane but negative comments. You go on Alesse... oh! a company website at least shows up.

Thank you Ladies... I believe I am having the same reaction as all of you did and I do sincerely Thank everyone for taking time out to post. You have helped me and I do think this B.C. is the reason for my current state.

I'll post in a week or two and then after a month to provide an update.

Take care Ladies!

I have had mine for over a year now. I initially never thought any of these side effects were related to this device. After gaining weight when I have been exercising and eating the same (sometimes one pound per day), bloating, decreased libido, swollen legs (like when I was pregnant), nausea, and having this horrible neck/shoulder muscle ache (to name the biggest ones), I talked with my OB about this being the cause. She pretty much dismissed it as having anything to do with this. Then, after becoming so frustrated about the weight gain, I decide to research this little thing and I find this!! Oh my goodness. I have scheduled an appointment to remove this tomorrow. It also bothers me not to have a period. I feel like it has been building up for over a year and that is why my stomach is so pregnant like!! I think it works great for some women, and I had a fabulous experience for the first 8 months about. I just think it is important for women to pay attention to their bodies and just because a professional disagrees, does not mean they are correct.

I think Fosamax KILLED MY MOTHER. My mon was previously healthy with no known medical problems. No hypertension, no high cholesterol, no diabetes...nothing. She was taking Fosamax for osteoporosis prevention. She developed an acute liver failure. There was no viral, bacterial, or cancer linked to this sudden onset of liver failure. She received a liver biopsy and within one week was dead from bleeding from the biopsy site. I have recently found some journal articles linking Fosamax to acute liver failure. MY HEART IS BROKEN. Do not take this drug without doing in depth research on its side effects and discontinue it immediately if any side effects occur. God Bless.

I've never written on a blog in my life, and now that I've just read this, my stomach is doing flip flops and my blood is runnung cold. I have an 11 year old son and a 9 year old daughter. They have both been on singulair for quite a few years. My son has been on ADHD meds now since about a year and a half after starting Singulair because we tried to avoid them. Every few weeks he tells me he has this empty feeling inside him that makes him really sad and he doesn't know what it is. It just feels empty. I'll usually read with him or play a game or walk our dog with him to help him feel better.
As for my daughter, she exhibits all of the symptoms I have read about. She talks about life being terrible( trust me, she has it pretty good), she has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, OCD and Tourette Syndrome. Every psychiatric medication we have tried has made her worse. She was always a confident, outgoing little girl, and then she just changed. She's had stomach aches, which the docs always thought were in her head. She gets headaches. She is extremely sensitive, won't let me even brush her hair or touch her. She has extreme mood swings and gets upset over the most miniscule things, then writes about them, even saying she realizes her anger was too much for what the situation was! I will stop Singulair immediately and see what happens. What a miracle it would be if all of their symptoms disappeared.

I am a 29 year old (30 in May) mother of 4. I am so glad that I came across this website. I am having many of the same symptoms that most women have been posting about. After having our 4th child in September, I decided to go a different route with the birth control. I wanted to try the Mirena. It seemed like the answer for me. So I had it inserted in October 2007. Since then I've been thinking that I have gone crazy. My period has been longer and heavier than it has ever been. I am a teacher. I had to leave school one day to change pants because a colleague of mine noticed something on the back of my pants. Yeah, talk about embarrassing. That has not happened since middle school (and I was at home then). I am also experiencing mood swings, headaches, bloating stomach, and insomnia. My biggest noticeable changes are the weight gain and my sex drive. I have never worked out as much as I do now and I am still gaining weight. I joined the Biggest Loser contest at my gym in Jan. Guess who was the Biggest Gainer? Sex... oh my goodness. If I hear my husband complain one more time I think I will scream. I have no desire whatsoever to have sex. This isn't me. I thought that I had a problem with my thyroid or something, but after coming across this site I'm going to make an appointment to discuss my side effects. I can't go on living this way. It's not fair to me or my family. Thanks to all for sharing your story.

My Mirena Removal....
So i posted here a few weeks ago after I found this site. I had EVERY side effect listed and was so freaked out that i immediately made an appointment for removal.
For those of you reading and wondering what the removal is like..
Well, NOTHING like the insertion. I was so so nervous and it was over before we actually started. The DR was surprised that i was back in his office to have this removed. He then proceeded to do an ultrasound to be sure it was placed properly before removal. And yes, all was OK on the position of it. I explained to him my reasons and he looked at me like he had never heard this before. I honestly can not imagine with all the women he sees that NONE of them have complained. But...as I was getting dressed afterwards, I took a good look in his office. There was Mirena literature ALL over the place. In fact, that was the ONLY thing he was advertising. Not to mention...they made me pay up front with the insertion back in Nivember...billed my insurance and I still have yet to receive my reimbursement. Oh yeah, and that...they charge more than the actual Mirena costs, then they bill your insurance for the price they know they will pay and the DR then makes about $150 profit. Nice.
Ok, back to my side effects post Mirena. The removal was not painful at all. I did spot for about a week- nothing too heavy but it was clotty and def there.
A couple of days after the removal it felt like I was coming out of my skin something terrible. I figured this was my body adjusting to the lack of hormones. I also had some headaches.
It has now been 2 weeks and the spotting has disappeared. I also can see the bloating of my stomach is starting to go away. It looked like I was about 4 mos preggo while I was on it. I also have an increased sex drive. And sleep-- well let me tell you, I have not slept this good in a very long time. I am actually sleeping more than 6 hours now and the night sweats have also discontinued.
I can't believe EVERY time I come to this site and look up Mirena ALL the people that have posted their experience as being negative. Yet, the DR looks at me like I am crazy! I have been seeing him for years and I have never complained about something like this. I really am so happy that I have it out and wish I would have done my research on this prior to insertion (which was one of the most painful things ever!)
So..for those of you out there that are either contemplating having it inserted...I say NO WAY. And for those of you out there that are nervous about the removal or not sure..I SAY YES, DO IT! For our bodies to be reacting this way, it is clear to me that it should not be inside of us. Listen to your bodies...they really do speak to you and let you know when something is not right. Forget about the DR saying it is safe or he has not heard of any of these side effects...YOU be the judge.
Good luck! And I promise it gets better once you get that lil' demon out!
Mona

Oh my goodness...I thought I was really the going crazy, getting fat, huge boobs, headaches, and NO sex drive -on the pill person. Thought it was just me. I have also been extremely moody and depressed---crying while watching a commercial? Yeah, pretty bad. My boyfriend thinks I have lost interest because in the beginning of our relationship (before the pill) I was a sex crazed person---now, not so much. I never think about it--at all. I have to use lubrication to have "comfortable" sex because otherwise I am dry. This is a first time ever that I have experienced that. I have gained 12 pounds despite exercise and diet---I eat very healthy because I enjoy it. I have been on the pill for 6 months and it is horrible. The problems came one by one and now as I sit being completely miserable- I know why. I'm getting off this pill!!!!!!

Oh my goodness.. I have been on Ortho Tri- Cyclen Lo for four years and lately it has been making my life a living hell. I have been experiencing some of the same things that you guys have been experiencing. My sex drive have been horrible, like to the point that it has put my relationship in the pitches. I have been having mood swings, depression, ( where I don't want to talk),suffering for anxiety. I mean it's weird I just don't feel like myself around that time of month. Can somebody help,cause I due to go to the doctor in the morning and I want to try out yaz... TALK TO ME ......SLAUGHTER'S GIRL

I had my Mirena put in January 2004 after my daughter was born. My doctor said it was the best thing for me since I had a stroke 6 days after I had her and they didn't know why.. he said he wanted to research about my situation before he would tell me if I should have more children. I love my ob-gyn, he is great but he didn't tell me about all the side effects. I gain a whole lot of weight, (was in size 5 when I got pregnant, now 20) I thought I was just fat because it was a family thing.. my aunts gained after baby's too. but not like me... my breasts won't stop growing.. I can't stand it, was a full B, now I am passing a DD and I just don't want to go up another size, mood swings, oh my goodness, acne(yep), didn't have a high sex drive before, but now it completely gone, there is more but I just figured it was my imagination.. I am gonna get it taken out soon, of course my 5 years is almost up now.