Post partum symptoms and conditions

Tried the NuvaRing 3 1/2 half years ago after being on depo for a few years. It came out a few times and I followed the directions to put it back in. After 3 months I got pregnant. I found out that I had actually used it a month into my pregnancy but thank god my baby was healthy and strong. Post-partum I used lo-estrin while I breast fed and when I was done with that I weighed my options. I am terrible at taking a pill daily. I tried Depo, but gained weight and I don't want to wait to try again when I decide to have another baby. The patch was just out....I heard too many bad things. I decided to try again with the NuvaRing. Thought it was a fluke that I got pregnant before. 2 months into it I felt the signs of pregnancy again. Home tests came out negative so I went to the doctor. Blood test came out negative. I was certain I was pregnant though. The doctor told me to go ahead and use it still, so I did. After a week it kept coming out so I said forget this. The next week I had a hard time getting a bridesmaids dress on for my cousin's wedding so I took another pregnancy test...and sure enough, I was pregnant. Went to the doctor and was dated at 6 weeks. My baby is 8 months old now and he is beautiful. I'm on Mirena now and have been for 6 months. Not completely happy, but not pregnant. Having migraines and mood swings so I'm considering taking it out. Now I tell everyone I know who is trying to conceive to try the NuvaRing!

I had Mirena placed March 11, 2009 after being post partum for 1 and a half months. It was great. It hurt a little and I cramped for about 48 hours after it was placed.

Now my problem: The first day of my last period was 8/19/09 (5 months into having Mirena) I haven't bled a tiny tinge since that day. So I have been without a period for nearly going on 2 months now. October 11th will be two months no period. Anyways about 4 days ago I took a pregnancy test which was negative. Today I began horribly cramping but still no period. I don't know what to do or who to turn to. I am getting this thing removed hopefully within two weeks. The nurse has to return my phone call within 3 days. Gotta love the military...ehhh I want this out now I feel like I am DYING...the pain hurts from my pelvic bones all the way up to the top of my tummy. I am nauseated and have taken all the pain medication that I can. I might go to the ER I am hurting that badly....I just feel as if I would feel better if I had a period...the pain is like labor pains. Anyone had anything like this happen before????

I finally had the Mirena removed today after almost a year of hell with all the side effects. Does anyone know how long it will take to feel normal again or if i will experience any other side effects before feeling normal again?

I have had Mirena since January, 8 months now, I am feeling so sad, actually I am looking now in the net as I was not able to stop crying and there is no reason for crying, everything is ok in my personal life. I am very concerned as this symptoms have increased in the last four weeks and I am seriously consider removing Mirena, I want my normal life back.

I had the Mirena put in Oct 08 I just had it removed July 9th,2009.It is the worst BC out there.I do have post partum but this thing made everything worse.I woke up every morning with a headache,I wanted to throw up all the time but never did,I didn't want to eat most of the time I couldn't stay awake to take care of my kids no matter how hard I would try someone always had to be around to do it for me,my moods were so bad most days I hated everyone I would get mad for no reason cry all the time even over stupid stuff,I had so much pain in my pelvic area in my stomach and abdomen and my back.Right before I got it taken out I spent 4 days in the hospital with them doing tests trying to figure out what was wrong.I have had it out for 5 days now and I have started a period (which I haven't had one in months) and now I have clots coming out I still have some back pain but nothing like to what I had and my moods are getting so much better.My husband might even be able to go to work now because I'm not as tired as I normally am.I hope they have one of those Class A suites so we can get so money for the pain and suffering that we all went through and what our kids and husbands had to go through.

I have had asthma since i was 10. I am 44 years old now. I have never in my life been on prednisone this long (since Feb 2009). It is now July 11,2009. I was admitted to the hospital for IV steriods (prednisone) because for the first time in my life the general 10 course with the pills wasn't working. so there i was on 165mg of pred every 6hrs. After eight days in the hospital i was released and was to take 40mg for five days and decrease by 5mg until done. I didn't do to well and had severe exhaustion where i couldn't even walk 2 steps the next day. so I went to my pulmonary dr. who said he noticed a severe anxiety side affect in me from the drug and said i needed to get off it as soon as possible, he had me drop my dose every day by 5mg. TO FAST! I had breathing problems again, started over going slower, got down to 10mg and had to jump to 40mg again! side effects for me are severe anxiety (which i have to take ativan for) and especially massive painful foot cramps. My hands will cramp to while trying to write, but the foot cramps and the feeling of being wired are the worst. I am still trying to wean off....sometimes i wonder if i will ever finally be off this stuff. I just want to cry sometimes. It feels like being pregnant and going thru post partum at the same time

I have had the Mirena since Feb. of 2007. I still have heavy periods that last approx. 10-12 days and my cycle is every 26 days. I do have the bloating and extreme fatigue as well as the "lazy" feelings. I have no cramping, no back pain, or headache. It was a piece of cake to have inserted...it was done during my 6 week post partum pap smear and it was painless. While it sucks to have my period for ½ the month (which does nothing for the sex life) and it sucks to be bloated and feel tired, and it sucks when we DO have sex that we can both feel it for the first 30 seconds or so, AND it sucks that I can't wear a tampon with it...I'd much rather have this than have to take a pill (I'm not a good pill taker) and it does prevent pregnancy, and it doesn't have NEAR the side effects of estrogen based BCP's. That being said...I am almost 42 years old with a 3 yr old and an 18 month old and that in itself makes me extremely tired. Also, to bond...I didn't think they would put the Mirena in someone who had never had children??? At any rate...I have really had no problems with it, but I am considering having my husband get a vasectomy so I can get this out of me and maybe the fatigue will leave, and hopefully the periods will get shorter and less heavy. I am also considering an endometrial ablation as well...but knowing my luck, I'll probably still have periods considering I'm in the 10% of Mirena users who still have a period after a year of use. Girls, you just have to accept the fact that we are women with crummy hormones that will give us headaches, and hot flashes, and back aches, and acne, and cramps, and bloatedness, and tender breasts, and a myriad of other symptoms for our entires lives. It's just the way God made us.

Thank you for all of your input, makes more sense to me, and as many of you have stated, I don't feel as "crazy" to know your stories. I have had the Mirena for only 5 weeks, the insertion wasn't that bad for me, as I was still post-delivery of my 2nd daughter, it wasn't pain free but do-able. Then the symptoms (unbeknownst to me as to what they were), I've been bleeding some every day since (plus the post partum bleeding-so I'm quite over it), not bad cramping, but the headaches have started coming which I chalked up to sleeplessness, I've been more irritable by a long shot, my husband is ready to commit me, but my worst symptom is the lower back pain, it's unbearable. I've always had back pain to a point, very manageable, but after the insertion it became ridiculously painful, there are times I can't stand up for about 2 minutes without pain. I'm very thankful to all of you for sharing your stories, and I'm worried now about the Mirena, but I'm wondering if I've given it enough time. I go next week for my checkup but not really trusting to "share" this with the Dr. as he is a man and doesn't know what this feels like

First of all, a big thanks to all of you who have shared your experiences. I am a biochemist, with a background in pharmaceutical research...I chose the Mirena IUD after careful consideration of it's active ingredient, Levonorgestrel. The side effect profile seemed pretty acceptable...until I started to experience nearly ALL of them...I am 33 years old and had the Mirena IUD placed in October of 2008 after the birth of my second child in June of 2008. The initial reaction was to be expected...cramping, a little spotting etc...nothing to be alarmed about. I still have yet to have a period (which I really don't miss so no problem there) I never gave a second thought to this until now...for the past month or so (coinciding with the weening process, since I have been nursing the entire time, I believe the side effects were not as noticeable) I have been experiencing the following (that may or may not be related to Mirena as my OBGYN has so adamantly pointed out, but after reviewing your posts I'm willing to bet they're connected) and are in order of occurrence: Major, but temporary, hair loss after 2 months or so; Major respiratory infection lingering over a month with difficulty breathing, tightness and pain in the chest at around 6 mos; And in the past month, several instances of motion-like sickness/ nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, major impatience/ mood swings, loss of appetite (pregnancy-like symptoms...yep, I was thinking man I'd be pretty pissed if I was that 0.01% pregnant statistic), and as of this past weekend, my first aurora migraine with tunnel vision and serious nausea and vomiting, to the point where I went to Urgent Care...who referred me to the ER...who wants to perform a battery of tests including a head CT. I have an appointment with a trusted GP tomorrow to discuss possible root causes...but it is to coincidental that so many women are experiencing these same symptoms! I am certainly leaning towards having this removed. CAN THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE HAD THIS REMOVED PLEASE RESPOND IF YOUR SYMPTOMS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED OR WERE RESOLVED!!! THANK YOU!
These side effects seem to go well beyond a 5% rate of incidence according to all of you who have reported. I will investigate further and keep everyone posted. As someone who is highly experienced in the pharmaceutical industry, you bet your a$$ I'm going to get to the bottom of this! Good luck ladies!

Hello, I am 26 and got Mirena about 6 months ago -3 months after my twins were born......It wasn't painful because they say its easier right after childbirth since your cervix not closed all the way yet.....The reason I picked Mirena is because I cant take BC pills because of mood swings, depression, anxiety,etc.. and they say Mirena does not do that since it is a localized hormone rather than in your blood -well after reading all of these post today I am pretty upset.......I just went to the doctor and had increased my lexapro from the 10miligrams that I have been on for 3 years up to 20miligrams and wanted to put me on Abilify.....I didn't start Abilify THANK GOD but am upset to realize that I was actually just starting to feel better from post partum and was told Mirena does not do these things...This is really dangerous -Here I am with my new beautiful family and almost split up a few times dues to my craziness that is comming from Mirena!!!!!! I am starting to feel better after 2 weeks on higher dosage of antidepressants but now know I need to get this thing out-no sexual desires here for a long time-and was clueless as to why!!!

Vasactomy is the way to go but how would I try for the boy when ready???? Maybe save some -freeze it up and end up like OCTO MOM lol

GEEEEEZ!!!!!

I am so glad that I found this site and to see that there are other women out there who are having problems with the Mirena. I thought it was just all in my mind! I had the Mirena inserted in February 2008. Started having problems with high BP when pregnant with first baby and when I went back on pill after his birth BP wasn't doing any better. After having my second child, I contemplated about Mirena vs. having tubes tied. My OB said the Mirena was the perfect thing for me and was pretty much like tubal ligation, but without the surgery. I had no problems when Mirena was inserted..just bleeding (seemed like forever for me to stop bleeding) and the normal dizziness. For the first three months, I never knew when my period was going to be, but I just kept remembering what my OB said "your periods will be like nothing after the first three months." My periods did get a little better...however not the "light" or spotting periods. After the first three months, I started noticing that my hair was starting to fall out more but thought it was part of postpartum. I started feeling really tired, skin started to break out, felt depressed, my mind was racing, couldn't sleep, had problems remembering things (simple things), migraines got worse and more frequent than what they used to be before, moody, agitated, had chest pains, nausea in the morning (at one point I thought I was pregnant again!), stomach pains, diarrhea/constipation, kept having vaginal discharge (like when you are pregnant), came down with bacterial vaginosis, UTI's were somewhat common,no sexual desire and my BP was out of control. Seven months after having Mirena inserted, I started having sharp pains near right ovary. I had problems with cysts in right ovary before and had them removed so when the pains started, I had a hunch that most likely it was another cyst. My OB closed her practice so when I went to new OB for annual pap, I mentioned all the things I was experiencing including suspicion of cyst. I told her I had been experiencing all symtoms since Mirena was put in. She told me that she has never heard of the Mirena to cause symptoms like these. Told me that perhaps I was still having effects of postpartum and that my body was trying to get "back to normal" and get used to Mirena. Had all these blood test done and everything came back normal. I did have a cyst on right ovary and was told that it should go away within 2 months. Just had a follow-up ultrasound today (2 months later) and cyst is still there along with other cysts on right AND NOW left ovary. Most of the time, I am in a lot of pain especially on the right side. I was told to just take Motrin for the pain, but that nor heat packs work at all. I am really considering to have the Mirena taken out. I REALLY believe that the Mirena is the cause of my cysts. Is there anyone out there who have gotten cysts while with the Mirena? And has anyone experienced having no problems with cysts after the Mirena was taken out? Since finding out that I have multiple cysts on both sides and knowing that my doctor will probably tell me they will eventually go away on their own (first one is less than 2cm and others are smaller), I don't know if it is even worth keeping the Mirena in. I hate having all these symptoms...I just want to be "normal" again. BUT, IT IS VERY COMFORTING TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE OTHERS WHO ARE OR HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME. Now I can tell myself that it is not all in my mind and I am not going crazy!

Dear Ladies,

I think i'm in trouble. I had Mirena inserted appx 4 weeks ago. I had the typical side effects listed: headaches, body aches and bleeding. As of one week ago my complexion looks likes I'm 13 y.o. Starting on Saturday I've had thoughts of killing myself. I'm scared and I feel all alone. Could this really be from the Mirena or am I still feeling the effects of post partum? I had my son 13 weeks ago? What's wrong with me? What do i do?

Pregnant or not pregnant?

After reading the posts from women who have had negative experiences with mirena, it has helped me know I am not alone.

I had the mirena inserted three months after the birth of my second son at the end of 2006.

Everything "seemed" great. My periods were lighter, sometimes only spotting. And the mirena was preventing pregnancy which was why I had it inserted. I wanted a tubal, but my obgyn recommended mirena instead, saying she had it and it was great.

After over indulging at Christmas, I decided to do a bit of dieting right after. The number on the scale has gone down, but my belly size has increased significantly, and so have my boobs.

My period stopped completely in August or September. I was told this would happen, and I was glad not to get it. I'm not so sure now.

I have all of the signs and symptoms of pregnancy (I feel just like I did when I was pregnant with each of my sons). I can't get through the night without getting up to pee at least a couple of times. My boobs are sore and sensitive. I've had headaches. My lower back is killing me. I feel nauseous in the mornings. I'm ravenously hungry at times. I'm sooo tired. I feel little flutterings in my belly. My pre-existing stretch marks have stretched even more and are itchy as heck.

Two hpt's have shown negative results. I'm making an appointment today to see my gp and find out what's going on.

I used to be nicer than nice and noticed after the birth of my second son I lost a lot of my niceness. At first I thought it was post partum, and when my nasty spells continued, I chalked it up to having two little ones to keep up with and being tired and all. I NEVER tied it in with mirena. Now I see my moodiness is possibly related to it.

I had commented to my husband one day before Christmas that I was feeling really bitchy, and he commented, "you're always bitchy". His comment shocked me. He told me I'm mean. This so does not describe the person I used to be. I want the old me back. This isn't fair to me, my husband or my boys.

Also, since giving birth to my second son, I have had body aches like you would not believe. When I get up in the mornings or after having sat for a spell, my body (feet, legs, back, arms - everything) hurts. Once I've limbered up, I'm okay until the next time I sit or lie down. Again, I never tied this in with mirena.

If I'm pregnant, mirena didn't do its job, so I'll have it removed and after the baby is born, either have a tubal like I had originally wanted, or convince my husband to get a vasectomy.

If I'm not pregnant, I will still have the mirena removed, because these are side effects I can do without and I want my life back.

I had my Mirena inserted 6 weeks after I had my son (14 months ago) at the suggestion of my o.b. (she was using one also).... had I known then what I know now, my post partum birth control decision would have gone in a totally different direction! Insertion was very painful! Sex with my husband was awkward at first, mainly because he could feel the strings (they are wires!!!) poking him during deep insertion... After several weeks of getting used to the mirena, the nightmares started in! Sleepless nights, tossing, turning, dreaming about my fears and insecurities, and waking up sore... feeling like I had been run over by a truck! Moodiness and quick tempered feelings also came with the little devil... wanting to kill my husband and children over the littlest things like not eating all their dinner or not picking up their laundry...stupid stuff? My husband kept asking me why I was so angry, mean and hurtful...these are not traits I usually possess! I had become a bundle of tired, bitchy nerves! Then I had a trip to the emergency room, thought to be an appendicitis at first.....but no! I have a golf ball cyst on my right ovary, compliments of the mirena!! Now I have to have monitoring of this cyst until it bursts or is so painful I cant take it anymore and have to have it removed!!! Needless to say, I booked an appointment a few weeks ago and and have my mirena removed three days ago... I know it is going to take a while before I am "normal" and heal myself from this awful cyst, but I cant wait to love myself, husband and children again...if you are thinking of getting this inserted in your body, think again!!! Your doctors will not tell you what these women have experienced and gone through!!! Don't be a part of a class action suit down the line, money can't replace your health and well being :(

I had my mirena inserted June 6, 2007. I became moody just like i was when i was pregnant, I had gained at least 20 pounds, and my stay broke out. And about a month& a half ago i have been having sharp pains in my lower abdomen. after finding this site i think my depression i had was caused by my mirena instead of being post-partum.Plus my hair is falling out. So what do you ladies think?

after reading all these comments..im honestly scared of this mirena...i have had it on for 3 months and since then slowly my hay has been falling off...i did not think it was a big deal until about 1 month ago that it got really bad..it had made a crown around the front of my head about 1 inch deep.will it ever grow back???...and if so, how long will it take???...in only 20 years old ...i don't think i could deal with being bald!!!

My daughter will be 4 months in a couple of weeks and I had the Mirena IUD inserted at my 6 week post-partum appointment. I have been bleeding everyday since then...non-stop with large clotting and heavy bleeding. The doctor said that it would lighten up after a few weeks, but nothing yet. A friend of mine said she knew someone who had the Mirena and after a year of bleeding every single day, she had it removed because she became extremely anemic. I thought that this was the only option for me. I have used the pill in the past and have a bad experience with it because it was hard to keep up with taking it on time every day. And when I forgot to take it, I became pregnant almost immediately. I had two miscarriages during those times when I forgot to take my pill. And since I am already heavy, I thought that this would be great to take because it said little or no weight gain. I lost my baby weight during those first 6 weeks without the IUD, but am now stuck and can no longer lose any. I just hope that this thing straightens itself out because I am really annoyed with it all together. It is becoming more a nuisance than something good. Now I know why they say that you won't get pregnant for 5 years...Heck, you bleed every single day so you can't have sex!!!! That is how it works, lol.

Ok...well WOW...I am getting out my Mirena tomorrow, but for the reason of wanting another baby. I was googling away looking for information about removal and post-removal pregnancy problems...and here I stumbled. When I first had Mirena put in at 6 weeks post-partum...I was so forgetful that my friend was desperately trying to figure out why I couldn't remember anything!!! I had the usual cramps and no period/super light period, but have not had any huge complaints. I mean, I could always feel it, but that's because I have always been hyper aware of my body. Well, in the last year I have been getting acne on my face...which I usually have clear skin...and I couldn't figure it out!! I thought my body was changing. I have also been complaining to my husband that I just feel run down...tired, irritable blah blah blah...I kept relating it to have having a baby. I know that pregnancy changes many things in a woman's body, so I thought maybe at 23, now 24...I was just starting to feel my age... which to most seems ridiculous. I have had headaches the past year and my caffeine consumption has increased dramatically. I have actually lost weight on Mirena, however I can't seem to lose the belly pooch, so I will see if I lose anymore after the removal. I have been so irritable in the last couple years. I have had previous problems with depression, pre-mirena...but have had more trouble this past couple years. Granted, we have had extreme personal problems ranging from family deaths (12 in less than 3 years) to the housing market crash (House in wyoming anyone? ;)) I am starting to wonder though...is it Mirena itself...or the Progeterin. I took Progesterone based BCP before having my baby..I was depressed a lot!! So maybe it is the hormone, not just the IUD. I usually respond very well to prescriptions, but I don't think I will try do a Progesterone based BCP again. I will see tomorrow if my problems have been associated with the IUD. I am not saying it is or isn't yet...If it is anything, I am sure it's the hormones, at least for me. I will see tomorrow! I will also keep the possibility of a copper IUD open, however will do research on it, just as I did on Mirena. Has anyone had the same type of reaction (depression, weight gain) on a BSP like Ortho Novum? Just curios to find the answer, maybe it will help others make better BCP decisions.

Ok i have read some of the post and now i am a bit scared about what i have done to myself. I had this put in Sept 23 2008 so i have only had it for about a week. I have two children 18 months old and 2 months old i am 22 years old and cant afford to have any children let alone any more children. So i chose mirena since i got pregnant with my children on the pill and the patches pill with my last one and the patch with the first one.

I paid 878.38 to have it put in and so far i have noticed that i have some poking and sometimes stabbing pain in that area and i have really bad gas and i am afraid to push to have a bm scared that i might push it out since the cervix is still dialiated. so far i don't want to have it removed but wanted to know.

Has anyone had it fall out?
and also what about weight gain, face compelxion,

Im not so worried about sex drive i didn't have one with my boyfriend before i had it put in. I lost my sex drive after i had my daughter who is 2 months old i actually lost it before i had her so thats not a major concern of mine that i think has a lot to do with bi polor anyways and the meds i take. And i haven't noticed any changes in depression maybe because i already take 3 different meds for manic bi polar syndrome.

I have notice some pimples popped up on my chest in the last few days but i thought that could be due to the heat and i was out side for a few days doing a yard sale.

Does anyone have any advice.

I have been on Lamictal for about 3 and a half yrs now for Bipolar 1. Overall, I have had a really great experience with the drug. I started with 100mg and then went to 200mg after a year and a half. Now I take 225mg as of a month ago. For about a year and a half I had the acne on my chin and then it went away suddenly (thought it was cutting out dairy from my diet though). I have been extremely fatigued for awhile now. 7hrs of sleep is not good enough for me so I end up taking long naps when I have the opportunity each day- I always want to sleep. I feel stupid and lack focus and motivation. I use to be a social butterfly and now I feel so exhausted when entertaining. I am a personal trainer and am in the business of making others feel better, but I seem to be feeling worse. I have experienced weight gain as well and that is hard for me since I use to be bulimic and have always had poor body image issues. I was on the NuvaRing for 5 months and it made me sooooo depressed so I finally got off that and feel better- don't mix those 2 drugs.
I am going to ask my doctor to take me off of it this week because I am ready to trust God with my mental health. I have a great support system to help me through the tough times and if I want to get pregnant, I have to go off it anyway.

Let your body heal from child birth before you get Mirena, that is my opinion. I didn't get Mirena until my son was over a year old and i haven't had any crazy side effects, at first the bleeding and spotting for about a month and then my period stopped. i love it so far and reading some of these comments i realized the common theme in them is that many of the women have had problems got the Mirena right after having their child. i really think your body needs time to process all the hormone changes and get back to normal before you add birth control to the mix.

Hey everyone, I have had issues too. Mine started when I had my Mirena placed. I was 5 weeks post partum. Felt great before that. I had a c-section and still was ok.
About a month later I realized my legs were always sore. It felt like I wore 5" heels and walked 5 miles the night before. Even the bottom of my feet hurt.
I started to put 2 and 2 together and also noted my migraines, light headedness and extremely tired, not to mention my sex drive went from 8 to zero!

I called my OB and they said I have to see my primary doctor because they won't see me for leg cramps. I told the nurse it is b/c of the Mirena...blah blah blah.

I went to my Primary doctor who knows nothing about birth control (or not as much as an OB). He said post pregnancy will bring on things like anemia and thyroid issues.

I was ok until I had this put in. I know my blood work will come back ok and that makes me so mad!

I go in Oct for my 6 mo checkup with the OB and I am having it removed. It is not worth how I feel. I don't want another baby right now but I guess it is back to the pill and calendar method.

I have had my mirena for almost 6 weeks now - I am still having some bloating, indigestion, and joint pain - all of which my doctor says should not be related to Mirena. Also, moodiness and anxiety -which she said could be due to my post partum state or the fact that I am nursing - so we left it in for now. She said to give it another month or two - UGH - I don't want to give up on it - but it seems that those that have had it removed are feeling much better - please continue to post comments after removal for those of us on the fence about what to do.

basically, this was my experience with the paragard:
1. Dec 2004 - Paragard iud was placed post-partum after my 2nd daughter was born. i was breast-feeding, and had no noticeable symptoms until Nov 2005.
2. Nov 2005 - had my first period since my daughter was born. it was heavy and crampy, but i thought "i haven't had a period in 2 years, so this is the price i pay..."
3. Each period hence was heavy, long at 6-7 days, and cramps were intense. again, i just decided that i could manage.
By the end of 2006, my periods were so bad that my husband and i decided i had to see the doctor.
4. Jan 2007 - saw the doctor about removing the copper IUD. she said that the paragard should not be causing such bad symptoms, and since i was did not want to get pregnant, she decided we should try to control the symptoms with birth control pills and Prometrium. I did not want to try Prometrium since I was unsure of how I would react to the hormone. she believed that i might be suffering from severe pms, called PMDD. note that i loved and trusted this doctor - i had some complications during my 2 pregnancy, and some problems post-delivery, and she was attentive, personable, and caring. i was very comfortable and trusting, so i listened to her recommendations. i tried yaz, yasmin, and 2 other pills over the next 3-5 months, but was extremely nauseous and sick with all of them (plus break-thru bleeding).
5. Feb - September 2007: i started having pre-period symptoms of nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea, abdominal cramps, severe fatigue. the first 2 months that i had these symptoms, they were so bad that i believed that i had an intestinal virus - same cramping, throwing up, and bad diarrhea, plus this was BEFORE my period. I then made the association between my symptoms, and the fact that they occurred 3-5 days before my period, and then they would subside about 3 days after my period started. my periods were still long with heavy bleeding.
6. September 2007 - was having same symptoms, but started 7-10 days before my period, and they were so bad that my husband had to take off from work to take care of our 2 girls each month (i stay home with them). i went back to the doctor during September, and was told to modify my diet (no white flour, sugar, low fat, high protein, lots of water) and to try some vitamin supplements since i didn't want more medications. she again recommended taking 100 mg Prometrium to help ease the symptoms. I asked to remove the IUD, again, and she said that "before she took out something that expensive, she wanted to make sure that something else was not wrong" - I was shocked at her statement, but agian I liked her and trusted her, so i went along for the sonogram.
7. October 2007 - In the meantime, I was desperate, so i took the vitamins and Prometrium, which sent me into what i can describe only as a psychotic episode. i had severe emotional outbursts, i was irrationally angry and irritable, and had absolutely zero patience. i am usually a smart girl, and in my normal "mental state" would have associated that the Prometrium had caused this severe reaction, but I was no where close to my normal state of mind, and i just thought that my physical symptoms were now affecting me mentally.
8. LAte Oct 2007 - BY this time I am so down and really ready to get my life back. I am still sick with nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, severe abdominal cramps, severe fatigue, and now my abdomen stays sore and tender through the whole month. FINALLY the doctor calls with the ultrasound results. she said that there were 2 small ovarian cysts - and i was relieved - i thought that FINALLY, we were getting somewhere - but in the next sentence she said that she didn;t think that they were responsible for my symptoms. i was deflated - and at such a loss of words. i listened to her tell me how she thought that i had IBS, and that she was going to refer me to a GI doctor. i know that IBS is a catch-all category of symptoms that some doctors throw on people they can;t diagnose. and remember, i was just a few days out from recovering from 1) having a severe personality reaction to a drug, and didn't know it was because of the Prometrium - i thought i was going mad, and 2) i was just getting over being sick before my period - AGAIN.
I finally called her back a few hours later and left a message with the nurse "since she doesn;t think that the cysts are causing the symptoms, could we please remove the copper IUD?" i never got a reply.
I called my niece who is an RN at a respected women's health center in NC and cried a lot and told her what was going on. she got me an appointment with a doctor there for mid nov 2007.
10. Mid Nov 2007 - tell the NC doctor my medical history, and she says "we need to get that IUD out". in less than 30seconds it is gone with minimal discomfort, 25% of the abdominal soreness and tenderness is gone within 24 hours of removal, and completely gone within a week. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IN MONTHS THAT MY TUMMY WAS NOT TENDER OR SORE!!!
i have a follow-up appointment for mid Jan 2008 with the NC doctor and possible placement of the Mirena
11. Nov 29, 2007 - have my first period in over a year where i am not sick etc - it is heavy and a bit crampy, but is shorter in duration.
12. mid dec 2007 - i start to suspect i may be pregnant, but think that we have been cautious, and my period is probably going to be irregular with all of the crap that has gone on
13. jan 5 2008 - yep - i'm pregnant!! but that was ok - we wanted another anyway.
14. jan 7, 2008 - catch the respiratory flu that has been going around and stay VERY sick for 4 weeks, and i just know that something is unusual - i can't eat i am so sick and am so weak that i shake whe i stand up - call a new local OB doctor and see them.
15. jan 30, 2008 - have miscarried the pregnancy
16. April 2008 - the new ob doctor places a mirena
17. first of may 2008 - my husband is asking if i feel ok, that he has seen similar but much less severe symptoms in my mood as when i was on the Prometrium. i have never had acne this severe on my face, neck and back - it actually hurts and i have some scarring even though i have not picked at it.
By the way, my new local OB told me that HE WILL NOT PLACE PARAGARD COPPER IUDS FOR HIS PATIENTS BECAUSE THEY WORK BY CAUSING INFLAMMATION IN THE UTERUS.
however, he also said that i shouldn't have any issues with the mirena, and now i am starting to wonder if i am going slightly mad...
i want my life back...
i now realize that there is a side effect to EVERYTHING that you put in your body...
i am terrified of getting pregnant right now even though a few months ago i was excited about this wonderful possibility...
i am now talking to a counselor to try to work out the events of this past year+ so i can move on...
i feel like my voice was NOT heard or even acknowledged...
the reality is that WE are ultimately responsible for our own well-being, both physical and mental, and that doctors do treat with preconceived notions about the way health should be and how medications and devices should work...they listen to pharmaceutical reps and not their patients...
i don;t know what to do about birth control now...i suspect the mirena is making me feel this way, but i am terrified of getting pregnant, i can't take birth control pills, and am hesitant to put any thing else in my body that is a chemical...however, i have no libido anymore (my poor wonderful husband) and i use to enjoy the closeness and intimacy of being with my husband...
i don't know how this affects your decision about the copper iud, but i just caution about 1) be careful with sex after the mirena is removed and 2) be mindful of anything that we eat or place in our body.
i do know that i could not find any other information from women who experienced my symptoms, but i find it very difficult to believe that i am the only one who experienced this.
lots of luck, and thank you for sharing your experience with the posting site! it has helped me make an informed decision about removing the mirena, and i hope that the information here will help you make an informed decision about the copper iud.

I made my appointment today to have my Mirena taken out in 2 days.
I have had similar symptoms, low libido, hair loss, and weight gain.
I have been on Weight Watchers since Jan. the same time I got my Mirena inserted and I am at the same weight. I am so frustrated with the weight and the other symptoms I just want it out.
But I did like not having to take a pill everyday. Is anyone considering having the Copper T inserted? It releases no hormones.
Just wondering.