Postpartum symptoms and conditions

I was on Singulair while pregnant because my asthma got worse while pregnant. Postpartum I noticed my 2 month old breastfed baby was still sleeping way too much and very colicky. I tried cutting out dairy and other allergens but nothing made a difference. When I forgot to take my Singulair a couple days in a row, I noticed my mood was much improved and the anger/irritability went away. Finally, after noticing I was having vivid, bad dreams, I began to realize it might be all from the Singulair. I also had developed a stiff, tight neck and vision loss, which I now realize was also from being on Singulair.
I went off of it and must say, that was the worst week of my life. I never felt so horrible or out of control. Although I noticed the first few days, I was happy and feeling again (it made me emotionally numb) by the fourth day, I began having heart palpitations and bad headaches. I quickly got my thyroid levels checked and those were fine. Then I suddenly had severe panic attacks! I thought I was going crazy! This was mistakenly misdiagnosed as PPD, although I was never even depressed. I was given a script for Zoloft and took Ativan but that didn't take away the panic and the Zoloft seemed to make the panic worse!
I began researching and realized all of my symptoms were from Singulair withdrawals! Even my family noticed I became a mean and hateful person with this last pregnancy. This drug is an awful poison! I am slowly recovering and feeling better everyday. I'm using my fast acting inhaler for the time being. Instead of the therapy I thought I needed for PPD (mis dx'd obviously) I'm also using herbs to treat this homeopathically with a natural doctor since conventional ones still want to pass it off as something it is not due to ignorance that an asthma medicine can wreck this kind of havoc on a person! They just want to use more drugs to treat the side effects of another drug!
I am so angry I took this while pregnant and breastfeeding being told it was okay. It was not okay and I hope and pray there are no long term side effects to my child from this drug!

I have been extremely happy with my Mirena actually. I had it put in after my second child in Dec. 2004 at my 6 week appointment. The cramping and bleeding didn't last that long actually but then again I was still bleeding after having the baby anyway so it was a good time to have it done. I stopped having periods after 3 months of having it in completely. That was the absolute BEST part. I haven't had to use a sanitary pad or tampon in almost 5 years!

Now for the other aspects...in hindsight I don't know if the issues I had during the first couple years with the Mirena were side effects of the device or postpartum. That's the problem with having an IUD put in right after having a baby. Side effects like baby blues, postpartum depression (in my case I was almost postpartum psychosis), hair loss, weight issues, etc. can all be related to post-pregnancy. My biggest side effect was the hair loss. I have fine, thin hair to begin with so it's VERY noticeable when I start to lose hair. However, this happens after birth. After 2 years it was such a problem I went for a physical and requested a blood work-up. Everything came back normal. I was told it could be aging (I was 31 years old then) or stress. I tried absolutely everything from changing my diet, taking tons of biotin pills, multi-vitamins, etc. Every year I kept noticing it getting worse. I went to dermatologists who said it could be age, stress, hereditary (I have NO female pattern baldness in my family) and so forth. I started taking Women's Rogaine last fall. Still no difference and I'm losing hair still. I've even lost 25 pounds and within excellent weight range, changed positions in my company to a less stressed job (since last year) and STILL have hair loss.

My husband started doing research on the Mirena since I need to make a decision on birth control in the next 6 months. We both noticed that other symptoms were "wearing" off. I have increased sex drive (a significant amount - let's face it...14 years in a monogamous relationship doesn't all of a sudden just start to increase in the sex drive area normally), started spotting a little bit when I guess would be my period (remember I haven't had a period for 4 years now since I had the Mirena put in post 3 months) and this last month I had a REAL period for a couple days. He thought the hormones were wearing off.

I made an appointment with my GYN to discuss but thought I'd share my experience.

Again I've been super happy with the no periods aspect of the Mirena. LOVE IT! But I don't know if the other symptoms I've been having over the past 5 years are related. And now I have to make a decision. My husband wants me to switch to the Paragard Copper IUD (we love the ease of the IUD so much) yet I hate the idea of heavy periods and cramping after a decade without either. Do I take the hair loss (if it's related) but have no periods? Decisions....

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!

Just had mine inserted..it wasn't a pleasant experience at all as my cervix kept tightening up. I didn't feel well the rest of the day, cramping, bleeding, and fatigue. Better today. I hope I don't develop further problems/
What surprises me about this site is that many of the things you are describing are listed by the pharmaceutical company and the FDA as warnings and precautions as well as possible side effects. My doctor went through all of these step by step with me. I have a follow up appointment in 4 weeks and then another at 12 weeks then annually...all to check the device.
Yes, it is terrible that you had to go through these things, but this is a foreign device that is inserted in your body to deliver progesterone...if you are breast feeding, this will get to your infant; you are at risk for an infection; you are at risk for it to move/dislodge; it is a hormone and you may have adverse effects; it shouldn't be used if you have fibroids; immediate postpartum use is cautioned.
I am glad you are sharing your experiences, but I think it would be even more useful to report them to the FDA. Thanks.

This site has made me realize that I am not crazy. Well, now I am... But not for long, I have had my Mirena since 2/2005 after the birth of my daughter. Yes, there was a lot of cramping at first and the insertion was awful. The Dr. reassured me that I would begin to feel better and gave me time frames as to when cramping and bleeding should stop and may even stop completely. Wow, this is great! I thought... I nursed my first year and at the 6 month mark my production slowed. I've heard this was normal. I was proud that I had gotten down to the pre-baby weight. No credit to Mirena. This was strictly due to nursing and some exercise. At the year mark I became more and more irritable, per my husband. I was Forgetful or should I say had difficulty holding conversations due to forgetting simple words... I was depressed and just plain mean... He was right. I didn't notice until he said it, I was angry all of the time. I was reluctant to go on any pills; I feared I would be labeled as crazy. So, instead of meds we ended up needing to see a marriage counselor. Yep, after 5 months of babbling about my childhood and bringing about a normal conversation with my husband again, I end up taking medication. I had been convinced this was simply a little postpartum and everybody is depressed after a baby so I was put on some generic version of Prozac (temporarily). Had some dizzy spells at work (very embarrassing). In the summer of 2006 I started have pain during sex. I could tell it was coming from the ovary. It was on my left side. Of course, my husband had to deal to with the constant feeling of rejection. I was thinking I'm just constipated and the added pressure is well... you get the idea... Hurting everything else. After a few months of this I made an appointment with my OB doctor. I had a 5 cm cyst! I was told this could burst or possibly twist. Then I am restricted to no sex and light exercise. Within 3 months that cyst burst it sent a burning sensation through my abdomen to my upper thighs. I have a lot of abdominal pain and bloating. I went in several times later but was never diagnosed with having anything wrong. Suggested to see an Oncologist (never went). Now to the current year of the Mirena... I mentioned earlier that I had lost all of my weight back to 114 pounds (I'm petite). Within the last 4 months I have put on 17pound and still climbing. I am having some horrible pains on the right side now which I know is the return of another one of those cysts. It must be a dozy, this one really hurts. And having acne breakouts of a teenager. So let’s review... From this post I have experienced the depression, cyst, weight gain, acne, forgetfulness, dizziness, stomach pains, bloating. I want it out I had scheduled to get it done on 7/17. My husband freaked and now has scheduled to get a vasectomy. He has asked me to wait until his procedure has been done before I go through with it. So, I am waiting but am interested to hear how soon we become normal again when all foreign objects and medications has been removed.

my son is almost 4 and has been taking singulair since right before he turned 2! I am just blown away by all these things i've heard and now read about this med. I NEVER would have thought about this making him act the way he does! I thought it was just his terrible 2's and 3's! He has major anger issues, he screams out of nowhere for no apparent reason, when he gets in trouble he hits me or makes these horrible faces! he scares me sometimes! he has trouble falling asleep but once he is asleep he is out for like 11 hours sometimes! Here in the past yr when he plays with other kids he is very very mean to them... hitting them, beating them up, yelling at them.. i've NEVER seen my son act like that! It really sucks when other people just don't even wanna be around anymore b/c your kid is so mean! Which he has never been a mean kid! everyone loves him to death but can't understand why is so mean and has these outbursts sometimes! B/C that just isn't my Brayden!! sometimes i just think he is flat out crazy... like maybe i need to get him tested for some kinds of disorders! i just don't know what to do! the doc will tell me its normal 3 yr old behavior I'm afraid... and now if i take him he will think i am some crazy mother who is hearing all these stories and believing everything! Well hell ya I'm reading all this and believing everything cuz I'm sitting here experiencing the exact same thing other moms are who's children are on the same medications! I've even thought maybe its me i just had a baby 3 months ago so maybe its postpartum... so went to the doc and she has me on Zoloft which i DON'T need... I'm not a depressed person at all! But i have days where i just don't know what to do with my 3yr old i just cry i cant handle it it is entirely to much for me! it just blows me away to think that it may all be caused by a med that I give my child every night to help him! But is it really doing more goood than bad? I don't even wanna know whats gonna happen next... what is he gonna do?! I don't wanna even think about the possibilities... To know i may have an answer to his anger and everything else is kinda relieving, yet this whole thing scares me!! The med has seemed to help his breathing problem since hes been on it though! But if it makes him angry I'm sure the zyrtec and breathing treatments will do just fine!!

I had Mirena put in straight after the birth of my second child as recommended by my maternity hospital to have inserted 6 weeks postnatal and kept it in for seven months. At first I just had minor symptoms like spotting slight cramps and a little bit of vaginal discomfort due to the wires, and the only good thing was that my periods stopped eventually. As the months went on my health started to decline as the side effects crept up on me and I couldn't figure out what was wrong. I just thought it was because I have two small children and I was feeling worn out/burnt-out, it got to the point that I was struggling to do everyday tasks and look after my children. I am only 24 years old and I felt like I was a 50 year old grandmother!

I had the Mirena removed 3 days ago after reading this site and I feel so much better! This company must know that there are more side effects than they have listed, yet they still fail to list the serious and debilitating side effects their product is causing people. They were sending the maternity hospital I went to products with Mirena printed on to push their crappy product. The biggest worry I have about this thing is that I am breastfeeding and I had this stupid thing in for 7 months and some of it was coming through my breastmilk and I have noticed that my 9 month old baby girl had really bad clicking joints that have got better since the Mirena removal as have mine! (although not 100% back to normal yet) This company deserves to have their product removed from the market and someone to sue the pants off of schering. The product is completely unsafe!. If there are any long term side effects to myself or my daughter I WILL SUE THIS STUPID COMPANY AND THE DOCTOR AT THE MATERNITY HOSPITAL WHO PUSHED THIS PIECE OF JUNK TO ME. The warnings are completely inadequate - because I'm sure if all the possible side effects were listed next to no-one would have it put in. I feel that this thing is pushed on mothers so that you can't distinguish the side effects from hormonal changes that could possibly occur after the birth of a child to hide the fact their product is dangerous.

I had my baby Nov 2006, and Mirena placed 6 wks later. Even though I had stopped the after birth bleeding, within 1/2 hr of being placed, I began bleeding again profusely and had cramping in my pelvic area for several days. I bled until 3 months postpartum. I also had to go in cuz something was stabbing my hubby everytime we had intercourse, and it was untucked from my cervix. Since then, my periods have gotten light, to the point of almost non existant, just light spotting. BUT, I have never had a problem with cramps or anything before, and I get such an achy lower back for a whole week around the period. Ibuprofen doesn't do much. I will keep it in until I try for the next baby, mainly because it is inconvenient to go in and take it out, but probably won't be using it ever again after that.

Uncharacteristic loss of libido, inability to lose postpartum weight, unexplained weight gain.

I have been taking 50mg for the past month for postpartum anxiety. My only complaint is that it makes me feel sleepy. But my anxiety has decreased significantly. I wish I had asked for something months ago.

I've been reading about all these side effects and can identify! I've a 2 seperate episodes of what I thought was nerve issues, 5 years apart, both postpartum. Have had tingling and numbness in feet, hands, lips, and tongue, and have as well been tested for ms. I also am having vision issues, eyes don't focus like they're supposed to. FYI- some people do better on synthroid, and some on levoxyl. I personally felt even worse on synthroid the one time I tried it.

hello everyone,
My wife has been on prednisone since 4 weekas ago.She started with three tablets which is 60 mg.After a week they decresed the dosage to 2 1/2 tablets 50 mg and it went down to two tablets 40 mg a week later and so on.Here is her side effects: at first she experienced blurred vision but only for 10-30 minutes but they went away as the dose decresed,moon face(rounded and chubby) week joints in elbows, wrists, knees and feet.She eats a lot more than she used to,anxiety,
her eyes pulsate , irregular heart beats,sharp poking pains in neck legs head feet chest.Mood changes,gets mad at me over little things,back pains , neck pains,back muscle soreness ,cant sleep much,her head feels very big,walks very slow,gets tired fast,swollen feet,sensitive to light sometimes,headiques,feels pulsating through most of her veins,sensitive to noise,dizziness.She has about two more weeks on this medicine which she had to take due to narrowing of her blood vessels on brain(postpartum cerebral angiopathy) very rare complication after she gave birth to a healthy boy.My wife thinks it all happened because the anesthisyologist messed up on the epidural shot which he had to perform it three times on her.If anyone one out there knows how long does it take for her to get better please let me know it will be very appreciated. Thank you all
God Bless

Hello all,

I too have experienced horrible side effects from Yasmin. I have been on other bcp's in the past and never had such a negative experience. I started on Yasmin after the birth of my second child and was just assuming the stress of a newborn was resulting in my crying for no apparent reason and mood swings. However I was fine for the first few months postpartum before I started the pill. I feel extremely moody, have persistent crying spells, and have literaly stopped sleeping. I am so glad to know this is not imagined and that I am not alone.

I began taking Paxil CR for postpartum related panic attacks in January of 2004. By mid February I began to really struggle with terrible memory loss. It was impossible for me to leave one room and go to another without forgetting why...My healthy libido was down the tubes, I have gained about 10 pounds and my whole body aches. I honestly wish I would have put more thought and research into taking Paxil CR. However, my panic attacks were so terrible that I would not sleep for days on end. At the time it was so necessary for me to get as much sleep as possible while caring for my newborn. I spoke with my MD in March, during one of my monthly appointments, and she said that the side effects were more related to "being a new mother" than anything. Translation, your nuts! Little did she know I was not a new mom...this was my second child. My first is in his teens. It was at that point I realized I needed to be referred to a specialist. I also attempted to discontinue the medication over a 2 week period of time. That was a big mistake. The dizziness and out of body like experiences were way to horrible. I went back on the meds and made an appointment to see a psychiatrist. After months of this I now believe it is very important to see an MD that specializes in prescribing medications like Paxil. One who understands the side effects and can prepare you for what to expect. I don't believe Paxil CR is a bad medication. It is just like anything else, it works for some but not for others.