September 26th
2009
8:19 PM
I've been prescribed 100 mg. of Doxycycline Hyclate twice a day for 21 days for Lyme Disease. I was tested to rule that and rheumatoid arthritis out because of hand pain - and I don't know who was more surprised when I tested positive - my doctor or me. Any symptoms I had, including the hand pain, I attributed to the aging process (51/female).
Took the first pill in the later evening on a Friday and waited the 30 minutes before going to bed (instructions said not to lay down for 30 min.). I woke up in the middle of the night with terrible acid reflux, which I've never had. I found it difficult to time taking pill after not eating for 2 hours and waiting 1 hour afterward - never realized how often I ate small snacks. Same thing the next two nights - I also had heartburn, which is rare for me.
I realized it would be far easier if I took the pill immediately after rising and as soon as I came home from work. That has greatly reduced the heartburn and eliminated the acid reflux.
I am fully committed to taking the pill to have the best results in eliminating the bacteria from Lyme Disease, so I'm taking it exactly as prescribed on an empty stomach. This is causing some stomach upset and nausea, which is the worst in the hour after I take the pill while I wait until I can eat - especially in the last 15 minutes, when I feel on the verge of vomiting. I try to keep myself busy, but even without looking a clock, I can tell where I am in the hour. I am hopeful that by taking the meds on an empty stomach, I'll get maximum absorption - but it's been a struggle for me.
One other discovery I've made is that the nausea is less the rest of the day if I eat - and carbs seem to be what is most appealing. I'm far more easily nauseated during the entire day, some days more than others. I feel some fatigue, but nothing that is so severe I'm not able to function and go to work. I feel bloated and my stomach just vaguely hurts, so I'm trying to wear loose clothing.
I'm finding this drug therapy a bit difficult, as I felt pretty well beforehand. My doctor has recommended I give this my best effort, as it is the "go to" drug for Lyme Disease, but has said if I can't handle it, she will give me an alternative. I am trying to stick this out, partly out of determination and silly pride, but also because I am allergic to a lot of drugs and since I seem to be able to tolerate it, albeit with some discomfort, I figure I should suck it up. I have a little bit of the tingling, am occasionally feeling a little flushed - usually when I'm highly nauseated (which is a typical reaction for me), but nothing horribly bothersome.
I'm hoping I don't develop the sleeplessness, anxiety or depression that many of you have reported, as I feel terrible for you. That would become a deal breaker for me.
Unless it's my imagination, my hand pain is reducing and some achiness I just figured was normal has been lessening. If this was the result of Lyme Disease and I can get rid of that, this (hopefully) temporary discomfort will be worth it. Good luck to all.
-- By lyndyb | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 26th
2009
12:38 AM
Wow you ladies are so right! I have had all the symptoms you all listed but my OB/GYN says it not the Mirena. What frustrates me the most is the random spotting and the cramps. I got my Mirena inserted 7/10/09 and it hurt like hell. I would not do it again. Immediately after insertion, I cramped and had severe lower back pain. I was almost in a car accident on my way back to work due to a sudden blurry vision episode. Afterwards that day I felt fatigued and cramped all afternoon. These cramps were short, sharp and uncomfortable, nothing like menstrual cramps. BTW, Im 29 and never had a baby so I don’t know what labor pains feel like. I recommend that if you do decide to get a Mirena (don't do it) take the rest of the day off after insertion and have someone drive you home to avoid any unknown side effects you might get (like the blurred vision I got). The rest of the month I spotted, had uncomfortable cramps and the lower back pain. 2nd month the back pain, cramping and spotting went away. I had a period as usual, but lighter. My 2nd checkup was after my 1st period not three mo, that’s what my doctor said and since the side effects had ceased, that is what I told my dr. All she said was that my strings had shortened and she yanked on them to make sure they weren’t too short and said everything looked ok. She asked me a question that caught me off guard that you should ask before you get your Mirena. She asked me if my bf had complained about getting poked! Because I had bee spotting all month I hadn't had any relations and said no but I should have asked her if the strings would be sharp enough to poke thru a condom or hurt the penis. NOW the OB/GYN might laugh at u but ASK! What I've learned thru this experience is that I need to do more research on things that will go into my body ad ask ask ask questions no matter how silly they might sound. Now going on to the side effects again. I’m going into my 3rd mo and I'm considering removal. My period was12 days late and I only spotted lightly that week. THEN I began to spot heavier 2 days ago. I have cramps today and am very fatigued. I'm also emotional (crying as I'm typing) almost like I'm having my period now. I'm very frustrated, my sex drive has not dropped at all but now I cant have sex because I'm spotting again. AND I fear my bf is gonna get poked! I am losing hair, but my hair has always fallen out easily so I'm not sure if that's due to Mirena. I do have some light acne on my back and face but it can be controlled by medicated creams obtained from a dermatologist (I use Tazorac and Duac for the face and Clindamycin phosphate topical lotion for the body) I get nauseous, dizzy and irritable randomly, and I even thought I was pregnant. Another thing I didn’t like my doctor telling me was that you cant be sure if its effective as a contraceptive, just have sex and if you don’t get preg then it works. What? Also I asked about how one can determine about it being embedded and she said that you couldn’t know until you have it removed. If it doesn’t come out easily then it might be embedded. What? I'm imagining a painful bloody extraction, which is the only reason I haven’t taken it out. But thanx to this website and you ladies, I'm feeling better about getting it taken out. I think that as long as its not embedded, there shouldn’t be any complications. Finally the last side effect that frustrates me is the weight gain. I have gained probably 10lbs and lots on the midsection. I'm not joking when I say I LOOK preg. AH! Yes I agree with one blogger below when she says that we should get together and formally sue. Good luck to you women who decide this is what you want and congrats to the women who actually like it. But I pray for all of us who are not taking well to it even if our doctors don’t believe its Mirena causing us all this grief. Now I have to consider my birth control options again, not happy about that. If you can tell me about BC that isn’t the pill or a tubal ligation or Essure, please let me know. Also feel free to ask me question about any of my comments. I will try to help as much as I can.
-- By dee09 | Reply | Private Message me
September 23th
2009
6:56 PM
I have had my Mirena since May of 2007, at first it was wonderful then about 1 year in I started gaining weight, particularly in my mid section. My mood swings were out of control, anxiety, restlessness, joint pain, acne. I spoke to my doctor and told my stomach issues were probably IBS and acne was probably stress or hormones. I was put on lexapro for the mood swings and anxiety. I have been watching what I eat and working out and nothing has helped.Finally last week I decided to do some research on my own and googled "midsection weight" and articles linking this to mirena flooded my screen. I spent the rest of the day reading and called my doctor the next day. I have an appointment tomorrow to have it removed, I will keep you posted. Part of my is angry that these side effects were not listed in the pamphlet I received from the doctor but another part is so relieved to have found an answer to the madness.
-- By angi77 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 6th
2009
9:46 PM
I have posted here before and wanted to post an update because after my Dr. recommended Mirena to me 1 year ago, this website and all of the complaints scared me away from it! Fortunately, I gave it a try anyway. I have never been pregnant before and the insertion was OMG painful. Fortunately I had someone to drive me home. I was out of commission for the rest of the day, and I had severe cramping for the next two days. But after that, and for the past 12 months, the only side effect I have had is irregular bleeding, which is very slight. I have not had problems with acne or weight gain or cramping. It has also been 100% effective. I recommend it to my friends.
-- By user | Reply | Private Message me
July 12th
2009
1:04 PM
I have been taking Topamax 75mg twice a day since the end of April 2009. On some nights, just before I fall asleep, my mind begins to race. These racing thoughts continue for an indefinite period until I get up with a headache. I’ll take something for the headache, read for about a half hour or so and then go back to bed. Now I sleep to morning. When I arise, I forget the thoughts that had raced through my head the previous evening, which is good, because many times these racing thoughts are angry thoughts. Now. For the rest of the day, I am wasted, like I had not had a good night’s sleep; like I had been very active during that time that my mind was racing.
Note that these ‘racing thought’ episodes do not occur every night, nor immediately upon bedtime. They sometime occur if I rise to use the bathroom. They may not even be related to Topamax. They ONLY started right around the same time as I started using that drug.
June 15th
2009
7:41 PM
I have always been thin -- not waif-like, but proportional and around a size 8. I never had a six-pack, but did have a flat stomach and good core muscles. The other consistency about my health was that a little extra exercise usually produced quick gains in strength and stamina. Not so much now. Keep in mind that I'm a runner and eat fairly well...
I had my Mirena placed on the day that I finished a 6K -- in May 08. (Literally went home to shower, took a PB&J sandwich to snack on during the procedure lol, and went to the clinic.) It's June 09 and I'm having it removed tomorrow. I've had the weight gain, very oily hair, and I don't care what the doctors say: I can feel that little sucker! My stomach has been bloated-looking for a year. Yet, ANY time I do any sort of ab workout (i.e. a few crunches) I have cramping for the rest of the day. I've gone up a size or two and none of the pants I wore last year fit me. I've had my thyroid checked to make sure it's not burning out... I've second-guessed everything except the Mirena.
I've had back pain, but it's upper not lower... so that's probably unrelated. I was being treated successfully for depression prior to my Mirena being placed... although I have had to up my dosage within the last 6 months. My periods did go away about 6 months in, but if I do strenuous ab activity (like I did on Friday) within a few days I will have bleeding. Like today ;) So, the advantage of fewer periods... not an advantage if you can't even predict the week you will be bleeding!
-- By brownsa | Reply | Private Message me
June 4th
2009
9:50 PM
I am thirty five years old, in good shape, and healthy. I had my Mirena in for 1 month and finally I couldn't stand it anymore and had it removed today. When I had it put in I was told I 'could' experience some of the symptoms, and it seems I experienced most of the ones listed...
I had a copper IUD for ten years prior to the Mirena and did not have any problems. The day I had the Mirena put in I cramped so bad I was absolutely in tears. All I was able to do for the rest of the day was sleep, take Advil, and just hurt. The pain improved gradually over the next few days.
Since the first day, I bled every day almost non-stop (sometimes spotting and sometimes heavy), had nausea, headaches, stomach pains/cramps, bloating, water weight gain, acne, breast tenderness, and my appetite seemed constant. I also think I gained a few pounds even though I worked out almost every day. When I would exercise or when I was out walking around I would notice my stomach would get bloated, cramp, and it felt firm to the touch as if I was pregnant again.
When I contacted my OB they encouraged me to give it a few more months and said the symptoms would lessen after 3-6 months. However, this was really affecting the quality of my life and I had too many symptoms. They really down played the side effects claiming most people felt fine. Obviously this is not true by what you read here. I have had a hard time working because of my feeling so uncomfortable further into each day. I think activity would cause further irritation?
Today I had it removed and I thought I would be in absolute pain all over again. Other than the few twinges of getting it removed I have not cramped since. My headache has lessened and I feel significantly better already. I assume it will take a while for the hormones to completely go away. I did not want to put the copper IUD in at this time and really wanted a break. If I go back to anything it will be the copper IUD which I remember the only side effect symptoms I experienced was cramping on the first day.
I wanted to share because I have read many of the comments here and found most of the reviews are negative and not positive. I did contact Bayer health and they said I could send in a letter with my receipts requesting a refund and I hope they do. They said the cramps should go away and could be an indication my body was trying to expel the device. These side effects do concern me in how this will effect me long term. I had to sign a sheet that stated the same risks applied when removing the device as having it inserted.
I am glad I trusted my body and instincts today and had it removed.
Trust your body! This is not for everyone.
-- By steph09 | Reply | Private Message me
May 28th
2009
3:00 PM
I was prepared to make an appointment with my Dr. about decreasing to eliminate my Lamictal for Depression because I'm non-stop crying and argumentative with my husband. My interest in my passions of baking, homemaking, horse care and riding, and being with friends has disappeared. I, too thought loss of short-term memory, hunting for common words and memories of events and people, and losing things were a result of being on the brink of 60. Like many who have posted, I lose things and spend the rest of the day looking for them, only to find them in some obvious place. And, like many who have posted, I'd rather be bi-polar on my own than to continue taking this drug. So, here I am calling my Dr. to discontinue Lamictal on a reasonable schedule. Thank you to all who have posted because, now I know I'm not alone in my craziness. depressed in Paradise
-- By crazyinparadise | Reply | Private Message me
May 6th
2009
3:57 AM
took 2 pills and the next morning woke up and felt a little sick once i got to work i had severe nausea vomiting and loss of balance. the loss of balance lasted the rest of the day along with loss of appetite and fatigue.
-- By bobbyjones1987 | Reply | Private Message me
May 5th
2009
3:33 AM
Ive had the Mirena for almost 2 and a half months now. Insertion was horrible and hurt very bad. I cramped for the rest of the day. It was inserted about 3 days after I started my period and I haven't stopped bleeding since. The lower half of my stomach below my belly button is bloated so it looks like im about 4 or 5 months pregnant and Ive broken out all over my face, back, chest, and neck. Nothing will make it go away. I was having severe cramping when my normal period time came around and it radiated from my lower back down my leg into my knee. Ive got an appointment next week to have it removed. However, my best friend had it put in the same time as me and she has had absolutely no side effects at all.
-- By jaciwray | Reply | Private Message me
February 23th
2009
4:56 PM
I have to say that I have had the total opposite experience with Mirena. After several weeks of research and careful deliberation, I chose to have it inserted. The live journal website "iud divas" provided so much information, and mainly showed me that all women have different experiences. Sure the insertion was painful, but it was also brief. I took the rest of the day off work as a precaution. I was a little nauseous for a while and had some cramping and spotting. It has been over 3 weeks since my insertion, and I have nothing but positive things to say about Mirena. I feel great and it's wonderful not having to take a pill every day. Instead of cautioning about the dire consequences of using Mirena, I would advise women to bear in mind that every woman's body is different. I would also advise looking at the iud divas live journal so you can see that there are many many women who have had positive experiences with both Mirena and Paraguard.
-- By bassetlover86 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
February 19th
2009
12:57 AM
I've had my mirena in for 4 years now..and can relate to some of the symptoms mentioned. It never occurred to me before that mirena may be the cause. I'm extremely exhausted all the time. I'm a mother of 3 and I maintain a very healthy lifestyle. I go to the gym at least 4 times a week and eat all the right foods. Instead of my workout leaving me refreshed(as should) it nearly takes everything out of me. The rest of the day is a total struggle. Its like ive used up all the energy available to me. I turned 33 less than 2 months ago. I taught of aerobics prior to the birth of my 4 year old son. I had my mirena inserted at my 6 wk checkup. I lost my motivation to continue my workout habits..yet still maintained an active lifestyle without the intensity until 6 months ago. I was 112 lbs @ 5'1 when I got pregnant with my son. I was 144lbs when I delivered. I was down to 120 at my 6 week checkup...and still haven't budge from there! (after the mirena). I'm bloated all the time. As others have said...looking like they're 3 months pregnant...thats me! I've also have swelling in my hands and feet randomly. (mostly my hands) My periods are light..spotting mostly and come approx every 3 weeks. My breast become extremely tender a week prior to. Sleeping is not a problem here...I'm practically out before my head hits the pillow. I often have trouble focusing and feel lightheaded. I also hope to have another child next year some time being that I am remarried and my husband doesn't have any children of his own. After reading some of these stories I'm wondering if that will be possible. In the past...my husband had often complained of feeling scaping during intercourse...yet hasn't felt it in quite some time. I wonder if that's good or bad? I hope I don't have to get mine surgically removed! I'm scared now! If anyone can relate to me...please comment.
-- By jo2314 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
February 19th
2009
12:06 AM
I had Mirena inserted about 6 months ago and I am getting it out next week! The convenience of the IUC does not outweigh the side effects in my opinion. First of all it was extremely painful when it was inserted! I almost fainted walking out of Kaiser and layed curled up in bed for the rest of the day. Then I spotted for 3 months straight. I have also experienced acne ever since it was placed and I have never had breakouts this bad in my entire life and I'm 24. I also feel moody and bloated, and this is strange but I started lactating. The doctor said this could be a side effect from Mirena. The product should have been studied more before being released to the public. In my opinion it is not safe. I'm upset that many side effects are not listed about the product and after reading the message boards I am afraid of what else might be happening that I might not be aware of. If I would have known about all of these side effects I would have stuck with birth control pills. I read about miscarriages occurring after Mirena had been taken out and I really hope that's not true because I have no kids of my own and would like to someday. I would not advise to get Mirena. Please save yourself the misery and choose another form of birth control.
-- By rikki123 | Reply | Private Message me
February 13th
2009
3:12 PM
Hi, I had the Mirena inserted in July 2008. When it was inserted it did not hurt much, I had little cramps during the rest of the day. The first few days it was ok then I started feeling somewhat sore down there and I felt like the Mirena was about to come out. So I went to the doctor he said he had to cut the string because it was too long. Ok. Afterwards I had my period for like ten days (it was very light). After that there was NO MORE PERIOD. Everything was going fine until I started feeling sudden cramps around my stomach (I'm thinking its the are where the mirena is inserted) but the good thing is that that only happens once in a while so I'm guessing thats normal. The thing that I DISLIKE the loss of sexual appetite, I pretty much had a very good sex life now I just don't feel comfortable anymore. After sex I feel somewhat sore and my husbands says he can actually feel the mirena sometimes. I don't like that loss of sex appetite and I do believe is because of the mirena because I was not like that. I don't know if I should get it removed or if this is a temporary symptom and it will go away or what?
-- By prettylady | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
February 8th
2009
5:06 PM
I have been reading the comments here for a few weeks. I had the Mirena for almost 5 years. I had it inserted after my 3rd child. I have never been overweight. I gained 25 lbs. Felt bloated and pregnant all the time, and had horrible migraines caused by the hormonal fluctuations. I also felt like ants were crawling all over my body. Last Tuesday, I finally was able to get the Mirena removed. When the GYN removed it I felt a little cramping. That was it. Off and on the rest of the day and the next day I had cramping and a little spotting. Thursday, I started passing huge clots and lots of bright red blood. I came close to passing out. Friday it slowed down a little. I spent most of the weekend in bed and now the blood slowed down. I am feeling better. Less bloated and I lost 5 lbs already. The GYN said it will take 4-6 weeks for my body to get back to normal. Other posts I read say it could take up to 18 months. I would never recommend the Mirena to anyone. I would have removed it sooner but did not have insurance. I tried to do it myself but couldn't get to it. Now I am hoping to get my body back in balance and 25 lbs. Thanks for all your posts.
-- By loveneverfails77 | Reply | Private Message me
January 22th
2009
11:10 PM
I'm 22 and I've been on Loestrin 24 for about a year now. When I first started taking it, I had severe mood swings and I cried over every stupid little thing for about 3 weeks. I even snapped at one of my co workers and I've never done that in my life. The littlest things were making me cry! It was ridiculous. But my periods were better after a few months, I have noticed some spotting every now and then. But I never gained any weight, and I have no acne. When I get my period and I'm on the brown pills, I sometimes get really bad headaches. It was only when my doctor told me to take them at night that my nausea finally stopped. I didn't know taking them in the middle of the day could make a person so nauseous like I was. It was bad. I couldn't eat anything because everything was making me sick. But thats all gone now. One thing I can't figure out, is that every once in a blue moon I forget one pill. They say you're supposed to take both of them no matter what, but when I take them so close together like that, I wake up in the middle of the night throwing up. Not sure what I should really do about that...
-- By justme86 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
January 12th
2009
2:59 PM
I Had Mirena Inserted in Late July 2008 at 22 years old. I've always been a very happy go-lucky person, optimistic, and I've never had any issues with headaches or acne. I was very optimistic about my decision to get Mirena. I had thoroughly researched it, and it seemed like it would be perfect for me. I WAS SO WRONG! My Insertion was a horrible experience that I would never want anybody else to go through. Apparently I have a thin/small cervix, so my Ob/gyn had to manually dialate me to 1cm. I have a very high threshold/tolerance for pain through 15 years of catching in softball and growing up with 2 brothers and being the middle child. But, this was painful, from the inside, felt like my inside were being pushed out through my abdomen. Then it was in and my ob/gyn tells me wow, your a real trooper most women cant take dilation unless their having a baby, your the only one thats never passed out from it. As soon as I struggled through getting dressed I had to sit down for like 5 minutes. I was sweating, I was dizzy, and I felt like I was gonna vomit and on the verge of passing out. I was in bed for the rest of the day after I fought and struggled through the 7 minute drive home. Over the next month the cramps were horrible, excruciating, damn near debilitating, as well as accompanied with brown discharge that didnt go away for two months and pretty much ruined all of my panties and were not even gonna talk about all the maxi thins I went through (at least 10 a day). So, now it's Mid January and I just set up my appointment to get this dam thing out of me. I'm a big girl as is, I'm 5'10 and I was 160lbs. Now I'm 190. But, I never had any issues with exercising and getting the weight off, I run at least 2 miles everyday as well as 30 minutes on my Ab Lounge and I do extreme jump rope, I just continue to gain weight and I have these massive cravings for food where I will literally get sick if I do not eat. My mood swings are all over the place, I'll be super happy, then hyper, then pissed off, and mean and it's like that all the time. I keep getting headaches at least 3 a week that I can only get rid of if I take medicine and sleep it off. Also my boyfriend complains of it poking him from the inside. My absolute worse complaint, THE ACNE. Before Mirena I had skin of a porcelain doll. Smooth, moisturized, soft, clear skin. After a month of being on Mirena, I started getting breakouts, and then it's just continued to get worse since. I've spent at least $200 bucks on acne meds, and make up to cover up, where before my skin regimine was water and a wash cloth with an exfoliant once a week. Now its a 40 minute process twice a day and it still doesn't help. I have bad breakouts almost 3 times a week on my cheeks and my chin. It's not regular acne either, its big,red, boil like bumps that take forever to go away and some have been so bad that they have actually scarred my face. My skin is now rough, broken out, scarred, and I've also noticed hair growth. Yeah hair is growing on my face which is absolute BS. I see it as I've spent $400 dollars for Mirena to spend about $300 more on preventative meds for headaches and acne, to be insecure about the way I look, have mood swings, and gained weight that cant be lost. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYBODY. ITS NOT WORTH TAKING THE CHANCE ON AND HAVING TO GO THROUGH EVERYTHING THAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH. IT IS A DAILY STRUGGLE UNTIL I GET THIS OUT OF ME. MY CONSULTATION APPOINTMENT IS ON WEDNESDAY, I'M 2 DAYS AWAY FROM RELIEF AND HAPPINESS. WISH ME LUCK AND TO ALL OF YOU OTHERS OUT THERE, GET IT TAKEN OUT, DON'T PROLONG THE AGGRAVATION.
-- By dixievixen18 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
January 7th
2009
9:19 AM
I'm on my second pill, of a 7-day prescription. 2 a day. Didn't bother me last night except for extreme nightmares. Took the second pill today, and my hands are shaking and I feel very nervous. No stomach pains or fever just very, very anxious....I'm going to see what happens the rest of the day and may take one more dose this evening....but then I'm through.
-- By fuzzmarks | Reply | Private Message me
November 13th
2008
12:37 PM
My story is very similar to the others here. I had taken Lactaid a few times without any problems. I did take two a little over a week ago with dinner and about an hour later I was violently vomiting. I had never been that sick before. It continued for a couple of hours, and I finally went to sleep with terrible pains all over. It took a few days to feel like myself again. I thought originally it must have been food poisoning from the restaurant. Then the other day I took two more with breakfast and the same thing only worse happened. I vomited so hard I thought my back would break. Bed rest for the rest of the day with chills and pain. Now its my third day out and I'm still feeling nauseated and weak. Pepto Bismol is not helping either. I just want to feel better again. I got rid of all the Lactaid in the house as two of my children take it also, but there is no way I'm taking a chance with them. I felt like I was going to die from poisoning or something, I can't imagine a child going through this.
-- By cheyenne123 | Reply | Private Message me
October 31th
2008
10:25 PM
I cannot stand for even a couple of minutes without my feet tingling/burning for the rest of the day. Walking seems to help therefore I thought it was circulation but vein docs say it is not. Symptoms got seriously worse during ivf treatment (3rd ivf, 3rd baby), and now one year later I have a baby but symptoms are worse. I thought drug effects are short term but maybe they are not. I am suspecting lupron but i could not find much info on its long term effects and how to counter those effects, or it could be something else. Saw neurologist who wants to do nerve conduction study but that just sounds very painful and not necessarily helpful.
if you have any feedback, would love to hear. thanks
-- By vero | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
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 | Private Message me
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 | Private Message me
September 13th
2008
4:17 AM
I have been a smoker for 15 years. I am the type of person who loves to smoke however I get real annoyed by the smell of smoke on my own body so I carry body spray and hand sanitizer with me to wash out the odor. I also always have gum so my breath doesn't smell like an ashtray. Although I did not like smelling like it, I still smoked. I associated everything with smoking. Any chance I got, I smoked. With today's economy, smoking just got too expensive for me. I also turned 30 this year and I noticed how much my skin has changed. I'd figured smoking is not going to make me look any younger so I had my OBGYN write me a script for Chantix and followed the enclosed directions. I took Chantix for a total of 2 1/2 weeks. The first 7 days I continued to smoke. On the 8th day, I STILL continued to smoke. I was hoping I would wake up and the craving to smoke had disappeared as if I never was a smoker. Well it was not... I had my usual morning smoke and I spent the rest of the day violently vomiting to the point where I did not even want to smoke. The smell of a cigarette made me sick again and again. I felt this way for at least the remainder 1 1/2 i continued to take chantix. Honestly, it felt like I was knocked up with morning sickness or a very bad hang over. I don't remember reading those side effects... :P Anyhow, so I had to make a decision, to either waste the $127 bucks it costs me to buy this ( no my insurance did not cover it) or to continue to smoke and smell all the time. I did the logically thing and quit smoking. The thing that helped my cravings was the nausea. If it was not for that then I would definitely say I would have started smoking again. I feel so great that I do not smoke and I still get cravings every now then. They pass and once they do I am so proud I did not give in. My skin looks 100 times better and I get compliments on how good I smell now! It could have either been mind over matter that made me quit or Chantix. Either way I am smoke free!!! :)
-- By iheartmtv | Reply | Private Message me
September 6th
2008
12:46 AM
I am currently taking Zofran (day 3) My prescription says to take it every 4 hours. I am noticing that I am fine with the first tablet (besides constipation). When I take the second one, I am natious and have this incredible desire to not stop eating. Nothing seems to satisfy the hunger. Not to mention the incredible bloating and cramping Anyone else felt this way? Im going to go to just the one in the morning and just be sick the rest of the day once it wears off.
-- By ermorgan09 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
Mirena (18) Levaquin (2) Doxycycline Hyclate (2) Loestrin 24 Fe (2) Mucinex DM (1) Cipro (1) Chantix (1) NuvaRing (1) Singulair (1) SMZ-TMP DS (1) Lactaid (1) Cetacaine (1) Avelox (1) Simvastatin (1) Lamictal (1) Topamax (1) Sulfamethoxazole (1) Bisacodyl (1) Zofran (1) Lupron (1)
October 11th
2009
6:34 PM
I chose to have the Mirena inserted in August of 2009. I found this site because I have been bleeding for three weeks straight, and the doctors were unavailable to advise me (holiday weekend). I see now that my experience is a side-effect of the IUD. I have also seen a diminished sex drive, fatigue, loss of energy, and constant cramping.
I was very hopeful for the Mirena. Five years without having to worry about birth control, wow! My first complaint is the pain involved with insertion. I was told to eat a big breakfast or early lunch before the procedure, and to take a few advils prior to the appointment. I did - however, I was still not prepared for the process. First, they measure your uterus to make sure that it is the right size, with an instrument similar to the IUD. I was in tears the entire time. I wished someone had told me to bring a friend or my partner with me to hold my hand. It hurt so much! The nurse was as understanding as she could be, but said that once the package has been opened, I would be charged the full amount. I went ahead with the procedure, wondering how I would reschedule during a period and with a busy work week. I was in pain the rest of the day, and felt extremely uncomfortable for a few days after. The pain and bleeding still did not go away, and after a week I made an appointment to check on the IUD's position, if there was any preforation of the uterus; etc. The strings were there, and they just told me that the cramping and spotting is normal. To me, it felt like the doctors tell you the best case scenario, and as you approach more and more of the side-effects, they confirm those as a possibility.
Before the Mirena, I have used DepoProvera, the NuvaRing, and Ortho-Tri Ciclen. I didn't like the weight gain from the Depo, the NuvaRing is somewhat expensive through my insurance, and the traditional birth control bills, like Ortho, are a hassle if you happen to miss a day. I thought that the Mirena was the best solution to my situation.
Be aware. I have been through childbirth, and this was a painful experience for me! I wish I would have read the comments on this site before opting for the Mirena... at least I would have been a more informed & educated consumer.
-- By grovemom2 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me