Swollen stomach symptoms and conditions

I got Mirena in March 2009 as my ob thought it would be great for me. Shortly after, I started having nausea, headaches, pregnancy symptoms (big appetite, cravings, swollen stomach, etc), hot flashes, severe mood swings, extreme uncontrollable behavior, no sex drive (partly due to constant brown discharge & the sweating from the hot flashes I always felt gross). Luckily, my husband & my family know me enough to know that this wasn't like me. My husband recognized that the time that it all started is when I had Mirena put in. I had it removed Thursday, July 9th, and things are getting back to normal. It is really scary that a drug can have this type of effect on someone. If my husband wouldn't have recognized that it wasn't me, we would've ended up divorced b/c I know I was an emotional wreck!! I really wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

I have had the Mirena for about 2 1/2 years. I had it inserted about 3 months after I had my daughter. Initially I thought it was great, but in the past 12-18 months I have noticed so many negative side effects that I believe must be related to the hormones in the Mirena. My PCP ignored my complaints but I have experienced the following since having the Mirena inserted:
sore/tender breasts, pretty serious weight gain(I diet and exercise a lot and don't lose a pound), severe acne on the chin and jaw line, coarse/dark facial hairs on the jaw line, migraines in the right side of my head, lower back pain in the left side(almost like a sciatica) fatigue. low sex drive, some mood swings, and the expected spotting. Although my PCP dismisses my concerns I have made an appt. with a new gynecologist to discuss my concerns and possible removal of the Mirena. Although the prevention of pregnancy is great the side effects are becoming unbearable and seem to increase over time. I would think twice about opting for this method of birth control.

I am on prednisone frequently for respiratory infections as I have a chronic lung condition. I was just hospitalized for a week and on 80 mg per day IV. I have tapered by 5 mg every 3rd day. I have a rash in my hairline and actually in my hair. I have blurry vision, insomnia, cravings for food, weight gain, puffy face, swollen stomach, and pain so bad in my left hip joint that I can hardly bear weight.
In Aug, 2008, I had my right hip replaced from avascular necrosis caused by steroid use for my lung condition. I am worried that AVN is now also in my left hip. The steroids take the swelling down in my lungs so I can breathe, however they are destroying my bones. I am so scared of another hip surgery. I realize that I need to be thankful that my joints can be replaced, but it is a horrible side effect of this drug.

I have been on Prednisolone about 4 times in recent years. the highest dose was last year when i was on 80mg reducing weekly by 5mg. I have had most of the side affects you all talk about above. I have severe colitis so the side-effects of this drug are something i have to put up with. at the moment i have all the classic side-effects i usually get, rapid hunger, swelling to my face (moon face), neck has layer of fat, swollen back (buffalo hump), bruising easily, horrible taste in my mouth, swollen stomach. the one good side effect is it gives me lovely smooth skin lol. anyway the point of my post isn't to rip this drug appart as i have to say for me its a wonder drug and this time has prevented me from having my bowel removed! from personal experience once you finish the steroid treatment after a few weeks you'll notice the swelling go, my hunger usually fizzles out quite quickly (altho i have a large appetite in the first place!!) none of the side effects are permanent, so please all rest assured you will go back to normal just try not to put on too much weight while on the drug.

Horrific muscle cramps, twitches or fluttering in my heart/chest. Aches, pains, depression, feeling old, having lots of hair come out each day, thinking it looks like more than it should be, swollen stomach/bladder/uterus, urge to pee even when my bladder is empty. Cramps in my bladder/abdomen. Some dizziness and weird vision episodes.

They had me add these in a separate area - these are just the majority of what I can think of. Part 2 to my post.

I have been on prednisone since November 2007 for minimal change disease, 65 mg, in May I started to decrease the dosage (per Drs. orders) and by the time I got to 15 mg all my symptoms came back and I swelled up again. I was again put on a higher dosage of prednisone and put on Cytoxan 75 mg. I am now decreasing prednisone, back to 15 mg every other day and will be off Cytoxan next month. Hopefully this will work. Right now my main complaint of side effects is chest pressure, anything I eat or drink makes my stomach swell and I feel like I can never take a full breath. I recently had chest and abdoman xrays and an ultrasound, all negative. Does anyone have this symptom? I also have moon face, weight gain, hump on back, insomnia, headaches, digestive problems ,shakes, night sweats, vision problems, extreme tiredness and hair loss. How long before all this goes away?

Has anyone experienced mood instability or anxiety while on Methotrexate? I am on week two and am taking 10 mg to start....

I got Mirena put in December 20, 2007. Getting it put in was the most painful experience of my life and I handle pain really well. I'm 21, no kids. I spotted all day and had the worst cramping and searing pain all day. I took pain relievers constantly all day and it did NOTHING!! I suffered through the night and had to go to the emergency room to have it removed. Apparently the doctor told me my body was rejecting it and it was forcing its way out. Well getting it out was a relief. That is until the next day I still had the swollen stomach and severe cramps still. I also started bleeding heavier than I ever had in my life. It's been three days since I got it removed and I'm still bloated, swollen, in pain, and miserable. This was the biggest mistake of my life!! I wish I had found this site before I got it because the pamphlet I got on it didn't even touch the severity of the symptoms. I would NOT recommend this to anyone. It will be the biggest mistake of you life!!!

I have taken two Pletal as directed..one last evening on an empty stomach and one this morning on an empty stomach. This afternoon "Suddenly" I was HIT with diarrhea out in public..NO warning. Again and again before I could get home to change clothes..and then a headache. I have a painful, swollen stomach, headache and will not be taking anymore pletal for my sjogrens symptoms (cold, numb hands and feet).