Unexplained weight gain symptoms and conditions

Wow... I had no idea that so many issues I am dealing with could be side effects of the Mirena. I already had an appt planned to have it removed this afternoon because my acne has gotten so bad and I want to go back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I didn't really associate the acne with the Mirena because I have always battled acne to some extent, but it is so much worse lately. Just like others have described, it is on my chest, neck. back, scalp... EVERYWHERE! I have invested in expensive ance treatments, but that only helps some, and i can't exactly use it all over my head and body! I never had acne all over like this prior to the Mirena.
I have had the Mirena over 3 years and didn't realize I hate it so much until now! LOL. I definitely have the bloating, unexplained weight gain, depression, etc., as well. I should have googled "mirena side effects" much sooner!

I am taking 20-25mg of Lisinopril and have been for about 1 month. First, I have to say the stuff works - my blood pressure went down immediately. Recently I have noticed a dry bottom lip (neither water or chopstick helps) and I am drinking AT LEAST 12 glasses of water a day and still feel thirsty. Anyone have similar side effects?

I've had a fever come and go for over 6 months. I was trying to find out why, and then I came across this weight gain which was by chance. I was put on synthroid in 2004 because of unexplained weight gain they found I had this thyroid problem. Since then, I have gained 60 lbs, even through battling renal cell carcinoma (Kidney Cancer) , and lap band surgery. I can't believe all my complaining, and not one doctor told me this pill causes weight gain. This makes me quite angry. D.

I had Mirena inserted into my cervix in March 2009. Almost one month later, I started having lower back pains and also pain in the left side of my pelvic. After going through 3 weeks of physiotherapy, the pain has reduced but it is not yet gone. Also, I've gained almost 10lbs during the past two months even though there is no change in my diet. Are these side-effects of Mirena?

I thought I was going crazy. I went to the doctor to have Mirena removed and she talked me out of it. I had it inserted after my second child in Sept. of 2006. I keep having all of these problems but no explanation and no one has linked it to Mirena. My sex drive is a big ZERO! I have had nausea, joint pain, back pain, severe mood issues, severe fatigue, chronic sinus infections and unexplained weight gain. I feel so bad for my family having to put up with all of this. I have an appointment to have it taken out on Thursday and it could not be soon enough. There is no way to get back the time that I have wasted being miserable the last 2 1/2 years!

I have been on Yaz for 8 months and up until reading this website I thought I was either a) falling apart physically or b) a crazy hypochondriac!
I have had severe GI issues (gas, bloating, constipation, diahrrea etc.), headaches, neck pain, irrational irritibility, depression, anxiety, dizzy spells, unexplained weight gain (about 10 pounds, especially in the belly area), COMPLETE loss of sex drive, vaginal dryness, lack of ability to become aroused and if I do delayed orgasm (20-30 or stimulation before I can climax), fatigue and insomnia, skin rashes, shortness of breath, decreased immunity etc.
I am stopping this pill tonight after reading all of these other entries confirming the fact that I am not crazy!

ladies I am free today.....I had that evil monster removed and feel so much better....I too had cramping,nausea, unexplained weight gain, tender boobs, headache, sweet cravings,night sweats,insomnia etc and a constant drip and odor....I AM SO HAPPY TO HAVE RID MY BODY OF THAT CONTRAPTION..IT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE..PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR BODY....EVERYTHING WENT FINE ON THE REMOVAL NO PROBLEMS...GOOD LUCK EVERYONE

I just wan to say thank you so much to all of you who posted your comments on this site. I am a mother of 2 toddlers, I had Mirena inserted in April, 2008. And since then my life has changed for the worse. I too suffer from the acne, which I never had before (ok I had the odd zit here and there), it hurts. The bloating that makes me look pregnant, the unexplained weight gain ( I was 135lbs before Mirena, and now I am 144lbs).It doesn't make sense because I exercise regularly. The feeling of being anxious all of the time. But the worst part for me is the mood swings and depression. I cry all of the time. I go in fits of rage. It makes me feel like a horrible wife and mother when I see my children and husband looking at me like what is wrong with you. I have a great life, and before I stared on Mirena I was very happy, self confident, kind, caring, I was a totally a different person then who I am today. I went to the doctors last night and finally had it TAKEN OUT. Because I want my life back and I want to fell in control of my life again. If it wasn't for this site I would have thought I was losing my mind. I will give you an update in a week or two to tell you how I feel since it has been out. So once again thank you all for sharing your stories and helping me realize that I wasn't alone. C. G.

What a relief to be reading everyone's stories. My symptoms all built slowly over the last 7 months and have really reared their ugly heads in the last 3 months especially. In fact, I have been crying for days with no good reason. I feel like I am going crazy and am unable to cope with the simplest of things, things that in the past may have caused stress but not an emotional breakdown and feelings of despair. I had the Mirena put in in July 2008 because of painful cramps that led to several ER visits. My doctor raved about it, said she had it before and after her children and yes it does affect everyone differently but it's pretty much a miracle. The research I did conveniently didn't lead me here so I thought I'd give it a try. It sounded the same as a pill but just without the daily obligation. Well, the last 7 months of my life have gotten progressively worse and more frustrating. I have become irritable, angry, moody, depressed and anxious. I have experienced a complete loss of sex drive, along with worsened acne, and unexplained weight gain (despite generally healthy eating and consistent exercise) . I feel horrible for my fiance because it's like I am not me anymore. I was such a happy, friendly, fairly consistent person but now I'm a mess and my moods are all over the place. I hate feeling so fat and sexually blah. It's miserable! I actually feel depressed and I have no good reason. I love my life and it's a very good one, challenges and all. Needless to say, I am having this awful thing removed tomorrow. I've been waiting for a month for this appointment and if I were braver I think I would definitely remove it myself to put an end to this craziness. I want myself back.

I am menopausal. I am 52 years old and was experiencing bleeding every day, thinking my period must be ending soon.. But to my surprise, it didn't. My doctor ruled out endometriosis and cancer, etc. through testing. So she prescribed Femcon. Femcon stopped the bleeding almost immediately. I have been on Femcon for about 8 months. I experience excruciating headaches. Normally, I do not have headaches. Also dizziness and palpitations. Also unexplained weight gain and depression. My skin became sensitive to the sun and I began to experience little dry itchy patches on my back that have not healed. As well, I cannot wear necklaces around my neck as I develop a scratchy rash. I started to rationalize what is better, bleeding or all these side effects. So last Sunday, I finished my pack and I took the last pill. I was wondering if anyone has experienced side effects from the withdrawal of Femcon? I have had a headache most of this week and last night it kicked into high gear and I still have it. I started bleeding slightly again. Just curious if anyone has dealt with side effects after stopping taking it and what the side effects were and for how long did they last?

I am a 39 year old female in relatively good health. In the past year since taking Lipitor, I have had SEVERE thinning of my thick hair. I have lost nearly 2/3 of it, and luckily I had a lot, but I am thinning more quickly on the top of my head and you can now see my scalp. After reading this, I am stopping my Lipitor, tonight. I hope that my hair returns ... I have also had chest pain, leg pain, trouble sleeping, trouble with eyesight, trouble focusing, unexplained weight gain and extreme fatigue. I think I would rather take my chances with high cholesterol than be bald at 40. Nice eh? I complained to my doctor when my hairdresser called this to my attention, and she poo-pooed it and referred me to a dermatologist- who after months of waiting rescheduled. I will be BALD!

Eureka! My unexplained weight gain (10 lbs), moodiness, fatigue, acne, excessive white discharge, recurrent yeast infections, and clumpy periods are no longer such an enigma. I previously had some horrendous side effects from Depo Provera, to include severe depression, suicidal thoughts, and hair loss; I thought NuvaRing would work great for me due to the low dose of hormones. At first, the ring was fantastic....didn't have to remember to take a pill everyday and no downward spiral of depression. The first symptom I noticed was the excessive discharge and the clumpy periods. Next was the moodiness, anxiety, and bouts of crying during every week 3 (that the bf has patiently put up with!). I have been trying to ignore the fact that my jeans don't fit, I have turned into a TV watching zombie, and I have a burning sensation associated with my 2nd yeast infection in 3 months (ugh!!!!). I wish I would have found this website earlier; it would have helped me put two and two together, acknowledge the side effects, and quit the Ring much earlier (not 11 months later!). Yes, each woman's body reacts differently to hormonal birth control, but if you have undesirable side effects from the Pill or Depo, you'll most likely get them from the Ring plus a few fun extra ones:) The upside to this product: it is incredibly convenient and my small breasts filled out. So not worth it to me!!!!!

In response to dtrzaski post Im am sending out this question to everyone. We know there have been stool/stomach/weight issues. Are there any other children that it has been discovered to have high cholesterol. My son was discovered to have high cholesterol at around 3yrs old, apprx 6 months after starting Singulair (regardless of a very healthy diet lots of fruit and veggies!) Any thoughts out there?

I'm 23 and I got prescribed Yasmin because I have PCOS, where I only got my period every 3-9 months (very irregular) where I suffered severe period pain and my period would go for about 8 days. The doctor thought regulating my period would decrease the pain, which it did. My period is around 3-4 days, very light and no pain since starting Yasmin. But I have had migraines weekly, constant headaches, usually starting with my vision going blurry and seeing flashing white light. I also lost my appetite for the first month, but have gained weight. I was going to the gym and exercising everyday and now I have no motivation to exercise at all, but feel bloated ALL the time. I have had trouble sleeping since taking it. I suffered from depression and anxiety attacks about 2 years ago, but since taking Yasmin I have been feeling very depressed and had several anxiety attacks, although the anxiety has only started after being on it for 4 months. After having another migraine this week and having to leave work for teh second time in 2 weeks, I decided I was going to stop taking it. (I had also had 3 anxiety attacks this week) since stopping I have instantly felt relaxed, no anxiety, and I no longer feel depressed.

After suffering all of this for 4 months, 8 day periods and 4 days of being in pain doesn't seem so bad. The depression and Anxiety is the scaries part as I haven't experienced it for so long, and don't want to!

Does anyone know how long it takes to be fully out of your system? I just want to get back to normal weight, moods, energy levels etc as soon as possible!

I've had my Mirena IUD in for 8 months. No period yet, no cramping, no problems! I cramped slightly when it was put it, spotted for a few days (though that could be attributed to my PP bleeding), and that was it. I cramped a few times a week for the first two months, then nothing. I forget it's in most of the time.

No unexplained weight gain, crying, health problems, etc. I was on the patch before I got pregnant and I hated it, and pills just weren't going to cut it with me. The Mirena IUD is the best.

I started taking Diovan about 9 years ago. At the time my doctor prescribed it because the medicine I had been on (Lotensin) was causing me to hack and cough (which was keeping me up all night long).

I started out at 80mg & then 3 years ago my bp began creeping up. I was then prescribed a 80mg dosage with 12.5 diurectic. I am now taking one 160mg/12.5 & one 80mg/12.5 pill each day.

Since I have been on Diovan I have experienced significant, yet unexplained weight gain (approximately 150 lbs), drastic hair loss, insomnia, itchy skin and more recently, brittle teeth (2 of which have broken off).

Over the years I have been blamed by the doctors for not taking control of my weight. Yet with swimming 4-5 days a week, walking & using an elliptical machine, and changing my diet (and eliminating processed/bleached food) I could only get down to 220lbs.

At this point, I do not know where to turn for advice. The doctors use more meds to mask the side effects of other meds & I have yet to find one that doesn't play into that mindset.

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

I have been on NuvaRing for 2 years 8 months. I have been seeing a doctor for the past 20 months for a series of unresolved symptoms:

1) extreme exhaustion
2) unexplained weight gain/inability to lose weight
3) Gall Bladder attack
4) High Inflammation based on CRP (C-Reactive Protein), predictor for heart disease, alzheimers, stroke, cancer, etc.
5) Loss of mental focus - Constant brain fog.

Other symptoms digestion problems, bloating, zero sex drive.......

It just occurred to me this weekend that it might be the NuvaRing. I had a gall bladder attack in June of 2005, with no symptoms and not a typical profile for someone to have an attack. In May 2006 my husband and I took a trip to Hawaii and I skipped my period by inserting a 2nd ring when I removed the first. I did not feel good the entire trip (bloating, extreme headaches, sensitivity to sun, stomach upset), and even had a skin reaction to the tag on my swimsuit (sign of high inflammation). I have been through cancer tests, bone marrow test's, tested for autoimmune disease (all thankfully came back negative) and there is no explanation for the high inflammation I am experiencing. My inflammation/CRP levels are 2x what Lupus and Rhumatoid Arthritis patients experience.

I have been on an anti-inflammatory diet for 6 weeks, and the results were actually worse at the second test. So in trying to deduct what could be causing the inflammation and other symptoms it finally occurred to me that - BINGO maybe it is the NuvaRing! I read the potential side effects and was shocked - gall bladder disease, heart disease is one of them. I have been off for 2 weeks, and I already feel like a new person. I have not been tested again for inflammation (will happen in 2 weeks), but I am almost positive that is the cause.

Don't let this be you, do not let symptoms go as long as I did before realizing what you are doing to your body. Maybe the NR works for some people, but judging by the number of responses on this board, not many!

i am male age 72. VA hospital put me on 20mg lisinopril, terrible cough, copnstant skin itching, unexplained weight gain. i do not eat meat, dairy products, etc. and still no weight loss. i reduced to 10mg but want to go off it completely. ill never take it again. and also leg cramps.

I have been on Glucophage for 5 months and have put on 12 pounds. Since most of my complaints were of this "unexplained weight gain" I stopped taking them. I feel my problem is more my thyroid.