February 10th
2009
3:35 PM
I have been on every birth control imaginable since I was 12 years old (extremely heavy periods/ hospitalized 3 times for cramps...excellent way to view womanhood!) Every single birth control I've been on I've had side effects such as: severe mood swings (crying over nothing, starting arguments for little things, weight gain/loss (which I don’t mind), headaches, nausea, anxiety....etc. After telling my OBGYN about my symptoms I was having while on Seasonal, she tried to diagnose me with bipolar disorder...long story. One of the worst symptoms I've ever had out of all of these was the loss of sex drive. I did not become sexually active until I was 18 (I'm 20 now), my boyfriend of a year now constantly reminds me of my lack of sex drive. I was on the ring (been on it for a year) when we first started dating, I slowly started losing my sex drive (nothing serious, more foreplay) and I started having weird mood swings. We fought a little not really noticing my fun outgoing spirit slowly decreasing. I spoke to my doctor who suggested yaz…bad idea. I gained so much weight and I started getting acne! So I switched to loestrin which I started taking in November last year. At first I liked it, I didn’t have a period until last month, which only lasted a day (no blood just the brown discharge). I don’t mind not having a period, while I was on the seasonal I didn’t have a period which is fine. I do mind the severe mood swings I have acquired; I’ll have a good day but if one thing happens that in the least bit upsets me I’ll go into full aggression…which isn’t good because I work with people on a daily basis. I had a full week of depression. I did not want to converse with anybody I just stayed in my room after getting off work and cried. I started getting acne on my face and my back. I’ve gained almost 15 pounds (I’m 5’4”; I’m not too thrilled about being short and chunky). The worst is my relationship is on the rocks. My boyfriend tries to understand what’s going on, but it’s hard for him. I used to be incredibly “active” with him, now if we ever have sex and I get distracted by a dust particle I lose all interest and dry up. I tried talking to my OBGYN but she insisted it wasn’t birth control. I asked her if the IUD would be a good option, but she won’t give it to me because I haven’t had kids yet… so at this point I’m thinking about changing doctors and stop taking birth control all together… I’d rather not take anything and use other methods of birth control than suffer like I have been.
-- By fedup001 | Reply | Private Message me
October 12th
2008
3:32 PM
Like many of you, I thought that the Mirena was going to be GREAT! My doctor had NOTHING negative to say about it! I have had my mirena in now for almost 2yrs. I just have to say, the weight gain is enough to depress anyone, I have even been on the slim fast diet & ate lean cuisine meals with it and I DIDN'T lose not one pound!! I am bigger now than what I was at 9 months preg.!! After I had my son, I had lost all my baby weight, all but about 3-5 odd pounds, but after I got the mirena put in, its been nothing but weight gain!!! It just keeps coming on!! I am ashamed of my weight! I also get horrible migraines, headaches, have depression for no apparent reason, really weird mood swings, I also used to get a pimple from time to time--NOT anymore, I have acne constantly and have even bought the Proactive kit and have had very little results, I feel like I am 82yrs old instead of 28!!! Haha, you want to talk about a sex drive, I no longer even have one!!! And when I do have sex, it hurts if my husband goes near my cervix, and lets not talk about the after sex pain, never mind, lets talk about it, its HORRIBLE! It feels like I am having contractions, it hurts so bad that get doubled over in pain, end up in fetal position for about 1-2 HOURS and even the following day I hurt & bleed!! And should I go on about my newly acquired MUSTACHE!!!! Oh yes. I have facial hair now as well!!! So, to any of you girls/woman who are considering getting the MIRENA---THINK HARD ABOUT IT!! Seriously!! My experience with it has been horrible! I will NEVER have them replace it when it comes time, in fact, I am opting to having mine taken OUT!!!!
-- By tnh42480 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 25th
2008
9:07 PM
I was prescribed the 4mg methylprednisolone pack along with 50 mg tramadol for acute tendinitis in my wrist. I took the first 3 days of the prednisone and only 2 doses of the tramadol over the three days. For a total of 60 mg of prednisone.
The first day I had hot flashes and insomnia but attributed it to the tramadol because I had never taken it before and had taken the prednisone several years ago for poison ivy with no adverse reactions. I didn't take the tramadol the second night and then took it again last night along with my daily dose of prednisone. I had extreme difficulty falling asleep, heart burn, hot flashes; and tossed and turned all night trying to fall asleep. At around 2am, I began to have difficulty breathing, tightening in my chest, confusion, and racing thoughts. It felt as though my throat was closing up on me. My anxiety progressed to the point that I was pacing back and forth. I woke my husband up and told him to prepare to take me to the ER. After calling my insurance's 24 hour help line, it was recommended that I go to the ER. I had an x-ray, blood work, urine drug screen, and echocardiogram. Luckily, everything was negative. The ER doctor told me that I likely had a reaction to the prednisone and commented that some people will experience these symptoms when taking it. He stated that he had a similar reaction when he took it and it felt like he was climbing the walls, which is an accurate description of my experience that night. He recommended that I either stop taking it altogether or call my primary care provider and cut it down. He prescribed me xanax and administered some to me at the ER which greatly helped. The next day I stopped taking the pred but am still having dizziness, chest tightness, hot flashes, and mental dullness. I have decided to never take this medication again. Fortunately, I don't have any of the physical sx that some have experienced, and my heart goes out to you. I think the mental symptoms were traumatic enough for me and can't imagine having both as I would be a basket case. I have mood swings, some melancholia, and am very fatigued.
I think it is imperative to research any medication that is prescribed to you before you take it. Many providers will say that side effects are rare, but my experience is that side effects are more common than rare. My prayers go out to those of you who are going through what I am going through. I hope that it clears our systems quickly because this is no way to live. I'd rather put up with the pain of tendinitis or carpel tunnel than to have these symptoms.
-- By elise1966 | Reply | (5) replies | Private Message me
January 19th
2007
7:34 PM
I am so happy to have found this site! I thought I was losing it!
I had taken Prednisone two years ago when I had pneumonia that would not go away, and realize now that a lot of the problems I had during my two months of sickness were due to this drug. I do not remember how long I had taken it back then. I could not do any work and what little I attempted, I kept making mistakes that seemed right to me. For example, I had started to address Christmas cards and put all the stamps on the wrong side where the return address goes. When my husband came home, he pointed out what I had done. I had finished a big batch of them and it had never occurred to me that the stamps were on the wrong side. I cried for no reason and had weird mood swings constantly - don't remember how I slept. I was taking so many medications and it was a busy time of year for me that I thought my problems were due to the combination of all. I now know differently, which brings me to today.
I am on my 5th day of a 7 day dose (30mg first 2 days, 20mg thereafter) to relieve inflammation from a persistent cough due to sinusitis that started Dec. 27th. I have numerous symptoms! The worst being the mood swings, confusion & lack of sleep (averaging 3 hours a night). I thought I was going crazy. The side-effects surfaced pretty quickly. I had a rush project due today that I had started last Sunday. I am usually pretty good working under pressure and deadlines - not perfect, but pretty good, and there was enough time to finish all assigned to me. It took me forever to finish simple tasks and I made some mistakes that I never would have. This was a first time working with some colleagues who all must think I am a nut who cannot produce. I had a weird meltdown in front of the team leader and was totally not myself. My husband has been so worried about my erratic behavior that he refuses to let me drive. He dropped me off at an appointment and upon his return home found our front door wide open. I had walked out the door without closing or locking it. Now, granted I have been sick and am under stress, but I have never had the mood swings or lack of focus that I have experienced in the past few days except for the time I had taken the drug earlier. I was prompted to do a search on prednisone when I realized the similarity in symptoms. When I found this site, all the symptoms I had been experiencing and discussing with my husband were right here - I cried twice while watching Top Chef on TV Wednesday. Along with symptoms mentioned, I have a strange feeling in my stomach, numbness and I have a loss of appetite rather than hunger. Anyone else find that? I just looked at the clock and found that it took me over an hour to write this post. Thank God for spell-check!
All the posts are extremely helpful! I really feel for those of you who need to take it for long periods of time. I hope they find alternatives for you soon.
-- By instantliving | Reply | Private Message me
October 8th
2009
8:51 AM
my name is Brittany and i have had my mirena since around February 2009 and at first i had some severe pain for a few days and bleeding non-stop for about three months.. but other than that for the first two months I had no problems or complaints! i thought it was the best idea any could have thought of! But i was so wrong..the constant UTI's and Yeast infections are unbearable! I have never had a yeast infection or this many UTI's in my life! I have a feeling it is due to the mirena! I'm completely uncomfortable all the time and can't wait for it to get removed! I would never recommend this to anyone!!! yea i didn't get pregnant, but i'd rather have 20 kids then be in the uncomfort that i am in! Also, I am now on zoloft and an anti-anxiety med! i have never had any of these problems before this and im hoping they will all go away! plus the oily skin and acne!! omg!! i had the most perfect skin and now i can't even walk out of the house without make-up on! Mirena is not for me!
-- By bheat08 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me