Hi everyone, I just have to tell you all what a comfort this sit...

Hey, bodensmom... I think having the Mirena removed will help quite a bit with the emotional symptoms you're experiencing.

After 6 months of a horrible allergic reaction that nobody but ME seemed to be able to diagnose, I had mine removed 2 days ago. The hideous rash and painful hives are already gone.

I, too, have experienced crushing depression, mood swings (especially premenstrual) and crying jags. I spent a year of my life on Lexapro and Ambien for severe chronic depression and unrelenting insomnia. My regular doc figured it was because my dog had just died, and my gyn chalked it up to "getting older" and "hormonal changes."

I started getting such terrible PMS, I've actually started to fear leaving the house, lest I go off on someone and get myself arrested! My hair has been falling out, I bloat like a beached whale for two weeks every month, yell at my kids and cry if someone looks at me sideways.

Painful hives lasting six months were the absolute last straw.. I just couldn't take it anymore. I had my Mirena removed Monday, and I swear I feel better than I have felt in a long time. I'm currently having my first real period in about FIVE YEARS, and it's not pleasant, but I'll take it!

As for your antidepressant issues, my best advice would be to discuss weaning yourself completely off whatever you're taking - and, of course, this would certainly depend on exactly what type you're taking. I don't think there's an antidepressant they make that I haven't tried, and they all only work for a little while. My depression issues are cyclical - they come and go with hormonal and life changes.

But I too experience that "rebound" effect when I stop taking them. And each time you try and fail to wean yourself from them, the rebound gets worse - they warn you about that in the medication inserts.

I read some British research into treating depression, and the practitioners there have a policy of prescribing an exercise regimen and specialized eating plans before they prescribe antidepressants. At the time I thought, yeah right. But I eventually got to the point where I was like, what the hell, I'll try anything.

I went to a nutritionist, lost a bunch of weight, stablized my sleep patterns with Ambien, built up to walking on my treadmill about 6 miles a day, and it's absolutely AMAZING how that all combines to help you feel so much better. Not perfect, not all the time... but better. Until the hives from hell took over, I was doing really well.

I have nothing against antidepressants - I'm not one of "those" people, and I strongly believe in my heart that Lexapro actually saved my life. But if you feel "crappy" all the time clearly, whatever you're taking is not working.

Your experiences sounded so similar to mine that I felt the maybe I could help. I surely hope I have. Let me know what you decide about your Mirena, and I hope you feel better soon...

A

Hi
I had the mirena taken out 2 months agao as was experiencing the same irrational behaviour, anger towards my children and partner and so on. I really didn't know who I was any more. I was also extremely depressed on it.
The first few weeks after I had it removed I was really disappointed as my behaviour stayed the same and while I did feel much better than before I still had the inexplicable anger and crying. I have to say that now 2 months on after my 2nd normal period I am back to normal. I don't have the over powering anger boiling up inside me and don't over react to everything anyone says.
It takes a while for the hormones to get out of your body but you will get there. Good luck all I wish is that I had had mine removed earlier.

I agree, the first month is ups and downs, the second month is significant;y better, but still some down days, I am just going into my third month Mirena free and haven't been "down" in a couple weeks. Good luck! Sounds like you have a couple things on your plate to deal with, but I would strongly suggest adding exercise like Lenore1975 suggested. If you can "force yourself" to do at least 45 minutes a day of uninterrupted walking or other exercise, you will feel better and get the hormones out of your body more quickly. Good luck!

Hi bodensmom,

I got Mirena about a year ago and have suffered from cramps, anxiety, weight gain, sore breasts and depression ever since. But six weeks ago, in an attempt to loose some weight, I read the "User's Guide to Chromium" by Melissa Diane Smith, and found out that chromium does not only help decrease sugar cravings, but also to relieve some kinds of anxiety and depression. Anyway, I have felt better (anxietywise) since I started to take chromium supplements, and now I am even happier because two days ago I got my Mirena removed. You might want to give chromium a try for your depression and also for better functioning of your hormones, but for detailed information check the book by Melissa Smith.

As far as the crash is concerned, I haven't really felt any changes except that I feel relieved because I had Mirena removed and had been scared of it, but I have only been 48 hours without Mirena. Also, I have been exercising every day, which might have helped. I waited until I had a little bleeding to have my Mirena removed, and it didn't hurt at all. The only thing I have noticed is that I feel tired, but since I am also on antibiotics for some other infection, I might feel so because of the medication. I hope you'll feel better soon, and check out the chromium. I am taking 1000 micrograms a day, devided in two doses, and it has helped me a lot to keep away from starchy food and to become more optimistic.

Take care,

Bettina