I had the Mirena inserted in March of this year (2008)! I hate it! Shortly after having it inserted I developed huge painful cysts on my ovaries. The doctors insit that the Mirena didn't cause the cysts but b/c there isn't enough hormones in the Mirena, they cyts aren't going away on their own. I had the cyst aspirated which caused the remainder of the fluid to leak out causing an infection in the lining of my abdomen. They put me on a heavy dose of antibiotics and hormoned to get rid of the cyst. For about a week I felt better until the pain came back worse. The cyst had not only come back but gotten bigger. I have to take a double dose of birth control pills now to get rid of the cysts.
For the past week I have been having pain again and not wanting to tell anyone b/c I know they are just as tired of this as I am! I can't sleep at night which makes it nearly impossible to get through the day. My doctor had given me pain medication the first time I had the pain to sleep at night but they are gone and I'm afraid to ask for more at the risk of sounding like a drug addict! I can't take these pills during the day b/c they make me loopy and tired and I am a single mother of a 3 year old little girl plus I work full time! What kills me is the that I had the Mirena inserted b/c I can't handle the extra hormones or remember to take the pill everyday! I can't deal with it anymore. I have gained almost 12 pounds in the last 2 months and I am afraid to exercise b/c of the cysts. I am hungry like I was when I was pregnant and tired all of the time and don't enjoy the things that I used to do. I cry at everything..good or bad...and I just can't take it anymore.
I will post back more when I have this thing removed and hopefully will have some good news.
I do feel like I have to say that I hear about Mirena from a co-worker who absolutely loves it!! She has had no side effects and has had it in for 7 years now! So it's not for everyone...but if you feel side effects...listen to your body and have it removed!!