I had the Mirena for over 5 yrs. I also had it for bad periods. I...

I had the Mirena for over 5 yrs. I also had it for bad periods. I spotted constantly for the first couple of years but I left it in because I figured the annoying spotting was better than the alternatives (hysterectomy, ablation, etc) Finally, I was having some months with no bleeding for the rest of the time. What I didn't realize until after I was due to get it "switched" after the 5 yrs was up, was that I have been having so many of these side effects as everyone else. ( I stumbled across this and another site while looking for codes for the mirena to see if my new insurance would cover it). I have gerd, weight gain, back pain, UTI's, chest congestion, just to name a few. I always blamed it on me being overweight and getting older. One good thing about it was I didn't have pms anymore and I didn't feel so drained from the heavy periods. Oh yeah and I had INCREASED sex drive. I spoke with my doctor about how other women were complaining of the same side effects and she said she did not think it would cause all of that because only a little of the hormone gets into the bloodstream and it is less than the amount of bc pills. I decided not to have a new one put in right now and see if it was the Mirena that was causing me all of the extra problems. I had it out in September and I spotted for a week or so then I did not bleed for 1 month. I even went out and got a pregnancy test because I couldn't understand it. Then I started bleeding and it has been HORRIBLE. I have the most disgusting "period" I have ever had in my life. Not much pain though. I am still suffering and it has been over 1 month with no let up. I finally called the doctor's office and they want me to have another Mirena. I told them no. I do not want it. I do not know what I am going to do. I am waiting for some suggestion from my doc. I need some relief soon, though.