IF YOU FEEL/EXPERIENCE ANYTHING ABNORMAL FOR YOU OR DO NOT FEEL Q...

IF YOU FEEL/EXPERIENCE ANYTHING ABNORMAL FOR YOU OR DO NOT FEEL QUITE YOURSELF SEE YOUR G.P./NURSE AND SERIOUSLY CONSIDER GETTING THE MIRENA COIL REMOVED This medication may be suitable for some people but if you experience any of the following, I urge you please, please please, 'demand' that you want the Mirena removed. My symptoms were noticeably worse around my time of ovulation. I've also found out that people previously treated for/suffering from depression should not be prescribed this medication. (I've been on Prozac in the past). I had it fitted in Aug 2007 to combat very heavy periods and severe PMT at the recommendation of my G.P.and had it removed Sept 2008. Symptoms I experienced :- Dry/furry mouth Headaches (over time these became migraines) No concentration Poor memory Lethargy (constantly tired and drained) Smelly discharge (still noticeable straight after washing) Very heavy legs Numbness in my legs Joint pain and clicking (mainly in my shoulders and knees) Developed facial hair (mainly under chin and jawline) Hair loss Weight gain around my stomach (without increasing my food intake) Feeling constantly bloated. Spotting randomly for duration of Mirena being fitted. (Brown spotting) Panic Attacks ( awoken in the middle of the night with them) escalating to the following:- Palpitations (for no apparent reason) Clammy/sweating palms and feet Aggitation ( during an episode if someone was talking to me I wanted to really yell at them 'Just shut the **** up! You're doing my head in!) Feelings of madness (actually wanted to run away from my own mind) Pins and needles/Tingling in my hands and feet Electric shock like surges going through my body (my nerve endings were obviously suffering) Muscle tremours/shaking (mainly arms and legs) Eyes became extremely light sensitive Heightened awareness of sound Insomnia Terrible nightmares Depression Feelings of detachment from the real world. Visual disturbances Episodes of blurred vision These symptoms did not appear straight away but appeared gradually and with more veangance the longer I had the coil. The more concerning episodes I experienced happened after about 3 months and very erratically. I could not predict when or what time of day I was going to have an episode or pinpoint any reason for bringing on an attack. I had no control over the effects, was absolutely petrified when I experienced a panic attack and just had to ride it out. All my G.P. did was prescribe me anti-depressants to which I reacted badly. Blood tests also failed to show anything abnormal. I even tried herbal medicines as an alternative and experienced similar reactions to the prescription drugs. I've now become very pill-phobic and would rather ride out and get over symptoms myself. Paracetamol & Ibuprofen being the only medicine I trust to take now. I had a horrendous year and everyone suffered. Not only my family, but I was signed off of work for 3 months. It was a very worrying time for my husband and my children, who all had to keep an eye on me and witness the effects of my symptoms. On looking back now, I don't know how I managed to function at all and even do my job. Most of the time my energies were spent concentrating on trying to appear normal and held-together to the outside world. Although I feel 100% better in myself, I noticeably experience more migraines and headaches than I ever did in the past, along with palpitations, usually during my week before. Two days before it I often really feeI like I'm losing the plot! I also really bloat up now a week before my period, feel sick and have a feeling of being ' very full', so am hungry but don't really want to eat. One of my big toe-nails has gone black over the past few months and not through injury. This has just been sent away for analysis. The one on the other foot is raised/ridged/thick/yellow, but normal growth has resumed half-way up now, which I feel co-incides with the state of my health on having Mirena removed. The nurse I saw recently explained that it is true that nails and hair show the history of our health so, for me, this would seem true. I wish I'd been made fully aware of all possible side-effects of this medication and am now actually concerned that the effects I've suffered may have left some permanent damage. In spite of all this, it's so good to be me.