I have an appointment next Wednesday to have my Mirena removed. I...

I have an appointment next Wednesday to have my Mirena removed. It came highly recommended by one of my girlfriends who said she has had NO problems whatsoever. The insertion was not too bad...didn't even bleed, so I was thrilled. The cramps started within about 4 hours and I cramped like I was in labor. In the last 18 months...I have gained about 15 pounds and I have had my period every month, and sometimes twice a month, with a lot of cramping. I never had any pain with my period before, so it was pretty annoying...but I didn't want to get pregnant so I endured it. I have never felt so "unhealthy" in my life. I am 38 years old and have always had a VERY clean bill of health. Since the insertion, I have had 2 bladder infections, hormonal rashes that seem to show up around "period" time, headaches,anxiety and higher blood pressure than normal. In general, I just don't "feel like myself". I am anxious to get this thing out of me. :(