I am 45 years old. I get the impression many of the ladies here a...

I am 45 years old. I get the impression many of the ladies here are younger, as they speak of having younger children, so I will tell my side from a bit more "mature" (ie older!) perspective: Had Mirena for a little over 9 months. My two MAIN side effects were a development of terrible cystic acne on my face, back, shoulders, hairline, behind my ears and straight down my spine, ending in a nice lovely rash just above my tailbone. These things were deep, solid knots under the skin, not average little pimples. Worse acne I've ever had, and at my age too! Second, profuse sweating under my breasts and lower back, again just at my tailbone, right above my butt. After drying off from a shower, I'd run my hand back there and still feel soaked. This did not seem related to hot flashes. Just sweating, and I think that contributed to the acne, which was beginning to leave scars it was so deep. I do feel like I gained weight, my pants were much tighter and I just felt bloated all the time. Fortunately, no hair loss or emotional side effects. I've had anxiety for years and take Ativan (lorazepam) which keeps it pretty much under control. No loss of sex drive either. It seems there are a distinct set of side effects, and some get them in different combination than others, but we're ALL getting them one way or the other! OBGYN said as the Mirena is only progesterone, I was missing the estrogen which were the 2 components of the pill I took for years with no trouble. He gave me a Rx for a low dose of estrogen. Now I am getting what I had in the pill in 2 separate forms, and having these awful side effects on top of it. It didn't help. So I had Mirena removed 6 days ago. Luckily he found the strings, told me to cough, and pulled it out, no pain! I immediately went back on Alesse BC pill that same day, so no break in hormones, but I handled the BC pill fine all those years, so I"m just going back on it. Have been bleeding ever since removal, but I figure that is just my body "getting back at me" for not having periods for months. My first real one, due in about 3 weeks following the pill schedule will probably be the period from hell. Ok, I accept that. My uterus wants to get this poison toxic mess out of me, and I'm ok with that. I'm crossing my fingers that I will miss the "crash" I've read so much about. As it seems to be mostly psychological, and I didn't have those side effects to begin with, maybe it won't be so bad, or at all. Of course that could just be wishful thinking on my part! So far, 6 days of having it out of me and I already feel 100% better! My face cleared up in a matter of days. The sweating stopped immediately. My pants are looser, although I still weigh the same. The bloated feeling is gone. I just feel thinner. Before, my profile in the mirror looked like I was 4 months pregnant! That too is going down quick. Good luck to all who have it removed. Things can only get better! And don't let any doctor tell you you can't have it out! It's your body! You can demand whatever you want, especially if you feel like it is making you sick! Do not take no for an answer. You don't even owe them an explanation. Just a "Sorry, it's not for me..." at the most. Good luck to all....