Mirena and despair

I had mine removed this week - thank the lord above!!! However, it has been rough and be forewarned that I experienced horrific cramping and HEAVY bleeding for nearly five days. I also had terrible back pains and some pain down my legs as well as some mental fogginess. I only had it in about one month and had gained 3 pounds and outgrown my bras! So now, two boxes of tampons later, I finally stopped bleeding altogether about 24 hours ago and the cramping has subsided. I feel mentally clearer and, believe it or not, have some semblance of libido - my husband is thrilled!

I am exploring other options for managing hormonal changes in perimenopause - including evening primrose oil and am still doing lots of yoga (even during the pain periods I did lots of yoga to help me manage)...Mainly, I feel so betrayed by the doctors (two women half my age) who insisted my symptoms were "all in my head" - to those of you planning for removal I encourage you to tell the medical professionals you work with that you are NOT crazy and NOT the only one experiencing these side effects. I personally believe that many women get too much progestin in the Mirena (which is not Progesterone, either) and this, in addition to overloading our estrogen, is enough to make us completely insane and miserable. I say let nature work its course as regards my own perimenopause and to those out there using Mirena for birth control I managed to avoid pregnancy with little concern using natural/rhythm methods and condoms as well as a diaphragm, conceiving my two beautiful (now teenage) sons without any intervention from hormones except my own. I am going to do peri and menopause the same way here on out. !!!!

Would love to hear how long it took for weight and stomach fat to go away after the removal from anyone who has been there - I eat very healthfully and exercise daily so I knew the pregnant look I got after that month with the Mirena was not due to one too many cookies )as my doctor seemed to infer !

Hi I've had my Mirena now for 9 years and am scheduled to have another fitted in 4 days. When my Mirena was initially fitted I was advised that some women experience increase bleeding or decreased bleeding - as I had had heavy bleeding after having my first son when my second son was born I decided to opt for the Mirena as at the time it seemed such an ideal. I firstly noticed that I could feel when I was ovulating and for the first 3 months my periods were lighter and lighter and then ceased completely by the 4th month. I have not had a period for nearly 9 and a half years now - which was not a problem for me. However, the following side effects ensued which I put down to just my going through changes:- severe migraines, moodiness, loss of libido weight gain ++++ irritability, depression, tearfulness, oily skin, facial hair in chin and jawline, dry itchy scalp (a once healthy head of raoildy growing hair) now reduced to dull splitting ends and struggling to grow hair, lethargy +++, low mood, suicidal thoughs, aggressive mood change, tearfulness, insomnia, feelings of total despair and irritability but with now valid reason or cause - and just like you said all my energies were consumed with "trying to show the outside world that I could cope and that everything was fine". Within days of having my second son all my baby weight had dropped off - everyone was AMAZED - my hubby was MOST pleased and I was the happiest woman in the world having had my sons and returning to me pre childbirth figure. I had my Mirena fitted 10 weeks post-partum then by the time my son was 5 months the weight gradually started to creep back on and no matter how much I exercised and dieted it made not difference I felt like I was exercising and dieting in order to pile on weight. At no time did I make a connection to the monster I had become and the Mirena. It is only on contemplating this forthcoming refit that I decided to look up side effects and am devastated to find that what I've endured for all these years was the side effects of what I had come to rely on as effective contraception. I have spoken with my husband about our options for contraception and a vasectomy is not an option for us as this moment in time. Even as I write this I can feel the anxiety and tears welling up inside me. I had gotten to the point where I honestly felt I was going MAD - but my determination to not give in to the inner demons and my strong personality, the loving faces of my two sons as well as a supportive family and friends network are what have kept me going. I am ELATED to say the least to read that I was not going mad - but angry that I and so many other women have become victims of circumstance whilst trying to control our lives. Thank you so much to all you ladies for taking the time to share your experiences - you have really helped me to decide that the Mirena is no longer an option for me.

I just wish I could wear a sign that says: I'm sorry about the last 3 years. I have an excuse why I was a complaining bitch.

UPDATE:
I had mine removed 5 days ago. After 12 hours, I had a burst of energy... was still really achy, but mentally ecstatic.
The next day was not so good... the high was over, (and I was coming down with a cold), so very achy joints. I ate a lot of chocolate!
3rd day was so-so. I was in control of my emotions, but really achy. I found an old Rx for Toradol that worked well. Ate more chocolate.
Yesterday I felt fantastic, and today even better. I have had no cravings. My aches are 90% gone, without drugs, and I have not had any depression, anger, or feelings of despair. In fact, I found myself singing some goofy song from Dora The Explorer today, and my son looked at me really strangely and started giggling. I think I'm back!

Update since removal:
I had the Mirena removed on Saturday evening. I just wanted to report that I felt so great last night. My husband said he hadn't gotten that much affection in 3 months from me! And we didn't even have sex.. LOL! I was just in such a great mood, and had so much energy I couldn't stop cleaning and playing with my kids!
Today I'm not as ecstatic, but that may be because my daughter woke me up 6 times last night, and both my kids are sick. But the good news is, despite my difficult day, I'm not in a state of despair. Ordinarily I would be crying, or trying to have a nap while my kids are napping. Instead I am doing laundry and writing to you all.
Some bleeding last night and today, but no pain or cramping. My joints are still really sore today, but I didn't expect it to disappear overnight. I just can't believe how I'm in control of my emotions!

What a relief to be reading everyone's stories. My symptoms all built slowly over the last 7 months and have really reared their ugly heads in the last 3 months especially. In fact, I have been crying for days with no good reason. I feel like I am going crazy and am unable to cope with the simplest of things, things that in the past may have caused stress but not an emotional breakdown and feelings of despair. I had the Mirena put in in July 2008 because of painful cramps that led to several ER visits. My doctor raved about it, said she had it before and after her children and yes it does affect everyone differently but it's pretty much a miracle. The research I did conveniently didn't lead me here so I thought I'd give it a try. It sounded the same as a pill but just without the daily obligation. Well, the last 7 months of my life have gotten progressively worse and more frustrating. I have become irritable, angry, moody, depressed and anxious. I have experienced a complete loss of sex drive, along with worsened acne, and unexplained weight gain (despite generally healthy eating and consistent exercise) . I feel horrible for my fiance because it's like I am not me anymore. I was such a happy, friendly, fairly consistent person but now I'm a mess and my moods are all over the place. I hate feeling so fat and sexually blah. It's miserable! I actually feel depressed and I have no good reason. I love my life and it's a very good one, challenges and all. Needless to say, I am having this awful thing removed tomorrow. I've been waiting for a month for this appointment and if I were braver I think I would definitely remove it myself to put an end to this craziness. I want myself back.