Mirena and dizziness

Thank you Thanks you Thank you!
I am literally crying - tears - reading all of your posts because I have been totally stressed this week trying to figure out what is wrong with me... I am 33 and mother of 3 so I just thought it was normal to be tired constantly. I had Mirena put in Dec of 2008 so almost a year now. At first not a big deal, slight spotting here and there. Now I am headed to the doctor with 100 symptoms. I have felt ALL the things you all are saying, the mood swings, random crampiness, feeling like a period is coming, but nothing happens. Cramping after sex and almost always spotting the following day. Low back pain, hip/groin pain too. Feeling bloated/ full/swollen in my low abdomen. I've had a headache just about everyday for the last 2 weeks and I have been nauseous (feeling like I'm preggo again) since I got the Mirena. Anxiety, dizziness, etc etc etc. Finally called the Dr because after 10 months of no periods, I have now been actually bleeding for a week. It has scared me to death thinking I have cysts, or worse!! It has helped tremendously hearing your stories although I am sorry that so many of us are going through this.
Of course my doctor won't get me in for another 6 days - but at least I am going. The nurse made it sound like the IUD may be out of place! I have felt uncomfortable all along knowing that there was this foreign object lodged in my body so I am sure I will be getting it removed no matter what they tell me. I just have to figure out what my next step is.... I am not prepared to have any more children!
3 is amazing, but just about all I can handle right now! : )
Thanks for your posts, they have calmed my fears tremendously.

I know that for every woman, the side effects or various medications and hormones are different. I personally had the Mirena IUD inserted a little over 3 years ago on the recommendation of a friend who, at the time, had nothing but positive things to say about it. I went on that recommendation alone, and now wish that I had done more research into the side effects before having one inserted.

The initial insertion was not horrible, but not great either- a pinch at insertion, severe cramping and pain within a few hours, and a dull aching feeling in my abdomen for about a week. After that, though, I couldn't feel the IUD at all.

It was not long after that when I began to experience side effects. Like many of you, I attributed my symptoms to stress and life changes. I figured that my migraines, back pain, fatigue, dizziness, increasing urinary tract infections, and weight gain were a result of a changing metabolism and high-stress job.

When I went to my family physician to have blood work done (because I was declared anemic when trying to give blood), I was told that I wasn't getting enough iron and I went on iron supplements. (The supplements then made me constipated- sorry if that is TMI, but that was a very unwelcome result!) When I took trip after trip to my ob/gyn for antibiotics to treat UTIs, I was told that the UTIs were unrelated to the IUD. When I saw a urologist to have three separate tests done (one for hormone levels, another for uterine function, and yet another to test kidney function), all tests came back within normal range. Even when I went to the ER one Saturday morning, when my back was spasming so badly that I could barely walk or stand, I was told that my back pain was stress-related.

All the while, my friend (the one who recommended the IUD in the first place) was dealing with similar problems- weekly severe migraines, back pain, etc. She was being told the same things by her ob/gyn- none of her symptoms were related to the IUD. Since she and I trusted our doctors completely, we went on about our lives, upped our workout regimens, tried to de-stress as much as possible, took OTC pain meds when it was all too much to bear- and yet for both of us, our symptoms continued.

Then, in July, my husband and I decided to begin trying for a baby. I made my appointment to have the IUD removed (which was a painless process), and it was only then that I began to research the Mirena IUD online. My former ob/gyn had moved, and my new one seemed ill-informed about what to expect once the IUD was removed. I wanted to know how soon I could conceive, and she knew very little about the process- heck, she didn't even know what the hormone was called that she had given me to jump-start my period (it was progestin, by the way- a very common prescription that my paramedic husband knew quite a bit about, but the ob/gyn didn't even know the name of!).

Once I got online and found this site (among many others), I finally began to put two and two together. I am now firmly convinced that my symptoms were directly related to the Mirena IUD. Again, different women are affected in different ways, but I know that for me- nothing good came of messing with Mother Nature like that.

Now that I've had the IUD out for about four months, I feel like a different human being. I did experience the "Mirena Crash," but once that passed, I almost immediately began losing weight, my abdomen was no longer blown up like a balloon, my energy level and sex drive increased, my back pain is now gone, and I haven't had a migraine or UTI since.

I've since switched ob/gyns, but I now have a healthy distrust of anything medically new and experimental. I will never have the Mirena inserted again, and I will definitely research anything and everything regarding my body. Ladies, listen to your bodies- mine was screaming at me loud and clear for over three years, and even though I knew that something was very wrong, I didn't listen. I'm just happy that I "accidentally" figured it out. (Oh, and my friend will be having her IUD removed later this week. She and I now call ourselves the "sister skeptics!")

I have had palpitations, racing heart, dizziness, blurred vision, fatigue and nausea since I had the IUD inserted over a week ago - Ive been through a whole heap of tests and they have all came back fine. Im wondering if Im reacting to the hormone in it?? as I haven't taken the pill before either. If the symptoms don't go away Im having it removed but I think the most frustrating thing is being told they don't know whats wrong with you and you thinking it's all in your head :( I am post baby but I was feeling well before the Mirena - not so well since...

I'm a 20 year old female, 125 lbs, exercise everyday, and eat very well. I recently had an the mirena IUD put in after a year on depo provera. I cramped for about a week after insertion and then started to have pain on the left side near my pubic bone. I also was having nausea, blurry vision, difficultly focusing my eyes, dizziness, severe chest pains, and a pin prick sensation along with hot flashes all over my body. After finding this site, I called my doctor who didn't believe that the mirena was causing this, even though many of these are listed as severe side effects. I'm a 20 year old woman! Why would i suddenly develop some disease that made me feel this way? Despite her claims that the mirena wasn't responsible, the chest pains were unbearable and the uterine pain was shooting down my legs. I demanded to have it out. One day later the uterine pain was significantly better and my vision was back to normal. I still have slight chest pains but they have diminished appropriately. the hormone in mirena has a half life of about a day and a half so in two days it should be completely out of my system and the chest pains should subside. To conclude, if you are having these side effects and have no other conditions, try getting the mirena removed. It fixed me completely.

Migraines, weight gain, dizziness, depression, no sex drive, some what of an odor and discharge, spotting, numbness and tingling in my hands and feet, nausea, mood swings, tired a lot.

I just want to say how happy I found this site. I'm not alone! I thought I was going crazy or that my body was shutting down completely. I had my mirena put in Sept. 2006 and my body has become something I don't even recognize. I am extremely bloated all the time and it hurts every time I eat and use the bathroom. I keep on thinking maybe I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but it doesn't make any sense because the symptoms showed up after I had the Mirena put in. I thought it might be food sensitivities so I got tested and have been trying to cut those foods out but it doesn't seem to be helping. I have tried all sorts of natural remedies but it never seems to go away.

I have gained 40 pounds since I the Mirena put in even though I have never have had weight gain problems before, I eat healthy and I am active. I also have a difficult time concentrating and focusing on anything. I also get dizziness, depression, irritability and mood swings. I also have been experiencing a sharp pulling or stinging in my uterus at times as well as joint pain (especially in my hips, knees) and painful intercourse with bleeding afterwards. My hair is also falling out and I have lost my desire for sex.

I've also noticed a drastic decline in my immune system. I have never been as sick as I have been in the last three years of my life. I seem to always be getting sick. For the first three months after the Mirena was inserted I had frequent bouts of yeast infections, bladder infections and still three years later I have these types of infections frequently. Not only this but I seem to catch everything that is going around when before the Mirena I hardly ever got sick.

Finally after reading the posts on this site I can trace all the changes in my body to when I had my Mirena put in. I am so upset that I have been suffering for 3 yrs with these side effects and it has taken until now for me to figure out that the Mirena doesn't just effect your uterus it effects your WHOLE body. I cant believe I trusted the doctor I went to when I had it put in that said that the hormones would only affect my uterus. NEVER, NEVER USE THIS PRODUCT!! It is coming out as soon as I can have it done! Please ladies if you know what it is like to have it removed let me know.

I took lisinopril for 2 months and throughout experienced dizziness and dray cough. Towards the end of the two months I noticed a small itchy rash on my neck. Then I had mirena IUD inserted, immediately my whole body including the head was covered by an itchy rash, have bumps all over my body. Doctor immediately removed the IUD, stopped lisinopril (I was telling her to stop lisinopril before - did not help), and i am still suffering. My fingers are swollen so difficult to type. I am 48 years old and my bp is back. i am taking HCL (water pill for BP) Monday going to see an allergist/immunologist. I am positive the lisinopril and mirena caused these symptoms. I was told it will take a while for this to go off. I had mirena for 7 days and see what a mess. both drugs have given this together. Until then absolute misery!

I am soo glad I am not crazy. I am almost in tears, because I can not believe that so may women are experiencing this. I have had it for almost two years now and in the beginning I just had heavy cramps and a lot of bleeding. I was told every woman's body is different and this will take some time. I went back within 4 weeks to get it out and my doctor encouraged me it would get better. It did and I loved it. Never had a problem. Until recently, I went to the doctor thinking I was pregnant, I had ever symptom that a pregnant woman experiences and I they told me it was in my head. I am constantly tired, bloating, sick, dizziness, headaches (which they told me contributed to my sinus - then I started seeing an Allergist who kept me on Antibiotics. It got really bad they did an CAT scan on me and still nothing). I thought I was going to lose it, I had mood swings, memory loss, attention span, worst than my 5 year old and the list goes on. I am so hurt now, because I am no good with the pill (2 pregnancies from the missed pill) and loved the convenience of the Mirena, but my life is worth more than convenience.
Thank you ladies for sharing your story! But remember please go with your gut feeling. Now that I recall I went twice to get this removed, the doctors will tell you anything. They are new to this product also!!!

I've had Mirena since Jan. 2006. This is what's going on with me.

EXTREMELY bloated all the time, diagnosed as IBS. I’ve tried everything: herbs, teas, diet changes, prescription meds (currently on anti-depressant (for the IBS, not depression) and an anti-spasmatic pill), and non-prescription meds (currently taking beano before every meal and gas-x after the beano has not worked!)

Irritability

Tired all the time

Not motivated to do anything

Forgetful

Loss of concentration, I have the attention span of a 3 year old it seems!

Heart fluttering and dizziness like a panic attack. The doctor actually said it was panic attacks but I honestly don’t feel “panicked” when they happen.

Fluttering in abdomen as if there were a baby in there

Sometimes feel a pulling or stinging sensation in my uterus

Hubby can feel the strings and we think they are irritating his manhood

A lot of these symptoms seem like depression but all praise be to God, I have a wonderful life. I have the greatest husband and kids I could ever ask for. I love our life. I’m not unhappy at all. I didn’t consider that it may be the Mirena until my husband mentioned that he thought the strings were causing the irritation on his penis. I started googling Mirena to see if anyone else had this problem and came up with so many “other” symptoms of Mirena. I thought “WOW!! Maybe THAT’S my problem!” Maybe it’s time to make that appointment to get it out.

Had my Mirena put in about 4 weeks ago. I feel like I am sick ALL the time. I have had every symptom mentioned and then some. Severe nausea, indigestion, headaches, fatigue, mood swings, hot flashes, depression, lack of sex drive, achiness, dizziness, anxiety, loss of appetite, and excessive sweating and hot flashes. My husband also says it irritates him when we have sex. I did a good bit of research before getting the Mirena, and never realized any of these side effects could happen. The Mirena website doesn't mention any of these other than headache. The doctor made it sound wonderful, and I just never thought I would feel like this. I almost feel like I am pregnant again, but I know I am not. It is horrible! I have an appointment in 4 days for my Mirena check up, and I am going to have it removed then. Please do your research before getting the Mirena! I am glad I found this site. Now I realize I am not the only one.

I have had several things but am not sure if they are due to the mirena but I have always been good tell I got mirena
here are the symptoms I have

severe bleeding 8 months straight
head aches
increased appetite
weight gain
dizziness
faint
depressed
really moody
mean
angry
tired extremely
cant sleep well
memory loss
memory problems
blurred vision
and recently extremely painful sex
it hurt so bad It was all I could do not to cry
it felt as though I was in labor
I did not have the heart to tell my husband i was in pain cause we rarely have sex due to the constant bleeding
it is the best birth control I have ever heard of cause you cant have sex if your bleeding all the time. I want to remove it but getting a hold of my doctor is like a joke and I don't know what to do cause I need my memory I have a family that needs me as i used to be not the mean upset all the time me.

I had Mirena inserted 6 weeks after having a baby. I have been feeling bloated (my stomach seems larger now than it did when I had Mirena inserted! ) I have gained weight 8-10 lbs even though I am watching what I am eating. Today, I experienced dizziness when I woke up and all through out the morning. I had significant hair loss up until about three weeks ago. I know hair loss is common after having a child, but this is my third baby and the loss of hair was alarming! I am not sure if all of this is the Mirena but with all of the posts from everyone, I am convinced it is. Since having this foreign object in me, I have not been myself. I am going to have it removed.

It has been 7 weeks since the removal of my Mirena. I don't have any side effects except for the week before and the week of my period. Moodiness (my poor husband), dizziness, extreme fatigue, cramps, the eczema on my hands flares up... Can anyone turn on the light at the end of my dark tunnel and tell me that they no longer suffer from symptoms the same or similar to mine, post Mirena? I know everyone is different, I just feel discouraged and need to hear a success story! Thanks and God Bless.

I have had Mirena for 18 months now. I love it. I have had no side effects that you all are describing. I have 4 friends that switched and all love it and only one had to have a follow up to have the strings shortened.

As far as the weight gain, ladies, let’s be honest. We are not 18 anymore and as we get older it is only going to become more difficult to keep weight off. Blaming it on a B/C....lets think about that last chocolate bar we ate because we were busy carting the kids off to a sports practice HMMM....
With any drug comes side effects, headaches, nausea, and some other terribly worse, but lets again be honest, all of these were pointed out in the literature available.

I just thought I would take the time to write my support as this does work and work well for some women, just not all, same as any other form of B/C.

I had the mirena put in at my postnatal visit in may 2009. I bled for a month then things were good. Did notice the "fogginess" Its been 4 months now and so far my marriage is heading south, I'm yelling more, getting dizziness, nausea/vomiting, and I've had my first ever migraine and don't forget the hot flashes about 4 - 5 times a day. I had blood work done today no thanks to my ob/gyn. She can't see me or give me orders for blood work for 2 1/2 weeks. I should find out my lab results soon but suspect it will all be normal. Reading these posts makes me realize I'm not crazy and it is comforting others feel the same. I think after reading everything here I'm gonna have it taken out so I can get back to my normal self and enjoy my family!

I had mirena put in in Oct 08. My symptoms are: dizziness, sweating, nausea, (these symptoms can be mild and brief (seconds); or last a few minutes. I had severe dizziness in May and June of 2009. I also get acne on my shoulders, neck, face, and my T zone is very oily (especially my forehead). I am using good acne products to try to combat this problem, but I continue to have a problem. Some of my acne is like welts and I even have this going on on my scalp. I wrecked my car in December 2008. At that time I was very foggy headed. I blamed the foggy headedness on being stressed and overworked. I am 40 years old. My children are 10 and 13, therefore I know my symptoms are not post pregnancy. Today, I questioned if I wasn't going through early menopause. My doctor said this mirena would be wonderful and that after six months I would not have a period anymore. I have a period every two weeks. My periods are very light, but I still have them every two weeks, and they last for two weeks. I have been wondering if my body will adjust, and if I will eventually get to this heavenly place of now periods and bliss?

I had my Mirena taken out in May 2009, still feel foggy in my head and occasional dizziness... so afraid I will never feel like my old self again. I know feeling like this isn't normal and while I had mirena in I even sought the help of a neurologist because I had no idea why I was so dizzy. Could barely function and even now it effects my life so much. I am so upset still and can't explain to anyone how sick I still feel. Any responses are greatly appreciated, I am disgusted and distraught!

I am 26 years old with two kiddos.
It has been 4 weeks since the removal of my Mirena (it was in for a little over a year). So far, no more dizziness, nausea, joint pain, nor cramping. I made a list of all of my symptoms so that I can check them off when they disappear. Symptoms that I am still suffering from are: Eczema (fingers, arms, elbows, legs), tired, acne, cloudy thinking, moody, not much of a sex drive (but getting better), emotional, no patience, hard to focus, having and overwhelmed feeling...like I can't multi-task and handle lots of different things at once, just having no desire to clean up around the house...kind of and "I don't care" attitude. None of these symptoms were in my life prior to Mirena. I really hope these go away in the NEAR future!! I heard about the Mirena "crash", I don't think that I experienced that, just the same stuff with some symptoms vanishing. Best of luck to all and God Bless!

I wish I would have read these blogs before I decided to get the Mirena! I usually research everything but for some reason thought I didn't have to since my male obgyn said it was so great. I had it put in two weeks ago and am having it out this Thursday. Since it went in I have been bleeding, cramping severely enough to go to the ER, extreme faintness and dizziness, can't sit in any position without pain in pelvic area and it is not getting any better. I can't focus, work, sleep, nothing. I just want to feel normal again! I wish I would have researched before agreeing to do this! Not to mention the $250 I paid before seeing what insurance will cover and about 4 doctor visits and 1 er visit so far related to this! I'm not willing to ride it out any longer after reading other comments. I just hope it comes out easily!

I never realized until now that my mirena was causing this stuff. I have had extreme dry mouth lately and depression, anxiety, not losing weight, a kind of shortness of breath, and dizziness, just to list some. I am getting this thing pulled out on the 24th and I hope all this crazy stuff will go away. I would much rather take the chance of getting pregnant than live like this. I am so glad I found this site and read all this. I thought I was going crazy and I thought something was really wrong with me!

I am also really glad I have found this website. I had my mirena placed in March 2006. I loved it, told all my friends thought it was a miracle. I have completely changed my mind. I have dizziness, headaches, joint pain and my PCP put on Lexapro for anxiety and mild depression in September 09.
I have a 3 and 4 year old, but am so fatigued at times I don't want to do anything but sit around. I can not lose any weight. I tried nutrisystem and
that didn't help. I am also having having a symptom that hasn't been mentioned on the site. I have done some research and noticed that the mirena can also cause blood vessels to constrict. In December 08 after having some (quite a few) drinks and smoking cigaretts at my husbands
Christmas Party the next morning my forearms and hands were a dusty blue color. I have had this happen one time since. A couple of times the bottoms of my feet were a purple/ bluish color looked as if they were badly bruised. After researching the cause of this, the only thing I can find is that the mirena can also cause constriction of the blood vessels. Has anyone else had this happen???? I had and echocardiogram done, that was fine all my blood work has come back normal. Am seeing a neurologist, he has me scheduled for a nerve condition test, but he thinks
I may need to see a vascular doctor.

I've posted my side effects in July and I'm scheduled to have it removed next week. I"ve had mood swings, cramps, no periods except some spotting, weight gain, extreme fatigue, dizziness etc.
Does anyone else have "good" days - days that you that you have no cramping, you're in good mood, no fatigue? I wonder if the Mirena releases the (progesterone) levonorgestrel unevenly throughout the month? Some days I feel really good and think the side effects must be in my head and then a few days later I feel like crap again! (The Mirena website says it releases 20ug of levonorgestrel a day). I felt good the past few days, I had more energy. Actually got some stuff done around the house. Today I woke up and I feel dizzy and sharp pains in my abdomen.

I've had the mirena iud for a week and i've been experiencing the following -HEADACHE, NAUSEA, BLOATING, BLOODY//BROWN/STINKY DISCHARGE, WEAKNESS, DIZZINESS, CRAMPING, BLURRED VISION AT TIMES, FEELING OF ANTS CRAWLING ON MY FEET, MOODY(EXTREMELY),NUMBNESS IN HANDS AT TIMES, HAVE HAD A WEIRD PAINFUL SHARP GABBING SENSATION IN MY EYE....I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO...SHOULD I HAVE IT TAKEN OUT? I AM ONLY 23 I SHOULDN'T BE GOING THROUGH THIS....

How long did it take for the migraines and dizziness/vertigo to go away after removal? I can't keep missing 3 days of work here and there b/c I'm unable to walk, drive, or leave a dark room despite medication?????

Hi everyone, I had my mirena put in feb of 2008. Around June 2008 I started having dizzy spells, and headaches. Went to ENT and ruled out inner ear problems, went to neurologist and he said it could be migraines. I never had them before but have a family history. I have in the last couple months been having really bad dizzy spells and nausea, like 4-5 times a week. Has anyone else had any of these problems? Not sure if its the mirena or not, but have been to just about every doctor and no one can figure out why i have been so dizzy and nauseous> Any suggestions?????

I had my Mirena put in 3 months after having my fifth child in December o8...i tried mirena because in the past birth controls have failed for me such as the pill even depo so me and my doctor decided that mirena would be a good birth control for me i am 29 and have been getting my period since i was 15 and never have my periods ever lasted more then 5 days but since i have gotten the mirena put in i have bleed in excess of 15 days or more currently i am on day 15 and still going the bleeding is so heavy at times i will go through at least 5 tampons a day and most of the time i have to wear a pad also cause i bleed through especially when i just wake up it seems as if the blood just collected all night so when i get out of bed it just comes gushing out sometimes starts running down my legs...im always tired and lately i been crying a lot just out of the blue for no reason i get really irritated very easy and it seems to get worse my sex drive is none i want to have it removed but ive heard stories of the symptoms getting worse after having it removed and i also don't want to get pregnant again but i refuse to get a tubal because the women in my family who have had them always ended up later in life having to have a hysterectomy i am also paranoid even with the mirena that i will get pregnant and end up with a tubal pregnancy. HELP ME LORI

Ladies,

My Mirena is out now but I too experienced high blood pressure (165/110) numbness in both arms and legs, profuse sweating, heart palpitations, dizziness, extreme fatigue. I thought I was having strokes.

There is power in the media. We MUST contact en masse the national news networks. Contact them all.

It is our duty to protect other women. And please report to the FDA.

L.

I am 26 years old and I've had the Mirena for two years. I ended up getting it because my doctor told me it was so much more convenient than taking the pill and more affordable. In the beginning, I felt okay but after awhile, I started feeling nauseous and sick all the time. Six months ago, I started bleeding for a couple of weeks straight, but I figured that it was due Mirena and the effects of it with menstrual cycles. Just to be safe, I took a pregnancy test and it came out positive and I was planning on going setting an appointment to see my doctor, only to have to rush to the E.R. later that night with killer cramps. I found out I had an ectopic pregnancy (I never had an ectopic pregnancy nor has any of my family members) and had to go in for a laparoscopy. I asked the doctor in the E.R. if Mirena should be removed and he simply replied that there was no need to. I had severe depression for a couple of weeks afterwards. I thought I felt awful with my usual symptoms of Mirena, but then the symptoms got even worse. I began experiencing dizziness, irregular cycles, a total weight gain of 20 pounds (I've never had a weight problem and my diet never changed), and extreme moodiness. After all the things I've experienced and now having to worry that Mirena will only increase my chances of having another ectopic pregnancy, I really look forward to my appointment in getting Mirena removed!

Have had the Mirena for a year due to needing some hormone therapy during menopause.I am 54yrs old and had my last period over 2 yrs ago-look physically like I am in my 30's. Had a breast reduction and weight reduction surgery over 10yrs ago VERY successfully lost 10# off my chest and 168# off of my body. SINCE having the Mirena I have gained over 30# and gained 2 cup sizes in my breasts! HELP!!! I have been treated by my regular doctor for mood swings with WellbutrinSR, Lexapro, Lamictal, Topamax and others-nothing has worked more than to ease some of the edge. I have gone from a size 2 to a size 10-12 in 9 months and am desperate for an answer! I feel as if all of the previous progress I had made with the weight reduction and breast reduction is all being undermined! I had a tummy tuck last September 08 and I swear my stomach was flatter before I had the surgery! I look pregnant! The surgeons have done a CT scan and can find nothing to indicate the surgery went bad. I don't know what to do as my OB-GYN tells me that "this IUD" is my best bet for hormone therapy and that it is ABSOLUTELY NOT the cause for the weight gain or breasts. Has anyone else "my age/menopausal" experienced this? Most of what I have read has been very helpful BUT all but a few are pre-menopausal and way younger. PLEASE let me know your thoughts!!

I had Mirena put in about six months ago. My experience with Mirena was not well. I finally had it taken out today after finally feeling like I wasn't in full control of my body. The sickness, headaches (which I've never had headaches before), bleeding for long periods of time, dizziness, tightness in my chest, sever anxiety (I never had this issue before), weight gain (never an issue before), lack of energy, etc. The list could go on. I've always been an upward looking type gal, always happy, always looking for the silver lining. The last few months have gotten worse with depression. I didn't realize it until a few days ago I just couldn't breath at work, I wanted to cry over nothing and I felt hopeless. I've always been emotionally strong and mentally strong. It wasn't until I felt completely down and out over nothing that I started realizing the small changes that had been happening over the last few months. Lets hope life gets back to normal. I drinking lots of water the next few days to get all the chemicals out of my body. I have five kids. I'll have five more before I allow a drug to invade my body like this one did again.

Hi there
Apart from all the above mentioned,
Pitting Edema in arms and legs
Headaches
Severe abdominal pain
Severe backache
Heart palpitations
Constipation
Lack of appetite
SEVERE WEIGHT GAIN (how can this be, I have been a diet for three years...and I am sticking to it) MY PANTS won't fit anymore.
NO energy
Fatigue
Nightmares
Nausea
Dizziness
Unable to concentrate
Slight double vision (right eye only)
Anger
Depression
Fainting followed by temporarily blindness (my studies n that scary matter came up with an explanation that this only occurs when your body organs are switching off. Scary thought.
I have also developed Polycycstic Ovarian Syndrome very serious case
I only had it for 6 month and would recommend to ant woman to take in out NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope the manufacturer will pay for slowly killing us or making a whole generation of females sterile, let's face it who like to have their health tempered with?
M. AM
Australia

Hi, Ladies,

Thank you for this website. I used to be the picture of health. But then I had my Mirena inserted about 3 weeks ago. Ten days later I started experiencing high blood pressure, sporadic numbness in my arms and legs and dizziness. I told my doctor that I wanted it out and he said it wasn't the IUD. I explained how other women are experiencing the same side effects. He said, "There are scientific studies....." totally negating your voices. Then he lectured me about problems with the Internet knowing full well that I am a teacher. But, he said he wouldn't argue with me. I'm scheduled to have it out tomorrow at 8:00.

What can we do to get this removed from the market?

i had mirena for an yr and a half. I began breaking out( thought it was stress) but i couldn't control it and the acne was real bad around my mouth and chin area( thought i had something). I suffer from migraines and it did help with that. Moody, depressed. I am normally a happy over jolly person but within this last yr. ive changed to a moody chick. Always tired. dizziness and i just felt like a different person. Like so many women said . You think your losing it but all the time its the Mirena. I really didn think about it that way until my friends told me i ve been like a devil. And how i just lash out on ppl for no reason. But i went to the doc 3x about the acne and how my partner was able to feel the string and they were able to cut the string. but my face still looks crazy and lil on my chest and shoulders(ACNE).O breast tenderest and back pains. I am only 22yrs ol. My cousin said it caused her hair to fall out and lost of weight. I was losing and gaining. My weight was every where. And that caused white stretch marks.O just hand it removed feel better already but start bleeding. O my period did stop a lil and i did have a odor before i start spotting( never had odor problems and never was a cramper). I had some of the worst cramps ever and was a cramper. I quite sure theres more stuff but can't recall everything. My mom said they using us as test dummies.

Wow, thank you all for your postings. I just wished I had found this before I had Mirena put in. I had it placed in Feb 2009, it's been exactly 5 months. I have been extremely tired and agitated. I didn't really associate this with the Mirena until reading the other posts. My hair comes out by the handful (with root attached), I never have solid stools, I have gained about 10 pounds even though I have been trying to lose weight through a diet and exercise program. All the weight is in my stomach and people keep asking me if I'm pregnant. I started to wonder if I could be seeing as I was crying all the time, extremely moody, and that I look at least 4 or 5 months pregnant. All pregnancy tests have come back negative. I got this put in the day before my fiance and I got engaged ( not knowing at the time) and last week we were about to call of the wedding because of my emotional state and constant conflicts. I have to wonder how much of this is caused by the Mirena. I have already made an appointment to talk to my doctor after reading what all these other women have been through. It's just so tough because with any type of birth control their are side effects so I don't want to make it out to be like this is the worst thing ever, it may be exactly what someone is looking for, but just be informed that there are some side effects because I like a lot of other women on this post was lead to believe that there were no side effects or very little side effects.

i would not recommend this to anyone. I am 43 with four kids. I was strongly advised to try this method of contraception but only 2 weeks in i was having horrible side effects. Mainly crabby moods but constant pelvic pain and lower back pain and sore breasts and to add to that constant discharge. So much so that i was having to wear a pad every day. due to go on holiday this week there was no way i was going feeling this way and also feeling paranoid in a bikin with the discharge so i had the thing out.Felt it could only get worse. this thing should not be on the market.Isn't it about time something was invented for men!!!! side effects aren't worth it for your health and well being.

I had my mirena place in October 2008. I had no symptoms at first, but about 3 months ago that all changed. I'm losing my hair, severe abdominal cramping, fluttering (like being pregnant), severe lower back pain, dizziness, headache constantly at least once a day. I also had regular periods up until last month, when it simply never came. I freaked thinking I was pregnant I had all symptoms (tender breast, missed period, frequent urination, and nausea). So I called my doctor and demanded he order a blood test because with my son the home pregnancy test did not show positive until I was 3 months pregnant. Of course the test came back negative, but I swear I am pregnant, all the symptoms I had with my son I am having now. I know that I'm not but these are crazy side effects from the mirena..Also I didn't know until I read on here that the cyst are a side effect I have one on my right hand that just appeared out of no where about 3 months ago as well..It hurts just to type :)....In the end I will not have the mirena removed, the benefits surely out weigh the risks. Good luck to everyone with the mirena!

Has anyone else had a problem with low blood pressure? I've had Mirena for a year now and my blood pressure keeps fluctuating. It goes anywhere from a normal-average BP to the lowest at 76/44. I feel dizzy, fatigued and I can't seem to focus on anything. I'm not sure that it has anything to do with the Mirena, but if it isn't I would like to eliminate it from the possible causes. So far I've had an EKG, chest x-ray, and blood testing and nothing has come up.

I am a 36 year old and I had the Mirena in for over 2 years. I had it taken out on May 10th 2009 because of 2 periods a month. My doctor seemed to think it was not the IUD. While I had the Mirena in, I had dizziness, headaches, fatigue, more bleeding then not and moodiness. I lost my sex drive and excitability during sex. I was tired all the time and generally not happy. Since I have had it removed I have not had a period ( going on 2 months ). I have noticed over the last 2 months that I am slowly becoming my self again. It is like a cloud has been lifted from my brain. My sex drive is UP and my house is slowly getting back in order. I am hoping that I will start to loose some weight, but not going to depend on it being all the Mirena. I have to get back to the gym. I know my body is not fully adjusted to the Mirena being out because I have not had my period yet and I have no idea how long it will take. I called my OB's office, they did not seem to concerned about the lack of period. They told me they could put me on some meds to bring it on. I told them I would pass. I would rather my body take care of it. If anyone has any input of what it is like after months after having it removed, please let me know.

Hey guys, just wanted to thank you for speaking out. I just had a baby three months ago and so my doctor suggested the Mirena. Two months after my pregnancy I had it inserted, however 10 days later I started having these exact symptoms: dizziness/foggy head, anger/anxiety/and moodiness, I new something was wrong. In addition, the string attached to the IUD hurt and irritated me down there. Realizing my gut instinct is usually spot on, I decided to research a little and thankfully found you guys. When I went back to my doctor and informed her of my symptoms she said the symptoms were due to sleep deprivation from the baby ( but I am a stay at home mom, and therefore take naps with my baby) hormones, and that it takes a while to adjust to my body. She said I should stay with it. However after a good 21 days, I had her remove it. It has only been two days and I am still feeling dizzy. I guess it takes a while for the drug to exist your body. My mom has been in the medical profession and has always informed me that the drug companies withhold many truths as they are a franchise and optimally want to make their money. The sicker we stay (sometimes from their own drugs) the richer they become as we now need another drug to counteract the first. Be careful ladies and lets stick together. We know our bodies better then any one else!

I had the mirena inserted Dec. 4. 2008. I't worked really well the first couple months i thought i really liked it. until a couple of weeks ago i started getting really dizzy i thought i would pass out. I also got really tingly in my feet and my arms the most. and i have gained a lil weight that i just can't seem 2 lose no matter what i do. i thought something was really wrong with me until i googled dizziness with mirena. just 2 see if that would have anything 2 do with my symptoms. and yes apparently it does. i called every doctors office in town and nobody believed me that it was the mirena doing this 2 me so they wouldn't remove it. so i'm having my sister in law remove it 4 me today since she's a nurse. i can't wait. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE 2 FEEL NORMAL AGAIN??????

UPDATE - Day 11 post removal

Still have not bled.
Still having vertigo migraines.
Still have numbness in R foot.
Still moody/irritable.
Still bloated and GAINING water weight.
Still crying (though not as much).
Still have NO energy.
Still having severe memory issues and BRAIN FOG!!!

NEW ACNE ON ARMS!!! :-(

Taking B12, B6, magnesium, multivitamin.

I'm upset/disappointed. I thought taking it out would make me feel better right away and gradually get better and better. So far I'm the only one on here who didn't bleed right away and start feeling good. Maybe more of the progestin got into my system and it will take a bit longer for it to leave?

NEED ENCOURAGEMENT!

Has anyone had side effects pop up after 3 years? Yes, you heard me. Three years. Hair falling out. Joint pain. "Foggy headedness." Chest discomfort. Gotta be that. Please share.

What is wrong with all these doctors telling all of us that it CAN'T be the Mirena!!! We all have similar side effects. I am waiting for there to be one of those commercials on TV.... 'if you have used Mirena in the past you may be entitled to money due to damages'
I just want to feel better again. I wake every day hoping for the dizzy/brain fog to be gone and my mood to be back to normal.
Also, after viewing the video found on this page about Mirena I did have a great question... it states only a certain amount of hormone is released every 24hrs, how can they be so sure no more than that amount of hormone is released? With the pill you only take 1 pill which obviously gives you only that amount of hormone. This IUD is simply in you releasing hormones with no control. Just so frustrated and want to feel better again. Tomorrow will be 1 week since I had it removed.

Oh, and I forgot to mention.... the bloating is actually WORSE and I have GAINED 2 lbs since removal. Not to mention the headaches are worse and the tingling in the foot is still there.

Sorry to post again, but NO ONE REPLIED TO MY POST!

I am 5 days post removal and need reassurance. Unlike everyone else, I have NOT felt better right away. I am just as tired (if not more), more irritable, and JUST GOT ACNE on my face and arms 2 days AFTER removal! I'm still dizzy and the brain fog is just as bad. Have not bled a drop at all.

I know everyone is different, but my removal experience has been completely different... don't feel better, no bleeding/clots, no immediate improvement. IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME??? Was it not the Mirena after all???

Signed the Mirena petition which all of you should too. So many people who are on it with no side effects as well as doctors do not believe us and it is very frustrating. Both my OB/GYN and the neurologist I have been seeing don't think the Mirena is responsible for my dizziness/foggy head, anger/anxiety/moodiness, body tingling, however my symptoms started exactly 3 weeks after I got Mirena inserted. Never had these issues before. Have had the Mirena removed and hope these horrible symptoms go away!

My nightmare began Feb 24, 2009 when I had the Mirena IUD inserted. Amazing how crazy we all are! I have an almost 3 year old daughter and my husband and I are pretty certain that we are just having one child, but just in case we changed our minds, we wanted a form of birth control that was not permanent. Before I had this IUD placed in I talked to my ob/gyn about the Mirena vs the Paragard, I decided to go with the Mirena because my ob/gyn explained to me that because of the low level of hormone that would be absorbed into my bloodstream, that I should be okay and not have any side effects and I would have a very light period. I have tried other birth control pills and the nuvaring and all of them have affected me from anxiety to headaches to cold sores.

I have experienced the same symptoms as all of you. dizziness, foggy brain, numbness on right side of body, anxiety, acne, irritable, moody, bloated, headaches, weight gain (although I do exercise 3-4x/wk I gained 5 pounds in 2 mos.), hives( I have a history of allergies which I have been able to control with antihistamines 2x/wk and then all of a sudden I could not control it--saw my allergist who switched my meds), GERD which I was diagnosed with 10 years ago and had successfully arrested the symptoms after treatment), spotting, period every 3 weeks, etc.

I called my ob/gyn a couple of months later to tell her about my symptoms especially the anxiety and was told that it was probably related to my cycle and for me to chart my symptoms and to let her know how I was feeling a month later if things did not improve. Well after putting all of the pieces of the puzzle together, I figured it out that it was the Mirena that has been causing me this hellish nightmare.

On June 15, 2009 I went to go see my pcp to address my GERD issue and to start meds again. I told her that I was considering having my IUD removed because of all of the side effects that I was having. I told her that I was going to go home later and call my ob/gyn to make an appt. She told me that she would be able to remove it for me and so she did.

I instantly felt better--it seems like all of my symptoms have lessend or disappeared, and I had a bit of spotting which my pcp I was a happy person again--I was nice to my husband and was actually laughing when my 2 year old was having a tantrum in the bathtub! About 2 days later I began to bleed heavily and began to feel lightheaded, heart palpitations, cold sweat, and I felt like my legs were going to give from under me. I was thinking that I needed to go to the er. This occurred at 11:00 pm. I called my pcp and spoke to the on-call doc and he told me that if the symptoms continued that I should go to the er; I also called my ob/gyn on call doc (answering service) that I needed to have the symptoms addressed by the doctor who removed it and not my ob/gyn ( I was livid because I have been her patient for 10 years). Anyhow today I called my ob/gyn and spoke to the np who I am not very fond of and she told me that only the bleeding is expected and that all of the other symptoms are related to something else and that I should see my pcp for those. I disagree with her and believe in my heart that all of the symptoms are related to the removal of the IUD. Unfortunately I was not able to talk to my ob/gyn because she is off today. Anyhow I feel like I am feeling better although I feel like it will be a slow recovery and hope that there are no long term side effects.

What makes me the most upset is that the drug manufacture does not disclose all of the side effects, which I am sure that they are all very aware of. There are thousands of women with the same complaints and yet this birth control is still allowed to be distributed to women. Shame on them.

To all of you considering the Mirena: DO NOT HAVE IT INSERTED

I got Mirena March 3rd, 2009 - The first 3 weeks I had the bleeding and small clots along with HORRIBLE cramping that about took me into the ER on 3 different occasions. After that it seemed a little better, well, until recently that is. I have been experiencing dizziness, headaches, lightheadedness and fainting spell. These were the unexplained symptoms. Next I noticed horrible tingling in my arms and hands and sometimes even legs and feet. Not just a little tingling, I mean a lot, like the kind that wont let you lay down at night or sleep. I have been very nauseated and often feel like I'm about to get sick but nothing comes out. It's amassing that all of my symptoms started about 4 months ago, around the time Mirena was inserted and have just been escalating. I have not had a period since the initial bleeding occurred, but i have had the brownish discharge that others have mentioned as well about once a month. Also heard palpitations and chest pain has been occurring more often. I blame this on my asthma, which has got worse over the last 4 months also along with an increase use of my inhaler. Can this be related? My neck is always tense and I feel my joints are also becoming more inflamed. My vision is sometimes blurred and at my last eye exam last week my doctor had noted a "drastic" vision change and increased my lens strength within the last 6 months. The last symptom I can think about is how tired I have been. I have a very active 16 month old and it's exhausting trying to keep up with him and finishing nursing school full time. My mom did mention today how "moody" I have became over the last few months, maybe its stress related? Maybe it's all Mirena related? I would like to know more...wouldn't you?

It's nice to know that I'm not alone..

I got Mirena in November 08, and since then I've developed a plethora of unpleasant side-effects. Initially, I couldn't put them all together. As I'd had a fainting spell and some restless legs a few months prior to getting Mirena, I've been concerned that all of my symptoms were stemming from a nutritional deficiency like folate or b12 anemia. Nothing seemed to quite fit exactly right though, and I take vitamins regularly, so I was perplexed until last night. After googling "tingly feet" and "heartbeat" I stumbled onto one of these forums.

I have felt like a crazy person all of this year, and I am now quite certain that it's from Mirena. Feeling foolish that I didn't see this sooner.. but I guess I we perceive what we want to, and I was happy to have easy birth control.

I've NEVER had heart palpitations, this kind of foggy-headedness, anxiety like this, unexplainable nausea, tingling in my feet, or depression before. My dizziness and fatigue alone had me fearing for my health, and my extreme mood swings had me fearing for my life.

I'm getting this removed as soon as possible.
Clearly I could've done my pre-Mirena research better, but the pamphlet and pep-talk I was given did not mention everything that I've been going through. I'm a little pissed, to be honest.. but mainly relieved.

I think I'm going back to the Nuvaring.. I'd rather bleed than be a dysfunctional, ill, zombie-person.

I am a 30 year old mom of 2, got Mirena inserted in December after I had my 2nd. In January I started having dizziness and went to an ENT and have been seeing a neurologist since, have been on 4 different migraine medications for "migraine dizziness" which now reading this board I realize it is most likely the Mirena which has cause my dizziness. My symptoms are dizziness, tired, heavy head, lack of sex drive, overall pregnancy feeling (sore breasts, bloated, hungry) I am getting it out on Wednesday. How long does it take to normalize once it is out??