Mirena and girlfriend

First off, I've NEVER posted to a thread like this before. But I've been researching Mirena side effects ever since my girlfriend mentioned her side effects to me a few weeks ago. I feel like a I'm having an "a-ha" moment. It's all making sense to me now that I've read this and other threads about the Mirena side effects. I had the Mirena inserted when my second son was 6wks, in Nov. '05. Aside from the bleeding the first 1-2 months, it was great. Then again, I was nursing him, and so any symptoms I might have had I would have attributed to breastfeeding. I stopped nursing him just before he turned 1, in Aug. '06. First of all, I've never lost my pregnancy weight. I thought it was just the fact of having 2 babies within 2 years b/c I was in my mid-30's. So far, the only way I've been able to lose weight is thru a liquid diet and exercise!

Also, I have been certain I was pregnant many times, each with a negative hpt! Last month, my period came 10 days early, and this month, no period whatsoever! My hubby keeps asking about it (I want another, he doesn't). I, too, have had the stomach flutters, which weird me out! They sometimes feel like pregnancy uterine stretching, sometimes like a little baby! I am ALWAYS tired (thought it was my "normal" from all I do), I am almost always bloated except just after a period, my breasts are almost always full ( and I gotta tell you, their already big enough, so that's not a bonus!) And I've NEVER had a stretch of more than two months with no period. My pre-Miorena periods were light and short with little cramping anyway. And we've been to counseling because of my sex drive! I actually told my husband that I was "good" with once a week! Even then, I often have to work at it just to get in the mood. (I'm 37 also, like another post said). I guess the one theme here is that I feel like I'm always pregnant. What else is out there? Scared to have this removed, b/c hubby wants a vasectomy, and I'm just not there yet. Not ready to let go of my lifelong dream of having a daughter in addition to my wonderful little boys.

My girlfriend had the mirena experience as well, I feel so bad for her. She is constantly on edge, low on energy, and I can tell that she is depressed. She has pretty crazy mood swings, and this time I don't cause the problems. I have seen the one that I love the most in this world go from a happy person, to someone that struggles dealing with everyday issues. I seriously think that this is caused by the mirena. At first, I didn't believe her, thought she was just moody and depressed, but I have seen a lot of the symptoms first hand, and they all started shortly after the mirena was put in. She asked me if she should have it taken out, and she gave me this website to look at, and after reading all of your comments and concerns, I have just texted her to tell her that I think it should be removed. I thank you all for your comments, and for your obvious concern of others.

I had Mirena put in at my 6 week post because I had been pregnant for 2 years and the Dr. said, "NO MORE FOR AT LEAST A YEAR!!" (My babies are 11 months apart). I was really excited about it and a girlfriend at my church had one put in a few months before me. She LOVES it. It's doing really well for her. As for me, my Dr. gave me a local to block the pain. I only felt some cramps afterward. I have an extremely high tolerance for pain...even in labor, the nurses laugh at me because my contractions spike and I'm just sitting there like nothing's happening. But back to Mirena...I bleed for a month and a half, which the Dr. said I might. Things were okay, but I started bleeding again just one week after I had stopped. That lasted for 3 weeks. Off for one week before starting up again. That one only lasted for about two weeks and then it was gone for OVER A MONTH! I thought, yeah!! It's working!! But by the end of the 5th week I was racing to the pharmacy to get a pregnancy test because I was terrified that I was pregnant and didn't want to go through having a miscarriage (read the stats on getting pregnant with it in...up to 75% chance of miscarrying in your 2nd trimester!) I was pregnant and started my period a few days later which lasted for two weeks...After that it was off for a week before I started spotting...That annoying, not bleeding enough to wear a tampon, so you're chained to panty liners...Arghhh. When that finally stopped for a few days, it was time for my period again, which I'm on now.
Dispite the annoying bleeding I've experienced the following:
Ovarian Cysts (Ladies, if you've never had a cyst before, the sharp/burning/stabbing pain you're experiencing over your ovaries are called cysts...welcome to the club...I had them LONG before I went on BC)
These cyst are so bad that I have doubled over, on the floor and had to have my 7 year old call my husband home from work. I've fallen to the floor with my 6 month old in my arms because they hit so suddenly and sharply (remember my high tolerance for pain??)
Dizziness
Heart racing/irregular heart beats/pounding
chest pain
loss of breath
loss of feeling in my legs
tingling in my arms
headache (severe)
acne
mild weight gain
no sex drive
SEVERE mood swings (I took my kids and left my husband-moved in with my mom- because the air conditioner broke and he wasn't there to fix it...where was husband?? At work. Duh, how could he fix it if he was out there supporting our family.
I have endometriosis and it has made my symptoms worsen.
I'm going to make an appointment to talk with my doctor about it. Fortunately for me, he's VERY understanding. I'll probably have it taken out.
HOWEVER....
It DOES work for some people. So please don't group EVERYBODY in the same category...It is a good product, it's just not for everyone (like the girl in my church who LOVES hers...it's working very well with NO side effects).
Good luck and God bless everyone who it ISN"T working for!! :)

I have had the Mirena OUT for about a year now and have almost completely recovered. It really didn't agree with me, as with all the hormonal contraceptives I have tried. I wondered if anybody had used the 'patch'? It has come out recently and supposedly doesn't have many side effects.
I would like to try it, because I'm getting a wee bit sick of using condoms, but I am a bit concerned and obviously want to do some research first.
thanks!

I had the Mirena in for a month and a half. Just before Christmas I had my blood pressure tested and it was high but not dangerous. Never suffered from blood pressure before and it was fine when I had it fitted. At my six week check up I told my Doctor that I felt like everyday was the day before my period. Bloating, cramps, aches and pains, lots of mood swings, hated been touched, and anxiety etc. She did not hesitate and took it out then and there and said that in her experience when you react like this the symptoms will not improve. In saying all this my girlfriend had once in for 3 years and did not have any problems. It has been six days and my blood pressure is still high. They are monitoring it on a daily basis. Has anyone else had high blood pressure and hot flushes during and after having the Mirena out?