Mirena and legs

So glad I found this site!! i just went to the Mirena website to check side effects. i had this inserted a few weeks after i had my first daughter in December of 07. The last two months or so of my pregnancy i noticed my sex drive was slowing down, but it mostly was just the thought of the discomfort(I put on 50 pounds lol) So for months now, I have had the same decreased sex drive-it brings me to tears! I was never like this in my life, and I finally thought that maybe something was up with this Mirena. Once I read the posts, ans saw some of others side effects, i think thats whats going on. I have had Horrible leg cramps in my lower legs, severe shooting pain when I stand up, and I could not figure that out either. I even just last week, went out and bought expensive new sneakers and have been trying to where them thinking maybe all my other shoes were messing something up. Now I doubt it! Luckily my periods have not been bad, except the fact that they are beyond irregular(just light) and my cramps are about the same, but I do get some sharp cramps like i never felt in my abdomen. AND!!! I have lost all but about ten ponds of baby weight, but I have been on Phentermetrizine (same as Phentermine diet pill) from the doc, and have only been able to lose about 3 pounds in a month, so I am thinking this thing is def. holding some weight on me. Hope I can get it out, I don't have any insurance anymore!!!

I am so happy to find this site and to know i am not alone in what i am feeling since having Mirena put in! I have only had the IUD for the past 8 days and that is 8 days too much. I have been feeling worse each day , My whole body is aching , I am so tired i cant seem to do anything but sleep . I cant stay motivated for any time, I am sweating and shaking with Heart pounding like it's coming out of my chest! My legs are hurting like i ran a marathon every time i get up i feel so Dizzy and Faint! My God the list is never ending not to mention my mood swings, At this moment i am waiting to hear from my Gyne office i want this thing out of me Tomm ! I cannot believe that i feel so horrible . I would rather deal with my heavy , heavy Periods and cramping then deal with the side effects to Mirena ! I knew it sounded to good to be true and why my sister the RN was really not saying much when i told her i was going to have it inserted only adding that well i guess your Doctor knows whats best! I will keep you updated .

I have had Mirena since June 2007. Since January 2008 I have had nothing but problems. I have had numerous ovarian cysts that cause excruciating pain from my lower abdomen and back all the way down my legs. My doctor that put it in (a male) swears up and down that my cysts and pain are not related to the Mirena. I got a a second opinion today (a female) who says the Mirena ABSOLUTELY can cause my problems and that she has taken more out than she has put in. I loved the Mirena in the beginning because it did stop my periods. But then I started noticing weight gain and no matter what I cannot get it off. Then the abdominal pain and the lower back pain. I go for another ultrasound next week to see how big my current cyst is and if it is restricting blood flow to my ovary. If there isn't any blood flow I will have to have the cyst, and my ovary, surgically removed. I don't recommend Mirena to ANYONE!

I had the mirena inserted on feb of this year. I the kind of person who always thinks positive, well that didn't help with the IUD. I was so excited about not having to worry about the daily pill and so on, 3 mo after the insertion I noticed that my hair was falling in great amounts, I know that hair is supposed to fall daily but this is ridiculous, all I have to do is run my hands through it and bulks fall out. I also have acne problems, something I never experienced before not even as a teen, I always bragged about my complexion, now it's a nightmare, also pain in both of my legs (that's kind of going away) but the worse thing I've discovered are some white dots on my upper back and other areas of my torso, the dots resemble freckles but they are white. I went to see my OB and she thinks that the side effects could be caused by the Mirena, for the dots on my back she sent me to a dermatologist because she is not sure it comes from the Mirena. Bottom line I'm freaking out and I am wondering if this was a terrible mistake and should've stayed with the pill. If anyone is experiencing similar symptoms please post it.

Since having my mirena fitted 6 months ago i have lost all interest in sex and have become really bad tempered and snap at the smallest thing. Have put on a bit of weight but that might not be down to the coil alone. i have also notice that my hair, especially on my legs and under arms, is growing at twice the rate it used to grow at before. been considering getting it removed for a while but am definitely going through with it now. was not informed of any of the complications of having it one when i had it fitted!!! thanks doctor

I HAD MY IUD IN 2007 AFTER MY BABY BOY AND IN 2008 I GAINED WEIGHT LIKE CRAZY I GAINED ALMOST 30 PONDS EXTRA AND IM GETTING CRAZY WITH THESE SIDE EFFECTS AND THAN I THOUGHT Y NOT USE A MULTI VITAMINS 1 A DAY WHICH IS GOOD FOR WOMEN IT GIVES ENERGY SO I DON'T GET HEADACHES BUT DO HAVE PROBLEM WITH WEIGHT IM JUS NOT LOOSING IT EVEN THOUGH I DON'T EAT FAT FOOD A LOT I JUST SUDDENLY GAINED I HAVE DOUBLE CHIN LOL I LOOK LIKE A FAT COW 157 POUNDS B4 I WAS 130 POUNDS SO U CAN SEE NOW BUT IM THANKFUL TO MULTI VITAMINS PILLS I FEEL MUCH BETTER I DON'T GET THOSE HORRIBLE PAINS IN MY BACK HEAD AND LEGS ...CHEST PAIN BUT IM THINKING TO TAKE THIS SHIT OUT OF ME BECAUSE ITS NOT GOOD BECAUSE IT CAN DAMAGE THE UTRES I THINK AND IM ALREADY HORRIFIED WITH THIS I CALLED MY DOCTOR AS SOON AS I GET HER IM TAKING IT OUT WHEN LAST TIME I TOLD MY DOC SHE SAID ITS NOT MIRENA CAUSING WEIGHT GAIN BULLL S*** THEY JUST LIE I THINK THE DOCTORS I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I CAN GAINED WEIGHT SOO QUICK SO IM GETTING IT REMOVED ..MY ADVISE TO ALL LADIES PLZZ NEVER CHOOSE MIRENA ITS BETTER THAT OUR MEN SHOULD USE STUFF NOT USS I HATE PILLS TOO .. SO I DON'T CARE I WILL NEVER HAVE TO PUT UP WITH S*** AGAIN GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL

Hey everyone, I have had issues too. Mine started when I had my Mirena placed. I was 5 weeks post partum. Felt great before that. I had a c-section and still was ok.
About a month later I realized my legs were always sore. It felt like I wore 5" heels and walked 5 miles the night before. Even the bottom of my feet hurt.
I started to put 2 and 2 together and also noted my migraines, light headedness and extremely tired, not to mention my sex drive went from 8 to zero!

I called my OB and they said I have to see my primary doctor because they won't see me for leg cramps. I told the nurse it is b/c of the Mirena...blah blah blah.

I went to my Primary doctor who knows nothing about birth control (or not as much as an OB). He said post pregnancy will bring on things like anemia and thyroid issues.

I was ok until I had this put in. I know my blood work will come back ok and that makes me so mad!

I go in Oct for my 6 mo checkup with the OB and I am having it removed. It is not worth how I feel. I don't want another baby right now but I guess it is back to the pill and calendar method.

I've had my Mirena in for about 2.5 years. To start with all seemed fine. Now I experience very long periods of discharge - not pleasant - brown clotty stuff - that can go one for three weeks or so. Worst of all, I have over the past 6 months or so experienced increasingly bad edema in my legs and ankles - I have some beautiful skirt suits but have been in trousers all summer because my ankles look like old ladies'.

Having said which, I am nearly 50. But even though my ankles have never been my best feature, they certainly don't need any extra help. I am convinced it is connected to these extended 'periods'. My doctor said if my intuition is that the swollen ankles is connected to the coil/menstruation, I should have it removed. I'm looking forward to it.

Mary, London, UK

Hi everyone,
Found this site and found it very reassuring, as I can relate to so many of you out there. Here is what is happening to me:

December 08 had Mirena fitted for irregular heavy periods, spotted/bled almost continuously once it was inserted, but gradually the periods became a bit lighter. A typical period lasted around 18 days, which was much longer than before I had the Mirena fitted. Had visual migraines (partial loss of sight), doctor whipped out the Mirena on 7th July, still spotting - into day 26 now! Feel really fed up with all this, have lower back ache, which I didn't have before, pelvic pains as though I am about to start my period, anxiety levels up to around 8/10, insomnia, just generally feeling really low, shakey and tearful thinking something is terribly wrong with me. Have an appointment tomorrow with the gynecologist and am going to ask him for a hysterectomy as my life is being ruled with these ongoing problems. Last year I had a scan which revealed I have fibroids and a thickening of the womb.

Does anybody else have a lot of spotting? Is it a post Mirena symptom?

Here is my Mirena Story.

I was 6 weeks post partum....I had mirena inserted...it was very painful and I was not warned about that.
About a week later I noticed yellowing in the whites of my eyes which I thought could be coming from a iron def. since I just gave birth. So I made sure I was eating well and taking vitamins. I also had severe itching at night especially on my ankles and legs. Oh and sex drive was gone. It was fine the 6 weeks after birth but as soon as mirena was in it was gone!!! I went to the doctor about a month after insertion and asked to have it removed, of course my doc said it couldn't be iud causing my problems...come back in a month...So I did....within this month I started having severe anxiety, insomnia and panic attacks, to the point were I actually thought I was loosing my mind. Of course again the doc told me that it wasn't iud and prescribed me an antidepressant which I reluctantly excepted. I'm not depressed...my life was perfect before mirena!!! I finally went back for the third time and decided I wasn't leaving until somebody took this thing out of me!

Here is a list of other side effects that I had/still have!!

acne
migraines
extreme lower back pain
numbness and tingling in hands and feet
vision problems
fogginess
An ADHD type feeling
inability to focus or concentrate
extreme fatigue
feeling of throat closing up
heart racing and palpitations
night sweats
sinusitus
dizziness and light headiness
headache

The problem here is that the doctors don't even know how extreme these side effects can be and they keep telling us that it's not the mirena. PLEASE trust your instinct.....I wanted to trust my doctor but I knew in my heart what was causing my problems...I am only 1 week post mirena and I am still having a lot of my problems but I can tell a difference. DON'T LET IT GET OUT OF HAND....TAKE IT OUT!!!!

DON'T GET MIRENA...IT MAY WORK WELL FOR SOME...BUT IN MY OPINION IT IS NOT WORTH THE CHANCE THAT THESE HORRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS COULD HAPPEN.....HAD I BEEN INFORMED PROPERLY I WOULD HAVE NEVER HAD MIRENA INSERTED!!

Good Luck Ladies!!

HAD MIRENA PUT IN 06/22/2008. TAKEN OUT TODAY - 06/25/2008. THESE COUPLE DAYS WERE THE WORST IN MY LIFE - PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH SEEMS LIKE NOTHING COMPARING TO HUUUGEEE AND CONSTANT: HEADACHE, NAUSEA, INSOMNIA (NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, AT LEAST NOT SO SEVERE), BACK PAIN, CRAMPS, LEGS AND HANDS SWOLLEN SO BAD I COULDN'T TAKE OFF MY WEDDING RING (IT WAS LOOSE BEFORE!!!) OR PUT MY SHOES ON... AND BLEEDING. BAD...
NOW THAT S.H.I.T. IS OUT AND AFTER 4 HOURS I FEEL 100% BETTER - ALMOST ALL SYMPTOMS ARE GONE!

This website has been a blessing for me - a person who seemed to feel crazy for all the symptoms I was having. I had mirena put in place in March 2008 after the birth of my second child in December. I was so excited that I didn't have to worry about birth control - I could focus on taking care of my family and work, etc. I couldn't have been more wrong about it. All was fine at first until April of 08 (two months later). I started to notice a red, bumpy rash on the trunk of my body. It progressively got worse with each passing day. It began to look like hives on my legs (behind my knees) and then on the inside of my arms. It has gone all over my back and finally to my face last night. I looked at the mirena website and it said to call your doctor if you had a rash with hives. So I did and they assured me that mirena WAS NOT systemic and couldn't be the problem. They maintained that it was probably an outside source. Instead they offered an anti-depressant. I needed something to help with what I was going through, so I started on Lexapro. That has been the only positive thing that has kept me from falling apart. What's the use in calling them if they don't listen to you? I have finally decided to have the mirena taken out in two days. I am so ready to get back to feeling normal. I was wondering if there was anyone else out there with similar side effects with the rash. If someone would have told me that this was a possibility, I would never have signed up for this!!!!!!
I will post again once I have it out and give an update!!

I'll try to make this as short as possible. I got my mirena January 2002. From the moment my doctor put it in, I was dizzy, sick to my stomach and light headed. He made that seem perfectly normal and said I would be fine in a few days. Over the next two days, I was in pain. Severe cramping in my abdomen and down my legs. Went back to the doctor a month or so after and he did an ultrasound to make sure it was where it should be. He said everything was fine. Well, switched jobs, and had no insurance and couldn't afford to have it removed so I dealt with the pain for years. Finally, my 5 years was up and time to have it removed. Went to my doctor in January 2008 to have it removed. My doctor spent over an hour digging around inside of me and couldn't remove it. I was in so much pain and moaning in his office, he decided it would be best to schedule me for outpatient surgery. Well, Friday May 23, 2008, I went to my local hospital and my Mirena was removed while I was under anesthesia. I'll find out when I go back for my check up, but I'm sure it was either embedded in my uterus or there was some other problem. I do know that even while I was under the anesthesia, my doctor had to use a scope to take pictures and find out where the mirena was. I will never do that again. I know other people that haven't had any problems with theirs but I won't ever get one again. I'm now trying the nuvaring. We'll see if I experience any changes from the removal over the next few days.

Well, it's been almost 3 days since I have had the Mirena removed. What a relief! I suddenly felt a sense of release when it came out-almost like I had lost 10 lbs from my uterus. I have not had a hot flash in 2days and have a wonderful sense of well being. Yesterday, I carried my full laundry basket up the stairs with out any help from anyone. I was unable to walk up the stairs without holding onto the railing and pull myself up before. My feet still hurt, knees are a little better and still experiencing back pain. By the way, I have only lost 1lb. BUT lost 11/2 inches on my waist. GOOD BYE BLOAT! I know recovery will be long BUT at least I feel like I can face it now. I feel so much Clearer now.
Can anyone tell me how long before the joint pain goes away and if it even does completely?
thanks

Me again...another update...and another question.

So I am now 10 days post-removal. Still no weight loss and still have the acne. My skin appeared to have been clearing up a few days back...then I'm right back where I started. My moodiness seemed to improve...then I woke up this morning just as emotional as ever. I continue to work out like crazy...and on top of 6 evening workouts every week, I also try to get up early and have added in additional morning workouts 2-3 times per week. And still not 1 pound lost. I still look 6 months pregnant. My legs still get swollen in the evenings, but not as severe as they had. And I still feel like I was hit by a bus: I just ache all over, all the time. I had the one period which started on day 2 and ended on day 5...nothing since. So I contacted the previous caregivers I had seen, my midwives, and explained to them what has been going on since last year. (This is the group that first put me in touch with my current OBGYN due to some irregular paps I had several years ago.) So the nurse listens and agrees that my concerns are valid but, as they are a "sister-site" with the jerk GYN, she recommended to call a completely different practice for a 2nd opinion consult. So now I have an appointment with another GYN...but not until the middle of June.

My question is that in reading these posts, it seems like most of you who have this removed are noticing drastic improvement and results within days and weeks. I know this may take time to improve totally over the next few months, but I feel like I should have at least seen something get better by 10 days after! Is anyone else out there having no relief even after removal? I'm almost getting paranoid to the point of wondering if he even took it out of me!

Sorry to vent...thanks for all your support.

Hello ladies. I have had the Mirena removed now for about 2 months and i feel a lot better. I am not sure if i posted here or another forum but i have experienced terrible side effects from this thing being in my body. my side effects included

painful joints( i felt like a 80 something year old)
lower back pain
Chest pain ( which i still experience on and off now)
numbness on my fingers and toes ( which i still have to some degree)
sharp abdominal pains
extreme anxiety
tired all the time
spasms in my hands and legs especially my left side
headaches and the list can go on and on.

My doctor did not believe the mirena was causing all of this even though i had been a very healthy person with no medical complaints at all before the mirena was inserted.

Did i read somewhere about a class action lawsuit? Because i will definitely look into it for all the suffering this thing has put me through.
Thanks everyone for posting. Information is power!

I am soooooooo glad to have found this site. I, like many, many of you, also thought there was no way in the world all my symptoms were being caused by the Mirena IUD, because all of my doctors have told me time and time again that the level of hormones being released by this thing is SOOOOOOOO tiny that it couldn't possibly be causing all that's happening. I had the Mirena inserted in February 2007... by August of 2007 I started experiencing hives all over my body that began as a burning/tingling in my hands and feet, and within a matter of a few weeks had spread to my entire body. I now have had this on-going rash (hives) that never has fully gone away for the past 9 months. My doctors all could not tell me at all what was causing it. I have been taking antihistamines like crazy to keep it "in check" but some days even those do no good. My grandma and mother kept telling me to get this IUD out, but I told them it couldn't possibly be from it due to what the doctors had told me and because I'd had it in since February and didn't get hives until August. However, I truly believe this MUST be the cause, as it's the only new thing in my life during that time period... I've always used the same soaps, ate the same foods, and NEVER have I had any outdoor allergies. It MUST be the Mirena. In addition to the hives, I CANNOT LOSE WEIGHT, have stayed at 174 pounds since having this inserted. I have tried exercise, dieting, etc. and notice NO changes. Due to the ongoing hives my body is going through a constant fight against this allergy, and as a result, my neck has a giant cluster of enlarged lymph nodes that will NOT go down in size. Probably because my body never gets rid of this foreign body so it's continually tried fighting it and just can't so they stay swollen. I had my lymph nodes biopsied and I do NOT have cancer... I am going tomorrow morning to have it removed immediately and I will be absolutely STUNNED if it turns out to not be the cause. I am THAT certain the Mirena has caused all of this. I would NOT recommend this IUD to ANYONE. It is absolutely the worst thing I've EVER experienced in my life. I plan to get in contact with the attorney mentioned in an older post below about the class-action lawsuit. I have spent 9 months of living in pure misery with burning, itching, red and swollen hives all over my body, living in total anxiety not wanting to leave my house and have others see me and think I have a disease. Not to mention all the time and medical costs that I have incurred from seeing doctor after doctor that can't diagnose me.

The first 2years I was trying to sell the Mirena to everyone! no Periods!!! awesome. The third year started my misery. I have gained 25 lbs regardless of exercise and diet(weight watchers didn't make a difference) and look pregnant. My belly is very distended and my legs and arms look normal. I am dizzy, exhausted, suffering from insomnia and lets talk joint pain. I look like an 80 year old woman when I walk. I limp from foot pain, knee pain and lower back pain. My doctor doesn't believe me that this might be from my mirena and has ordered rheumatoid arthritis labwork. I have been labeled depressed by my doctor even though I have tried to explain that I don't believe I will be when this is removed. By the way, no one ever gets pregnant with a mirena because no woman cares about having sex! The ending to my story is- I will be having a Tubal ligation, Uterine Ablation and having this device removed June 23rd. I CAN'T WAIT TO GET MY LIFE BACK!!!!!!!

Oh my gosh, I am soooo glad to read all of these posts. I have had the same issues.......in January of 06, I lost 30 lbs and was very happy with my body and was in a good place mentally. Then in November of 07, I got the Mirena inserted. It went downhill sooooo fast. I have since gained 40 lbs (my heaviest non-pregnancy weight EVER), I look like I'm about 4 months pregnant even though I have always had a thin waist even after having two kids, I have pimples like a teenager, I yell at my kids, I don't want my husband anywhere near me, and I feel like I'm going insane inside my own head. Plus, I've been having itchy skin and panic attacks/anxiety. My doctor says none of this is from the IUD, but I have to disagree......the lovely sheet they give you upon insertion even says that some of these things are possible. So, I'm making an appointment to take this thing out and hope it gets better.

Thanks everyone for putting all this information out here.......I'm so relieved to know that this isn't "in my head" or some other issue. Thanks and good luck to you all!

Hello,
I was reading the information you posted about the side effects you were having from mirena. I too have been having problems-40 lb weight gain in 5 months and extreme hives/welts with joint pain. I called the FDA in Florida go to there website and they sent me a packet-also would love to get involved in a class-action lawsuit. I have since contacted a Class-action lawyer by the name of Justin Wikin 850-916-7450 to procede with a lawsuit email me with questions if needed
******

Amaya A.

My Mirena was placed on Oct 8th 2008. I had a very painful insertion. Since its placement I have had frequent yeast infections-one almost every other month. Prior to it's placement I had not had a yeast infection in years! I also bleed for the entire first month.( just enough to be annoying). Then every 2 weeks. Then another full month. Now every 2 weeks. In month six my breasts became extremely tender, swollen and itchy for the week before I began bleeding then just past the 6 month mark I have developed what seems to be an eczema rash on both of my legs ( this can be a side effect). I have never had eczema before and some days my legs itch so badly they burn. I had called the Mirena company to report the bleeding and was told that this was not unusual for the first 6 months. I have not yet spoken to them about the rash but plan to this week. On my last call they asked we what I thought of it as birth control and I told them "who would want to have sex while bleeding like this". I plan on seeing a dermatologist and if this is eczema this will be the last thing I can deal with. I strongly feel that the company owes us some money in refund for a product that can't be tolerated for even a year when it was sold as a 5 year birth control for over $500.00 !

I am a nurse and right now I cannot say I recommend the Mirena. I will probably soon have it removed.

Wow, had I seen this webpage before last year I would have never had my Mirena put in.... that was April 2007. Since then:
1. I have had constant extreme fatigue, sometimes to the point I feel I am in actual 'pain' just to walk from one end of the house to the other.
2. I have noted a serious increase in gray hair all of a sudden, which does not run in my family on either side.
3. I have had a significant weight gain, and I too appear to be several months along due to the bloating.
4. I have inconsistent rashing that flares up on my face. Seems to be triggered by being in direct sunlight, but it is almost always on my chin area and feels as if my skin is on fire when it happens.
5. I cannot seem to get enough sleep.
6. I cry for absolutely no reason, something of which I never did before.
7. I have had, the past few weeks, had severe pain in my lower back area. I've never had pain like this before down there.
8. I've had numbness in my left foot, but I attributed it to a skating injury, something my trainer said had never happened to any of the other girls before... doctor said it should have healed in a month. It didn't.
9. I have never in my life had acne before, and I think in the past year I've had more zits than I've had my entire lifetime.

That's it for me that I can think of. I have an appointment to have it removed in a few months. I'm done with this thing.

I just got back from an appt. to check my Mirena inserted almost 2 yrs ago
I mentioned some S/E's I thought could be from it & he said no possible way HUH????

I've had NO sex drive
poss. painful sex Can't 100% prove that yet though
vision-floaters
an attack of extreme muscle/joint aches in my legs that lasted 5 days (came out of Nowhere) assuming it's the mirena
also have anxiety seems to have gotten worse since being on the Mirena??
lazy feeling no energy

OMg, i dont know how i ended up in this website but I am so glad i did. I reading all this symptoms or women that have or had the mirena and is not just me, i am not going crazy my symptoms are so simililar i have no energy, no motivation to get up and do anything im loosing my mind, i feel dumb, i forget things i cant concetrate, i cant think, i have nauseas, headaches all kinds of pains, acne never in my life did i have acne issues im 27 year old i have 3 years with this thing and i have gained like 50 lbs or more i cant loose weight, i try everything, my legs always hurt, my back always hurt, i have sharp pains on my lower back and insomnia, weight gain, irritability, panic attacks, so many things i was just blaming it on my weight and depression but is so much more than that i will make an appointment with my OBgyn asap. this time im a make her take off. last times she convince me to keep it.

Well I got Mirena in august 2007. I cramped the first couple of weeks and bled for about 4 months straight. For the next 5 months I had not period and I was bloated as could be. Ever since I got the thing I felt tired, dizzy, headaches, aches and pains in my joints and muscles, my legs would fall asleep. I literly felt like I was lying. So I finally took it out yesterday. My dr taught I was crazy and she said it wasnt the mirena side effects. Once it was taken out I felt such relief and today I woke up feeling much better. Even my co worker was like you look better like the old person you where. I went back to the pill that worked for me for the last 5 years.

any one experiencing severe itching to the point they cannot sleep? At first the doctor thought I had a staff infection-i work in sports medicine so their easier to pick up. When I was back two months later after taking my antibiotics he didn't know what was causing it. My husband hasn't caught it either and it's supposed to be highly contagious. I've spent many nights trying to figure out this itching-so bad I can't not scratch. The only thing I can think of is the IUD. Also have gained weight and can't loose it although I have ate and exercised tons better than ever before!

hi everyone I am 22 years old and have had mirena for about 3 weeks. They told me that I was the perfect canidate for hte mirena. I should have known something was up when they gave me the mirena for FREE and charged me up front for the insertion. The insertion was painful and I almost backed out. I should have listened to my inner voice. I also wish i was told about the really serious side effect from the mirena. I m so scared now I want to have it removed but of course it cost money. I have been feeling side effects but i didn't think any thing of it. The mood changes, depression, pain in my back and down my legs. I have had such bad headaches i don't know what to do. I have gained 10 lbs since having the mirena. Why do they lie to us and tell us it is going to be ok and that it is a great desicion to get mirena? How is it that they can get away with the lies and all the pain that the women have to go through to get it in and out. I hope that everything is ok inside. I can not feel my strings and I am scared to death right now. Some thing has to be done. It is not right for these companies to put our lives at risk just to make some money. I feel like i have been played and like i just made the biggest mistake of my life. Somebody needs to do something. I need to get this thing out of me.

Hi All,

I am a 28 year old married mother of two (10years and 19months). I suffered from extreme hyperemisis and I just barely made it through my pregnancy by the grace of god. Due this horrific experience and high chance of it reoccurring with the next pregnancy I decided to try the Mirena. I just had mines inserted about 1week ago. It was painful during the insertion but pain quickly subsided and became minimal. So far I have been experiencing practically constant cramping (about the same as when on cycle) and slight bloating feeling. I also have been spotting almost daily, but my biggest concern is that I feel tingling in my legs if they are crossed or bent. Almost has if the flow of the blood has thickened. I just contacted my Dr about this and am waiting on a response. At the moment I am thinking I can tough this all out if the symptoms will disappear after 6 months. I like the fact that my appetite has decreased, and my portion size intake has decreased to about half. I have been struggling with my weight and feels this is a good thing. I will keep updating just as and F.Y.I…..
Melissa

Hello everyone i'm kharma..I've had my mirena IUD for alittle over a year, insertion was February 07. here's my experince...Insertion was very painful and contiually had contractions for several weeks.My first period was about three weeks after insertion,it was extreemly heavy,lasted 7 days ,had huge clots as well.For the first six months I spoted lightly on a dailly basis,also had side effects such as anixity,moodswings acne on back(never had it there before),insommia,major bloating,and some headaches..No weight gain though! Around the six month mark...everything seemed to adjusted,thank God. I now have very light 2-3 days of spotting once a month, acne seemed to be clearing up as well,bloating has stopped my side effects are no longer a problem.As for my labido..sense mirena..its better than it ever was, when I was on b/c pills I had no labito..so thats been a plus..Now right around my year mark ,I've had weight loss vs gain..I've loss 27 pds..yeah...I guess everyone's boby is different,my heart goes out to everyone who's having problems..i too was scared and wanted mine removed during first six months.But I'm now grateful i waited and my body adjusted to the mirena.Hope this gives some hope...kharma...

I had Mirena for almost 2 years now... I loved it at first . I Thought it was the best contraceptive ever...About a year or so I started feeling some weird pain...Abdominal pain, Pain in my legs, Skin probleme , Pelvic, sever burping, stomach bloating and later I've being haing some severe chest pain! I went to the emergency room...Everything were ok they said. I never thought it was Mirena. I feel so bad , so weird . I even think sometimes that I'm going to die! Those feelings are weird believe me...I have all the Bodies pain in this world. I'm so scared. My hubby think i'm exagerating but I 'm not . I don't feel good! I wanted to have an appointment and have a general check up...And I just found this posting googling!
I'm kind of relief to see that Mirena might be the cause of these feelings...I will have it removed ASAP. I hope it does not cause any severe damage in my body . I hope I will be Ok . I 'm so scared because I have this going on for so long . ...

Well sure wish I saw this site before I had mine put in.I am 39 with 1 child and may or may not want another. I have a low tolerance for birth control pills, tired of using condoms and practically have just used my body changes and a calendar to plan for the risky times till now. I had the Mirena put in on March 3 2008 and have experienced such a huge change in myself that I decided to google side effects tonight after only a week. I have no energy, my sleep schedule is all worked now. I cant sleep for more than 3-4 hrs at a time. I have the flu like symptoms going now, headache for over 6 days. I am feeling mini heart palps and pains in lower back and legs and the nausea is getting old already. Reading the posts here, doesn't look like I am going to look forward to the rest of the symptoms either. I know each individual responds differently to things and will stick this out for a few more weeks but it looks like it wont be around by this time next month. Good luck to each and every one of you ladies. Peace

Ladies first off I would like to say that I wish we could get a lawsuit against the makers of the Mirena.Until coming to this site I would of never known of all the side effects of this foreign object in me.I had the Mirena placed at my 6 weeks postpartum after my 4th child.Before having it placed I had lost all of my baby weight and smaller than I was before getting pregnant. I had no stomach and just looked GREAT.Now after having the Mirena put in me on February 6,2008 my body has changed drastically.My stomach stays tender with a protruding navel and has gotten so big that it looks like I am 4 or 5 months pregnant ,legs ache so bad at all times especially while sleeping or sitting,lost so much hair that I really need to get it all shaved and start all over again,cramps in my stomach out of this world,fatigued,irritable with everyone,gas all day everyday and my skin always itch really bad.After reading all of the post I called my doctors office and demanded to speak to my doctor advised I wanted it taken out ASAP.I will be getting it removed today (February 5,2008) thank God!I would never recommend it to anyone.

I had my Mirena put in on the 21st January 08. I am constantly feeling nauseous! So I don't eat as much, maybe 2 meals a day and I am usually sick if I have any form or food and drink after 8pm. Despite this I have not necessarily gained weight (1lbs) but I have gained so much fat. I have never been this big. I don't fit my fat jeans I wore 3 years ago. I cant wear the jeans I wore 2 years ago. And all the pairs I lived in from last January (07) or even august do not fit. At all. Constantly bloated. I have itchy legs. Keep getting upset. (I rarely cry). Got a few spots, nothing terrible, but I never get spots. And I cannot sleep. My doctor has prescribed sleep meds for 6 days but thats it. I keep getting cramps, dull cramps... I had one hideous one once put in, then it was normal dull cramps. My body hair has got on darker... Problem is I forget pills, and depo hasn't works (also bad reaction to hormones (no implant, don't want it) I have got pains in my legs, but its not all the IUD

Hi I have had a Mirena coil for the past 2 and half years. For the last 18 onths I have been suffering with Chologenic Urticaria. I react to change in temperature (cold to hot) devole hives and itch. Each attack will last for 20-30 minutes. Also have pain in my knees and legs and have trouble walking up the stirs some days. Has anyone had these type of systems?

Has anyones back pain been severe i have a 2 episodes of severe back pain i mean not being able to move or hardly walk i have been wondering if it is from the iud please reply and let me know does this mean something is wrong or is this a normal side effect i hope not

Having the Mirena IUD put in was the worst thing I have ever done to my body! I am 33yrs old, have 3 kids - 9, 2 1/2, 1 1/2. They told me to come in when I started my period because it would be easier to insert, so that's what I did in early November 2007. (Since then, I have had non-stop bleeding or spotting every day.) I didn't have as much pain as some people have described, but it was more uncomfortable than I expected. The next day I developed a bad, bumpy, itchy rash on both of my legs from my ankles to just above the knee. I thought it was just a fluke, and it starting going away after two days. It was gone within a week. I started having very bad mood swings - angry, short-tempered, irritated, irrational, paranoid, and I wanted to cry over everything. (I normally don't cry over anything - I am not an emotional person.) I got a few deep, itchy pimples on my face, which normally I don't get either, but I figured I just needed to get used to the hormone. Then, my upper back and chest started itching really badly the second week, and I got pimples all over those areas - I have only ever had them at about age 13-14 and not as bad as I do now! I became fatigued, and I have gained 5 pounds. Don't get me wrong - I have been eating everything in sight, but I feel terribly hungry half an hour after I am done eating. So that part is my fault, but I'm not used to be being hungry all the time for no reason. I have religiously gone to the gym 4-5 times a week for an hour and a half a day for the past year and a half. For the past two months I have gone twice a week, and struggle to make it an hour. My endurance is terrible. My muscles - particularly my legs - burn like I've had long strenuous workouts, which I just mentioned is not the case. My sex drive - NONEXISTENT. Luckily for my husband, I know it's a side effect and haven't told him - he would probably take it personally - so I just go along with sex when he wants it. I finally had to get over the fact that I had non-stop spotting, but sex is not enjoyable when you feel self-conscious, and no foreplay because of the spotting if you know what I mean. (Sorry if that's too much information but I'm sure some of you can relate.) My husband was also not thrilled about the strings - I wouldn't be either if I was him. I had a non-stop migraine for 9 days straight - I maybe get two of them a year before Mirena, and they last about 3-4 hours. I normally have 20/15 vision - better than most people - and I found I was struggling to see things I normally could. I have been occasionally nauseous, but that has been minimal. My breasts have been sore. I am sure I am forgetting other effects, but as you can see the picture here is pretty grim. I went back to the doctor three weeks after insertion, and he told me that he couldn't tell me what to do, but that it is not rational to expect to feel perfect after 3 weeks, and that most people adjust just fine after about three months. He further explained that he has personally put in several hundred, and only one person has ever wanted it removed. He said my "side effects" probably had other causes and this was coincidental, and that the few that could come from the Mirena would settle down. Well, for the next month it got worse. Yesterday, after working a 12 hour graveyard shift, I forced myself to stay awake three more hours until the doctor's office opened. I went in with no appointment, and told them I would sit there all day if I had to, until it was removed. They managed to fit me in with the nurse practitioner, and she also asked if I was sure I didn't want to give it one more month to settle down. After reading everyone's stories on this site, I was pretty sure that was pointless. So she removed it as I asked, and at least treated me with respect and didn't try to tell me it was in my head ( like the doctor did.) She said it could take up to 20 days to get the hormone out of my system. (Which is funny, because when you get it inserted they tell you the hormone acts only locally within the uterine area and doesn't get into your "system" - LIES!!!) Well, I went home, went to sleep for 4 1/2 hours before I had to be back to work for another 12 hr shift. But guess what - even after getting little sleep, I felt much better than I had in two months. My headache was gone. While sitting at work, I noticed I could see things at a distance again. I had a pretty stressful night, and not once did I feel emotional. Just a little tired from lack of sleep - but it was worth it!!! I am almost 24 hours from when I had it removed, and see a light at the end of the tunnel. I hate to sound pessimistic, because I wanted really badly for this to work out. If anyone tells you what you are feeling is in your head - or has another cause when you know the symptoms started at the same time you got the Mirena - DON'T BE BULLIED. They will try to make you feel like you are the only one complaining, but you're not. There are many of us. Trust me on this one - you will feel better if you get it removed. If you are reading this and haven't gotten it yet - keep this info in the back of your mind. If you want to try it and it works out for you, great! But if it doesn't, don't stick it out any longer than you have to. I also extend my sympathy to those of you that had it in longer than I did and are taking longer to recover, especially those who have experienced traumatic pregnancies and miscarriages since. I hope you take some comfort in knowing your stories have helped me make a great decision - having it removed. I also had a friend read all of your postings because she was considering this as well - she has since changed her mind.

I thought I was going crazy until I found this site. I had my Mirena put in on Nov. 19 2007. It was a pretty painful insertion. I never got dilated nor was I told to take anything before hand. My doctor (Who is a man and not a Ob) Told me there would be slightly to no pain at all. I got into the car and immediately started having horrible cramping on my left side. I felt extremely dizzy and hurried home. When I got home I began spotting pretty severely. Almost blood clot type spotting. Two hours after I was balling my cramps were so bad. I could barely pick up my 9 month old daughter. That whole night and the next day I was miserable. I felt like I had morning sickness. I had an allergic reaction to Ibuprofen so I usually only took Tylenol. I took three still with no help with the pain I called my doctor to see if he'd call in Tylenol with codeine. That helped a little but I was still pretty crampy. After a week of bad cramps with little help from the Tylenol, I started to get really nauseas. I can barely get out of bed in the morning though I stay awake most of the night. My body is always achy especially in my legs. I have shooting pains down them. I am severely depressed and started having anxiety attacks which I haven't had in years. The cramps aren't as bad but the emotional side of it as well as constant back pain is making me miserable. Not to mention I have gained 8 pounds in less than a month. I am normally pretty consistent in weight. I am really considering removing it. I had a very weird period that came a few days late and consisted of only clots of blood. I am already kind of a hypochondriac but I have been feeling the exact same symptoms most of you have posted. Even the shortness of breath with a tightness in my chest. I was just starting to run everyday before i put the Mirena in, I can barely do a brisk walk just a week after it was put in. I have an appointment tomorrow to talk about removing it. It will suck since my insurance didn't pay for it. I paid 698.00$ cash. But if it gives me my life back I will get it out as soon as possible. Has anyone had these symptoms and had them go away after a few months? All my friends are saying stick in there but I don't know if I can. If I had found this site before I got it put in I would have ran the other way! Thanks for all your posts!
Rachael

I've had the Mirena b control for a year now I suffer from skin infections , back pains I have scars on my belly arms and legs. Has anyone else had this side effect?

just had mine out today...mirena that is...and i had all if not more side effects and complaint you ladies have, so i am hoping for the best! i am tirred of this rollercoster of emotions, mood wings, weight loss, hair loss, sexual loss, depression, pelvic pains, constant nuasuea, headaches, the non stop bleeding for 5 months then nothing, joint and leg pain, and all the tests they did to tell me i was fine and nothing wrong....

I had Mirena inserted about a year and half ago. For the first year I didn't have any problems with it and thought it was wonderful. But a few months ago i started to get severe pains in my legs that would last about a week and then go away. this happened about once a month and the pain just kept getting worse. i've also experienced lower abdominal pains especially after having sex. severe acne on my back, chest, and face has been another issue even though i have never had a problem with acne before. my greatest concern is the pain in my legs. it hurts so bad sometimes that it is hard to walk or even put pants on because my skin hurts to the touch. this last episode i had, the pain radiated from my groin area all the way down to the bottom of my feet so it hurt everytime i took a step. its hard to describe the pain. it almost feels like cramping but not quite. there is some numbness and sharp pains that shoot throughout my legs and throbbing pains too. has anyone ever had this problem and then had it go away only for it to return a month later?

I have been on mirena now for 10 months. I was on the depo for 10 years prior. I loved my depo adn only went off of it after Kaiser said I could not do it any longer. I was told that mirena was a god send and a lot like my depo. I can say that the combination of depo and mirena I have not had any period at all. but that is where the happiness ends. I have experienced moths of breast pain. it hurt to touch them let alone put anything on them. after about 6 months and numerous trips to the vet it disappeared. then I got a small rash on my neck and by my arms. went to dermatology and since then I have been there, or to my primary or an allergist every week since then. the rough severley itchy skin is constant. remarkably every 29 - 32 days it fades for 2 days or so and just when I am sure it is going away wham back it comes and each time it is getting worse and worse. having never had any skin problems before I believed the doctors tha tit was folliculitus, then they said dermatitus, then they said uticaria and then hives or the last straw i was causing it that it was in my head. i just got a new allergist and while she doesn't knwo if it is my mirena she can tell me I have histamine levels that are off the chart. my husband is allergic to a lot so we already use free & clear everything and my housse is spotless but I am still being told it is soemthing I am doing to myself. I have also been reevaluating my things and I relaize I have been experiencing a lot of numbness and joint pain. so much so that my primary sent me to a rhuematlogist and he ran every test for lupus, and many other diseaeses adn even cancer. I was going crazy. Iwas beginning to think maybe I was mental. I have since been researching mirena and I am finding it so much more than what the pamphlet says. I finally got the nerve to call my ob, adn she ahs since been researching things with me and we know for sure that no matter what next week I get my mirena removed. I am just feeling so alone and depressed. I am 33 years old and instead of enjoying my new marriage I am contemplating a divorce becasue I do not want him to be stuck with soemone who might be crazy. seeking support and anyone else who feels this way.

Thank you for posting, everyone. This is the 1st place where I found information on side effects and it has been really helpful, up to a point.
I have been experiencing what I think are side effects from the coil...I just don't know what to do- sometimes Im absolutely fine, but I have been getting PMT, and not just PRE-menstrally... Because of this and because I can't figure out what other contraceptives I can use, I am a bit in denial of my problems!Also, because when I went to the family planning, the nurse tried to talk me out of removing my coil, saying my problems were not caused by it :(

The side-effects that I think I have:

*Mood swings. Sometimes REALLY depressed, feelig worthless and fed up with life, other times very angry and aggressive. Sometimes absoultely fine. But very up and down and out of sorts.

*Acne. Very bad acne on my face and my back, besides this my skin just looks different-used to look really healthy but looks red and without its usual glow. I feel like I look really ill. Really gets me down.

*Insomnia. Ive not been that bad for getting to sleep, mostly. But at certain times of the month very restless. Mostly my dreams are just really vivid and imaginative, which is cool in a way, but not right-I used to feel like this when I was going through puberty-is that a time of heightened progesterone??

*Itchy skin. But I don't know if this is my imagination.

*Pains. I have weird pains in my legs, period pains that kind of wave down my legs and odd stabbing pains in my uterus and tubes.

I just don't know what my alternatives are. As a sexually active woman who does'nt want to have children at the moment, as I am at uni, I feel like a second class citezen. I can't use condoms. Lets face it, they are'nt so good in the longterm. I have had the copper coil and the period pains used to make me faint and atually throw up with pain, so I got this. Hormones just don't agree with me...I think its too dodgy to use the withdrawl method or work out least fertile times on the calendar.

Does anyone know when the male injection is coming out???!! Or have another solution....?

I had the Mirena inserted on 25 June 2007 as I was having terrible trouble with my prolonged periods. After having endometriosis and a cysts removed, doctors advised this would be the best thing for me, especially as I've had lots of problems with several different contraceptive pills.

However, since 25 June, I have been bleeding, I stopped for 2 days and now have started bleeding again! Hair is falling out, mood is really low and my skin has become really itchy especially on my face. No matter what cream I use, even tried anti-histamine tabs, it's just getting worse. Last night I experienced terrible leg pains in both legs.

I'm going back to the doctors today and am now seriously considering having the thing removed as soon as I can. I don't feel myself at all.

Has anyone else experienced problems such as this?

Yas

I just got it "installed" on Monday, August 6th... I experinced mild cramping at first, my left leg feels sore and my lower back aches. I haven't broken out or had any other abnormal bleeding - yet... How soon did everyone else experience other side effects?? I'm kinda nervous about weight gain, hair falling out!!, acne,.. loss/lowered sex drive - - please help!!

Had mirena inserted 24/5/07 whilst having a hysteroscopy, all was ok for 2 days then suffered severe bleeding with pain. passed a massive clot now awaiting scan as doctor & nurse cannot find coil.I think it is around somewhere because I feel so terrible. No energy so tired despite sleeping like a baby. If I sit down I fall asleep. I feel like a zombie. I am not able to work because I feel Unwell. Has anyone else had these experiences?

Awful little thing. Horrible cramping after insertion, bled for 2 weeks straight, back pain, front pain, cold legs, cold feet, crying jags, depression, bloating (couldn't button even my fat jeans), flat hair, eye dryness. Had doc remove it today. Hooray!! Smiled for the first time since before it went in. Adenomyosis is less painful than this little sucker.