Mirena and tired all the time

Well, I've finally figured out how it is that Mirena works as birth control: if you're not having sex, you can't get pregnant. The first few weeks after having it inserted (about 2.5 months ago), I was fine - spotting pretty regularly, and having significant cramping, but nothing I couldn't handle. Then slowly I began having other side effects: dry, brittle hair that falls out in handfuls, dry skin, irritability, depression, fatigue, lack of motivation to do anything physical, extreme bloating through my mid-section (I am too terrified to get on the scale to see how much I've gained, but it's been about 4-6 dress sizes), swollen hands, migraines, and no sex drive. I mean, ZERO. My husband and I had a very active sex life which has now gone down to a couple times a month if I'm not too tired at night. I was a runner up until this summer (used to do 4-6 miles three or four times a week) and now I can't go more than a mile without becoming completely exhausted. I absolutely intend on getting it out, but ironically I'm so brain-dead tired all the time I can't seem to remember to make the phone call.

I did my research prior to getting Mirena, and read page after page of women who had extreme side effects from the hormone, but somehow assumed I would be one of the blessed few to escape them. That was big, fat, giant mistake. Bad pun intended.

Has anyone experienced hives with Mirena? I had it put in about 7 weeks ago and now I seem to have broken out in hives on my arm. I have not experienced any other significant side effects so far.

I had my Mirena IUD put in May 1st of 2007 and all the side effects that came along with it......the constant spotting, acne, itching breasts (which I thought was due to new bras that I had just purchased), nausea, depression (which I had to go back to taking Wellbutrin), no energy; tired all the time. My biggest side effect which I have not found any others to have is Allergies. I know it sounds crazy, but I have never had problems with allergies until a month and half after getting the IUD, extreme allergy symptoms, swollen glands, neck pain, very shortness of breath; to the point that I was down for a whole day here and there, I am having to take Allegra; had to get a steroid shot. Now that it is cold, I thought I would be getting break from the allergies, nope. I joined a gym hoping that it would help in giving me energy, nope.........I have talked to my Dr and the nurses that work with my gyno and they act as if I am making this stuff up. It is very frustrating when you know that your body has done a complete 360 in the wrong direction and everyone seems to think your crazy.

Well I am having my IUD taken out as soon as I can!