The broom method! Haven’t tried that one yet!
Ladies: I have big news! Gents: I have a huge overshare! So consider yourselves informed and warned.
I got my Mirena IUD out.
For everyone who is not breathlessly following the status of my uterus (can’t imagine why), the Mirena is an intra-uterine device that prevents pregnancy by releasing a small amount of synthetic progeterone (progestin). I’ve had one for years both between babies #4 and #5 and again after Jelly Bean was born two and a half years ago. (I KNOW.) Up until just a few months ago I would have told you that I unequivocally loved it. I might have even recommended it to you. Indeed there is a lot to recommend it: totally fuss-free, completely stopped my periods and has the lowest failure rate of any contraceptive.
But then I made an unsettling connection. To know me is to know me crazy. I think it’s safe to say most of you are well aware of my, um, many quirks. Yet I was not always this crazy. After looking back over my medical history and journals I realized that the only times in the past 15 years I’ve had to be on my anti-depressant medication was when I had the Mirena in. After digging around – I had to go to the CANADIAN website for the official side effects since the US one only lists a few! – I discovered that the Mirena is contraindicated for women who have a history of depression and/or anxiety. Because it can make them worse. And this isn’t just one of those super rare side effects, mood disorders are listed as a “severe” side effect affecting 5-15% of users! With my history, had I known this I would never have gotten it.
When you have little kids, it can be hard to tell what’s you, what’s the stress of a young family and what might be attributed to outside causes. So ever since Jelly Bean has been born, I’ve chalked up my increasing anxiety issues, hair loss, fatigue, mental fog, weight gain around my waist**, inability to focus, PMS from hell and extreme irritability to the fact that I’m a working mom with four young kids, a husband in graduate school and no childcare. Which does make sense. But on the other hand, I’ve been in this situation before and not been this overwhelmed or this insane. Plus, when my doctor measured my hormone levels they told me my progesterone is so low that it is as if my body is in menopause. AT 33! Do you know what the hallmark symptoms of menopause are? Read that list three sentences up. Yeah. I pretty much had everything except the hot flashes. Considering the IUD is supposed to be giving me extra progesterone this just seemed like even more evidence my body doesn’t like the fake stuff. While it’s possible I could be hitting early menopause I think it’s more likely that being either pregnant or on hormonal birth control for the past 15 years has royally jacked up my hormones.
My doctor recommended that I switch my anti-depressant, go on Ritalin to help the concentration/focus issues and start using progesterone cream. All so I could keep the *$&% Mirena in? In the end, I finally narrowed my problems down to either getting older or getting the Mirena. And since I can’t do a thing about getting older, one week ago I got my IUD yanked. (Literally. It felt like the doctor snapped my cervix with a rubber band.) And thus the real Experiment began.
The past week has been… interesting. First, the mental fog disappeared almost immediately which was a huge relief. In the first 24 hours I peed out like two pounds of water (I didn’t weigh my own urine, just guessing, I swear!) and I lost some lower tummy bloat. After several days the irritability started to fade. Nothing major but it just felt like I wasn’t so… prickly. Feeling happy didn’t feel like such an effort. Things the kids did that used to make all my hair stand on end didn’t really bother me anymore. And even better, over the past few days I’ve even found myself seeking out their company. I hate to admit this but for awhile I’ve just felt like that while I love my kids (I really really do) I just couldn’t stand to be around them. It made me wonder if maybe I’m just not suited to be a good mom. It made me envious of other moms who genuinely enjoyed taking their kids bowling all day. It made me read a lot of parenting books and then feel guilty that I’d rather read about parenting than actually parent. All of this made me really sad. Especially since I didn’t used to be this way! So the fact that that feeling is pretty much gone and I really want to do things with them again is huge for me. Huge.
But there’s one big problem (and no it’s not an accidental pregnancy – heaven forbid!): the first night after I got it removed I had the worst panic attack I’ve had in 13 years. I spent all night sitting on the couch literally vibrating with anxiety. It got so bad I vomited and had diarrhea. While I was able to talk myself down with mantras and yogic breathing and America’s Funniest Home Videos (Thank you Netflix and years of training! In the past this type of attack would have sent me to the ER to be sedated.) it was incredibly unpleasant and it took an extreme amount of energy. And while subsequent nights haven’t been quite that bad, my panic/anxiety has definitely increased. I don’t know why this is. All I can think is that this is exactly what happens to me after I give birth – I get post-partum anxiety instead of post-partum depression – and perhaps if the IUD was tricking my body into thinking I was fake pregnant then now it’s like I had a little fake baby and am now going through fake post-partum? There’s also a lot of reports on the Internet about other women suffering from a “Mirena crash” after removal where they get depressed and feel awful while waiting for their body to pick back up production of progesterone. So maybe it’s that? Whatever it is, it sucks.
I wanted to be able to report to you that everything is amazing now and that it totally fixed all my problems. I really wanted to. But I think I need to give it more time – they say it can take up to 6 months to get all the fake progestin out of your system – before I can say for sure how I feel about all of this. Right now I just feel really fragile.
Any of you have the Mirena? What’s your experience been like? Anyone else super sensitive to drugs? And please – any tips for dealing with anxiety/panic attacks would be MUCH appreciated!
P.S. Because I know someone will ask – the paragaurd IUD (or “copper T” or the non-hormonal IUD) is not an option for me. I had it once for a few months and let’s just say that Aunt Flo staged her own production of Carrie. Not cool.
** Three of the Gym Buddies have also used the Mirena (yes, we’re that close!) and all three of them reported that while it didn’t make them gain weight they absolutely couldn’t lose any weight with it in. Kind of a problem when you get that sucker inserted 6 weeks post-partum! One Gym Buddy had the Mirena removed, lost her baby weight, and then had a new one put in once she reached her maintenance weight. The second Gym Buddy had it inserted twice and removed twice because of weight gain/inability to lose. The third Gym Buddy still has hers but also complains of irritability, extreme PMS and inability to lose weight. For myself, I haven’t noticed any weight gain from it but I haven’t been trying to lose weight either.
(NOTE: Which isn’t to say that any of this is the same for you. Lots of people love their Mirena! And that’s okay! I’m not telling anyone to quit taking their birth control or giving medical advice. I’m just trying to share my personal experience and I’m known to be extremely sensitive to any medication. 1/2 a Vicodin once knocked me out for 6 hours, is what I’m saying. Be sure to talk to your doctor and do your own research before making any decisions!)
UPDATE May 27, 2013: How I’m feeling about my Mirena removal decision one year later
I just got Mirena 3 months ago. SO far I like it, my only complaint is that now I get funny little cramps around my period (I never got cramps before in my whole life…don’t hate). I haven’t noticed too many other symptoms. I have a history of major depression and anxiety and have fortunately been spared any symptom increase. I also lost 5 pounds last month, so not sure if I can keep that up (though I’m already fairly thin).
It’s still early in my Mirena journey, so we’ll see what happens down the line….
Oh yes, everyone is different! I know lots of people who love theirs – so glad it is working for you!
Monday will be two weeks removal after having “the devil” inside me for 2 years. I’d much rather have another 2 year old. I have so much anxiety it’s ridiculous. I feel crazy. At one point thought I had MS, GI issues weight loss, muscle weakness twitching spasticity, anger/rage, still somewhat rage like 4/10 compared 10/10
God I hope I feel normal again someday. My doc listed Mirena as an allergy. F the F out of you Mirena. Ya dick
This made me LOL. I am about 6 months post Mirena removal and I am still not totally back to the old me. It has been hell quite frankly. I thought I was crazy. Was so close to admitting myself to the local psych ward. Then my body started feeling crazy. Restless leg syndrome anyone? Why not! Feeling like my legs and calfs were inflamed? Sure! Bowels movements that can’t make up their mind whether or not they want to be regular, loose or have a hard time coming out, no problem! Nausea, Bloating, Fatigue and stomach cramps that don’t let me sleep? Love IT! I’ve been to a million doctors, had a million tests, and all I get is a continuous open invitation to get on antidepressant pills. F the Pills. F the Mirena. F everything.
I would imagine it’s the hormone issues that are causing the anxiety. I have some “Overcoming Anxiety” CDs I can copy (I think) if you’d like. They really help me talk myself down when I get worked up. LMK and I’ll send them along.
Meanwhile, I hope things get better. It makes sense that you’ll be fragile for a while. Give yourself time (and cut yourself some slack!), and overshare as much as you need. Love you!!!!!! >3
Haha – I think I already have those! But thank you!
Good on you for taking control of your (or perhaps mirena’s?) crazy! This sounds awful and only reaffirms my staunch refusal to use pharmaceutical bc. And isnt it kinda funny (funny hmm, not haha) that an anti-pregnancy device made you feel anti-kid as well?
True! Hadn’t thought of it but you’re right!
I had a mirena iud for about a year, and eventually had it switched for paragard. I didn’t have any problems with losing weight while on it, though I did start to have a lot more severe PMS and water retention issues.
Getting it taken out did nothing to help those issues, and I had the switch made over a year ago. Finally for the extreme PMS, which came with intense days of depression (not at all normal for me), I started taking St. John’s Wort, which has really, really helped. In the several months since I started taking it, I have not once had a bad episode like I had been. Still retain water like a mofo, though. And it’s not just when I’m PMSing. It’s pretty much all the time, with maybe a couple day break here and there. I’m a bit at a loss since I don’t want to take diuretics, my salt intake is not high, all of my blood work has come back normal, and I’m healthy and active. My Mom has problems with it too, though, so maybe I’m just doomed.
Thanks for the tip, I will def check it out! And I’m so glad you found what works for you.
Hi I had my Mirena inserted for the first time just over two weeks ago. I started feeling very depressed (like premenstrual symptoms but exaggerated) crying for anything etc. so my doctor put me off sick for two weeks. I also experienced extreme abdominal pain (like premenstrual pain). The worst is the depression and fatigue. I don’t feel myself anymore so I having it removed tomorrow.
What happens with my periods? I have not stopped bleeding for two weeks now and periods should have ended last week on a normal period. Should I expect to go back to normal considering I only have had it for two weeks?
Hey Karen,
Wondering how you were feeling now that you have the Mirena out. I got mine in about 2 weeks ago. I’ve been super depressed and haven’t stopped bleeding. I was hoping because it has only been in for a short amount of time I should feel better sooner after getting it removed. Let me know how it is for you.
Hi Caroline,
I felt an instant relief as soon as the Mirena was taken out. Especialy the heaviness in my womb. I would say the depression improved immediately but it took me 10 days to feel normal again.
I had a heavy period for 4 days starting the day after having the Mirena taken out (4th to 7th July) I then had an other heavy period a week later (16th to 20th July) which strangely is when I would have been due had I not had a Mirena inserted in the first place.
Due to all this bleeding I am taking iron supplement as the bleeding is making me weak now.
In summary depression and all pain and mood sintoms have gone (back to normal now just over two weeks after taking Mirena out)
Bleeding I hope will stop after this last period.
If you have just had a Mirena put in, doctors say it takes three months for your body to adjust. They all deny it provokes depression (including two very good friends of mine who are top gynecologists in London and Switzerland) but in my case the depression and cry spells were unmanageable especially with a stressful job.
An other friend who is head of research for a pharmaceutical company on Switzerland confirms the effect that even low doses of progesterone has on mood and says Mirena is not good for health. The truth I guess is our individual experiences as we are all different and cope with chemical changes to our bodies differently.
I hope this helps.
Hi Karen I had one put in 2 weeks ago and have been wondering what the hell is going on – inexplicable sadness, crying, rage attacks, lack of energy, no sex drive, pains in my back, disturbing pains at back of vagina during sex, bloated feeling and generally anti-social bordering on bleak. Today I suddenly wondered if it was the Mirena and googled depression…. I have been reading hundreds of similar reports, which have freaked me out completely. 5-10% of women have some symptoms which I was never informed of as a risk. It seems like if I leave things as they are, it could get much worse. I have invested a fair bit of money in the Mirena but want it out asap and am wondering whether there is anything I can say to get my money back from the company. Does anyone know the Ts and Cs for return policies? Thanks Vicky
Maybe the anxiety comes from worrying about getting pregnant?
New appreciation for being post-menopausal.
I guess this is why I work at the other end of the body 🙂
Seriously, I hope this helps you! Of course the fewer medications (drugs) we can take the better it is for us. I’ve always liked that my area of work uses very few meds in treatment. Too many variables.
Seriously, I am SO over this whole birth control thing. I recently connected my crazy to when they switched me to generic Yaz. I was on the name brand for years and years with no issues at all. Since then I tried another pill which gave me crazy hot flashes (together we have all the menopausal symptoms! yay!) I tried to wait them out but I seem to be the minority for whom they don’t go away. So I’m off that and just trying to figure out what my next move should be. I go to the doctor next week to discuss my options and I hope they’ll check my hormone levels.
The generic Yasmin made me CRAZY!!! I was on it maybe a month and a half before I just quit taking it because the emotional mood swings were so extreme and just uncontrollable. I tried a number of different brands of the pill over a number of years and they all gave me bad side effects, but generic Yasmin was definitely the worst. I thought I was crazy, because all my friends at the time loved it.
Good luck getting it figured out! I know how frustrating med mixups can be!! Be warned though that if you do get your levels tested, they fluctuate quite a bit so just getting a single test – while it does give some info – may not tell the whole story. You really have to find someone who’s willing to go through the whole process with you. Thankfully my OB is fab – I hope yours is awesome too!
I’ve been on mirena for two years now and while I don’t have serious anxiety or depression issues, I think my moodiness has increased, but It’s hard to say since I got it put in six weeks after my first son was born. Now I’m also super suspicious of the lower belly bloat. I’ve lost weight on the mirena but I’ve had to work super hard to lose it, more than I ever would have before the baby. But before this post I just chalked it up to having had a baby. We’ve been talking about baby number two for a bit now, maybe I will get it out a couple months early and see what happens.
It really is so difficult to tease apart the effects of the BC and what’s just life – good luck both with this and with the TTC!
I’ve never been on Mirena and I never will. When I was breastfeeding number 2, I was on the mini pill which is a progestin only pill. Kind of tricks your body into thinking it’s pregnant. And I felt like I was 10 weeks prego ALL THE TIME for an entire year. I was also completely crazy. Fine one minute then screaming at my family the next. I was completely depressed. I felt like I was in a fog all the time and sooooo tired! Within 5 days of going off of it my energy increased, my mind wasn’t so foggy, and crazy started to simmer a little. It’s been a year now and I still get crazy sometimes, but it’s not consistent like it used to be – and I really chalk it up to having 2 18 months apart, working and trying to keep my house clean and family fed. I think it took about 5 months for me to get to where I am now after going off of the mini pill. All I can say is I will never, never, never do progestin only again.
Yeah, I wish I knew then what I know now! Kudos to you for getting it sorted out sooner! And my first two are 18 months apart so I feel you! It’s tough when they’re little but now that mine are 8 & 9, it is so amazing – they are best friends and share clothes so it makes my job so much easier:)
I’ve never had mirena but I’ve had so so many issues with hormonal birth control I just completely stopped taking them and refuse to ever go back on them again. I’ve never had issues with depression, but I became very moody and developed a general malaise when I was taking birth control. And while I didn’t really gain a noticeable amount of weight, my motivation/tolerance for exercise was much lower and I could not gain any muscle. All of these effects kind of creeped up subtly and I wasn’t sure of the cause but once I was off birth control, I felt completely better…eventually.
Once after stopping birth control, it took my body 2 years to become normal again. My periods completely stopped, I lost a ton of weight that I didn’t want to lose and I started losing hair. Finally, everything normalized, but that convinced me to never mess with my hormones again.
There actually has been research done that shows it’s harder to build muscle while on BC with estrogen in it since estrogen is a fat storing hormone… And yeah, I hope to be done messing with my hormones forever too!
Mirena gave me terrible, terrible cramps when I ovulated, to the point that I ended up in the ER twice. Eventually, I ended up with Mirena AND a daily pill, to control the ovarian cysts. I got rid of the Mirena about a year ago because I just felt off all the time, and I feel way better since then. I’m tired of the pill, though, and am ready to just leave my body alone already. I’m considering Essure at this point.
Oooh I’m considering Essure too! Something permanent would be helpful…
I wonder if I can blame my cranky-momness on my IUD… I’ve blamed it on having 4 kids.
I’ve had the Copper IUD also, and I had super regular periods that lasted for 3 days, but one of those days I couldn’t leave the house. It was bad.
After my wife and I had our third child, my wife made the decision that I would go to Dr. Stop. Well, there is a doctor near us that does that surgery named Dr. Stop, but I went to a different guy that did a no scalpel procedure.
It was the worst afternoon of my life. But, I like the results!
I didn’t even know there was a non-scalpel option! That’s awesome that you would do that for your wife!
I have a copper IUD (no hormones) and I LOVE it! Insertion sucked, but one day of discomfort was well worth it. I do have heavier periods (and worse cramping) but it sounds like you had it pretty bad when you tried it out.
Anyway, I’m glad you are noticing a difference!
I’m another paraguard girl. I recommend it all the time. The only thing that changed about my period is now I spot for a day before and after period. I’ve had it for going in four years. I’m actually ready to be done with bc altogether, but the hub’s holding out on the big snip because he thinks he can talk me into a third. (he can’t).
Any sort pf birth control makes me super crazy and/ or depressed. I’ve been on and off docent kinda since high school. At first I thought the emotional things were from me being an angsty teen but one day early this year it clicked that BC just isn’t for me. I still get upset that I created all that anxiety and depression for myself by being on birth control and instead of my Dr connecting the dots I was simply prescribed pills. I think this probably a much more common problem than is addressed. You put something synthetic in your body, chances are it will throw something out of whack. As for me I take no BC, therefore no anti anxiety or anti depressants and I have even overcome my adhd. I am the happiest I have ever been and I believe its because I stopped the BC.
Yay – this gives me SO MUCH hope! Thank you!!
I like how you explained what is like in the early years of parenting – is it really me or is it having young children or is it being on BC? Like most women who report problems while on hormonal BC, I had a terrible time. For me it was weight gain and depression. After I had my 2nd baby I went on the copper IUD and no one ever told me it would make it look like I had slaughtered a small animal in my bathroom. Afer my 4th and final baby, I went ahead and got snipped. Now that my baby is 2 years old, I can report what it feels like to have my body operating on a “normal” level. I havent’ had any hormonal BC or pregnancy for two years. I like my body normal. I still have to take my SSRI, but at a smaller dose and I can see and sense the difference in my body during the cycles. Maybe you should consider the big snip?
I’m definitely considering it! I’m looking at the Essure too…
I have tried pretty much every pill (and the ring) and they all make me … crazy. the hormones are too much. so I tried Mirena – it also made me VERY moody, ZERO sex drive, gain weight, foggy, etc etc .. so I had it removed after 6 months and was STILL struggling with the side effects 3 months later when… surprise! I was preggo (I am married but we were NOT ready for kids). My daughter is now almost 4 months old and I’ve had paraguard in for about 6 weeks. I am tired ALL the time (IK know, I have a baby, but really really tired and she sleeps through the night… 9 hours just isn’t enough), my milk suppply seems to have dropped (though this may be stress as my husband has been traveling every week and I work part time)… so I don’t know that it is drastically better. still no sex drive. with mirena it did say about 5% of women find the hormone level too high and I guess I am one of them.. but good for you for realizng it was causing issues and I hope it all works out!
((hugs)) Kat! You are in such a hard place right now but it does get better I promise! I don’t know if it’s the BC or the post-partum hormones still wreaking havoc but I hope you start feeling better soon!
Good Lord!
So glad you’re trying this–you have my love and prayers while your body figures its shit out.
(…figures out its shit? stooopid prepositional phrases…)
I’ve been wondering myself if I will be able to use *any* birth control,
since the three I’ve tried over the last five years have all lead to me be suicidal and severely depressed by about the sixth month in.
All of which leads me to say, BRING ON THE MALE BIRTH CONTROL!!!
Yes to this! Please!
It’s funny when it takes an aha moment to realize something that you’ve been putting in your body is doing you wrong. I had an all-out sobfest on the Bay Bridge during which I was afraid I would die (seriously, driving 60+ mph on a bridge while hyperventilating and not being able to see at all through the tears) and it took another few months before I was like “oh yeah, that’s about when I had started using the NuvaRing.” Haven’t used hormonal birth control in over five years (Durex what what!), and sometimes it’s a pain, neither me nor my husband has a desire to see that dark side again.
Thanks again for sharing, you always make me feel more normal! I was thinking of maybe getting an IUD since I am tired of the pill. But I haven’t had kids yet so it makes it a bit more complicated. I am so sensitive to hormones, fake or real. Trust me, no one wants to be around me when I am on my “no pill week”
I wish contraception was easier! Hopefully you go back to normal (whatever that is) soon.
I had the paraguard IUD for exactly one month, at which point my uterus staged a coup. I walked out of the doctor’s office sobbing, mostly because I’d paid for it all on my own and it was an incredible waste of money. But since then, I’ve seen some connections to anxiety problems with paraguard too, given the copper levels. And I am hugely prone to anxiety. So between reading this (I’d considered Mirena) and reading other things, I’m trying to take this as me dodging a bullet.
Yes, if you already have anxiety I’d think very seriously before getting the Mirena. If you want more info about it, google Mirena and mood disorders – tons of stuff will come up!
HI
I was just curious if you lived in Vermont when you were younger. I just recognize the last name, but it’s probably not the case.
Anyway
Erin
Birth control is such a tricky devil. I’ve been on the pill for years because of my endometriosis but I had to try four or five different kinds before I found one that really worked for me. Recently my pharmacy switched generic brands on me and for about two months I was extra moody, extra anxious and I WANTED A BABY SO BAD!!! What the heck kind of birth control did they put me on? Inspired by your post about switching prescriptions I found a pharmacy that still carried my old brand and everything is back to normal, including our “when to have a baby” timeline (much to my husband’s relief :p)
Yayay! I love a happy ending!
I am glad things are looking up for you, and sorry about the panic attacks! When I was on NuvaRing, I felt like it really stabilized me (I basically stopped having PMS). Not sure if that would help you too – I noticed a commenter above had the opposite reaction. In general, the way I’ve been dealing with anxiety when it hits me is by facing the fears that are coming up head-on and experiencing them, which helps the anxiety kind of move through and past me. Not trying to hide from it has helped. This may not be helpful at all with a full-blown panic attack, however. I know that omega-6 consumption has been associated with anxiety, and I avoid omega-6s. I think it helps, but as usual, it’s hard to extrapolate causality when you are doing multiple interventions. Good luck!!
I’ve thought about it – a few other people have recommended it to me as well – but I’m so nervous right now about doing any hormones that I think I’m just going to try this for a while and see where my body ends up on its own. I can always reevaluate in a few months, right? Glad you’ve found what works for you!
I’ve been considering getting the non-hormonal IUD, since hormonal birth control (pills, not IUD) sent my body way out of whack when I took them in my early 20s. I don’t think I’d ever want to do hormonal birth control again. I’m neurotic and loopy enough as it is, I really don’t need any help in that department from external hormones.
Kind of a coincidence: there’s actually an article on the front page of Buzzfeed today about… a woman going off of Mirena because of mega problems with it! I actually thought it was you at first, but it’s not as well written. Still interesting though.
Hahah – thank you! This made my day:) And yes, I agree totally with this: ” I’m neurotic and loopy enough as it is, I really don’t need any help in that department from external hormones.” ME TOO.
I am so sensitive to hormones. I have tried over 20 pills, the patch and the ring and with every single one I had horrible mid-cycle spotting. This whole ordeal lasted for nearly 5 years with my doctor’s just switching up my pills. They finally decided they wanted to start me on mirena but I just wasn’t comfortable it with. I didn’t want it in my body. So I quit hormones all together and now use the fertility awareness method (charting etc). I feel so much better since quitting hormones. And we’ve made it almost 3 years without a baby so I don’t feel worried at all about not being on a pill. The worse part is that I’m now dealing with tons of hair loss from all the hormones and there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m so sad that my doctor never talked to me about that as a potential side effect.
I find this really encouraging! Do you do a particularly fertility awareness method? I’ve already read Taking Charge of Your Fertility…
Taking charge of your fertility is like my bible hahah. I take my temperature every day and track my cervical mucus. Sounds gross but I actually like knowing what’s going on with my body. After a while I could figure out when I ovulated pretty easily. There’s a couple free aps out there that really help track everything. I use Fertility Friend mobile and you can link everything back to fertilityfriend.com which is all free.
thankyouthankyouthankyou!!! I should have known there was an app for this, lol! We use TCofYF back when we were trying to conceive so I’m familiar with checking out my own mucous (although the whole cervical softness thing was weird to me – I never could feel any change!). I’ll try out fertility friend.
Yay! Glad I could help. I wish I would have learned about all of this stuff a long time ago. I would have never gone on the pill. Hormones do such crazy things to your body. And I agree. The softness thing is weird. I can never really tell what’s going on.
I tried this with predictable results–my third child. I also used Cycle Beads. I used it when I was detoxing from hormonal bc. It helped me with awareness of my cycle but it required abstaining during a 5 day window–that always seemed to be when I was most interested in. . . not abstaining. I also found it too time consuming and it gave me a lot of anxiety about getting pregnant–anxiety that, unfortunately, did not translate into strictness with the protocol. Plenty of people have great results but I was not one of them (and I freely acknowledge that it was a combination of lack of self control and bad data tracking–100% user error). Someone as meticulous as you are about data and tracking should have better luck. It’s just that the consequence of this type of “experiment” not working out are so HUGE.
Hormonal bc was simply horrendous for me. It made me crazy and I felt like I was on drugs–my brain felt like it was buzzing all the time . I had the tubal scheduled for after my c-section with 3rd baby but decided to try Paraguard instead. Whoever described the bathroom looking like a small animal was slaughtered is so right. But it’s gotten much better–the “gusher” only lasts about 8 hours and it’s not as heavy. I’ve decided I can live with it one day a month.
I wish you good luck finding what works best for you. None of the choices are perfect!
Personally, I LOVE my Mirena – for all the reasons you said. No Period, and way less cramps. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be on hormonal control for the rest of my life to keep my endometriosis in check. It has been hard for me to lose weight, but I am finally, after really really watching what I’m eating.
It really is up to each person to decide what’s right for them and their body. What’s right for one person might not be right for someone else.
Yes, exactly – everyone needs to find what works best for their body! So glad you’ve found yours:)
No bc for me… my youngest is 21.
But for anxiety…? Research the herb skullcap. It is said to be amazing for anxiety issues… I listened to a call with Joan Shrader from Health and Wisdom last night and she mentioned several times that skullcap actually recoats the nerves so that old expression “frayed nerves” actually gets better… Just a thought…
Interesting! I’ve never even heard of skullcap. I’ll definitely check it out. Thanks!
Thats too bad. I love mine and am on my second “round”. I was able to lose my baby weight as well, but it was HARD and took some serious disciplin. I couildn’t do it while working and being around other delicious food. My symptoms are favorable as well. However I ahve always wondered abou tthe long term affects of birth control and your hormone level.
Damn, lady! I hope everything figures itself out for you.
I’m on a BC pill now, but I had a Paragard for a few years. They inserted it, then did an ultrasound and found it was too low, so immediately removed it, gave me 10 minutes to hold hands with my boyfriend (now husband) and breath deeply, then put another one in. This with nothing but 4 ibuprofens in my system. That was a sad, sad cervix day. I might try it again after I’ve had a baby, though I am really enjoying the easy easy periods I’m having on the pill. I think my never-held-a-baby uterus just didn’t like having anything in there and kept insisting on spitting it out. Oh well.
I am clutching my crotch in sympathy right now. Egads girl!
As far as the rebound thing going off… I’m not a doctor by any means, but I have gotten a rebound effect after taking Sudafed regularly for a week or two with a cold and then stopping, and doctors have said that that’s what it is. It seems entirely plausible to have it with other meds – and more so when it’s hormones!
As far as BC – I never tried Mirena but I did a number of versions of the pill and they made me nuts (in different ways and to different degrees). I finally just stopped taking birth control all together – I had originally started it for cramps, but decided I’d rather mess with cramps than the insane mood swings and not feeling like myself. Then, after a few years, I needed BC regularly again – and got the Paragard. I have loved it. For what it’s worth, my doctor told me then that some women’s periods do get heavier/more painful on it, but that it’s not THAT common – for more women, they go straight from hormonal something to the Paragard, and it’s really just their period going back to how it is without hormones (or at least partially). (Not saying that happened to you Charlotte – the doc said it definitely does happen, just that some people mistake going off the pill side effects as being side effects from the Paragard.) Anyway, my point is if anyone is considering the Paragard and feasibly can, I definitely recommend going six months or so between hormones and the Paragard – let your hormones work themselves out and make sure you can live with the cramps not on hormones before you get it put in.
Good point about the rebound effect! I think I really need to give it longer than a week before making any real conclusions. I loved everything about the Paragard and wish I could have that back in… except that I literally bled so much I couldn’t leave the house. TMI: I use the Diva cup and it has ounces marked off on it. I bled more in 1 hour than most women do over their entire period. It was either wear a diaper or get it out:(
It has been shown that birth control does not negatively affect your ability to get pregnant, provided you are no longer taking the pill. Some women get pregnant immediately after ceasing birth control pills while others take more than a year to conceive.
I also had the Mirena and had it taken out. I had cramping for 2 months,felt blue (not quite depressed) and really irritable. Had it taken out and a ll was well with the world again.
I am so glad you’re posting on this. I have the exact same symptoms as you, have had my Mirena for 2 yrs since second son’s birth. Am exercising and eating great, and can’t get to my healthy weight for the first time in my life. Only about 7 lbs to go but I usually lose weight easily when living right. Also I have extremely thick hair that has slowly been falling out, starting to see my scalp is freaking me out. I am sure it’s either the Mirena or my thyroid, but haven’t been tested yet. With no family hx of thyroid issues, I’m thinking the mirena is the culprit. Little scared for the yanking, but would be amazing to feel myself again, rather than pmsing all the time and so fatigued. Good luck to you.
You should definitely talk to your doc about your symptoms and get your thyroid checked! 2 years is too long to still be having all these issues! I would certainly consider the Mirena as a possible source of your problems. If you google “mirena and hair loss” or “mirena and inability to lose weight” you’ll see a lot of women have come to the same point. Just to be clear: I’m not giving you medical advice but you should get it checked out!
I’ve had Mirena for just over a year now and haven’t had any problems that I can directly attribute to Mirena. I love that I don’t have to worry about pregnancy, I don’t have to remember to take a pill daily or change out the NuvaRing monthly and I love that periods have stopped.
But, I tend to be very low maintenance on the female issues (never have had cramps except the day Mirena was inserted, have always had very light and predictable flows and only 1 month of depression in my past that was cured by talking it out). So, I’m probably not a good example for others considering Mirena.
Thank you for posting this! There are a lot of women who’ve had very positive experiences with it and I’m so glad it works for you. It really was totally hassle-free and I wish it would have worked for me too:(
I’ve never had the Mirena, but I was on hormonal birth control (the ring) for about three years. Then I used the Fertility Awareness Method mentioned above by another commenter when I had a two-month lapse in insurance, and was so shocked by how much better I felt that I decided to stick with FAM forever. I am happier, have more focus, and a much better libido. But here’s the thing – it took about a year for my cycle to be typical, in terms of both the cervical fluid and the cervical position. I believe it took that long to get the hormones out of my body. I know that while many women report some adjustment period after quitting hormonal birth control, most have not had such an extreme experience – but I’m sensitive to medications like you are. I guess I just want to say that it may take awhile to have a typical rhythm, so don’t assume you’re abnormal just yet:) Thanks for sharing your experience!
Hoping the best for you after having your IUD removed! I imagine part of your anxiety is fear of your unknown future. Good luck.
I am a bit curious about the Paragard. Right now I take the depo provera shot (progestin) and have been on it over 6 years. I had very heavy bleeding and heavy cramping natural, so this shot was like a life saver to me. I didn’t gain any weight (at least in the beginning, have since but I am pretty sure its my hypothyroidism) or have hormonal issues that I could see. BUT, I am concerned about the long term effects and would like to get to a more natural state, as well as prepare to have a child in a few years, so a non-hormonal birth control sounds wonderful (baring a recreation of the elevator scene from The Shining). Does it help with cramps and heavy periods in any way? Thanks!
Sadly no. If you already have cramps and/or heavy periods it will either not affect them or make them worse. The Mirena, on the other hand, will almost completely stop most people’s periods. But then you have to consider the other potential side effects. No easy answers here:(
Interesting. You want to know something crazy (and personal) I haven’t been in birth control since I was a teenager. The only reason I used it then was to try and clear up my acne. I don’t think I will ever feel comfortable putting hormones in my body esp my my family’s history of cancer. We use natural family planning. My youngest is 9.5 so I’d say it works pretty well. This is way tmi but I think it’s made us closer as a couple. My dh knows my body/cycle so well it’s amazing and rather sweet. I also think it’s important to mention that we wouldn’t be devastated if we got pregnant.
Oooh – I need to pick your brain about NFP! What method are you using! I find this really encouraging. I’d love to stay hormone free for forever!
I actually had the opposite experience: I went off of birth control about a year ago after being on it for over a decade, and then everything went haywire. Turns out the birth control was controlling symptoms of PCOS, which I just found out I’ve had for a while! I’ve been seeing a holistic doctor to fix my hormones through nutrition, and she recommended something you might be interested in: Natural Calm, a magnesium supplement. I take it nightly and it’s been great for anxiety. I’ve even found my life-long fear of heights abating. Look up the reviews on Amazon and you’ll be amazed at all the symptoms it can fix. A friend of mine started taking a magnesium supplement and found it stopped her migraines.
Thanks for the rec! I went and checked it out this weekend at my local vitamin place and they actually told me that since I already take a mag supp then the Natural Calm wouldn’t be of any additional help. They gave me theamine instead? Do you know if drinking the mag is more effective than just taking the pill? Thanks for you help! And I’m so glad it’s working for you!!
Hmmm…I googled and found this website (http://breakingmuscle.com/supplements/natural-calm-magnesium-supplement)
It says:
“Natural Calm is easier to absorb into the body because of its liquid form and therefore more advantageous than taking magnesium by pill or capsule. In addition, Natural Calm is designed to have low acidity to allow it to both dissolve properly in water and not affect the pH-balance of your body.”
Might be something to do more research on. My only other recommendations from my own experiences would be to cut back your caffeine intake if you are ingesting any. I’ve noticed that even a couple of sips of decaf coffee can make me anxious. I’ve also heard that some food intolerances, like dairy and wheat, can affect your mood, although when you are recovering from an eating disorder, eliminating types of food is a tricky, tricky business (I’m in the process now, and it’s been very hard to balance, even though I’m removing certain foods to feel better).
If you’re interested in exploring the food/depression connection more, my doctor recommended reading The Ultramind Solution by Mark Hyman.
Hang in there, Charlotte! I know dealing with anxiety is really rough, but I think with some experimenting you’ll find a solution.
I had my mirena removed about 18 months ago and it was the best thing I did for my mental health. I didn’t notice changes instantly,within 6 months or so and now I feel normal and happy!
Great post! I had the depression/fog/irritability with a progesterone-based oral contraceptive. Almost a year later I decided not to get the Rx refilled. Fog cleared almost immediately. I woke up one morning and said, WOW, that’s weird, I feel happy. Why my husband did not leave me during this time was probably because we had 3 little boys at the time and he got out for 10 hours a day at the office, away from psycho wife and her circus house. Wish I had an answer for the anxiety/panic. That’s tough.
How long did it take you between stopping your pill and feeling happy again? And I’m so glad you are feeling better! I can relate to being the psycho wife in the circus house;)
This post has really made me stop and think about my use of BC. I started using the Ring 8 years ago and have been on some form of BC since then, including the Depo shot and now a combo oral pill. I am married but not quite ready for kids, but with all of this talk about side effects (low libido, lack of focus) I wonder what I am doing to my body and how I would feel without hormones. I plan to do some research into natural family planning. Any resources that you find would be helpful!
My mom had a IUD for several years and during that time she seemed quite depressed, gained weight, and was more moody than ever. It seemed to enhance all of her stress and anxiety. Since she has had it removed (a year or more) she has lost weight, is more social, and seems to be able to cope with stress better now. She also went through menopause while she was on it, so its hard to say if the IUD did all of that or if some of it was “the change”.
Your posts are so helpful and easy to relate to, thank you!!
And thank YOU! Hearing other people’s experiences has been sooo helpful to me. I actually just got some info on taking a NFP class here and I’m pretty excited about it. Will let you know what I learn!
This made me feel so normal now! I just had my mirena taken out in the beginning of July. She is a lil demon! I too feel through what felt like pre-menopause. My dr did all the blood work and it came back that I had extremely low progesterone levels. No libido, super hot all the time, weight was fine but did have alot of water weight. Also my girly area was so dry it felt like a desert. Was getting infections every month (5months straight of them), I am 25 and had it in for a little over a year. Glad its gone, got the paragard in and only complaint is the gross periods I have (aka shark week lol)….my body is still having issues from the mirena, weight is fluctuating for 3-7lbs in a month and ugly acne. I cant wait for no more bc….
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Hi ..I had the mirena inserted a year and half a go and six months after inserting the mirena I’m suffering from severe acid reflux and every time I ask my Dr if its the mirena he tells me no ..I’m on a very heavy dose for acid reflux and i still have it severe ,is there anyone experienced the same or I’m crazy ?
I too developed acid reflux 3 months after I had teh mirena inserted. It started as silent relfux – severe sore throat, feeling of lump in throat, burning in throat etc. Doctos continued to tell me it was all in my head, that I was stressed. If I have to hear the word stress once more from a doctor I will actually scream at them. I am not stressed!!!!The only stress I had was these unbearable anxiety and emotional mood swings from this horrible life changing device. I had the mirena for just under a year. I had it removed 7 days ago and experienced the ‘crash’ for about 3-4 days. It wasn’t nice at all – there was a lot of tears. The second day after removal my reflux literally turned into full blown heartburn in my throat ( I could actually taste it) and I still have it. It gets me so upset as I don’t know when it will ever go away. Did yours ever go away?
Hey lou! I know this is super old, but I’m hoping your get a notification for it in your email. The EXACT same thing happened to me after I quit my birth control. I had horrible heartburn a couple of days after quitting. Did yours go away?
I had a very similar experience with Mirena, and I got it when I was 19-20. I had it for a year, and the first two months were ok before things took a nose-dive for me. First it was the horrid cystic acne (which has finally gone over 6 months after getting that thing yanked), then it was horrid PMS, then my symptoms of PMS would last all month, non-stop! I was the same with our kids, always down my fiance’s throat about how he’s never there for me, though he was. And I started losing hair and even started getting a few whiskers :-/ Not to mention my poor man was getting poked the few times he wanted to be with me. My last episode was blowing up the engine in my car driving in a psychotic rage on a gravel road going 100mph with my daughter in the backseat, unbuckled!!! That was it, had it removed, got back on my normal Yaz regimen. It always worked for me but insurance quit covering it until all this happened and my provider wrote it brand specific, because I had the same reaction a girl above had with generic yaz.
I just got my Mirena replaced with a Paragard a little over two weeks ago, and I had no idea I was such a raving B until I just wasn’t any more. I did have three days of horrible headaches that I attributed to decreasing hormones, but I could deal with that. It was weird how I suddenly felt “normal.” Every single thing has been bugging me since shortly after I had it placed, but it didn’t occur to me that my constantly irritability could be attributed to Mirena. Holy cow! The fog has lifted, I have more energy, and I’m so mellow and laid back now. When I told my husband that I was feeling this way, I could see him happy-dancing in his mind. I’m so glad to know I’m not alone, and I’m a little annoyed this was not mentioned when “sold” to me. I actually asked for Paragard first, but my OB recommended Mirena. Hmmm. Now I’m wondering about the pharmaceutical kick-backs. We’ll see how the Paragard periods are, but I think I can trade more AF for my sanity.
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I just took out my mirena and OMG, as it was coming out, I felt the greatest relief both mentally and physically. I was getting the worst pains for months beforehand (after not getting my flow for 3.5 months and then bleeding for 2 weeks real heavy so think it may have dislodged causing the pains). I’m due today/tomorrow so had a very low, soft cervix and it was the best time to do it. I just can’t believe the relief and needed to share
Where to begin? Let’s start here. I have been with my husband for 20 years, I am 38 now. I have 3 children. We recently moved across the country. A series of poor choices in life, lead to a nervous breakdown. I have been struggling to keep my head above water. The meds I was given did not help (Paxil, Effexor ect..) I am dealing with my Bipolar II just with personal therapy. In the mean time, I thought to make my life easier I would do myself a favor (and my husband) and try Mirena. I NEVER stopped bleeding from the very first day, Sept 16th 2012. I put up with non-stop bleeding, bloat, and a 10 pound weight gain in 4 days, the final straw however was a smell that can only be described as “rotting from your insides”. I have spent hours crying in the shower, not knowing how I was going to go on. At a time when I needed to be closest to my husband, I could not, either physically or emotionally. I had it removed Dec 10th, 2012. The bloat is gone and I have lost 5 pounds in three days. Today I woke up in a pool of blood. Not a little, I am talking CSI crime scene level. My mattress is done and I will have to have my carpets professionally cleaned, just from my walk to my bathroom. I am back to square one. BCP are not an option because they are not recommended for women with depression either. (a fact that my Dr NEVER told me) My husband has offered to get a vasectomy because he can’t stand to see me in so much agony. I am taking him up on his offer. 😉 I wish any women the best of luck but I could never recommend it to anyone. And should anyone think I am some weak woman, I would add, I have been in 3 car accidents, hit by a car while walking and have had 3 natural child births…I would do any of those again before dealing with this devil.
I’m so sorry you had such a horrific experience! That makes mine look like a cake walk, lol. I’m glad you are figuring it out though – contraception is definitely a really tricky thing. I wish our uteruses (uteri?) just came with an off switch!
Glad I saw this! 1 week after I got mine put in I started loosing a lot of hair and feeling puffier around the waist. I’ve had it for a month and I’m officially becoming irritable and apathetic about engaging with my 8 month old. I’m getting this shit removed.
I have had Mirena for about 2 years now, and I hate it. I hate it because of the moodiness and night sweats. I am SOOO depressed all the time. Things that I used to could handle, I cannot handle anymore, but I am scared to take it out because I am so fragile now that I couldn’t imagine things getting worse. They really should have informed people more before advertising this. In theory it sounds good, but it isn’t worth the depression and mood swings.
I have had a horrible experience with the Mirena. I had the Mirena placed in February 2012, then in May I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called mixed connective tissue disease, have noticed puffiness around my eyes. I didn’t get a cycle which was nice. Well, I guess I have had flares or bouts of panic attacks, which I have never had before, I blamed it on other things until I have had to recently be on edge and anxious for probably 2 weeks straight which is not me at all. I have researched and I feel it is due to the Mirena, my husband said he noticed a change in me as well since I had it placed, no libido, moodiness, anxiety, hair loss, etc. I saw a cardiologist this morning because of palpitations and he said my heart is good and that he has talked to many women that cannot handle the progesterone in the Mirena, he feels it is what is causing me to be the way I am right now and to get it removed. I went this afternoon and they had to do ultrasound guided to get it out and apparently I had so much fluid in my uterus that it flipped the iud upside down. They were able to get it out thankfully and hopefully I will start feeling better. They told me 1% of women have anxiety of a symptom, that is hard to believe. Prayers to everyone.
Had the Merina placed on 7/1/2010 and I have hated it ever since. I immediately noticed I felt different and called my doctor to ask and was told to just “give it time” for adjustment. Well almost 3 yrs later an I am battling horrible weight gain and inability to lose it, decreased libido, anxiety, adult acne, insomnia (HORRIBLE), irritability, depression, no energy ever and like you, some days I don’t even want to deal with my two beautiful children.I am CLEARLY not myself. The worst part is I was looking back at photos of myself from the summer I got it placed and photos of me now and I can’t even recognize myself. It’s that bad. I look like I have aged 10+ yrs in the past 2.5yrs. I want this thing out of me but I am scared to death to have it out because I too suffer from depression and anxiety (I had horrible panic attacks in my 20’s). I do not want to go through this Merina crash I have read about. Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us!
Im really glad to see this post. Im only 20 and my doctor had recommended to switch from my birth control pill to the Mirena IUD after I was diagnosed with a blood clotting disorder(factor V leutin) and I have had nothing but problems with it! I have gained close to 20 pounds since I had it put in in august, in my early teens I dealt with alot of Anxiety and depression issues but I had been feeling sooo much better and since having this put in i feel like im 15 all over again! I have no energy and ive been really irritable as well! I bleed contantly for over two months after it being put in (my doctor associated it to me not having had a baby before) and now after I sleep with anyone the cramping the next day is next to unbearrable! So including the changes in my behaviour, the weight gain and the physical pain I cant wait to get this peice of junk out of me! I know now not choosing an IUD i will probably have no other choices for birth control considering I cant take anything containing estrogen because of my blood disorder! I will just have to be realy cautious and use condoms, im just hoping my body will get back to normal after I have it removed (im terrified of that day because of how horific getting it put in was) hoping its worth it though to be able to drop this weight and get happy again!
Wow I am so glad I found this…I’ve had my Mirena since July 2012 and every month my symptoms seem to just get worse..not to mention 9 day periods!!! Inability to loose weight (i do crossfit 5days a week and eat a semi healthy diet) Mood swings, lethargy, adult acne, decreased libido, hair loss, the list goes on. I have also suffered from anxiety and depression to which these pms symptoms make it 1000xs worse! I also have hypothyroid condition yet my thyroid has recently checked out just find BUT I have NO progesterone in my body which Mirena is supposed to release! So weird! Needless to say I am having my Mirena removed in a week! Pretty bummed because this was the second Mirena for me…I had no issues with the first one. But I want to feel like myself again and not a raging B! Thank u for posting this so we know we aren’t alone! Krysta
I have had the mirena for a little over a year now and I have never liked it. Though It stopped my periods which I enjoyed I always felt it poking me in the stomach, I could feel it in a painful way whenever I got “turned on” I can’t focus and I have had severe depression about my life that I have never had before, I even felt that way about not wanting to be around my kids which makes me feel extremely guilty. At this point I have thought about getting rid of the mirena a lot but I am scared of how much it will hurt, and what I will go through.
This is my 2nd go round with Mirena. My first was placed in August 2007, and by October 2007, I had to have a tennis ball size ovarian cyst removed. When I approached by doctor about it, she said it was impossible for the Mirena to have caused it. I had it removed a year later. My 2nd IUD was placed about a year ago. In that year I have gone crazy, literally. It got to the point where my anxiety was so high I did a mental health intake because I was having bad thoughts and couldn’t control my temper/rage, was depressed and couldn’t focus on anything. They labeled me with non-specific mood disorder, ADHD combined, depression, and anxiety. I have been put on Lamital, Xanex, Wellbutrin, Abilify — of course not all at the same time. Now after reading and researching, I am not wondering if all of this can be stemmed from the Mirena. I am considering having it removed. Anyone else ever been mis-diagnosed with a mental condition, have the IUD removed, and mental disorders lessen or go away completely?
Just had my mirena taken out today after 3 yrs…..have had all the symptoms mentioned above, mental fog, terrible memory, extreme irritability with my husband and 3 children, no energy etc. A naturopath told me it tricks your body into thinking its 3 months pregnant…..!!! I have just forewarned my hubby of the potential crash and told him to tread very lightly lol. I too am sensitive to medications, had PND after my children along with antenatal depression from about weeks 5-10 in the first trimester. So relieved to have found an answer to my “crap”!! Good luck to everyone
Just had my mirena taken out today after 3 yrs…..have had all the symptoms mentioned above, mental fog, terrible memory, extreme irritability with my husband and 3 children, no energy etc. A naturopath told me it tricks your body into thinking its 3 months pregnant…..!!! I have just forewarned my hubby of the potential crash and told him to tread very lightly lol. I too am sensitive to medications, had PND after my children along with antenatal depression from about weeks 5-10 in the first trimester. So relieved to have found an answer to my “crap”!! Good luck to everyone
I had my first Mirena inserted in 2006. I didn’t have a period or any side effects. I had it removed in 2011, and a new one put in he same day. I drove myself home after the appointment. About an hour later I had this strong feeling of dread and panic come over me. My heart started beating hard and I became dizzy. It felt like I was going to vomit and have diarrhea. I started sweating and felt cold at the same time. A loud ringing developed in my ears. I thought I was going to die-like my heart was going to explode. I was home alone with my three small children. I had to try to calm myself down. I grabbed the waste basket and walked to the living room and laid down. I did vomit and felt better afterward, but my body was real shaky. The next day I felt off- like I was depressed. It went away the following day. I have never had a panic attack before. When I went back to the doctor I told him what happened and that I thought I had a panic attack. I can’t remember what he called it but he described it to me as all of my blood leaving my organs and going to my uterus because my body recognized trauma in that area. I told him I thought I was going to die – he assured me that wasn’t the case. I’m afraid to have my second iud removed in four years if not sooner. I’m afraid of having a heart attack.
I had my Mirena taken out today, and am really hoping to be back to myself soon. Had it inserted about a year ago, and the last month has been hell. Deep depression, intense anxiety, insomnia, acne, and cramping. I’ve been seeing a therapist and increased AD, but I continued getting worse. My therapist brought up the possibility of it being hormonal, so I googled “Mirena and depression” and….. BINGO!!! Hundreds of stories of women with the same symptoms as me! Today I went to Planned Parenthood and got it taken out. The NP was intent on telling me she didn’t think Mirena was the cause of my problems, but I told her I wanted it out anyway. As soon as it was taken out… HUGE relief. Probably the placebo effect, but I am already feeling better, about 2 hours post-removal. Can anyone share about how long it took to have the depression/anxiety/”brain fog” go away? I can’t wait to get back to myself, and so glad to have this damn thing out!!!!
For me the brain fog went away almost immediately. Within several days it was just… gone. The rest of it though, well, I’ve had the Mirena out for almost a year now and I’m still dealing with that stuff. It’s markedly better but it wasn’t overnight. I’m told it takes 6 months to get all the synthetic hormones out of your system. Good luck!
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I had my Mirena removed 3 months ago after almost the full 5 years. It’s just now that I’m learning about all the potential side effects. I wish I had known about them years ago! I would have had the Mirena removed!! I’m very sensitive to medication and I’m prone to depression and anxiety and I see now that it only worsened while on the Mirena – especially the anxiety. It was borderline crippling. My husband and I are trying to start a family and I’m now worried that my fertility won’t return to normal post-Mirena. Things just don’t seem the same. Whatever the outcome, I will NOT be using the Mirena again. Thank you for sharing your stories. They have been very helpful.
I just have a Mirena inserted in mid-December… unsure at the time if I should even get one because my identical twin sister had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and I was unsure if that would be the best decision for me, with the fear that this could increase my chances of breast cancer as well. I have suffered for years with the pain of endometriosis and heavy periods, so this was the option given to me. I have had such paralyzing anxiety attacks and have been suffering with depression for the past month. To the point where there are days I struggle just to get out of the house and to work. I fear that if this continues I may not be able to leave my house. I have suffered from depression and anxiety before, but nothing this extreme. Although my life is extremely stressful over the years, I have been able to cope, with the exception of being prescribed medication for depression after a mis-carriage 15 years ago, and anxiety for a short term. (which looking back may have been during the time I was receiving the birth control needle). I am now waiting for an appointment to discuss my issues with my doctor, but have to wait 2 1/2 weeks to get to see her. Hoping she will remove it at that time. (which if it is as painful as it was going it I am not looking forward to!!!).
Hi there everyone, I have tried the Mirena two different times and lets just say they were both horrible experiences. I ended up with weight gain, hair loss, HORRIBLE anxiety and worst of all my first one made me hypothyroid. With both it took a good 8 months for the symptoms to really get me down, before having it removed. I am now pregnant with baby #4 and will be getting a tubal ligation as long as my OB doesnt still insist on the new procedure ESSURE. Essure is another one that after actually researching I will never do.
Wow. I had mine in 4 years ago and have decided to have it removed and have been bombarded with info I should have looked up years ago! Having it removed next week. So many symptoms I put down to just ‘me being a bitch’ or overly-emotional, but have no idea of where my cycle is at, feel like I need to have my period to ‘cleanse’ myself after 3.5years of not having one.
This site has been so helpful. I just had the mirena removed roughly 1 week ago. I only haed it in 5 months but was having achne break outs which kept getting worse each month. I had constant itching and what i thought was a yeast infection but was a bacterial infection. I was also getting sores along with the itching. I had the mood changes, tired., emotional, etc. When it was taken out a week ago i felt immediate relief also. I could tell all the funky shit going on down there was because of the Mirena. At the time it was removed i was on my cycle and had just finished the antibiotic for the bacterial infection a few days prior. I thought i still had the infection but since i was on my cycle he couldnt check at that appt. I thought i would see if it got better since the mirena was out and i would let my cycle finish. Well off my cycle an the mirena for a week or more and still itchy and feels like i have the infection. I also am sore to the touch down there. I went in today and yes i still have the infection. He also check my soreness and tested for herpes. I have been with my parnter and had none of these issues before. My mood has improved but frustred with all these vaginal issues. Acne improved and is almost gone again.My head aches have also decreased but not elimitated completely.I am hoping the herpes is negative and it is all going to get better in time with being off the mirena.. Also since taken out i have started getting sick with sore throat, head aches. It could be a fluke and i could just be getting a cold. I am in Wisconsin 30 degrees and snow. lol
Thank you everyone for sharing your stories it has been a huge help to me. Hope we all get better soon. 🙂
Had mirena for 3 years at first i loved it and hey i never got pregnant but throughout those years i was on it was horrible i was getting bloated all the time was always nausous lost alot of my hair aggervated with everuthing had alot of ups and downs i was tired all the time never had energy what so ever ..an never had a period till about 5months ago along with a trip hospital for severe bloating i thought it was my appendix so did dr but did a ct scan turnd out to be a cyst thatt ruptured and the pain went on and the heavy bleeding began i thought i was dying because it was judt pouring out of me so scary so i did some research to see if this was normal thing going on w mirena and i seen so msny stories like mine ..so i gt it out a week ago and im in such a great mood im no longer tired oand i lost alot of watrr weight and look so much thinner already r weak..im not aggravated anymore its judt a whole new oitlook im back to me i love it !! ……
Had mirena for 3 years at first i loved it and hey i never got pregnant but throughout those years i was on it was horrible i was getting bloated all the time was always nausous lost alot of my hair aggervated with everuthing had alot of ups and downs i was tired all the time never had energy what so ever ..an never had a period till about 5months ago along with a trip hospital for severe bloating i thought it was my appendix so did dr but did a ct scan turnd out to be a cyst thatt ruptured and the pain went on and the heavy bleeding began i thought i was dying because it was judt pouring out of me so scary so i did some research to see if this was normal thing going on w mirena and i seen so msny stories like mine ..so i gt it out a week ago and im in such a great mood im no longer tired oand i lost alot of watrr weight and look so much thinner already r weak..im not aggravated anymore its judt a whole new oitlook im back to me i love it !! ……
Hi Charlotte, information like this is so helpful the doctor tells you nothing and the after effects are unobtainable! I had my mirena for just over 4 years. I’ve always been a happy relaxed person (apart from around my period) but now I put 2 and 2 together and realize the past 4 years I’ve been pretty highly strung and stress cause anxiety! So since we want to start a family at the end of the year I thought it best to part ways early with my Mirena. The day I had it removed I felt quite dizzy, the next day I felt great, happy, we went away with friends and nothing irritated me, I was calm…. The calm before the storm! On day 3 I started with a headache controlled by paracetamol, day 4 I was crippled by the worse migraine that caused pins and needles and face numbness, no matter what I did or took it wouldn’t shift, day 6 back at work and had terrible panic attacks that had me shaking, crying and hyperventilating. I sent myself home to work remotely so when I do get panic attacks I’m home and can control them. I’m now on day 8 of removal and I’m sleeping better, but my hair is dropping out, I have issue passing water (mainly after a panic attack) and I still have the anxiety chest crush. I’m hoping this passes soon as I get upset because it’s so out of character, I then get upset for the people that feel like this all the time… I think my hormones have gone haywire!
Today I am off to a homeopath to see if they have any magic potions, I’ve already tried acupuncture which helped the migraine but not the moods. Fingers crossed I feel normal soon.
Thanks for sharing your story
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I found your blog because I had my mirena out two days ago because after 1.5 years I FINALLY made the connection between all of the issues I’ve struggled with since having our first born and the mirena IUD. I was irritable, tired virtually ALL of the time (even after our daughter started sleeping well through the night), had persistent awful night sweats, anxiety, hair loss. My brain was a foggy mess, and I felt completely overwhelmed. I spent time and money to have a therapist tell me that My issue was clearly adult ADD and he prescribed vyvanse. Even with vyvanse, I felt a fog and a fatigue – which normal people would never feel while taking an amphetamine like vyvanse. So I topped it off with at least two cups of coffee and two diet Cokes a day. Did I mention I NEVER drank caffeine before or during my pregnancy with our daughter? I went from needing no caffeine to needing prescription drugs plus ridiculous amounts of caffeine just to make it through the day.
We are in the process of planning baby #2 and so this led me to research what to expect when I have my IUD removed. All I had to do was google it to find hundereds of women like you and I with all too similar (and scary) stories. I called my OB the next day to have it removed.
I made that call a week ago and had the Mirena out on Thursday. I can’t believe that I’m saying this – but I already have SO much more energy. Clearly, I do as I am writing this at almost 1:44am. I haven’t seen this late (early) since before I became pregnant with our first. I did take vyvanse today but had no other caffine as I felt like I was about to jump out of my skin from the energy I had. Clearly my body does NOT naturally need vyvanse and I’m horrified that the FDA allows the Mirena to be on the market today.
Again, thanks for sharing!
Best,
D
Thank you soooo much for this article! Now I know I am not crazy. I had the Mirena put in 5 weeks after I gave birth to my daughter which was my third child. I have two boys and she was our third and that was all I wanted after she came. I don’t want to have anymore children because I think 3 is more than enough that I can handle especially when my husband and I are the only two who can care for them (my parents and siblings live in another city), God bless you and your husband for having four :-). I have had the night sweats, irritablility so much so that there are times I lock myself in the bathroom to give myself a “time out” so I don’t lose it around my kids, I even thought about calling my doctor to prescribe me anti-depessants or something for anxiety, I lost some weight like about 10 lbs since I had my daughter and she is now 17 mos old, only to gain it all back seemingly over night when I eat fairly decent but I also work out 6 days a week and the weight doesn’t seem to be coming off which is terribly frustrating because it’s like I can’t lose the baby weight at all. I also have random cramping and lately I have been feeling extremely fatigued. My daughter does not “still” does not sleep through the night so I don’t get the usual 8 hrs of sleep, I am a stay at home mom as of now until my 4 yr old starts school in August and I get up early to get my 10 year old (who has Type 1 diabetes) prepared for school, so I’m exhausted but lately its been so bad that even coffee in the mornings is not keeping me afloat 🙁 I figured I must have a hormone imbalance because there is no way that I lost 10 lbs and then it came back on in a week that’s humanly impossible especially when I’ve even been counting my calories. My husband is certified in nutrition and personal training so tonight I told him that I wanted him to put me on a strict diet plan for 3 weeks so I can see if I will lose any weight and if I didn’t then I was going to go to the doctor to have my hormone levels checked. I started doing some research online before I came across your article and took a hormone imbalance questionaire that looked as if I had menopause, I am also 33 years old so I’m like there’s no freakin’ way I’m going through menopause that’s crazy my mom is like 52 and she hasn’t even gone through menopause yet so I’m like no way in heck is it happening to me. So then I came across your article. Thank you so much for writing this because now I don’t feel as if I have lost my mind or need to make a 911 call to my doctor in the morning lol! I believe it is the Mirena that is making me feel like this and its preventing me from losing weight. So I am going to get my hormone levels checked after I go on the strict diet my husband prepares for me just to prove my point and so I can take it to my doctor to let them know I’m not making this up. I am afraid to get the Mirena taken out because of how you described it and I know it hurt like heck when it was put in so a bit of a pause on that. Plus I don’t want anymore kids and I do not want to get my tubes tied I think that will just make me have more issues I’ve noticed over the years that any birth control method doesn’t agree with my body after a year so getting my tubes tied just doesn’t sound apealing to me at all. So I guess I will be working on my husband about getting a vasectomy which is probably not going to go over well (eyebrows raised) :-/ Anyway thank you again for this article because it is reassuring to me that I am not losing my mind or going through menopause.
– Shaquetta
Hi everyone.
I had the Merina removed three (3) months ago, and started to feel my sensitivity levels increase, and was able to feel loving emotions again. I lost almost ten (10) pounds during the first two months after removal. I noticed an increase in heart flutters, and anxiety. I am still feeling the heart flutters, and anxiety. The flutters are happening daily. The anxiety is extreme. I have a history of wpw (heart condition) that was cured with an ablation twenty (20) years ago, but the increased heart flutters are now concerning me. I’m going to go see a cardiologist on April 5th to have some tests done on my heart, and try to find out why I’m having all of these heart flutters, and extreme anxiety.
I have read on several posts that women are having heart palpitations, and anxiety. Possibly due to low progesterone levels afterbhaving the merina removed.??? Has anyone tried ways to increase/balance out their progesterone/hormone levels, and has it helped? I’m going to go see an OBGYN now that I’ve read these posts. I really hope there’s something they can do. I just moved to a new state, and do not want to live in anxiety, fear, and heart pounding chest pain that has been sending me to ER.
All of this started a few weeks after having the merina removed. I really hope all of this stops soon. I’m no longer on birth control. I wish I hadn’t trusted the merina. It may have possible helped with menstrual problems, but what I’m feeling now is way worse.
Hi AB, I’ve had the same for 2 weeks. Went to a naturopath and she’s put me on a number of supplements. Adrenal complex, ppmp (potassium phosphate and magnesium phosphate) st. Mary’s thistle (cleanse and help the liver) magnesium and then to help my hormones don quai and natural progesterone cream. Also changed my diet to a whole food diet. I do rattle when I walk 🙂 but I’m sleeping better, less stressed etc. My doctor wanted. To put me on the pill but that’s adding more chemicals to the problem. You just need to support your body whilst it adapts, unfortunately it can take 6 months 🙁
Good luck and hope you feel better soon
Hi AB, I’ve had the same for 2 weeks. Went to a naturopath and she’s put me on a number of supplements. Adrenal complex, ppmp (potassium phosphate and magnesium phosphate) st. Mary’s thistle (cleanse and help the liver) magnesium and then to help my hormones don quai and natural progesterone cream. Also changed my diet to a whole food diet. I do rattle when I walk 🙂 but I’m sleeping better, less stressed etc. My doctor wanted. To put me on the pill but that’s adding more chemicals to the problem. You just need to support your body whilst it adapts, unfortunately it can take 6 months 🙁
Good luck and hope you feel better soon
Thank you for responding. That’s a lot of great information. I’m not sure if I can go the natural route because of the past wpw, and other female irregularities but I will mention it to my doctor. I have hot flashes now, too. My hormones have to be lacking something or producing to much of something or both. The anxiety, and heart flutters increase during the hot flashes. I’m going to have a blood panel ran, and check everything. It makes sense to have my hormones struggling a little to be normal. I had the mirena in for 4 1/2 years. If like to give my body time to see if it will balance everything out without meds but the anxiety is to intense. Hopefully lo loestrogen can help get things back to normal or something else. Thank you so much for sharing your information. I do really appreciate it. 🙂
Can you please post the address to the Canadian website? I am having trouble finding it. Thank you.
Well – I don’t know how helpful this will be to you as they make it pretty darn difficult to access but here’s the Canadian site for the Mirena insert: https://secure.mirena.ca/Login.aspx Unfortunately you have to login with the # from the Mirena box you were prescribed. You keep your Mirena box? Yeah, me neither. When I was writing my post, a reader from Canada kindly logged in for me and then e-mailed me the PDF – which I can’t find in my inbox anymore (I don’t think I saved it… dumb). But this site http://fogbegone.blogspot.com/2010/09/mirena-iud-depression-follow-up.html quotes the Mirena pamphlet. It doesn’t have the numbers in it but it’s a good start. Lastly, here is the official Bayer template for the Mirena IUD package insert – while I don’t think this one is specific to Canada it does include the information about psychiatric disorders in the “common” side effect category and that in case of a history of depression/anxiety the IUD is contraindicated. http://www.bayer.ca/files/MIRENA-PM-ENG-20JUL2012-150412.pdf
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ive had mirena in for 2 months. 🙁 im getting it out this friday. Stumbling across this blog has only reconfirmed my suspicions. ive had foggy brain, dizzy spells, aching back, tummy and really sore boobs, cant focus, had 3 major panic attacks in 2 months and shake with anxiety all day, and cant sleep at night. and my family are walking on egg shells around me due to my volatile mood swings 🙁
I had my Mirena removed last month after 4 months. I have been a wreck for the past 2 months. I have mood swings where 1 day I have energy and the next day I am so tired I can’t do anything or concentrated last week my hands and feet started to get cold. I have been to 3 doctors and my blood levels are normal. How long does this last? Is there anything to do for it?
I had Mirena inserted in Feb 2009. Other than hair loss, I have the same symptoms you describe. They hit me like a ton of bricks around Feb/Mar 2012. Prior to that, no symptoms at all. I eat right, exercise, and generally take excellent care of myself. I felt like I was going to faint on multiple occasions, had numb/tingling hands and arms, anxiety, heart palpitations, inhaling sharply to catch my breath, yawning repeatedly, and brain fog. I went to my OB/GYN for my annual visit in April 2012, a couple of months prior to the one-year mark. The doctor that I saw was not my usual doctor. She was kind of rude, asked why I didn’t just go to a general practitioner. I told her my insurance covers one well visit per year, I might as well consolidate. She reluctantly completed my exam and pap, making sure to state that coming in prior to 12 mos was “not indicated.” She then told me to see a GP for my other issues. I went to see the PA that I’ve seen off and on for the last 3-4 yrs. I have seen her for a few illnesses, and an episode of depression, (sneaks up on me every few years, but I’ve NEVER had anxiety). She convinced me to begin taking Wellbutrin, (which I have taken previously for depression). I told her I still wasn’t sure that anxiety was the issue. She asked me some personal questions, and said that she really thought I had a lot going on in my life at the time, and perhaps getting older, (33 at the time, just turned 34 two wks ago), was keeping me from being able to deal with stress as much. I still didn’t agree, as I was in the best shape of my adult life, feeling great just a few months beforehand. I still asked that a complete battery of bloodwork be completed, hormones, thyroid, etc. Everything came back normal. After a couple of months taking the meds, I felt better. By the end of the summer, I felt crabby, easily irritated, not sleeping well. I toughed it out and ignored it. Entering the new year, I began to feel very foggy again. Agitated all the time. I decided maybe I wanted to go off the Wellbutrin. I carefully weaned myself over a period of 5 weeks. Mistake. The anxiety was intensified. I suffered for about two weeks, (while taking my family to Disney World, there’s no room for anxiety and irritability there, yikes), then gave in and began taking the medicine again. I have now been back on it for 7 weeks. Symptoms are getting worse. My hands feel half asleep as I type this. I can’t focus, my vision feels like it goes in and out of focus, like I am starting to space out. I yawn constantly no matter how much I’ve slept, I have a nervous feeling in my stomach and chest almost all day. I can’t live like this. One week ago, I decided to check into the link between Mirena and anxiety. I was floored. And then relieved. Could this be the answer?! Will I finally stop suffering? I haven’t felt like myself in over a year. I am distracted from my family, my children, my job. I want my life back. I want to enjoy it again. I scheduled an appt for removal tomorrow. I have now just passed the 4 yr mark, symptoms began at 3 yrs. I’m so glad to have found your blog. I have since read other posts, and I find a lot of similarities in myself with how you relate to yourself and your emotions, (feeling intrinsically flawed, etc.) I am looking forward to tomorrow and hoping that this is the answer. I want to continue to read your blog, as I find it humorous, inspirational, and it’s comforting to find other people like yourself out there. 🙂 I will update over the few days to let you know how it is going, and for others who may find your post in their search for an answer. Even 2 months ago, I would’ve recommended this method of contraception to anyone and everyone. Now I need to make a list of people to email my story and a link to your blog and other articles I have found.
Well, I finally got mine yanked out today too. I was a blubbering mess in the office and downright shaking afterwards. I was so afraid that I might have made the wrong choice. I feel so bad now though, that I just decided how could I feel any worse? I did start on the pill immediately to ease me off of hormones he said. So I came straight home and took LoLoestrin FE. I am to take them for 3 mths and then reassess. I am hoping and praying that I will be feeling like my old self again and soon! So glad I found you earlier this year and I got inspired by you r story to take mine out too. 🙂
UPDATE** I decided to ditch the pills after 10 days. I have gained another 5 pounds since starting the pill which puts me at an all time high of 185 ( which is what I weighed when I gave birth last time). Ugh! The good news is that little by little I am starting to feel like the old me again. I keep getting these little twitches in the ovary area. Kind of makes me think they are firing back up again. Also, I have some brief moments where I have felt almost panicky. I can’t help but think its the swing in hormones. I took my last pill 2 days ago, going cold turkey from here on out. Will most likely have the worst period ever coming soon!! I can almost see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I am by no means not there yet emotionally or physically, but I am getting there. I will update again in a few weeks. 🙂
i found this tonight and it was like reading my own words at some points. i have a 3 year old and a loving husband. after my daughter was born i had mirena put in. it was presented in such a great way i was like omg where has the been it was the “dream” birth control. in the last three years ive been riddled with anxiety and depression and regret to share i too shared similar feelings to my life and daughter, i chalked it up to being a 20 year old mother and also being broke. for the last three years i have been on 20 different medicines to control what i was beginning to believe was my true mental instability and extreme anxiety, i had mirena out 2 weeks ago and also have stopped all my so called “needed” medicines which at the end included bi polar and narcotic anti anxiety meds. i have since begun researching mirena and im appalled. the medical system is not telling us the whole truth and the only thing i have learned on this hellish road is that I have to take my own health into my own hands, i wanted to thank you for your blog, its so great to know im not the only one. i dont feel 100% but for the first time in three years i feel truly alive. I believe that its moms like you who are honest and brave for sharing your life online who are helping moms like me feel like im not alone.
Update: It has been 11 days since my Mirena was removed. I don’t really feel different. I still feel foggy. I have had a couple of days where I feel in and out. That’s the best way I can describe it. I feel little blips of myself here and there, but the general fogginess and irritability remain. 3 days ago I had a terrible episode of extreme agitation and just being completely unreasonable. I realized later how irrational I was being, but couldn’t get it under control at the time. My husband is so patient. I think I’d leave me if given the opportunity. 🙂 I am still taking my Wellbutrin daily as I have been for the last year. My OB/GYN did give me an Rx for xanax in case of a total meltdown, as I have read of other women having after removal. It just makes me fall asleep. I hope that my reproductive organs are going to wake up from their 3 year hibernation soon, (I seem to remember my last period was January/February 2010), and maybe after having a period, I will start to feel better. I went ahead and got an Rx for the birth control pills I took for seven years before kids, (Ortho Tri-Cyclen), and I will probably start those after a month or two of letting my body rest. If I don’t start my period in the next few weeks, I will go see the doctor again, I suppose.
I had Mirena for 4 and a half years and just got it removed today because me and my husband decided we are ready for another one. I have no complaints about it whatsoever. I still had periods but they were really light…I only needed a pantiliner and it lasted two days. As soon as it was out though, I felt better more like me if that makes sense. Not that I was depressed or unhappy before but now I just feel more relaxed and carefree. Is this normal for other people getting it removed?
Christy,
I felt more like me at first, too. Happy again. I felt like I had a lot of loving feelings. Way more sweet emotions than before. It was great.
Two to three weeks later I started getting heart flutters, hot flashes, and anxiety. I thought it was all related to stress even though I was on vacation at the time.
All of the symptoms I mentioned above got worse. I feel like I’m vibrating from anxiety. I have up to 50 or more heart flutters a day. The hot flashes come, and go depending where I am on my cycle. So I just went, and had my hormone levels checked. I’m waiting on the results.
I’ve been dealing with this for almost four months now. I’m on lorazepam for the anxiety. I stopped drinking caffeine, stopped eating sugar, and have changed the way I eat. I ate pretty well before this happened just to be clear, and I didn’t drink coffee or energy drinks either.
I had the mirena in for 4 1/2 years. I’m guessing my natural progesterone is either depleted or is very low due to the mirena, and it’s synthetic progestrin. Leaving me estrogen dominant at the moment. Hence, causing these symptoms. If you start to feel any of these symptoms go talk to your doctor right away. It gets intense!
Christy,
I felt more like me at first, too. Happy again. I felt like I had a lot of loving feelings. Way more sweet emotions than before. It was great.
Two to three weeks later I started getting heart flutters, hot flashes, and anxiety. I thought it was all related to stress even though I was on vacation at the time.
All of the symptoms I mentioned above got worse. I feel like I’m vibrating from anxiety. I have up to 50 or more heart flutters a day. The hot flashes come, and go depending where I am on my cycle. So I just went, and had my hormone levels checked. I’m waiting on the results.
I’ve been dealing with this for almost four months now. I’m on lorazepam for the anxiety. I stopped drinking caffeine, stopped eating sugar, and have changed the way I eat. I ate pretty well before this happened just to be clear, and I didn’t drink coffee or energy drinks either.
Christy,
I felt more like me at first, too. Happy again. I felt like I had a lot of loving feelings. Way more sweet emotions than before. It was great.
Two to three weeks later I started getting heart flutters, hot flashes, and anxiety. I thought it was all related to stress even though I was on vacation at the time.
All of the symptoms I mentioned above got worse. I feel like I’m vibrating from anxiety. I have up to 50 or more heart flutters a day. The hot flashes come, and go depending where I am on my cycle. So I just went, and had my hormone levels checked. I’m waiting on the results.
I’ve been dealing with this for almost four months now. I’m on lorazepam for the anxiety. I stopped drinking caffeine, stopped eating sugar, and have changed the way I eat. I ate pretty well before this happened just to be clear, and I didn’t drink coffee or energy drinks either.
I had the mirena in for 4 1/2 years. I’m guessing my natural progesterone is either depleted or is very low due to the mirena, and it’s synthetic progestrin. Leaving me estrogen dominant at the moment. Hence, causing the
AB,
Thanks for replying to my comment. I’m trying to see what’s ahead for me now that I’m mirena free. I have heard from other people on other forums that they have had some of the same symptoms as you. I think they call it the “mirena crash”. I plan on keeping everyone updated on here as to how I’m feeling and what’s going on. 🙂
I am on Day 17 since removal. On day 13, I felt okay, really weepy, but not terrible. Day 14 was horrible. Very agitated, couldn’t focus at work, couldn’t do anything when I got home, picked a fight with my very patient husband for no reason at all. And once I realized what I was doing, I couldn’t do anything but just sit down on the floor and try to figure out what to do next. Sleep? Eat? Cry? I was just empty. It feels so horrible to have no control over my emotions and the physical symptoms as well. I’m still waiting to see if my period is coming. I hope that everything will get better after that. I am going to go ahead and schedule an appt with my regular doctor to have my hormone levels checked. I will keep checking back in as time goes on.
Has anyone experienced this crash BEFORE having it removed? I’m two weeks from my 5 year mark on Mirena. It’s been a mostly positive experience for me. No periods or pain & maintenance free. The first couple years I had constant bacterial infections (finally solved with daily…ummm…use of hydrogen peroxide – since this seems an appropriate place to overshare it might help someone else. I’m deathly allergic to the other cures for it). And now that I’m reading this I’m pretty sure it’s caused acne & issues with losing weight (granted the second part of that could be getting closer to the big 3-0). Anyway the last week I feel like I’m in a fog. I’m emotional which is something I’ve always prided myself on NOT being. My anxiety is through the roof. I can’t get motivated to save my life. My thoughts and feelings are so far from their norm that it has me freaked out. I dont have any other explaination for why I feel like this. Nothing in my world has changed. Life is good. Kids are great. Husband is a man child but aren’t they all 🙂 So does anyone know if its possible to start crashing at the end of the Mirena life cycle? I haven’t called my doctor to make an apt to get it remove yet. I’m stalling on making the decision to get a new one or to pull the goalie so to speak.
The Mirena was a nightmare for me. I developed reactive hypoglycemia, which I never experienced before. It’s pretty awful…the shaking, the nausea, almost passing out if I don’t eat immediately. My doctor tested my blood sugar, and it was not good. I also started having anxiety problems. And anger issues. While it was great skipping my period and not having to worry about birth control, it was making me nuts. I just cannot do synthetic hormones. It’s so not worth it to me. I went to the gyno to have it removed. The doctor tried to talk me out of it. She told me there’s no way it could cause issues like that, especially since all of the hormones would be gone at this point. She actually said that. From what I understand, it releases the hormones every month. I told her to take it out anyway. I feel WORLDS better. No more anxiety, hypoglycemia gone and blood sugar tested normal. Some of these doctors have no idea what they are prescribing, then think its all in your head when you go for help. It does work for some people, but not for me.
It has been a little over a month now. The crash is over, lasted about 10 days. I went back to my regular doctor, (just a few days before crash was over, and it was at its worst), and gave her the update on my visit to the gyno, having the Mirena removed, etc. She prescribed Celexa to take in addition to the Wellbutrin I have been on for a year. After the crash ended, (thank goodness, that was horrific, I’ve never felt so helpless), I felt really good, and realized I hadn’t remembered to take the Wellbutrin in 2 days, nor had I began the Celexa. I opted to stop the Wellbutrin, NOT start the Celexa, and just detox my body for a while. I am still drinking coffee in the morning, which does cause a little amped up feeling, and maybe one tea or diet soda in the afternoon, but mostly water all day. I am trying to exercise as much as I can motivate myself, and find the time in between trying to focus on all my other work and parenting responsibilities. I feel better than I have felt in months. Almost my old self. I still haven’t had a period, (it has been 32 days since removal to be exact). I anticipate that as the school year and my kids’ sports seasons wrap up in the next few weeks, the remaining anxiety, (which I believe is just regular stress right now), will be gone. I think I am just a little sensitive to stress given the events of the last year, and especially the last few months. I truly believe that the Mirena was the issue, and I am so glad I made the decision to have it removed from my body and my life.
So glad I read your blog! I really hope everything has started to sort itself out for you 🙂
I started to have cycles from hell around the time I was 17, super heavy flow that lasted forever. No one could figure out why, I also grew large twisting ovarian cysts like they were going out of style. For lack of any good option and finding out I have a blood clotting tendancy amd cant take estrogen around the time I hit 20 I went on depo. I stayed on depo for 5 years until I lost weight to the point doctors were getting concerned (at 5’6 and 115lbs) and my bone density was dropping. My only other option was mirena or a consistant mini pill (and I’m terrible with pills).
Mirena was the worst drug I’ve ever been on, I had every side effect started gaining weight and started having longer and heavier cycles on it too. Who has an anxiety attack when you’re next in line at a gas station??? lol At the four year mark I started my hunt for a new obgyn. I had a total hysterectomy at 30 with no children this past February (cervix and uterus) 9 days before my mirena was due to come out. Even despite the fact I’m sure the drug was/is lingering and it takes awhile for my ovaries to get blood flow (and wake up again) I emotionally felt like someone lifted the black curtain. Turns out on top of heavy bleeding and cramping the mega pain over the past couple years was probably due to the fact I had a small spot of endometriosis on the back of my uterus, just enough the scar tissue pulled my uterus back and my ovaries were sitting in front of it. Today is 13 weeks, I’m nowhere near 100% hormonally or physically but I’m closer to it than I’ve been in years. It was worth my sanity (my husbands too!) and the lack of a cervix makes intercourse great!! I’m still not used to anticipating that jabbing pain!
5 and half weeks since IUD removal. Started my period last Friday, so exactly 5 weeks to the day after removal. Very heavy, lots of cramps, tired, about what I expected. My normal periods (without any contraceptives), are 7-9 days, cramping for a day, maybe two, and otherwise don’t interfere with my life beyond a minor inconvenience. This past weekend wasn’t so fun. Now, I am on day 6, and hopefully it will be going away soon, and I will see a normal schedule return next month. Anxiety comes and goes, but I still think a lot of it is the regular stress of a hectic schedule. Also, I have had a terrible sinus infection for the last four days, (as if I needed another inconvenience to deal with right now). I am sure it’s just from being exhausted and my body being weaker. I am on the mend, and hopefully will continue to improve. Now, time to talk hubby into that vasectomy…..
Hi Heather.
Your experience is VERY similar to mine. My husband and I just decided tonight that I need to get mine removed d/t all my horrible symptoms. At least then we will know if/how the MIRENA was/is related. That is the only thing that I have changed in my life since all my symptoms started. I was wondering how you are doing now ? I got mine 10-31-12, and started having symptoms about 2 1/2months later. They are getting worse and I feel like I am going crazy. I am a shell of the person I was. I am very great-full for your follow up posts. Thank you.
Lisa,
I am now exactly 4 mos since removal. The brain fogginess is mostly gone, but the anxiety lingers. It comes and goes in waves, never as severe as before, (and I never did have any panic attacks), but I still do not feel normal. I assume this is still due to a hormonal imbalance. I have discussed this at length with both my gynecologist and regular doctor. They both recommend an anti-anxiety med, but I just don’t want to take it. Sometimes it spikes, and I feel kinda jittery and adrenaline-charged, but it is not as severe and constant as it was before removal. As of yesterday, I have started taking the pill, (I took it for many years before children and the Mirena with no issues), in the hopes that I will balance back out. And also to fill the contraceptive gap until my husband’s vasectomy is complete and he is told that it was successful. I am still exercising regularly and eating well, so I think I will continue to just try to practice some meditation and yoga as well to keep the anxiety at bay. I also have just started a new job, so that may be keeping the anxiety level up a bit, along with the usual parenting, back to school, etc. 🙂 I figure after 4 and a half yrs of the Mirena, my body just needs time to figure things out. I’m generally a very high-strung person anyway, but not in an anxious way, just that I move very fast. I like to go, go, go. I still move fast, but not in what I consider a productive way. For example, I no longer grab a paintbrush and paint 3 rooms without stopping, I just make these long lists, and then have heart palpitations at the thought of being capable of completing it all. 🙂 My periods are normal, I am having my third one, (the first one was terrible), but PMS is not so fun. I’ve definitely noticed some pretty drastic mood swings for the 7-10 days prior to my period. I never had it before, but I can’t necessarily say that has anything to do with the IUD, it could just be my age. I was 29 when it was inserted, and I am 34 now, so I figure that could be to blame. I will continue to update since I have made the decision to take the pill for a few months. Good luck to you, and I hope that you feel better quickly.
just want to share my experience with mirena. i got my mirena inserted in february 2013. it was very painful and i had problems the entire time i had it. it started with long periods and progressed from there. my period lasted the entire time i had it in and every time i had sex the bleeding gotn even worse. slowly over time, looking back, i realizze that my life started going downhill after i got the mirena inserted. i was moody, exhausted, and anxious. fast forward to april 2013. my heart is racing, chest and left arm hurting and tears are rolling down my face. i am in a full blown nasty panic attack that i have never suffered from before. i legitimately thought i was dying from a heart attack. i got over that and went on with my life. as the next month passed my panic attacks became more frequent and more severe. these are the things i feared in different panic attacks: heart attack, stroke, blood clot, tumor, anaphelactic shock, seizure, coma, hole in throat. the main one was a heart attack. in early may i began having daily panic attacks about the things above that i mentioned and every one of them felt so real to me that it became crippling. i lost 10 pounds in seven days, i wasn’t eating sleeping, drinking, talking, anything. mmy life felt ruined. on may 17th i made the connection that the mirena was the problem when i googled “mirena panic attacks” and found many other women with my same problem. i called my doctor and immediately got in removed. today is may 21st and im already feeling tons better. i havent had a real panic attack since i got it removed and every day i improve a little bit. im determined to get my story out there to help other women. do not get the mirena!
I don’t know if this has been mentioned, but I was never made aware of the abortifacient component of Mirena. It prevents embryos from implanting in the lining, rather than preventing the egg and sperm from joining, thus causing very early abortions. This horrible, rarely disclosed component of Mirena is appaling for those of us who are pro-life and I do believe is the cause of so many of these awful side effects. Please take into consideration the moral ramifications of using this birth control, as I am saddened to say I did not until 6 years after using it.
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Hi Charlette. Your story has given me hope that my anxiety has come on because of the Mirena. After having my daughter in 08, I got the Mirena put in. Thought it was awesome…now I am realizing all of the side effects that were not just “in my head.” After 18 months, I started havng major panic attacks, going to the emergency room thinking I was dying. Finally they ruled out any heart problems and MS and I was put on Prozac. It literally saved my life. I never once thought it could be the Mirena. I have not gained wait but I did suffer hair loss and depression as well. After researching things over the past several months, I now am convinced the IUD is the culprit. I got it removed 3 weeks ago and I have been doing seemingly fine until the last few days. I have been foggy and slightly depressed. Also, rapid heart beat (which almost leads to the panic attacks). I am hoping that this is very temporary, as I don’t want to be looked at as crazy nor do I think I can handle this for very long. I am curious as to how you are doing now? Has your anxiety gotten better? I really hope that it will for me soon. Thanks for sharing your story.
Im going to the doctor to insist on having mine out tommorow!
3 years later I think I can blame the exact same symptoms as your article on the Mirena ! I dont think im crazy but thing is probably making me crazy!
Shall prepare for the crash but cant wait to get it out
I was suffering from panic attack long time ago and after I went for CBT I was felling much more better, when II read this story I realise that all of worsening of my symptoms (the panic attack came back, I lost lots of my hair and I feel depressed ) from the time that i fitted the Meina coil.
Thanks for sharing your story
Removed Mirena after 1year because it a) killed what was previously a very awesome sex drive b) made me the Sahara desert. All at the ripe age of 24. Aftershock: suicidal depression- took over 6months of my life- fibroid tumors, ovarian cysts – almost every month now, heavier periods, yada yadda yadda. Totes wasn’t worth it. It’s been over a year since removal and I’m still dealing with the after effects :-/
oh no, Windy, so sorry. i’m not the suing type, but some of us need to slap them b*tches with a lawsuit. I havent had any lasting physical side effects that i know of, but i just got mine out today (fingers crossed), and even if no more difficulties surface, I am certainly willing to be a spokesperson for men & women who are speaking out against the dissemination of harmful products to the masses with little caution. I already vow to document my entire story including recovery and make it as public on social media as possible. good luck to you I hope youre on your way to a full recovery. what a massive nightmare. get well soon <3
I got the mirena in February. I had a cyst 2 weeks after insertion and really only cramps since then, I never really noticed many mood problems. About 3 weeks ago I began getting really nauseous in the mornings and randomly throughout the day, it finally hit me when I gagged at the smell of popcorn that I could be pregnant. Tests were negative, but nothing else explained it, and I know HPTs are finicky. I got the mirena out last Thursday because of some concerns of mine and my boyfriend. I got a fever that night. Friday night I threw my guts up. Saturday morning I started spotting and through Sunday, not heavy just spotting and some cramping. I stayed on top of pain reliever because of my past cramps. I thought maybe I wasn’t pregnant, all of a sudden my symptoms stopped, until Monday. I had a miscarriage. I wish I never would’ve gotten it. But everything happens for a reason right? I haven’t felt 100% since I got it removed, obviously. Time will heal all.
I got the mirena in February. I had a cyst 2 weeks after insertion and really only cramps since then, I never really noticed many mood problems. About 3 weeks ago I began getting really nauseous in the mornings and randomly throughout the day, it finally hit me when I gagged at the smell of popcorn that I could be pregnant. Tests were negative, but nothing else explained it, and I know HPTs are finicky. I got the mirena out last Thursday because of some concerns of mine and my boyfriend. I got a fever that night. Friday night I threw my guts up. Saturday morning I started spotting and through Sunday, not heavy just spotting and some cramping. I stayed on top of pain reliever because of my past cramps. I thought maybe I wasn’t pregnant, all of a sudden my symptoms stopped, until Monday. I had a miscarriage. I wish I never would’ve gotten it.
Thank you for writing this, because I have had a nearly identical experience, and your story, though covering all the unpleasantries, was the funniest & hopeful. I just did some research before getting to your blog, and read in the many stories of other women the EXCT WORDS that have been coming out of my mouth for months with NO ANSWERS from doctors except ZOLOFT. So, first I cried tonight, as I literally read my own sob story again and again, and then I laughed out loud and feel hopeful and confident about my decision to remove the IUD. THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH, you witty blogger you. <3 Love & encouragement to all the women who need there's yanked, I hope your search leads you here for a laugh and the right message: you're not crazy (not that crazy), and Mirena IUDs can have more serious and dangerous side effects in more women than we were misguided to believe. <3
PS: pardon my spelling errors, the IUD’s still in and I am still using that excuse until at least 6 months after it’s been yanked. PPS: so sorry to hear of the pain each woman has gone through, but I’m really proud of all of us for speaking out to help one another and report the TRUTH. WOMEN ROCK.
Today was the best day ever, I had my mirena removed 🙂 no more of those symptoms u all listed here, I need to be myself and not be psycho mom lol. Happy day 🙂
YAY!! I got mine out today too!!!! FREEEEEDOMMMMMM!!!!!
I had my Mirena IUD removed Friday after 5 years. I told the doctor that I thought it had made me gain weight (60 pounds I’ve gained in 5 years!), he said that he did not think the Mirena was the cause but being “over 40” was. I don’t agree. I have always been very active and pre-Mirena had an athletic body. This lead to research and this site. Most of my weight gain has been in my stomach, like I did when I was pregnant. I am hoping that some of this weight will come off in the next couple of weeks and I can get back into the shape I was, or close to it. My father died of heart disease at 50 so I think being overweight is more of a detriment to my health than a heavy menstrual period.
thank you for sharing your story. According to Mirena i am due to get mine out Oct. 2013 so i am at the 5yr mark but I do not think i can take another 3mnths with it in. Over the last 5 yrs I have dealt with several yeast infections (thank God we got those under control) I have a pregnancy pouch ( spanks doesnt even pull it in) around the time my cycle comes I am so mean to my husband and it is so uncontrolable ( I cant stand for him to even be in my presence) I am super emotional ( tht is so not me) my docotor put me on estrogen stating I was going thru early menopaus ( i just turned 30 this feb) and I recently noticed I have not been to kind to my kids… i feel so horrible after i yell at them ( actually a little bipolar because it is so unexpected becasue my tolerance is like a .2). I made an appointment to have it removed this friday I HAVE NO CLUE HOW I MADE IT THIS LONG!!!! oh and not to mention i have headaches from hell and ive never had them pre mirena
Hi,
Thank you for your blog.
I have had 2 mirenas over 10 years after having two children and luckily it has been very good for me. Now I am 49 and my blood test indicates I am menopausal. And since it is the end of the mirena I had it taken out yesterday. A little bleeding but so far so good, only day 1. Keep fingers crossed I don’t get the mirena crash. Sounds absolutely awful!
Hello,
Thank you for your post…I am scheduled to remove my Mirena this evening after almost a full 5 Years. I am very anxious about the side effects I will be experiencing.
I had the same symptoms as you… Depression, anxiety, massive hair loss, inability to lose weight (and I’m a triathlete, crossfitter and vegan, Jesus if I can’t lose a single pound that’s insane). The consensus finally was that I had low thyroid, but that still didn’t seem right. After doing some research, I Began to think it was the Mirena. I had it removed today….. Anxiously awaiting the CRASH.
Hi ladies, I didn’t experience any crash whatsoever after having mine out in Feb this year (see above). The brain fog cleared up IMMEDIATELY!! I kid you not!!! Within a few days I was less anxious and generally calmer and happier. Happy to report I am still that way and I will never ever recommend the Mirena to anyone…! Send your hubby in for “the snip” if you’re finished with making babies, I did!!
Wow, this has been my life for the past two years, since I got the Mirena. Except, I acquired high blood pressure from all of the anxiety, and just feeling stressed in general. I stay stressed from feeling terrible most of the time, from the lack of wieght loss despite my great efforts. I just haven’t felt rmyself since I got the Mirena. I have an appointment to have the Mirena removed and I am really looking forward to feeling better. Thanks for posting this. I see light at the end of this tunnel.
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/ please report your Mirena story to the FDA so they do their stinkin jobs (…all be it after the fact. We should not be their lab rats! ) Hope your removal and recovery are quick and painless.
Hello
I have the same exact thing going on with me! as soon as i had my daughter {like literally} i started having these weird symptoms and through a very long couple months of eevery kind of diagnostic test I could have they said its anxiety!!! I have been battling this now for 5 years. I had the Mirena put in and went on anti depressants,anxiety meds. I had the mirena out about 3 weeks ago and I am feeling exactly like I did the day my daughter was born. I am feelng scared and very emotional!!! I get anxiety symptoms that are the same as someone who I would think wa having a stroke or something? I know im not this is exactly what happens. Please tell me how long this lasted and what you did to over come this! PLEASE
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/ first, id report your case to the fda. second, if i am to be honest with you, id have to say that during Mirena, I had about 25-30% of my body’s physical and mental functionality, now I feel 2.5 months after removal that I am about 60-75% depending on my cycle, stress etc. It’s hopefully going to get better with time but honestly i don’t know. Anxiety and hormonal issues are still pretty intense, feel menopausal, and can’t get along with my husband- and he’s a very nice understanding type. if anyone needs to talk or wants to start a petition or something, i’m interested in offering support or taking action.
Hi,
I have until last Thursday, I had Mirena in for 5 years and 3 1/2 months (yes that long). My OB told me that length was safe and all it was doing now was really keeping my periods at bay. The only complaint came from my husband while I was on it (no sex drive and irritable). Now I can’t totally blame the Mirena, as I have Hypothyroidism, which causes many of the same side effects. I did however feel like my faux cycle, as I call it (I never really bleed and only got one or two menstrual symptoms, but got them x100) was an out of body experience. I could feel myself not acting like myself yet could not stop or tame it. I also could not have major life changes or stress or I would bleed. I did notice the few weeks before having it removed and during a major family issue that I was for about 2 weeks depressed and panicked all at the same time. I have always been one to handle stress and problems well, but not that time. I am guessing the fake hormones had worn off and I was crashing. Since having it removed 7 days ago, I had a normal cycle that started about 36 hours from time of removal, and it was only difficult because I hadn’t experienced a full on menstrual cycle in over 5 years. Now I am just sleepy all the time. While I have not taken the stick test. My husband count test came back with no swimmers, so barring emaculent conception, my body is still adjusting. Now I did notice I could not stop moving my mouth for like three days straight (talking and eating) so I have a lot of gum, AND I STILL LOST LIKE 1 1/2 LBS. Overall, my experience was not so bad especially since most of my symptoms were more noticeable the longer it was in.
I had my IUD for 3 years and had it removed 6 months ago and still feel very anxious and depressed. I have never been an anxious person nor depressed. I decided to remove it because I felt super foggy/moody/depressed/ had mood swings daily, irritable, hair loss, headaches, felt like I was in a dark cloud and was extremely fatigued. At first I thought it was post pardum since I had the IUD 3 months after I had my baby but then I realized the symptoms never went away and if anything the symptoms got worse. I’m finally starting to feel a lil bit like my old happy self. Some days are better then others, it’s definitely a work in progress. I wonder if I will be back to my old self after a year. I refuse to go on medication especially since I know my symptoms are caused my the Mirena.
Mirena is evil. I’m sorry but for all the women who ‘love’ it it’s not worth the ‘hell’ thousands of women have been put through! And for the thousands more who will be given it and have no idea of the hell they will soon live. It should be removed from the market.
I am 4 and a half months post removal, and my anxiety has once again peaked. I am not feeling better. I am foggy again, I can’t eat, sleep, or think. I have resumed taking my med (Wellbutrin), and am currently taking the pill to try and balance out my hormones.
Thank you so much for your post. I had my Mirena removed today and am concerned about the crash. As I read your post to my husband I identified with pretty much the whole article. I have had tremendous mood swings and been in a fog since the birth of my 2 children. It iS so hard to separate the exhaustion from being a working mom, and mother of 2 young children and the effects on your psyche of an outside element. I am 10 hrs post removal and the itching has started. Finding your post about anxiety and being contraindicated in women with a history of anxiety was really eye opening. I was diagnosed with GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) three months before insertion of my Mirena. I did counseling, changed jobs and felt much better and had recovered from my GAD before I had the Mirena inserted. Oh itch, itch on my neck.Over the past 2 years here are my symptoms because I found these so helpful to read through when I was trying to self diagnose. What really upsets me is the lack of attention in the medical community to the patient that inquires about their Mirena contributing to their mood/ exhaustion and skin changes. I asked my obgyn 6 months ago if my symptoms could be related to the Mirena and was told no. Today I basically had a panic attack in the drs office righting down all my symptoms in that sheet of paper they use to find out if the is anything wrong with you. The dr told me it could be other things like workplace stress, life changes, or anxiety. Basically felt like they were minimizing my reporting of my symptoms. They did remove it immediately and declined to look at my gmail list of the time table and occurrence of symptoms.
– Brain fog
-uncharacteristic mood swings
-hair loss at 10 months post insertion. .in patches that I had to have my stylist redo my hair style to cover it up.
– msg allergy, fish allergy (I have never had problems with any allergies in my life) I have a horrific purge reaction after eating salmon now. I hope this goes away. .I really enjoy sushi and salmon.
-mood swings/ irritability (raging beotch comes to mind) and confrontations with coworkers
-depression
-exhaustion
-blood sugar regulation issues (I am predisposed for type 2, but my A1c levels are normal)
-yeast infections on the skin (tinea versicolor)
-night sweats
-dizziness
-diagnosed with rosacea (this was the last straw for me, thank goodness for the dermatologist that said yes it could be related to hormones based on the timing and I HAVE seen this before as a result of hormones.
-acne
-extreme forgetfulness, for someone that is usually so sharp, this was also one of the worst for me. .making me feel like I was going crazy or getting old so fast.
– rage issues, with some really scary faces made at my children, they too were my saving grace as I prioritized my need to be healthy for them as their caretaker and mother… not some monster of an inconsistent person. They are 4 and 2 now and I am really hoping that I will be better for them. I don’t want to miss this part of their childhood .
– pre menopausal symptoms such as
-hot flashes
-apathy towards house upkeep, kid care, and grocery shopping (ew tingling all over now, itch itch)
– and most recently severe debilitating panic attacks, and
-ups and downs..itch, itch
– diagnosis with skin changes and pre cancerous moles (same day as my rosacea diagnosis)
-bouts if unexplained crying, oh that persons dog died? I am crying now. Wtf
-adding itchiness to the list tonight
hope this helps someone else on their Mirena journey back to health. It was cathartic for me to write it down. Itch itch oh my foot.
I pray that tonight I find relief knowing that I am on my path back to health and no longer delaying it for lack of a convenient time to be an emotional itchy mess.
Thank you to my coworkers who pointed out inconsistencies in my work performance, and requested a replacement to fulfill my work duties. It took that stressful situation to put me in a complete emotional collapse, with no where to go but up and instead of putting my work first, I am putting my health and my family first. (Which includes a paycheck at some point but not if im dead or debilitated beyond working, it won’t do much good)
So at about 1.5 months after removal, I am almost 100% back to health, except that the months of inactivity has left me out of shape. Gaining that all back now little by little. One thing that gets me now, as my hormones level out naturally and the mood swings lessen, panic attacks a distant memory…
This device is dangerous to women who are sensitive to its side effects but not properly warned. Doctors are either lied to by drug companies or unaware/ failing to do own research, and thus give bad advice or misinformation to patients…
How to approach BAYER, MIRENA, and the FDA with our stories, to prevent others from suffering due to misinformation & greed?
THis won’t stop until we make them stop. I believe we can start from home using free sites, and with strength in numbers, it will make an impact.
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/ report to the fda… not sure if it will do anything if they are indeed trying to sterilize us and put us through menopause but…
I am 42 and i just had my mirena removed. I am experiencing hot flashes..wth I had pregnancy symptoms right before i had it removed…it was in for the 5 yrs and actually a mth over due. My anxiety had been really bad..i never chalked it up to this…i thought my anxiety had to do with life evens…but u know what I am calmer now than I have been in years and feistier than ever. Anyway. warning to females I have no family hystory of early menopause…but I think I am going through it…I just pulled up so many testimonials of this happening with mirena. Does America have a hidden agenda to sterilize us all…I am feeling disappointed. I wanted one more child even at my age if holly berry can have one at 47 why not?. I am newly engaged. My husband died years ago. and i wanted to have one more child with this man. 🙁 so read up before u this so young and decide you dont want to go threw menopause in 30s
I got my mirena about 4 1/2 years ago. Honestly it was really good to me. No periods, no noticeable side effect up until about 2 years ago. I got a collapsing ovarian cyst on my right ovary. Which honestly only hurt every now and then but was more annoying than anything, up until it ruptured last year (pain comparable to labor, no joke). That was my main problem idk if i gained weight cause i had it inserted 6 weeks after having my daughter and i was still fairly big. I do know when i finally tried to lose weight i had a hell of a time but i managed. I just got it removed today for one reason and one only. The worrying. Everytime i feel moody, stressed, any kind of pain down their really if anything is wrong with me i worry its because of mirena. Idk if it was but i cant stand worrying about it. Anyways, i got it removed today and aunt flo appeared for the first time in four years, but so far not very heavy. Lord after all the stories i read about the ‘crash’ i went to the store feeling like a 12 yr old starting for the first time. Tampons, pads, lots of midol. I used to be fairly lucky never really had pms or cramps only got backaches every now and then. But i am terrified it will come back with a vengeance. Im hoping to get my body back to normal i think im just gonna stick to condoms for now. I dont like the idea of not knowing if my birth control is causing my problems.
I’ve had the mirena for about 4 months now and let’s just say, it’s been 50/50 for me. I LOVE the fact that I do not have to worry about getting pregnant and I do not have a period anymore (I had HORRIBLE cramps. So bad, that I would have to go to the hospital to get medical treatment because of the pain/fevers/etc).
But, for the first couple of weeks, it was uncomfortable during sex. I can feel it and so can my husband. Eventually, that fixed itself. I noticed my periods were a little funky: brown blood instead of red, spotting, lasting for like a month. WHATEVER. I could totally live with that.
Weight: I stopped losing the weight immediately when I had it placed. I’ve noticed with my body, it just reacts funky to any birth control that I get. I just stop losing weight and become stagnant or gain. I’m currently trying to lose weight, not working.
Mental: I’ve noticed that my ADD has got SEVERE. So severe it’s effecting my work (I’ve lost a job because of it), relationships with my husband/kids, and so on and so forth. I constantly feel overwhelmed, tired, stressed, etc. I’m a young mom with two kids under the age of 3. Of course I am going to feel like that, but it’s to the point where I’m going in for another psyche eval.
Physically: HERE WE GO. Ok, so I’ve always had poor vision. But now, I’m partially blind out of my right eye. After a few weeks of getting it placed, I started seeing flashing lights, spinning orbs, and gray patches out of my right eye and only my right eye. (Later found out that the gray patch is called a floater). Well, I went to the eye dr and he told me that I had to go to the ER because my optic nerve was extremely swollen and he did not see any reason why. Went to ER, discharge me saying whatever its no bigger, go see the eye DR again later. Come back if sudden change in vision. So I went home, then the next day I woke up in the morning and everything was dandy. I was seeing flashing lights still but, they were worse. Instead of it being like real quick and just annoying, it was now BLINDING. Later that night I was breastfeeding my daughter on my side and I noticed I can only see half her face. Which is weird because I usually can see the entire thing. So I rushed outside and closed my left eye, and had my friend raise his arm. SURE ENOUGH IT WAS NOT THERE. (I have a blind spot in my peripheral vision of my right eye). So went back to er, told me to go home. Longer story short, I suffered a “stroke” in my eye. I went through a MRI, blood tests, everything. No answer. They knew i had the MIrena and they said it wasn’t from that, but I have a feeling it is because NONE of those symptoms ever happened before I got it implanted.
All in all, I just scheduled my appointment to be taken out and going to see if there’s anything else I can do. I’m thinking of doing natural family planning since my body just reacts really weird to birth control in general.
But man, I am going to miss the whole “no period” thing. It’s just… ….awesome.
I got my Mirena put in December of 2010 – as for the weight loss aspect, I was able to loose 15 lbs while in 2012 so I don’t think that has affected me in any way. The first 2 years though I had HORRIBLE acne. Acne I had never experienced in my teenage years, but at 20something with my IUD here it was. It has gotten better… But I still have breakouts which were rare for me to begin with. In addition since about February of 2013, I have experienced alot of anxiety. It typically comes around my period. I get an upset stomach, extreme feelings of worry, panic and always diarrhea. I have an app that I log my “period” because it is so unpredictable with the IUD and I discovered that my anxiety usually comes around the time I am or am almost due for my IUD. I am seriously considering having my IUD removed, but am going on vacation in 3 weeks and really don’t want to be experiencing a “mirena crash” while I am away. Any reccomendations?
I have had the mirena now for 2 months and so regret having it. I have a history of depression and anxiety disorder, but my doctor reassured me that the dose is so small, it won’t affect my mood. While it is reassuring that I am not crazy, I am worried about even getting it out. Charlotte, are you feeling more like yourself?
I believe the synthetic progesterone is part of the problem. The longer you have Mirena, the longer it will take your body to start producing its own again.
hey i read a new message like this every day in my inbox… something has to be done to stop women like us from suffering. i had mine removed a few months ago after only 2 years of the synthetic progesterone. i physically feel better than the bed ridden zombie / shaking hyperventilating freak i did pre-removal, but i still feel menopausal and the anxiety is also killing me and my family (one husband 2 boys). i dont want any more drugs, and i wish we didnt have to live with this. not sure why im replying, if not just to say youre not alone, and i’m very sorry for your pain. some days are better, and some are like this. i want to claim all our lives back. or egg Bayer’s house every time i have a flip out. if anyone wants to start a revolution or something i’m in. we should all at the very least report our problems to the FDA and the manufacturer. here’s a link to the fda form: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
Thanks Ivy! That’s a great idea! They can’t keep telling women that it’s our imagination of we all begin reporting our systems!
Thanks Ivy! I will definitely follow that link and leave my info! I am getting out my Mirena today. It has been only 8 weeks, and after all of these wonderful women have shared their stories, I see it does not get better over time. Prior to this I had the Paraguard which I highly recommend. I had it for 8 years and loved it. I chose it because there were no hormones. Sadly, I had to get it removed because it caused my periods to be so heavy that I became anemic. When I had the Mirena inserted in it’s place I was so hopeful and excited! That quickly turned to anxiety, insomnia, heart palpitations, and lots of crying. Interestingly enough my first bout of depression began many years ago when I was in my mid 20’s and on bc pills. Go figure.
I had Mirena for 5 years. I knew all along that the Drs were wrong when they told me that my “side effects” were not caused by my bc. However I have 3 kids and my husband has 2 kids and 3+2=5. We were not trying to have 6. I had it removed 6 months ago. At first I felt great! Then gradually the anxiety began creeping up. Its so bad lately that my husband has a hard time enjoying date night if we are out of my comfort zone. And these days that’s simply being out of town. I can’t loose weight, my back breaks out with large rock like zits, I have grown a pretty good beard, and worst of all my hair is falling out rapidly. My hair line towards the back of my scalp is nearly a half inch wide. I have all the signs of premenopause, except the hot flashes. I am only 33. 2 years ago my thyroid got so large that it looked like a golf ball in my neck. I blame that on Mirena too with absolutely no supporting evidence. I had half my thyroid removed. Obviously this could all be stemming from that, but I just don’t know anymore. I get my bloodwork done in a few days and will update what we find. Just needed to share the crazy 🙂
I too had to test my mirena theory. I had mirena in for FOUR years. I am currently 25 with no children. I got mirena because I thought it would be the easiest type of birth control, I cant even remember to take advil when I have a headache so there was no way I would ever remember to take a pill, so in Mirena went. Over the course of the 4 years my energy dropped, I gained 60lbs no matter how healthy I ate or how much I worked out. I went from a happy, healthy and skinny 145lb (all muscle), size 4, 5’6 woman to a 208lbs and a size 16!! I was sore and achy all the time, my sleeping habits were all messed up, I had SEVERE PMS and mood swings which was something I didn’t have prior to mirena. It was almost like my period symptoms got worse. I thought for me the weight and everything was from stress and moving, and switching careers etc, but no matter how much I worked out I couldn’t lose it. I was constantly feeling like I was pregnant with a sore back, nipple discharge, and a belly bloat that made me look almost 9 months pregnant. My doctors tested me for joint problems and arthritis for all my body pain, then chalked it all up to my weight gain hurting my joints. They tested my thyroid no problems there. After starting a gym regimen of 6 hours a week and seriously watching what I eat I didnt lose a single pound in months of that. I decided to have it taken out. Within 3 weeks I was no longer feeling tired or depressed, all my aches and pains went away and the best part, I lost 3lbs of water weight the first week, and a total of 6lbs over the course of 3 weeks of having it removed. I know that losing the rest of the weight will take time but at least my gym efforts won’t be a futile anymore, Ill settle for a loss of 1lb a week over a continued weight gain! There is no way that it was anything other than mirena.
Thank goodness you figured it out, now you’re one of us, one of us 😉 …I’m sorry for your suffering but so glad you got it removed. I have faith that we can all make full recoveries with healthy lifestyles, good luck!! and please tell the FDA your story so the Mirena is either recalled or given proper warning labels. (dont mind me i just feel like we are all sisters now, and I really want to put a stop to this for our little sisters; if we all speak out, i know we can do it.) https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
Hi Charlotte,
Thank you for writing this honest post. I have been suffering from anxiety and depression since September 2012. It never crossed my mind that it could be cause by the Mirena.
Last Thursday, I was prescribed with wellbutrin (anti-depressant). The following day, I took the first dose. I experienced severe mood swings that day. I felt overwhelmed and depressed. I didn’t want to leave the bed and basically spent the afternoon in bed. The following day I didn’t feel any better, but after my experience with wellbutrin, I decided not to take another dose of the medicine. My sister in law stopped by my house on Saturday afternoon. I told her what was going on and she asked if I was on any birth control to help me regulate my hormones. I told her that I was on mirena – She immediately responded alarmed. She had heard reports that mirena caused anxiety and depression on many women.
I think I may have found the root cause of my recent mental instability. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. I was happy during my 12 weeks of maternity leave. I was happy to report so on every one of my son’s appointments and on my follow up with my OB about 1 month after I had my son. My son was born on 6/17/12 and I went back to work on 9/10/12. I had the mirena put in on 8/27/12 and my mental fog started about a week after that. I started to cry inconsolably over everything and anything. I assumed it was post-partum that had finally caught up to me due to my return to work. I also thought that my mental distress was caused by sleep deprivation – Since my son woke up at least a couple of times per night until I stopped nursing him at 11 months and 3 weeks.
As my son’s sleeping habits get better, my mental issues get worse. I forget everything, I feel numb, my mind feels clouded unable to organize my thoughts, I feel like my eyes are always wide open unable to rest. Although I feel tired and drained physically and mentally, my mind won’t stop to let me rest. I am always feeling uneasy and have a very hard time concentration and finalizing any of my projects.
Overtime, my mental stability has gotten worse. I am NEVER happy, I don’t recognize myself – and THIS is not me! I was overwhelmingly happy during my pregnancy and after having my son. I had minor stress and maybe even depression issues in the past (before I was pregnant), but nothing major and I never experienced anxiety. I was never the person to lie in bed and do nothing all day. I liked being outdoors and loved spending time with my family. Now I feel I’m too tired to even try to play with my son. I want to get my mind back. I need to regain my sanity, so I can be a good mother and wife. I have a great family and work situation, so my mental fog makes absolutely no sense.
I turned to the internet and there is an overwhelming amount of reports of mirena causing anxiety and depression. I am so sad I wasn’t warned about this by the OB that inserted the device. Mostly, I am disappointed I didn’t do enough research on the device to understand the potential risks.
When I read your article to my husband, he was spooked by the fact that it soundsas if I had written it. I can’t believe that Bayer doesn’t feel compelled to do a better job to warn women about the side effects of mirena.
Today, I had the mirena removed in hopes to start my mental recovery. This is after my OB tried to talk me out of having it removed for about 45 minutes and attempted to prescribe me with yet another anti-depressant. I refuse to medicate myself any further. I hope mirena was the root cause that changed me from being a mentally fit person to a basket case.
Good luck to you! And thanks again for your post.
Gloria
I have had the mirena for about 4 years and recently had it removed 5 days ago. I felt a huge sense of relief right after the removal and still no period but during the 4 years I had it it was hell. I suffered from many and here are just a few from an extensive list: severe hair loss, no periods at all, severe skin rash and hives, high anxiety, severe depression and anger, constant chest pains, constant urination, pains in my pelvic area, weight gain, blurry vision, and many more. It got to the point that I sat down one day and looked back at when all the symptoms began and it all went back to the mirena because I havent been on any other meds. I finally had it removed and my dr agreed because she knew me very well and I have never been so out of wack in my life. Im only 26 so tooo early for menopause! I feel better now and most of the symptoms have calmed down but have not disappeared yet. I hope they take this BC off the market because all it does is make women think they are crazy. Never again will I get the mirena and subject my family to an unpleasant pyshco for another 4 years! NO THANKS!
Before I got my mirena 6 months ago I specifically asked how my depression (I rarely had anxiety, and I could always cope with it) and migraines would be affected. They told me that side effects are so rare that they weren’t concerned, even with my suicidal history. I’m finally calling to get it removed after months of crippling anxiety and depression, so bad that many things in my life will never be the same. My headaches have gotten steadier and worse. The allure of no periods and not worrying about pregnancy were so enticing…too bad me becoming a totally different person killed my relationship–I don’t even like myself anymore. I don’t even know who I am anymore…I need to get this thing out to see if I can feel that life is worth living again. Thank you for sharing your experience. I don’t care about my weight as long as I’m happy…I don’t remember being happy since before I got this evil thing put in but i always just assumed it was me, or the fact that I went of my medication–which I did with a doctor and have done many times in the past without a fallout this armageddon like 🙁
I went to the GYN yesterday to see about pains in my abdomen and back after traveling to Las Vegas for my sister’s wedding. I was asked about my history, my last period, and why I wasn’t sure when my last period was. I explained that I was irregular since I had the Mirena removed and there were complications. I was promptly scolded as if I had talked about the nurses’ mother, and told how wrong I was for taking it out and blaming my symptoms of such a perfect device. Then she left the room, came back in, & I found out from a women who treated me like “one of them stupid B-words” that I was pregnant. I was sad because I knew the pains may mean I have a tubal pregnancy or was having a miscarriage. The nurse, whose main job was to abort fetuses or medicate women and girls with BC, took it as an “‘I told ya so’ opportunity,” which was so off putting I just ignored that imbecile and told her byebye, thank you, have a nice day. My point is, I’m going to do whatever it takes to defend other women against these creepers who think a device which is designed to release synthetic hormones into a woman’s body can actually be “localized” and not possibly affect the rest of her body and/or her other natural hormones. It’s just common sense/ nonsense that only a trained tool would cling to this nonsense against tons of evidence so fiercely. They cling to the lies because they are afraid of the truth and of having to pay for what they did & continue to do to innocent women. God bless them and God bless all of us. I still pray everyday for each and every one of us, and read your messages each day. ANd some day the right person will read this page and take care of Bayer for us, trust me. Keep talking and keep telling the FDA about your adverse reactions to the Mirena in hopes for a recall!
Thank you for this! I had my Mirena removed today after I tried to yank it out myself and then having it get stuck! Luckily the nurse I went to was amazing and only charged me a minimal amount to take it out the rest of the way. It was only in for 6 months, but that was long enough. Friends started noticing me being different and more reserved, not as dependable as I had been. I thought it was because I was under a lot of stress with job changes. Off and on throughout life I have suffered with a chemical imbalance, but the Mirena for sure made it worse. I thought I was going crazy!
When I started putting two and two together by researching the effects of the Mirena, I came to the conclusion that it had to go immediately. It’s been a few hours since the procedure, but I am feeling okay just really tired. In addition I do Crossfit and had been noticing pain in my lower back and sometimes when I squatted heavy weights. I am glad to have it out and I would NEVER recommend anyone to get any kind of IUD. God intended our bodies to be natural and I am going to try my hardest to not go on anything.
I am hoping I will start to lose weight again since it has been out. It has made losing weight so much harder!
Blessings and thanks for sharing!
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I just stumbled on your blog. I have not read any responses but wanted to say that I had the EXACT same symptoms and experiences as you. I honestly thought I was going crazy! Weight gain (despite being a marathon runner!), hives, itching, mood swings, anger. It was horrible. When I finally started researching and decided to have my mirena removed a few weeks ago I got my life back! Almost immediately the hives/itching, moodiness, anger & bloating we’re gone. I got my sex drive back and I’ve lost 3.5 lbs in 3 weeks. Never again!!!!!
I read ur story and felt like I was reading my own. I will b gwtting my mirena out this coming monday and I just want to fell ike myself again. I’ve had mine in for a year and a half and I atuggle with the mental fog, the irritability and anxiety and i too had post pardom anxiety which has been getting wors over the past 5 months to where I’ve been seeing a therapist and been given meds…. I just myself back and thank you for sharing.
PS: I am feeling much better the past month or few since I’ve started changing my diet using natural probiotics such as yogurt or keifer, raw or unpasteurized sour kraut, reducing prcessed foods/sugar/wheat, and juicing with organic produce. Apple cider vinegar also cleanses the digestive system by promoting growth of “good Bacteria” -GOOD LUCK AND BLESSINGS TO ALL!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Dear Charlotte and the followers of her immensely helpful blog,
The link between Candida Overgrowth and your Birth Control*
I wanted to share this with anyone who has had their Mirena removed and experienced some relief, but not complete recovery of health. (It was my experience that after removal, I felt a huge relief, and better for a while, but then got Pregnant (an accident but a blessing!) within a month and didn’t get enough time to rebuild my immune system and damaged internal organs let alone my emotional and mental health issues.) The following may be helpful because there is a definite link to Candida Overgrowth with women who have taken birth control. In addition, many of the symptoms we have experienced during our ‘Mirena Battle of Recognition and Self-Diagnosis’ match exactly with the symptoms of Candida Overgrowth:
http://www.kroegerhealer.com/candidaalbicans.htm “”Usually a person who proceeds to have full blown candidiasis will have had several other signs years before, such as chronic anxiety, melancholy, poor digestion, food in the stools, extreme chemical sensitivity, easily irritable, easily frustrated, prone to anger, mood swings, lack of energy, easily fatigued, cravings, etc.””
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/candidiasis Web MD at least recognizes this as a “rare” illness although has considerably limited information compared with other diagnoses.
http://www.modernherbalist.com/influences.html
INFLUENCES THAT PREDISPOSE US TO CANDIDA ALBICANS OVERGROWTH AND MANY OTHER CHRONIC ILLNESSES
Improper pre-natal and infant nutrition (both emotional & physical): lack of or insufficiency of breast milk. Introduction of animal proteins at too early an age, producing life-long food allergies leading to weakened immunity in childhood and adult life.
Frequent use of antibiotic therapy in childhood and adult life in cases where antibiotic therapy could have been avoided. Vaccinations may also undermine normal immune capacity.
Consumption of de-mineralized, de-vitalized, and processed foods. The chief culprits being white sugar and white flour. The minerals in our foods allows the body to neutralize so many of the harmful acids that can accumulate in the system. Most of the commercially raised foods are grown in extremely mineral depleted soils. Health promoting foods are grown in healthy soil that is naturally fertilized and not over-farmed.
Consumption of chemical food additives, preservatives, stabilizers and coloring agents and artificial flavorings and sweeteners.
Commercially raised animal protein such as beef, chicken and farmed fish that contains trace amounts of antibiotics and/or artificial hormones.
Overeating, skipping meals on a regular basis, undereating, having coffee instead of breakfast, etc..
Overuse of low quality fats, hydrogenated fats and trans-fatty acids such as margarine.
Insufficient amounts of fiber in the diet.
Insufficient production of stomach acid (HCL), very common in those over 40 years of age, most often mis-diagnosed as overproduction of stomach acid.click here for details
Lack of fresh vital foods high in naturally occurring enzymes and friendly bacteria as well as neglect of probiotic supplementation after antibiotics were administered.
Drinking insufficient quantities of water to meet the body’s requirements (8 fl. oz. / 250 ml. per 25 lbs. / 12 k. of body weight per 24 hours).
Chronic constipation, less than three bowel movements a day for an individual who eats three times per day is unhealthy.
Overconsumption of alcohol, use of “recreational drugs”, dependence upon or overuse of pharmaceuticals.
Mercury containing dental amalgam fillings, undiagnosed dental infections and root canalled teeth that may be infected.
Other heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic, lead, etc. can predispose the system to yeast proliferation.
Medical treatment involving high dose, intravenous or long-term antibiotics.
Pharmaceutical birth control pills
Long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications which may cause damage to the integrity of the intestinal lining (some individuals may suffer damage with just short-term or “normal” use.)
Insufficient or excessive excercise, over-strenous exercise for prolonged periods of time ( excessive excercise weakens the body’s defences, insufficient excercise lowers metabolic, circulatory & self cleansing functions.)
Insufficient sleep, getting to sleep too late, shift work, frequent air travel through several time-zones. Getting to sleep after 10 PM on a regular basis will deplete normal adrenal reserves and stress the entire system.
High pressure work with insufficient rest or monetary compensation, leading to long term stress and / or anxiety.
Stress caused by living in overcrowded conditions leading to frequent anger and / or frustration.
Stress caused by long-term relationship incompatibilities with frequent emotional upset.
Lack of sufficient love and nurturance in childhood leading to constant emotional insecurities in adult life that undermine normal, healthy immune and glandular functionality.
Poor air and / or water quality as well as insufficient air circulation at home, at work or while traveling / frequent exposure to recirculated air in sealed buildings or aircraft
Chemical contamination of work place and/or home. Persons who handle or inhale chemical fumes / solvents in their work or hobbies.
Damp environments, mold and/or mildew in home, at workplace or in vehicle (ventilation ducts in the home or work place, as well as old car air conditioning systems often harbor considerable mold and mildew colonies, they should be cleaned on as regular a basis as possible. Filters should be changed more frequently than typically recommended).
Insufficient exposure to sunlight and consequent fatigue and vitamin D deficiency.
Living in proximity to commercial agricultural regions where agricultural chemicals are routinely sprayed.
Living in close proximity to high power electric lines and other electro magnetic field disturbing influences.
Exposure/overexposure (there are no truly safe levels) to ionizing radiation.
Candida infection can be sexually transmitted and is most easily contracted by individuals with lowered immune function.
Individuals infected with HIV / AIDS can, as a consequence of impaired immune function, develop systemic yeast overgrowth.
And last but not least, just for fun, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/yeast-infection/basics/causes/CON-20035129 -Although Mayo Clinic acknowledges the causes of Vaginal Yeast infections from Candida, they are behind the curve on recognizing it as a full body overpowering degenerative illness- but we are all quite familiar with that as Ex-Mirena users.
PS: I am feeling much better the past month or few since I’ve started changing my diet using natural probiotics such as yogurt or keifer, raw or unpasteurized sour kraut, reducing prcessed foods/sugar/wheat, and juicing with organic produce. Apple cider vinegar also cleanses the digestive system by promoting growth of “good Bacteria” -GOOD LUCK AND BLESSINGS TO ALL!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Charlotte, I started to read your blog post and could have SWORN it was me writing it. I Have had the Mirena since December 2011 and since then it have come out while using tampons not once, but TWICE. The first time I had it put in the doctor told me that tampon use was totally safe and that it wouldn’t pull the Mirena out. So when I went in to have the second one put in (August 2012) I explained that my tampon pulled it out. She again told me it wasn’t possible, but to help calm my fears she said she trimmed the strings shorter. So, here I am 5 months later and my second Mirena came out Sunday at the same time that I had removed a tampon.
I decided to go with the Mirena because it was the best of 3 options for my health issue. I have what is called Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding. Basically, I start my period and it doesn’t stop without some kind of medical intervention. In the last 8 years I have almost bled to death 3 times. So, when I got that diagnosis I was told that my options were Mirena, ablation, and a hysterectomy. Since I was only 27, newly married, had 1 child, and my husband and I both wanted 2 children, ablation and hysterectomy were NOT an option. What am I going to do now? Well, I have a friend who sells and uses doTERRA RELIGIOUSLY and I have started using some oils that help control bleeding. My husband and I are going to try and get our baby #2 and then after that we will decide to do either the ablation or the hysterectomy. Mirena will NEVER be back in my body.
So far in the last 3 days I spent 1 day crying at least 2 times an hour, my jeans fit better, and my husband can get me hot with just a kiss. His kisses haven’t done that in, you guessed it, OVER 2 YEARS!! I also feel clear(er) headed than I have in a VERY long time and its 1am and I am wide awake.
I have been EXHAUSTED for over 2 years. I have also been struggling with weight loss. I have yet to get below the weight I was at when I had the Mirena put in. For some people that might now be much of a problem, but when you are over 100lb overweight it is. Its not easy to lose weight to begin with, but add in the fact that at over 200lb you hit a wall and can’t keep losing is HORRIBLE. Now I think I know why all of this has been happening and I am on the road to correction.
I wanted to share this blog that I came across for anyone else that is having a hard time. This woman, Natasha, listed the side effects and highlighted the ones that she had. She had 10!! I had the same 10 PLUS 8 others. Thats right, 18 side effects. http://www.thestayathomefeminist.com/2012/04/21/the-case-of-the-tiny-little-iud-vs-natural-urban-mama/
Thank you so much for posting this blog. Reading your blog and the one I left the link to has really helped me feel like I made the right decision to not have it put back in. I would really love to know how things are for you now.
I am preparing to have my Mirena removed next Tuesday and I am am SCARED for what is to come.
I had it inserted 5 years ago about nine months after the birth of our second child. I developed depression and severa anxiety, all of which we attributed to post-partum issues. Went to the Psych…he prescribed Xanax and anti-depressant. My anxiety has never really gotten under control. I have also had ZERO interest in sex, which we attributed to the anti-depressant and three different anti-dpressants later still no improvement. Let me say that I have never had depression/anxiety prior to this.
I also lost about 1/3 of my hair….lovely.
The sad part is that until I started researching the removal, I had no idea that most of what I was expreiencing could possibly be attributed to the Mirena. I assumed post-partum, hormal changes/body changes after the baby was born and a busy life. Reading now…I am am extremely anxious to get this thing out of my body and I am lucky enough that my husband is geting snipped next month. I cannot take estrogen-based birth control due to a blood clotting disorder, so our options are limited.
But while I am excited to have it removed and see if things eventually go back to normal…I am so scared of the removal side effects. I’ll keep you posted. Hoping it isn’t that bad….
Just wondering how you are feeling now that you had your merina out? I had mine out just a week prior to you and i am still feeling anxiety. I went to my dr who is checking my thyroid which can cause anxiety and irratibility. One of the things that i searched online is if there is a link between thyroid problems and the merina and poof!!! yes there are many women who are reporting having thyroid problems with the merina. So is really the merina causing thyroid problems which then in turn is causing these mood disorders? I think this needs to be researched more.
Hope you are feeling better — give an update when you can.
Thank you so much!! I felt like I was reading my own story, my exact words. I’m having this thing taken out ASAP!! One question though, did your hair grow back in?
It is, somewhat. It’s been a long journey. I put in hair extensions to try and fill my hair out and i had them for a year but those ended up pulling out more of my natural hair:/ About a year ago I ditched the extensions and have been using Neutrogena T-Gel and hair repair shampoo. I think it’s been helping! My hair is still thin but it’s definitely growing back in thicker than before! Good luck.
I have had the exact thing happen. I have had my mirena for 5 years and I loved it, but it did make me a little crazy! I lost 53lbs while on the mirena and the exercise helped my depression, so I grew to love the no period every month thing. HOWEVER, I had horrible PMS! I was so ill and absolutely could not change my moods! I just got it removed yesterday and I feel like I gave birth to a fake baby! Like I was pregnant 5 years! I totally have postpartum! Hope my hormones level out soon!
I’m glad I read this. I have had 2 mirena iud’s. The first came halfway out and had to be removed and this last one (which I had removed today!) didn’t want to come out. i had to get 2 doctors to try. After 20 excruciating minutes, it came out. I have felt like someone else the last year I have had it in. I despise my kids and my fiance. I can’t hold my temper and have extreme anxiety/depression. I am hoping today will be the start of getting my life back. I’ve never felt this angry and sad my entire life. I really hope it changes now.
Hey Charlotte! I just wanted to check up on you and see how things have turned out. Your story mirrors mine and I had my mirena removed on 1/31/14 after having it for 5 years. It’s now 2/8/14 and I decided to continue with my paxil 37.5 and 20mlgram vyvanse because I read about the crash (I’m hoping to be off both meds now that the mirena is gone!!). However, yesterday, I had a very severe anxiety attack that lasted about 45 minutes (no vomiting or diarrhea, thank God!!) And today, am having episodes off and on, with a nauseous/uneasy feeling. So far, I haven’t had a period, just old blood, and it was very light. Also, while the horrible exhaustion left immediately after removal, for the past two days, I feel a painful but light headache and am sleepy. I just wanted to follow up and see how your experience has turned out! Thank you so much for this, I cannot tell you how much your story has helped me! I told my husband before taking it out that, “I’m 28, but I feel 80, maybe 60 on a good day”, and am so thankful that feeling left the moment the mirena was removed! I feel like I’ve had five years of my life kind of stolen:(
Thank you so much for this blog!!! I had Merina put in Nov 2013 and not unitl the end of december did i start feeling off – irriable and feeling anxious. Never in my life, unless in a certain situation, did i feel anxious — I could handle anything. I have one bad anxiety attack in the beginning of January. It was then that i put a connection to the Merina. My dr told me it was “super safe” so i didn’t question or research having it put in – i trusted her. Guess i should have done my homework. So a few days after the attack i called and had it removed. I told her the symptoms i was having – anxiety, heart palpitations and increased blood pressure. She just said – “your having a rough time with the merina” – and didn’t seemed surprised and didn’t try to convince me otherwise. Here i am about a month and 1/2 after removal and i am still anxious, irritable so much so that i went to my PCP because i am definitly not myself — she is checking my thyroid levels to see if they are off – i don’t get the results until monday. She said if the levels are normal then we could try a daily anti-anxity med for a few months to get me past this anxiety. I will be very curious to see what my thyroid levels are because i have googled and have seen that people are also reporting thyroid problems after having merina inserted.
I have had a mirena since 2000, that’s right 13 1/2 years. I’m on my second. I kept my first one for over seven years and for the first Mirena, it was a perfect form of birth control. No period, no mood swings, list weight (60 lbs). No cramps or anything. I was healthy. I had the second one put in and about 6 months later I started to experience symptoms similar hypothyroidism. Depression, anxiety, weight gain, fatigue, muscle pain and weakness, breast pain, sleeping extremely hot, but cold extremities during waking hours. I had my thyroid tested a million times, always normal. I had a tumor in my thyroid, so we elected to do a left sided lobechtomy of my thyroid. My thyroid is still functioning “normally”. My endo told me he thought my mirena was causing peri menopausal symptoms. After my primary and my OBGYN suggested I take out my mirena, I finally parted ways with it yesterday. I mentioned breast pain, well today I have shooting pains in my left breast. I’ve been nauseated on and off. I hope this is the beginning of the end of my mirena experience. I’m going totally natural and now birth control is up to my fiancé until we are ready to have a baby. All I can say is that I’ve been punishing my thyroid for symptoms that were caused by my mirena. I sang mirenas praises for 13 years, until yesterday. I’m hopeful for the first time. I know it may be hard for my body to adjust to not having the mirena since I’ve had a 13 year relationship with it, but I’m optimistic.
I have had Mirena for 1yr8mo and suspect it to be the cause of major mood swings. I have so many arguements with people which I never had. Little things just escalate to an unneccessary level. I have always been emotional and would cry but never get to this level of anger. My boyfriend dreads the middle of the month when I flip out and yell at him. My mid month flip-outs last for 2-3 days then followed by very painful cramps then I get my (very light) period.
Insertion was very painful, and for almost one year after I had discharge that smelled quite foul (now that doesn’t happen though). Good things about this bc method is that it is effective and periods are gone/very light. I don’t get acne anymore (my skin is so much better, but I think that is more due to some fancy skin care system I’ve started) and have actually lost weight (always have been active but I’ve started triathalons). I have noticed significant amount of hair loss and loss of sex drive (very dry and not easily stimulated).
After reading these posts, it seems like I’m not alone on this. Wish there was some study with better controls to pin point the side effects a bit better
I’ve had mirena for right over a year,and just recently made the connection to my issues.I’ve always been very fit,tan,with completely clear skin even through both of my pregnancies(#1 is 2 and #2 is 1,12 months apart).I got it 6 weeks after #2 and immediately drop 30pds which might be good for anyone else but I’m 5’10 and was only 140pds so…….then almost immediately came the mood swings,random but harsh abdominal pains,arthritis like symptoms(I’m only 23),severe acne on my face neck and back,and just a overall want to be alone.I chalked it up to post partum deppression,went and got myself put on Prozac which helps but I still feel it.I have serious anxiety.I have a history of major depression and anxiety….like white tile makes me nervous and makes me have to pee anxiety.and just all WRONG!I’ve went all natural on my face wash,started playing sports to help with aggression,my libido is almost gone compared to what it used to be and it just feels like it all keeps getting worse and all I can chalk it up to now is that I am seriously unbalanced.I’m going to make an appointment to get mine out asap
Christi, I am 63 and I get acne from this IUD. They put me on Prozac last year and I took myself off after eight months. It was making things worse. Low progesterone can cause you to lose all sex drive and anxiety. Check your adrenals, progesterone, cortisol, sugar, blood pressure and potassium levels. Good luck.
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Hello! I had the iud inserted 3 years ago 3 months after my daughter was born. I had panic attacks but once in a while. Once the iud was in my body for about a year I notice that I had more frequent panic attacks plus I was seriously having these thoughts that I thought I was going crazy. I was prescribe prozac 60mg but now im wondering if my diagnosis of OCD and depression is accurate or is it because of the iud? Has anyone have a similar case.
I had my IUD in for 2.5 years and had my first massive panic attack 3 months after it was placed in. The panic attacks gradually became more frequent. It got to the point that I was having anxiety over the fear of having another panic attack. My stomach would become quite upset so my anxiety would become much worse if I felt like a bathroom wasn’t accessible. I was feeling pretty hopeless at that point and didn’t like leaving the house (agoraphobia). I eventually connected the onset of my symptoms and having the IUD inserted and started doing some research into it. I had it removed almost 4 months ago and my symptoms of anxiety are nearly gone. There are still a few things that will trigger feelings of anxiety but not the major panic attacks I was having before. The constant anxiety is gone and the panic attacks less severe and frequent.
I know this is an old post but I just wanted to add my warnings to this thread for the sake of others out there. I suffered with extremely painful periods my whole life and was at my wit’s end to do something about it (before I shot my liver with the heavy doses of pain killers I have been taking every month for years). My gyno advised the Mirena, told me it was perfectly safe, been around for years with very few side effects, yada yada yada. So, I had it placed and went downhill from there. Within a few short months, I was not functioning very well. Extremely tired all the time, hair loss, weight gain, you name it. After about 8 months I went back and asked her to take it out. She told me to just give it a few more months to see if it ‘settled down’. It didn’t and I went back and insisted she take it out. To cut a long story short, I definitely recovered somewhat (I don’t feel as much in a ‘fog’ all the time) but my body is still a bit of a mess two years later. Now I suspect I am in early menopause (going to get it confirmed the doctor this week). Lots and lots of people have gone into early menopause because of this thing. Some as young as their early 20’s (heartbreaking). As for me, well, I feel like I still need to do some healing to get back to ‘normal’ but don’t really care about the early menopause as I just want my period to stop. But, for those young women in their 20’s who aren’t done having children, I am devastated for them. My recommendation to anyone and everyone is DON’T DO IT. You might be fine but the side effects are too awful to risk.
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Ran across this blog today. I am 63 years old and have had a Mirena IUD in for three years. After eight years of “postmenopause” I started bleeding again. I was told it was fat cells and stress. I could understand both. So, I went through five OB-GYNs and finally one decided it was polyps in my uterus. I then had them removed, and they put the Mirena IUD in for progesterone to counter-act the estrogen and not have cancer from the estrogen dominance. I thought my anxiety was due to several business and personal crisis situations. I was always a worry wort, but this was worse. Then I continued to bleed after the Mirena was inserted for a year and a half, with severe cramps. It finally stopped, and then in January 2014, I began the bleeding again. I went to an OB-GYN to make sure I did not have cancer of the uterus, ovaries or cervix (two years ago I had early stages of cervical cancer which they froze). All ultrasounds, transvaginal ultrasounds, CA-125 blood test, everything was normal. Two years ago, I had a hair sample done and it showed I was low in dopamine. My anxiety and thoughts have not let go of any of it. I am now trying to get a Nurse Pracitioner and PCP doctor to run tests on my estrogen, progesterone, adrenal glands, etc., and a neurological exam for Parkinson’s, MS, Sjorgen’s Syndrome, or any other autoimmune disease that can explain my tremors, anxiety, bleeding, numbness, and more. All they want to do it send me to a psychiatrist. Tomorrow I am going back to the NP to get options on what I can do to balance my progesterone after taking out the IUD. So my question to all of you is this: did you know that estrogen dominance and low progesterone can cause problems with your neurotransmmitters (dopamine, serotonin, etc.) which can cause anxiety, depression, muscle cramps, sweating, etc.? Maybe that is why when we lose the IUD we have more panic and anxiety attacks? I am thinking about a naturopathic doctor to check my adrenals, dopamine levels, etc.
After reading this I see that I am not alone. I had Mirena placed in November 2013 and by Christmas I was miserable. I’ve gained 20+ pounds, my hair is falling out, my nails are brittle and will not grow, I am depressed all the time and I am experiencing muscle aches everywhere. Come to find out I now have hypothyroidism. I went from having TSH levels of 1.25 to a level of 15.23 within 2 months of getting the IUD. I keep being told that it is not caused by Mirena, but I find it hard to believe that I can be perfectly fine and within a month of getting the IUD absolutely miserable with no energy at all. Well I have made the appointment to have it removed and we shall see how that goes! Thank you for sharing your story!
My story: I had Mirena in for a couple years after my second child. Immediately began getting depressed, losing my hair, and then panic attacks. But that was not the worst of it. I started getting painfully sickening cramps, smelly discharge, back to back infections, weight gain, and I would be so swollen (Sometimes it looked as if I were pregnant), and sex was farthest from being number one on my to-do list. I had gone to several doctors and the breaking point was when the doctor who delivered my son had just shrugged her shoulders and told me “I don’t know whats causing all this.” So I told her I want it out immediately. I thought that would settle things, but boy was I wrong! I do not get panic attacks, depressed, hair loss or swollen. But My infections actually got worse. After going to the emergency room multiple times within months from each other I was told that I have PID. It’s funny how even now til’ this day I get infections almost just the same as getting periods. Now PID. What do you say to that when you have never had problems like this before. I had cramping sometimes when my menstrual came but none of this. I am starting to think that it is never going to get better. I do not have the money to keep going back to the doctor all the time to get the same answers.
What is crazy is its really deeper then what you guys think. I guess the government is getting what they want after all because I know I am not the only one. I have talked to so many people and see people posting on the internet about going through the same thing. Research our government (US) and what they are really doing to us. It is sad. They want to sterilize us because they say there are too many of us. Now so many of us have to suffer with things like this. They are putting things in our food that in other countries are illegal! Please do your research so that when it comes to your body you are aware and you can make the right choices!
There’s a very informative site with lots of information on how to lose weight and get rid of the mirena iud side effects and find other natural birth control options. Check out: http://mirenadetox.com/mirena-weight-gain/ Her detox has also been immensely helpful to my recovery and I seriously recommend it
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I had Mirena fitted in October and have bled heavily and constantly until today. I have gained weight, felt bloated and generally ‘uncomfortable’ in my own skin. It was removed this afternoon and I can honestly say I felt better immediately! I hadn’t realised how dazed I felt with it in, I am really offloading some retained fluid, my abdomen has softened and is shrinking….I am one happy lady! I am so pleased the Mirena is gone and it shall never return!
I had Mirena put in a little over 3 months ago. About 8 weeks ago the WORST cystic acne outbreaks of my LIFE started! I can feel pimples forming and coming up days before they arrive like little mountains on my once beautiful skin! Im embarrassed and feel ugly! I called my gyno and am getting the mirena removed in one week. I am nervous about the “mirena crash” but am looking forward to my skin clearing up! I am an occasional breakout kind of person but this is ridiculous!
I strongly recommend watching this video to learn how to get rid of mirena’s nasty side effects and understand how it is causing weight gain and other serious side effects. This video has helped me recover and get back to my normal self again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWdfrR7tU1k
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Wow! I am so glad I found this! I have the exact same symptoms as you! I got the IUD taken out 3 weeks ago, and I haven’t slept in 3 days due to anxiety. I am so encouraged to know it gets better. In the meantime, I have decided to get on some anti anxiety meds so I can function in real life.
I have hormonal acne since switching from HRT to an IUD (years ago). I’m 30, I was mortified by having acne at least half the month. My skin was greasy and disgusting after I stopped taking birth control pills; it had never been that way before. My dermatologist told me nothing would work. I looked for organic acne products online, and I started using Citrus Clear’s control wash and moisturizer – and it was able to get the zits off my face in 3 days. Yes, I still have a few splotches here and there, and it does dry out your skin, but my skin has not been this clear in years. It dries out your skin a bit, but it is so worth it.
I thought my face would never be clear again after stopping HRT; I was wrong. I’ve only been using Citrus Clear for 3 weeks or so, but what a huge difference.
I’m nearly 6 years down the line and still not myself I had such a bad reaction that it was like someone took me away and I’ve not got me back yet – I’m much better and have tried everything from reiki to homeopathy to chiropractor and more but still have brain fog, irritable, post natal depression, PTSD, traces of anxiety which at the time was horrendous and started after it was removed – in fact it all got worse after it had to be surgically removed due to it ending up inside me somewhere – I wish I’d never done it and All this because of the awful Mirena – if anyone is struggling I found the mirena detox diet and had a kinesiologist see what bits my body needed – google mirena detox Rose Vitalis and see if it helps anyone. If anyone has found anything that got them back to being themselves again help much appreciated as still have rubbish brain fog and not a lot of joy in my life which when you have a 9 and 7 year old should be so different! I’m off to the Marian Gluck Clinic next to see if they can rebalance my hormones!
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Thanks again for sharing, you always make me feel more comfortable. I was thinking of maybe getting an IUD since I am tired of the pill. But I haven’t had kids yet so it makes it a bit more complicated. Trust me, I think no one wants to be around me when I am on my “no pill week”.
Hopefully you go back to normal.
I am so glad that I found this site. I come here and read all the comments any time I have a severe anxiety attack/panic attack so I do not feel like I am some sort of mental case! I have had my mirena for almost 4 years now. Last summer I was driving to work and dropping my kids off at daycare when all of a sudden I had like a tunnel/blurred vision and almost blacked out while I was driving!! I got to the daycare, my right arm was numb and my thumb and pointer finger where cold and my heart was racing and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I ended up taking an ambulance ride to the local ER only to have a ton of test done on me and to be told that I suffer from anxiety??? After that I had a hard time driving. I finally went to the Doctor again in Nov. and was proscribed Xanax (just a 0.25 dose) I started keeping a calendar on when these attacks would happen and its usually the week or 2 following my cycle (which is nothing by the way, I barely have one)
Moodiness, depression (at one point I seriously was convinced I was going to just fall over dead and thats all I thought about for over 2 wks!!) anxiety (SEVERE) this foggy cloudy out of body type thing (daily)
I am scheduled (FINALLY) to have mine taken out Weds. but now I am a little nervous about the “crash” that could occur. Can anyone tell me, is it like as soon as its out either you will notice a difference or not? and has anyone found a good way to manage their anxiety? Mine has gotten so bad I couldn’t drive to work for the 2nd time and had to (luckily) find a ride.
I JUST WANT MY LIFE BACK!
It’s been two weeks since I had the mirena removed. I desperately need help. All I do is have nightmares and stay up all night crying. I went tithe gp yesterday and all they wanted to do is put me on more fake hormones. What if I never get pregnant again? I’m stressed out. I hope I get better.
Hi there, i’m almost 28 years old and I had the mirena coil in for just over 3 years, my doctor recommended I switch to it from the copper coil as I was struggling with heavy periods and depression from it.. I wish I had never listened to them.
Swapping them was straightforward enough, a little uncomfortable but fine, i felt immediately better and for a year or so after didn’t have any major problems, other than some mild anxiety. Gradually over the course of the next 2 years the anxiety worsened to the point where i would wake up with panic attacks every morning, i’d be constantly exhausted, have headaches, cry over nothing, my skin was disgusting and i lost all interest in being intimate with my husband. I felt as if i couldn’t function or be the wife and mother that i want to be.
2 months ago i went to my doctor to ask for it to be removed, she couldn’t find it.. i waited 2 weeks for a scan which showed that fortunately it was still where it was meant to be, but the strings had been cut too short (I’m sure they were fine before so I have no idea what happened).
I made another appointment and had 2 nurses try to remove it, which they couldn’t, so a week later my doctor – instead of referring me to hospital – decided to try again! She made a joke that she was certain she could have removed it and that it looked as if she was lying.. sent me home to await my hopsital referral for surgical removal.
2 weeks ago I had it removed under general anasthetic, procedure was quick and relatively painless just some cramping and bleeding afterwards, the bleeding has stopped now.
However, although my anxiety went initially, it has returned over the past couple of mornings and i’ve been struggling to control it – I think it coincides when I am due on my period, but i am yet to have one. My husband had a more ‘serious’ operation recently and I need to care for him and my daughter, I am due to start full time work again this Monday, and I just want to have it under control. I’ve been taking Kalms, rhodiola, drinking tons of water and chamomile tea and eating as cleanly as possible – I don’t want to take the antidepressants the doctor has given me, I can’t afford to make it worse. I’ve read that 5-HTP is effective, although it can make you drowsy so be careful if you’re driving!
It seems like there is no immediate fix to this – if anyone would like to message me and keep in touch about concerns or to track getting better i’d love to hear from you, a lot of forums i read don’t have very recent posts. My e-mail is rifhanley@gmail.com
Take care of yourselves, and remember, it won’t last forever!
~ Eva
Thank you for sharing your story! I had my Mirena IUD removed only yesterday and couldn’t be happier without it (so far no Mirena crash). I wish I had known in advance what was awaiting me though… I knew a few ladies with Mirena, each very content. Unfortunately, I have experience a wide range of side effects. It ended up being a nightmare and I wish I had never done it. I suffered from terrible fatigue (I’m talking here sleeping 12-15 hours a day, yet remaining exhausted), disturbing nightmares, bad acne, oily hair, lower back pain, lower abdominal pain, pain when making sudden movements or sneezing, breast tenderness and immensely frequent urination. Plus an ovarian cyst, which after having grown bigger within weeks, was recommended to remove surgically.
Having spent A LOT of money on ultrasounds, cancer tests (the cyst), acne products etc. I decided to remove it after 3 months. Unfortunately the strings went missing. It was very scary, but with a great gyn it went smoothly, and after having been on a pill for 2 weeks only, everything is back to normal, including disappearance of the cyst.
i CURRENTLY HAVE MIRENA AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING MAJOR AGITATION WITH MY CHILDREN. i SNAP AT THEM AND AM ANGRY ALL THE TIME. i HAD MIRENA AFTER MY 1ST CHILD ALSO AND FELT THE SAME WAY BUT I THOUGHT I JUST HAD ISSUES BEING A MOM. MY ANXIETY IS THROUGH THE ROOF AND I JUST WANT TO SLEEP. i AM GOING THE 9TH TO HAVE IT REMOVED. i LOVE NOT HAVING PERIODS BUT I CANNOT LIVE LIKE THIS. MY FAMILY HATES ME AND I DONT BLAME THEM! LOL
I have had my IUD(Mirena) for about six months. At first I loved it, no fuss is what drew me to it in the first place. Then at the end of the 5th month, I had a horrible panic attack, which I had never experienced prior. ( I am pretty easy going and laid back) Then began serious anxiety, depression and the negatives just kept coming. I started to feel like I was crazy and should be committed. Having no idea how or why this was happening, I began doing some digging and found multiple woman with the same problems. I stopped wanting to be around my family and even started having thoughts of ending my very happy relationship, until I realized this was the depression talking. I haven’t had it removed yet, but looking foreword to it
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I had my first Mirena in 2009 and had it switched in Nov 2015. I had absolutely NO problems the first time around. Since my switch in November I have gained 30 lbs and have ALL the symptoms of menopause. Since hormone levels fluctuate hourly when in menopause my blood work is coming back fine. I am at my wits end of hot flashes, weight gain, swollen feet and hands, insomnia, hair loss, headaches and many more. I am at a fork in the road and really don’t know which path to take. The possibility of having depression scares the bejesus out of me but the fact that my Mirena has moved “somewhat” scares me more. (yes that is what the radiologist wrote when he read the ultrasound—what the heck is “somewhat”?) Oh and let’s just throw in pregnancy…now that terrifies me more than anything. The hardest part is determining if it’s menopause or the Mirena causes all my issues. Unfortunately the only way for me to know is to have the Mirena removed. Has any one else had this issue? No symptoms whatsoever the first time and then all of them with the 2nd one?
OMG wow. How are you feeling Now?? I am now taking you merana out tomro!!!
I am having my Mirena iud removed in 6 days as a precaution, I am being tested for many issues and MS is 1 of them…
I just found this post and made me cry! I have had a Mirena for almost two years and the same two years I have been struggling with massive mood swings, anxiety attacks and just a general ‘never-happy-feeling’ which has lead to long conversation with my long suffering husband who was convinced it was him and our relationship which was the cause! I finally started suspecting Mirena when I started plotting the timings of the anxiety attacks and realized they only started after I had the Mirena put in and my terrible mood swings are based on my cycle – so even though I have no bleeding my period still stops me completely because my moodswings are out of this world!
Oh – and my sex drive is completely non-existing! The irony of it!
I live in the UK and the sideeffect was not mentioned at all – in fact just checked the NHS website and it is still not listed! If it is a recognized side effect in other countries (i.e. Canada) then surely this should be at least mentioned when you have it put in????
I now have an appointment to get it removed and I cannot wait to see if it makes a difference – fingers crossed!
So thank you again – your post has made me hopeful that I am not (that) crazy after all and that I can get back to being the free, happy challenge-loving person who I somehow lost over the last two years!
I’d really love a screen shot of he side ffects of the Canadian site, I can’t find my din to get into the and I want of cause my doc doesn’t belive me that this is because of the mirena. She says she its not possible. She’s still going to remove the damn thing. But I hate feeling like everyone thinks taking it out wont help and that I’m crazy.
Can anyone help? I have depression and anxiety with being hypothyroid. I got the mirena put in over 5 weeks ago for really bad adenomyosis. Heavy periods that have cause, hospitalized anemia. Though the bleeding has simmered not stopped my irritability has gone through the roof. I am so scared of my words and temper and it’s scaring my husband and I’m thinking of leaving for a couple days and maybe checking myself into a psych assessment unit. My irritability is uncontrollable and I’m letting it distort my marriage. I fly off at him over any answer he gives me. And I rage at him for what seems like hours. This is not me. Can anyone help me find the link of contraindications of mirena and depression that was talked about in the original blog. I need it to show my psych doc so he believes me. I think I might be hospitalized for my behaviour because of this mirena. Shame on me for not doing my homework. Please help.
I just took my Mirena IUD out last night. Rash decision, I’m know. And I don’t recommend it– I have read online that I really could’ve damaged myself.
It did not hurt at all whatsoever- not even a little bit. I don’t even appear to be bleeding at all. Yet..
I had it for 7 1/2 months. I bled or spotted about 28 days out of every month. I would even bleed a little if I wore tight pants or a snug skirt waistband. It poked my spouse (TMI, I know) and I would have sharp pain randomly in different positions (fortunately for me, my husband isn’t grossed out by a little blood or this could’ve completely ruined my sex life).
But the worst part is definitely that I have felt CRAZY the whole time. My husband (20 years) and my best friend (male, 12 years) both say that I have been so different in the time I’ve tolerated this IUD. That I automatically think the worst about any situation–and will be awake all night most nights dreading something terrible is coming.
(Previously, I have always been a very energetic and happy about life kind of person) Now I fight with my boss all the time. I don’t ever feel like spending time with my 8 year old or even my pets. And I’m foggy brained all the time.
I was one of those weirdo ladies who became certifiable while pregnant and even though all these years later I picked a BC that had very low hormones, I feel certain that the IUD is making me lose my mind.
I wish more fellas were okay with getting a vasectomy instead of us ladies being expected to make our bodies think that they are pregnant with hormones for most of our lives.
Anyways, last night I decided enough was enough for this type of BC. Overall, I feel relieved so far. I don’t want to get pregnant and love sex so I guess it’s back to some less reliable but non hormonal type for me.
I really appreciate the existence of this post and being able to read what other ladies have experienced. It’s not just me.