Thank goodness, an active forum for Mirena! I was considering what to do after my first Mirena (placed 2008) "expired" so I was googling around about options and all the attractive facial hair that I have now. Reading stories about the bad effects made me realize that my physical and mental problems of the past 3+ years are very similar and coincide perfectly with the Mirena.
Two weeks after insertion, I slumped into an unexplained depression. I do not have clinical depression, and I feel like my life is very good overall. Nothing happened, I just felt terrible. By the end of the year I was suicidal and in therapy, and I broke up with my S.O., the father of my youngest child, who I was previously very happy with (he and I are stable now and managed to stay healthy coparents the whole time). I attributed the depression to our crumbling relationship, but really, the depression came first.
I had a lot of the symptoms--
*Weight gain, 10 pounds/year, and I now am the heaviest I've ever been in my life. I was gaining weight while I was training and running 5Ks 4/a week and doing other exercise.
*Painful cystic acne on my chin and jaw, and breakouts weird places like my calves (!!)
*FACIAL HAIR like I could not believe. I started going to electrolysis. And the hairs would be ingrown, leading to more blemishes/scars.
*Pelvic pain--ovaries and uterus, intermittent.
*Headaches/migraines, waking up 3-4 times a night for years.
*Brain fog, extreme forgetfulness
*With the depression, extreme irritability, especially with my children
The depression lifted after the first year or so, thank goodness, but everything else remained. I think I felt so much better for moving out of depression, I didn't really question how much my life/body had changed?
I am very sad that I didn't realize for so long what the root cause of this is. I had it taken out the other day by a doctor I don't usually see and...he did not really believe the IUD was causing any of this, but did comment that my chart has shown a weight gain from 2008 on, when I was steady before.
I have two questions--are there women here who have had it out and have, after "detoxing," had the acne and facial hair subside? It's only been a few days but every day I hope I am plucking the last hair and that I am seeing the last zit. I know (well, hope) the weight will go away as I am a sensible eater and exercise regularly.
The second is more of a statement...I am thinking of having an ultrasound or something done to see if I have any growths or tumors. I'm worried after all the pain I've had over the past couple of years. Did anyone find ovarian growths/tumors after Mirena?
My body seems to be flushing now. I am peeing like crazy, like post-PMS or after having a baby, every 5-10 minutes! I feel less puffy already. My brain feels a little sharper too and I am having vivid dreams. The doctor gave me a scrip for Seasonale, but I am going to stay off b.c. for a while to really let my body get this out.
Anyway, thanks, had to vent, I have filled out the FDA complaint form, wanted to say I feel better already (have read about the Mirena Crash and am watching myself, and others are watching me), and I hope things will improve from here! I think there's only up.
Good for you! I'm so glad that you found us. This is an amazing forum for women who understand, all too well, what you are going through! We lift each other up during crashes and celebrate with each other during the good times. We are truly "Mirena sisters" here. As much as I hate that we all have this in common with you, let me be the first to say, "Welcome to the family." :-)
I have a blog that I update frequently in case you are interested in following along. I try to include as much uplifting comments as possible as well as messages to Mirena victim's family members (what has happened to the woman they love, etc.) as much as I can to try to help. The address is http://www.mylifeaftermirena.blogspot.com
If you or anyone else has something that they would like to see addressed on the blog, all you have to do is let me know. That blog is for US...and for saving other women. We all can be a part of it.
As far as the cystic acne/facial hair. I didn't have the facial hair, but I did have the deep cystic acne all around my chinline for awhile. When I detoxed, it got worse for about two weeks (because of the huge amounts of toxins leaving my system, I'm sure), but then it went away completely, and I haven't had an issue since.
I'm so happy to hear that you have had it removed! Now...it is a "wait and see" game for you. For some women, they seem to heal right away and never have a problem again. For others...most of us on here...it is a LOOOONG healing process that includes multiple crashes. You just never know. What you can know, though, is that we are all here for you during all of it. Getting it out was your first step toward recovery, so congratulations for that!
Thank you, ProudMomma. I should have mentioned I've been reading your blog, having seen it linked on this forum. Thanks for reading my post and I will stay tuned here.
I did start getting ultrasounds after removal, and found that I had started developing ovarian cysts. I have been worried about PCOS, because many of the symptoms I have faced are similar to what other women are experiencing on this board, and may explain why it has taken me so long to feel better after removal.
I just had my third ultrasound last week (My last one was in November, and before that, sometime last summer) and the cysts are gone! I have been gradually starting to feel better, and I wonder if this could be the cause?
Anyways -- just so you know, I truly believe that Mirena can cause cysts/growths, and if you have the means to get it checked out, it could be a good way to monitor your progress.
I just wanted to check in after having the IUD out for a week. I am having ups and downs. Sometimes the "brain fog," "flash" headaches (quick onset, sharp pains), and really horrible depression comes back for an hour or two, and I take a nap and try to shake it. As before, there is nothing external in my life that is causing these depressive mood swings. It feels a lot like when I first got it in--muddled and sad for no apparent reason. I am VERY tired right now and am sleeping a lot at night.
However--the good things.
*Numbness in my hand for the past 2+ years that I thought was Carpal Tunnel has totally vanished!
*Overall, my mood is better and I feel sharper
*Chin acne has already vanished, and I am hoping the chin hairs will follow
*I have lost 5 pounds, probably mostly water weight! My partner says I look and feel less puffy. I can tell also.
*Sugar and alcohol cravings have vanished. I no longer inhale food and wine at night after eating reasonable meals all day.
Hang in there, ladies! I will too. I'm taking vitamins and drinking LOADS of water and tea. I'm going to my NP today to ask about the lingering pelvic pains.
I have had my IUD in place for excatly five years now. I am set to have it removed soon. I have the worst facial hair that you could imagine. I have gained weight through out my abdominal area. My breasts leaked milk for almost two years after it was put in place. I have thinning hair that is so damaged that I am embarrassed to be seen in public most days. I was wondering if anyone had luck with their symptoms resolving themselves after the IUD was removed. I am afraid that if I pay for hair removal, that the hair will continue to grow. I am so glad that I am not alone. I felt crazy because my doctor told me this was all in my head.
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Bearded Lady Removes Mirena After 3.5 Years 
