It's been a interesting past few days..... I don't know what to call it--It's not a full-on "crash", but my body is definitely dealing with some symptoms that have decided to revisit me. :-(
I'm having a lot of issues with "air hunger" lately. It's like I just can't get in enough air when I breathe, so I have to constantly huff in these huge gasps of air just to catch up or I start to get dizzy. I also tried to work on some grad school last night, and my mind was a jumbled mess, I couldn't process anything to save my life, and my hands were weak. I finally had to give up because typing was just too frustrating. My fingers were tripping all over themselves, and it just seemed like the brain/hand connection wasn't happening like it should. I had to finally stop because it was starting to upset me and make me worried.
UGH....I just want to live like a normal 35 year old. We have earned it. 19 months post removal, and I still have these stupid relapses.
I'm actually on day 11 of my third detox (I did my last one a year ago), so I'm hoping that it is because toxins are dumping out of my system. However, I don't remember having problems hallway through the detox before. I just don't remember. Trying to keep my chin up, but I also wanted to let you all know that it's not over for me either. It is a roller coaster from hell that's for sure. Pretty sad that we can't even get excited about feeling good or symptom free because who knows how we will do tomorrow.
Sorry for the negative post....I know that I'm normally trying to play the "cheerleader" role, but I get knocked down, too, and I have to be honest about it.
I noticed you hadn't posted in awhile, and I was actually wondering about you recently. I'm sorry you're struggling again! I'm sure you've read my recent "complaining" posts since I'm relasping again. I've been in a 5 month crash, I feel. I haven't had a good month in a long time. Hang in there!
Thank you, Diana. It's always great to hear from you. Seems we have both been at this for long enough, don't you think????
I'm just sickened to hear that you have been in a crash that has lasted so long! What symptoms are you dealing with right now? Does the "air hunger" issue happen to you? I hate it. Whenever it hits, it really starts to make me nervous because I start to think about what in the world must be wrong with my heart or lungs to make me, at only age 35, unable to breathe effectively.
Do you have a Facebook account? If so, the Mirena group (it is a private group) is AMAZING as well. You should join us!
I will say a special praying for you specifically tonight. Big hugs to you.
Yes Kristi, I think we've both been at this long enough :) Thank you for your prayers and caring. It really means a lot to me. Caring is so powerful.
I'll be getting on FB soon!
I very rarely have the air hunger as you describe it, but I have had it before, although it was not with the Mirena. Maybe during pregnancy, I think. I know how it feels. In fact, my teenage kids (a boy and a girl) have had it before, so I'm wondering if it's just a puberty/hormone thing (?)
My air problem lately and usually is with the forgetting to breathe just as I'm falling asleep. I breathe too shallowly, and then exhale one last time, and then do not inhale again, until I'm yanked awake by an adrenalin rush (obviously my body's way of saying "Breathe, stupid!"). But once I'm awake, I can take a couple deep breaths, and I feel fine and satisfied. I know what you mean about taking deep breaths and it NOT being enough. I don't know if the two problems are related.
On my worst nights, this "forgetting to breathe" will keep me up until the wee hours of the morning, when for some reason I can sometimes drop off for a couple hours. I did have a night last year when I NEVER did get to sleep for almost 3 nights in a row. Anyway, this problem bothered me heavily, most recently, during my period up through ovulation. I've had about 4 good nights in a row, so I guess it's gone for now. I never know when it will pop up, so I feel some dread every night. I'll be having my period in a week or so, I'm feeling anxious about that. For my last 4 nights, it has happened just for a few minutes to 1/2 hour, and then I'm fine the rest of the night. That's a good night for me.
I have been developing some exquisitely sharp, burning pains in my toes, as if someone is holding acid or a hot pin to the skin. No redness. Just the nerves I guess. But it only started recently. It doesn't last for a long time at least and only rarely wakes me up. I prefer that it happen when I'm awake.
I've been thinking more about the molecular mimicry someone posted about recently. I remember a poster from over a year ago who said that her doctor told her she'd developed an allergy to her own progesterone. I always thought that sounded weird and illogical, but if someone did develop an allergy/autoimmune response to a synthetic progestin, then maybe the body WOULD start to attack it's own progesterone. Since progesterone is an important part of the membranes of our cells, especially nerve cells, maybe this is why our brains are under attack? I'm not educated enough to know if this makes sense.
Could you post the link to the post about the molecular mimicry? I'm wondering if I saw that one or not. Did the poster say anything as far as if there is anything you can do about if that is what happened to us?
Ashley--I hope that my post didn't make you lose hope. That is certainly not my intention. I promise you that I am a MILLION times better than I was...I'm just not at that 100% mark, and those relapses are frustrating. I just have to trust that we will continue to get better and better....some of us just take longer than others. We will get there....we have to believe that.
Sure, here's the link. It's about one inch below this post of mine (on my screen). I haven't read it in detail - just skimmed it. I'll try to find the post by the woman whose Dr. told her she was allergic to her own progesterone.
Hi Kristi,
How is your air hunger symptom doing? After explaining that my breathing problem is different (and it was at first), now I have to eat my words and say that I'm having the classic problem you describe. I just can't get a full, satisfying breath in. I do the deep breathing, the huffing, and get a bit dizzy, but still feel like I'm not getting enough air. I haven't had this for a long time. Strangely enough, the "forgetting to breathe" is not quite as bad, although it happens a few times during the night, but the air hunger, has taken it's place. I'm not sleeping. I have adrenaline rushes all night at strange times, but my anxiety is high, so that's probably why. I'm also getting closer to my period. And the cyst in my breast that developed 3 years ago before I had the Mirena out has grown again (so sore) after shrinking back. I can feel it. And my clear skin, clear for the first in my adult life, is getting oily again. Clear skin was the one GOOD thing that happened after getting the IUD out. I'm not complaining or looking for sympathy right now, but rather wondering if there is a link between the hormones and the breathing issues. I have read that thyroid problems can cause air hunger. Just speculating.
Has your recent air hunger improved yet? Was it linked to your cycle?
Hi Diana, I see that you are still struggling. I just posted a pic of my last lab results which show that my hormone levels very low at a postmenopausal person. Have you checked your hormones before? Im curious to see if you have the same problem. I haven't started taking anything because I'm breastfeeding and I'm scared to take anything that may affect the baby or my milk supply.
So sorry to hear that you are struggling again. I was hoping that by now you would be getting pretty close to feeling back to normal, as that gave me hope that when I got to your point I would start to feel like myself again. I went through my 3/4 month crash, as I've stated in previous posts, for about 6 weeks and a bout 3 weeks ago finally started feel somewhat better. I'd say about 80% of myself on a good day. But the past 3 days I've been getting weaker again and having the heart palpitations again during the night and when I get to hot in the shower. I was suppose to start my period 5 days ago and have yet to start. I took a pregnancy test today, even though I was pretty positive that I wasn't, just to make sure-it was negative. Hopefully I do not get any worse and feel like I was feeling 2 months ago. I remember the "air hunger" feeling when I started having my crash in february. I wasn't really having trouble breathing but felt as if I had to take "catch up" breaths and just head a heaving chest. I hope your relapse doesn't last long and you begin to feel better! Always good to read posts from you!
Do y'all ever feel that an outside stimulus is causing crashes? Maybe an environmental factor, medicine, regular illness? Just curious if you think the source is definitely internal or could be external. . .
On the air hunger: I don't know if this is related, but my allergist always does a blowing test at every appointment. He says my lungs are in terrible shape. I finally asked for a print out and it said my estimated lung at is 69 years old! (I am 38, never smoked.) Not sure if that is Mirena related or mold infested classroom related. I don't need to gasp air, it's just that my chest is heavy. Have you ever had this test?
Hope you are having a little relief from this by now. Regression is the worst part of this whole thing ! I went for acupuncture a few weeks ago for help with the brain fog as I have done many times. Each time it provided relief but this time it made the brain fog much worse. I have no idea why but I did feel better a few days later. Keep us updated !
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So frustrated...... 
