Mirena and exhaustion

I had Mirena placed in Sept 2007. I have 2 girls, wasn't ready for more at the time, was horrible with taking the pill (both in remembering to do so and with the side effects). Since Mirena is only a "local" hormone, I thought it would be a great choice for me. This past summer I got online to find out why my periods were so odd... brown, clumpy, really short but frequent... and came across this site as well as a few others. I couldn't believe the stories everyone was sharing! I could easily dismiss all of my symptoms away to something else... constant exhaustion (I have 2 kids under 5 and work full time, maybe my thyroid), anxiety and even a few panic attacks (started a new job), no libido (tired and stressed… How funny to spend so much money on birth control and have no desire for sex!!!), irritable (2 kids), hair loss (didn't even think of that one, but it is true), night sweats (maybe I am just dressed to warmly to go to bed?), unable to lose some weight (gained 5 pounds post insertion now that I think about it) even though I had joined a gym, was working out with a personal trainer and really watching my eating (maybe this is my new weight... I am 35 and my metabolism is supposed to slow down), weird pain/bloating in my lower abdomen (gas??? maybe something I am eating???), the described ‘Fog’… how true! I saw my doctor about 1 ½ months ago and we discussed taking it out. I had my thyroid checked first just to see if that may be the problem. It was, but after putting all of these pieces together I just needed to get this thing out!!! I had it removed one week ago. I felt better immediately. I am sure that was psychological, but who cares! Bled for a week and now it has stopped. Feeling some cramps still, but overall really good, especially emotionally. I asked my doctor about the ‘CRASH’ and she hadn’t heard of such a thing. I am kind of on the fence with this one… just waiting… hoping it won’t happen. If anyone is about 1 week out like me, I would love to hear more from you! I am sure Mirena is good for some, but I am sure it is not good for me. I am happy to be out of the fog.

Vertigo, weakness, fatigue, exhaustion, aching numbness in arms, numbness in face arms and legs, extreme pressure in head and neck, burning feeling radiating from the base of my neck through shoulder blades to arms, foggy brain, waking up feeling (for no reason) like I have a major hang over, chills, aching feet, weight gain, feeling very fearful of my symptoms because they feel like nothing I have ever experienced.
THESE LAST 4 WEEKS HAVE BEEN HELL!
I had my Mirena inserted on June 30 2008. I experienced mild discomfort for the first 4-6 weeks. The spotting was the worst of it and that was no more than an inconvenience. I was happy with my choice of birth control.
Then this hell began about three months after insertion.
During the last week of September the symptoms listed above started. They were mild at first but by within a week and a half I felt HORRIBLE. I suspected that it may be the Mirena, but at the same time I thought I was dying.
October 1 or 2nd (it is all a blur) I was home by myself when I started feeling the numbness and head pressure coming on again (my symptoms were coming and going, not constant) so I laid down on the couch to get off my feet. All of a sudden I felt like I was losing consciousness. I grabbed the phone and called my husband to get me to the ER. I thought I was dying. A blood clot or something. Once there, they did blood test after blood test, an EKG, urine tests, and basically I was told that there were no major system problems. I know this sounds a like classic anxiety, but I know it is not. I have to say they were very good there and encouraged me to see my family physician (whom I had already been to earlier that week) again.
I called to make an appointment to have the Mirena removed the very next day. My GYN kind of shrugged off what I was going through saying that it was anxiety and asked if I still wanted the thing removed!!! of course I did. Having that thing removed was very empowering. I was feeling so helpless and it was the one thing that I could do to possibly help my situation. The feeling of relief was amazing.
I did see my family physician again who agrees that what I am going though is related to the Mirena. She did ordered a CAT scan (came back negative) just in case.
Post removal (It has been 17 days) I have been slowly getting better. My "episodes" are getting more and more diminished and further apart. I have noticed that I am flooded with exhaustion after each of these "episodes". I also never know when there going to strike making it hard to make plans. My husband has been very supportive through out and was convinced before I was that it was the IUD. He has volunteered to get a vasectomy.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL YOU LADIES.
If you have stumbled across this because you are desperately searching for answers, all I can tell you is that I believe that the Mirena IUD has had devastating effects on many, many women, but hang in there you are not alone and you are not insane. What you are experiencing is very real. Have it removed ASAP!!!!!!!!!!

I have had my Mirena for 23 months - placed 6 weeks postpartum. Like most, I too experienced the usual breakthrough and almost consistent bleeding/spotting for the first 6 months with cramping, headaches, and weight gain. What I have also experienced is an overwhelming sense of exhaustion that has not improved but gradually worsened.

Around 4 months PP I realized that something was off in my body. I did not have any energy, didn’t feel like myself, super emotional and no matter what I would try I could not gain motivation to accomplish the task of maintaining my house. I was struggling with a feeling of fogginess and cloudy thinking. I've experienced hair loss, increase in breakouts, dry and splotching skin.

During the first year I would have 1-2 good days in a week where I felt energized and I would be fooled into thinking that I was on my way back to the old me. I could accomplish things, rationalize clearly and deal with life. The rest of the week though would slowly slip back into a drained, over emotional foggy state. At 15 months into having my IUD in place, my days of productivity were dwindling further and further apart.

I have been blessed to have a husband that truly loves me. However, even still he has had a hard time comprehending what I have been dealing with and it has taken a toll on us. He will often say you are just not a happy person no matter what. I know that I am not unhappy with my life in general, my husband or kid and yet he is right. This thing robs you of your happiness and sense of self.

For the past 2 years I have said over and over again that I know something is wrong. I simply don’t feel right. I have been very aware of the changes within myself. I have struggled to be an active parent to my child and I have struggled with the most basic tasks. Things that use to take me 1-2 hours could stretch into days now. I was once this extremely productive individual that now barely is able to get the simplest of things done. I literally put all my effort into trying to accomplish things yet it barely makes a dent.

Until I started doing some reading, and I have found there thousands of women going through the same stuff I am, I really felt like I was going crazy. These symptoms are so subtle and similar that they most often get passed off as PPD, or dealing with the pains of motherhood and stress of life. Up until 2 weeks ago I couldn’t even verbalize the fact that no matter how much I slept, took vitamins, or exercised that I still felt tired all the time and was experiencing an inability to be productive.

OMG! I thought I was losing it. Have had the Mirena since April and have gained weight (an entire dress size) for NO REASON, been foggy, moody, no sex drive, joint pains, cramps, etc.I thought I was alone, Did I mention EXHAUSTED all the time and acne on my face and back-sever enough to get antibiotics from the dermatologist?
I also suffer with PCOS--does anyoen else on the Mirena suffer with PCOS? Would be interested to see how it has affected you. Tried BC pills and after awhile they stopped working then switched to the YAZ--DO NOT GO THERE--the worst Pill ever--so not many options for those of us with PCOS. Just can't wait to go to the DR and get this thing out.

Hi, I just got the Mirena back in April and I have had nothing but problems from the get go. First they had trouble inserting the Mirena so instead of 5 minutes it took more like 20 minutes....by the time they got finished I started sweating really bad. I went to stand up and almost passed out. They laid me on a bed, put an ice pack behind my neck and gave me water. They checked my blood pressure and it was VERY low. 15 minutes later my blood pressure still wasn't coming back up so I was not allowed to leave. They started telling me that some people's bodies go into a form of shock and that was probably what happened and they were worried about my blood pressure not coming back up and possibly having to take me over to the emergency in order to get my blood pressure back up. Well about ten minutes later they finally get my blood pressure back up to normal so they finally let me leave their office. I get out to my vehicle and all of a sudden I feel like I am fixing to pass out again. I laid down and called a friend to come and pick me up. I kept an ice pack on the back of my neck for another 30 minutes while resting before I finally felt better again. A couple hours later came the pain. Very bad pain that lasted for the next two weeks and I am usually a person that can take pain. Finally the pain eased up after that and now I only get pain once in a while but here I am 3 months later and I am still bleeding. I feel tired all the time, I've had a lot of migraines, it is painful during sex sometimes, my sex drive has almost totally vanished and my energy level is almost at 0. I have also been experiencing stomach problems and a bloated feeling. I am EXTREMELY tired all the time. I never feel like I get a good nights sleep. I have also been experiencing hair loss but I didn't know if that was from the Mirena or not until I started reading posts on here. Now my bleeding is slowly getting worse the past few weeks. Not only am I bleeding still but now it is coming out in little clots too. Now I am getting worried so I have made an appointment to go back in. I came on here hoping I can find someone that has had the same problem so I wouldn't have to worry until the appointment. Its really disgusting and I am so sick of having this mirena in already.

Good luck to those of you that haven't already experienced these same side effects already......

I can't believe I've stumbled on this website. Until now my symptoms did not make sense to me.
I had my Mirena in 2005 after the birth of my son. My life has changed dramatically since then & I didn't put it together until now. I was plagued by nasty vaginal discharge from the start. Though my period stopped completely what replaced it was a terrible vaginal odor that no amount of washing, deodorant spray, etc will cure. It's a bacterial infection that will not leave me alone. I almost always have it. Before the Mirena I never heard of it. My sex drive & sensation is virtually none. I even went as far as having a female piercing as I read it increases sensitivity. This is upsetting as I've never had problems with odor, loss of sensitivity or inability to achieve orgasm. Along with this I've experienced a large weight gain, abdominal bloating, migraines, aching joints, decrease in vision, back pain, dizziness, exhaustion, increase in body hair growth yet limp thinning hair, & fibroids.

I have an appointment in July to get this thing out & wish I had been more informed of the side effects.

Wow, I am amazed guys. As far as not really having a period, I love it. but, just recently I have started questioning my Mirena. I have been complaining about being totally and completely exhausted. I have to get my 2 older kids off to school and lay back down for more rest. I just cannot seem to "catch up" on sleep. Everyone says, oh its because you have 5 kids, but the more I think about it, it has come on since I have had the Mirena. The biggest problem has been that my husband and I are on the verge of divorce because I have absolutely NO sex drive. I could care less if I ever had it again. I am only 30 years old, I should be in my prime shouldn't I? I have started counseling to try to save my marriage, and while I think there are some other issues too, I truly believe since I have had the Mirena, it has taken my sex drive from little to none. I cannot stress "NONE" enough. Unlike many of you others my husband is not as patient. I think I need to make a phone call to my GYN. Oh yeah, I have had severe acne since I have gotten it as well.

I'm glad I have found this site because as for most of you it has opened my eyes and answered a lot of mysteries about what is going on with my body.
As a 35 year old I gave birth to my first child in November 2007, gained all in all about 30 pounds in my pregnancy and like every one of you I was terrified if I was ever going to loose the weight. I am naturally athletic and slim so I was determined to lose it for all it took.
Within the first post-delivery month I have lost about 20 pounds, most of which was retained water and I felt great. In January 2008 me and my husband have decided on an IUD after debating few other options, this one had seemed the most logical and practical.
Because I have a heart defect and take meds for HB, I was never able to be on “the pill”, but my doctor has reassured me that Mirena is only localized hormonal contraceptive and that I will be fine. After 3 months and Mirena as my “companion” slowly but surely my weight was creeping up. It felt like never ending battle, me exercising, being on what I thought was a good balanced diet (with the occasional snack ) let’s face it, it’s hard work raising children and we need a chocolate reward here and there. My blood pressure as well took the upward clime not to mention a lack of sex drive and exhaustion.
After reading many posts on this and other websites about women with similar outcomes, me and my husband have decided to opt for other birth control options. I had my Mirena removed yesterday. My doctor was fine with my decision, she also didn’t think my symptoms were related to Mirena but admitted that she had several women come in with the same problem. She told me she has administered countless numbers of this contraceptive with many satisfied customers. And that is why we have options.
I am now considering the Para Guard IUD with copper, which is the same shape and size as Mirena IUD but without the hormones. I have decided I’d much rather have few heavier and longer periods, but be happy about my body and not feel bloated and tired all the time. It will take some time to loose the weight, but now what I’ll put in exercise and diet will actually show on the scale. On a positive note this morning my scale read 4 ponds less than yesterday, which gave me great boost. I know it’s only water weight but it’s a start .
Good luck to all of you on your search for the right birth control! May all of us be happy, healthy and strong, after all we deserve it! Amen

I had Mirena for 3.5 years and I also suffered from exhaustion, mood swings and bloating. When I got it removed with the hope of getting pregnant, nothing has happened for 6months now although my periods have become regular. My tummy still looks bloated and I fear that maybe the IUD damaged my uterus or something because I feel the pregnancy symptoms every month only to be disappointed with a period a few days later. Is anyone having the same trouble, not being able to conceive? I'd love to hear from you coz my OBGYN said once my period started, all should be normal.

Now I'm one week post-removal. Nice week!!! First of all, I feel like a cloud of sad has begun to lift off of my head. I've been happier and more energetic. I'm still needing quite a bit more sleep than I used to long ago, but not as bad as weeks ago. I had fatigue and insomnia with this overwhelming exhaustion and unrelenting need to sleep all the time. Weird combo. Anyway, insomnia is better and I find my self ready for sleeping before midnight (used to be 3 a.m.) I do not know if I've lost any weight yet, but I don't feel bloated and my pants seem to fit a bit better. My acne is clearing up already and my youthful pink soft skin is returning. I have more energy, I can focus and concentrate again. I'm actually getting chores done around the house that I have put off for months and months. Lastly for now, not one migraine in the last week although did have one minor headache that was relieved with ibuprofen. So far, it's been a positive move to have the IUD removed. I will post again later when I have more to report. Good luck to everyone. Stay positive and know you aren't alone.

Clarissa

Has anyone had a High White Blood count due to the Mirena? I was given the Mirena to help with the Progesterone because I'm so young and I didn't want to have a hysterectomy. I haven't had children and want to try even though I've been told it's not possible. I have a 1% chance which is why I want to give it a try, but I'm almost 34 years old, so I only have a little time since I'm already in Pre-Menapause. I have had horrible headaches and also bloating, but I thought it was from my GI problem I've been dealing with for over a year now. I had the Mirena insert on February 11th, but my White Blood Count has skyrocketed to the point they want me to go on to a Hematologist. I was on Seasonable and I almost had a heart attack because my blood pressure went up to high because of the side effects. Just be careful. Now reading this website has me suspicious, so now it maybe hysterectomy time. This was my last chance to try something.

I have has the Mirena for 3 months. The first month I bled and cramped everday for the entire month. I workout at least 4 times a week whether it's at home or the gym but for this last month I have gained at least 7 pounds. I have also noticed that my hair sheds more often. I also get acne on my chest and chin area.