Mirena?

[foreveryoung28]

Hi there...I was wondering if anyone here is using Mirena for their BC? I often wonder if it is my best choice. I also wonder if it has contributed to my weight gain and troubles losing weight.

I also have a lot of weird pains and sometimes symptoms of pregnancy (but not pregnant!), is this normal?

Thanks to anyone that takes a moment to read/respond....not urgent, just someone to compare Mirena horror stories with

*please note : if you have had a positive experience with it, I'd love to hear from you too of course

~Jackie

[CherryCola]

Jackie,

Have you ever considered ParaGard?? It's an IUD but it's hormone free. Perhaps the Levonorgestrel in Mirena is causing those issues??

[foreveryoung28]

I haven't heard of Paragard Cherry, but thank you...I will certainly be googling it today to find out more about it, very cool

[kristio]

I was LC in 2002 and lost 40# in what seemed like overnight. I had a Mirena put in and gained 20# over the next year... At the time, I never thought that Mirena could be contributing. However, LC definitely did not work for me anymore...

I had another baby in 2007... lost the baby weight and then had another Mirena inserted... I promptly gained 30# back overnight. I have been unable to lose weight whether actively LC or not... It became very depressing. I attributed it to the fact that I had done LC for so long that, somehow, it was just no longer effective. WRONG!

In sum - Before I had Mirena, I lost weight quickly and weighed approximately 185#... Since having Mirena for five years (and, granted, two pregnancies), I ended up weighing 248#...

I had the Mirena removed on 2/19/09 and have lost 9# since having it removed. I don't eat any differently than I did before. Other things I have noticed... I don't feel so "foggy" for lack of a better term. I feel more awake. Whether that is related or not, I don't know.

Before I realized that the Mirena may have been related to my inability to lose weight, I considered myself the Mirena poster child - couldn't say enough good things about it. Since having it removed, I feel like a new person... I'm awake, I'm losing weight, and (bonus!) I actually want to have sex again... (sorry if tmi - but I had little libido since having it inserted).

I know most people have wonderful experiences with it - but I'm soooo glad it is gone.

[foreveryoung28]

Kristi, thank you so much for your reply...I too have gained weight since having my Mirena put in. After I had the twins I was thinner then before I had them, but after then Mirena I gained about 20-30lbs within a years time! I guess I had just attributed all of the weight gain to being a new mom and not having time to exercise and eat right...I definitely think after reading this that Mirena, while it may not have been the total reason, really contributed to my weight gain and mt troubles in losing weight. I need to get this darn thing out!lol

thanks again for your input

[dhuff81096]

Jackie,

Check out this site: Mirena side effects - page 1 : Medications.com

That is only one of many Mirena side effect sites.

I was having all sorts of side effects, so I had my Mirena removed about a year ago. I decided that I could no longer use hormone related birth control due to the numerous side effects. I did ultimately end up getting pregnant about 3 months after removal even though my OB said I was not ovulating. Guess she was wrong, huh? Anyway, I just had my last child several weeks back via c-section and had my tubes tied instead.

Before I had the Mirena removed, I did some investigation on my own (I am an RN and a Google fanatic) and found that most hormone related birth control options have very similar side effects - most common being sinusitis. My sinus issues had become so bad when I was using Mirena that I had a sinus surgery which I probably really did not need. The problem was due to the Mirena. I was also tired, had trouble losing weight, had rashes - a lot on my lower legs, had mental fog and other symptoms. If you look at the link I included I think you will be very surprised at some of the side effects people are having.

Good luck with whatever choice you make!

[foreveryoung28]

wow, thanks for that info! I havent made an appt yet, but I have already decided to get it taken out, and your post confirms my feelings! not sure what I will do for birth control since I can't take pills either, make I will have to get my tubes tied, we don't want any more children, and im going to be 33 this year....so, not likely I would change my mind about having more, haha!

thanks all of you, you are life savers!

[Wifey]

Hmm I thought this Mirana was great till I read those ppls reviews. Ive had mine in since 05 and have gained a crap load of weight. I had it put in after baby was 190 at the time and just recently was 244. Ive been having a shooting pain from my right side of pelvis down my leg and have horrible anxiety. Now Im ready all these ppl say they have the same effects?!!!! Im freakin PISSED OFF!! Im so going in to get it removed I will use condoms or my DH can get a vasectomy!

[foreveryoung28]

Amber, one of my problems is a pain in my right side too...never thought at first that it could be the Mirena...of course my mind went to much horrible places like stomach cancer or a ectopic pregnancy until a friend of mine told me it's probably from the Mirena...that was the start of many side effects to come! I found out that even more things that I am feeling are from the Mirena after reading that link as well...who would've thought it would cause depression, moodiness, etc ...I am very right there with ya!

[kristio]

I'm with you Amber. My DH is "afraid a vasectomy will be painful" (don't get me started after giving birth to 2 dd's, had one amniocentesis, 16 months of throwing up, and one bloody ineffective epidural! )... Anyway, I finally decided enough was enough. I'm tired of being fat and I'm tired of being tired... I'm so glad I had it removed (granted, it's only been 2 weeks, but I'm still glad). We are going the condom route until DH gets tired enough of it that he will get a vasectomy... Hopefully my strategy will work!

[kristio]

I forgot... One of the main things I noticed is where I gained weight with Mirena... Generally, my weight is pretty evenly distributed. However, prior to having it removed I swear I looked pregnant... The swelling has gone down somewhat, but I'm definitely carrying way more weight in my middle than I ever have... Maybe that's just because I had another child though... Who knows!?!?

[foreveryoung28]

My DH absolutely refuses to get a vasectomy as well...he feels like he will lose his manhood

[Wifey]

Well I made the appointment to have it removed. I wondered why i gained all my pregnancy weight back and my appetite hadn't changed. march 27th is the day thanks for info!

[foreveryoung28]

good luck with the appointment Amber!

[jbird3]

Wow I'm so surprised to read all of this. I was considering it after my baby is born...but definitely not now. YIKES!! Two of my friends have it and LOVE it, they can't say enough about the thing. But I'm guessing I'd be one of the one's to get all the side effects because pills, the patch, the nuva ring....all gave me side affects.....so I guess I'll forgo it. My problem is my husband only wants us to do Natural Family Planning and um....4 kids later....I just can't do this anymore....not that I'd change having any of them. I was sorta hoping I could get the Mirena...it wouldn't be so apparent we were using BC. Oh I'm soooooo screwed now (well may never again if something doesn't change) HA!

[CherryCola]

Originally Posted by jbird3

Wow I'm so surprised to read all of this. I was considering it after my baby is born...but definitely not now. YIKES!! Two of my friends have it and LOVE it, they can't say enough about the thing. But I'm guessing I'd be one of the one's to get all the side effects because pills, the patch, the nuva ring....all gave me side affects.....so I guess I'll forgo it. My problem is my husband only wants us to do Natural Family Planning and um....4 kids later....I just can't do this anymore....not that I'd change having any of them. I was sorta hoping I could get the Mirena...it wouldn't be so apparent we were using BC. Oh I'm soooooo screwed now (well may never again if something doesn't change) HA!

Paragard may be a different option for you too - hormonal free IUD.

[Horseradish]

I have a mirena. The pro is that my period is gone, completely gone.

Cons = PMDD big-time. I'd always had PMS anyway but now, bloating, cramps, emotional crud, pain at weird times, migraines are worse...

I've gained about 15-20 pounds since having it put it, too... hadn't thought of them together.

And I've had quite a few of the "If I didn't know better I'd swear I was pregnant" feelings, to the point where even though I knew QUITE better, I started wondering about alien abductions or something...

But I love the not-having-a-period thing. I had horrid periods!

I'm going back to my gyn next month. I'm going to ask about yaz instead. The commercials seem to address all of the issues that I have...

[jbird3]

Kraukalee - Let me tell you if you are prone at all to anxiety DO NOT take YAZ. I took it and within a day I started having a full blown anxiety attack which I hadn't had in years. And when it happened I than read all the side affects material and sure enough.....anxiety was one of them.

[Horseradish]

Originally Posted by jbird3

Kraukalee - Let me tell you if you are prone at all to anxiety DO NOT take YAZ. I took it and within a day I started having a full blown anxiety attack which I hadn't had in years. And when it happened I than read all the side affects material and sure enough.....anxiety was one of them.

oh crud

Thanks for the warning - I have anxiety issues, and used to have panic attacks. I don't want them back!

I took some other bc pill years ago... I think ortho-tri-cyclin? That was ok, still had fairly heavy periods (but not like without using anything - then it's just crazy!) but the other PMDD symptoms were not nearly as bad as now. Moods were better, acne was ... well... not as bad as now, cramps were less, no bloating, no swollen breasts (well I can live with increase in size, it's just the tenderness that's bad!), migraines were less... but my blood pressure was high a few times and my dr freaked out!

[Synesthetic]

I have a Mirena and absolutely LOVE it. I'm so sorry you're having a bad time with it! I've had mine for 4 years and haven't had any weight gain or any other issues from it. I have gone from debilitating cramps to none at all, as well.

They say on the commercial that it's for women who have already had a child, but that's not the case. I have not, and it's fine. The issue with that is that the insertion can be slightly more painful-- but it wasn't a big deal for me.

I think it is absolutely the best thing and had no idea it was rough on some people! That's a bummer.

[bmbshl]

I had it inserted six weeks after I had my ds, so that was the end of Feb 07. Have loved not having to think about it, and not having periods (until I went low carb again recently) and I didn't try to go low carb until last month, but I could never get rid of any pregnancy weight despite exercise and "watching calories", so I'm losing now, and attributed the no weight loss to the woe I had tried. It makes me wonder if I could lose easier without out. I'm losing, in part, so I can get pregnant again, but I'm not ready to take it out yet either. I will however go the paraguard route after the next pregnancy.

[kristio]

Originally Posted by bmbshl

I had it inserted six weeks after I had my ds, so that was the end of Feb 07. Have loved not having to think about it, and not having periods (until I went low carb again recently) and I didn't try to go low carb until last month, but I could never get rid of any pregnancy weight despite exercise and "watching calories", so I'm losing now, and attributed the no weight loss to the woe I had tried. It makes me wonder if I could lose easier without out. I'm losing, in part, so I can get pregnant again, but I'm not ready to take it out yet either. I will however go the paraguard route after the next pregnancy.

I was able to lose with it in... but it was a struggle... and it was soooo slow. With it in, I struggled on induction for over a month and lost 10#... I had it removed 3 weeks ago and have lost 14# with little effort (allowing myself more veggies than first go round in an attempt to stick with woe).

I wish Mirena worked for me though... Not having a period was wonderful!

[Wifey]

Originally Posted by kristio

I was able to lose with it in... but it was a struggle... and it was soooo slow. With it in, I struggled on induction for over a month and lost 10#... I had it removed 3 weeks ago and have lost 14# with little effort (allowing myself more veggies than first go round in an attempt to stick with woe).

I wish Mirena worked for me though... Not having a period was wonderful!

This is what I'm dealing with. Weightloss is way slower with this thing in.

[jyseka]

I had one for five years, gained weight but did not attribute it to the Mirena, so had another one put in and it did a real number on my hormones.
I'd caution anyone against getting one-- ten months after the removal of the second, I'm still dealing with severe weight gain and hormone issues.

I have since found out the way Mirena helps you stop having periods is by tricking your body into menopause. Do a little research on menopause and you'll have your answer as to why it's so easy to gain weight with it and so difficult to lose.

[Wifey]

Originally Posted by jyseka

I had one for five years, gained weight but did not attribute it to the Mirena, so had another one put in and it did a real number on my hormones.
I'd caution anyone against getting one-- ten months after the removal of the second, I'm still dealing with severe weight gain and hormone issues.

I have since found out the way Mirena helps you stop having periods is by tricking your body into menopause. Do a little research on menopause and you'll have your answer as to why it's so easy to gain weight with it and so difficult to lose.

Holy crap!!! I'm so glad I'm getting this thing out!!!

[brandyxoxo25]

Oh wow! This could explain everything!!! I have had Mirena in for 3yrs now. I gained all of my 120lb loss back with and after my last pregnancy. I am sooo slow losing this time!! While I have LOVED having my Mirena in, no side effects, this could be what is contributing to my horribly slow weight loss! Crap! Now what do I do?! I currently have no insurance, so I have no idea how much it would cost me to have it removed. And also have no idea what form of BC to use so that I can still lose weight?? Man! I LOVE my Mirena, but I CAN NOT stay 275lbs!!!

[Wifey]

Originally Posted by brandyxoxo25

Oh wow! This could explain everything!!! I have had Mirena in for 3yrs now. I gained all of my 120lb loss back with and after my last pregnancy. I am sooo slow losing this time!! While I have LOVED having my Mirena in, no side effects, this could be what is contributing to my horribly slow weight loss! Crap! Now what do I do?! I currently have no insurance, so I have no idea how much it would cost me to have it removed. And also have no idea what form of BC to use so that I can still lose weight?? Man! I LOVE my Mirena, but I CAN NOT stay 275lbs!!!

You could go to Planned parenthood or a clinic. I was supposed to get mine out yesterday but my dr. couldnt see me now Im supposed to wait till next month!!!!

[brandyxoxo25]

I might have to look into that! Thanks! I just have no idea what to use instead. Mirena is actually the only BC I have ever used, so I know very little about them. Are there any out there that promote weight loss? Or at least don't prevent weight loss?

[Wifey]

Originally Posted by brandyxoxo25

I might have to look into that! Thanks! I just have no idea what to use instead. Mirena is actually the only BC I have ever used, so I know very little about them. Are there any out there that promote weight loss? Or at least don't prevent weight loss?

I think there's another IUD that has 0 hormones and lasts 10 years. If you go to Planned Parenthood they will give you all kinds of info.

[jsschmidt83]

I have had my IUD since May of 2008. While I have not had the weight gain like so many, I in fact have lost about 50 pounds. Yet, every month I have sympotms of being pregnant. I even had a a false postitve on a pregnancy test. Yuck. I also did not stop getting my period until this month and even thne it was no fun because I had all the symptoms. I had 3 pregnancy' s on the pill (lost 1) and now can not take any type of pill due to a heart problem yet was not willing to risk another pregnancy. The IUD has given me severe back pain but I hate thinking I am pregnant each month. Any others expereinced this?