M-M-M-My Mirena
Posted
May 15, 2008 at
9:17 am by
Rita
(That’s to be sung to the tune of My Sharona—really showing my age).
Of all the things that have inhabited my uterus, I’ve never experienced the kind of love/hate relationship that I have with my Mirena. The fibroids were only hated. The babies were only loved. But, the Mirena is mixed.
I love that it has just about stopped my periods. They used to be heavy, ghastly things that I dreaded every month. I’d have to plan ahead (from my date of ovulation, at least they were predictable pains in my ass–literal pains in my ass–or near enough to it) and cancel all activities for 3 days so I could concentrate on keeping my blood plasma filled with the maximum allowed daily dosage of Ibuprofen and whine and moan on the couch.
I love that I’m not pregnant. You’d think that would be the #1 thing I love about it, but trust me, my periods were that bad. And, there are other ways to keep from getting pregnant. The Mirena does offer a lot of simplicity and ease in the avoidance of getting pregnant, though. It has a rate of effectiveness equal to female sterilization, and once it’s inserted, it’s good to go for five years. It also doesn’t have estrogen so those annoying side effects (like blood clots and strokes) for people my age aren’t a concern.
So, If I’m sounding like a paid spokesperson for this product, what’s to hate?
First off, the Mirena does nothing for PMS. At least, not mine. You still ovulate (sometimes), so you still cycle and those hormones still spike and make you crazy. You still have the bloating, the irritability, and the headaches (if you had those problems before).
I had been under the impression that when they said “reduced or ceased periods” that it would mean an end to the whole thing. That I’d just skip along scot-free with a hormonal flat-line. Nope.
I’ve gained weight. The makers of Mirena and my GYN say that it’s coincidence. I don’t think so.
It messes with my skin. I’ve written about this before. In the past, I was reluctant to blame the Mirena for my cyclical skin problems because I wanted so badly to love it. But, it’s undeniable. The facial volcanoes erupt with stunning regularity. The Clinique helps. I’m still loyal to the sparkly magic potions they sell, but they don’t stop it completely.
So, all the time, I go around weighing the pros and cons of this tiny silicone “t” imbedded in my womb. Is it worth it? Is it not?
That’s the thing about the uterus though, she’s a very demanding organ, isn’t she? When’s the last time you gave a thought to your Jejunum? That damn thing is eight feet long, but most people never even know its name. Or how about your Triquetrum? You’d be so fucked if something happened to that, you know. But, the uterus needs to be acknowledged, needs to be respected, needs to have you thinking about her all the time.
After so many years of suffering under her rule, and taking all she had to offer (thanks for the three kids!), you start to daydream about sinister ways to shut the bitch up. Like taking pills to stop her monthly tantrum, or having a little silicone “t” put inside her to keep her busy, or having her nuked. If that doesn’t keep her quiet, then you can just have her yanked out and toss her away.
I’m not quite at that level of loathing yet. The Mirena is not the BFF I had hoped it would be. But, I guess it’s chummy enough for me to let it hang around until something better comes along.
Tags: birth-control-pills, Humor, menstrual-periods, Mirena-IUD, periods, uterine-ablation, uterus |
28 Responses to “M-M-M-My Mirena”
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1. Kadi said:
May 15, 2008 @ 9:33 am
Let me tell you a little story of a lady who had an IUD inserted after her 6th baby. That IUD perforated her uterus, she got pregnant and almost lost the baby. Then, the IUD perforated her rectum and she couldn’t even sit down after 6 months of gestation. The docs told her that her pain was “normal.” She spent the rest of her pregnancy in agony. The IUD caused her uterus to rip during labor, because of the weak spot that it had created when it passed through the wall. She nearly bled out and died during childbirth. The doctors never even knew that the IUD was still in her body and told her that it had fallen out. A year later, she got very ill and the docs said that it was a virus. The “virus” never left and she became too ill to take care of her kids. Then one day, this lady found the IUD hanging out of her rectum. The doctors wanted to yank it out to avoid and legal ramifications. The lady was not the type to sue and just wanted it out. Luckily, the story ends well, but for many women who use IUDs to prevent conception, it does not end so well. I’ve met tons of women, because of my story, who have suffered much worse fates because of IUDs. Please be careful and for those of you who do not already have an IUD, consider other methods instead. It is not worth the many complications and possible sterility or death.
2. Rita said:
May 15, 2008 @ 9:43 am
Thanks for that information! That is a horrible experience and I’m sorry that happened to you!
But, we are not relying only on the Mirena for contraception. I know, it’s nuts with the high effectiveness of it, but I cannot (I CANNOT) get pregnant again. Biologically, I cannot carry another child to term, so I’d have to abort and that is not a decision I want to have to make. So, we use backup and dh is getting the snip, and even when he does, we’ll still use backup (in the form of an IUD or a barrier method) He’s really not inclined to have the snip AND have to use rubbers though, he just thinks that’s unfair, and I agree, so we’d like to avoid that.
The risk of perforation is very small. I’m OK with the risk ratio and monitoring the device on my own. It’s the zits and the weight gain that make me buggy.
3. Kadi said:
May 15, 2008 @ 9:47 am
Yes, my DH got the big V after I got pregnant with my 7th. It was either that, or castration!
4. Rita said:
May 15, 2008 @ 9:52 am
The failure rate of the vasectomy alone scares me though. I know, it’s small, but it’s still there. You just hear (in clusters it seems) of people who have still gotten pregnant after their husbands have had vasectomies (and had the follow up “all clear”).
I dunno. I just wish the uterus had an “off” switch when you were done with it. Wouldn’t that be nice?
5. Kymberly Foster Seabolt said:
May 15, 2008 @ 9:58 am
“When’s the last time you gave a thought to your Jejunum? That damn thing is eight feet long, but most people never even know its name.”
Great points and GREAT LINE!
6. Grandma frm Ks. said:
May 15, 2008 @ 10:14 am
Gosh Rita, I really feel sorry for you and the bad periods, it’s bad enough to bleed so bad but the darn pain to hmmm. I was 30 when I had to have mine removed, I was hemorrhageing for almost a year, I lost so much weight, the day I went into the hospital I weighed 97 pounds, Well that was 31 years ago, and I almost died thru that ordeal, but just in weeks I felt like a new human, b/c believe me you I’m sure there were times my hubby thought “who let that animal out” So my heart really goes out to you girls who suffer so badly with all that woman hood hands over to us, like being a mom and a wife and all the other titles we wear are’nt enough, And then have some idiot ask you why are you so grouchy, GIVE ME A BREAK!
7. Kadi said:
May 15, 2008 @ 10:19 am
I think we should make a shirt that says “My uterus is giving you the finger!”
Then we can wear it whenever we are having periods.
Or we could just make one that says “Fuck off” and get right to the point.
8. Kennedy said:
May 15, 2008 @ 10:34 am
I also have the mirena, and for me, it’s been wonderful. I’ve had it for 3 years now. No periods whatsoever and no side effects. After 5 kids, I’m done with that!I LOVE my Mirena!
9. doodlebug said:
May 15, 2008 @ 11:09 am
I got the Mirena almost a year ago now.
I have to say, the first few months were NOT good. I had an almost constant period (three weeks on, one week off) for the first two months and the “string” they leave on the device for extraction had to be “tucked” up around my cervix by my GYN a few days after I had it put in because I could feel the darn thing. I can only imagine what it would have felt like for my poor husband.
Over month three and four the bleeding subsided and it’s been slim to none for the last six months.
I do still notice breakouts at the beginning of my period, but frankly I think that’s just the normal hormonal fluctations that I would have anyway. I’ve actually been able to reduce a medication I’d been taking for Rosacea while using the Mirena.
I went on a website to try and find out about the bleeding when it first started and read some real nightmare stories…women having discharge, etc. I honestly think, though, if you’ve got something funky looking and smelling showing up down there, you’ve got an infection and PID is a risk factor.
Right now it’s the best BC I’ve ever tried (first time I’ve ever NOT had to think about birth control daily), and my husband and I are reluctant to do anything more permanent until we’re both well past the need, desire or possibility of having any more children.
10. Jenna Roberts said:
May 15, 2008 @ 11:32 am
http://www.contracept.info/docs/mirena-doctors.pdf
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100001706.html
These are some sites I have posted for fellow friends on another site who have suffered side effects from Mirena. I do not have many good things to say about this product even though I do know it can and does work for some. There are many it does not work for and the worst part is that some women who think it is working have side effects that the docs deny are from the BC so they do not even know they may be affected adversely by their BC. Weight gain is a problem with the Mirena. The docs will swear up and down the chemical that is dispersed by Mirena is local to the cervix yet how do they explain side effects in so many users if the chemical NEVER dispurses past the cervix. In my many many hours of research I have learned that many women’s side effects are being denied away by their docs thus allowing women to continue use of the Mirena despite voiced concerns to docs that the women have seen very noticeable side effects. The first site I listed is the official docs prescribing info that is supposed to be offered to the patient when it is inserted.(it is rarely offered and has side effects listed on it that docs to this day dispute being from the mirena explain that doc) If you are experiencing any side effects from Mirena it may be because the hormone is moving beyond the cervix into the bloodstream. I do think it can work but it is important to be armed with ALL the possible side effects as they can happen at any time. There are women who never experienced a side effect until they had there second Mirena put in. I cannot stress this enough. The docs are not always honest about Mirena and its side effects. If anyone is interested I can post a link to a Medical Journal article that discusses the high rate at which docs minimize real side effects from drugs that may not be listed side effects. Many times it comes out years later after many have suffered the ill effects for years and continued reporting of these only then that the side effects become official. Okay, done with my tangent. If anyone has suffered ill effects and needs support, I am part of a site that helps with questions. Let me know. Take care and if you are someone like me who suffered and had your doc deny the side effects being from Mirena, please know you are not alone and there are many who have suffered this way and are more than happy to offer support. For those of you who are doing great, I wish you continued success!
11. Jenna Roberts said:
May 15, 2008 @ 11:34 am
[quote comment="163568"]Yes, my DH got the big V after I got pregnant with my 7th. It was either that, or castration! :)[/quote]
LOL! That is too funny!
12. Kennedy said:
May 15, 2008 @ 12:02 pm
So far so good for me. I’m probably not going to get a second one put in. When the 5 yrs are up I think I’ll go ahead with the tubal thing. It (tubal ligation) is just SOOO permanent, and I don’t know, I just couldn’t do it yet. Although I’m pretty sure, no, definetely sure I don’t want any more kids. Well, I wouldn’t mind having more actually. I just can’t afford it, or have the time for any more. Got to give attention to the ones I have. I guess I’ve been lucky with the Mirena. I really feel for those who’ve had all these problems.
13. Rita said:
May 15, 2008 @ 12:03 pm
[quote comment="163600"]
These are some sites I have posted for fellow friends on another site who have suffered side effects from Mirena.[/quote]
I hung around those sites for a long time before having it inserted. It’s hard to really gauge things from personal testimony though, you know? Not that personal testimony should be totally disregarded, but with a lot of medical things, if you hang around vent boards, it’ll just scare the bejesus out of you for no good reason.
Hang out at a c-section board and you’ll be convinced you were lucky to make it out alive (three times!) after having yours.
But, yeah, I was well aware that a lot of people have a lot of bad things to say about the device and have had some really, really bad experiences with them. But, I think that’s also true about anything. A person could even have a sudden latex allergy during condom use. Anything could have disastrous side effects.
The Mirena isn’t just studied under the FDA, it’s been used in Europe for ages and has passed their continuous studies, too. So, it’s hard to cry “conspiracy theory” when you’re talking about something like this. I do think that it has been at least partially responsible for my weight gain, but I have that tendency anyway–to gain weight. So, if anything has that potential, this will do it. And my breakouts are different than they were before having this put in. I was hormone free for a couple of years before this (I had a couple of medically necessary abdominal surgeries, so I didn’t have it put in right after having my last child). And, it’s been in for about 8 months now, so I think this is just what it’s like.
14. doodlebug said:
May 15, 2008 @ 12:11 pm
Hey Jenna!
Even though I had relatively mild problems with Mirena, I would never take away from the problems other women might experience with it.
I think there is a major problem with doctors, particularly male, who ignore what female patients are telling them about their experiences with their bodies.
We humans are made up of mostly hormones, for goodness sake! Hormones are the chemicals that “turn on” and “turn off” many different functions in our bodies. Is it really any wonder the perfect balance of hormones is rarely accomplished? Or that an introduction of a hormone, however small, into our bodies would not affect each individual differently?
Why would it be impossible for a small amount of hormone in one part of the body to affect the rest of the body?
If you feel something is wrong, stand up to your doctor!!! You’re paying them for their services, after all. Get what you paid for!!!
A medical degree doesn’t remove human imperfections in a person. They have biases and make presumptions just like everyone else.
Speak up! You are your own best advocate!!!
15. doodlebug said:
May 15, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
[quote comment="163610"][quote comment="163600"]
These are some sites I have posted for fellow friends on another site who have suffered side effects from Mirena.[/quote]
I hung around those sites for a long time before having it inserted. It’s hard to really gauge things from personal testimony though, you know? Not that personal testimony should be totally disregarded, but with a lot of medical things, if you hang around vent boards, it’ll just scare the bejesus out of you for no good reason.
Hang out at a c-section board and you’ll be convinced you were lucky to make it out alive (three times!) after having yours.
But, yeah, I was well aware that a lot of people have a lot of bad things to say about the device and have had some really, really bad experiences with them. But, I think that’s also true about anything. A person could even have a sudden latex allergy during condom use. Anything could have disastrous side effects.
The Mirena isn’t just studied under the FDA, it’s been used in Europe for ages and has passed their continuous studies, too. So, it’s hard to cry “conspiracy theory” when you’re talking about something like this. I do think that it has been at least partially responsible for my weight gain, but I have that tendency anyway–to gain weight. So, if anything has that potential, this will do it. And my breakouts are different than they were before having this put in. I was hormone free for a couple of years before this (I had a couple of medically necessary abdominal surgeries, so I didn’t have it put in right after having my last child). And, it’s been in for about 8 months now, so I think this is just what it’s like.[/quote]
Rita,
I agree. The site I went to about Mirena was based in England, and I went into a cold sweat after I read what these women had experienced (since I had already gotten it)!
Since my worst symptom was the bleeding, I took a “wait and see” approach and just ate lots of spinach. Luckily, things got better or I would have marched back into the GYN’s office and ordered him to remove it!!!
By the way, I had to laugh to myself about this…the GYN who inserted the Mirena was a new doctor for me and I’ll just say he’s a little “rough”. I think it’s a symptom of him being a surgeon, most of his patients are unconscious or have epidurals when he’s touching them.
Well, after the exam, when I was pushing myself up on the exam table using the stirrups, my foot slipped and I kicked him pretty hard in the shoulder.
The look on his face was worth a million bucks when he said, “That’s going to leave a bruise,” and I replied, “Join the club!”
16. Allison G. said:
May 15, 2008 @ 12:58 pm
[quote]These are some sites I have posted for fellow friends on another site who have suffered side effects from Mirena.[/quote]
[quote]I hung around those sites for a long time before having it inserted. It’s hard to really gauge things from personal testimony though, you know? Not that personal testimony should be totally disregarded, but with a lot of medical things, if you hang around vent boards, it’ll just scare the bejesus out of you for no good reason.
Hang out at a c-section board and you’ll be convinced you were lucky to make it out alive (three times!) after having yours.
But, yeah, I was well aware that a lot of people have a lot of bad things to say about the device and have had some really, really bad experiences with them. But, I think that’s also true about anything. A person could even have a sudden latex allergy during condom use. Anything could have disastrous side effects.
The Mirena isn’t just studied under the FDA, it’s been used in Europe for ages and has passed their continuous studies, too. So, it’s hard to cry “conspiracy theory” when you’re talking about something like this. I do think that it has been at least partially responsible for my weight gain, but I have that tendency anyway–to gain weight. So, if anything has that potential, this will do it. And my breakouts are different than they were before having this put in. I was hormone free for a couple of years before this (I had a couple of medically necessary abdominal surgeries, so I didn’t have it put in right after having my last child). And, it’s been in for about 8 months now, so I think this is just what it’s like.[/quote]
Rita,
I agree. The site I went to about Mirena was based in England, and I went into a cold sweat after I read what these women had experienced (since I had already gotten it)!
Since my worst symptom was the bleeding, I took a “wait and see” approach and just ate lots of spinach. Luckily, things got better or I would have marched back into the GYN’s office and ordered him to remove it!!!
By the way, I had to laugh to myself about this…the GYN who inserted the Mirena was a new doctor for me and I’ll just say he’s a little “rough”. I think it’s a symptom of him being a surgeon, most of his patients are unconscious or have epidurals when he’s touching them.
Well, after the exam, when I was pushing myself up on the exam table using the stirrups, my foot slipped and I kicked him pretty hard in the shoulder.
The look on his face was worth a million bucks when he said, “That’s going to leave a bruise,” and I replied, “Join the club!”[/quote]
How funny is that story doodlebug!
The Hubs and I decided to take a more natural approach to BC. I didn’t want any device inserted, and he was affraid of “abnormal hormone fluctuations” (aka, BITCH-MONSTER) with ‘the pill’ so we decided to just use condoms. Now, I will admit our last one was an oops, but we worked through that. After she was born he decided to get the V, and we haven’t regretted a thing. It was easier, cheaper, less-invasive, and less down-time that a tubal ligation. And it’s easier to reverse down the road, but I don’t think we’ll be doing that.
17. stacy c said:
May 16, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
[quote comment="163610"][quote comment="163600"]
These are some sites I have posted for fellow friends on another site who have suffered side effects from Mirena.[/quote]
I hung around those sites for a long time before having it inserted. It’s hard to really gauge things from personal testimony though, you know? Not that personal testimony should be totally disregarded, but with a lot of medical things, if you hang around vent boards, it’ll just scare the bejesus out of you for no good reason.
Hang out at a c-section board and you’ll be convinced you were lucky to make it out alive (three times!) after having yours.
But, yeah, I was well aware that a lot of people have a lot of bad things to say about the device and have had some really, really bad experiences with them. But, I think that’s also true about anything. A person could even have a sudden latex allergy during condom use. Anything could have disastrous side effects.
The Mirena isn’t just studied under the FDA, it’s been used in Europe for ages and has passed their continuous studies, too. So, it’s hard to cry “conspiracy theory” when you’re talking about something like this. I do think that it has been at least partially responsible for my weight gain, but I have that tendency anyway–to gain weight. So, if anything has that potential, this will do it. And my breakouts are different than they were before having this put in. I was hormone free for a couple of years before this (I had a couple of medically necessary abdominal surgeries, so I didn’t have it put in right after having my last child). And, it’s been in for about 8 months now, so I think this is just what it’s like.[/quote]
I have to agree.I have had a merina for 6 years,yes that means I had a second one put in.I haven’t had a single period sind I had my first one put in.About 6 months after I had my second put in I did gain about 5 pounds for no reason,could it be the BC maybe or is it age catching up with me.Could it have been because it was winter and I was less active who knows.I have also been battling break out,again was it BC maybe or stress,diet among with many other factors.Nothing some ance medicine didn’t clear up.To be honest I can not say for sure why but if that is the worst side effects I have then I consider myself lucky.I know and have known many people that have terrible periods and would not trade places for the world.
I do not want to say
those with real problems/side effects are lying cause they are not it is not for everyone.It doesn’t agree with everyone’s body.You have to consider since the time they started using it in other countries to now millions have been used so it is really easy to find horror stories,it is basic math.
18. Kristy said:
May 16, 2008 @ 2:34 pm
Kadi, how terrible for you!
I’ve had a Mirena for about five months now. I feel about like you do, Rita. My periods weren’t that bad, though. My first month with it I had no spotting. Then I started a period that lasted 17 days (mostly very light). Then the next month a light period that lasted 11 days. Now I have regularly-cycled periods that are really just 3 or 4 days of light spotting. But yes, the PMS is there. It may be worse than it was, but I’m not sure because I had noticed it getting worse in the months before I got my Mirena. I think it has more to do with age. I also get weird breakouts that are definitely different than any I’d ever had before. That seems to be tapering off with each period, but I also get strange, small pimples in odd places on my face when I ovulate now.
Our plan is for dh to get a V. We have 4 kids and know we don’t want any more. The Mirena was easier, quicker, and cheaper for us right now, but in a year or two he’ll get the snip and I’ll get mine taken out.
19. Jessica said:
May 16, 2008 @ 7:43 pm
Am I the only one that actually like the good, old fashion birth control pill? I actually have emtional serenity with the BC pill. I like the lighter periods and it balances out my hormones.
20. Rita said:
May 16, 2008 @ 9:36 pm
[quote comment="164065"]Am I the only one that actually like the good, old fashion birth control pill? I actually have emtional serenity with the BC pill. I like the lighter periods and it balances out my hormones.[/quote]
I can’t take it. I’m over 35, overweight and have migraines (with an aura), so the risk of stroke of the typical birth control pills with estrogen is high enough to be worried about it. I loved the pill when I could take it. But, the risk of dying isn’t worth it.
21. Jenna Roberts said:
May 17, 2008 @ 12:06 am
[quote]
These are some sites I have posted for fellow friends on another site who have suffered side effects from Mirena.[/quote]
[quote]I hung around those sites for a long time before having it inserted. It’s hard to really gauge things from personal testimony though, you know? Not that personal testimony should be totally disregarded, but with a lot of medical things, if you hang around vent boards, it’ll just scare the bejesus out of you for no good reason.
Hang out at a c-section board and you’ll be convinced you were lucky to make it out alive (three times!) after having yours.
But, yeah, I was well aware that a lot of people have a lot of bad things to say about the device and have had some really, really bad experiences with them. But, I think that’s also true about anything. A person could even have a sudden latex allergy during condom use. Anything could have disastrous side effects.
The Mirena isn’t just studied under the FDA, it’s been used in Europe for ages and has passed their continuous studies, too. So, it’s hard to cry “conspiracy theory” when you’re talking about something like this. I do think that it has been at least partially responsible for my weight gain, but I have that tendency anyway–to gain weight. So, if anything has that potential, this will do it. And my breakouts are different than they were before having this put in. I was hormone free for a couple of years before this (I had a couple of medically necessary abdominal surgeries, so I didn’t have it put in right after having my last child). And, it’s been in for about 8 months now, so I think this is just what it’s like.[/quote]
Rita,
I agree. The site I went to about Mirena was based in England, and I went into a cold sweat after I read what these women had experienced (since I had already gotten it)!
Since my worst symptom was the bleeding, I took a “wait and see” approach and just ate lots of spinach. Luckily, things got better or I would have marched back into the GYN’s office and ordered him to remove it!!!
By the way, I had to laugh to myself about this…the GYN who inserted the Mirena was a new doctor for me and I’ll just say he’s a little “rough”. I think it’s a symptom of him being a surgeon, most of his patients are unconscious or have epidurals when he’s touching them.
Well, after the exam, when I was pushing myself up on the exam table using the stirrups, my foot slipped and I kicked him pretty hard in the shoulder.
The look on his face was worth a million bucks when he said, “That’s going to leave a bruise,” and I replied, “Join the club!”[/quote]
ROFL so hard! That is the best Doodlebug! Is this doc still your OBGYN?
22. Rita said:
May 17, 2008 @ 8:51 am
[quote comment="163600"] The docs are not always honest about Mirena and its side effects. If anyone is interested I can post a link to a Medical Journal article that discusses the high rate at which docs minimize real side effects from drugs that may not be listed side effects. Many times it comes out years later after many have suffered the ill effects for years and continued reporting of these only then that the side effects become official. [/quote]
OK, I will address some of these things directly, since followed up with the PM. I’d rather do it in public here though, so that everyone can benefit from it.
My husband is a PhD in analytical chemistry and works in the pharmaceutical industry in the research and development area. So, I have a very good understanding of the processes that medications go through, from beginning to end.
Doctors are part of the American Medical Association and therefore do not stray from the official stances of that group. They tell the the side effects that have been proven. Even if you go in on Monday and they give you a list of three side effects and then on Tuesday you go back and they give you a list of 103 because a new study had been reviewed and the AMA changed its stance.
They may be able to squirm and wiggle around in the subject when talking to you and say, “Well….nothing’s been proven, but there has been substantial patient testimony to suggest this, and the AMA is waiting for more conclusive data to give us a better idea…” But, they don’t HAVE to, and honestly, they’re kind of discouraged from doing so. Doctor A may personally believe that the drug is fine, that from her experience with prescribing it, the testimony is flawed. Doctor B may believe that the drug is causing the symptoms. The only proof is the research.
So, to blame the doctors doesn’t make sense. They can listen to the reports from their patients and turn them in as evidence that there needs to be more research, but that’s about all they can do with it.
If there is enough complaint about a drug, then the FDA will put it through another series of studies to see if the problem is caused by the drug.
But, that’s why I question some of these conspiracy theories about the Mirena. It’s not a new thing, and it’s not just a US thing. So, if the FDA screwed up (which its been famously known to do on occasion), then there are all those other European drug approval agencies that screwed up, too. One of the big complaints about OUR drug system in the US is that anything that comes from anywhere else is still run through the FDA for approval before being sold here. It’s costly and takes time and a lot of people are unhappy about it. They feel if it passed the European screening or the Canadian screening, why does it have to go through ours as well? The Mirena did, so I’m just not really jumping on the bandwagon here to say that things are being lied about or covered up. I could be wrong!
But, aside from Kadi’s experience (which is a potential risk, right in the pamphlet, it sucks, but it’s written there), the one thing I don’t get about the women who post all over those complaint boards is–why not just get it taken out? If it’s giving you grief, then get up, go to the doctor and have it removed. It’s as easy as that.
When I had my Mirena inserted, my doctor told me that I’d bleed for two to three months. MONTHS? I asked. MONTHS, she said. So, that wasn’t a surprise.
The weight gain could be the Mirena, or it could be because I was under a lot of stress right at the time it was inserted and a month afterwards, my mom died, and then a month after that I started Paxil for my panic attacks (and I put on a LOT of weight then), so it’s really hard to identify what, if anything, was the sole cause. Or if the Mirena had anything to do with it.
And, when I said that my doctor didn’t think it was from the Mirena, the conversation went almost exactly like this–
“Wow, I’ve gained weight since I was here last.”
“Yes, you have!”
“Can I blame it all on the Mirena?”
“Nice try,” she snickered a little. “Scoot down…more…more…more…”
The breakouts I blame on the Mirena. I always had skin that was prone to hormonal blemishes, but the pattern of them has changed (now instead of a bunch of scattered little zits across my chin and forehead, I have one enormous subterranean thing that happens every couple of months right with my period and it’s a total eyesore for about a week).
23. Jenna Roberts said:
May 17, 2008 @ 7:12 pm
Rita please go to the site that I listed and see that weight increase is listed as a side effect. I remember you posting your doc saying that weight gain is not from Mirena. This is not some Mirena conspiracy theory, these are actual Mirena drug side effects that are listed. See adverse affects on the docs prescribing site I listed. The docs do minimize side effects and there are many women like me who have had this happen and kept the Mirena in as a result only to come across at a later time that some of our side effects were listed all along on the Mirena Docs prescribing info. I have also heard stories from women who have had really goos luck with their docs but I am not one of them and I can easily think of many many more women who have shared personal stories of their docs doing the same. I will go and look for the medical journal article that explains it much better than I could. Really though statistics in the face of real human suffering just seems very unfeeling to the many women who are in fact suffering and have suffered form this drug.
Another note: When a patient says something isn’t right it just isn’t. The docs do not know our bodies and no other person for that matter knows it better either. I have often told fellow women who are suffering the following: :”if the cons outweigh the pros you may need to rethink your BC choice.” Its as simple as that to me anyway.
24. Jenna Roberts said:
May 17, 2008 @ 7:42 pm
Oh I just re read your post and sounds like your doc didn’t rule it out good. It is very easy to say that other things may be the cause and they might just be but keep an eye on it. It is very easy to have the Mirena removed and definitely is the best way to start feeling better if you are someone who is not doing well with it. However, if the hormone has moved past the cervix and you are feeling extreme side effects removal is not an automatic feel better thing for everyone. In my case it set my body into a state of “estogen dominance.” My body was used to seeing these extra amounts of hormone in it and when it got removed most of the extreme side effects went away but I had some lingering issues. Most women that have been sick from Mirena do feel better within a few weeks of the hormone being out of their system but for some of us it will not be so easy. It is very easy to say that this “stuff” is made up or dispute it being fact when it has not happened to you. I think it is smart to always arm yourself with the facts and just listen to your body. There are both success stories and horror stories from all forms of BC. I happen to be sensitive to every kind of BC I have ever tried. Mirena and the patch were the two that made me the sickest. There are many women with positive stories who share on the Mirena site to help women who are not 100% sure if they want to try it out or not. There are also women who come on with the same kind of “conspiracy” opinions and we all tell them they are entitled to feel this way but that when there are as many women suffering from Mirena then maybe thats your answer and proof.
Just another FYI Rita regarding my doc minimizing another side effect of mine, this time one that was not listed in the Mirena pamphlet: My neurologist has verified that the chemical in Mirena caused further memory issues, fogginess, etc.(I had a history of this prior because of numerous head trauma’s)and because of the timing of this condition worsening right not too long after Mirena was inserted he is sure the hormone affected me adversely causing me to go backwards in my progress. I have reported this to the FDA and many other women have reported side effects they have experienced that specialists have said the hormones in Mirena were to blame. Mark my words that someday all these side effects will be listed so that anyone else who may suffer from the hormones messing with their health will know why and be able to make a more informed choice about Mirena. Especially those with pre existing conditions who should never be recommended hormone BC’s in the first place.
25. Jenna Roberts said:
May 17, 2008 @ 10:09 pm
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80872.php
This is a link to an article about the journal study that was done on Docs minimizing side effects. Sorry it is only an article and not the exact study itself. It will take me a long time to find it over on our site so hope this helps a little with the point I was trying to convey.
26. Rita said:
May 18, 2008 @ 8:58 am
[quote comment="164269"] It will take me a long time to find it over on our site so hope this helps a little with the point I was trying to convey.[/quote]
Yeah, there are bad doctors. I agree with you on that. I’ve had several encounters with horrible doctors, too. When my middle child was born, we went through a year of seeing just about every pediatrician in Austin, TX before our insurance changed and we could get back to our original ped who we loved. It was just one ridiculously bad situation after another with those other doctors.
I changed OBs in during my 2nd and 3′d pregnancies. With my second pregnancy, the OB was only concerned about her c-section numbers, so wouldn’t even consider my request for a repeat c-section, even though the very idea of a VBAC made me crazy with fear. The first OB for my 3′d pregnancy didn’t find the embryo on the 7 week ultrasound in her office, so diagnosed it a blighted ovum and sent me home with a pamphlet on my impending miscarriage. When it didn’t happen, and the levels in my blood went up instead of down, *then* she sent me to the hospital for a better view and they found the embryo with no problem. I was just lucky I didn’t go home and get stinking drunk over that weekend I thought I was going to miscarry.
There are incompetent doctors out there. You have to be a savvy consumer and not be afraid to confront your doctor or fire him or her if they’re not providing the care you should be getting. I couldn’t find the actual study (and didn’t look very hard, since honestly, this is not my passion and I have other things to do with my time), but I’d need to read the actual study before commenting on it. I can’t comment on a pop-article commenting on a study, you know?
But, you know, this original entry was just supposed to be a funny little thing about my mixed feelings about the mirena and how I hate my periods. But,
27. Jenna Roberts said:
May 18, 2008 @ 10:17 am
[quote comment="164296"][quote comment="164269"] It will take me a long time to find it over on our site so hope this helps a little with the point I was trying to convey.[/quote]
Yeah, there are bad doctors. I agree with you on that. I’ve had several encounters with horrible doctors, too. When my middle child was born, we went through a year of seeing just about every pediatrician in Austin, TX before our insurance changed and we could get back to our original ped who we loved. It was just one ridiculously bad situation after another with those other doctors.
I changed OBs in during my 2nd and 3′d pregnancies. With my second pregnancy, the OB was only concerned about her c-section numbers, so wouldn’t even consider my request for a repeat c-section, even though the very idea of a VBAC made me crazy with fear. The first OB for my 3′d pregnancy didn’t find the embryo on the 7 week ultrasound in her office, so diagnosed it a blighted ovum and sent me home with a pamphlet on my impending miscarriage. When it didn’t happen, and the levels in my blood went up instead of down, *then* she sent me to the hospital for a better view and they found the embryo with no problem. I was just lucky I didn’t go home and get stinking drunk over that weekend I thought I was going to miscarry.
There are incompetent doctors out there. You have to be a savvy consumer and not be afraid to confront your doctor or fire him or her if they’re not providing the care you should be getting. I couldn’t find the actual study (and didn’t look very hard, since honestly, this is not my passion and I have other things to do with my time), but I’d need to read the actual study before commenting on it. I can’t comment on a pop-article commenting on a study, you know?
But, you know, this original entry was just supposed to be a funny little thing about my mixed feelings about the mirena and how I hate my periods. But,[/quote]
Wow, you have had your share of some bad docs! I agree that if you are not getting good care then you should fire them. I used to be too timid to do this but I am not anymore;)
Yeah I do not blame you for not wanting to comment without the full study available. It will take me hours to sift through our Mirena site to find it so I found the next best thing sorta.
I totally get your article and the fact that it was a funny thing. It was very well written Rita and you have a very cool outlook on things. I think all BC requires a Love/hate relationship hehe! LOL! The bleeding alone from Mirena is bound to cinch the “hate” part pretty quickly. I would have loved nothing more than to be one of the “success” stories. Most womens’ periods go away and 99% effective with preventing pregnancy humm….. yeah definitely not happy I am one of the sensitive ones;)
28. Jen said:
June 10, 2008 @ 5:56 am
I have had the Mirena IUd for about 4 1/2 months now. I had experienced very heavy bleeding and hemorraging every month along with severe PMS and pain. I have been on Zoloft for about 2 1/2 years after the birth of our last child ( had ppd… not fun) As far as the mood swings i had a bad one a month after I got the Mirena inserted and then everything has pretty much leveled off. My concern now is the weight gain. I have gained about 8 pounds since Feb 08 when I had the iud placed. Since my other symptoms have backed off the longer I have been using the iud i was wondering if there was anybody out there who was able to lose the original weight gained. I am fitness instructor/personal trainer. I work out about 5-6 days a week and am currently training for a mini triathalon so I know that the mirena is causing the weight gain, it right around my tummy and my muffin tops are becoming supersized. Is anyone going thru the same thing and have the symptoms reduced over time??
I am not a good candidate for the BC due to migraines with aura.
thanks!!