Question for those who've had issues with copper IUD

**jlg** · 09-13-2011 06:50 PM

First some basic info on me, I had the Paragard inserted almost 2 months ago now. At first, besides a lot of painful cramping in the beginning, it was great. I just finished my second period since having it and its all gone downhill. I've started feeling "off", often tired despite plenty of sleep, chronic foggy-headedness to the point where some days I can barely accomplish anything, overly emotional/mood swings plus mild pains in the right side of my stomach. I've been doing all types of searching including on these forums and I seem to have the symptoms of copper toxicity to a "T". Now, to top it all off, since my period ended I seem to have a yeast infection that just won't quit.

My main question is, for those of you who have had similar symptoms (particularly the mental ones) and decided to have the IUD removed, did you return back to normal? And was it instantaneous or did it take a little while? I am strongly considering having it removed though I'm torn bc the pill hasn't been much better for me. Thanks for anyone's input!

**kshipley** · 09-14-2011 10:10 PM

I had my paragard inserted eight days ago from today, somewhat painful during insertion but not as bad as I had expected. Within minutes of the procedure being over, I had a wave of dizziness hit me in the doctors office. All I could do was lay in the chair and let it pass over me. I had sweat all over my face and I felt faint and nauseous. I couldn't drive home and I was so thankful I had a family member to take me home. That night I spotted a bit and had mild cramps.

The next morning I woke to found I was bleeding VERY VERY heavily. It was enough blood to actually scare me. I had HORRIBLY painful cramps, literally the worst pain I have felt in all my life. The pain, cramps and bleeding continued for eight days. I finally called my doctor (not the doctor at Planned Parenthood who inserted my paragard) and asked her for a second opinion. She scheduled me in the same day (today) and explained that she herself only puts IUDS into women who have already had a child or have experience a pregnancy ( I am only 19 and have not been pregnant). My uterus was far too small (something Planned Parenthood SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT) and was extremely inflamed from the pinching. She took it out immediately and showed me the paragard T. It was bent....she explained it should have come out clean and straight!

It has only been a few hours since I had it removed and I can already feel the pain subside. I am still having very intense cramps/pain but the bleeding has begun to stop and I am just spotting. Wishing luck to you, and luck to myself as well. I hope I have not damaged anything and that I can return to my normal state.

**Mes T** · 09-14-2011 11:12 PM

jlg, I had the copper iud for a while and was a huge proponent of it just because I figured it was so much safer than hormonal birth control (which made my hair fall out, among other things).

But unfortunately after a few months I just couldn't handle it anymore - intense periods, contraction-like cramping almost daily, constant yeast infections that, by the way, I'm STILL FIGHTING, even though the thing's been removed for about a year.

Once I got it removed things went back to normal pretty much immediately, except for the dang yeast, which I've had to take supplements for.

If you do decide to go off it, I would consider using condoms as a primary method, or something else non-hormonal like the femcap. There ARE options out there, just may be harder to find... Since the first thing an ob-gyn shoves down a woman's throat is friggin' pills.

**ItsASecret** · 09-14-2011 11:15 PM

I've been doing all types of searching including on these forums and I seem to have the symptoms of copper toxicity to a "T"

You eat more copper in your daily diet than is released from Paragard. Copper toxicity is rare and extreme, not a headache here and there type pain. You only got the device inserted a few months ago, it is going to take awhile for your body to get used to seeing it around. Side effects do happen with everything and you may be one of the few that experience symptoms a bit more harsh than others. Without talking with your doctor all you can really do is take typical Advil, Tylenol, Aspirin etc for pain while avoiding undue stress. A talk with a doctor would help clear up any of your questions and concerns, internet pages will only add to worry as there is a lot of false and misguided information out there (mainly form people who want to scare people away from using any type of birth control in the first place).