[Ladycullen]

IUD may have caused my LUPUS!

I had the Mirena inserted in July of 2003 and recently came accross my Reminder Card and noticed the date of removal was July of 2008. So, realizing that I was 3 months late in getting it removed I searced this site for any pertainent info. I am in total shock at some of the side effects some of you have had. I never once thought my experience was related to my IUD but now I feel so for not considering it! About a month after the insertion I woke up one morning with my fingers so crippled and my body ached in every joint. I blew it off until it happened again a few weeks later. My family doctor never asked about the IUD and I didn't think to even mention it, he ran a number of blood tests, sent me to a Rheumatologist and I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus! The last 5 yrs of my life have been living in fear of dying constantly; and I am pretty tough, very high tolerance to pain and don't let things bother me to much, but this has been very bad. I'm on Prednisone, Plaquinil (immune suppresents), Cymbalta (for depression with pain), hospitalized with a severe flu (105` fever), taken to the ER in ambulance 3 times and from 2005 to 2007 I was addicted to pain meds for all the severe back, joint and muscle pain. This reminds me of the controversy regarding the silicone breast implants years ago causing body rejection and illness. Oh ya, I have to wear a wig because so much of my hair has fallen out. What makes me think it could be the IUD is that early in my Lupus diagnosis, my Rheum. told me that one of my blood tests came back a little puzzelling to him. He said something was "causing" my Lupus but I really thought it was my stress level which is very very very high due to the business I own. I have thought for all these years that I gave myself Lupus and now think very seriously that it could be the IUD. I am so tempted to go in the bathroom right now and pull it out with tweezers, you have no idea!! I feel devastated that we are not informed of these possible risks and educated somehow. Thank God for all of you who wrote in with your issues. If anyone has experienced anything close to the calibar I have, please write in. I am going to do some research on IUD and LUPUS or BODY REJECTION and will post again in a few days! Thanks so much to you all and God Bless.

[Perkins34]

I had my Mirena inserted a few months ago after the THIRD try. I have to say that it was one of the most painful things I've ever done. The doctor had to actually take a piece of tissue just so he could get it in. The first couple weeks after I was having heavy cramps and a sensation that I was being stabbed below. After a few heavy workouts the pain went away. Since then I really haven't noticed any side effects or had any problems. I do notice that my hormones are more rampant during PMS.

[kimsdaughter]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have had the Mirena for almost a year and OMG most of the symptoms posted I have had....Bacterial infections emphasis on tions, real bad cramps, really watery brown funky discharge my sex drive is fine but who wants to think about sex with brown smelly fluid running out of them. I knew something was wrong because I have never had a bacterial infection im 28 and have only had one yeast infection abt 8 yrs ago when i was preggo. A nurse at my doctors office sd that BV was not a side effect of the mirena but i believe otherwise especially after reading everyone elses comments. I could compare sx for sx but I wont instead I am about to talk to my husband abt getting his one snipped and getting this stupid thing removed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WildChild]

I'm baffled, I had an IUD for 10 years with no problems. Had it put in at a Planned Parenthood clinic. The insertion was easy, they had me come one day and inserted a bit of root that swelled with my body's natural fluids, the next day they pulled that and inserted the IUD thru my now dialated cerivx, no numbing, no problems. Never noticed it was there. It was standard '7'. My guess is that many of you have used IUDs with hormones added? Don't understand why those are even made. Why take a prefectly simple, effective birth control method and turn it into something that messes your system up?

If it's causing problems get it removed and consider finding a another health care provider, who is more aware of your needs than of drug manufacturer perks. The precursor to the IUD has been around for thousands of years - the caravan traders first developed it, using an apricot pit in the uterus of their camels to prevent pregnancy or their going into heat on the long journeys. It is time tested! This sounds like a case of if it ain't broke, don't fix it - somebody turned something simple into a mess.

[desert spirit]

I read this thread from start to finish with great interest because I had an IUD put in 12 years ago, when I was 19, and had it removed two months later after eight weeks of sheer .

What strikes me about a lot of the posts here is how many times your GYN either didn't believe you, or just passed off your complaints by saying it would "get better". Let me guess ... these were male doctors, right?

Never again will I listen to a male GYN.

[FayManoucheri]

I personally have had the Mirena IUD for over 5 years now and love it! I used to get infections even before the IUD, so nothing really changed after insertion. My infections slowed down greatly though after I left my husband. And I don't remember ever getting one before I ever had sex. I am sure there must be a corralation here. Now its time to replace the IUD, but your stories are scarring me! Any other options ladies?

[Guest]

I read this thread from start to finish with great interest because I had an IUD put in 12 years ago, when I was 19, and had it removed two months later after eight weeks of sheer .

What strikes me about a lot of the posts here is how many times your GYN either didn't believe you, or just passed off your complaints by saying it would "get better". Let me guess ... these were male doctors, right?

Never again will I listen to a male GYN.

I have to tell you. After my Mirena was removed I decided to start seeing a new dr and they do not recommend the Mirena. I told them of the issues I had and they told me those are the exact reasons they do not suggest them to their patients. It made me feel good that someone understood and believed me ! And yes it was the woman dr that told me.

[a_biny08]

I havd my Merina Put in 2 weeks ago, IT WAS THE MOST PAINFUL THING I HAVE EVER DONE IN MY LIFE, WORSE THEN A CONTRACTION! Now i have experienced THE WORST ITCHING all over my body including labia, (not inside vagina at all) just the "lips" i have bumps all over my body that itch like ! THIS STARTED THE NIGHT OF THE SAME DAY IT WAS PUT IN! when they stop itching, they leave this dark scar on my body. I couldnt think of what it was to save my life! I have a dog so i was beginning to think, well maybe he has fleas, BUT MY DOG HAS NEVER HAD FLEAS OUT OF THE TWO YEARS WE HAD HIM.

Then i thought, the only thing that changed in my life was this IUD! SO I GOOGLED IT, and now i am not the only one! AND IT IS TRUE, THE DR WILL TELL U IT JUST COULDNT BE THE IUD! AND GIVE YOU SOME BENADRYL AND CORTISONE!!! My husbad has been deployed for the last 3 1/2 months and usually when we talk on the phone, (in a special way) i can get REALY arroused, now, NOTHING! He will be gone till Dec.15, 08 and i have been without sex for 4 months so if it happens when he gets home (the no sex drive) THIS THING HAS TO GO! ALSO NO APPETITE AT ALL! I WILL EVEN GO 2 DAYS ON MAYBE A PIECE OF FRUIT. I WEIGH 120 NOW, HAVE NOT LOST WEIGHT BUT IM KEEPING A TRACK! LADIES BEWARE! DONT FEEL ALONE WHEN YOUR GYN/DR THINKS YOUR CRAZY

[swheatp]

Shocking! 1 day post mirena

Hello all, I wanted to write in to tell my story. I had the mirena for over 2 years and thought I was for sure crazy with all the side effects I was having until I searched the net and found many sites with women writing in regarding the problems/symptoms they were having . First off I lost a huge amount of hair, had acne problems, skin problems, anxiety, depression, mood swings just to name a few. I didn't gain weight on it I actually lost some weight but I couldn't get past a certain weight and would go up and down 10 pounds within days. I decided after reading all these stories and my hair falling out like crazy that it was time for the IUD to come out otherwise I would be a bald walking basket case. I went in yesterday Dec. 2nd and had it removed. The removal was quick, easy and painless thank goodness. I had a little cramping that went away after an hour. I have yet to have bleeding problems which may come at a later date. I did notice that I am tired and I am a little depressed today. I am hoping that as the days pass and my body tries to recover from this evil thing that my hair will grow back and become thick again and my other symptoms will subside with time. I feel for everyone who has had to go through this and advise anyone thinking about getting it to really do some research. As for the doctors saying the mirena can't cause these symptoms then why is there SO many women who have the same symptoms/problems? We all couldn't make this stuff up! Take care all who have had to recover from this and I wish you all the best!!

[bprwatson]

There are 2 kinds of IUD, the Paraguard and Mirena. Paraguard is copper and has no hormones, the mirena is plastic and does have hormones. I'm willing to bet most people who have had problems with the IUD have the Mirena. Its the hormones that are messing everyone up! Darn Hormones!

I've had pretty much every problem in the book. Honestly i could deal with the physical things like

Dry/itchy skin
headaches
Excessive sweating/hot flashes
weight gain/difficulty losing weight
constant menstrual type cramps
joint pain
hair loss
acne
Chest pain

I have very high risk pregnancies so i was willing to put up with that stuff if it meant not getting pregnant until we can figure out why my body self destructs druing pregnancy

A few months ago though i started having severe depression and anxiety. I tried to cope and deal but honestly this emotional roller coaster is more than i can handle. I'm getting it removed next week. I'm lucky because my Dr didn't try to convince me i was crazy and told me i'm not her first patient to complain of the same symptoms. For those that are wondering She told me that things may get worse before they get better. That once its removed there may be more ups and downs as my body tries to adjust and get my hormone levels back to normal.

For those considering it, its hard to know how your body will react until you have it. Some people LOVE it, some of us not so much. Everyone's body is different and will react differently.

I know that i for one am looking forward to some relief!