Let me begin by telling you about my experience with the Mirena!
I had my IUD inserted June of 2008, and at the time of insertion I was at my normal weight for the first time since I had my son. I weighed about 160 lbs. at the time of insertion. I discussed with my provider the potential side effects, especially in regards to mood swings and weight gain. I have always had a high sensitivity to all birth control. I have always been a person who handled stress and life's hiccup's in stride. Also, I have not ever in my life had perfect eating habits or exercise routine, but I have always been able to maintain weight or improve it with the proper efforts!
After Insertion
- About 3 months I no longer had a period, which I thought was awesome!!! Until I began to notice some gradual weight gain. I also began to notice that I was exhausted all of the time and lost my energy to go and do. I also lost ALL interest in sex, which is crazy considering I was supposed to be entering my sexual prime!
- About 12 months after I had gained around another 20 lbs. and was experiencing serious depression. I was crying daily at all times throughout my day and felt as if my head was spinning. For the first time in my life I thought I was literally losing my mind! I had some stress in my life, but no more than I had experienced in the past. I saw my OBGYN and he put me on an antidepressant.
- About 18 months after, I saw my OBGYN again because I was continuing to gain more weight! I assumed that my metabolism had bottomed out due to the antidepressant I was on. I informed him that I had spent 3 months doing a completely NO carb diet and cut out ALL drinks (except water) and had only gained weight instead of losing weight! He would only change my antidepressant and attributed it to life events and stress. At this point I decided to seek a second opinion and saw my general provider. She placed me on a weight loss medication for 3 months to try to kick start my metabolism again, which it did. I lost about 10-15 pounds, but once I discontinued this medication I gained all of the weight and then some back!
- About 2-3 years after, I had begun discussing with my general provider that I was really having a hard time keeping focus and remembering things which was not normal for me. I wondered if I was suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder. She placed me on an attention deficit disorder medication that also helped promote weight loss. I did not lose any weight from this medicine. I have also begun to have bad acne on my scalp (of all places). I continued to have strong bouts of depression, zero sex drive (I could care less if even had it at all), repeat yeast infections that were only cured with prescription strength medication, intense irritability/ mood swings, severe anxiety (to the point that I would feel this overwhelming feeling that something terrible was going to happen around me), and exhaustion (no energy/ drive to want to do anything).
- 2012- I currently weigh 194 lbs. now and fluctuate up or down within a 5 lbs range. I have honestly tried so many different ways to lose weight. I either lose a pound or so, or gain a couple more pounds. In the past year I have begun to have plantar fascitis in my feet from the added weight. This has been very discouraging which in turn has added to my depression. All along I have attributed my experience to life events because every time I had mentioned these reactions my OBGYN, he would tell me that it was not the Mirena causing this. Well a couple of months ago my general provider put me back on weight loss medicine to try and boost my metabolism. After two months and only losing 5 lbs., something told me that I needed to research the side effects of the Mirena and that it was the cause of my symptoms. I found these two websites that gave me a realization that I am not crazy or alone:
So here I am today June 19, 2012 (32 years old) and I had my Mirena removed this morning. My purpose to this blog is to share my experience of these adverse side effects as well as to document day by day the effects I experience after the removal of the Mirena. Keep in mind that these same effects may not occur for you since we are all different, but I have not seen a lot of information of potential expectations.
Now if you are considering having your Mirena removed be sure you do not have unprotected sex 3 days or less prior to your appointment (my OBGYN's office neglected to mention this to me upon scheduling my appointment. I know, you would think that I would have remembered that sperm has about a 3 day life span. Well, it did not dawn on me until about quarter after 5 pm this evening on my way home from work. I had the OBGYN on call paged to verify if I needed to get a morning after pill since my husband and I took the opportunity to enjoy one last time without a condom prior to my appointment. (We have his vasectomy scheduled, but I refused to wait knowing what I know about the Mirena now). Any how, the OBGYN told me that "YES" it would be in my best interest to get the morning after pill. $50 later (on top of my office visit charges).)
Day 1- June 19, 2012
Appointment: Weighed in at 194.3 lbs. My OBGYN tried everything to talk me out of having my Mirena removed, but I told him that my husband and I are completely prepared to prevent pregnancy, that I do not care about having my period again, and that no matter what he said this thing was coming out today!!!! I only felt a small cramp during the removal, but felt fine after.
Food: Ate as I normally do (light portions, not all good foods)
Mood: Decent, moments of strong irritability, very tired
No comments:
Post a Comment