My Mirena Crash Story

12/14/2015

Mood: 3 Months Strong

If you wondered where I was at the end of last week, the answer is barfing. Horrible stomach bug, still don’t really feel great, it is what it is. Such circumstances do seem to line up with today’s blog topic: my experience with the Mirena and Mirena Crash.

The number one reason that I’m writing this post is that in the insanity of the last three months, finding solidarity through forums and articles written by other women going through a similar experience has been a source of constant comfort. To put it bluntly, I had a Mirena for two years and thought that I loved it, until I realized that my body didn’t. I did not notice any side effects because they developed super slowly. This appears to be a problem for many women with the implant. When side effects show up years after insertion, they don’t associate them with the IUD. Even my doctor had never heard of the Mirena causing so many problems, but with the speed that my OBGYN agreed that I should switch forms of birth control, it was clear that this is not an isolated incidence.

Since the first noticeable issues of the IUD lasted a month or two before removal and crash symptoms have lasted for three months now, I’ll just divide this by symptoms rather than a standard timeline.

Dissociative Head
Dissociative head is something that I made up. The name, at least. This symptom is a lot like being high all the time. You feel slightly out of body, the world looks a bit more sharp, like a coloring book, and you’re generally uneasy because nothing feels normal or ok. I noticed this symptom over the summer and it terrified me. I was sure that there was something wrong with my brain, and as someone with lifelong anxiety I couldn’t go a day without thinking about tumor possibilities. There was no explaining the way I felt or why I felt it all the time. After about a month and a half, my father informed me that a family friend had just been urged to have her IUD removed as she was developing bizarre skin growths, something that the dermatologist couldn’t explain but that her gyno quickly and quietly noted might be linked to her Mirena. She got the IUD out and her mend began. How did we not hear more stories like this? How did her dermatologist, and my doctor, have no idea that this was possible, while our OBGYNs did? Needless to say, I looked online and found that many women developed bizarre symptoms after long periods of having this kind of IUD. Our friend had her Mirena for seven years. I had mine for two. And now I viewed the world like it was a movie set, through a dissociative haze, and I was scared out of my mind.

Enter removal and The Mirena Crash.

The Mirena Crash
This isn’t a symptom, perse, it is all of them. After having my IUD removed, I wish that I could say that everything went back to normal, swift and painless. Oh no, that would be too easy. What followed has been deemed the Mirena Crash by those who have come before me. It is an intense hormonal crash, an amplification and diversification of symptoms that frightens spouses and puts the sufferer out of commission. While my symptoms have somewhat calmed, I am still feeling most of them after crossing the threshold of three months. Dissociative head? Still happens on and off. It’s even happening as I type now.

Fatigue
The exhaustion of the crash is unbelievable. I work as a freelance writer and after writing for even four hours I find myself totally exhausted. I cannot tell you how frustrating it is. I haven’t made any art that I’m proud of in months. I am exhausted by going to the theatre because I have to sit at attention and only going to the bathroom at the intermission. (Crash digestion BLOWS). The fatigue is an everyday problem. Though the first two months I literally had trouble being out of the house for more than two hours, I still feel lesser fatigue today.

Depression, Anxiety, & Panic Attacks
If you regularly experience any of these, hold onto your hat. On the Mirena Crash, you will achieve new heights and new lows. It is the worst. But it is so so important to remind yourself that it’s the hormones, not you. In the past three months, my anxiety has been on par with the worst it has ever been. For a year in high school I had to set five minutes alarms to prove to myself that planes overhead weren’t going to drop bombs on us. Especially during crash months one and two, I flinched every time a plane roared overhead. Anxiety is no fucking joke. Unfortunately, anxiety and hormones work together in a way that is perpetually fuelling. Anxiety exacerbates symptoms, the scary symptoms give you more anxiety. Depression is upped and panic attacks are likely. If you might be experiencing a crash in the near future, prepare yourself and prepare those around you to aid you on your mend. I have seriously upped my meditation game, and for me that has helped. Find ways to tap into your inner peace if you can.

Skin & Weight
Silver lining, some of the symptoms you didn’t know were associated with your IUD will start to fade during the crash! High on that list for me were acne and weight gain, which is now weight loss. Here is a picture of me at graduation, probably the heaviest I've ever been.

I attributed it to beating the eating disorders that I’ve struggled with for seven years, a thing I did accomplish this year and a topic for another blog, but apparently most of that gain was related to hormones. Proof? Here’s a sick selfie I took mid-November.

Yeah. Seriously. Diet? Nope. Exercise? Fatigue, remember? And I work as a freelancer, so I sit for a living. Yet the weight has fallen off me as the leaves have fallen off the trees. Important: this is not about weight loss and I was happy being the previous weight, if it was my natural weight. However, clearly, it was not. Go figure, IUD.

The Smorgasborg
There are so many symptoms that flitted in and out of my crash, so I will throw together a list of them here:

Ear pain.
Grinding teeth, so jaw pain and sensitive teeth.
Headaches of all kinds.
Pins and needles.
Weakness.
Shakiness.
Minor balance issues.
Reactions to smell and food, not unlike those of a pregnant lady.
Mood swings like woah.
Bad dreams.
Sensitive stomach.
Dizzy spells.
And probably more that I can’t remember at this particular moment.

Light at the Tunnel’s End
Because I still am not 100% better, I had a full physical and a blood panel done last week to make sure that it is all crash-related and not a serious ailment. Turns out that I have the vitals of an ox and blood that’s just like any healthful 20-something’s. The doctor believes it’s just the crash, and so do I. And here’s the thing, I may still be exhibiting crash symptoms but I am much more functional than I was even a month ago. It does get better, that can just be hard to remember when you’re in pain all the damn time. I also know that some women are fine and happy with the Mirena. Hey, I hope so! More power to ya! But if you think you might be experiencing anything above or if you just feel that something is off, it might be time to switch to a new form of birth control.

People’s bodies are different, this is just my experience.
I’m doing pretty well, looking pretty svelte, and healing a little bit more every week. Take care of yourselves, my cervix-having friends. And if you need a crash doula, I’m totally here for you.

-K

424 Comments

Merel

4/18/2016 02:08:43 pm

Whoaaaa thanks for your post!! I've had my mirena in for 5 years and the trouble started: panic attacks, hairloss and weight gain. Never linked them to my UID. Went in therapy for the panic attacks and Dissociative Head (couldn't describe it any better), my UID has been removed almost a week ago and I'm feeling anxious all the time. Like going crazy, want to run away and hide at home on the couch.

How are you doing now? Hope the crash didn't last too long!! Going to finish reading your blogs :_

Kayla

4/18/2016 02:21:16 pm

Hi Merel, I'm glad that this could help in any way! Unfortunately, the crash has different lengths for different people. I'm now 7.5 months past extraction. My energy is really improved, almost 100%, but I still have hard days (especially around the mid-point and end of my cycle). The anxiety is the main thing I'm still dealing with, because that's something I had independently of the Mirena issues. Some days it's fine, some days I still feel like I'm in the worst of it.

But the reality of it, and the most important thing to remind yourself when you have to go through it, is that it will pass. You will get better. Even if it feels pretty endless when you're in the middle of it.

Best wishes during your recovery!

-K

Fifi

6/28/2017 09:59:06 pm

Please please tell me how long your crash lasts I'm at 4th and still suffering about depression please let me know please .
Thanks

Amber

1/14/2020 01:41:52 am

Hi I’m hoping to find out is there any proven to say mirena makes you get vertigo I suffered anxiety and vertigo while on the mirena and much more stuff I’m 4 days post removel and having headaches and sinus symptoms aswell as a small bout of vertigo

ana

9/18/2016 09:06:32 pm

Hi, I had my mirena removed last 14th july 2016, and my period still does not appear,,,,, muy moud goes and comes....my skin is better and that´s all!!!...Anna.....the weight is the same by now.....

Tiffany

8/23/2020 05:03:46 pm

I got my Mirena placed in 2016 and recently had it removed July 13/2020. I wanted to take it out to give my body a break and eventually try for a baby. My father had passed away in June of this year and I had some anxiety with that as well, and I thought maybe it was to do with my Mirena. Boy was I wrong , it’s going to be six weeks tomorrow and I’m going through hell!! It first starts out with mild panic attacks, not being able to sleep little by little and then mind racing. As time goes on my panic attacks got more severe and frequent along with night sweats and extreme nausea. My boyfriend had to leave his work numerous times to come check on me, rub my back during the night and basically do everything around the house on top of working full time . I constantly find myself crying and emotional. It’s either my minds racing having an attack or crying all day long. I went to see a doctor and got prescribed sleeping pills as the insomnia was taking over me with the night mares and night sweats. I would sleep maybe 2 hours a night. I feel exhausted but only mentally, I don’t take naps during the day I couldn’t even if I tried that’s how bad my nerves are. I also got anxiety meds as well to help calm my running thoughts , they do help but after They wear off my anxiety is still there. I started taking a multi vitamin and magnesium glycenate, which helps with depression and anxiety and calms the mind. It’s only a few days that I started taking the magnesium but I heard it does work wonders. I still haven’t had a menstrual period even though I know I ovulated two weeks ago tomorrow so expecting it to happen this week sometime or hoping at least . This crash is so dangerous because it makes you literally feel like you’re going insane, I even went to get blood work done Friday to see if I was lacking something important and just to check to have some sort of clarity. The crash makes you feel like you’re sicker than what you are. I find night time the worse because I have a hard time to get a good night sleep from waking up with night sweats and anxiety. My nausea seems to be going away little by little. I’m not losing weight or gaining weight Which is good especially from all the anxiety I’ve been experiencing. I did experience the crash in 2012 but didn’t put it together until now , I was feeling the same symptoms as I do now only thinking it was college that was stressing me out but when in deed it was the Mirena. What are some tips or meds that helped you guys help process this dreadful thing ? I’m so happy I found this article!! I will be trying to go to the gym and practice yoga as well

Jennifer

2/15/2021 04:01:25 am

Hi Tiffany. I had my Mirena out about 3months ago. I have been getting panic attacks I think in the night and waking up hot and dizzy. I now cannot sleep well for the past three weeks and feel like I'm going crazy. I've had all my bloods done. And all. Ame back fine. I am seeing the dr in two days and want her to test my hormones. How are you feeling now? And what has helped or been done for you? I now have anxiety about all my symptoms and lack of sleep. It's like a vicious cycle.

Nancy

7/18/2016 03:35:36 pm

Hi there, I had my mirena removed June 23, 2016 right after I started to spot. I'd say for about a little over a week, did the experience any crash that soon as my period usually comes around early July even while I had mirena I had a light one. I would say 3 weeks out I noticed extreme fatigue, sore books, cramping, and maybe even ovulation as I know what it looks like. Could I be crashing during my ovulation.. or probably doesn't matter when it hits you huh? I've felt like sad, and down and moody. I'm thinking it's what I've heard of all this time, The Crash. Please tell me there's light at the end of the tunnel. I took it out for reasons of feeling like crap on it, moody, not so much depressed but I had my days so I don't know if I can pinpoint point it all on that. I just knew it wasn't for me, and my Dr pressured me to just give it time. 2 years later I was over it. Do you usually experience it right around your menstrual, like do you know when to expect it? Your blog was really helpful in understanding what to expect. So thank you.

Carissa

7/18/2016 06:22:10 pm

I'm so happy to hear you're doing better after removal! I stumbled upon this post, because of, well, you probably guessed it- the combo of googling mirena crash + nausea + dizziness + headache and all that fun stuff led me here. I'm almost 2 months post-removal and didn't have any symptoms prior to today, but all of a sudden came down with the symptoms I mentioned and am trying not to let my anxiety get the best of me. I can't help but think even though I'm mid-cycle and 45ish days post-removal, Mirena could have something to do with this considering I've never experienced this before. Thanks so much for writing about your experience, it's definitively comforting to know the potential Mirena has. Best wishes!

Emma

7/24/2016 12:19:17 pm

Thank you for your post. I'm just over 2 months into removal and still really struggling with my crash. It's really reassuring to see you've noted symptoms such as ear ache, grinding teeth, bad dreams and pins and needles as all of these things have made me uncomfortable and I never would have associated them with Mirena removal but I am slowly learning that any new symptom (including a new one this week - nerve pain and burning) is likely to be linked. Like you I've definitely had issues with anxiety throughout my life but I really can't wait to get through the next few months and start feeling better/stop my regular sobbing! Wishing you all the best.

Alici

7/27/2016 01:07:25 am

Hi thank you for this post, I had my Mirena removed June 16th started another birth control a week later but since removal I have been a wreck, it feels comforting to know there's other women out there that I can relate to because everyone around doesn't seem to understand

Michelle

10/27/2017 09:40:19 pm

Omg. I got mine removed on October 11 and still going through this Mirena Crash it’s been up and down as well with me and hoping and praying we will all go through this quick! I actually went to see the Nathropathic Doctor and she’s helping me to balance my hormones and I just want this anxiety to go away !

Misty

8/16/2016 10:04:59 pm

Just had mine removed yesterday. Had it for over a year even though weeks into it I felt like a crazy person and believed Mirena to be the cause.

My PCP actually recommended me to get it out because of all the issues I was having with my body.

Today I noticed I was easy to become emotional almost to tears emotional. And since my Mirena I've been unable to cry or feel deep sadness. I've been feeling super out of touch. So I kinda welcomed the feelings I was feeling today. But I'm thankful to read your post so I can be aware of what may happen as my body adjusts back to normal.

Martina

8/22/2016 10:50:19 am

Hi. I am having my merena removed tomorrow morning at doctors recommendation. I have had it in 15 years and have been terrified to have it removed because I had a terrible time having it inserted. After reading up on other people's experiences I have come to realise a lot of physical problems I have developed in past years could possibly be because of the merena even though doctor thinks it can't possibly still have hormone left in it after all these years. I am in menopause now at age 48 and have started hrt 2 months ago due to terrible night sweats and emotional torture and doctor has started me on low dose because he suspects hormone could still be present in my merena due to the fact that I have not had periods since a year after it was fitted. I can't believe I have never associated my awful memory or anxiety or joint pains( which I take strong painkillers for many years now) with the merena and am hopeful there is light at the end of the tunnel after tomorrow even though I am physically sick of the thought of having it removed I am keen to get it over with and the possibility of feeling much better in the future. Thank you for all the info and personal experiences.

Renee

9/27/2020 10:38:50 am

Hi Martina,
I wanted to know how your experience was after the Mirena was removed. I have had it in for 13 years and just had it removed. I did just start b/c because the doctor said it would help with premenopause or menopause and I don't know if I still get my cycle because I haven't had it since I had the mirena in. I will be 47 soon and have extreme joint pain and facial hair growth, anxiety and exhausted all the time. I have had it out for a week and the only thing I have noticed so far is I feel hungry especially in the morning, a little bit of chest tightness. (That could be just because I am nervous because I take two blood pressure medication and I know b/c pills aren't good for high blood pressure)
I just wanted to know if your symptoms have gone away. I would love not having joint pain and be able to get out of bed not feeling like I am 80.
Sincerely,
Renee

Claire

12/11/2020 03:59:35 am

Hi,
I have just had my Mirena out aftet 15 years. I'm a month in and had to come home from work yesterday purely because I am exhausted! I have laid in bed for two days straight and have no energy. I have had an almost continuous headache of varying degrees along with nech and back pain and a general feeling of malaise. I can only attribute all these things to the crash. I am so frustrated as I'm usually full of life and busy but I feel lime I've been hit by a sledgehammer. Thank goodness for pages like this to help me understand. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Jess

9/29/2016 11:38:14 am

Thanks for the great article! I'm 2 weeks post removal and I'm a hot mess. I've had the panic, unbelievable bleeding, headaches, flu symptoms, the list goes on and on... The very worst for me though is stomach symptoms - I feel like my heartburn, bloating and nausea are constant. Like constant. I'm wondering if you, or anyone else, went through these tummy troubles, and have any suggestions for Relief. Luckily, I knew going into it that the Mirena crash was a thing- I'm here to say the struggle is real. I'm okay with pacing myself out for hormones to regulate, and everyone says it could take months, but this nausea is horrible! I don't want to live on Tums and Pepto, and the only foods that soothe are relatively unhealthy - I don't want to gain even more weight. I know it's not about that, it's just that none of us want to pack on the pounds, right? So, any suggestions for relief of these belly woes? Thanks for any input at all, and for the great take on your experiences!

Allie

1/18/2017 05:57:29 pm

Hi! I am 2 weeks post removal and prior to getting it removed I started drinking fresh juice and tumeric shots with lemon- i haven't had any tummy tissues. Not sure if this would help or not! But figured I'd pass along. I do still have headaches and jaw pain and anxiety but I had those symptoms while I had the mirena in- new to me u. General but hoping now that it's out, they too will go away. How are you feeling now?

Megan

12/2/2019 03:02:01 pm

Jess, I am 2 (ish) months post removal and THANK YOU for these words. Aside from the exhaustion and mood swings, the stomach issues have been OUT OF THIS WORLD. I have had heartburn like I have never experienced in my life, my stomach is constantly nauseous and it just never feels quite right anymore. NONE of this happened until I got this IUD removed after 8 years. I continue to read this article over and over again because so many people think I am crazy after having this done. The crash is SO real and it SUCKS. I am really looking forward to this being over and feeling normal again...

Dorothy Kenney link

5/20/2020 09:14:24 am

Hi I had my mirena coil removed by surgery on 19/3/2020 as it was blocked by a fibroid,was ok for about a week then lost my appetite suffering with insomnia wake up with hot flushes and suffering with nausea lost so much weight that i get the shakes oh and the burning is horrible really struggling got doctors friday morning for check up and blood test really feel for all you ladies going through this.

Dorothy Kenney link

5/24/2020 11:37:05 am

I an 53 and have now gone on Hrt hoping that they balance out my hormones and i can start eating and gaining back the weight i have lost which is 18 kilos which is a lot get my blood test result on tuesday they think i may have overactive thyroid it is possible but my problems started 4 days after coil was removed lets hope stonach churning stops been driving me crazy and the insomnia making me feel even worse 9 weeks after having it removed and hoping now things will improve or i will go mad,hope you ladies manage to get sorted oh and i have 5 fibroids and IBS so have to watch what i eat

Whitney

6/3/2020 11:12:11 pm

I had my mirena remover after noticing muscles and joint aches and gi issues(heartburn). Since having it removed I have now been strange feelings in my body (numbness tingling and prickly). I have been so moody and appetite is very decreased. I had my mirena removed 5/15/2020.

Beth

12/17/2019 09:18:48 am

I'm 5 days post removal. My nausea while Mirena was in is part of the reason I had it taken out, but today it's even worse. More to the point for me personally, I have severe emetophobia (crippling phobia of vomit), so I am utterly terrified. I have anxiety disorder too and I'm so terrified I'll vomit. I just want to live a normal life.
How long did it take the symptoms to go away? Did they go away at all?

Michelle

9/13/2020 09:20:30 am

Hi Beth, I was wondering how you're doing now? My daughter has severe emetophobia and anxiety as well and is trying to figure out what to do about removing her Mirena. Your post was 9 months ago; are you feeling better now, I hope?

Alex

11/6/2016 12:05:08 am

I can't thank you enough for this post. I had mine removed a month ago and the anxiety, nightmares, panic attacks, etc. are going strong and make me feel like a crazy person who gets dizzy a lot. So glad I'm not alone! Thank's again. Cheers to the cervix owners out there!

Natarsha

11/7/2016 09:34:18 pm

After having the IUD for 2 years I had it removed 5days ago and oh boy has the crash hit!
My anger is through the roof- I am usually an extremely calm, patient and tolerant person. Since having it removed I feel like I want to scream, I have zero tolerance for anything, the smallest thing sets me off. I feel possessed.
The fatigue is ridiculous- this is something I had while the IUD was in. My Dr couldn't diagnose why I was so tired, I asked if it could be my IUD and he looked at me like I was crazy. My bloods and thyroid tests were fine except slightly elevated sugar levels.
My sex drive- well I don't have one. The thought of having sex with someone repulses me. I had a happy healthy sex life prior to the IUD. I wonder if it will ever return.
Prior to removal and reason for removal was what I can best describe as a year long flu. This past year I have experienced sinus issues, a bad ear infection that caused hearing loss in my left ear for about 1.5 months (it's finally back), the migraines were unbearable at times, the fatigue drives me insane- I don't have to do anything yet I'm exhausted. My energy levels are depleted. The weight gain, the bloating- I looked 4 months pregnant! The mood swings, the immense depression- I took leave from work to stay in my room for 2 months because I couldn't function. The anxiety/paranoia I'm constantly thinking people are talking about me, about the way I look. My self esteem has fallen to an all time low. I hate everything about me.

I broke down yesterday after having to hid myself away in fear I would burst with the amount of anger I was feeling. I was a ticking time bomb. I just want to feel normal!
5 days post removal and I got my period day 1. It has been quite heavy with blood clots. My hormones are hitting me at tremendous speed. I want this to be over so I can live a normal life again.

Amanda

1/5/2017 01:03:29 pm

I have had, and I am still experiencing a lot of the same issues you are. I have YouTubed different meditations, finding some I love and dislike both, but have tried to take a time out when I'm feeling like falling apart or ripping someone's head off. It's hard with have a family but I've had to just tell them I have to take a time out and will be back! It helps! I hope you can find some relief soon! Try to stay positive! Good luck!

Neisha

6/21/2017 06:17:26 pm

I'm with you on that I had the mirena in about 2 years I got it removed Jan2017 now it's June 2017 and the crash just started I got it so bad I had to go to my parents house thank god it's summer time for my kids I just want my life my husband will come home from work and I'm in the room crying and I can't tell him why I'm crying because I dont even know why myself anxiety is so bad, serve depression, my head feel so weird, brain foggy and the list goes on and on but just praying I have a good husband and support System from my family/mom just waiting for the light and thank you for your story

Chelsea Thomson

11/15/2017 07:48:15 pm

This is exactly what I am experiencing right now. It’s been 8 days since my mirena removal and I’m struggling big time. I see people saying it last months for them. I don’t think I’ll surive this for months long. I hope you are doing better now. Xo

Ashley

5/28/2020 08:50:31 pm

Neisha - did your crash finally stop? I’m on month 5 of it happening and I just can’t take it anymore. I would’ve rather had 3 more children if I would’ve known this could happen. :-(. I hope you’re doing well now!

Amanda

11/10/2016 12:20:57 am

I'm glad I'm not the only one going through this. I had mine removed Oct 12 and I've been crashing since. The fatigue and nausea have been the worst. The last week hss been hell. Thank you everyone for sharing.

Amani

5/14/2018 07:08:55 am

Feeling calmer knowing that i am not alone, i am 50 years I had the mirena for 3 years to control heavy bleeding and thick uterus linning
I had removed on May 5th, 2018by sugery because it shifted its location , i suffered a lot having it in weight gain , hypertension, high cholestrol, mood swings and headaches
A week after removel feeling not ok , having nausea , anxcious , high blood pressure even with the medicine, what is funny is that i complained a lot to my gynacologist about the mirena and he says it is the best thing for me , untill the the i had the iud removed, i hope this mirena crash finish quickly me and my children and husband are suffering , i am not myself

Cristina

7/14/2018 05:26:47 pm

Hello, I'm 40 years old and just had my Mierna removed almost a month ago. My OBGYN had told me to have mine put in for the same reason as you. I have had my tubes tied for 14 years now. I also have had depression, anxiety and mood swings like crazy not to mention the worst headaches i have ever experienced. I was just wondering if your back to yourself yet? How long did it take? And do you recommend anything to get thru It? My husband and kids are waiting for the day I am truly back to myself. I too am waiting for that day, to be headache free!! Thanks for any info. Glad to know I'm not alone in all the feelings and symptoms.

Koie

12/4/2016 02:07:11 pm

I had my Mirena removed Oct 16 and I still havent had a period. My body hurts all over like I have consistent muscle cramps. Does anyone else have a headache that feels like a vise is squeezing your brain. I feel like I will never recover from this hell.

natalie

12/9/2016 02:28:16 am

I had merina for 8 months recommended by gp for extreme heavy periods. cannot take combined pill due to dvt and a double dose of mini pill didn't stop my periods...then again neither did merina had one every 28 days. but merina coil has made me so sick. I had it removed last week. about 8 weeks after having it my skin became so bad I have always battled my skin but this was unreal. at 36 I was battling teenage acne. I started to have a whooshing sound in my ears and blamed it on wearing headphones when I exercise. I started getting constant headaches and over the last 4 months have suffered with constant anxiety and feel in a state of panic about everything. I am a single mum who works full time and cannot afford time off but 8 weeks ago I became ill.in work to the point I was sent to hospital with the symptoms of a stroke...but they put this down to a severe migraine attack. I have never had a migraine in my life. 2 weeks ago the same this happened severe headache dizziness more like vertigo extreme anxiety panic attacks pins and needles down my legs and arms jaw pain tinnitus muscle ache foggy head confusion and my head feels like it's packed with cotton wool earache stomach ache nausea and vomiting...for ten days and still going on it's hell. I had my merina out last week and now waiting for an appointment with a balance clinic in thr hospital. I was at the very end of a period at the time it was removed but within a day I had a full blown period again with huge clots (sorry for tmi). I have the worst fatigue and now feel like I have flu every muscle is hurting and I still have headache dizziness my eyes feel dry and sticky and my stomach is agony and I still have nausea. but each day it's getting abit less. Merina is the cause of all this the amount of cases I have found of people presenting at hospital with the symptoms of a stroke or MS or some other neurological disorder and they all had merina. I am hoping am on the road to recovery now but I am still.of work and terrified of getting into trouble and also terrified what damage that evil thing has caused. it should be banned. I appreciate it might be great for some women but the side effects are not known enough it is ruining people's lives.

michelle

7/1/2019 01:42:11 pm

Hi, I just had my inserted about 1 month in a half ago and now that my true first period came, OMG I have been feeling so horrible. Body aches, Headache, Nausea sometimes. Did this happen to you as well?

Aiyana Johnson

9/1/2020 07:02:20 pm

Yes, 1 month after insertion I started to get crazy joint and muscle pains. I had the IUD removed 5 days ago and I’m still having aches.

Sam

10/14/2019 11:57:56 am

Hey how are you now, am through the same thing, did u ever recover?

Whitney

6/5/2020 12:07:11 pm

Natalie,

Odd symptoms improve if so how long did it take. I am having th same symptoms. Praying it isn’t MS.

7/27/2020 10:14:38 pm

Whitney - any changes? I too having typical MS type symptoms?

Ilana

7/27/2020 10:13:20 pm

Natalie - did this go away? I’m 4 weeks after removal and the pins and needles and numbness are nonstop. Went to a nurologist today who is having he further tested bc it’s so strange.

Tanya

1/28/2021 09:33:06 am

Illana and Natalie - I am scheduled for an mri next week due to unexplained dizziness and pins and needles. I'm looking for other causes and am wondering if my Mirena may be an issue. I have not had it taken out but am on my third round. Scared of the crash I read about but did you have symptoms while it was still in?

Lisa

10/8/2020 01:24:18 am

I’ve had my Mirena moved in August it’s now October I took it out due to shakiness and night sweats. Since then I’ve been to the Emergency room twice I’ve had my blood drawn, cat scan and EKG test. Thank GOD all my test came back Normal. I now have severe vertigo it’s been very hard for me to leave the house or my bed that’s how bad the vertigo is. I’ve missed out so much of my life this summer due to this Mirena crash I pray I feel Normal again soon my life has been a roller coaster oh and not to mention my doctor prescribed me lorezapam For anxiety yea it sucks really sad

marina

12/7/2020 11:56:28 am

LISA its an old old review but i have the same situation like u now. how u felt after removing the mirena??

Karly

12/27/2016 11:46:27 am

I really needed this article. I had my Mirena in for about 3.5 years and had it removed 12/12/16 to try and conceive. I've experienced fatigue(extreme), anxiety (I am naturally prone to anxiety but it's been unbelievably heavy), skin changes(my forehead is suddenly dry), terrible and vivid dreams, mood swings, and my sex drive is back full force. I feel like I'm pregnant but it's just not realistic to have pregnancy symptoms after only having the iud removed 2 weeks ago. I truly didn't realize how much of an effect it had on me until having it removed. The past couple years my anxiety has been worse than ever, social and general. Constantly making up scenarios in my head and all of the what ifs kept me up at night. I'm really wondering now if it was all the IUD..? I'm an emotional roller coaster right now, I'm hoping this straightens itself out soon. thanks for posting this article and sharing your story, it feels good to know it isn't all in my head.

Carolyn

12/28/2016 01:52:55 am

My God... at last i found someone with the same feeling... that Euphoria i feel, that High i couldnt explain.... the terrible smell of iud... all the shit i had with it. I thought i was crazy.!!!

Allie

1/18/2017 06:01:47 pm

Oh thank goodness for this post. Did anyone while on the mirena start having severe anxiety and maybe TMj symptoms. My whole face hurts- I didn't think I was grinding my teeth- I got one of those fitted mouthguards and wear it when I remember. But my neck, jaw and face are always hurting- dull achy pain. Never had this before the mirena. Hoping now that it's out, I will start to feel better. Any one with similar experiences please reply!!!

Jennifer

1/29/2017 04:26:07 am

Yes! My jaw and mouth are always hurting which ends up giving me migraines. My anxiety gets so bad that i clench my teeth which makes my mouth hurt and it's been worse since i had my iud removed 4 days ago.

Allie

1/29/2017 09:13:17 am

Hi! Ok so I've had mine out for 3 weeks and I honestly notice a difference! In a good way. I have been using Advil, doing yoga and drinking tumeric (helps with anti inflammatory issues) and even tho I still clench it's definitely not as much. So glad I got this thing out ! Hope that helps!

Carrie

3/15/2019 09:39:40 pm

Hi ladies...this is a while ago, but I'm wondering if you all remember how long it took to get back to normal? I'm day 3 in...just seem exhausted so far.

Sonia

2/20/2019 04:31:03 pm

I’m almost 3 months post removal of skyla and was diagnosed with tmj disorder :( neck pain, headaches, ear pain, sinus pressure, dizziness, nausea and the list goes on and on. I’ve never experienced anxiety and depression before and this crash is just driving me crazy. I’ve been to every doctor possible and every test comes out fine. I’m just waiting for this to pass and hope it’s soon!!

Ashley

9/15/2019 07:00:49 pm

Hello Sonia,

I've had my Skyla removed about 5 months ago. I am having really bad depression, anxiety, ringing in my left ear, my appetite is gone, etc. I don't feel like myself and even going to therapy. I am thinking about seeing a holistic dr to help me regulate my hormones if that is the issue.
How are you doing now? Are you feeling better?

Sonia

9/16/2019 09:48:01 am

Hi Ashley! I'm 10 months post removal now and I have ups and downs. Anxiety is the worst, but comes and goes. I try to stay positive, eat healthy, exercise and just think that this is temporary and that it should clear pretty soon. I've also seen holistic doctors, tried acupuncture and now meditation. everything helps!

Ashley

9/16/2019 12:44:38 pm

Hello Sonia,

Thank you for your update. I wish Dr's would notify women the after effects the IUD has on the body. I've been through truama and never ever experienced anxiety or depression to this extent. Maybe, its both therapy and my hormones but, wow!, I don't think I'll ever go on BC again.

michelle

7/1/2019 01:44:06 pm

Oh boy have I been experiencing horrible symptoms! Body aches, nausea, headache, fatigue, etc.. I just had it inserted about 7 weeks ago and never have I ever felt this way before. I already messaged my doctor to have it removed.

natalie

1/19/2017 01:49:48 am

I am now 7 weeks post removal my periods are back to normal but I still have dizziness most of the day I have had a permanent headache for 7 weeks, jaw pain earache neck pain. I am under neuro and ENT waiting for a Mri. I reckon it's all down to that evil coil. X

natalie

1/19/2017 01:52:12 am

Hi Karly, just wanted to say years ago I had a copper IUD...I was pregnant less than 3 weeks after removal xx

Karen Moore

1/26/2017 04:26:57 pm

Hello from Jacksonville, Fl 😀
Thank you for sharing your experience!
I am a soon to be 40 y/o mom of 4 boys who had the Mirena placed in 2014. My Gyn at that time sung its praises.
Little did I know that little bit of plastic was poison!
I experienced horrible headaches, terrible mood swings, anxiety, to the point where leading up to the time to have it removed, i would almost cry everytime i had to drive over a bridge.
I even resorted to try to remove it myself!
Needless to say it had attached itself to my uterine wall and i had to have it surgically removed 11/2016
I thought i had avoided the whole crash thing but it has caught up with me just this week, i have been extremely tired, can't sleep, irritable...
I can really relate to the disassociative head thingee... that is the worse symptom to me.
But i am going to go to the health food store to see about what is good for detox for hormones...
Thanks for sharing!

Jennifer

1/29/2017 04:20:03 am

I had my first mirena iud for 5 years and no issues. Second mirena iud 3 years and that's the one that started affecting me negatively. I had no idea that my developing symptoms all linked to the mirena until i saw an ad on tv about all the symptoms and as they were naming them off, i had all the symptoms and more. I had dizzy spells, hearing loss, extreme hair loss, cysts, numb swollen hands (which my doc had no clue what was causing it), severe anxiety attacks that felt like heart attacks, unexplained crazy mood swings, weight gain, upper and lower back pain if i stood up for longer than 5 minutes and it was all linked to the mirena. What did it in for me was the extreme hairloss and monthly yeast infections so I had mine removed 4 days ago. Since then I've experienced endless exhausation, anxiety issues nonstop, light yet constant bleeding and today i noticed after urinating I wiped with a baby wipe and my skin seems to be coming off in blood tinged clumps, it's not a blood clot but my actual skin! I figured there would be side effects after I had the iud removed, but my skin? Really? Has anyone else experienced their skin coming off after wiping after having the mirena iud removed?

Jennifer

1/29/2017 03:43:41 pm

Okay so I did more research on the skin issue that I noted above and it's not my skin that's coming off it's my flesh from the inside lining of my uterus where tbe iud was poking and scraping me. Apparently that's happened to alot of women to include myself and they say that it will stop eventually but that my uterus is cleaning itself out. Gross but but common in women who just got the mirena out. So if any of y'all have or had the same issues, it will eventually stop. Though I do not know if it's a problematic issue.

Jennifer

3/30/2017 09:16:21 am

Just an update. It's been 2 almost 3 months since I had my iud removed. I started taking coconut oil vitamins to cleanse my body and help give me energy naturally which I feel really helped. I also am taking the Centrum women's vitamins to help regulate my body. The hairloss that I noted above has stopped. I'm not sure whether it's growing back or not since my hair has always grown at a slow pace. I've started to lose some weight so I take that as a good sign. My periods are regular now but a lot heavier than what they were before I even decided to get the iud to begin with. My moods have been going crazy lately, even worse while on my period. I go from happy to angry to so sad that I feel empty inside for absolutely no reason at all. So I went to see a mental therapist because I've been acting and feeling so crazy lately and he thinks that the iud removal triggered symptoms similar to post partum depression. So he has started me on meds that will help stabilize my mood swings and help with the depression. I was already on anxiety meds before this visit so he's kept me on that as well. I can't say whether the depression meds are even working at this time since it's only been 3 days since I started them and I just got off my cycle as well. On the upside my hands stopped swelling, tingling and feeling numb. Also my balance seems to be getting better. I don't find myself getting dizzy or falling over much any more. Also my flesh did stop coming out of me about a few days after the post I had done above. My back pain is almost nonexistant except for during my cycle. So now I can go for walks without having such horrible pain and stiffness in my upper and lower back. I no longer have any cysts and barely any yeast infections. I've had 1 yeast infection since the removal whereas with the iud in I had them every month constantly. I do also take a probiotic mixed with a prebiotic mixed with cranberry for healthy urinary tract that I picked up from cvs. I believe that is helping with the yeast infections. I hope this update is helpful to someone out there. I will post again if my doc can help me get these crazy mood swings and depression feelings in control.

Jennifer

1/26/2018 02:21:23 am

So last update, i hope my story has helped someone. It's been a year since I've had my Mirena iud removed. I decided not to continue the depression meds that my doc put me on because it was causing too many negative side effects. I instead stick with taking the women's centrum to balance my body. The iron in it helps with my dizziness and the other ingredients just help with my overall health and energy.. I've learned that these "yeast infections" that I had with the iud weren't yeast infections at all but instead Pelvic Inflammatory Disease that was caused by the iud. Mine is so far progressed that I couldn't have babies if I had decided to which is a bit depressing but I can live with that. I've only had one PID episode since my iud was removed. I no longer have unexplained migraines. I only have dizzy spells when I forget to take the centrum vitamin for more than a few days. Every now and then my lower back will hurt if I walk too much but it's not unbearable. Now the only time I have mood swings at all is during my cycle. My hair is starting to grow back now that I've started taking this vitamin for hair skin and nails. My biggest worry now is getting my right eyebrow to grow back. Thank God I didn't lose all of it, it just had significantly thinned out. Also, I haven't had an anxiety attack since last October. I haven't developed any more cysts and the last one I had went away about 7 months ago. My hands only swell now if I sleep on them every so often and I hope I haven't forgotten anything or repeated myself but my energy is back and Im almost feeling completely back to normal.

Raeandthesea link

3/29/2017 09:47:49 pm

During my 4 years on the Mirena, I had been experiencing hair loss, headaches, dizziness, vertigo, heart racing at rest. No doctors were able to identify what was going on. I thought that this all might be caused by my IUD, so I had it removed.
Let me just tell you that getting it taken out was a million times more painful than getting it put in. (And getting it put in hurt pretty badly).

I got my Mirena taken out 3 months ago and was so nervous having read all of the terrible stories of the "Mirena Crash". With this in mind, I started seeing an acupuncturist and Chinese Medical Doctor who helped me regulate my hormones ASAP. The Mirena had messed them up so badly, I hadn't had a period in 4 years! This is not good for your body. She got my period back after less than a month of seeing her, and was able to get me back on track so that I did not experience ANY of the Mirena Crash symptoms. The symptoms are caused by the imbalance. The Mirena produces a synthetic progesterone, so when its removed, your body doesn't remember how to make progesterone (because it has been relying on the IUD). The causes a GREAT imbalance leading to the awful symptoms of the crash.

I would recommend anyone not to get the Mirena in the first place. If you are getting it taken out and are nervous about the crash like I was -- get your booty in to an Acupuncturist/ Chinese Medical Doctor to get your hormones leveled out ASAP.

Along with weekly acupuncture, she gave me herbal supplements, and put me on a health supportive diet. I would recommend this approach to anyone.

If you want to read more about this, you can contact me on my blog.

https://raetnix.wixsite.com/raeandthesea

Take care of yourself and put your health first! Xx

Jana

4/12/2017 12:24:56 pm

Hello ladies! I am a 32 yr old mother of 3. My youngest child is 4 yrs old. I got the Mirena inserted 6 wks after giving birth to her. It was ALL LOVELY in the begining. Then SYMPTOMS began that i NEVER contributed to the Mirena IUD until THIS YR 2017 after doing intense RESEARCH. I swear ladies I HAD EVERY SINGLE symptom! Gained 40 lbs, almost instantly (6months +) SEVERE Depression (6months+++++) it increased as the yrs past. Dizziness i sas running into things walking side ways (Vertigo) 3months++++ I began having VERY LITTLE PATENTS very tempermental FLIP at the drop of a dime. (3months++++) the + btw means it got worse😱😱. Anywho my hair started falling out 3yrs in ive ALWAYS had a head FULL OF THIIIIIICK CURLY HAIR. Acne (face,chest,back,shoulder) outta this world that itched like crazy.....rash on my neck & chest. High blood presssure the last cpl wks. Im telling you this med had me losing myself foggy memory. Horrific HEAD POUNDING HEAD ACHES(endless) Sleepy for days and days (hand n hand with unexplained Depression) then there would be days i was up like a Crack head😱😱😱and i Dont do drugs. Well an occational drink and smoked cigg. Anywho i quit smoking cigg and drinking this yr (JAN2017) to see if the side effects would end. No LUCK. HOWEVER after having the Mirena removed No more head aches as i had....think the minor head aches i have now comes from Seasonal Allergies. NO longer dizzy, NO longer Depressed i can finally ENJOY MY LIFE AND KIDS AGAIN!!!! Everything went back to normal. Only i am still constipated...dieting is regulating that however. I know i instantly lost at least 5lbs its been out ( THE MIRENA IUD) for 1 wk tomorrow I FEEL AMAZING. I WOULNT RECOMEND AAAANY1 TO GET THE MIRENA. MY DOCS TRIED TO MAKE ME THINK I WAS INSAIN WHEN I TOLD THEM OF MY PROBLEMS. NOT REALIZING I DID MY RESEACH AND WAS FULLY AWARE OF MY BODIES NORMAL FUNCTION. THEY DID BLOOD WORK MRI AND ALL WHEN I HAD THE MIRENA FOUND NO CAUSE FOR MY SYMPTOMS. THEY PROB. GET PAID THE LONGER I KEPT IT IN. I NO LONGER HAD INSURANCE SO THEY REFUSED TO REMOVE THE FORSAKEN IUD.

~TRY IT AT YOUR OWN RISK I HAD TO PAY 390$ outta pocket to have this DEMON SEED REMOVED. IT WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY (OF CORSE) and they knew it would Be. Ive since realized that this Birth Control was NEVER TRUELY SAFE ANYWAY as it stops the NATURAL FLOW of our menstruation.

Be safe ladies
#1 know your bodies Norm.
#2 listen to your institutions

Paige

5/31/2017 01:01:33 pm

How long does this normally last? I've got bad anxiety anyways that was the main reason wanting the iud out to see if it was the cause of my anxiety problems. I got mine taken out 2 weeks ago and for the last 4 days I feel as if I'm going crazy! The dizziness is awful stomach cramps nausea heartburn heart palpitations moodiness and my anxiety is through the roof! The dizziness or lightheaded feeling I'm experiencing is the worst.

Paige

5/31/2017 01:03:53 pm

Was there anything that seemed to help those that experienced some of my symptoms? Especially the dizzy lightheaded feeling.

Allie

6/21/2017 10:06:52 pm

Hi Paige- has your anxiety calmed down? Mine did a little more each month post removal. Keep us posted

Paige

6/28/2017 10:36:18 pm

I still get the dizzy lightheadedness not sure if maybe it's just due to anxiety alone

Fifi

7/3/2017 06:22:26 pm

First of all I'm sorry because my English is not good because I speak only French and thanks so much for your stories that make me happy at least I'm not the only woman that suffering after removing the bad merina.
I removed it on 9th of March and I still have depression despite I take antidepressant.
Please please please can you tell me when the crash lasts ?
It's normal that depression doesn't finish until now ?
You can email me please
Thanks so much

Crystal Matthews

7/25/2017 09:17:46 pm

I thought i was losing my mind...mood swings like crazy amd got something like the flu...dizziness...brain fog...lots of crying...had 4 mirena over last 13 years and loved it...till i had it removed for surgery 7/17/2017...thank you for all of your posts because nothi g feels worse than feeling like your in this alone😞😢😊

Wendy

7/31/2017 09:42:16 pm

Thanks for this. I feel like I'm losing my fucking mind. It's been about 6 weeks since having my iud removed and this is some of the worst anxiety and depression I've ever had. Glad to hear there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Allie

7/31/2017 09:56:50 pm

Hang in there! It gets better! Took me honestly 6 months before I really started feeling like my old self. Anxiety is much better, no more heart palpitations. I did get diagnosed with hashimotos (thyroid) disease. I wonder if the two are related in any way. Any way, good luck! Keep us posted.

Teegan

7/15/2019 02:07:01 pm

Hi Allie!

Did your thyroid improve after your got iud out?

Heather

9/14/2017 07:05:25 pm

Hey there!
I'm so happy to have found your blog because I've been going through absolute hell with/post Mirena. The one symptom you mentioned, the "Dissociative Head" is one I've been battling for weeks and by far is the scariest to me. How long did it take for you to shake this awfulness? It's my senior year in college and the high feeling makes it so difficult to focus :( I just want to feel normal again.

Hope

9/25/2017 02:38:54 pm

Hi, I am so glad to have found this post. I had the mirena inserted in March to combat heavy periods and all seemed to be going well for the first 2 months, other than cramps. Over time I developed fatigue and almost constant dizziness. I also suffered from several migraines with aura, where I partially lost vision in both eyes! Having never had migraines before this was awful and I feel dreadful for people that suffer regularly. Around the same time I noticed all of the glands in my groin were swollen and a few in my neck. At the time I was worried this could be something sinister and underwent a huge amount of blood tests and scans which all concluded they were 'reactive glands', but no one could figure out what they were reacting to! I also started to get acne on my face, really big painful swellings along my jaw line which would be there for weeks on end. I developed anxiety, which was really strange as I have never suffered from this before. Finally after hours of googling I came across people with similar stories to mine and they blamed the mirena. The more I read the more I believed this could be the source of my problems. I had the coil removed a little over a week ago, initially all of the symptoms got way worse which I believe to have been the crash! But around 9 days post removal the dizziness has improved a lot and I feel generally happier. Also my Sex drive has come back with a bang! The glands are still swollen and I continue to be observed by the hospital, but I am confident that all the symptoms will ease off over the coming weeks. I even think there may be silicone toxicity causing this? Has anyone had anything similar? If it hadn't been for posts like this I may still have the dreaded thing, and with the doctors denying all side effects I could have been stuck like that for 5 years!

Thanks again!

Dee

10/9/2017 09:10:46 am

Did anyone have a low grade fever in addition to all of these other symptoms?

Allie

10/9/2017 10:19:33 am

I did, had a very low grade fever but during the first days of the crash which resolved quickly- hard to say if it was related or not but I remember reading that it was common to feel like the beginnings of an infection (achy, just blah). If it's higher than 100.5, I'd go to an urgent care/Primary care doc to rule out its nothing bacterial/viral Flu season is quickly approaching!! Hope you feel better soon! And just an update; I've had the mirena out now for 9 months now and I've never felt better. It took a good 6 months for me to get rid of anxiety aches and pains, TMJ symptoms, dry eyes etc. At 6 month removal mark and after some other testing, I was diagnosed with hashimotos/thyroid autoimmunity as well (which is another common thing I'm seeing in us mirena women- I encourage everyone to request the autoimmune testing for thyroid if you feel like you have those symptoms which match very closely with the ones we've all experienced here) I started to eliminate gluten from my diet and it's made a huge difference in just the way I feel (I don't have celiacs). Any way figured I'd share my success tips With the hopes it can help someone else!! Xoxo

Dee

10/9/2017 11:15:12 am

Thanks! I've had every test done possible, but nothing coming back. I had the IUD for 4 months. A month or so into having it, my family noticed that I started becoming anxious. In the beginning of September, I started having panic attacks. I had the IUD removed immediately. About two weeks after the removal, my anxiety is much more manageable and I've not had any panic attacks. Two weeks after removal, I could barely get out of bed, flu like symptoms, and a low grade temp. After reading everyone's comments, I'm thinking I went through the crash. I also had my period during that week. Once it was done, my family noticed that I peeked up. On another note, I also have hashimotos. This is not a new dx for me. Removing gluten was crucial for me! Thanks for the response!

Tara

1/20/2020 08:37:03 pm

Allie,

I am experiencing exactly what you are experiencing. Do you still check this as I would love to make contact with you. I don’t know if it’s my hashimoto still causing me issue (even though labs are normal) or if it’s this dreaded crash still (I’m almost 7mths). I’ve just started to cut out Gluten. Pls reach out if you can. I’d truly appreciate it. I am going crazy!!!!

Jill

1/8/2018 04:08:57 pm

Hi!

I am so glad to have found this post... I think it may have saved my life! I had the Mirena inserted around 2 years ago and could not believe how great it worked for me. I had been diagnosed with Adenomyosis and suffered debilitating cramps, back ache and menstrual mirgraines. Soon after the mirena was inserted my periods stopped as well as all symptoms which had been crippling me. It's too good to be true I thought?!

I was right. Around 1 year ago (1 year after insertion) I started with these headaches which were so painful, they were like mini migraines. I have had them EVERY day (over 1 yr) since as well as this god awful feeling I can only describe as 'Brain fog' like many others on this post, a lot of the time during my day to day business I feel like I'm drunk or high and generally just not with it, so much so that it has started to effect my career. Both of these symptoms have led me down a path which I wish no other person has to go down, I wake up on a morning and the first thing I do is to google my symptoms and convince myself I had a brain tumour or some other life threatening illness, before bed every night I think about not waking up and what happens if I die in my sleep. I believe the coil has caused this anxiety and depression which I am having to fight every day now...

Luckily I have a great support network around me, but it is only in the last few weeks that I have started to convince myself that all of this may have been caused by the Mirena coil - the more I research it the more I am convincing myself... I have made an appointment to have it removed. Time will tell....

Danyelle

4/6/2018 12:20:18 am

Hi, just wanted to say you are so not alone. Im only 25 with 3 children. I have had all symptoms listed above especially the dizzinessm and anxiety. IT IS NO JOKE.Im almost at 6 months post removal. WEIRDLY, my attacks only happen at night so i go all day trying to keep busy with my children because if i just sit still and think, ill start thinking about night time and dreading it. What makes it even worse is my fiance is an overnight truck driver so i feel even more alone when it happens. I think the worse thoughts like im going to die and hug my kids extra tight before we go to bed smh. Ill just be glad when this is all over. I have a new doctor in my new state now and hopefully she can help. Because the doctors in my home state didnt wanna hear anything about these effects being from the mirena.

Megan Vieyra link

8/22/2019 02:05:57 am

I had the kyleena not the mirena ,but I’m finding that the aide effects and long term damage are the same! I’ve related almost to everything everyone’s had ,including crippling anxiety and depression. But your stood out the most!
I had the kyleen from July 9 to
August 19..... the panic attacks hit so hard and so often I’ve been to the ER twice. One the 17th (prior to my pre scheduled removal) and then the following Tuesday I went....
But along with face/jaw/neck pain,nerve pain, and I have chest pains and difficulty breathing and
Swallowing my biggest thing was
“I’m going to die in my sleep!”
I was so afraid to take Ativan the ER gave me
Because I was convinced I’d die in my sleep because the drowsy factor! Since it was removed the 19th the symptoms happened more often so
I’m sure I’m having a “kyleena crash” now....
I’m a 911 dispatcher and have a disabled
Husband I take care of..... anxiety and all that never hit me until this IUD. Not like this anyway. I’ve never felt like I could breath and constant fear of dying! I hope you’ve bounced back I know it’s scary

Lindsay

1/14/2018 01:58:37 am

Thank you SO much! I am in week 4 of the crash and wondering if I'll ever feel normal again. This was SO helpful.

Tracey

2/27/2018 06:57:59 pm

Help me please, I had my Mirena removed last week and I think I'm going crazy

Kelly

3/18/2018 08:45:59 pm

You are not going crazy. Remind yourself that it's the hormones! Take Epsom salt baths and try and go for walks.

Kelly

3/18/2018 08:43:25 pm

Hey ladies.

I had my Mirena removed December 8th 2017.
I'm now three and a half months post removal. I had my Mirena for almost two years.
I have a little bit of a positive update.

My symptoms have been:
Anxiety (BAD and out of the blue)
Depression
Pins and needles in hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy)
Night sweats
Insomnia (this has been my worst symptom)
Nausea and sensitivity to smells
Lost 25lbs and wasn't overweight to begin with
Muscle aches and fatigue
Knee pain and shoulder pain (which I've never had before)
Debilitating fatigue

The pins and needles were bad the end of the first month, not as bad this last month. It was scary though, I was convinced I had some awful condition. Finally realized it would come days before AF then go away.
The night sweats are gone (knock on wood)
The anxiety still random. No particular place in my cycle, just random adrenaline rush.
Depression hits in waves as well.
Weight loss has leveled out
The insomnia seems to pop in right when AF stops, and gets worse until it starts again. Last month I had three straight weeks of less than 4 hours a night. I seriously thought I was going to die from sleep deprivation. So far this month, the fatigue has kept the insomnia from getting as bad as last month.
The joint pain is significantly less, but still relatively random.
Nausea wakes me up at night.

Overall, I'm seeing a big improvement, but definitely not back to myself just yet.
I bought some Internal Harmony progesterone cream. I use less than the recommended amount everyday a week before my period. I am using essential oils to help balance my hormones (I have NO idea if they work, but I was desperate), I'm drinking a ton of water, trying to exercise, and Epsom salt baths.
Good luck ladies. It does get better. Take care of yourselves.

Cinthya

1/4/2019 10:11:14 pm

Hi Kelly,
Going through the crash right now. The crash hit me about 4 months after removal. I wanted to ask you how did you deal with depression? Did you take any pills? did you get counselling? or a change of routine? I feel like depression is very hard and so debilitating, somedays I just want to run to the doctor and ask him for medication, but I know that it doesn't work on everyone.
Hope you are feeling better.

Amy

5/21/2019 03:43:25 pm

Hi Kelly,

Was just wondering if you had any updates on how you're feeling?

TIA!

Whitney

6/4/2020 10:07:50 am

Hi Kelly,

I have the same symptoms. The pins and needles had me convinced I had a condition as well. My anxiety has been terrible. I’ve have my mirena removed for almost 3 weeks. When did you start to feel better.

Michelle

3/27/2018 07:43:59 pm

Hi all,
I’ve had thre Mirena for 4 years and stared to get symptoms. Wired discharge towards the end, which has now normalized, pain in my cervix where the coil was sitting when it was pressed.
The biggest issue I’m having is dis-association feeling and it’s driving me nuts. I feel like I’m losing my mind. I believe it was and is a side affect. I otherwise feel healthy. It’s been 7 months since removal and feel like it’s never going to go away. It helps to know I’m not the only one who feels this way, but feel it should be gone now or getting better. Crossing m fingers this is all that is wrong with me, it’s difficult to go on with daily life some days.
Thanks for listening to my vent!!

Ashley

5/28/2020 09:10:43 pm

Hi Michelle. Are you feeling back to normal yet?

Kelly

4/4/2018 08:52:32 pm

Just an update.
Starting my fourth AF.
The neuropathy/numbness in my toes came back for only a day this time! Nausea is slowly going away. Anxiety is SEVERE a few days before AF but almost non-existent the rest of the months. I have a lot of fatigue during the day, but that could be because I cut out all caffeine and I'm still adjusting. I'm getting boob pain and nerve pain all over, but AF just started, so I'm thinking it will go away in the next day or two.

At the risk of jinxing myself, the insomnia was gone ALL MONTH! So even if I get waves of it here and there, I'm less worried these things are permanent.

I was able to wean myself off of my progesterone cream, but think I might use half the dosage to try and ditch these last lingering symptoms.

Keep up the fight ladies! I'm definitely seeing an improvement every month.

Kiki

8/19/2018 11:12:32 pm

Hi Kelly, I am on my 3rd month and I am experiencing almost 80% what you went through. I thought I was going crazy and had some serious health problem, went to see doctor twice already, they keep saying I am fine. Some symptoms come and go, but my energy level is still not back to normal yet. I don’t want to go out like I used to. I feel weak mentally and physically. Are you all back to normal now? How long did it take you?

Danyelle

4/6/2018 12:05:20 am

Hello! So glad i ran across your post you really gave me hope! I got my Mirena inserted July of 2017 after the birth of my 3rd baby. It was cool at first, end of September, boom! Dizzy out of nowhere, short of breath, tingling/numb hands and feet even chest discomfort, hair loss, acne. Of course in thinking the worse. 2 ER visits with all normal tests. Got mirena removed oct 10. I then got pregnant and had a miscarriage with added even more to the crazy hormones. I am now 6 months post removal and i still have headaches and anxiety symptoms here and there. Ill just be glad when i feel 100% back to normal again. No one seems to understand. Every doctor i see hit me with the same line, "well your mirenas gone so thats not it". Then i have to bring up the thousands of women on online blogs telling there stories of exactly what i'm going through. I guess if nothing is resolves with my new dr ill have to see a hormone dr

Kelly

4/6/2018 04:29:10 am

I started vitamins, Epsom salt baths, and bio identical progesterone cream that I got at a vitamin shop. Helped a lot.

Cameron

4/17/2018 11:50:31 pm

Thank you all for sharing your stories of the Mirena and Mirena crash! I'm now beginning to think that I'm not losing my mind after all. My Mirena expired in November 2017. Due to a hectic schedule and then having the flu in January, I just had my Mirena removed 2 weeks ago at the beginning of my Spring Break from teaching. I had honestly planned to have another Mirena IUD inserted at the time of the removal of this first one. Luckily, my dear friend and mentor suggested that I not replace it after all. She was appalled to hear that I had stopped having my periods. She said "that is simply not how your body was made." After much thought, consideration, and research, I agreed with her. I had honestly enjoyed having the IUD these past 5 or so years - lighter/no period, no pills to remember to take each night. But after doing my research online, I realized that the IUD may be the cause of my weight gain (especially recently) and the inability to lose weight even with change in diet and exercise. After the removal of the IUD on that Monday two weeks ago, I immediately had my period afterward for a week. The Wednesday of that same week I began to have a sore throat and cough that just wouldn't go away. On the following Sunday I returned to Urgent Care since the cough and congestion had not improved. I was then diagnosed with an ear infection. I took antibiotics for that, but I began to have awful upper mouth and jaw pain. At first the antibiotics seemed to help the first part of last week - Monday and Tuesday. But by Thursday my cough had returned, and I was coughing up horrible green mucous. Thursday and Friday nights my hands were so swollen that I could barely remove my wedding rings. And by Friday my ankles and feet had swollen. Now I can't even put my rings on my finger, and my face is swollen. I returned to Urgent Care last night to see if anything else was medically wrong. I cannot afford to miss another day of school. I am now on steroids, finishing my Cefdinir antibiotic from the other week, using the pearl things to help with my cough and a stronger allergy pill. Only today after seeing my therapist did I realize that all of this may be due to the Mirena crash. After reading all of your posts, I'm going to call my GP tomorrow. Have any of you experienced this swelling? If so, for how long? Do you have any suggestions to get rid of it? I'm sorry that I am so long winded. I believe that I am also experiencing some of the insomnia as well. I would truly appreciate any help or advice that you could give! :)

Kelly

4/22/2018 07:17:31 am

My hands and feet would swell. That symptom took about two months to resolve. I had a chronic sore throat (but no mucous).
TMJ seems to be par for the course with the Mirena crash, so a lot of us have the jae pain. I'm in month five of my recovery and still get the jaw pain.
Insomnia was my worst symptom, but I was free of it for a solid month, but alas, it's 4 am and I'm up.
What's helped me a lot, is exercise, Epsom salt baths, drinking TONS of water, vitamins, and topical progesterone cream.

Sparrow

4/18/2018 02:36:29 pm

Hi everyone,
I got my iud (liletta, not mirena, but it is the same hormone) removed about a month ago. About two months prior to that I had my first panic attack, and have had them once a month, like clockwork, since then. My emotions are all over the place right now. The craziest mood swings I have ever had. I have gone from being the most adventurous person I know to being too scared to try anything new or do anything. Too scared to make any long term plans because I just because I feel good about something now doesn't mean I'll still feel the same when it actually comes time to go through with the plan.

I had never had a panic attack or really any anxiety before all of this started, and when I had my first one I thought I want dying. I thought I was having a heart attach, my heart was racing so fast. I called an ambulance and was rushed to the emergency room where I was informed that there was nothing wrong with me and sent home.
It was not until a month when I had my second panic attack that I started researching and learned about the mirena crash. All the symptoms I read about described what I was going through perfectly, so I decided to get the iud taken out. My doctor kept trying to convince me that the symptoms were not related to my iud, but I maintained that I wanted it taken out. It has been about a month since I've had it removed, and it has been all ups and downs. I am looking for doctors who know about this issue (even just one who believes in it would be a start) My most recent panic attack was much less severe that the past ones, and I feel like I am anxious less often and less severely, however there are still plenty of moments of bad anxiety, particularly when I'm already feeling tired. The one piece of advice I have to offer is try CBD oil. Or at the very least read about it or ask someone who knows about it. It helps ease my anxiety very well.
Best wishes to everyone.... we will get through this <3

Kelsey

5/2/2018 01:50:34 pm

Thank you all for sharing your stories of horror and hope! It truly is helpful to know I'm not alone in this. I had the Mirena removed 6 days ago and, holy shit, I didn't think it would be like this...
Mood swings, anxiety, anger/rage, depression (crying for hours), hopelessness, back pain, fogginess, headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, FATIGUE....oh the fatigue, the list goes on.
I am married, a mom of 3 active boys, I work fulltime and I really do not have time for these outrageous symptoms!! My husband doesn't want to be anywhere near me when my emotions take a turn for the worse and my kids just want mommy to be happy and don't understand why she's not. The fact that this may go on for months is super concerning, but I do have things like long walks with the dog and yoga that have helped calm the anxiety and emotional roll coaster thus far so I'm hoping it gets better from here! I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers for quick healing and getting back to normal sooner than soon!

Kelly

5/3/2018 11:21:22 am

I'm on month five. Most of my symptoms have gotten better, but this month the joint pains have dominated. My period is due today, so I'm just assuming that's why. The anxiety was okay all month up until a few days ago.
I did a ton of heavy duty yard work this week, so I think I'd be hurting anyway, but the darn hormones exacerbated my problems.
My insomnia had almost disappeared (this was the worst one for me) but the past week I woke up a bunch, but still an improvement from sleeping 0 hours out of 36.

Good luck with your balance. Things that I think helped me:
Exercise
Water
Epsom salt baths
Vitamins
Magnesium
Kevita ginger and turmeric probiotics (really gross tasting)
And I got Internal harmony progesterone cream.

Nikki

5/10/2018 10:33:09 am

I can't believe after all the reading I've done, this monstrous BC is still on the market. I, like you, felt like Mirena was doing great. No period. No spotting. No period symptoms, except the occasional mood swing around the time of what would have been my cycle. Life was great! I had it placed 6 weeks after my son was born in 2011. I had my second one placed just over a year ago. I started noticing hair loss about 6 months before having the second one placed. Hair loss intensified after having the 1st Mirena replaced. I googled symptoms (big no no) and thought maybe I was having thyroid issues. I also noticed thicker blonde hairs showing up around my chin area, serious bouts of fatigue, cystic painful pimples under my chin (I've never really dealt with acne so this was new to me), mood swings, heavy anxiety, along with the hair loss. I went as far as asking my boss for a headset at work, believing the pimples below my chin were from the work phone I talked on daily. I also changed my pillowcase more frequently, thinking maybe it had to do with the oils from my hair or something. After all that, still they show up. It takes a couple weeks for them to completely go away after one shows up. Usually there are multiple at a time. After 1.5 years noticing hair loss I had the Mirena removed on May 7th. I'm only a few days out from it being removed. Yesterday I was very emotional, crying over absolutely nothing. I did what you recommended and reminded myself it's just hormones. I've warned my close circle of friends/family about the possible "crash" side effects and everyone is super supportive and kind. As you said, good for those who the Mirena has worked out for. Just be alert. Be aware of these symptoms that you may be chalking up to something else.

Nikki

5/22/2018 11:46:29 am

Just over two weeks of Mirena removal. I have days where I'm very touchy emotionally- specifically with sadness and anger outbursts, which the anger outbursts are not like myself. I spotted just a little bit the first few days. I read a woman's comment on a post just after having it removed describing her spotting in the days after as "looking like skin shedding." The thought of that scarred me. I understand now after seeing the spotting what she meant, and agree, it looks like skin shedding- it's just the uterus lining. No biggie. No period yet. Tracking side-effects on the "Flo" app. Still dealing with hair loss- maybe even more now than before removal, which I'm assuming has to do with the hormones trying to balance out, similar to after my son was born. Hoping this all passes soon. I've also read the longer you had the Mirena the longer the side effects last. Things have been "normal" for the most part. I've also read the "crash" side effects can come with your period- hoping what I'm experiencing with mood-swings is the most of it, that it doesn't get worse the week before/week of my period. Just want to feel normal and not have to explain myself to others. It's frustrating.

Nikki

6/14/2018 05:24:50 pm

38 days post-Mirena removal. I finally started on June 10th, just past one month after removal. 1st day was very light, second day was moderate, 3rd day was pretty heavy, 4h day was very light and stopped. Side effects weren't any different than they were 7 years ago when I had a regular period. A little moody, tender breasts, mild cramping, irritability. Hair loss is going on as "normal"- I've noticed every few washes it seems like less hair is falling out, then the next wash it's right back to the "normal" amount of hair loss. My emotions can be up and down from day to day, but I do feel pretty good considering the amount of anxiety I had about how I'd feel after removal after everything I read. I'll follow up again in another month or so.

Nikki

8/1/2018 01:28:51 pm

Nearly 3 months post-Mirena. I recently found out I have two nodules on my Thyroid and am wondering if some of my symptoms I was attributing to Mirena were actually from my thyroid. I still feel it was best to have it removed. I don't believe every side-effect I was having was thyroid related. My hormones are tracking normal. In fact, when I saw my PCP back at the beginning of July he was schocked I had already had two normal cycles, no spotting between, minus the light spotting the first few days after removal. He mentioned my hormones must be in tip top shape and seemed impressed at how normal my cycle has been. I did have to deal with anger outburts toward the beginning of post-removal, but that's all subsided. I haven't missed the awful PMS side-effects- tender breasts, back cramps. But I'd rather have a cycle and feel normal, than constantly emotional, hormonal, and like a crazy woman. Best wishes to you all! (PS- still dealing with hair loss. PCP said hair loss is very difficult to pinpoint. Hoping after this biopsy on the nodules I'll have more answers there.)

Nikki

5/17/2019 09:35:37 am

Just passed my one year post-Mirena removal. Thyroid nodules are still there. Not cancerous. Feeling great. Haven't started on any other form of birth control. I have zero crash side effects at this point. It's been a long time since I've felt any sort of foggy brain, unreasonably emotional, or had an anger outburst. Periods are still not 100% on track as far as being 28-days apart, but I can manage that. Before Mirena I was always 31 days apart. Keeping track over the last year I'm anywhere from 22 days to 36 days apart. There is hope! Hang in there if you're just going through this. It's a roller coaster for sure, but your body WILL go back to normal. You will get through the hormones re-balancing and you'll make it! =)

Kelly

5/22/2018 05:44:31 am

I thought I would give a six month update, almost six months anyway.
Almost every symptom I had is gone. I now have lingering joint pain. It was really severe right before my last period. I was tested for arthritis and everything, all negative. Low and behold, after my period, it went away. It was starting up again a few days ago, so I started my progesterone cream and the pain was gone in two days.

My symptoms that I had over the course of these six months were:
Insomnia (gone if I avoid caffeine now)
Joint pain
Severe anxiety
Pins and needles in fingers and toes
Nausea
Irregular periods
Depression
Weight loss
TMJ jaw and ear pain
Fatigue
Muscle weakness

Things I did to help my symptoms.. I don't know if they worked, but I felt better knowing I was trying something:
Probiotics
Epsom salt baths
Steam room/sauna
Exercise
Lots of water
Healthier food
Vitamins
Reading positive stories about recovery

Cristina

7/16/2018 03:25:49 pm

Kelly,
I just wanted to say thank you for all your feedback and your posts. It does seem to help a ton when I read others stories and to know I'm not alone. I did want to ask you if you were ever prescribed medications from your doctor? If so, how long did you stay on them? I currently have been prescribed so many different medications to just deal with the headaches but I have decided to finish up with the current ones and then stop and go thru a hormone detox. I know it's gonna be hard and difficult if the headaches come with a vengeance but at this point I'm willing to do just about anything to get back to myself.
Thanks again,
Cristina

Kelly

7/30/2018 06:32:52 pm

Positive stories helped give me hope.
The problem is that there are good months, and there are set back months.
Month 7 was a good month, this is month 8 and my period was definitely not normal this month, accompanied with a week long headache. I'm not currently taking anything but Tylenol (but no more than once a day). I'm trying to stay hydrated. I'm trying to find an inexpensive homeopathic doctor around here, but it's still summer and I have my kids with me all day.

Bethan Knight

8/1/2018 05:12:58 am

Thankyou Kelly! Your updates at different stages are my new daily read. They make me realise my crash won't last forever! 4 weeks now things are definitely improving.

Danielle

5/26/2018 12:30:33 am

Thank you everyone! I have been suffering from nausea, vomiting, weight loss, anxiety, depression, mood swings...since October 2016! I finally had my Mirena removed after having it almost 7 years because my GYN didn’t want to remove it because I didn’t want to go back on the pill immediately. I had to lie and say my husband was going for a vasectomy in order for them to remove it last March. All the while (I also have Crohn’s disease) I was being told my symptoms were from that but even while I had minimal GI symptoms and on steroids for about a year. Until about a month ago right around the time I went back on the pill, I had no idea about Mirena Crash. I didn’t have any issues other than rogue vaginal itching and low sex drive (but I thought my hubby was just saying that) and some weight gain. I think my crash began around Oct 2016 even though I still had the IUD and has been going on since then. Life has been hell...I have seen so many doctors, have had so many tests and no answers. Every morning between 7-8 am I am nauseated or can’t stay awake despite how much I sleep. I drive my 7 year old to school with a bucket to throw up in on my lap. After that I struggle to get through anything because I have no energy and no appetite. I have lost 80lbs and am struggling to not lose anymore. 15lbs being in the last few months. (I’m 5’7 at 135-too skinny for my liking) By 10-11 am I am in full blown panic attack or crying uncontrollably or hugging myself because my stomach hurts so badly. Then the fatigue hits again. Between 4-6 pm another panic attack or uneasiness (Feeling that I am going to die). This is daily. Around AF I have hypoglycemia-after I eat, then the nausea returns all day long in intense waves that no meds will help, that last for a few days during AF, then the dizziness and complete inability to get out of bed and horrid night sweats and burning and shaking from inside out begins. If 2 days of being in the bed in a fetal position isn’t enough and I dont get so scared and dehydrated that I go to the ER for treatment, I spend the next few days feeling like I have been hit by a Mack truck. Then the daily nausea returns with cycling panic attacks. What I find disturbing in NONE of my doctors are agreeing the Mirena Crash exists or helping me diagnose what I have been dealing with for a year and a half. I luckily stumbled on this and started strong probiotics and a few other hormonal balancing supplements and for the first time in years I saw a glimmer of my old self that I haven’t seen since pre Mirena. I really wish I would have listened to my hubby sooner-he kept saying that I haven’t been healthy since I was pregnant with our son in 2010 and Mirena was placed after he was born. 8 years and counting Mirena took from me. The problem is real and no one is talking about it. Thanks for all the comments this has helped me so much!! I felt like I was going absolutely certifiably crazy. Knowing that I am not alone makes it easier.

Laura

11/3/2020 01:30:50 pm

Hi- which supplements and how strong of probiotics did you use? Could you email me at lauraegooch@gmail.com to let me know? I fear I will lose track of this thread.

Michaela Hooper

6/23/2018 09:19:26 pm

I’m so happy I came across this post. I had my mirena removed two months ago after a year of having it. My biggest symptom seems to be dissociative head.. I feel like I’m out of it all the time. Complete mental fogginess and anxiety. Also nausea. The weirdest thing is that ill feel these awful symptoms for days and then one day I’ll feel completely normal. The next day, it all comes back. I’ve been to about 6 different doctors within the past three weeks and they don’t have a clue what could be wrong with me considering my perfect blood work and vitals. After coming across this post I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders because I was almost sure I was dying from a horrible disease or something. I’m a full time college student and work four days a week and it is getting in the way of my everyday life. I’m happy to hear it will go away eventually, some days I feel as if it’s going to last forever since it has been two months. Thank you!

Kelly

7/30/2018 06:36:29 pm

The set backs seem to happen for up to two years for a lot of women. The bright side is that they get less severe and less frequent. Month 7, I felt normal all month up until a couple days before AF. Month 8 I've felt kind of lousy. But month 7 was the first time I'd felt good for that many days in a row. My period this month is all messed up, so there's absolutely no doubt it's from the hormones.

Cristina Flores

7/30/2018 08:57:19 pm

Just a little update: I am now a month and a half post Mierna. I have been seeing a holistic doctor now for 2 weeks and went thru a 10 day detox to get rid of all the medications the doctors have put me on. The detox has worked wonders so far. Yes, it was hard but I just put my mind to it and did it. Lots of organic foods staying away from soy, gluten, salt and sugar. Don't know why it worked but it did. Doing this along with many many veggies, little meat and a bunch of vitamins. With the many headaches I have been trying to stay away from all medications, so I use peppermint oil for the headaches. And boy, it works so good for me. I apply it to the back of the neck, forehead and a little under my nose to breath it in.
I am now finished with the 10 day detox and my holistic doctor is now working to restore my hormones. I was told by about 5 different doctors that the Mirena has really screwed up my hormones. So the holistic doctor has me on about 15 vitamins a day for now. She wants me to start a progesterone oil two weeks before I am to start my next period. I use it for two weeks then stop for two weeks and so on. Haven't used it yet but I will keep updates.
Headaches still come every so often. Not as bad as before but they still come. I also still have days where my emotions take the best of me and I will start crying for absolutely no reason. But I work thru it. Drink lots and lots and lots of water! This has helped a lot and exersice. Just walking a few miles a day helps me. Gets sweating a little and clears the brain. Seems to help me.

Danielle

6/23/2018 09:36:18 pm

For all who are interested...I have found that a probiotic and “maca harmony” which can both be purchased at an Organice type natural health food store for less than $50 has helped me the most-the maca helps to rebalance your hormones naturally (but it can make you fertile so make sure and use birth control if you don’t want to become pregnant) In less than a month I have shrank the duration of my symptoms from 3+weeks a month to about 5 days. I also went back on birth control pills which may be some of it but the Maca Harmony has been the most impactful of the “dissociative head” and anxiety and depression. There is light at the end of the tunnel ladies!!

Angel

5/18/2020 12:32:29 am

Did going back on birth control help?

Caroline

6/30/2018 02:16:01 pm

I was such a huge proponent of the Mirena while having it in. However, I got it out last week after four years and it has been a nightmare. The fatigue has been unbearable and I have awful nausea and food aversions. I called the doctor and she acted like she hasn’t heard of this. I literally can’t function and reading people say this can go on for months makes me want to cry and cry! I did some research that says the symptoms are due to our progesterone being lazy because it didn’t have to work with the mirena emitting it’s own progesterone. That leads to an estrogen imbalance. I bought a supplement today called “DIM” that is supposed to metabolize estrogen and help with the imbalance until my progesterone kicks in. I’ve heard the symptoms are even worse closer to your period when your estrogen surges even more (which is I guess why some people feel only sick right before their periods). Anyway praying this works! Let me know if anyone else has suggestions! I’m miserable!

Kely

7/3/2018 03:44:27 am

Avoid soy foods, they can increase estrogen.
Exercise (I know it's hard with the fatigue)
Drink tons of water
Eat healthy
Epsom salt baths
Vitamins

Caroline

9/8/2018 10:35:23 am

Just wanted to update everyone. What I thought was the Mirena Crash was actually worse (if that’s possible). I demanded to come in after feeling so terrible and they found out I was 6-7 weeks pregnant-which meant I was pregnant with the mirena in! They just didn’t know at the time of removal because they don’t routinely do pregnancy tests then. The bad news is due to the mirena, it caused me an ectopic pregnancy!! I had to have emergency surgery. So you know that 1 in 100,000 chance?? It happened to me. If you’re not okay with having an ectopic pregnancy (50% chance of having one if you get pregnant with mirena in) then I’d highly suggest getting it removed. I never believed those odds would happen to me. The emotional turmoil (and the five grand bill AFTER insurance—the total bill was 30 grand) was NOT WORTH IT. Good luck to all of you!

Ashley Hogan link

7/3/2018 10:07:15 am

OMG! I am so glad I ran across this article. I am currently in the middle of my mirena crash. I am calling it the middle because I am hoping I'm almost through it. UGHHHHH. I have had it now for a week. Last night I was so dizzy and loopy I thought I was drunk. Tried to lay down and had severe anxiety and then a full blown panic attack. My husband had to lay next to me all night or it rushed back over me. This is horrific. Mirena while in me caused caused super bloated baby belly, MAJOR hair loss, I have an actual bald spot, and my body was extremely sensitive at all times. So much it hurt to take a shower at times. I can already tell of those symptoms lessening after a week. OH yeah let me add. I pulled out my own mirena. My doctor wanted nearly $300 and I had the Mirena a few years after my first child. So I know what the doctor did to remove it. I had a couple Coronas and did it myself. Feeling much better about it but hoping to get through the crash soon!

kate lindquist

7/8/2018 08:15:56 am

Hi all
This has been so helpful to read. I have had my IUD out for almost three months now and experienced most of what everyone has said. One thing I have gotten all the sudden is cramps the week AFTER my period? So bad I went to the ER...after blood work and ultrasounds I was told I’m fine!??? Has anyone else gotten random period cramps as well?

Sparrow

7/8/2018 10:48:10 am

Did they check the ultrasounds for cysts? I had really bad abdominal cramp like pain which I discovered was from a grapefruit sized ovarian cyst.

kate lindquist

7/8/2018 11:09:22 am

They did
I have a small sized one that the gyno felt was insignificant
The cramps last literally only the week after my period. It’s like each period triggers the Mirena Crash symptoms

Louise

12/28/2018 02:35:34 am

Hi Kate!
Hope you see my post! I have exactly the same symptoms as you describe. I am in my 3rd cycle after having my IUD out and a day or two before my period stops I will get cramps that last 7-10 days (just as if I was to have a new period). I just wanted to know if you have experienced a recovery - and when? I am also struggling with mood swings (anxious, hopelessness and sadness)

Amy

5/21/2019 04:18:04 pm

Hi Louise,

Any update on how you're feeling? TIA!

Bethan Knight

7/12/2018 07:38:33 am

Thankyou! I had my mirena fitted in July 2016 and had it removed a week ago today... I was a massive fan of the mirena until a few weeks ago however... I fell ill 9 weeks ago dr's convinced I had gallstones however ultrasound shows a polyp in my GB but no stoness. I had been trying to tell my Dr that apart from the first night at a&e I had no upper abdominal pain or digestive issues. I have had lots and lots of tests everything negative a few weeks ago I started searching myself convinced dr's had missed something and that I was dying! Search brain fog, aching joints, headaches, lower abdominal pain and numbness and tingling which leads me to the mirena! I felt like I had been punched! My GP not convinced and removal was going to be delayed so I attended my local sexual health clinic the lady Dr was fantastic asked about what had brbe going on and she believes my problem ewit mirena started 25/8/17 my wedding day! When after 6 months of not bleeding I bled on my dress! It was an amazing day and my dress had layers so no one knew. On my honeymoon 3 day later both big toenails blacked for no apparent reason in fact they ata only now growing out. My mirena came out last week I was great the first few days the last 2 days I have felt very tight in the chest and quite anxious and pannicky but thanks to you lovely ladies I'm trying to keep a lid on it. My husband had fabulous even reading the blogs with me... I love him very much and am aware the last 9 weeks I have not been myself with him or our 5 year old daughter and tbh I'm now aware that our sex life dwindled for the full 2 years. I'm booked to see a reflexologist/acupuncturist tomorrow as I am determined to get me back asap... I have missed enough. Love and luck to you all to get through this quickly x

Bethan Knight

7/12/2018 10:37:56 am

Apologies for typos above. Brain still a tad foggy. Thankyou to everyone for helping me see I'm not going crazy x

Cristina

7/15/2018 04:24:19 pm

Hope all you ladies can get thru this. It's so awful. I had my Mierna taken out at about a month now. Before I had It taken out it started off with horrible headaches, painful sex, hair loss, loss of appetite and nausea. My husband had taken me to numerous ER visits, urgent care visits and doctors visits in hopes to find a reason and a solution to get rid of these horrible headaches. All with having CT scans, MRI, neurologist visit, blood work like crazy and all with no answer, everything came back normal. Asking each and every doctor if it could be the a cause of the Mirena. Each doctor said no. We began to ask the doctors to take it out and each one said no. I told them I have my tubes tied, I have had them tied for 14 years. I had the Mirena put in to regulate my period. Finally a doctor agreed to pull it out. I felt a tremendous relief after it was taken out. But I still am dealing with headaches, mood swings, anxiety, depression, all on a huge roller coaster. Still haven't had a period. Feel bloated all the time. Waiting for the day my period comes. Looking to see a Hollistic doctor soon to see what she may help with. I feel like I'm at the end of my rope and I'm willing to try anything to see if it helps me. With all my doctors visits and all the medication that has been prescribed, I'm close to $1000 in. And this is all in a 2 month span. I am looking forward to the day I feel like myself again. I had to pull teeth and hair with my doctor to do a hormone test and the results have been overwhelming. My estradiol is more than doubled from my last test in 2010. And my progesterone is very low. But still my doctor says I'm fine. Nope, I don't think so!

I hate to see so many people go thru what I am going thru but yet there is such a sense of relief to know I'm not the only one going thru this. I really felt like I was and am going crazy! I plan to do the Mirena Detox and if it works or I find anything else that works I will keep you all posted. I have good days and I have really bad days. One thing that has helped me is talking about it. The doctors have diagnosed me with depression and this is something I have never dealt with before. They have put me on meds for it but with the support of my husband and family I felt like the meds were not the best thing for me. With all the side effects I had with the meds I was able to have the doctors take me off of them but I have found tons of comfort with being able to talk. My mornings right now are the worst. But my husband pushes me to walk a few miles and that seems to help focus on other things besides feeling like I'm stuck in a fog. And I do drink lots of water, that seems to help sweat and it feels like I'm getting toxins out. I feel I don't have the energy to exercise but I have to push myself to know there is a light at the elight at the end of this long dark tunnel.
I know what your going thru.

Good luck to everyone going thru this horrible time. Let's keep posting our stories and our improvements to support eachother.

Bethan Knight

8/1/2018 07:39:27 am

Ok so tomorrow is my 4 week since removal of the Mirena. Did anyone else have a swollen dry throat? Drs can't find anything wrong but it's getting in my nerves now. Dissociative head is no longer an all the time thing but I still have moments. My anxiety levels are better. My main battles are dry swollen throat, fatigue, aching and insomnia. The numbness and tingling is nowhere near as bad as when the Mirena was in and my hair loss has stopped. I am taking a women's health supplement and generally trying to be kind to myself. I talk about it a lot as it definitely helps a lot. Wishing all you lovely ladies a speed recovery xx

Cristina

8/1/2018 10:43:55 am

I am about 6 weeks post Mierna and I still get an awful dry throat and it's not swollen but feels like an awful sore throat. I too had the Dissociative head, anxiety and drepression but has all dissipated. I am just dealing with the pressure in the back of my head that sometimes leads to bad headaches and pain in my back. I have been seeing a holistic doctor for few weeks and the vitamins she has put me on has helped. She also put me thru a whole body detox to rid my body of all medications. I believe it's worked wonders. Drink tons and tons of water, it helps!

I pray you and everyone else has a quick recovery. Xoxo

Bethan Knight

8/1/2018 12:19:42 pm

Thanks Christina, much appreciated. I honestly thought I was dying when this all started. The more people I speak to the better it makes me feel. I will pray for you also... We can beat this and reclaim our lives! X

Kelly

8/3/2018 10:08:24 am

Insomnia was one of my worst symptoms. I'm at 8 months post removal and it has been my longest lasting symptom. I'll have 3 weeks of horrible sleep, then be OK for anywhere from a week to a month, then it comes back. Does seem like it's slowly getting better though.

Bethan Knight

8/3/2018 12:46:36 pm

Hi Kelly,
Thankyou for posting at all different stages. Your posts have really helped me. I'm so glad things are improving for you.
I have started regular appointments with a reflexologist am eating regularly and taking a well woman supplement and other herbal remedies.
At 4 weeks and one day after removal I am currently experiencing my 4th good day in a row 😁
I realise I could crash again but this also makes me realise after 14 weeks of feeling generally dreadful I can feel good again.
Sending big love
Beth x

Jessica

8/4/2018 04:27:45 pm

Hi ladies, reading all these post on here and others online have given me some comfort. I had my Skyla IUD out on 05/28/18. I had it on for about a year and a half and decided to take it out so we could try for baby #2. When I had it removed I felt the same, I did notice right away I started breaking out on my chin area and I usually have pretty clear skin. It wasn’t till about mid July that I started feeling a ton of anxiety and I had no idea why. Then began all the negative thoughts and confused feelings about everything. I went to see a therapist, I had a lot of feelings of just running away and being alone. I even asked my boyfriend of 4 years to leave the house so that I could figure what’s going on with me. Thankfully he didn’t and has been standing by my side since these feelings have begun. I just couldn’t understand still don’t how just about a month ago I felt perfectly fine and now all of sudden I’m a mess. During week 2 my sister and my boyfriend had done some research on my symptoms and suggested I might be going through IUD crash and my hormones may be out of wack which could explain all my symptoms. I had no idea there was such a thing, I never once thought of doing my research on side effects after removal. Considering I never really had any emotional issues while I had my IUD on. Other than longer periods and cramping. I right away went to a vitamin store to get some all women multi vitamins and a hormonal support vitamin and that night I felt great thinking finally I have an answer to my issues and I can take these and be fixed. That only lasted a day. I’m still taking my vitamins but I’m still experiencing some anxiety, depression, acne, fatigue and my appetite has decreased a ton. Im on week 4 now, I have had mood swings where half the day I feel like my old self with clarity and then I can feel super low and depressed. I keep trying to keep it together for my family’s sake and be mentally strong but this is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. I’m making an appt with an OB/GYN next week and I’m hoping this doctor will take me seriously unlike my primary doctor who dismissed my symptoms and just prescribed me anxiety medication. Im hoping that I get blood work done to show I’m not going crazy and that my hormones are out of wack. I’m just praying and trying to have faith that I will feel like my old self real soon cause I cannot feel like this forever, it’s terrible!

Cristina

8/4/2018 05:43:02 pm

Jessica,
You're not going crazy. I'm pretty sure it's your hormones, just like mine, they are all out of wack. I have had my Mierna IUD out since the middle of June. I still have days where I will just start crying out of no where and days where I feel great. I still don't feel totally 100% myself yet but I'm getting there. Just remind yourself that's it's not you, it's your hormones. My primary doctor also had prescribed me anti-anxiety meds and for myself they made me feel worse. My OBGYN was no help and insisted the symptoms I was having had nothing to do with the Mierna and actually suggested I get it put back in, ugh NO THANKS! Just remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel, it's just gonna take some time to get there.

X

Jessica

8/9/2018 06:52:23 pm

Hi Cristina, thanks for your reply. It does help to know I’m not the only one going through this. I do feel better than my first two weeks but everyday can be different. For instance the start of this week I cried both days but today I feel more calm. I’m just having faith that this is just temporary and that I will soon feel 100%.i do have another doctors appt next week with my primarily dr and I’m asking her to do a full blood work panel and I have another appt at the end of the month with my obgyn for a hormonal check up. I really hope they take me serious and can advise me that I’m doing all I can be doing to get back on track

Bethan Knight

8/5/2018 01:02:47 am

Hi Jessica,
I'm so sorry to hear you are going through this. One of the best pieces of advice I can give you is to flag this site and whenever you're feeling like you're losing it come on and have a read. Also leave a message I have email notifications on and will respond as soon as I see. I have found my greatest source of comfort has been from my fellow post hormonal coil ladies. Lots of love x

Jessica

8/9/2018 06:55:55 pm

Hi Bethan, thank you 🤗 I will do that.

Amy

5/22/2019 02:34:14 pm

Hi Jessica,

Just wanted to see if you would share any updates to your experience. Thanks!
Amy

Kelly

8/10/2018 07:35:14 am

Mid 8 month update.
I feel SO much better. I still have "mini crashes" but they are only days vs weeks. My insomnia was gone all month, which was fantastic. I've noticed this month that my mood swings were almost non existent for the first time in 8 months. My depression/anxiety feelings were almost non existent.

The only lingering issue I seem to have is the joint/nerve pains. I have sciatic pain about a week out of the month, and my joints get achy, the worst being my thumb and shoulder. I did notice the progesterone cream helped a lot, but I'm trying to stay off of any hormones to speed up getting mine back to normal.

I can tell I might have some of these issues for a while longer but they are manageable. There is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel. My first 5 months sucked. Bad. I was sure this was going to kill me and I'd never get better. But I did. If I had to give a % for my 8 month mark, I'd say about 85%.

Jessica

8/10/2018 02:35:35 pm

Kelly, thank you for your update. It gives me hope

Kelly

8/10/2018 07:43:30 am

My major recommendation is to go to a homeopathic doctor if you can afford it. I haven't had the money to do this yet. But I've heard they can do the salivary hormone tests and know how to get the hormones back on track.

Regular doctors will absolutely refuse to admit that you can have a problem from the Mirena removal. They swear the hormones are local and can't be systemic. This blog, all the other blogs, the lawsuits, and even the insert on the Mirena say differently. My doctor ordered 2 progesterone tests which were VERY low, and they said "some people just have low progesterone" and dismissed me. And like you ladies, they offered to give me another Mirena. Seriously?! I feel like I'm dying from the after effects of this horrible device and you offer me another one?

Cristina

8/10/2018 09:58:09 am

Kelly,
So great to hear your updates and hear your doing much better. Gives all of us hope to that light at the end of the tunnel.

Valerie link

8/12/2018 01:18:35 am

Hello ladies,

I just wanted to leave a BIG THANKS to everyone who has shared their stories. I myself am in the middle of the Mirena IUD crash (2 weeks past removal) and find a lot of comfort in all these blog posts and comments. I had mine for only 2 month as it gave my severe panic attacks, suicidal thoughts and this feeling of being high 24/7. I had a Jaydess IUD prior to the Mirena which can only be used for 3 years and carries less hormones. I was okay with that one apart from a UTI that I kept dealing with on and off for about 9 month. However the Mirena has been my personal (and obviously not so personal) nightmare as I also have a anxiety disorder which was under control till the Mirena messed with my hormones. My symptoms have definitely decreased since removal but I still am not quite myself. Patience is the magic word I suppose.

I made a blog post on my website too if anyone is interested. I would love to read some more comments :)

https://randommindtravelling.wixsite.com/mindtravelling/blog/hormone-party

All the best to all of you ladies!

Nicole

8/15/2018 01:19:30 am

Hello,
I have had my mirena taken out two weeks now from ER because it was intruding out of my body its self. I really need to talk to someone! I am falling into a whole.. my head hurts everyday, dizzy, and I feel like I’m dieing. I only had the Mirena in 4 mo .. dr gave me new bc pills to start. I wanted to clean my body out.. should I start them right away and maybe the side effects will go away. I need someone to talk to .. I’m so sad from all this.

Cristina

8/15/2018 09:22:23 am

Nicole,
You're not going to die, you're not alone. Most of the women on here have had the same thing going on or are going through the same thing. I had my Mierna in for 5 months and went through something similar. I decided to clean my body out of all medications and get my hormones back together. I found out I am hormone sensitive, so I'm trying to get my hormones back naturally.

Just remember ... Your not alone and it's most likely your hormones all out of wack that's making you feel this way.

Danyelle

8/15/2018 09:46:34 am

Hi. You can email me at danyelle.watkins@yahoo.com I know exactly what you’re going through. I also had my Mirena in for about 3 months. Had the same side effects as you plus wayyyyy more. I know what it’s like to have so much on your mind regarding this situation meanwhile no one listens and think you’re going crazy.

Sparrow

8/20/2018 12:00:57 pm

My almost 5 month update:

Im getting better. Its so F**king slow but I am getting better. I now only have anxiety in the few days before i start my period, instead of all the time. My cycle is regular again, I have my normal energy back, my ovarian cyst has stopped hurting, I am getting it ultrasounded again soon, so only that will tell if it has gone away, but fingers crossed. So the only symptoms that really remain for me are some small amounts of anxiety and mood swings. I am not 100% myself again yet, thats for sure, but I really do feel progress.

Things that helped me:

Seeing a naturopathic doctor- she was the first person to believe me when I told her what was going on, and she gave me herbs and vitamins that really helped. I was also diagnosed being extremely vitamin b12 deficient. symptoms of this include fatigue, and anxiety, among other things. And guess what can cause this deficiency....yep, you guessed it, hormonal birth control. So taking methyl b12 supplements has really helped.

Havening therapy- if you haven't heard of it, look it up. This was the major turning point with my anxiety, and I mean night and day differences. Believe me, I have tried my share of 'out there' therapies throughout my life, and have always walked away thinking, 'maybe that did something, but i sure feel exactly the same'
Immediately after my first havening session I saw huge results! Sometimes my body still feels jittery and wired but its not scary anymore. Im ok with it, and much more able to understand that I am safe and this feeling will pass. I know that sounds strange, I dont know how else to say it...but please at least read about it and maybe give it a shot if you are dealing with anxiety!

Acupuncture- this is the one that I am not as sure how much of an effect it had, but I did try it, and I definitely think it made some difference for me.

So although I am far from cured, I am even farther from the scary place I was in mere months ago. And fingers crossed my progress will continue as it has.
Hang tough ladies, it does get better.
Sparrow

Lindsay

9/8/2018 10:24:16 am

I have had my Mirena since June 2016. Over the two years I have had it, I have developed anxiety, panic attacks, weight gain, brain fog, dry eyes and extreme fatigue. I started anti anxiety meds last fall in hopes of helping and while they do help, they have not stopped the anxiety/panic completely.

In the last six months, I have gained 10lbs, am constantly bloated and have stomach aches and pains almost every day. A CT scan shows nothing abnormal. I've also had a return of PMS and monthly spotting and headaches.

I am so sick and tired of not feeling like myself. So I made an appt to have my Mirena removed. Appt is Sept 24th. I am terrified of experiencing the "crash"!! Since I have a few weeks before removal, is there anything I can do now to help prevent or lessen the effects of the crash?

It has been really helpful reading through all of the comments and updates. Thank you@

Caroline

9/8/2018 10:39:07 am

Just wanted to update everyone since my summer post. What I thought was the Mirena Crash was actually worse (if that’s possible). I demanded to come in after feeling so terrible and they found out I was 6-7 weeks pregnant-which meant I was pregnant with the mirena in! They just didn’t know at the time of removal because they don’t routinely do pregnancy tests then. The bad news is due to the mirena, it caused me an ectopic pregnancy!! I had to have emergency surgery. So you know that 1 in 100,000 chance?? It happened to me. If you’re not okay with having an ectopic pregnancy (50% chance of having one if you get pregnant with mirena in) then I’d highly suggest getting it removed. I never believed those odds would happen to me. The emotional turmoil (and the five grand bill AFTER insurance—the total bill was 30 grand) was NOT WORTH IT. Good luck to all of you!

Kelly

9/15/2018 06:38:17 pm

Update here.
Month 8 sucked. I had no insomnia, thank goodness, but I had back pain and serious PMS symptoms for weeks. Period was late, but seemed normal when it finally showed up. Month 9 seems to be going OK. Slightly moody and waking a bunch, but overall improvement. You really have to take things one day at a time.

When I compare now to how I felt the first few months, I'm about 85% better. My mini "crashes" are nothing compared to months ago.

Cristina

9/17/2018 12:04:09 pm

Hello Ladies. Today is a little over 3 months post Mierna. I have had 2 regular periods but since my last one my body has had to adjust. I am waiting for my next one to start, which should be any day now. The cramps and back pain have been the worst ever. Never had it so bad. I have had a hard time sleeping latetly. I have had anxiety in the early mornings not so bad, but there. I think it's all gonna come back so I get slight panic attacks. Headaches are here and there. But again I get so worked up and nervous all the symptoms are gonna come back. It could be that my husband is a bit under the weather and I'm so worried about him, and its my turn to take care of him. I need to be better, I need to push through it. I'm not sure what started it up. Maybe it was me, I stopped eating really healthy, which I should of stuck to the plan. I stopped drinking tons of water and exercising. I need to start it up again. I don't wanna end up where I was 4 months ago. I made the mistake of thinking, ok I feel good let me have a little chocolate, a little more sweets and less vegetables. Not good. Stick to it! At the end of the day it's better for you. Just feeling right now defeated and a little depressed. I need to get out of this funk quick.

Kelly

9/19/2018 03:07:59 am

I'm at my 9th month, and even though some symptoms creep back, they are not near as bad as the previous month. My major anxiety was gone by the 5th month. Every month is an improvement. Hang in there.

LUCIE BULOIS

9/26/2018 01:42:27 pm

Hi all,

Like many of you, I started to have panic attacks, severe anxiety (feeling of being high 24/7) and dissociative head (depersonalization) last April. In August, after doing some research, I asked my doctor to remove my Mirena, but since then I have crashed hard and my symptoms got even worse. I also started to have depression, which I didn't have pre removal. I'm considering going on antidepressants just because life has been so unbearable since this all started, 6 months ago. Did anyone go on antidepressants during their crash and had some kind of relief? I feel like I'm losing it and losing hope.

Thank you ladies and good luck to anyone going through this.

Kelly

9/26/2018 08:55:49 pm

I did have a short bout of depression a few months after removal. I'm happy to say that it passes without needing antidepressants. There is nothing wrong with needing them though.

Just know that you aren't alone, and it does get better.

Start pampering yourself. Lavender Epsom salt baths, multi vitamins, get a gym membership and use the sauna.

Chelsea

9/30/2018 09:20:54 pm

Wow! I feel so relieved after reading your blog. I had my iUD for almost 6 years. 1 week before I got it removed I started feeling uneasy and emotional. I also felt i got a slight case of vertigo after getting the Iud but just dealt with it because it seemed like the best birth control option for me at the time, now I wish I would have listened to my body and removed it sooner! The way you explained The dissociative head symptom was 100% spot on for me & made me feel a little less crazy. I was convinced I had lost my mind and was going to spend the rest of my life locked in my room missing out on life. This has literally been the scariest 3 weeks in my life. I also have had anxiety my whole life but it was always manageable, I take the occasional Xanax for severe panic attacks which was rare but now it’s almost constant. I’m doing everything I can to not rely on pills, I’m trying to do everything natural. I am also experiencing nausea, sensitivity to smells that make me run to the bathroom and dry heave, dizzy ness, headaches and super emotional! I still haven’t had my first period and it’s been 3 weeks since I had it removed! I was wondering if you could give an update, maybe a little encouragement for me that this is going to pass and I won’t feel this way forever ! 🤞🏼 Thank you again for your blog it helped me and I don’t feel alone!

Charley

10/12/2018 01:33:54 pm

Hi
I've just come across your post through looking at mirena crash symptoms, and so many of your symptoms apply to mine. I had my Coil out over 2 years ago now, it was my second one in as I didn't think any of my symptoms were from having the coil, I stupidly (which is probably my biggest regret) never read any of the side affects of having the Coil just thought, great don't have to think about and no periods!! How wrong was I 😩 So anyway just wanted to know if anyone was still experiencing any symptoms this long after having it out?! My symptoms, well majority of them i.e. Brain fog, migraines, feeling of not being in the room, anxiety/panic attacks (which I've never suffered with ever) tiredness, back/stomach pain went away but have now come back again, and I really can't understand why? I have been to the drs recently for bloods to check liver, kidney function, diabetes amongst other things and these have come back normal. Please can anyone give me advice on this? As my drs always say it has nothing to do with the Coil and some have gone as far as saying I am ridiculous to think that it could be the Coil as I don't have one anymore. I just wish they would say it is a possibility as I could stop worrying about why I'm feeling this way, I really just want to be normal again.

Thankyou in advance.

Sparrow

10/12/2018 01:56:44 pm

Hi Charley...
I don't have a definitive answer for you, as I am only about seven months post removal, but honestly it wouldn't surprise me at all if you're still having symptoms after all this time. Especially considering that you haven't done anything in the way of treatment yet. I, like you, had never had any anxiety before and started having panic attacks and anxiety. (along with many other symptoms, but that was the worst) Although I have seen so much improvement, I am still far from my old 'normal' and I have been doing everything possible to help myself through this, herbs, acupuncture, and more. My advice to you...find a naturopathic doctor, mine was the first person to believe me and just having one person who believed me was a huge relief. Get yourself checked for vitamin b12 and folate deficiencies if you haven't yet, birth control depletes these essential vitamins for some reason, and many of my symptoms began to ease when I started getting vitamin b12 shots. b12 deficiency is linked to many things including anxiety, tiredness, weakness, shaky hands, and so much more.
another thing to get checked for (if you haven't already) is ovarian cysts...they are very common in women with iuds. I was diagnosed with one the size of a grapefruit, which has been the cause of my horrible back and stomach pain. I was told by so many docs that my symptoms couldnt be related to my iud...i am so glad i believed myself and found docs who believed me too. I feel like I am heaed in the right direction, slowly but surely. I hope this helps...feel free to reach out it you want to talk more. 802-291-2622. Good luck!!!!

charley

10/12/2018 02:19:59 pm

Hi Sparrow,
Thank you so much for replying, just knowing that others are going through similar and I'm not as crazy as I thought helps. I really appreciate all your advice and will look into naturopathic dr, also the b12 and folate deficiencies... I'm in the uk so maybe different here but will definitely look at these! At the moment I am just trying to detox majority of the time eating healthily and plant based but would try anything else to just be back to normal. As I said if the drs here would just admit it was a possibility it could be the mirena then I wouldn't feel as worried... My first panic/anxiety attack happened 2 days after I had my Coil out, I ended up going to a&e as I felt like I couldn't breathe and worrying if I went to sleep I might not wake again (sounds crazy 😔) after having checks done I was released the same night being told it was just a panic attack and that I must of being stressed that week and that was the cause, but I can honestly say no I wasn't stressed that week and there was nothing I could of pinpointed it to. After that and for the last 2 years I haven't had an anxiety/ panic episode like that until a couple of weeks ago I started feeling extreme fatigue again and had a panic attack on the train, i had this feeling that I couldn't get off when I wanted (even tho I could) and was just overwhelmed with the business of it all (even tho this has never bother me before and am often on busy tubes/trains) Like i say thank you for your reply and I will look into all this....

Thanks Charley

Louise

10/14/2018 05:44:32 pm

I was so pleased to come across your blog page. I had my coil removed just over two weeks ago and have this week started to feel particularly off. I've been putting it down to tiredness and stress but my symptoms seem to be like a number of those ladies who have commented. The last three days I have been so tired, dizzy, sore throat, anxious the list goes on. In recent months I've developed heartburn which doctors have put down to IBS and stress so this evening my stomach is making all kinds of unusual noises. I.m yet to have my first proper period but around the middle of the month is when I start to experience symptoms so perhaps that has triggered the crash. Who knows! But it's comforting to know I'm not going crazy.

Charley

10/14/2018 06:23:45 pm

Hi Louise,
Yes it is more than likely to be the cause, although obviously cannot confirm 100% Just through research myself I have reached this conclusion, and yes is a comfort (although wouldn't wish these things on anyone) just knowing that I'm not crazy and others are going through these same things helps. My list of different things seems to go on too, most recently the heartburn which I only ever suffered when I was pregnant so I'm having an endoscopy this week, I also had as soon as the Coil was out feeling of something stuck in my throats and the anxiousness, which I had never experienced or suffered with before. I'm 2 years post removal and still having various symptoms, some days better than others and at one point I thought I was back to 'normal' but am again hit with things.... I've had various bloods done at various times over the last years which have thankfully come back normal but doesn't explain what is wrong and that then everytime I'm going to the drs I feel like a crazy woman making these things up! Another symptom I experience is like a brain fog which then makes it hard to concentrate, Just would like to be normal again! A lady above mentioned B12 and folate so I am now going to start on some supplements to see if these make a difference to the tiredness etc as looking at the symptoms they are very similar, maybe this would help you too? I also try to detox through diet eating mainly plant based and unprocessed foods.... I also use doterra touch lavender oil to help keep me calm when I'm having an anxiety attack and Also doterra peppermint oil helps with the tiredness.... Hopefully as your only 2 weeks post removal you won't experience all these awful symptoms as long as I have and am, and get back to your normal self quickly.

Angel

8/4/2020 11:13:26 am

How are you doing now?

Kelly

10/21/2018 12:12:58 am

10 month update ladies!
Omg, it's been a roller-coaster. I'd say I'm about 85% better. This past month I've only had slight mood swings and wake up off and on at night, but almost all my other symptoms are gone. Looking back over the last 10 months, I'd say my worst/most worrisome symptoms were;
Insomnia (up for 36+ hours. It sucked, and nothing makes anxiety worse than feeling like you're going insane.)
Panic attacks out of nowhere
Peripheral Neuropathy (numbness in fingers and toes)
Random sweats, not just at night
Joint pain (my shoulder pain lasted 6 months)

I had lots of other symptoms, but those were the worst. I'm happy to say that at 10 months, they've mostly resolved. I feel it's important to update, because in the beginning, I came here looking for positive stories and hope, and I know the hope of recovering makes it speed along. I was terrified I was going to feel horrible forever.

Angel

8/4/2020 11:14:30 am

Can you update us ?

Chelsea

10/21/2018 10:32:22 am

I am now a little over one month post Mirena removal, the first 2 weeks after it was removed was complete hell for me and I thought life as I knew it was over and I was going to have to get used to this new normal. Wrong! I decided I wasn’t going to let this Mirena Crash get the best of me, the anxiety was out of control, the head fog was making me feel insane, the dizzyness and nausea was making me want to only lay in bed all day everyday and my life was passing me by. A few things I started to do that I feel has seemed to improved the symptoms a lot is: Excersice (I hate going to the gym) so I did daily walks and yoga, eating healthy. Almost a vegetarian diet with some animal protein here and there, cut out dairy for the most part, started drinking water only and lots of it daily to flush my system, i drink a small shot of apple cider vinegar morning and night (it helps detox the liver). I take a dandelion root capsule every night before bed (it also detoxs your liver) I use CBD daily, a few times a day. It’s a natural way to reduce my anxiety, I stopped taking Xanax all together because I now do not trust anything the doctors recommend to me. But the thing I found that I am most excited about is PREMAMA birth control 28 day cleanse drink. I am only on about day 6 but it kick started my period already, “it detoxs the liver and balances hormones and stimulating uterine health. It nourishes, supports, tones, and gently cleanses the liver and uterus; helps regulate menstrual cycles; and restores the body’s natural balance by removing excess hormones” the main ingredient in this drink is Chasteberry.
With this mixture of all natural remedies that I found during my desperate research for answers; I am excited to say I am feeling a lot better and started to see my old self come around again! There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Laura Vani

11/9/2018 04:53:57 pm

I've read every comment. As many of you I was desperate for answers. I had the mirena for about 3.5 years. My life changed, hair loss, no sex drive (I wanted my husband away from me) , migraines, and depression, social panic, and many more. My doctor said I had post partum drepresion so he prescribed atidepressants. Things still the same for me...
I decided to have it removed. I felt the nightmare was over. I still had migraines, mood swings, but they felt less severe.
3.5 months later I woke up with a horrible back pain. Next day I was rushed to emergency. I thought I was going to faint. I was shaking and I felt my heart was going to explode. They said everything was fine.
But it didnt ended there.... next day and for 4 more days I went to energencies with the same symptoms... swetie hands, shaking, pins and needles... more like panic attacks. I was terrified thinking I was going to die. I never felt that way before... so this created a panic disorder.. or at least thats what I think.
I had 5 ECGs done, x rays, ct scann, multiple blood test and theyball said I was fine.
Reading this and finding similar symtpoms I believe I had the crash.
My life is not the same.. its been 1 month since this started and is one day at the time. My mom is staying with us. I still feel depressed and overwhelmed. I feel at times that im going crazy or that I have an illness. Im feeling much better, eating healthy is just the emotional part and the sequels of the fear of having the panic back.
Im going to find a good naturopath doctor and wait for better days.
Hope you are all doing better every day.

Kelly

11/15/2018 12:15:14 am

I had the panic attack, pins and needles, and sweating hands and feet. The would feel really hot, then really cold. I had tingling in my fingers and toes and I was sure I was dying for about a week. Those symptoms went away for months. About a week before my period now, I occasionally get super mild versions of the crash. I'm at 11 months post removal. It does get better.

Laura Vani

12/5/2018 05:50:13 pm

Thanks for your reply Kelly, for how long did you experienced the worst in your crash? I didn't have the crash until 3 months after removal. For 2 months I've been in the worst of my life. Some days are ok, sometimes I feel like my old self and I find strength and hope but somedays hit me like the beginning of the crash. I have panic attacks still and heart palpitations. I'm going to have a holter for 24 hrs to dismiss a heart condition. My hands and feet sweat and I wake up in the middle of the night with heart palpitations and gasping air.
I find that I can do more stuff like walks, going to malls, being outside longer... it was so hard in the beginning, but now I can do a little bit better.
But I still feel fragile... many things are a trigger for an anxiety attack. I feel so weak and sometimes I feek this is not going to end. Did you experience this?
I'm also going to counseling and I started with vitamins.. but my stomach is a mess!
Right now I'm in the middle of an anxiety attack but trying to breath and stay calm.
Thanks! Hope everything is fine with you!

Kelly

12/20/2018 09:38:20 pm

I experienced all of these. I am almost at a year, and feel tons better. Not 100%, but about 90%. My periods are Irregular and I sometimes get mini crashes before my period, but they are so much more manageable. I think I might try the progesterone cream again to try and get my periods regulated. This DOES get better. It happens faster with exercise and vitamins.
Caffiene and sugar seem to make me worse.

Laura Vani

12/20/2018 10:25:33 pm

Thanks again Kelly for your reply! It really gives me hope to know this will pass. I just started going to the gym, taking vitamins and I already feel the difference. Some moments the anxiety arises and tries to sabotage my good moments... the symptoms show up but is less intense.
Sometimes I wonder if this is really the Mirena crash or is just like doctors told me I have anxiety disorder... but then again I come back here and read that this is all the hormonal mess that Mirena caused in our bodies.
I also started watching videos about anxiety and learning that having symptoms is not harmful has helped me a lot too.
Glad to know you feel 90% better! I hope you get to a 100% soon :)
Happy holidays!

Krista

12/14/2018 07:23:21 pm

So glad I found this. I had my iud out Nov 17, 2018 and I have felt absolutely terrible since. I had two of them for a total of 8+ years, loved it, no problems at all during the time I had it. The fatigue you guys!!! Like whoa!! I cannot function. My moods are all over the place as well. My provider said to expect this to last about 3 months. Said I could take oral bcp to ease the transition but that’s the only thing I can think of that could make me feel worse. Uggghhhhhh

Mia

12/19/2018 04:32:10 am

I had the mirena in for approximately 6 months, before I got extreme panic attacks. I would get 3-4 panic attacks a day, when previously I had never had a panic attack in my life. I had it removed a few days later, and the panic attacks subsided. It has been 5 months since it has been removed and I still suffer major anxiety, depression and derealisation. It's always there, although it gets a lot worse just before my period. I have never suffered these symptoms before and they are so overwhelming. Just wondering if anyone else has these symptoms and knows how long it will persist or if anything helped them. Thanks so much
--> My doctors want me to go on a low dose pill - I'm not sure if anyone has gone on that and it has worked, but I am worried since I don't want it to make my mental health worse.
--> Also if anyone has fixed this with anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication I would love to hear from you

Kelly

12/20/2018 09:40:50 pm

I can't stress exercise enough. I got a gym membership at the beginning of this whole crash. It took about a week of going, along with tons of water, and daily vitamins, and I felt noticeably better. When I get the anxiety, I just remind myself it will pass, and it goes away quicker. Feel better!

lucie

1/6/2019 09:09:56 am

Hi Mia, my experience is similar to yours. I started having panic attacks / severe anxiety / derealization 9 months ago - I removed my Mirena 5 months ago and I still struggle, even if my symptoms have improved thanks to the help of a psychiatrist specialized in DP/DR. I'm on Prozac and a low dose of Xanax. I still don't feel like myself, but the derealization (which was the worst of all for me) has been almost gone for a month. Feel free to ask me any question, and good luck.

Anastasia

7/14/2020 05:02:01 am

Hi Lucie- I am currently 3 months post removal and the derealization has been the worst symptom for me. What did you do to overcome this? Would love to hear some tips. Thanks!

lucie link

7/14/2020 10:38:48 am

Hi Anastasia, I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this. It's by far the hardest thing I ever had to overcome. Things that have helped me: healthy diet (no sugar, dairy, gluten, alcohol or coffee), magnesium supplements, exercising, infrared sauna, talking to a therapist specialized in derealization, Prozac for a few months and lots of rest. I promise with time it will go away, even if you feel like this is forever. Hang in there - you got this :)

Ellen

1/12/2019 07:07:06 pm

I just went to my doctor about the anxiety and am trying Prozac. I didn’t start to have them until after the 5 years with Mirena and then they got worse once I got it out. It is still too soon to tell if it will help, although the panic attacks were the worst within the 2 weeks right after I got the Mirena out. I don’t think it helps that it is the middle of winter and gets dark out at 4:30 where I am. In the warmer months I can walk outside for exercise and get some sun, but I tend to get a little down in the winter normally.

Lucie link

8/22/2019 02:09:46 pm

Hi Mia. Thought I would share with you this article I wrote 6 months ago: https://www.buzzworthy.com/mirena-iud-anxiety/

Let me know if that rings a bell.. I'm at 1 year post removal now and I'm mostly back to normal, even if I occasionally have relapses. Good luck if you're still fighting. You're not alone ❤️

Ellen

1/3/2019 01:49:35 pm

Wow- so glad to find this website and see the updates from people after having it out for a while. I just got my Mirena out a little more than two weeks ago. I had it more than 5 years because my OB/GYN said it was shown to last for 7, but I started to have side effects like super irregular spotting, muscle fatigue, and worse hot flashes after 5 years and two PCPs suggested I get it out. Since then, I have had the full array of symptoms, but the reflux is the worst. I have always had some issues, but it has been absolutely awful. I am going back to the PCP next week to see if I can get on prescription strength PPI because even with extreme diet modification, it is not helping much. Some days, I still feel like my insides are on fire. Other days, it feels like everything is ok. I have also had the panic attacks, neuropathy, muscle spasms, migraines, muscle fatigue. I am trying to go to the gym, but it can be hard with the fatigue and not so pleasant with the heartburn. I feel like I am drinking gallons of water here and I have always taken a women’s multivitamin, fish oil, a supplement for migraines, which I still take.

KRISTA

2/26/2019 01:04:43 pm

Thank you so much for this post. I have honestly felt like I was dying since having the Mirena removed. Tension head aches, stiff and achy muscles, back pain, brain fog, dizziness to the point of almost passing out, nausea, extreme tiredness, and oh the crying. Not many people post about these effects and Mirena definitely does not!!!!!! Nor did my doctor feel the need to inform me of this "crash". It honestly got so bad that I even went to the ER only to hear it's probably hormone related, my vitals are fine, and the flu test was negative. I almost cried when I read this, ok I did cry. It's good to know these symptoms are real and that it does get better! I am at day 5 after the removal and symptoms have gotten better and then bad again. Looking forward to feeling like myself at some point in the future

Kelly

4/1/2019 02:32:37 am

You'll probably see my comments from a few months ago. I'm at 14 months post removal, and at 95% better. I used exercise, healthier diet, and just recently added magnesium (malate and glycinate) and it's helped a LOT!

Lisa

3/31/2019 01:46:06 am

Hi Ladies, thanx heaps for sharing your Mirena crash experiences, as I am now pretty sure that is what I am going thru since having mine removed only 1 month after having it painfully inserted (Dr warned me that as I am older now (51), that the cervix gets "harder" with age). BTW I've already had 2 copper IUDs inserted since giving natural birth 14 yrs ago, which I felt was a "pinch" uncomfortable, so I would say that the Dr was right, as I consider I have a fairly good pain threshold! So I thought this may help some ladies to know this interesting tidbit about our dear cervix. The good news is that removal was virtually painless without any ibuprofen.

I was against using a Mirena because of synthetic hormones & possible side effects etc, but decided to follow ObGyn's advice, to help regulate or stop periods, with the attitude that if I don't like it, I can get it removed - I'll give it a go! Spotting everday, feeling blah like I'm about to get my period, no libido - I could see the signs & thanxfully had already done my Mirena review research, which helped me avoid what longer term users are now suffering.

1 day post removal I got a normal light 4 day period & no spotting since. I have been feeling a little blah & getting sporadic bouts of nausea (enough to take anti nausea tablet) & boobs feel full with sensitive nipples. I feel as if I am 5-6 weeks prego, but would be a miracle if I got prego between few weeks of copper IUD removal & Mirena inserted/removed at 51yrs old?!

I am on day 8 post removal & feeling ok, because I know that I have followed my gut instinct, done my research & made a well informed decision to protect an honour my health, wellbeing & quality of life!

If I am experiencing the above Mirena crash symptoms after only 1 month of "low dose locally administered synthetic progesterone" in my system, then I would hate to think of long term exposure.... evidenced here in this & other forums?!?

I hope that my albeit short term experience/crash symptoms helps to inform & empower those Ladies out there who dare to share & care!

Kelly

4/1/2019 02:37:14 am

Ladies, ask your doctor about adding magnesium. I can not believe the difference. I take magnesium glycinate and malate and my anxiety and sleep have improved greatly. Helps with muscle and nerve issues as well.

Small update too. 14 months post removal.
Doing A LOT BETTER, 95% I'd say. I had a rough spot at about a year. Periods are still too long, but at least they're showing up regularly again at 29 days. I added magnesium and it's helped with any symptoms I had left. Seemed to fix the insomnia and neuropathy too. Hang in there ladies!

Lucy

4/9/2019 11:10:53 am

Kelly, thank you so much for your updates, they really help keeping hope. Can I ask you how long you had your Mirena in before taking it out?

Kelly

4/20/2019 12:10:56 pm

I had it for just shy of 2 years. I am really sensitive to hormone fluctuations.

Nini

4/12/2019 02:32:11 pm

Kelly, couldn’t thank you enough for your updates. They are what keeps me going at month 4. Thanks!

Kelly

4/20/2019 12:12:22 pm

You're welcome! I was coming here reading comments looking for hope until about month 8, when I really started to feel better "regularly". My periods come on time now, but the duration is still a little off.

Kitty

6/28/2019 03:12:57 am

That’s good to know! I’m just over 3 months and things are still tough but at least there is a light at the end of this tunnel xx

Kelsey Claire

4/12/2019 04:12:48 pm

Thank you SO much for this post. I'm probably crying *because* of the crash but I am so glad to hear others are having this issue. I thought I was going crazy! I had my Mirena for almost 6 years and had been on birth control consistently for about 10 years. I've never been without birth control so I knew I would notice a difference, just didn't expect it to mess with me so much. I feel especially bad for my boyfriend - Does anyone have experience in trying to figure out what's *really* upsetting you and what's just a symptom of the hormonal changes/depression/anxiety? I can feel this straining many of my relationships and, considering I don't know how long the crash will actually last, I need to develop some better coping mechanisms.
Thanks!

nini

4/12/2019 09:36:20 pm

Hi Kelsey.. I don’t think there’s anything in particular that would make me upset. I would just cry for hours some days. Everyone would ask me what’s wrong and I wouldn’t have an answer. I have a great life, healthy kids, amazing husband. Although we are suffering with this crash (I’m 4 months into it) it’s also shitty for our families dealing with it . There’s not much help from doctors so I think they also feel helpless. I also feel bad for my husband, on days where I felt better I honestly just really explain myself and warn him that it’s not me and it’s just my hormones. I’m so thankful for Kelly’s updates because it gives me hope that this will get better. Some days are truly awful but if there’s one thing I learned it’s to be very cautious with my body and take much better care of myself. Best wishes and I hope you feel better soon. When you aren’t feeling good just remember it will pass!

Ellen

4/18/2019 11:31:24 pm

I am 4 months out and mostly feeling better. I still feel really moody at times and occasionally anxious. I had to stop the Prozac after a month because it gave me insane insomnia and night sweats along with digestive issues. I was literally waking up hourly.

Luckily my periods have been pretty normal although my cycle has been short. Around 23-24 days. My heartburn has improved a lot. I still get random muscle cramping. Right now I am getting insane acne and the hair loss is getting worse. The dermatologist said that is totally normal 4 months out. I think when I started the mirena, the first year no one even knew it was acne it was so bad... I get it on my chest, scalp, back and not so much the face.

Kelly

4/23/2019 02:23:16 am

I'm really glad I am able to give you ladies hope! I felt SO awful in the beginning. I was terrified and in and out of the ER thinking I was dying. I really didn't know if I was going to get better. I'm 15 months free of that stupid device, and am doing a lot better. I'd say 95%. If anything, I'd just say that my PMS is more prominent and AF is a little more wonky.
My worst symptoms were
Anxiety
Neuropathy (I was sure this was something sinister at the time)
Sciatica
Insomnia
Fatigue/muscle fatigue

Some of these were severe for months on end, to the point where I thought I was just going to live with them forever. I did vitamins, Epsom salt baths, exercise, and tried drinking tons of water. You ladies aren't alone, and don't be discouraged if you're doing okay one month, and have a setback the next. The setbacks end up fewer and fewer as time goes on. Some women seem to be over the crash in weeks, and for some of us... our body seems to take a year or so to get back on track. Sorry if I take so long to reply, I try to check back in once in a while.

Laura Van

4/23/2019 12:58:55 pm

Kelly is great to read your updates, it really gives us hope! Thanks for that!
I can relate to your experience as I have many of the same symptoms you had. I'm still struggling with high anxiety and depression, I'm not taking any medication for that.. just vitamins, magnesium and enzymes for my digestion.
I feel fatigued, sciatica and lower back pain that seems to come and go. Just like you said at some point you feel like you will have to deal with this forever. Anxiety makes you feel like you have a terrible disease.

On June of last year I had it removed, right after I felt extremely fatigued maybe depressed and moody for 4 months with no other physical symptoms, I could still "function" so I thought that was the crash for me. Suddenly out of nowhere panic attacks and feeling like I was dying right before my periods, I think that's when I really crashed, last year in October. I read somewhere that the crash can happen days, weeks or even months post removal. Even though I'm in month 10 post removal I feel just like you felt at months 5 and 6.

You are right! The set backs happen, you feel like you are going back to day one but you are not! Is just one or 3 days compared to weeks like in the beginning.

Sometimes it feels lonely as no doctor will listen or tell what's really wrong, they don't feel like Mirena can cause this, for me I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder. So I come back here to remember that I'm not alone and going crazy.

Kelly I have a question for you, I saw you only had the iud for 2 yrs. Did you have any side effects symptoms while you had it? Similar to the crash symptoms.
In my case I did have most of the side effects while I had mirena, but I felt worst after removal.

Kelly

4/30/2019 03:27:03 pm

Actually, yes. I didn't really even relate my symptoms to having it because they came on gradually. There was a period of insomnia, my cramps were more severe, and towards the end I was having bad mood swings. The removal made it a million times worse before it got better.

Angel

10/6/2020 12:43:38 pm

Hi kelly did the neuropathy go away ? Its one of my worst symptoms at 10 months now

Kiera

4/23/2019 01:08:03 pm

Thanks for all your stories, ladies! It's hard when asking about your symptoms the reply from the gyn office is, "see your GP, you might be coming down with something." I am 47 and had Mirena for 11 years before deciding to take it out. I had no symptoms (or so I thought) at all while on it and loved not having a period. I did notice some lowering of my libido right after starting on it, and lasted the whole 11 years...and only after that long time started to link it with the Mirena IUD. I also recently started to notice more facial hair, but attributed that to age. I had mine taken out 3 weeks ago today. Two days after having it removed I had my first migraine headache ever. It lasted a day and a half. After that, my body has has "chills" almost everyday since sometimes accompanied by dizziness/light-headedness. Occasionally I'll have a low-grade fever. I generally have been feeling pretty lethargic and have had a loss of appetite. The first week and a half I had trouble sleeping and took unisom for a few days to finally get some sleep. I'm no longer doing that and have started to sleep better. Today I woke up feeling better but walked my daughter to school feeling light-headed. Really hoping things subside soon. But hearing the rest of these stories I'm concerned. I had mine (2 total) in for way longer than you guys. I haven't had any moody things happen, other than maybe snapping at my kids too harshly (I later apologized). Hope everyone is doing better on their journey to recovery!

Kelly

6/3/2019 11:44:05 pm

Water. Talk to your doctor about taking a magnesium supplement, specifically magnesium glycinate or malate. It's a miracle for anxiety and insomnia.

Kitty Pert

5/17/2019 06:46:35 am

Thank goodness for this blog post and Kelly! I had my mirena our 8 weeks ago today and have felt like I’ve needed to be locked up in a mental hospital many times with the dread, anxiety and depression. This gives me some hope xxx

Kelly

6/3/2019 11:42:00 pm

It definitely takes time and patience! I had a few months where I wondered if I was going to make it. I'm 16 months now and I'd say 98% better.

Amy

5/21/2019 05:27:14 pm

I would love to hear from anyone who has had success with treating this. I am 8 weeks post mirena removal, crashed hard starting week 3. The anxiety hit me out of nowhere. I then started to feel better for a bit, but still not myself. Now right after my first period which ended this past Saturday the depression/hopelessness has set in. It's the worst feeling because I have absolutely nothing to be this sad about but I feel like I'm drowning in despair. I have also had brief anxious moments and periods of nausea. I've lost weight as I have had absolutely no appetite. I'm so happy I came across this blog, I feel as if the comments give me a tiny amount of hope which seemed impossible before. I'm desperate for any words of wisdom and suggestions. Thank you to everyone on here that has shared their story, and thanks in advance for any recommendations!

Sara

5/25/2019 02:41:33 pm

Hi! I just posted all my symptoms, I am glad people are still reading this. I feel your pain. It’s so exhausting. I’m almost at month 3 and desperate for a solution.

Lucie

8/22/2019 02:12:29 pm

Hi Amy. Thought I would share with you this article I wrote 6 months ago: https://www.buzzworthy.com/mirena-iud-anxiety/

Let me know if that rings a bell... I'm at 1 year post removal now and I'm mostly back to normal, even if I occasionally have relapses. Good luck if you're still fighting this. You WILL get better ❤️

Sonia

5/25/2019 01:21:35 pm

Wow! I’m amazed on how my story totally relates to all the ones I’ve read. I’m 5 months post removal and in the beginning it was the worst, panic attacks, anxiety, loss appetite, had tmj pain which I still do, and ended in the ER a couple of times. I’m much better now, have been seeing a naturopath doctor and he has helped tremendously with diet and supplements. I have some days that are bad but now are mostly good. Hope they end soon and I come back to my old self. I just hate the fact that I decided to put my body through that hell with this little device which I only had for 8 months (skyla for me)

Sara

5/25/2019 02:39:09 pm

All right. I’m posting and hoping someone will see this. I had the mirena in for almost 3 years and I got it shortly after I had my daughter because I always got my period back so early. Now looking back, I went through a heck of a lot when it was inserted but I just blamed everything on postpartum, even though it had been 4 months. I ended up getting my mirena out in March this year after I noticed over almost 3 years I gained about 40 lbs and I was getting lower back pain for a year and severe bloating. When I got it taken out on 3/1, I noticed my back pain was instantly better and I was less bloated. Then a few days later came the insane 11 day long period and the back pain started back up along with the bloating. I was leaking all the time it was horrible. Then I didn’t get my next period until end of April and it was a normal period and I also had one this month that was normal. I thought things were looking up since during my period, all my crazy symptoms seemed to dissipate. Oh man was I wrong. I actually got worse at the beginning of May and that has continued all month long now. I am so sick of worrying all the time, I have 2 beautiful kids that I can’t enjoy because of all this worry and anxiety. I constantly think that something is wrong with me (because I haven’t felt good since getting the mirena taken out) and I just keep noticing new things. I know I’m almost at the 3 month mark since removal but this has been some of the worst months of my life along with when I first got it. This thing is the worst decision I’ve ever made and it’s taking my body what feels like forever to get back on track. I’m sooooo sick of not feeling like myself. I appreciate everyone who has posted their symptoms and I’ve read them all. I am going to list all of mine since removal:

Crazy anxiety and the constant doom feeling
Not hungry unless I’m not worrying
OCD
Circulation has seemed off (white hands, feet randomly, I know some girl wrote that her toenails got black for a little so just wanted to see if anyone else noticed weird circulation issues)
Water retention in stomach and feet
Diarrhea
Insomnia
Always feel like I’m in fight or flight and get adrenaline rushes over the dumbest things (startled easily)
Dizzy spells/dissociative head
Panic attacks (I’ve never had them before and seem to get them every two weeks, when my body is trying to ovulate and when I’m supposed to get my period)
Very heavy period post removal with enormous clots
Pins and needles when breathing out
Pressure build up in my head and ears (this was bad ever since getting mirena and I went to ENT everything is fine)
Vision changes (was bad when I first got it inserted and now again after removal)
Heartburn
Racing heart out of nowhere sometimes and palpitations

I didn’t have ANY OF THESE prior to mirena being inserted or taken out. All of these things fluctuate and some days are better than others. I’m taking magnesium, CBD (just started) and probiotics. I keep thinking that I’ll find some magic supplement that will make me feel better but even the CBD doesn’t help all that much. I have learned that when your hormones are out of whack, it really messes with all parts of you, at least that’s what I tell myself because none of this makes sense otherwise. What I want to tell the doctors that don’t believe that the mirena is causing all of this, is why does it make sense for your hormones to be out of whack after a baby, but then not when you get the mirena taken out? I’ve seen numerous people post that the docs don’t believe them because the mirena is out of them and it can’t be causing all of this after the fact. But when a baby comes out, you don’t just get better because the baby is out of you. I feel sorry for all of us and hope and pray we get better soon.

Kelly

6/3/2019 11:38:15 pm

I had almost every symptom you listed, and they were severe the first 6-8 months. Exercise, vitamins, water, Epsom salt baths, and patience helped. I noticed magnesium glycinate was REALLY helpful with insomnia and pins and needles (recommended by my neurologist). I'm 16 months post removal and finally at 98% better.

Sara

6/4/2019 08:39:21 am

Bless you Kelly for always responding to us!

I will have to check what magnesium supplement I’m taking, if it’s not glycinate I’ll get that. My sleep is improving. I did go to the doc Friday just to go over all my symptoms and do bloodwork because when I get anxiety it’s primarily health anxiety and the only thing that can help me is going to the doc. She said she thinks all my physical symptoms are a result of my extreme stress and anxiety over the past 3 months since removal. She said she would call yesterday if there was anything she found. I was expecting a call because I am like there is no way someone can feel this bad and NOT have something wrong with them!!! Ugh. She also said that she tells people 3-6 months on average to get better after getting the mirena removed and I just hit 3 months. She said if I can wait it out over summer great if not come back in and she will try to help in other ways. I’m just laughing (not really) that my gyno never gave me any warning about recovery after removal.

Kelly

6/5/2019 09:23:17 pm

I don't think any of us were warned. There are probably many women who had little to no problems after removal, and probably just as many who did and had no idea it was from the IUD.
My magnesium supplement helps with anxiety too.

Sara

6/12/2019 09:43:11 am

Kelly were your periods all over the place? I had the heaviest period of my life in March after removal, then April and May were normal periods and now in June it’s insanely heavy again. This is beyond frustrating. I remember you writing something about yours periods in previous post.

Ellen

6/13/2019 08:54:33 am

Hi Sara- I had health anxiety for several months after removal and my doctor said the same thing as yours. I do think hormones contribute. I had my thyroid checked, mammogram, and endoscopy and they all came back normal. Unfortunately she told me I will need to go to a doctor who offers GeneSight for anxiety medications since I have low tolerance, so I have to find natural ways to deal with the anxiety for now. My period is pretty normal though, it just comes frequently. I had really heavy periods before I started birth control with horrible migraines and cramping. Now I just get an occasional headache, breast tenderness, and some cramping, but it is not bad. I am wondering if it is perimenopause since I am 42 and my friend my age says hers just comes frequently as well.

Kelly

6/19/2019 01:29:14 pm

Yes! Before the Mirena, my periods were 29 days regularly. After removal, for 8 months they were all over the place. Now they've seemed to sync up with the full moon. Literally within a day of the full moon EVERY month. It's at least predictable.
TMI, but the flow is still wonky, but I'm on blood thinners, so I don't think it's necessarily from the Mirena. I've noticed the months where I'm not as active, I feel worse PMS wise.

Sara

11/22/2019 11:50:43 am

Hi Kelly,

I have felt like I have regressed at month 8. I vaguely recall you saying that month 8 was rough for you, too, but I could be wrong. I notice my worrying increasing again (I’ve been sick repeatedly, which makes me weaker to my negative thoughts) and I have some of my tingling and swelling of my hands again too. I just wanted to see if you had a bad month 8 if it was better after.

Leslie

2/6/2020 11:54:26 pm

Its so crazy that all these Mirena Crash symptoms you and everyone else are sharing sounds exactly how i feel with the Mirena still in place!! I get it out tomorrow im so excited after 5 years of misery. I wonder if Ill get the crash since its seems ive had it all along...any updates?

Ashley

2/7/2020 07:19:42 pm

Hello Sara,

I was wondering how you're doing now? I am almost 10 months post removal IUD and feel like I depression and anxiety that still linger around. I've also experienced OCD (intrusive thoughts) and it's horrible.

Angel

9/1/2020 11:37:44 pm

Hi Ashley how are your intrusive thoughts? Im at month 10 now and i feel like the thoughts are still lingering not as bad as when it first started but still there

Sara

1/21/2021 03:31:54 pm

Hi Ashley--Following up here, as on 3/1/21, it will be 2 years since my Mirena removal. I had it for almost 3 years before getting it removed. I thought so many of my symptoms when I got it placed in 2016 were postpartum (4 months), my anxiety, or that I was dying, but after going through the crash, it opened my eyes that everything I was experiencing back then was because of the Mirena.

I was a mess for half the year in 2019 after removal 3/1/19. I got a little better in the summer and then when fall 2019 hit, I regressed. I ended up getting sick a lot until January 2020 (bad cold after bad cold, thought it was dying again) and then covid hit, obviously. I have discovered that I have severe health anxiety when my hormones are imbalanced. So, I am unsure if I would have been getting better if covid weren't to have happened, causing so much stress in everyone's lives, but this year has been HELL and I don't know what to blame it on anymore. I was so anxious all the time at the beginning of the pandemic in March, and this lasted for months where I thought I was getting covid every day. Every day. When I stopped worrying as much about covid in September, I had this bad bout of tinnitus (that still hasn't left) and then a few days later got a HORRID case of vertigo for hours. It was absolutely terrifying. I then proceeded to have another bad (not as severe) case of vertigo in mid october and ever since then my vision has seemed shakey. I've been to the doc, vestibular therapist, ENT, you name it. I also have horrible TMJ that could be messing with me. What I'm trying to get at is, I am not sure, because of the state of the world, if I would have been much better by now or if I just ended up staying in this bad place because of the pandemic and stress made the healing post mirena worse. I also am listing my vertigo symptoms because that wasn't something I originally had post mirena. The ENT thinks it could be vestibular migraines or Menieres disease. I am just so terrified of getting another episode I live in fear. If anyone else has had this post mirena, please let me know. If you've had vertigo, I know how you feel and I am so terrified it's going to be a problem forever.

Danyelle Watkins

1/21/2021 07:44:45 pm

Hi Sara. Your exact feelings I have! I come back to this post when I’m feeling bad and it relieves me to know I’m not alone. I’m almost 3 years post removal and I still feel horrible. I never had any problems until mirena. The fact that so many women have the same problems and doctors act clueless is what baffles the heck out of me. It’s like they don’t even try to acknowledge something could be wrong. They just say oh no your hormones would be balanced by now or it’s been so long it’s no way that could be it. A month after I got it, I started to have shortness of breath, fatigue, heart palpitations, chest pains I thought I was having a heart attack. I went to the ER twice for all tests to come out normal. Which eventually would be named generalized anxiety disorder in which was related to being a new mom for the third time, working, and going to school. I’ve done this with my first two babies and I handle a workload pretty well. Never had an issue to mirena. Still til this day I have the same issues. I only feel that it’s better because I’m able to manage it better back then it just hit me out of nowhere. Some days I just cry because the anxiety is uncontrollable. It’s more than just feeling “anxiety” i literally have so much adrenaline my heart feels as if it’s gonna come out of my chest, I too have dizzy spells out of nowhere. When I’m not dizzy I still feel lightheaded. And omg the dissociative head or whatever they call it is the absolute WORST. I get home from work every day and feel like I’m fighting with my own mind and body. I do what I have to do as a mom but I feel like I’m outside of my body and I’m just controlling it. Feels like I’m in a dream. First 5 or 6 months or so after removal for some reason I would have this weird vibration in my head at night when falling asleep. When I nap during the day it wouldn’t happen! I’m just so fed up. I tried to research on line but I’m tired of reading take 103 vitamins, exercise, drink water, etc. I exercise at least 4/7 days. Drink plenty of water and I take a multivitamin and just recently came across sea moss gel. I’ve tried an anxiety free tea and that was unsuccessful also. Health anxiety is awful especially during these COVID times. I work I healthcare too. When I cough or nose starts to run I’m losing my mind. I google everything only to find some type of cancer. It’s never been this bad before. I’m just fed up at this point.

Sara

2/7/2021 10:31:24 am

Hi Danyelle! I cannot relate to everything you posted above enough. I also feel exhausted every day from fighting my own mind telling me that I'm dying from xyz symptom or will live this uncomfortable forever. It's so draining and some days I just cannot take it. I've completely given up on trying to work with my doctor on it and just signed up to talk to a naturopathic doctor. The doctors don't listen and so when I need to go in to have my symptoms checked, I don't even bring up that I KNOW that it's because of the mirena anymore.

I posted on another comment yesterday that I too had the vibration when falling asleep. I would be somewhat jolted awake as I was dozing. It happened for the first few months after removal but then did go away. It was so infuriating--I just wanted to sleep to rest my brain from all the stress of the symptoms and then I would be forced awake.

Cristina

5/25/2019 05:01:56 pm

Hello Ladies. This is Just an update...
I am now 11 months post Mirena and feeling like myself again. The first 5 months were hard and it slowly got better and better. I have continued to see a holistic doctor and have been taking vitamins and supplements. I watch how much sugar I take in because I have noticed that sugar has been giving me slight anxiety. I exercise regularly and continue to drink tons of water. Ladies, I can tell you there is a beautiful bright light at the end of the long dark tunnel. Hang in there and be patient.

Jill

6/8/2019 07:38:50 pm

Hello lovely ladies,
I’m so happy I’ve found this page!! I’m going through this hell now! OMG never been through anything like it!!!
Had mirena before I had my children and absolute fine once it was removed.
Had it refitted after 2nd child 9 years ago first mirena slipped ouch! 2nd time was removed after I kept developing cysts in my ovaries.
Doc then decided to insert Jaydess same hormone as mirena but lower dose and only lasts 3 years had this removed on the 17th April and omg honestly never been so ill!!
Got all the symptoms going it’s horrendous I’m so heavy cramped migraines and anxiety is through the roof!!
Today my like a blubbering mess never stopped crying over nothing it’s not me!!!
I’m so glad I’ve come across this page it all now makes sense I knew it had to be something to do with my hormones!!!
But now my ear pain makes sense too I was putting it down to having a constant cold but no reading above is making loads of sense.
Reading all of this has made me realise I’m not alone and this is real!
My body has been relying on this device delivering me hormones for years and now nothing and it has hit me for 6!!! Today being the worst day ever!
I’m seeing my GP Monday as I can not go on like this and I’m going to make him understand this is real!!
I really hope these symptoms subside some I can’t bear it! Thinking of trying the minipill to see if that will help me. I’m sensitive to oestrogen to start with never mind by body not producing enough progesterone thanks to the coil but everything makes sense now I’m just so grateful for this page and it has help me understand why I’m feeling like this I couldn’t explain it now I can.
What a great page and brilliant ladies helping others understand that your not going mad!

Amy

7/16/2019 08:25:32 pm

Hi Jill,

Just wondering if you had any success with using the minipill. TIA!!

Jess

6/9/2019 12:09:35 pm

Holy moly am I glad to see I'm not as nuts as I was thinking. I had the Mirena in for 3 years and had it taken out 4 days ago. I am going through a divorce which has been stressful and the stress caused me to have seizures. I didn't think the Mirena caused the seizures but wasn't thrilled with extra hormones in my body regardless. So I went back to the non-hormonal Paragard that I had before. I've been bleeding for the last 4 days and was told it may last a couple of hours. I have been more emotional the last 4 days with my kids as well. My husband is an ass hat so I have been ignoring him but my teenage kids have been put through a roller coaster of crazy with me. I'm glad to know that there is an explanation (besides just the can't be here soon enough divorce) for why I have been crying/sobbing at one wrong word, bleeding, still crampy, and tired. Thanks for providing an explanation and support, ladies!

Kelly

6/19/2019 01:32:30 pm

Divorce is hard enough. Add the sudden change in hormones, and you definitely are going to have a hard time. I can't stress exercise enough. You need to set some time aside each day for a walk or whatever. It helps with the stress and the hormones. I've been there!

Tara

6/30/2019 10:46:19 pm

Hi!

I had mirena for just under two years and in that time frame I thought everything I was experiencing was just as a result of being a busy mom with two young kids and working full time. Finally, I went to the doctor bc I was experiencing tingling sensations and he diagnosed me with hypothyroidism. Since this time, for three months, I have been taking a low dose synthroid in hopes I can kick this ailment as a means of it being related to pregnancy.

Anyway, two months into taking the synthroid, I got the mirena out and almost immediately, everything that had been improving or was balancing went crazy! I’m talking:

Light headedness
Fight or flight mode
Crazy wrist and finger joint pain and aches
Nausea
Lack of hunger
Anxiety through the roof
Restless legs - tingling in them as well as hands
Weakness
Flu like symptoms
Sweating
Racing heart
Bowel movements 1-3 times a day

I am just in the midst of my first cycle, amen! And not quite a one month free of the mirena. Just wondering if anyone else experienced this kind of upheaval or had thyroid issues?! I swear everyday I make myself sick thinking I have some neurological disorder. Not to mention these symptoms are very unnerving!!!

While I am thrilled my cycle came easy and on time. I don’t want to endure this again!!!! My thyroid is still not in the normal range but I could have sworn with how I was feeling I had turned hyperthyroidism instead of hypothyroidism.

I have an appt with a naturopath next month to see if there is anything else I can do for myself but my god, I feel like this past year and a half of my life just went for shit and I want ME back!!!

Kelly

7/2/2019 02:47:13 pm

You'll get back to your old self. It takes time and effort though. I had thyroid like symptoms, but TSH, T3, and T4 were normal range. I had all your symptoms and they faded over time.

Amy

7/5/2019 04:54:34 pm

Hi there,

I am now 3 months post removal and still having anxiety/depression flare ups every now and then. They are definitely tied to my cycle which is very frustrating. I’ve also noticed the hair loss much more. It’s the same as the postpartum hair loss I had with both of my kids. I was wondering if anyone with “dissociative head” started having intrusive thoughts and was scared of how they were feeling. I’m going through that now and it’s awful. Almost like an out of control feeling. Any suggestions?

Laura

7/5/2019 08:10:39 pm

Yes! After removal I had my first panic attacks, for 3 months almost every day I had panic, high adrenaline, all kinds of body sensations, all day I thought I was going to die, or I was going crazy, I felt I could lose control and that scared me and made depressed. I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and they gave me pills. I felt the same or even worst so I stopped taking them. What really helped... going to therapy with a psychologist, specially the ones that have experience with panic and anxiety disorders, learning that is a process, that those thoughts are NOT real and they don't define you as a person. Walking, swimming, talking to friends, taking Magnesium, if you can afford go to a naturopath that will guide you into vitamins and better nutrition. Is a slow process to heal, in my experience is taking some time, you can experience ups and downs, but you will get better with time. Hope this helps!

Amy

7/6/2019 11:17:29 am

Hi Laura,

Thank you so much for the info. It truly helped! It’s so irritating to constantly be on edge all of the time. I have medication as well but it just puts me in a fog. These past three months have been awful. I feel like I have anxiety over almost everything. When I have those moments I feel ok, I start having anxiety about the next time I’ll have anxiety! 🤦🏼‍♀️ I just don’t feel like myself.

Rose

7/15/2019 09:58:39 am

Hi there -

I am presently in my second month being iud-free and am freaking myself out. While it seems that I am feeling better and not experiencing near what I was the first month, it seems like a new one has developed... dizziness and head vibration (but only felt internally if that makes sense?! And really only when I am trying to sleep primarily. It is incredibly worrisome for me. And it’s not all the time or everyday. I’m not sure if it could be linked to my cycle or if it’s something more serious. Pls tell me I’m not alone in this because it’s making me borderline certifiable!!!

Sonia

7/15/2019 03:51:09 pm

I’m 7 months post removal and I have ups and downs. I’ve been to the doctor I don’t know how many times now just for them to tell me everything looks ok. I have anxiety, panic attacks, muscle pain, headaches, dizziness, tmj pain. Some days are better than others and earning a healthy diet, exercising and staying positive helps! Your body needs to heal and balance again and that takes some time unfortunately :(

Danyelle

7/15/2019 06:53:17 pm

Omg yes!!! I am 2 years post removal and I’ve dealt with everything on this post. Still, I have dizziness and anxiety. I too had the internal head vibrations at night ONLY while falling asleep! ONLY at night! So if i were to nap during the day, it wouldn’t happen. How crazy and weeeeeird is that?! You’re not going crazy and you’re not alone. You’re thinking there is no way my brain is vibrating and I’m completely normal and healthy right? I know. I was experiencing that meanwhile all tests scans blood work etc came back normal. Hope you feel better. After a few months the interna vibrations stopped for me.

Rose

7/15/2019 07:10:10 pm

Honestly... if it weren’t for forums and blogs like this, I don’t know what I would do!!! You have no idea how reassuring it is to hear you’re not alone and that this isn’t just in your head!!!!

Sara

2/6/2021 10:55:23 am

Rose and Danyelle--I also had this when falling asleep! It was TERRIFYING and would prevent me from sleeping! I would be "vibrated" awake as I was dozing. I would just cry out of frustration. This definitely happened the first few months after having mirena removed 3/1/19 and then dissipated, so I hope it did for you girls, too! Rose--would also love an update on your dizziness. I am two years out and the dizziness and lightheadedness are a newer issue for me.

Danyelle

12/31/2020 01:34:54 am

Hi Rose, how are you could you give me an update? I am now 3 years post removal still dealing with the dizzy spells, anxiety, etc. I am now on the pill not sure if that has anything to do with it but overall none of this started until the mirena

Sonia

7/15/2019 08:21:58 pm

That is right! We have to remember that it’s just a phase and that everything will return to normal! We just have to stay positive, eat clean and take supplements.
For some the IUD is great and for some others like us is just a nightmare :(

Cristina

7/15/2019 11:25:39 pm

Hello Again Ladies... Here is another update...
I am now a year and 1 month and 6 days Mirena free! I am feeling so good and can't believe it has been over a year since I had this horrible IUD removed. In the beginning I was so down, confused, scared and couldn't wait to be me again. I thought the day for me to me again would never come. It just didn't come fast enough. I thought I was going nuts and I thought I was dying. I had the suicidal thoughts, headaches, vomiting, confusion, and so much more. I believed my life was going to be like this forever. I wasn't being patient with myself. It really took months of my life away. But I had great support at home and when I came across this site and a few others, I knew I wasn't alone. And knowing I wasn't alone made me feel tons better. But after months of fighting to get my life back, I am back to being myself again. I now know that I am hormone sensitive and I know now to research anything that is recommended to be put into my body. I truly believe that drinking tons and tons of water, changing your eating habits and exercise was key to starting to get better, along with other things like seeing a holistic doctor. I never believed in a Holistic doctor before but I do now.
Hang in there ladies, Its a long road to getting back to yourself but you can do it! Believe in yourself and believe that there is a Bright light at the end of that long dark tunnel. Good Luck Ladies!

Amy

7/16/2019 08:18:21 pm

Thank you so much Cristina. Your update makes me feel so hopeful. I am happy to hear you are doing well!

Kitty

7/16/2019 04:59:52 am

Did anyone have their mirena out and their period didn’t come back for months? I’m 4 months post having mine removed and there is no sign of my period!

Hannah

1/5/2020 09:15:19 am

It took a few months before I got my first period. I’ve been IUD free for 6 months and my periods aren’t consistent. They are light and the time in between varies from 27-37 days.

Cathleen

8/1/2019 09:40:21 pm

Hi everyone,
I had my Mirena out just 4 days ago after I connected hair loss to my IUD. (Then realized all my other problems were too connected)
I’m hoping I will have my hair grow back to even half it’s former glory.
Has anyone who has had hair-loss, after getting your IUD out did it grow back? I’m staying positive and I am excited as to what my body can do. I’m as prepared as I’m ever going to be for the crash.

Hannah

1/5/2020 09:13:11 am

My hair started coming back almost immediately after I got mine out. I’ve been IUD free for 6 months and my hair is almost back to its normal thickness.

cbd distillate cartridge link

8/17/2019 09:19:53 am

You should have tried CBD distillates because these are the ultimate solution of anxiety and depression these days. Pharmaceutical medicines have alot of side-effects and they do have a tendency to damage more than cure. So CBD was the best solution for you at that time i guess.

Heather Cooksey

8/20/2019 06:13:56 am

I am so happy to find this forum I could literally burst into tears. I am month 2.5 since removal and the crash symptoms set in about 2 weeks ago. It started with some minor anxiety and then turned into a few days of full blown depression, suicidal thoughts, etc. The one thing that I haven't seen much of on this forum is digestion - Do any of you feel like you just ARE NOT digesting your food properly? I have always eaten VERY healthy, plenty of proteins and greens even before removal - I am also very active, I take my vitamins and probiotics etc. And ever since this crash started my bowel movements are few and far between and I'm never hungry. I've lost 6 lbs in 2 weeks (which I am now underweight.) And I'm concerned. Do any of you have some help or thoughts on this?

Other then that I am just going to continue reading these forums and giving myself the little bit of hope that I needed to get through the anxiety and depression. I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel but sometimes it takes hearing it from someone else to believe it.

Thank you all for your input and we WILL beat this thing!!

Ellen

8/22/2019 04:35:43 pm

Yes. It has been eight months for me and I have IBS bigtime. That was actually a reason why I went on originally (mystery abdominal pain with IBS symptoms) and now they are back. I had the worst heartburn of my life the first two months after I had the Mirena out and lost about 15 pounds. I am not a big person, but I had gone up a bit to about 132 and was down to 117 or so at my lowest. I am normally about 125.

I was doing fairly well for a while but now the symptoms seem to be returning- primarily the digestive ones (heartburn, IBS) along with anxiety with the vibration sensation everyone mentions and neuropathy. I am going to see about some tests since I’ve been on the low end of B12 in the past, but they will probably all come back normal.

Ashley

9/16/2019 01:55:51 pm

Hello Heather,

I've been having digestive issues too since I had my IUD removed. My anxiety level went so bad I even went to a GI dr to see what is going on. They stated I have inflammation in my stomach but I find out of Thursday what is causing my inflammation. I feel like after reading these comments its probably related to the IUD.

Tanya Martin

8/21/2019 12:34:25 am

Ok.. welp, now I'm terrified. I've just had my mirena taken out today after a slew of weird symptoms and searing pain over the past few months. Memory problems balance problems and an intermittent debilitating pain on the right side of my pelvis. Usually lasting weeks at a time with only a few hours or up to a day of relief. And now all this "crash" business to look forward to!

Heather

8/21/2019 05:34:55 am

Be prepared. Have a great support system around you. If you’re anything like me, your crash will be worse than anything you experienced while on mirena. Deep dark depressions & etc. But there truly is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Glo

8/22/2019 11:09:57 am

WOOOW! I only had my Mirena in for 5 months but that was more than enough for me. I got it in to control my heavy periods and yet I bled almost every day that I had it in. I just got it removed 4 days ago and I am having the worst anxiety ever!! I had the worst episode this past weekend at Disneyland of all places. It was a heavy feeling and then like an out of body experience.. I told my husband we needed to leave and I don't think he understood the severity of what I was feeling until he saw me go up to security and tell him that I was going to pass out or die. Security called nurse . she checked all my vital signs and all was good. This experience has been the worst of my life. My friends ask me what is going on with me as I am social butterfly who loves to host parties for no particular occasion and I have had zero interest in anything. I've gained about 8-10 lbs. Mood swings are horrific. Surprised I haven't gotten in a fight but I did tell someone I didn't like their face which was an all time low for me. Poor lady looked petrified. I'm planning on upping my exercise game to see if that helps me burn off that anxiety feeling. Good to all you ladies.... as selfish as this sounds I'm glad I'm in this alone.

Sonia

8/22/2019 11:28:49 am

Wow! It’s amazing to read all the stories and how all are related! I just hate the iud with all my heart! How could it possibly ruin so many of us?
Anxiety and depression are the main symptoms but there is a ton more.
I’m 9 months post removal and felling a little better, some days are still dark but I feel like myself for the most part. Exercise and diet have helped me and constantly reading this type of blogs to remained me that this is temporary and that there is light at the end of the tunnel! Hola tight ladies! We can do this !

Lucy link

8/22/2019 02:02:37 pm

Hi ladies. Thought I would share with you this article I wrote 6 months ago: https://www.buzzworthy.com/mirena-iud-anxiety/

Let me know if you've experienced something similar... I'm at 1 year post removal now and I'm mostly back to normal, even if I occasionally have relapses. Good luck to all the fighters out there. You're not alone ❤️

Sonia

8/22/2019 03:10:25 pm

Lucy that is quite a story! I can relate 100%! The worst thing is trying to explain your symptoms and your family and doctors don’t understand and blame it to stress.

Cristina

8/22/2019 03:22:52 pm

Exactly! Why doctors don't listen, beats me. We all know our body. And we know when something is not right and for them not to listen or not to blame the IUD, is ridiculous! I am 14 months removal. Its been going good. I promise it get better with time. Good luck to everyone.

Lucy

8/23/2019 01:53:58 pm

Absolutely. And I have the uneasy feeling that if I was a man, doctors would have taken my symptoms more seriously. So easy to put the blame on 'stress' when you're a woman... It wasn't stressed for Christ's sake. I was freaking dying and nobody was listening.

Lucy

8/23/2019 01:51:07 pm

Absolutely! It took MONTHS to figure out what was going on, and then even more to find a doctor who would believe me. My friends and family thank god mostly believed me, but it was so hard to explain what I was going through. I felt so alone in my battle. I will never forget that level of despair.

Sonia

8/27/2019 09:13:43 am

Ladies, Have any of you tried acupuncture to balance your hormones and did it work?

tanya

8/27/2019 03:36:09 pm

Hi everyone -

I am presently crossing into my third month mirena-free... and it has been insane. while, I feel that my symptoms are lesser each time, a lot of times, as soon as I wake up, it hits me... I call it 'internal shaking'... where i'm not outwardly shaking (but if I am, it's minimal) but inside, I feel like i am vibrating - and then my triceps ache. not to mention that a lot of it coincides with my heartbeat jumping (also for no reason).

it sure would be nice not to think i'm dying most days. or that something isn't horrifically wrong. I have been to the doctor who has me on a very low dose of Synthroid as my thyroid all of a sudden got out of whack (again, I blame it on the IUD)… but the constant worry is driving me crazy - never knowing if it's going to be a good day or a bad day.

if anyone can enlighten me or make me feel like what i'm experiencing is common (the shaky feeling primarily), it would be so appreciated. I figured this blog would be the best place to ask!

Ellen

8/29/2019 07:32:46 pm

I do have this experience. I think heart palpitations are normal with hormonal changes. Usually when I experience the vibration, it is waking up at night with it, although I will sometimes feel it at other times during the day. I started to experience this BEFORE I got the Mirena out and it still comes back occasionally. I can take my pulse and it is not particularly elevated.

I have read some things that say that issues like TMJ can also cause this, which I have. I have had numbness and tingling primarily in my left arm/leg, which is my bad side for the TMJ in terms of pain. I do wear a guard but I think I still clench at night. I think there are some hypotheses that TMJ and hormones are related.

Sonia

8/29/2019 09:45:03 pm

I can totally relate! I experienced terrible tmj pain after getting the iud out. It’s horrible, my arm and my neck hurt so much. And depending on the day of my cycle is the severity of my symptoms. I do think that hormones and tmj are related and must likely it was caused by stress and anxiety which I blame the iud for.
I’m almost 9 months post removal and still have those issues lingering.
Good luck to all of you in your recovery!

Missy

9/5/2019 02:25:11 pm

First of all, can I just say how relieved I am to finally find some other women with this problem? When I wanted to get my Mirena removed because of all the crappy side effects I've been experiencing for the past year (still less than 3 years in) they looked at me like I was crazy. I only got it removed yesterday, and can I just say HOLY $#!% DID THAT HURT! I haven't had kids, so maybe this is nothing, but that was the single most painful experience of my life. They had already taken ultrasounds confirming it wasn't in a weird place, but it must have gotten attached or twisted or something because it literally felt like someone had turned on a flamethrower that was shooting flames from my abdomen all the way down my pelvis and into my legs. I usually have a pretty high pain tolerance, but DAMN. Having it inserted was bad, but nothing like this. Has anyone else experienced that?

Anyways, I had fully recovered by this morning and was feeling better than I had in weeks, until suddenly at work I got smacked with basically all of the Mirena Crash symptoms you've all been describing. Migraine, indigestion, bloating, hot flashes, inability to focus, cramps, the works. I've been on some form of Progesterone for around 15 years now, so I was looking forward to being au naturale for a change, but this is not at all what I was expecting. At leats now I have some idea of what to expect, and honestly it just helps to know it isn't just me, and it isn't out of the ordinary for the situation. Good luck out there!

Bailey m

9/8/2019 09:04:43 pm

Thank you for this blog post! Currently experiencing this unnerving crash. (Heart palpitations, jaw pain, headaches, joint pain, numbness, muscle spasms, twitching, the list goes on). I’m one month post and I’m slowly getting better, certain symptoms are subsiding. (And I’ve had my cycle as well!!! *happy dance). Just ready for the chaos to be over!

Lola

9/16/2019 09:06:12 am

Please tell me that it’s not just me that notices or experiences a surge FIRST thing in the morning??? Like, as soon as I wake up I am met with shaking, weakness, upset stomach, weird head stuff and then it settles down an hour or so later?!? I might add that it’s also nearing the end of my cycle? Is this all hormonal stuff wreaking havoc on my body?!?!? It is awful. Seriously awful. Anyone able to agree or shed some light on this?!? Help!

Ashley

9/16/2019 01:00:02 pm

Hello Lola,

OMG, I can completely relate to you 100%.
I had my IUD removed 5 months ago and for almost two weeks I was experiencing anxiety first thing in the morning. It was even waking me up with shortness of breath, leading to panic attacks, my head felt very light headed like I wanted to faint, all I could do was cry because I didn't know what was going on with my body. Then, an hour or two later it would go away! Like nothing happened. I truly felt like I was going crazy. The last 3 days I've been waking up with no anxiety attacks, which is nice. But now I feel like I am dealing with depression off and on throughout the day.

Ashley

7/25/2020 07:21:21 pm

Yes, I also feel most anxious in the morning and at night. In the middle of the day I feel OK.

Tina

9/19/2019 10:45:37 am

Did anyone experience physical anxiety symptoms on the daily without really feeling like they are or should be anxious? If so, what kind of symptoms? I’m presently going through periodic tingly feet, dizziness, upset stomach, weakness and shakiness. Some days I dread waking up bc of how I feel immediately upon getting up!!

bailey m

9/22/2019 08:53:49 pm

Yes, Tina! Especially in the mornings! Symptoms are bad for me in the morning and at nights. It was especially bad for the first three weeks after removal. Gradually certain symptoms are disappearing while others linger. I’m six weeks post!

Kelly

10/11/2019 11:44:50 am

Yes, the tingly/neuropathy was bad for me in the beginning. I'm over a year and a half into my "recovery" and got some tingles in my toes for about a day before my period. It does get better.
Multivitamin, magnesium glycinate (ask your doc), exercise, water, sauna, Epsom salt baths all helped me.

Samantha C

9/24/2019 12:58:50 pm

Thanks for this article! I have had 3 different iuds. The first two I had both for 5 years and they were wonderful. Got the third put in last year and it was terrible. I had it removed a little over a week ago and the anxiety/panic attacks are unreal! I’m literally dizzy and nauseous for most of the day bc of the anxiety! I just want to sit at home alone. I’m scared to go in public bc of the fear of having a full blown panic attack. I was hoping the crash wasn’t real but I’m hoping this is the worst of it and that it’s over FAST!

Sandrina Tucker

10/7/2019 01:48:00 am

I know I have to be going through the Merena crash but my symptoms are a bit different. I had 2 iuds in a row after my last child, so 10 years total. Went in to replace and my cervix would not open at all. After 1 hour and 2 doctors I told them I was done trying. Within a week I started having dreadful hot flashes at night. To the point I was sleeping topless. (I am married but still very modest and have 2 tweens at home with no boundaries so this is highly unusual). Then my sex drive went from probably a little low while on Merena to all over the place. One day I would almost need it. (Talking 3 times a day not being enough) to don’t even look at me. My periods have been super super heavy to super super light. I have also had mood swings anxiety ect. I thought I was going into early menopause but I am not even close yet. My doctor put me on juleber for 3 months to help regulate but now that I am researching it I’m finding that it can make it worse after you go off the pill..,,? Anyone else have symptoms like these?

Robin

10/10/2019 12:36:17 pm

Yes! I have had mine out a year and had hot flashes for a few months and no cycle. Then had 5 cycles of various lengths, now no cycle and hot flashes. Had it in for 3 years, ttc now, but feeling like I am in early menopause!!!

Kelly

10/11/2019 11:52:54 am

Hey ladies, it's me for an update! Sorry I've been away for a while, I've been busy with a new job and my kids.

I had my Mirena removed in December of 2017, so I'm coming up on two years. I would say I was at my absolute worst the first 9 to 12 months. Fortunately, a lot of people don't get it that long, unfortunately I am not a lot of people. I have learned from my experience, that I am extremely sensitive to hormones. I would still say that I'm about 98% better, but if I slack off on any health routine then I do have mini relapses, if that makes any sense.

Most months, I'm completely fine but some months I will have a few of those old symptoms pop up about a week before my period. My insomnia was gone for almost a full year I'm having a mini bout of insomnia this week, but I also have a lot going on and the weather sucks right now.

Anyway, I just want to give you ladies hope that it does get better. You are not crazy, and there are many doctors who will tell you up and down that Mirena cannot cause these symptoms but it can. I still recommend to the newbies, that they go get checked out by their doctors and Rule anything Sinister out first.

I apologize for not coming and checking on you ladies sooner, and my atrocious grammar on this post because it's voice to text. I hope you're all doing well and that some of the ladies I spoke with previously are on the mend. Keep up a good health routine, and I promise that it will only get better. Always talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements though.

Sonia

10/23/2019 03:14:25 pm

I’m 10 months post removal and for the past weeks I taught the symptoms were gone but they are back :( I feel so hopeless!! Anxiety, joint pain, nausea and the list goes on. When is this going to end ????

Bianca

11/1/2019 02:17:44 pm

Hi,

Thank you for this.

I have felt like I have been totally losing the plot.
I have had my mirena our exactly 1 year this month

I have dissociated episodes twice a month, during mid cycle when I am ovulating and before my period. My cramps are something else and my moods are a force to be reckoned with. I didn’t associate this with mirena. And had been to doctors for my pressure , sugar and been on anxiety medications over the last year.

I have extreme lows all of a sudden and feel like I need to have sugar. All my tests have come back normal.

I have the same scenarios of disassociation and everything feels like I am floating away from it. What do we do?

Mine has definitely slowed down , but when It happens it is really bad. I need emotions even
Lay down and completely detached from anything around me.

Lucy link

11/2/2019 09:21:06 am

Hi Bianca,
I also experienced severe dissociation issues because of the Mirena. Here's my story:
https://www.buzzworthy.com/mirena-iud-anxiety/
Feel free to get in touch with me through my website. I'm sorry you're going through this but you are not alone nor crazy <3

Mica

11/9/2019 08:51:47 am

Hi Lucy

thank you so much for sharing your story, I'm writing this in a state as I've been having this dissociation feeling since the 2nd week after I had the Mirena inserted and then went to my Gyno, GP numerous times and everyone convinced me that it could not be the mirena that is doing this to me. I then couldnt take it anymore and stuck to my gut and got it removed much to my doctors dismay last week Friday so its been a week, and the dissociation feeling has gotten even more intense. I don't want to even leave the house. I go from being extremely sad and feel so hopeless to also having no emotions. trying to keep it together but not sure how long I can cope :( but thank you again for your article I am going to make an appointment to see an endocrinologist and hopefully they can help me. x x

Lucy link

11/9/2019 11:44:52 am

Bianca, your message moved me so much, I definitely know how you feel and how terrifying that whole thing is. In hard days I was convinced I would never feel bette - but I eventually did, and so will you. Don't give up. Things that helped me in my recovery: healthy diet (no sugar, no caffeine, no alcohol, no dairy, no soy), exercise, and magnesium supplements. I also did a liver detox with a naturopathic doctor.
There is a contact form on my website (www.luciebphoto), feel free to send me an email through it to exchange more privately. You got this.

Lucy link

11/9/2019 11:47:27 am

My dissociation symptoms increased after I removed my IUD too - it's because your're going through the 'Mirena crash.' Be reassured it won't last and you're not crazy.

Cristina

11/13/2019 02:17:53 am

Hi Ladies.
You all are most definitely not going crazy, even though you feel you are. Believe me, I looked everywhere when I first had my symptoms and felt like I was alone and felt like I was just losing my mind. This blog saved me.

This is Just a small update...
I have now had my Mirena out for 1 year and 4 months. I have been doing very and still need to somewhat stick to no sugars or low sugar intake, exercise and keep taking vitamins everyday. I can say I am 100% back to me. It was tough, EXTREAMLY tough in the first 2-3 months because of the not knowing what was wrong, all the ups and downs and the headaches I had were so bad. But once you know your not alone and things start to show improvement, you will know your on your way to a recovery. It won't happen over night but it does happen. Be patient and have faith. My prayers to you all. 💙

Hannah

1/5/2020 08:50:23 am

How long did you have your IUD in?
I had one for 7 years. I’ve been 6months IUD free but still dealing with all the crash symptoms.

Cristina

1/5/2020 02:10:15 pm

Hi Hannah ,
I had the Mirena in for only 6 months. It's gonna take a while to get back to feeling normal, ike yourself again. Just be patient. Exercise and drinking tons of water seemed to help me.
Good Luck
Cristina💙

Ula

11/17/2019 06:10:26 pm

Hello,

I'm terrified and confused. I had Mirena for 5 yrs and had it taken out in March this year. I started getting periods but feeling tired in June. In September my period stopped and I started getting terrible brain fog, tension headaches and all sorts of visual disturbances. After another 6 weeks I started getting numbness and tingling, pain around where the liver is, pain behind my right eye and in my shoulder. I'm so worried it is something sinister. Do you think the crash can happen a few months after having the coil removed. All the symptoms you are describing sound so familiar. Anyone had bad vision disturbances that went away eventually? I'm worried I'm getting a brain damage. My blood tests are fine, my CT scan was Ok. I'm waiting to get an MRI now. It's been two months of total fear, anxiety and panic. Thank you.

Abbie

3/12/2020 04:20:44 pm

Hello! I had a Kyleena coil. This is quite new but very similar to Mirena. I got it out over a month ago and at the time I was on my period so I bled after it came out. The coil gave me terrible anxiety and sad spells and the cramp / breast tenderness was too much to handle anymore so I decided to get it out and a wait a few months to feel better. However who would have thought I would feel worse post-removal?? I got a period 4 weeks after removal so exactly a month after I got it out which was what I was expecting. Everything was fine leading up to my period so I was so happy to think that my body was finally returning to normal. However, a day or two after my period ended I have had horrificly sore breasts for a week now I cant do anything physical as I am in so much pain. Phoned a specialist and she told me it was normal to experience hormonal imbalance for a few months to return to normal. But i just want to know how long this will last ??

Ashley Rendon

12/12/2019 03:41:08 pm

I am 8 months post IUD and I thought things would get better. Every morning for a month I am having heart palpitations, it happens very early between 2-4 a.m. and it last up until 6:30 a.m. to 7 a.m, this makes me toss and turn in bed also causing me to shake my leg to find some sense of comfort. I dread the mornings! I went to go see a therapist who says I am suffering PTSD because the anxiety is so bad it's making remember my past traumas. I wish this would stop. I am highly thinking about going on anxiety meds to help with these symptoms. Did anyone go on anxiety meds and did it help?

Ashley

12/12/2019 03:43:33 pm

I forgot to put "8 months post IUD removal"

Taja

1/1/2020 10:12:34 pm

Hi there!!

I am now almost seven months MIRENA free and am slowly getting back to normal. Have faith everyone. I do find my body does the weirdest things close to my cycle and during but seems to improve afterward and throughout. It’s not near what it was. I am finding, and it’s rather unnerving that my hands and arms and occasionally my feet fall asleep while I’m sleeping. This is a new one for me. Am wondering if I’m alone with this symptom or if anyone ever experienced it and can tell me that it goes away?!?

Hang in there everyone!!!

bailey m

1/6/2020 01:24:15 am

Taja, my right arm and leg falls asleep when I’m sleeping. I’m five months post. It comes and goes honestly.
I’m very slowly getting better as well. Snails pace, but it’s better than nothing! Thanks for updating!

Kelly

1/13/2020 10:55:30 pm

Yes! I had this REALLY bad the first 4 months. I'm two years post, and don't get this one anymore.

Janet

1/12/2020 04:31:00 pm

Did anyone on here think or experience what they thought was progress only to experience a setback and wonder what the he’ll was going on? Presently six months in, was doing well and then the past few weeks have been like.... whoa - tingling, muscle weakness, tired....

Hoping I’m not alone!

Kelly

1/13/2020 10:54:38 pm

Yes. I had mini relapses for about a year.
They just got less and less as time went on. I'm 2 years free of that horrible device now

Sara

2/12/2020 06:17:07 pm

I did! I got my mirena out March 2019 and was at my worst through May, and then at the 8 months post removal had a set back and a lot of health related anxiety again, just like I had after getting it removed. I am doing a bit better now (will be 1 year post removal 3/1) but my moods have been funky still. My periods have stayed regulated tho. This has been quite the journey! And not one I wanted to take.

Kelly

1/13/2020 11:01:29 pm

Hey ladies! Two year update!
I'm probably in the best physical shape I've ever been in. All the crazy symptoms I had are almost non-existent, no medications (other than my unrelated blood thinners.)
I take a prenatal vitamin (for the folic acid and iron) and magnesium glycinate, malate, and taurinate (one pill). I go to the gym regularly.

My worst symptoms were neuropathy, insomnia, anxiety, joint pain, and a few others I'd listed further up on this blog...

Happy to say they're all gone now. I still get a little "off" before my periods, but barely noticeable now. Hang in there ladies, it DOES get better.
Someone else mentioned sugar gives you setbacks... 100% true. Try to consume less sugar.

angel

8/17/2020 06:18:29 pm

hi kelly! im 9 months past removal things are slowly starting to get better this week has been tough dealing with the lingering depression which i never had some days are better then other i just wanted to say thank you for updating us some days i feel hopeless and then i come here and read your journey and i know everything will be okay i just have to keep pushing

Sonia

1/14/2020 10:58:35 am

Ladies, I’m 1 year post removal and still have some symptoms lingering. Do any one here has breast implants? If so, have them checked since they cause same type of symptoms. I got them removed 2 months ago and slowly getting better. Diet, exercise and meditation is helping :)

Mica link

2/24/2020 11:13:48 pm

Hi ladies , I am 3,5 months post removal and still struggling so much I have yet to have a proper period I have a tiny period for 1 day every 15 days. I suffer from numbness (this is progestin withdrawals ) and depersonalization , and an anxiety surge in the mornings . I know it hasn’t been that long mirena free but I still can’t believe how much harm it has done to my body. My heart goes out to everyone on this group who has experienced or is still experiencing these terrible side effects.

Lucie link

3/23/2020 10:12:20 am

Hi Mica, hope you're hanging in there. Be sure that you are far from being alone - something similar happened to me in 2018. Here's my story: https://www.buzzworthy.com/mirena-iud-anxiety/
It does get better with time - I'm at 19 months post removal and feeling almost back to normal. Sending strength!

Kelly

3/15/2020 01:56:19 am

I cannot believe how much I relate to this! I got the Mirena in Oct 2017 and stopped getting my period in Nov 2019. Once I stopped my cycle, I started getting weekly panic attacks, nocturnal attacks (waking up already in a panic) some slight depersonalization, etc. By early Feb 2020 I had two major panic attacks that required an ER visit and I never felt the same again. I felt so distant from reality, I got a therapist because I thought I was crazy. Thanks to Reddit, I finally found the connection my IUD may be the issue. I got it removed 3 days ago and I am so nervous for what I am going to continue to experience. It’s nice to see there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but this, coupled with all the hysteria of the COVID stuff is really making me fear for my sanity. I just want so badly to be on the other side of it. I’m a single mom and I just want to be 1000% focused and present.

Lucie link

3/23/2020 10:15:35 am

Hi Kelly, you're so strong for going through this at the same time than the coronavirus craziness. Things will get better though - just need to be patient and as healthy as possible to give your body the right tools to heal (diet, exercise, supplements). Something similar happened to me two years ago: https://www.buzzworthy.com/mirena-iud-anxiety/ You are not crazy and not alone in this! Hang in there and feel free to get in touch with me.

Kelly

3/24/2020 09:19:36 am

Thank you so much! Your experiences mirror my own so very closely. I had had a few minor panic attacks, which I never have had before, and then I had one major one where I never felt the same again. I haven’t had another panic attack in 5 weeks (thank goodness) since I’ve been seeing a therapist to help me cope. I got the IUD removed 12 days ago and have had more “good days” (more like good moments) than when I had it in. I still feel like I’m in a fog and have moments where my body doesn’t feel like mine, but I’m taking it a day at a time.

The timing is really unfortunate because I’m so stressed with the quarantines! But at the same time, I know that when I get through this, I’ll be able to get through anything. Any advice or support you can offer would be APPRECIATED haha! Take care and thanks again :)

Lucie link

3/26/2020 11:12:20 am

A non inflammatory diet (no dairy, gluten, caffeine, alcohol, sugar and soy), lots of exercise, infra red sauna and magnesium supplements seem to have helped me - but really what you need is time. Stay strong and remember, this is temporary even if it doesn't feel like it right now <3

Kelly

3/29/2020 04:54:10 pm

Would you be able to give me the name or link of the magnesium supplements you use? I’ve had heart palpitations post removal, and I’ve read that magnesium can help those as well as the synthetic hormones can drain your body of magnesium.

Ashley

7/21/2020 05:51:49 pm

Kelly, I really hope you are feeling better! <3 This is such a hard thing to go through in the midst of a global pandemic. Everyone on this thread is so wonderful and helpful. Thank you for sharing your story. What you said about not feeling the same again after a panic attack is how I have felt lately so thank you for that. Makes me feel less alone!

Shelli

3/26/2020 12:06:09 am

I have have the iud in for 5 years. I thought all was well until October of this past year and I went to the ER with chest tightness. Everything was ok with my heart other than an irregular heartbeat. They put me on medication. Even on medication I still have the tightness and anxiety so bad. I have thought so many times that this could be hormone related. I was due to have my IUD removed last week but due to the covid-19 they cancelled my appointment. I am so ready to get this thing out to see if that helps my issues. I have experienced many of the things you guys have said, it’s weird though what I experience one week won’t bother me the next. It’s like my symptoms change. 🤷‍♀️ I’m beginning to think I’m crazy!

Mica

4/12/2020 02:12:22 am

Hi shelli

Your not crazy at all , I suffered from shortness of breath and a tight chest a month after I had the mirena put in and I also went to the ER and they brushed it off as an anxiety and it would come and go for months after , I wish I knew then what I know now that the synthetic progestin can cauz this side effect. I’m so sorry that your appointment got canceled , is there no way a GP can take it out for you ? My gyno refused to take mine out so I went to my normal doctor and she took it out in her rooms ? I live in South Africa and during our lock down we are allowed to go to the doctor, not sure where you live and the rules around quarantine where you are. Stay strong x

Kari

5/12/2020 11:45:11 pm

Hi, Have you been able to get your iud removed? I am getting mine out on friday.
I have severe depression anxiety panic and I am becoming a hypochondriac.
I have severe cystic acne I think from stress and hormones.
I hope when I get it out this week I don't get any of these crash symptoms.

Ashley

4/16/2020 11:39:21 am

Hello,
I am one year free from the IUD. It has been hell for a year! Luckily I do not have any physical symptoms anymore but I feel like I am stuck with mental symptoms still, for example anxiety, feeling withdrawed from people, feeling like life is fuzzy, or I am not connected with my surroundings (if this makes sense).
I feel like the removal symptoms triggered PTSD, this is what my therapist diagnosed me with. I think I have dealt with PTSD before but never ever experience what went through after removal. I've never experienced panic attacks, heightened awareness, dissociation, etc until after removal.
Please let me know how you felt on your one year mark and when did you start feeling mentality okay again.
I have my moments mentally I feel great! Like my life is back to normal but I experience anxiety and other things 70% of the time.
FYI: the new things I've experience this past month was a ocular migraine (never experienced that) my anxiety was pretty bad that day and I have an eye floater in my left eye that comes and goes (same eye the ocular migraine happened)
Any updates would be great!

Laura

4/16/2020 12:29:04 pm

Hi Ashley,
In July I'll be 2 years Mirena free. I shared my story here when I started with the Mirena crash, back in October 2018. For me the hit me the hardest (panic attacks) 3 months after removal, I think the crash came slowly increasing. After the first panic attack (my first ever) I went through the same that most women went through here. To the point where I felt helpless and in pain most of the time. I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. I started going to therapy and I slowly started to feel a bit better. From October to December 2018 I had panic attacks almost every day. By January 2019 I started to feel a bit better and every month I noticed that the anxiety was almost gone, I also had mild depression, and fatigue which is ver common with anxiety, but I was in pain, I had back pain every day. By July 2019 things started to get better, anxiety wasn't present everyday. Just some days I would feel like I was about to have a panic attack, but that was around my period. I was diagnosed with PICOS by a naturopath doctor.
At a one year mark things got a bit better for me. I had a family trip by the end of 2019 and I felt like myself again.
Last month 5 days before my period (I notice before my period I have ocular headaches like you) anxiety increases a bit, back pain and bloating. Bit this March was though, It was like a medium version of what I lived on 2018. I felt the panic (thanks to therapy I could manage a bit better) but I'm feeling exactly as you are describing yourself. I'm feeling overwhelmed, I have 3 children and I don't have energy, I feel disconnected, disassociated, little things can trigger an anxiety attack. Again, I noticed this started 5 days before my period in March, so I'm not sure if that's a relapse, I read that small crashes happen to some ladies. Although is not the same as what I experienced back in 2018 I'm feeling just like you. I don't want to discourage you. I did get better and you will too! Keep in mind every body seems to react different.
I know how you are feeling and I wish you all the best!
Keep in mind is temporary, this will pass. Get as much help as you need.

Ashley

5/6/2020 11:56:09 am

Thank you for your response, Laura!
I just feel like the IUD ruined a year of my life! I know its temporary and I tell myself that. It's hard when your in that anxiety or depressive moment and it feels like its never going to end. The derealization is what bothers me the most!

Mica

4/16/2020 12:32:29 pm

Hi Ashley

I’m so sorry that you’re going through this it’s so so hard , I’m only 6 months post removal and I had disassociation/depersonalization on and off when I had the mirena in and after removal it got so much worse it’s been the toughest 6 months of my life . It’s only now beginning to get a little better what I can understand from all the research I’ve done and what my functional medicine doctor says is that it’s a coping mechanism that your brain does when your body has been through trauma. As a lot of woman say on this blog the things that have helped me are exercise, diet (no sugar, dairy or gluten most importantly no alcohol ) and rest. I use to suffer from migraines with Ora so I know how scary they can be I’m sorry that you are now getting them I hope that they stop happening. Have you had your hormones tested ? I know that I am still really struggling because my body is still not making it’s own natural progesterone that’s why I have such bad heart palpitations and hot flashes and still have depersonalization on and off so we are working on getting my progesterone up and my estrogen down naturally. I hope that you had a good day today and just know that your really strong for going through all of this x x x

Ashley

5/6/2020 12:09:30 pm

Hello Mica,

Thank you for your response! I did get tested by a Naturopathic Dr but she didn't mention anything about my hormones.
I am still struggling with anxiety, some depression and derealization; I was getting bad intrusive thoughts for awhile and it really put the fear in me. My therapist was doing EMDR on me and my poor brain just got overwhelmed my the EMDR session and hormonal imbalance and it just made my mental health worse.

How are you doing? I hope your feeling better

Lucie link

5/6/2020 01:36:42 pm

Hi Mica,
I see a lot of similarities in your story compared to mine: https://www.buzzworthy.com/mirena-iud-anxiety/
It took a long time but I'd say I finally beat this thing. I'm 1 year and 9 months post removal and feel about 99% back to normal. I really thought I was gonna die for a long time, so if I survived it, you can too. As long as you treat your body right through nutrition, it will heal by itself. Good luck, you got this!

Lucie link

5/6/2020 01:31:50 pm

Hi Ashley,
Your story sounds awfully similar to mine: https://www.buzzworthy.com/mirena-iud-anxiety/
Feel free to get in touch with me through my website listed in the article. I'm 1 year and 9 months post removal and feel about 99% back to normal. There is hope! Hang in there <3

Mica

5/12/2020 01:52:08 pm

Hi Ashley

I’m doing ok thanks , I am 70% better I would say but there are still some lingering symptoms like heart palpitations, hot flashes , major depression before my period and small bouts of depersonalization. But there is definitely an improvement thanks!

I’m sorry to hear about the things you are still battling with i also had intrusive thoughts that were very scary and worrying . If you are able to get your hormones tested I would suggest it , I had 0 progesterone and my estrogen was through the roof and I know that was a major contribution to my symptoms and now I take natural progesterone tablets and before the tablets I was using a natural progesterone cream and I take Dim (natural supplement) to lower my estrogen. which has helped me a lot. I don’t know if this will help you but maybe it’s worth having your hormones tested.

I hope it’s been a better week and you are feeling better x

Sara M Fetter

5/12/2020 12:23:28 pm

I am so glad I ran across your post. I have the Liletta and it was inserted March 6th. A little over a month ago, I started to feel disassociation and feeling numb. I couldn't understand what is going on and it just keeps getting worse. Until last night and I decided to google IUD + disassociation. I came across your post.

I have scheduled to have it removed tomorrow. I am really scared of the crash I will experience. And am thankful for the heads up as I will be putting everyone on alert.

I also will be taking a probiotic and vitamins, in hopes to help me with the crash symptoms and possibly make them less. I will come back and post updates, in case there is anyone with the Liletta.

Lucie link

5/12/2020 12:36:26 pm

Hi Sara,
That disassociation is the worst feeling in the world and you're brave for going through it. Things will get better though - you just need to be patient and as healthy as possible to give your body the right tools to heal after you remove the IUD (non inflammatory diet, exercise, Magnesium supplements). Something similar happened to me two years ago: https://www.buzzworthy.com/mirena-iud-anxiety/ Hang in there and feel free to get in touch with me! You're not alone!

Mica

5/12/2020 02:02:04 pm

Hi Sara

I also started having the disassociation feeling and numbness shortly after I had the mirena put in and I wish I trusted my gut and got it removed sooner as my Gyno and GP didn’t believe me that it was the mirena and convinced me otherwise. I now know it was 100% the mirena. Good luck for tomorrow! And sending you strength and positivity x x

Sara M Fetter

6/16/2020 07:52:29 pm

Just an update, since it's removal. I felt really good a few hours post and for the remainder of the next day. And crash came in. Head fog, tingling in hands and arms, teeth pain.

I have been taking supplements and I feel like I am coming out of it. But then have a knock down day like today and question if I will ever get better. HOWEVER, yesterday, I did feel like I was almost back to myself. I think sugar attributes to my crash days, as I had a handful of m & m's yesterday. I have removed it as much as possible, but I think the sugar from candy is the culprit or maybe it's another ingredient that contributes with the sugar. Who knows, I could be crazy wrong. But it seems like I need to give myself time, as it looks like symptoms resolve anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months. Which is nuts, I only had this for 2 months. I was hoping I would be on the faster end of recouping.

Joni

5/21/2020 10:26:35 pm

Hello!
Thank you for this post! I had my Mirena IUD removed a week ago after 10 years, I was fine for about 5 days, on the 6th day I started feeling the crash!!! Nauseous, migraine's, moodieness! Day 7 I felt fatigued, mood swings, nauseous, sore throat tire all day, mild cramping, the feeling of dazed!😵 I didn't expect this at all, I looked up IUD removal and found your story and other article's that helps me alot! I not crazy! Thank you so much for your story.💖

Joni

5/22/2020 01:11:52 am

I had my mirena IUD surgically removed as well😒 besides all the side affects after it was removed😳

Lauren

5/23/2020 08:19:27 pm

Hello,

I have been following this blog since December after I had my own IUD removed. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories, this is one of the few things that brought me comfort when I had no idea what was wrong with me. I had disassociation, dizziness, a racing heart, ear pain and tingling hands and feet. After my doctor thought I was in A fib, I was sent to the ER and told there was nothing wrong with me and the heart palpitations I was experiencing were normal in 10-15% of people. I was told to follow up with a cardiologist. After being sent home I googled IUD and heart palpitations and saw tons of posts and articles. I had the IUD removed and felt slightly better until I crashed in late December. Every doctor I visited was a dead end and blamed my symptoms on stress. The cardiologist, eye dr (I also had blurred vision, etc, etc...My bloodwork was near perfect, but did reveal low progesterone, low thyroid function, and my cortisol levels were also off. All of my research has confirmed that progesterone is a calming hormone, without it our body gets stuck in a state of fight or flight response and feels constant stress even if we feel like we have nothing to stress about. I started taking some natural supplements to help my hormones (who knows if they work) and was slowly getting better and starting to function again. When Covid starting shutting down the country I thought I was keeping it together. I have three kids 5 and under and chose to go live with my mom for the month of April to avoid being exposed during the peak, given that my husband is a first responder. While I initially felt the best I had in a long time, my i crash symptoms came back full force and I felt worse than ever. I had ear pain, face pain, eye pain, sensitivity to light, ringing in my ears and even floaters in my eyes. At the end of April when things started to settle down I was diagnosed with TMJ from bruxism, or clenching my teeth, which is what caused so many of my problems. Come to find out I had been doing this since my IUD problems started, but it became much more severe with the stress of the global situation. I started PT for my jaw last week and realized that I hadn’t fully opened my jaw in at least half a year. I am sharing this story because I know how horrible and how scary all of these symptoms are. Many people on here have complained about the symptoms of TMJ on here (wooshing in your ears, neck pain, etc.) and I wanted to share that there is a way that you can help ease that stress while your body is slowly balancing your hormones. It made me feel so much better to learn that something tangible like PT can be done while I wait this out. While my TMJ started because of my hormone imbalance, there are actually many articles talking about how there is an increase in the number of TMJ cases because of stress right now, especially in moms. If anyone else has any calming tips for dealing with this please let me know!

Lola

5/23/2020 08:42:04 pm

Hi Lauren!

Did your thyroid levels level out or are they still an issue?

Lauren

5/23/2020 08:53:08 pm

Hi Lola,

I haven’t had my bloodwork redone yet. While they were low, there was no presence of antibodies, which I believe is an indicator of a thyroid related auto immune disease (which I don’t have). I have lost about 5 lbs from my mid section since having the IUD removed without really trying so it is my hope that they are starting to regulate.

Lauren

5/23/2020 09:34:57 pm

Actually, I’m sorry, they weren’t low, they were in the very low end of normal.

Mica

5/24/2020 08:14:00 am

Hi Lauren

Thanks for your post I have all the same symptoms as you the disassociation and heart palpitations were by far the worst and scariest for me.I believe 100 percent that without our natural progesterone our bodies are stuck in flight or flight and that is why we get disassociation because it is a coping mechanism that your brain does when you are in survival mode. I'm slowly getting better but a year of my life has been a nightmare. My ears are more blocked than ringing or sore, I notice that I clench my jaw constantly as well. I have been to so many doctors and 3 ear specialists and no one has been able to help me . I know that my ears are definitely a side effect from the mirena and my low progesterone levels. I wanted to ask you what is PT? I've been on cortisone , anti biotics I even did 10 sessions of medium hyperbaric oxygen therapy as they say it can help with tinnitus but no luck.

with your question at the end , I felt that the only thing that helped me with the heart palpitations was completely cutting out caffeine and sugar and of corse time it took me 6 months but one day I finally woke up and my heart wasn't racing out of my chest. healing is a journey and it unfortunately takes time. I really hope that you start feeling better soon I know how scary it is. My heart goes out to all the ladies on this thread when I was at my worst 2 weeks post removal I remember feeling so alone and like no one I know will ever understand how I feel and it was awful. x x x

Lauren

5/24/2020 11:35:40 am

Hi Mica,

Thank you so much for sharing, I wish we had connected sooner. I knew I had TMJ when I read this post before my removal, but didn’t pay much attention to it. I thought it just meant pain in the jaw and I was mostly focused on the palpitations. They are still there, but have gotten better. My initial heart monitor reading said that 8% of my heart beats were extra, it was so exhausting. I cut out caffeine and alcohol since December, but recently started having the occasional alcoholic beverage in hopes of lowering my stress levels. Come to find out the TMJ is responsible for so many of the symptoms I have experienced and had just attributed to mystery symptoms of the crash. I believe that in this case the TMJ is caused by clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth (another stress response just like palpitations). Because of the severe TMJ for 6 months (which is caused by the hormone imbalance), I’ve ranged from that full feeling to feeling like I got hit in the ear with a baseball bat. I guess when the TMJ is severe it can impact your entire body and pull on all the tendons and ligaments throughout your arms and pinch nerves. Throughout all of this I have also had weakness and shakiness in my arms and hands, dizziness and vertigo (which again,I thought were just random symptoms). One of the telltale signs of the clenching is a white line that you basically chew on the interior of your cheek from clenching and grinding at night. Again, I’ve had that for months and didn’t think anything of it. I started PT and have only gone twice, it hurts horribly afterwards but the goal is to loosen the tension in your jaw (caused by the stress) so that it doesn’t stay in the clenched position. There is a muscle right behind our back molar on the top that connects to your ear. After working that spot my PT said it was an 8 out of 10 of tightness and that sounds about right in terms of the pain i experienced. I also have an anti inflammatory cream that is an RX to rub on the TMJ joint. When I first crashed and again more recently, I felt like my jaw was almost locked together. It has gotten to the point where the inflammation is so bad that it doesn’t line up correctly. I thought i couldn’t possibly be clenching it still because of that, but PT has helped me recognize the clenched feeling and that I was still holding tension there even without being able to close it. Hope this helps you! Have you had any luck with a progesterone replacement cream? I would like to try one, but worry I’ll just be prolonging the healing process. Thank!!

Laura

5/26/2020 10:56:55 pm

Hi Mica,
I'm 1.5 years post Mirena. I'm in a constant fight or flight with anxiety. After the removal, I experienced my first panic attack and since then my life has changed, I still can't feel myself, for a few months I felt a lot better! The anxiety was gone, but in March a few days before my period I was back in fight or flight. Is horrible... I just hope my body can heal from this. I'm doing what I can, therapy, walking, vitamins.

Sara

2/6/2021 11:06:04 am

Hi Lauren! How is the ringing in your ear? I got that starting in Sept. 2020 (mirena removed 3/1/19) and it hasn't left. This year has obviously been stressful. It's so annoying and never goes away! I'm hoping yours has and so I have a little hope, too. I also have had floaters since having the mirena removed. TMJ has been horrible for me as well.

Jodie

5/23/2020 08:55:55 pm

Hi Lauren!

What did your doctor consider to be low progesterone? When I went to my doctor he noted that my progesterone was ‘lower’ but just attributed it to being towards the end of my cycle....... and I thought nothing of it!!!

Lauren

5/23/2020 09:01:14 pm

Hello,

I don’t know the number. My doctor said it was normal initially. Then I told her at what point I was in during my cycle when I had the blood work done and then she said, oh, it is actually low then. Regardless, from what I have heard the numbers vary. But it is definitely something to consider when there is nothing else to explain the symptoms.

Mica

5/31/2020 11:06:58 am

Hi lauren

Sorry I forgot to say in my reply , the progesterone cream definitely helped me but you must make sure that it is 100% natural and no synthetic hormones in it. You rub it on according to your cycle when you start your period you just stop using it until your period ends then you use it again . It helped me but not I’m on a natural progesterone tablet which I think is better but I still only have a period for 1 day ! My cycle is a mess still.

Mica

5/24/2020 07:54:28 am

Hi Jodie

so I have been struggling with very low progesterone as my body stopped making its own progesterone when I had the mirena in because of the synthetic progestin that it releases my body got lazy and stopped producing its own. When getting tested your levels will be different depending on where you are in you cycle. I had my most recent bloods done 3 days post ovulation and my progesterone was 0 which it should of been 1,8 - 24 . so I was very happy that atleast all the synthetic progesterone from the mirena has left my system finally but I am left with a major imbalance. With no progesterone I became estrogen dominant and my estrogen was 1400 when it should be between 200-400!. Unfortunately the blood tests cannot differentiate between your natural progesterone and the synthetic progestin from the mirena. so only about 6 months after removal will you be able to get an accurate test of your progesterone because then the synthetic hormone should be out of your system. sorry that you are also struggling with this Mirena crash it has honestly been the worst thing that I have gone through I feel for everyone on this blog post, sending love and strength

here are the different levels for your progesterone if you get tested

Stage Progesterone level (ng/mL)
pre-ovulation < 0.89
ovulation ≤ 12
post-ovulation 1.8–24
first trimester 11–44
second trimester 25–83
third trimester 58–214

Mica

5/31/2020 10:48:56 am

Hi lauren

Thanks so so much for all the info on TMJ I had no idea about all of that but it makes complete sense ! I have those white lines on the inside of my cheeks! I even wake myself up sometimes by biting my cheeks in the middle of the night!

I can’t believe this is all linked I’m so upset I’ve also been diagnosed with arthritis now and have found countless articles saying that the mirena can trigger arthritis. I’m really struggling to hold it together.

Thanks so much again I hope your doing better!

X x x

Sandra

5/27/2020 07:42:17 pm

Hi, thank you so much for all your comments and sharing your "horror" stories, because this is what it feels like ,I only had this evil thing inside me for almost 2 months and exactly a month after I had it inserted the nightmare began with an anxiety attack, I was in bed and had to jump out of bed because I couldn't breath and felt so scared and found my self crying like a child because I didn't know what was going on, I was about to go to the ER when I started feeling a little better, so I went on for a week feeling fatigue and extreamly terrible headaches and all of the above symptoms mentioned 😔😲😖😱 I didn't know what was going on with my body but it came to me the only different thing i had done was getting the mirena inserted, so I started looking up the side effects from it 🚨 there it was , so I I called my dictor said I wanted it removed, she said give it time symptoms will go away within a month or 2 but I said oh no I don't want to feel any of this again so ,got it removed but I kept doing research and I found out about the crash,😖 so here I am still living hell, every day is scary for me because I feel so awful I have to force myself to go to work ,being a single mom of 4 a I have no choice , I feel like I'm living in a fake world, this is so sad that doctors don't warn you about all this

Mics

5/31/2020 10:52:50 am

Hi Sandra

I’m so sorry to hear about your story, I’m so glad that you stuck to your gut and got it removed so soon , I knew after 2 months that it was the mirena that was making me so Sick and every doctor I went to convinced me otherwise and I doubted myself which I never should have. I kept it in for 9 months and boy did it reek havoc on my body. I hope that you are feeling better , be strong and let me know if you need any advice on anything. I’m 7 months post removal and still learning new things about the crash and recovery everyday. X x x

Angel

6/22/2020 12:23:28 pm

Hi sandra can you update us on how your doing now?

Sandra

7/11/2020 11:54:21 am

Hi everyone,
After only 2 months of removal I'm still living a hell of a time with all this covid situation and me feeling miserable everyday because I'm in a constant rollercoaster every day I have trouble getting up I feel so sluggish and hopeless my throat feels like its gonna close so I feel scared because I don't know if these symptoms are from covid or is it from this stupid "crash" its just so frustrating to live this way ,a very bad time to be going through this, I had to go get blood work done to find out what is going on with my body but results came back normal except for my bad cholesterol, doctor said I just need to follow a healthy diet and everything will fall back to place😬 I have anxiety all the time and feel afraid of everything have ear aches the other day I woje up feeling like my ear was clogged I couldn't even hear😦 I try to stay away from my kids so they don't notice how awful I'm feeling😢 I'm constantly looking up for ways to help myself ,diagnosing myself going by all the symptoms I feel, its just so sad to live like this ,this is horrible, how can doctors not warn us about thus before we get this inserted, they just tell you the minor side effects that your period will stop completely, and minor headaches😵 yeah right, this thing ruins your body, because the hormone in balance puts talk your body functions out of control and your body starts to break down, I'm so upset about thus, because I was always a healthy woman, always feeling good and happy ,now I'm so miserable😫 I wish someone would tell me how to fix myself fast🙇 my back hurts my heart races fast all the time I have constant constipation headaches depression anxiety nausea all of it, my body is just uncomfortable all the time😢 all I do is drink tea all the time make myself green juices take my vitamins and pray that one day I wake up feeling normal again.
Thanks girls first sharing the only positive thing about all this but at the same time sad is that we're not alone and we can help each other with tips to overcome these ,because we will 💓

Anastasia

6/21/2020 08:01:24 pm

Hi ladies! So glad I found this blog. I had my kyleena in for only 4 months before removal. I experienced depression, slight random dizziness, and joint pain while on the kyleena which made me get it removed. I had no idea the crash would be so much WORSE. I'm only 20 years old and this is the worst I have ever felt physically. It's only been 2.5 months since removal, but every day is a new adventure. My symptoms tend to be worse in the mornings and at night. So far I've experienced:
- mood swings
- dizziness (worse when standing up)
- anxiety (terrible panic attacks for the first few weeks)
- weird appetite
- head dissociation
- headache/ migraines
- muscle and joint pain
- extreme fatigue
- random sadness/ depression
The anxiety and dizziness are by far the worst for me. If I'm able to make it to the store and back without symptoms I've had a successful day. I want to have my normal life back but my body is just screaming at me to get back in bed! I'm wondering if anyone has experienced dizziness especially when standing up. I think when I stand up I feel my dizziness and head dissociation which fuels my already present anxiety causing a positive feedback loop. I'm scared to leave the house because of how terrible I feel and I'm afraid I will have a panic attack/ faint in public. Can anyone relate??? Please let me know, would love your feedback.
xoxo

Lauren

6/22/2020 03:43:11 pm

Hi Anastasia,

Yes, I have posted on here before and have had all the same symptoms. My dizziness and disassociation has gradually gotten better, but I do still have some lingering symptoms. Most notably TMJ (clenched jaw), have you had that one? Anxiety and joint pain around my period. Like so many woman on this board, every single test results comes back negative for me. I am hopeful for a quick recovery for you!’

Anastasia

6/22/2020 11:12:18 pm

Hi Lauren,

Thank you! Yes I have had TMJ, and I'm wondering if it's due to being anxious most of the time. I also forgot to add heart palpitations, tingling in my hands and feet, and random sweating to my list of symptoms. Symptoms are especially worse around my period. I started to feel a little better, but have set backs every now and then. I took a full panel blood test and everything came back normal. The worst is the anxiety and dizziness for me. When did you notice your symptoms going away? I feel a little better each day but haven't seen dramatic improvement.

Lauren

6/23/2020 06:27:52 am

Hi Anastasia,

I would say that my dizziness and disassociation kept me home (or I wanted to stay home) for like three months. I did a lot better for a month or so and then everything just went haywire when COVID hit. Do you want to talk though email? I can give you more detailed information on what I did and what didn’t work. A part of your dizziness may be from your TMJ, it can mess with the equilibrium in your ears. My email is laurmcyr@gmail.com.

Danielly

6/26/2020 03:26:11 am

Hello ladies! Sorry for the English, I'm from Brazil and I'm using a translator. I want to say that I am extremely grateful to have met you. I got married in July / 2019 and we opted for the Mirena IUD because I have no discipline to take pills. I put the IUD in October / 2019 and the first symptoms were candidiasis of recurrence and pelvic inflammation, I lived on the basis of antibiotics in pills and ointments, every week I was in the emergency room with pain, sometimes I even cried, but I did not associate this with the IUD . Shortly afterwards I started feeling dizzy, sleepy and tired, I got to the point of sleeping for 22 hours straight, I woke up to bathe and eat and slept for another 20 hours, and I still felt tired. On December 25th, I was on a trip with my husband and I had my first panic attack, it lasted 15 minutes and then I continued the normal day. The next day it seemed that my body was totally changed, I was constantly in a state of alertness, I had a heart rate, panic attacks and anxiety attacks and depersonalization / de-realization all day. I didn't know what had caused all this and I thought I was going crazy, here in Brazil there is simply no article that relates mirena to these side effects, Bayer bought our Google. Thank goodness, my husband researched in English and found everything I know today. I removed my IUD in January / 2020, and my fall from mirena was much worse than the symptoms with Mirena. Today it's been 5 months since I removed the IUD and I still feel that I have a lot to improve. What affected me the most was:
-Increase in weight while using mirena, I gained 10 kg (you speak pounds but we use a different count);
- Anxiety crises and panic attacks;
- Depersonalization / derealization (it was the worst of my symptoms, I feel terrified every time I have it);
- severe depression;
- Insomnia or excessive sleep;
- Extreme tiredness (which affected my professional and academic activities);
- Dizziness;
- Pain in the neck, neck and head;
- Migraines;
- Feeling of no more feelings, I came to believe that I did not love people close to me, like my husband, and it was very scary;
- OCD (intrusive thoughts out of control that involved hurting people I love);
- Thoughts of suicide;
- Loss of concentration;
- Severe stomach pain, I lost 10kg in less than a week by not eating;
- Constant nightmares;
- Loss of libido and extremely painful sex (I feel pain in my ovaries every month and my exams show nothing wrong, my left ovary has doubled in size);
- Joint pain that seems to get worse over time;
- Back pain;
- Heart racing mainly in the morning, when I wake up;
- Pain in the back of the eyes;
- Ear pain;
- Fever;
- Sore throat;
- Flu;
Today I am 5 months after removal and I feel that I am improving very slowly, what has helped me is supplementing beer yeast, Peruvian maca and omega 3, but I still need to include a diet and exercise. I started therapy but it was not effective for me and I also chose not to take antidepressants. This seems far from over! Strengths for us. Xoxo

Angel

6/26/2020 12:08:31 pm

I to have had every symptom you have went over im on month 6 things are getting better but very slowly!!! I wish i would of done more research before i ruined my life . The anxiety is the worst for me ive never had it until now i just wish it would go away

Danielly

6/26/2020 04:10:13 pm

I just wanted birth control, I'd rather have a baby a thousand times than go through what I'm going through. I know that eventually everything will be better, but I miss being able to do simple things like cleaning the house and enjoy my husband. Today is a difficult day when I can finish cleaning the house or wash the dishes without feeling extremely tired, and it is difficult to watch a movie with my husband without being freaked out inside. May God help us, prayer, the Bible and the faith that everything will get better is what keeps me fighting. We will be able to improve, we just need patience. Sugar, coffee and alcohol seem to make my symptoms worse, I'm taking it off the list. If anyone wants to talk to me send an email to danielly.quadros@gmail.com

Ashley

7/21/2020 05:46:21 pm

You are not alone! I'm right there with you. We will get through this! <3

Ashley

7/14/2020 12:51:17 pm

I had all the symptoms you've mentioned. The depression, anxiety, derealization, intrusive thoughts were the worst! I went to therapy in the midst of all this, plus she did EMDR which (I believed) made it so much worst! The intrusive thoughts didn't start till after my last EMDR session. I've been free from the IUD foe 15 months now but I still have lingering symptoms. I am finally giving in and going on antidepressants because I just can't take the last few symptoms I have. I feel like the derealization is still there, and I get depression still too that comes and goes.
I hope you recover fast, just be patient. It does it better but it can be a slow process.

Danielly

7/26/2020 11:47:41 am

Hi Ashley! So I did 2 therapy sessions, but it only made my problems worse. The IUD removes our head, changes all perceptions, feelings, emotions, but my psychologist did not understand this and thought I had some kind of disorder or family problem.
I briefly explained to him everything that was happening, but I was answered by "it is not possible that it is hormonal, this is something internal of yours that is manifesting now". In the face of so many problems, the psychologist suggested that I was like this because of my marriage, because I was married a short time ago and I couldn't stand the pressure of responsibilities, and put more unsubstantiated doubts inside my head. I got another trauma: therapy. As a Christian, I have read the Bible a lot, as I have never found a church in which I feel comfortable. God comforts me in so many ways ... That's what kept me up, fighting day after day, I guarantee that if it weren't for Him, I would have made the worst decisions of my life: divorce, locking up college, abandoning my employment and suicide.
But God makes me see in every detail that I have the best husband in the world, and that these difficult times of mental confusion will pass. It also makes me see that college is something I always dreamed of, and today I am almost finished. And that my job is not the best there is, but it is what sustains my family ♥
Advice for everyone: do not make any decisions while you are on mirena, this can hurt your future a lot when things go back to normal. I know that the days are difficult, that we want to give up everything, even life, but our glory days will come! I wanted to hug you all and say that everything will be fine. Have patience, I'm here if you need someone to talk to.

angel

8/5/2020 12:23:56 pm

when did the - OCD (intrusive thoughts go away ? im curious because this is one of my symptoms and its awful

Danielly

8/14/2020 04:05:19 pm

Hello angel, today I am 7 months after the removal and I still have OCD. I can say that it was worse at 4 and 5 months during menstruation, now it is easier to deal with, but it still exists, more than I would like. I hope it will be very soon, I feel that I have improved very little.

Anastasia

7/10/2020 09:25:11 pm

Hi! I was wondering if anyone has experienced pressure in their ears. About a week ago I started noticing ringing in my ears and for the last 3 days I have had a completely clogged ear. When I try to pop it, it’s as if it’s already popped but I’m having trouble hearing and there is slight pain. Can anyone else relate to this?? Please let me know :)

Lauren

7/15/2020 04:57:06 pm

Hi! Yes, this is most likely from the TMJ, I had the same experience, but it gradually got worse and wasn’t my most noticeable symptom when the crash first started.

Anastasia

7/15/2020 05:03:47 pm

Hi- I was thinking it was related to TMJ. I'm worried it could lead to an ear infection and not sure if I should see a doctor or not. It seems to come and go and some days are worse than others. Hopefully it will just eventually go away by itself!

Mica

8/7/2020 02:45:04 am

Hi Anastasia

I have the same thing it started about 3 months after I had the Mirena , I’ve been to 3 ear specialists and they all say that there is nothing wrong with my ears , but still they are constantly blocked. I’m always blocking my nose and popping my ears and they do pop but then they still feel blocked , it’s so frustrating !! I’m 9 months post removal and this is one of the symptoms that’s just lingering. I really hope yours is getting better x x x

Lauren

7/15/2020 08:30:48 pm

http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/article_c44f7595-213f-5b30-b3c0-c84683ffb5ea.html

Check out the graphic here. Idk if this is the most reliable source, but there are many like it.

Anastasia

7/17/2020 02:23:14 pm

Wow that sounds just like what I'm experiencing! Thanks for the link :)

Ashley

7/21/2020 05:43:11 pm

I can't tell you what a relief it is to have found this post. I had my Skyla removed two months ago; overall, my IUD experience was fine, but I am now experiencing the crash and it's the worst I have ever felt. I have almost every symptom mentioned here so it gives me relief to know that I am not alone or "crazy." This experience was bringing up a bunch of awful feelings for me and some days it feels like it will last forever. Now I know it won't.

My husband and I were going to start trying for a baby soon (hence the removal) but I am curious how people who have experienced the crash dealt with the hormones during pregnancy afterward. I want to do whatever I can do to have an OK pregnancy as it's something I am looking forward to, but this crash has made me worried.

Heather

7/21/2020 06:02:50 pm

Hi Love,

I wanted to respond to you specifically because I too wanted to start trying to conceive shortly after my Skyla removal. I was seeing a naturopath to fix all the hormonal imbalances and vitamin deficiency that my IUD had caused and she recommended waiting until my body was fully balanced to start trying to have children or else it will throw me all out of whack again when you experience the rapid hormone changes pregnancy causes. I waited til my body was back to normal and balanced and am now 5 months pregnant and it has been the easiest most incredible pregnancy I ever could have asked for. It was 10000% worth sticking with my naturopath for a few months before trying. I’m afraid of what my pregnancy would’ve been like if I didn’t, it certainly wouldn’t have been this enjoyable.

Ashley

7/21/2020 06:39:09 pm

Thank you so much for your comment/advice; it is very helpful and insightful. <3 I know all bodies are different, but how long do you feel it took your body to go back to normal after getting your Skyla removed? I am not in a rush to try to get pregnant but am not sure when I should actually start trying, since I wasn't expecting this awful crash. I am so glad a naturopath helped you and that you're having a wonderful pregnancy!

Ilana

7/23/2020 09:17:55 pm

Thank you all so much for posting your stories. I don’t feel crazy or alone now. Had my IUD put in 7/2015 and all was great! Just a bit of spotting at the beginning and then Ihad regular but very light . For almost 5 years. In June I had horrible PMS - felt like back labor. I pushed myself into the GYN the next day and she took out the IUD just in case and seeing it was coming out in a couple months anyway.

Holy $&$@. The first week was ok and the Next two weeks were full of headaches nausea fatigue like I’ve never had next two weeks were full of headaches nausea fatigue like I’ve never had I actually attributed it to being on the pill I actually attributed it to being on the pill which I started after the IUD taken out. After stopping pill came the worst week of my life. Cramps that I was doubled over - Felt like I was going into labor. I ended up in the ER. They seem to either was having kidney stones or a ruptured ovarian cyst They seem to either was having kidney stones or a ruptured ovarian cysT. Tests all came back normal. Got my period that night. Bright red blood for 8 days. Well it wasn’t crazy heavy it was consistent.

Bleeding stopped yesterday but for the past 3-4 days I’ve had tingling and Peninah’s all over my body. It started out of my hands and feet then move to my face and neck to the top of my head peninah’s all over my body. It started out of my hands and feet then move to my face and neck to the top of my head - even my ears! I’m scared I have MS Awesome I don’t know logical issue. At the same time everyone to lie I still feel a contraction about my uterus with pain going down my legs awesome I don’t know logical issue. At the same time every once in awhile I still feel a contraction around my uterus with pain going down my legs and up to my head Has anyone had this? Does it go away if It is related to Mirena?

Mica

8/7/2020 01:55:33 am

Hi Ilana I’m so sorry that you are going through this , I experienced terrible tingling and numbness after getting the Mirena removed I would say it lasted for 2 months with me. It is a noted side effect of the synthetic progestin hormone from the Mirena leaving your body and having withdrawals this is what my homeopathic doctor told me. What really helped me was drinking lots of water , exercise if you are able and feeling well enough, sauna if you have access . When I was going through the crash we were Over seas (we planned this holiday before I even had the Mirena in) and luckily we were in Switzerland where every one saunas - I feel like sweating really helped getting the toxins and synthetic hormone out. I know this is so difficult but you will get through this and feel better one day ❤️

Angel

8/14/2020 07:11:49 pm

How many months past removal are u?

Kelly

8/31/2020 09:47:30 am

Tingling was one of my scarier symptoms as well. I'm one of the older posters on here, as I am 2 years post removal.
If you look back at the older posts, I list my symptoms.
Anyway, I was terrified I had MS as well, so my neurologist did a MRI and it was all clear. I also had SEVERE insomnia. He recommended Magnesium, and does to most of his patients with similar symptoms. I grabbed a bottle of mixed Magnesium which included malate, glycinate, taurinate, and oxide. It's important not to just get citrate or oxide because they mainly help your digestion rather than neuro issues.
This totally fixed my insomnia like some kind of miracle. The pins and needles went away within a week, and would appear slightly before my periods for a couple of months before they went away completely.

Anastasia

7/24/2020 09:30:34 pm

Hey ladies! Just wanted to give a monthly update. It's been 3.5 months since removal now and I'm feeling so much better than before! The anxiety and derealization was unbearable for me last month. I'm taking PharmaGABA-250 in the brand Thorne. It has helped me relax when I am feeling panic-y and helps so much with sleep. I'm also taking an all natural progesterone support supplement. It's called Progest- Harmony in the brand Functional Medicine Formulations. I do believe this has really helped me with symptoms. My TMJ is starting to go away but comes back every now and then. Before, I felt like my symptoms were constantly ruining my day, but now I feel normal most of the time for once. My anxiety was so bad I was afraid to leave the house, but just the other day I went out to dinner and felt fine. I have also started going to therapy to manage my anxiety and panic attacks. Sometimes talking about everything helps and I am less "in my head" now. Each day is completely different for me in terms of how I feel, but I am seeing overall improvement. Hang in there ladies!! I promise you are not going crazy and all of this is temporary. xx

7/25/2020 11:05:13 pm

I got it placed when I was 17, I am now 22, and have had it out for 1 year on the 12th of August. I was made aware of a few of the side effects of it, but not all of the side effects I would come to experience. Before the Mirena, I had taken birth control pills since 15. I switched to the Mirena because I'm forgetful with pills, and I was sexually active back then, now I'm not for unrelated reasons. I had horrible cramping for the first couple of months, and I was constantly sick. I started having panic attacks, I'd had anxiety before, but never panic attacks. My anxiety worsened too, and I wound up dropping out of school because of it.
The most prominent side effects I experienced were:
-Panic attacks, worsened general anxiety.
-More painful periods, though I didn't get periods very often.
-Gained 60 pounds, no other changes besides the Mirena.
-Constant pain in my lower right abdomen, always thought I had appendicitis lol.
-Pain during sex.
-Decreased sex drive.
Basically everything that could happen with the Mirena, I had happen to me.
I finally got it removed because I had wanted to get pregnant, which didn't happen for a number of reasons, but I won't go into that. I had never heard of the Mirena Crash until after I got it removed and I EXPERIENCED it. Hell, I still am experiencing it. The worst of it happened in the first three months.
Months 1-3:
-Lost appetite entirely, I lost 30 pounds in the first month. One week I had only eaten half of a donut hole.
-Dizziness.
-Worse panic attacks. I had at least one a day. I needed my mom near me constantly because I was so convinced I was dying. Had to be put back on Zoloft, not that it's helping that much.
-I could not stand for more than 30 seconds at a time. I would have to lay down with my feet propped up just so I could walk to the bathroom, which was five feet away from my room. By month two, I could walk short periods of time with a cane. I believe this had something to do with my blood pressure, but my doctor never found anything wrong.
-Developed TMJ, which has been just the worst.
-Constant nausea. I threw up so much that I blew out my eustachian tubes causing these horrible popping noises. Now anytime I get sick, that happens all over again.
-Fibrocystic breast changes, when I never had them before.
-My tinnitus got worse probably because of the eustachian tube thing.
-OCD got worse along with agoraphobia. Horrible intrusive thoughts.
-Constant nightmares.
-Joint pain.
After those first three months, it lessened. I can now walk normally again for the most part. However, since March of this year, it's gotten bad again. So bad, in fact, that I ended my relationship because I just could not handle being with someone while trying to deal with all of my symptoms. Certain things only happen at the beginning of my cycle, however, and end right about when my fertile window is over.
-Depression is at it's worst. I have depression in general, but the beginning of my cycle is hell.
-Suicidal ideation.
-Unable to focus.
-Panic attacks comparable to the first 3 months.
-I have issues eating a proper amount, but I do at least eat one meal a day.
If I had to give myself a percentage of where I'm at I would say that I'm 50% back to normal. After a year. A year. It has been horrible this past year and it's all because of that awful piece of plastic. I don't know if I had things worse because I was so, so young when I got it placed or if that's just how it is. But my biggest regret is not getting a different type of birth control. I'm sure that I'm forgetting some things. I'll try and update if I can, sorry this was so long, I felt it was important to get everything I possibly could.

Danielly

7/26/2020 11:30:32 am

I saw, you can't imagine how much I identified with you.
For me the drop of mirena is being extremely intense, even after 6 months of removal, I feel that I have improved very little. What motivates me is that I notice an improvement, but not as much as I would like.
I am trying to stay strong, I have a wonderful husband and 2 cats to take care of, but there are days I can hardly stand getting out of my bed. I am 22 years old too, I have always been a happy and dreamy young woman, today I feel terrified of dreaming anything, it is an unfounded fear of the future, I believe it is caused by constant anxiety that barely lets me sleep.
The Mirena IUD was planned by my husband and I, I was going to use it for 5 years and take it out to have our baby, but unfortunately it was not as beautiful as we planned.
In less than 6 months I found myself in an emergency room weeping with pain, panic attacks and anxiety attacks, I hardly knew what was going on, but I knew something was wrong. My husband helped me with research and discovered that the IUD was all along, but my nightmare had barely begun. After the removal, I felt much worse than my entire life, summing up everything I've been through so far: imagine knowing that your husband is your husband, but seeming like a complete stranger to you, not having any kind of feeling and thinking you have some. relationship problem. Go to your mother's house and feel that she is not your mother. Everything seems to be false, it seems that I am living in a false world, even my own face in the mirror does not seem to be mine at times. But the worst is my thoughts, intrusive and terrifying, it's like someone else is thinking for me, suggesting things that I would never do. It also brought me past traumas, I am reliving moments that I had already overcome. I also had some mental confusion, sometimes I feel at another time in my life.
Those torturous, distressing days that I don't feel I seem to be far from over. Strength for us.

Lucie link

7/26/2020 12:09:18 pm

Hi Danielly,
I'm so sorry you're going through this, I went through the exact same thing and it was by far the most terrifying this I ever had to experience. Here's my story:
https://www.buzzworthy.com/mirena-iud-anxiety/
I'm at almost 2 years post removal now and feeling 99% back to normal. It takes time, but the body heals... I'd say after 9 months is when I starting to see real progress and the derealization/depersonalization was gone. Hang in there, it WILL get better I promise.
Sending you strength! You can do this <3

Danielly

7/26/2020 12:42:09 pm

Dear Lucie, I read your article over 10x, and whenever I'm looking for motivation, I read more. He was my first contact when I started researching Mirena's downfall. You are a motivation that everything will be fine and that gives me so much hope.
Thank you!

Lucie link

7/26/2020 12:47:15 pm

Aww, that makes me happy to hear! Be gentle on yourself, get plenty of rest, eat healthy (I cut sugar, gluten, dairy, alcohol and caffeine), exercise, do infra red sauna if you can, take magnesium supplements, and things will slowly get back to normal you'll see.
I'll keep you in my thoughts! Stay strong, I believe in you!

7/26/2020 03:51:49 pm

Danielly,
Oh my goodness, it's like looking in a mirror, reading your response. I completely understand everything you've been through. I had some past trauma come back as well just after removal, and it was just as hard as when it happened. I really am curious if we've had a rougher go of it because we were young when we had it inserted. Maybe something to look into.
Have you tried any little self care things to help? I've been trying yoga, an hour a day, and I can't tell just yet if it's working, but it makes me feel better that I'm trying SOMETHING. I know you said that you can't stand to get out of bed some days, which is completely understandable, if you can't do standing yoga, you could do restorative yoga in bed. If that's your thing anyway. When I was having issues with not being able to leave bed, I kept things right near my bed that would help. Non perishable snacks, water bottle, my book, tissues, and literally anything I could think I would need. I have since added those wisp disposable tooth brushes and floss sticks to my bedside table for days that I struggle. Sorry if I am just giving completely unsolicited advice lol.
But I do know that we will overcome this, it just might take longer than we want it to. We're all incredibly strong for having gone through what we did. I hope that you can get some relief soon.

Anastasia

7/28/2020 01:27:29 am

Hi Vi,

I can totally relate to all of these symptoms! I'm 3 months post removal and the last few months have been hell for me. I too thought there was something wrong with my blood pressure or blood sugar. Standing up makes symptoms worse for me. I felt the worst about a month in and now I am starting to feel a little better. However, during the beginning and end of my period my symptoms come back strong and I feel like I'm back to square one. What did you feel when you stood up for more than 30 seconds? For me, my palms get sweaty, I have trouble breathing, I get anxious, and feel faint. If I'm not feeling a full blown panic attack, I still have a general feeling of anxiety and derealization. I'm feeling pretty hopeless right now and can't imagine living a normal life again :( I'll never take my health for granted after this is over.

7/28/2020 06:33:59 pm

Hi Anastasia!
Exactly what you described is how I would feel after about 30 seconds. I never actually fainted, but I did collapse on more than one occasion. One of the things I should've mentioned is that it took about two months of walking with the cane to get back to normal. It really helped to have that to lean on. I struggled with accepting that I needed a mobility device but I'm glad that I had it. If you're still having issues with walking and standing, I would recommend getting a pair of compression socks if you can! They keep the blood from pooling in your feet, and it helped so much. I also drank so, so much water and powerade. I have low blood sugar myself, so if you think it might be a drop in blood sugar, the best thing to do is get at least 15g of carbohydrates in your stomach. I like nutrigrain bars for that, and then once I'm feeling a bit better, I eat something bigger.
And my first couple periods after removal were really bad, but they got better probably about four or five months after.
As far as panic attacks go, I'm not sure how you deal with yours personally, but when I feel one coming on, I'll lay down on my stomach and pull my weighted blanket over me. If you don't have one of those, I would put a pillow on your back and then pile a few blankets, kind of the same effect. I don't know why but this just makes me feel so much better.
I completely understand feeling hopeless ): If you need to talk, for any reason, about anything, I would love to talk. It breaks my heart that you've had to go through the same things I have and I'd love to help in any way I can.

Ilana

7/26/2020 12:47:28 pm

Lucie - thank you!

Anastasia

7/30/2020 09:03:26 pm

Hi Vi,

I've been eating a small snack in the mornings and when I feel good enough to stand, I'm able to cook a full meal. This truly sucks and feels like a disability. I can't wait until I feel good enough to do basic things like go to the store and hang out with friends without any symptoms. I miss living even a simple life pain/ symptom free. How are you doing now? I know it's been a while since removal for you. What are you able to do/ not do? I feel my best and strongest when I am not on my period. I tried your method of applying pressure to the chest during panic attacks with pillows and blankets and that has seemed to help a lot. I read that it slows the heart rate. I also downloaded the meditation app called "calm," and I'm trying to do at least one meditation a day. Let me know how you have progressed and how you are feeling right now. Would love to hear any more tips you have or anything that gives me hope really.

Best,
Anastasia

7/31/2020 07:08:39 pm

Hi Anastasia!
I'm so glad to hear that the pillow and blankets have helped you!! That really saved my life before I was able to get a weighted blanket.
What I can and can't do really depends on the day. About half the time I can go about my life as I used to, but the other half of the time I can't leave my bed because of the anxiety. On good days, I try and do an hour of restorative yoga, 30 mins in the morning and 30 at night before bed. After yoga at night, I do 10 minutes of meditation, usually a body scan. Sometimes I'll even work out if it's a particularly good day, but it doesn't happen super often, and I don't beat myself up if I can't. I've never tried Calm before but I use an app called Youper, which is a little AI to talk to, and it tracks your moods, he also has breathing exercises and meditation. It has helped me through a few panic attacks before, but right now I mostly use it for mood tracking and meditation. I also started taking a multivitamin, and cut out caffeine, both of which seem to have helped my general mood. I used to meal prep a lot, which I'm thinking about taking up again now when I have the energy.
On my good days I try and do as much as I can to prep for my bad days, basically, in addition to my normal every day stuff. It really helps to keep a stock of stuff close to your bed because it can definitely seem impossible to get out of it sometimes.
Here's a list of things that I don't think I could've survived without:
Compression socks
Weighted blanket, or pillow and multiple blankets.
Water bottle, powerade, pre-packaged snacks
Heating pad (not being able to get out of bed makes you very achy and this helps tremendously)
Gel cold packs (for headaches)
Wisp disposable toothbrushes and floss picks
A book (if you have a library card, use the libby app! all of the ebooks and audiobooks from your local library should be on there)
I know that feeling bad half of the time sounds kind of horrible, but it's a marked improvement from feeling bad 24/7. When I wrote my initial post, I was having kind of a bad day symptoms wise, so it probably didn't come off the best. That's all I can think of right now! If you have any other questions, I'm more than happy to answer!

Anastasia

8/4/2020 06:17:00 pm

Hi Vi,

I am pretty much doing the same as you to cope with the symptoms. I'm feeling much better this week, but felt totally discouraged last week (I think due to my period). Have you done any hormone testing? I'm seeing a naturopath soon and planning on getting some tests done. I can handle most symptoms, except for the anxiety/ derealization that I want to go away so badly.

Angel

8/14/2020 07:09:28 pm

Hi vi. , your a year past removal and still not feeling good?

Angel

8/14/2020 07:26:07 pm

All i want to know is if it will ever go away 😭

8/14/2020 08:08:10 pm

Hi Angel!
It won't let me respond to the comment under my post for some reason. But yes, I just hit a year post removal on the twelfth. I'd say I feel good about 75% of the time now as my panic attacks have gotten better. Today is a bad day, well, really it's been a bad week. As far as OCD goes, the intrusive thoughts have gotten better, but I have OCD unrelated to the Mirena, the Mirena removal just made the intrusive thoughts worse. The consensus seems to be that once your hormones even back out that things will go back to normal. If you read some of my previous comments to Anastasia under my original comment, I've talked about ways I've been coping. Hopefully those will help you if you decide to try them!
How long has it been since your removal? Things seemed at their worst for me the first three months, and then recently with all the stress of the world, things got worse again.

8/14/2020 08:15:17 pm

Anastasia,
Hopefully you'll see this. It won't let me reply to any more comments under my post anymore! Unsure why, perhaps there's a limit.
Sorry I am so late getting back to you, I had a bad week.
I haven't tried any hormone testing but it's something I want to look into after it's safe to leave the house again. I have an immunocompromised person in my house so I have to take extra care and not go out unless absolutely necessary, like medical emergency situations. I hope that the hormone testing works out for you! You'll have to update us!
If you'd like, I'd like to give you my email or phone number so we can keep in touch without clogging this post up, like I said, I think there might be a comment limit. Let me know (:

Anastasia

8/16/2020 01:11:08 am

Hi Vi!

I think there is a comment limit. I've had the same issue. I'm able to do hormone testing from home. I would love to chat with you and tell you more about it! My email is anastasialeones@gmail.com. Feel free to reach out anytime :)

Mica

8/17/2020 03:03:46 am

Hi ladies

I’m 9months post removal and some of my symptoms have gotten better but I still don’t have a proper period. When I had the mirena in I had no period at all. Once removed I had a very light period for one day a month . and now this month I am 2 weeks late and feel like I’m never going to start (I am 100% not pregnant) did anyone else have this for so long after?

Angel

9/26/2020 07:10:06 pm

Me its been 10 months and my period is very irregular

abby Bonnet

9/18/2020 09:10:27 am

I am 11 months off the mirena...complete disaster of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, sadness, boob tenderness, I am a roller coaster of emotions (I was always level even as a teenager). I am on hormone therapy and 400MG of progestrone, but still not "fixed" - now thinking hysterectomy...have any of you gone this route? Did it solve all the issues? I realize it may then cause other issues, but the way I feel now, it is daunting on a daily basis.

Nikki link

9/22/2020 02:23:04 am

Reading through all of this, I am positive my issues are from my mirena. I have an appointment in a week to get it removed. I have had a tremendous amount of hair loss. It seems its all just falling out to grow right back. I have a horrible looking mullet because of it. My biggest symptom, though, I've not seen anyone mention. My body is covered in some sort of rash. Its all over my chest and back. Ive been to an allergy specialist, thinking that I had developed some sort of allergy, but 80 patches later and nothing came up. It also seems that my skin is super sensitive, things I've been doing for years are causing me issues. Has anyone else had the issues of a rash and skin sensitivity? I'm really hoping removing the mirena will make my hair stop falling out and this rash go away.

Danielle

10/21/2020 08:58:38 pm

I have the rash! (Liletta here though, not Mirena but essentially the same thing) It started within two days of placement. I actually thought I somehow got poison ivy so my boss ex’s a steroid dose pack and that seemed to help. As soon as I was finished with that, it got worse. I started noticing it spreading from my chest and upper arms to the top of my legs and other random places. I have not changed anything other than getting the IUD. I’m usually g Benadryl now. I was going to have it removed as soon as possible but it actually came put tonight on it’s on. I’m anxious to see if there will be a change in my rash. I’m NOT getting it placed again. I am convinced this is what has caused my rash.

Ashley

9/24/2020 02:58:08 pm

Did anyone experience derealization? If so how long did it last after removal?
I am 17 months off and I feel like I have derealization that comes and goes. Its not constant like it was before. Sometimes I feel like my normal self and can think clearly; but sometimes I will get the feeling of numbness to my surroundings, and feeling of heaviness in my head.

Angel

9/24/2020 07:11:47 pm

Im 10 months currently besides the depersonalization how are you feeling??

Kelly

10/4/2020 08:01:59 pm

Hey ladies! I posted in this thread in March of this year (got the Mirena removal, just as covid ended the world!). It was a NIGHTMARE, I’ll be honest but I wanted to give an update. My symptoms did not disappear right away after removal. I didn’t leave my house once for 9 weeks during the lockdown, but regardless of quarantine I’m not sure I would have been able to leave anyway. I was a mess; anxiety, palpitations, paranoia, derealization. It was very scary. My resting heart rate was hovering around 100.

I was so scared. I purged everything from my life, including caffeine, artificial sweeteners and hormones from dairy and meat. I went full vegan and began slowly incorporating cardio into my daily routine. This has helped tremendously. My anxiety and palpitations are gone, my derealization is few and far between and my resting heart rate is in the 40s.

I will also mention my cycle after the removal was rough. My first cycle, following a nasty withdrawal bleed, was 65 days. Then my cycles were 48, 38 and 29 (with my next one hopefully due in the next few days). Once my cycle started regulating, I did notice a big decrease in my symptoms. This all has happened over the course of 7 months. I’d say I’m 85% back to normal. I see a lot of women on here 1+ year out and still having symptoms and I feel for you so deeply! But to other women at the beginning of their journey, there is definitely hope your recovery will be shorter and things will return to normal sooner than you might think. In March I was a mess, I thought I was dying. But I wasn't, and I didn’t! I held out and came out on the other side.

I am so sorry to anyone experiencing this right now ❤️❤️ Please let me know if you need any advice or someone to talk to. I also have an Instagram (@youreasyvegan) where I talk about it more and post food and fitness tips that have helped SIGNIFICANTLY. Feel free to DM me!! I hope tagging my IG is allowed, I’m definitely hoping to help anyone out who’s struggling. Love you guys ❤️

Tara

10/6/2020 01:21:42 pm

Hi Angel -

I saw that you commented that your neuropathy is the worst symptom for you. Where and when do you experience? When you’re sleeping? Hands? Feet? For long periods or just fleeting times?

Magnesium Glycinate may help you before bed as it’s a good relaxant in general.

As far as neuropathy... I am still experiencing it from time to time and am 16 months without the mirena now. My next step is to try acupuncture to see if that will help. I experience most of my neuropathy when I sleep or on the bottom of my feet as soon as I get up out of bed in the morning. It does not last though.

Hope you continue to do better!!!

angel

10/8/2020 02:36:37 pm

hey tara it usually happens before bed and when i wake up as well . how are you feeling at 16 months?

Natalie

10/16/2020 10:46:51 am

Omggggg. I could have written this, word for word. I had my mirena removed July 2020 and a new one inserted the same day. Three weeks later, I started to experience a degree of all of these symptoms. I attributed it to stress. But it only got worse. I just knew I either had cancer or a terrible disease. I had my heart checked, labs, chest X-ray, leg ultrasound, cat scan,... because I just knew I was dying. All of the results came back normal. I’m three months in, as of yesterday, and things are starting to get better. I’m so so thankful I found this article. Thank you for writing this!!!!! I feel so validated. I could write more!!! I’ve been googling my symptoms for three months and I’ve been terrified of what I saw.

Shannon Dempsey

1/13/2021 04:47:04 pm

Wow, I went through the same thing. I was ENTIRELY convinced that I was also dying and had a lot of tests done just to realize everything was normal. I also continually googled my symptoms which added to the anxiety I was already feeling. How are you feeling now? I had mine removed October 2020.

Maria

10/27/2020 06:44:42 am

I’m almost a month out from having my iud removed after only having it for 7 days and have dealt with the following symptoms
-migrane
-nausea and vomiting
-dizziness
-painful cramps
-extreme hunger (have to eat every 2/3 hours and have a panic attack if I don’t
-fast heartbeat (likely from the anxiety of the situation$

And most recently: insomnia
My doctor prescribed me melatonin, Benadryl, and even ambien but none are helping with the insomnia. Did anyone else deal with the insomnia and how did they solve it?

I’m at my wits end as to what to do to sleep. My heart beats too fast and I just can’t fall asleep. Any guidance would be super helpful.

Kelly

10/27/2020 08:23:20 am

The increased heart rate was a huge part of my experience as well, which I believe is directly related to the synthetic progesterone, and a big factor in causing the panic attacks too. My resting HR neared 100 daily, sometimes it would climb to 150 if I got freaked out over it and I’d experience afib often. The only thing that seemed to help was cardio exercise. I’m not sure if it conditioned my heart, or exercise was a way to work the hormones out of my system faster, but within 2/3 months it was resting in the 40s.

Maria

10/27/2020 03:34:56 pm

Any advice on the insomnia issue?

Maria

1/10/2021 05:01:54 am

I’m at 100 days post removal and things have gotten marginally better (if you can call it that) from that first horrible week. I’m no longer having panic attacks or nausea or extreme hunger and if I get a migrane, it only lasts for an hour maybe once a month. However, I continue to deal with insomnia 5-7 days a month as well as some anxiety and more recently (about a month ago) started experiencing cramps in the right side of my body (arms and legs). Both of these things tend to happen around the time I would have gotten my period or would have been ovulating. It has been 4 cycles for me that I haven’t gotten a period and, unfortunately, because my GP says hormones caused this and that giving me more would only likely make things worse, he said I’m just going to have to wait it out. The leg cramps got to the point where I went to the doctor and thought I had a blood clot in my leg. I had a completely normal scan. To add to things, I feel random pain in my ovaries and my hope is that maybe that’s them talking to my brain again and “waking up,” maybe it’s wishful thinking but I need some kind of glimmer of hope to hang on to that things will be normal again. Anyway, I’ve decided it’s time to see a naturopathic doctor to have them run some hormone tests as my doctor’s “I can’t do anything to help you” is so incredibly frustrating.

I figure I’d give an update as reading some of yours gave me a lot of hope in my early days when I thought I might be dying, and I wish I was exaggerating there, but I was so unwell.. You also continue to give me hope on days like today when I have insomnia and feel so desperate to get some rest.

Things I’ve done that may or may not have helped my symptoms get better include taking magnesium supplements, omegas supplements, making sure I eat 3 times a day. Just a few days ago, I started supplementing with a something that includes vitex and black cohosh which I’ve read on other forums sometimes help people.

Everyone’s body is different, but I honestly thought I was going to have those debilitating migranes the rest of my life in the beginning, and I no longer do. So, my hope is at least someone one day might read this with similar symptoms to mine and be able to have some reassurance.

I’ll update again once I’ve had scans and hopefully my next update I’ll have even more improvements to share.

Maria

1/28/2021 11:54:39 pm

Hi everyone, I just wanted to touch base, it’s me again. I wanted to share yet another update. I finally got my period this month and it was the most painful one in my life. I’m talking unable to move, on the floor, total pain for about 6 hours. It was absolutely brutal. That being said, now that I’ve gotten it, my symptoms have gotten extremely better. I have able to sleep every day this month (so far) on the days in my cycle when I was unable to before. My leg cramps are barely noticeable. I haven’t felt my heart accelerate except for right before my period came (I think it was my body trying hard to handle the hormonal shifts before my period. No nausea, just really exciting and good news!!

That being said, I wish it was all good news. Right before ovulating last month (month 3 of this devastating absolute nightmare of recovery), my left ear felt full and I didn’t know what it was and thought I was just getting sick. A few days later, around when I ovulated, I started hearing squeaky sound in my ear, not sure how else to describe it, but sometimes when I move my head, there’s a squeaky sound. That sound has haunted me almost on the daily for about an entire month now. It’s super annoying. I went to an ENT about it because I thought it might be an ear infection and the first question he asked me actually was whether I grind my teeth at night, which I do, and he said to him it sounded like I was getting jaw arthritis and needed a new retainer. This entire situation has been so stressful that it makes sense that I would be putting increased pressure on my jaw. That being said though, this didn’t develop until month 3. I honestly at this point try to not research more than I have to about Mirena and what it causes because it makes me so anxious to hear so many stories of people with permanent issues as a result of getting it and some of the SUPER scary things that they develop. However, from reading this chain, it seems like some of you also developed some issues with your ears/ jaws. Did anyone develop it after a few months and has it gone away for you all as you’ve continued to recover. I read enough about hormonal fluctuations and the ear (excluding mirena as a keyword so as to not get anxious and freak out) to know that this is likely driven by low hormone levels, but like most of my crash, since my traditional doctors don’t know how to help other than wanting to prescribe birth control, I don’t know if there’s anything I can do about it. One thing I will say, it got way better around my fertile window right around ovulation, so I can’t help but think it’s hormonal. Haven’t been able to get my blood tests yet, but my functional doctor said that she had never heard of a reaction quite like this to mirena and was just concerned in general that my brain had forgotten how to make the hormone (pre-period). Now that I got my period, that’s obviously not the case, but now my brain needs to just produce more hormone on its own.

Any squeaky ear/ ear issues advice?

Lauren

2/4/2021 07:14:54 am

Hi Maria,

Yes, I had the ear issues myself. I am one year post removal and am doing better. Prior to my first period post removal my jaw was clenched and trembling for no apparent reason (besides hormone imbalance). It slowly got better, but during the pandemic last spring the added stress made the jaw clenching extra bad and the pain in my jaw and ears became a 9 out of 10. I switched from ringing and swooshing in my ears, to a cotton ball feeling to extreme pain like an ear infection. I started going to physical therapy in June to help relieve the muscle tension in my jaw and it made a huge difference. I strongly recommend this, it was the first time I was able to do something concrete to help with all of this insanity.

Sara

2/7/2021 10:35:27 am

Hi Maria--I'm almost 2 years post mirena and in September I got ringing in my left ear, fullness and it hasn't gone away. Yes, this can be stress, too, but I've read a lot of ear issues on this site now, so likely to be a mix. I have horrible TMJ noises and my left side is worse, which makes me think that's why my left ear is bad too.

Maria

4/6/2021 02:39:28 am

I’m back 7 months out everyone. Months 5 and 6 were so much better it’s unbelievable! I almost got to the point where I forgot that this painful, horrific nightmare ever happened to me. Almost... here I am though, having insomnia a few days before ovulation again. It’s so frustrating to feel like you don’t have control of your own body and can’t will it to calm down no matter how hard you try. That being said, two of the things that I incorporated in the last 2 months I haven’t don’t diligently this month because I thought I was better: seed cycling and drinking magnesium regularly. I can only hope I get at least a few hours of sleep today, but even if I don’t, I’m going to try to see if that helps me and report back. The seed cycling made a huge difference before, so it was dumb of me to have stopped it thinking I was better.

Remaining symptoms at 7 months:
-Leg cramps
-insomnia (no where near as bad as before)
-unusual mood swings/ anxiety around ovulation and before period (I was a calm person before this)

Sara

2/6/2021 10:48:21 am

Hi Maria! I just read your 100 day update. I just posted recently about my almost 2 year post mirena update. A lot of the things you wrote resonated with me. I also just started getting leg cramps and I too get cramps in my ovaries. I have, however, had a period every single month since I had the mirena removed 3/1/19. I get insomnia around ovulation and my period, as well. Some months are okay, though. It truly depends on my stress levels.

I also thought I was dying, many many times these past 5 years. I had it when I first got the mirena but chalked it up to being postpartum (a horrible mix). How do you know how much magnesium to take? I've heard about it, and I'm hesitant because of my health anxiety that I will take too much or something because that can be toxic. Let me know if you can! Thanks!

Maria

2/20/2021 08:07:27 pm

Hi Sara, I am taking 250mg of magnesium a day as prescribed by my functional medicine doctor. She was the only one willing to do a hormone test since all of this started and found I had very low progesterone but expects that by my 3rd cycle my levels will get better. I am still suffering from the cramping in my right leg around ovulation and recently really mild headaches which I didn’t used to get and some ovary pain. The cramps continue to freak me out some days as they can range from like discomfort to really strong. I am feeling much better otherwise though. Chamomile and this tea called sleepy time vanilla around my ovulation insomnia days (I’ve kept track with an app) have helped me be able to sleep. I also do natural calm as opposed to my normal magnesium pill if I have gone a day without sleeping (this happened more before) since you don’t want to do more than ~500mg of magnesium in a day according to my doctor. I really recommend seeing a functional doctor although I know it can be a bit pricey, but it helped me a lot. Mirena drains a lot of our vitamins and minerals.

Lauren

11/18/2020 12:49:00 pm

Hello! I have commented here a few times. I initially had blood work done and was told that my progesterone was low a few months after removal. I then had a more extensive month long hormone test done and found out that I actually have extremely low estrogen, almost to the point that it is undetectable. I am just wondering if anyone else has had this same issue. Thank you!

Kelly

11/28/2020 12:17:48 am

Yes. I had my progesterone tested twice, and it was low... But the doctor refused to acknowledge it because they said it can fluctuate throughout the month, and it's "probably" normal. To this day, years after removal, I don't feel I make enough of my own progesterone anymore.

Danielly

11/22/2020 11:00:52 am

Hello ladies,

I came to give an update of how I am after 10 months of removal.

During the 30 days of the month, 10 days I feel "good", with some fluctuations, but it is easy to endure, from the 10th to the 15th, things start to get worse, I start to have uncontrolled emotions, but I manage to hold on to the point don't explode. From the 15th until the beginning of my cycle, things really get scary, these days I feel that I have not improved ANYTHING, my depersonalization is terrifying, I feel very angry and sad and I can hardly control it, I just explode with anyone who is around (poor thing) of my husband, I have to be grateful for everything that he has endured).
After the cycle starts, things start to stabilize again. Overall, I feel like I've improved by 40%, no more than that, maybe even less. I'm looking forward to knowing when this is going to end.

Anastasia

11/23/2020 07:20:46 pm

Hi Danielly,

I can 100% relate to your post. I'm 7 months post removal and I have about 5-10 good days out of the month. When I say good days I mean not laying in bed all day... Getting my hormone test results soon. I'm curious to see where things are at. When you say you have uncontrolled emotions are you referring to anxiety and derealization? I've had a lot of derealization and panic attacks throughout this process.

Danielly

1/29/2021 09:47:09 am

Hello Anastasia, sorry for the delay.

I have emotions of anxiety, depression and anger, my anger is so many times that I start to be stupid with anyone in front of me, and I have always been a very calm and balanced woman, I never imagined reaching that point. In 10 days it will be 1 year and 1 month before the withdrawal, it is getting easier to bear, I feel like I have 10 to 15 good days, but as you said, our "good" are not "good", they are bearable. So these days, I can keep myself in check, I don't have so many intrusive thoughts or pain in my body, but I still don't feel completely happy as if I could enjoy everything I have in my life. My good days are about 65% good, I can't wait to be 100% again!
For me it is difficult to measure how much I have improved, but I think that about 60% now, I prepare myself every day for a relapse, because I know that unfortunately they happen. How are you now?

Anastasia

11/23/2020 07:22:58 pm

Hey ladies,

One of my major symptoms with all of this is feeling faint/ fainting. This usually happens around the time of my period or when I'm overly fatigued. Can anyone else relate to this symptom??? If i'm not actually feeling faint, i'm feeling derealization. Always feeling disconnected from the world around me.

Kelly

11/27/2020 11:59:00 pm

Yes. I had this a lot the first three to four months. I'm one of the older "members" of this board (two years later) and that symptom was 100% gone for me by 6 months.

Jackie

12/6/2020 06:00:39 pm

Thank you so much for creating this post, it has obviously (and unfortunately) stayed relevant for a very long time! I had my Mirena placed only a month ago, and these past few weeks, my anxiety has been particularly bad (I typically have it, but not this severe). But what amazed me about your post is the depersonalization experience described by so many! This happened to me last night, and more notably today. Though it scares me, I feel so validated to know that it is a "thing" and other people are experiencing it. For someone with health-related anxiety in a pandemic, I can't tell you what a relief that is...

Mica

3/29/2021 12:22:22 am

Hi Jackie

I’m so glad that you figured it out soon into having the mirena. I couldn’t describe the feeling for a year and everyone just thought I was depressed or going crazy. Depersonalization is a real and very scary symptom that is brought on by the mirena for so many. I am two years post removal and doing a Lot better but was experiencing it 24/7 at a stage. I haven’t been on here for a while but reading all these posts makes me so furious about the mirena I wish I could scream it from the roof tops and save so many woman from going into this hell. I suggest getting it removed and detox detox detox.

Jessie

12/23/2020 08:55:30 am

I found this blog post back in May when I began experiencing my own set of symptoms while on Mirena, and every time I read through all of these comments, it's a great reminder that I'm not alone in this struggle.
I just crossed my 6 month post-removal anniversary, and I'm slowly getting better. Before my IUD removal, I experienced a couple panic attacks for the first time ever, developed some pretty crippling anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and general lack of motivation. These all began manifesting in 2019 and would come and go.
Then a few months into Covid quarantine, I began experiencing some of the worst anxiety and intrusive thoughts I've ever felt. I was scared to be left alone that one time my boyfriend went out to run errands and I was so scared I had to text him to come back home, I was scared I was losing control of my thoughts, and I was so confused because I have never had a problem with anxiety before in my life!
After doing my own research and learning more about anxiety and intrusive thoughts, I started online therapy and came across this blog post. It's been a hard 6 months, no doubt about it, but I feel like I'm improving slowly but surely. I now tend to only experience anxiety/ITs a week or so before my period typically starts (ALSO, feels pretty damn nice to get my period again, I feel that's a normal function that birth control shouldn't repress...), and then it tapers off during my period. There are days that are harder than others, and sometimes I still feel hopeless. But if you stop and think about where you are today versus where you are when you first started this journey, chances are you're doing much better than you're giving yourself credit for! Even if you're feeling relatively the same, at least you have more awareness of your body and your mental health.
I remember one day back in the summer when I was feeling very run down and hopeless and anxious, but I came back to this post and read so many comments that I could relate to, and I sat on the floor and started crying because of the relief that I wasn't going through this alone.
On top of therapy, I started exercising almost every day, adding a Vitamin B complex to my daily vits, and trying to eat a healthier more balanced diet. I stopped drinking alcohol, limit my caffeine intake, and am currently starting a recipe list of healthy meals to incorporate into my diet.
I know this will all pass someday. It's a long road to healing your body, but if I'm ever feeling anxious or down about something, I always try and remember that the moment will pass, take a few deep breaths, and then get on with your day. Be kind to yourself, and give yourself a break. We are all so strong, and we can get through this!!

Julian link

12/24/2020 08:05:00 am

Nice blog you have, thanks for posting

Shannon Dempsey link

1/13/2021 04:42:12 pm

WOW. I am so glad I found this thread. I had my IUD removed in Oct 2020, immediately upon removal I started experiencing many of the symptoms you have all stated above. Panic attacks for the first time in my life, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, hot flashes, tingling, joint pains, muscle weakness, headaches, migraines, mood swings. It's now finally 3 months removed and I was hoping to feel better by this point but I don't. I still feel awful. Seeing some of you on here that are going into the year mark that still feel bad scares me.

My life feels like it was turned upside down entirely. I felt like I was living a normal life with normal body and normal emotions and that is no longer the case. I feel the same as so many of you above.

I'd love to connect with some of you so we could talk further and I'd love to hear some of your updates. If any of you are on instagram mine is @shannonsquats.

Kelly

1/17/2021 06:26:13 am

A sad welcome to the community here. I'm an "old timer" as I had mine removed two years ago. My severe symptoms were gone by 6 months, and almost all were gone by 9, with some lingering symptoms accompanying my normal PMS.
My advice, exercise, drink tons of water, and avoid sugary foods for a while. Personally, magnesium glycinate helped my sleep and anxiety but everyone's supplemental needs vary.
You will get through this! And it does get better.

Jocelyn Bullock

1/18/2021 06:25:20 am

Hi,
I got mine out Thursday. It was used to treat atypical complex hyperplasia. I can tell. I’m losing my mind. And was hoping the bloat would go. I’m still bleeding quite a bit and my already back pain is way worse

Ashley

1/22/2021 03:58:08 pm

Hello I want to update you guys on my journey and progress after removal. I am 21 months post removal. I no longer have panic attacks, crazy mood swings, heart palpations, and headaches. The anxiety decreased by alot! I started noticing the physical symptoms of anxiety stopped before one year post removal. I never in my entire life experienced bad anxiety and depression like I did after removal. Derealization started 5 months post removal, it had to be a combination of hormome imbalance and a bad therapy session. The intrusive thoughts got worse, and created even more anxiety! My experience post removal was traumatic for me because I had no idea what was going with my mental health and body. I am traumatized by the experience and still in therapy to resolve the intrusive thoughts I had five months post removal. I still have depression that comes and goes and I believe the Derealization set in at times, trying to figure out if its depression or Derealization. At 10 months post removal I experienced flashing lights in my left eye along with eyes floaters, finally I went to the eye doctor yesterday (due to the pandemic), and everything is okay, just stuck with a eye floater now. In addition, I have a constant but low ring in my left ear now, I am hoping this is hormone related and can be fixed. Its only noticeable in a quiet room. I am hoping for a full recovery soon! Physically I am 99% better besides the ringing in my ear, but mentally I am about 75% better. I have my good days and bad days but I do notice an improvement from two years ago. I hope this helps!

Sara

2/7/2021 10:38:15 am

Hi Ashley--how long did the ringing last for you? I am almost 2 years post mirena and in 9/2020, I started to get the ringing and it hasn't left for 5 months. Maybe once or twice but always returns. Can be stress too is what the docs and ENT said, but it drives me mad. Just seeing when yours started and if it's gone/how long it lasted. I need some hope.

Also, I got eye floaters right after I got the mirena put in 5 years ago, and they never left. Have you heard if they can go away at all? I tend to be able to ignore them when I'm less stressed/anxious but I do know they're always there.

Ashley

3/2/2021 05:40:19 pm

Hello Sara,

The ringing in my ear(s) still continues. I notice one hear continues to ring, my right ear, and my left ear does it randomly. I wouls say it started right after I got my IUD out. The ringing was noticeable, it was gone for awhile and started back up again within the last couple months. Before I would get it before I my period but now it there alot.
The eye floaters started one year ago. I notice it more when I am anxious but there is one that it in my view of vision 97% of the time.

Ashley

1/26/2021 01:01:45 pm

Vanessa

2/4/2021 10:46:16 pm

Hello ladies, I am 2 years post removal and still having side effects got blood work done and all came back normal. Has anyone on here experience what feels like a lump in throat? Burning head pain, and intrusive thoughts? Really scared it’s something like cancer.

Vanessa

2/20/2021 01:52:43 pm

Hi we share the same name and what looks like the same symptoms. I had my iud removed back in September 2020 and if it weren’t for this blog I would be so lost. I’ve had all kinds of blood work done and everything comes back normal. I also feel the lump on my throat from time to time. I’m tired of feeling like something is wrong with me or feeling like I have some sort of disease.

Vanessa

2/20/2021 03:27:25 pm

Also have you looked into TMj symptoms, a lot of women on here have said that that was one of last lingering symptoms they had. Tmj also causes neck and throat problems

Kristen

3/21/2021 10:41:07 am

Girls I would really suggest you all to get medication for depression! It maken you feel good again and lets you sleep!

I also got the mirena crash when I stopped my mirena iud in januari 2021. My ‘under belly’ felt really tight and hard, I gained so much weight in that one year I got the mirena.

After removing
My symptomes where:
1. It started with one big panic attack (like my hart stopped)
2. More panic attacks
3. Ear rings
4. Heart palpations with heart burn
5. Extra systoles
6. Weird brain pins??
7. Weird muscle moves

I’m not fully recovered but I find that my medication really helps. I do walk and eat normal. It allready does get a lot better if you can just sleep! Think positive and accept that you are going thru this.. I feel like the mirena causes anxiety disorders? And feels like a huge burn-out with depression.

I also didnt believe it is only a depression and stil stink I have some type op other disease, but trust your doctor!!
If your progesterone levels drop you get all these weird symptomes.
And guess what progesterone is for?;

- Progesterone makes you sleep well
- Lets muscles resting
- It makes sure all the things in your brain goes well (idk hoe to describe it my englisch is bad)

It is all super scary and doesn’t feel like you are yourself anymore, but;

Get yourself a good therapist and be kind to your body.

I hope maybe I can help someone...

This crash is so real

We can do this!!!! ✨🔮🌼

Claire

4/2/2021 03:52:17 am

Just an update. I'm 6 months past having the coil removed. It's been a rollercoaster of symptoms and emotions. I have finally started my period today, the first one for 15 years, which means my hormones have finally balanced after removal. My cramps and backache are immense but I was expecting that anyway. I feel 99% better mood wise. I am not all over the place and the brain fog has lifted. I'm thankful it only took 6 months. I just wanted to give some hope to those who are still in the grip of this.

Bri

4/9/2021 10:01:03 am

I cried so much reading through this thread... really just relief that every symptom I have been experiencing is listed here. I got my Mirena out after having it 3 times. I have gone through waves of things. Tingling and numbness (around 3 weeks), followed by joint pain (around 3 weeks), followed by insomnia and panic attacks. Insomnia is by far the worse. It is making it difficult to work and function. I have 2 boys who are active in sports and a husband whose work schedule doesn't allow him to help as much as I need right now. I could not take them to practices last week and had to call out of work a few days due to the insomnia. I know my kids and husband are annoyed at me not feeling OK. I have visited the doctor 4x in 2 months and they run tests which all are OK other than low B12/D which I now take and thyroid antibodies being high. My PCP prescribes sleeping pills. The sleeping pills literally do not help and I feel like I need to go to the ER every single night. I am taking multivitamins and just ordered magnesium and progesterone cream. Tell me there is an end in sight to this insomnia and anxiety cycle. I would rather have the Mirena back in than to deal with insomnia for months longer.

Tessa

4/13/2021 11:51:14 am

Hi everybody,

I’m in the midst of the Mirena crash right now, and it’s been some of the most hellish months of my life. As a data scientist, it’s driving me nuts that I haven’t really found data anywhere on the Mirena crash, so I have decided to start a project around collecting anecdotal data about these experiences.
If you are undergoing/have undergone the Mirena crash, any chance I could ask you to fill out this survey? It’s a short one, promise! Responses will be completely anonymous. I am doing this as a personal project, not in affiliation with any corporation or organization. If folks are interested, I can share the results via some sweet data visualizations once I have enough responses 🙂  
I think it would be really beneficial to help visualize how many other people are experiencing certain symptoms/how long these experiences are lasting. My hope is that presenting this data will help people undergoing this hell see how many others are experiencing it too, and (a long shot) maybe even help demonstrate to doctors that what we’re experiencing is real.

Please feel free to share this link as well! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NTYVKGH

Sara

4/13/2021 12:13:14 pm

Thank you for doing this. I basically selected every symptom because it’s the damn truth. 2 years post removal for me and I’m still not all better. I want to sue them I get so angry sometimes. I tell everyone not to get it.

Kayla Martine

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Posting Monday & Friday!

Bumbling through one day at a time

My Mirena Crash Story

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