I think it's nuts that a medical facility will not remove any IUD. It shouldn't matter if our evidence of the side effects are mostly anecdotal. We didn't sign a contract agreeing to host the Mirena in our bodies for 5-9 years. It is a foreign object in our bodies and we had the choice to have it inserted and we have the choice to have it removed. Everyone needs to stand up for their health and wellness, and make their providers do their jobs. But everyone should go to their appointments considering their provider an advisary who needs to be strong armed into doing their job. It's a lot easier to find a new doctor than to live with the side effects of the Mirena.
I live in NH, and there are three Planned Parenthoods, one feminist health center, and three clinics for uninsured peoples within 40 minutes of my house. After I found this forum, it took me three weeks to build up the gumption to call for an appointment, because I knew I would have to argue my case, and then my appointment was 10 days later. And like you, the NP was not convinced by my anecdotal evidence that the Mirena was the cause of my symptoms. I had my thyroid hormones and estrogen levels tested the same week I had the Mirena removed and they were both "conservatively" normal. She said it was all stress related, which I find ironic because if I was taking an oral contraceptive I beleive whole heartedly she would tell me my syptoms were related to the hormones in my body and it would eventually adjust. At this appointment, she tried to talk me out of removal because of my accidental pregnancy on the mini-pill and said I should consult with my endocrinologist on BC before I removed it. I explained to her, that he was not well informed about the Mirena, he didn't know that light or no periods were related to it, and I didn't trust his opinion on the subject ( I do like my doctor)and most of all it was my decision and I wanted it out now. She recomended the Nuva Ring for BC, which seemed like an external Mirena to me, same hormone, same location, and works on similar principals and I said "No, and can I have some of the free condoms". I felt better the next day. I woke up and the fog had lifted from my head and my joints felt better. I know I made the right decision. I'm very determined and I knew that I would have to stand my ground and not give in the slightest. I think everyone who wants it out and goes to a medical facility to have it removed should stand their ground and if the nurse says no, go to her/his superior, on up the ladder until you get a satisfactory answer.