The Drs. say I have a "non-specific autoimmune disorder". It looks like lupus or MS. Mostly neurological. I have inflammation in my wrist tendons, but that is the only painful area. My head scan and lupus blood work were normal, but I have ANAs. The wrist pain was the first symptom to appear after the IUD was put in (about 5 months after). It was the first symptom to improve after it was taken out (I'm almost 11 months post). I had the IUD in for 2 years. During that time I had a cortisone shot in my wrist which only helped for a few months. The Dr. was baffled that it flared up again. Now, my wrists flare up with my hormones. They never completely recovered. But my head causes me the most problems.

I post a lot on the Truth in Medicine forum. Here is a recent answer from Hveragerthi about a silicone question I asked (among other things). He has other autoimmune info on that forum as well. He has also talked about the connection between progesterone levels and inflammation in the body.

That's it in a nutshell! I'm excited to see what you turn up. Please share.

Thanks,
Diana

I have been diagnosed with RA. You can reach me at lkcorbett@sbcglobal.net

Hi Joleen,
Sorry for the delay in replying but I don't check in very often.
I was diagnosed with psoriatic Arthritis within 12 months of having a Mirena inserted. Please see my other posts for the details of symptoms.
In summary:
Feb 2008: Mirena inserted
By July 2008, I was experiencing a variety of weird pains and swellings, first in the feet and later in the hands. Skin Psoriasis on the scalp re-appeared after an absence of about 20 years.
In January 2009, my feet were so swollen and painful that I had difficulty walking. A full body bone scan showed polyarthritis. A rheumatologist diagnosed psoriatic arthritis. I had to take Mobic to walk and still found it painful.
Methotrexate was also prescribed but I decided to try having the Mirena removed first. Following removal in July 2009, I experienced a dramatic reduction in symptoms.
(Predictably, neither rheumatologist nor gyno would acknowledge any association between Mirena and my symptoms).
My symptoms continued to improve with the help of some treatment from a naturopathic doctor for pre-existing IBS,(Caprylic Acid).
However, I had another flare up in two fingers around March 2010 and 12 months on this has not improved so I am now probably going to (reluctantly) proceed with Methotrexate because some of my erosions are still progressing and lack of mobility in my hand is annoying and sometimes painful. My feet remain much better with the exception of a couple of painful points around the psoriatic toenails and I walk and stand normally again, although high heels are pretty much out of the question. At this stage I am not taking any medication other than Boswellia complex, a naturopathic anti-inflammatory.
Recent X-Rays indicate some progression in two erosions although all the other erosions remain unchanged since July 2010.
To me it is obvious that the Mirena was a significant factor in the flare up of Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. I had suspected Psoriasis in my 20s, (I am now 51), which eventually cleared, and dactylitis in one toe in 2002 and another in 2006, which also eventually subsided. It was not until I had the Mirena inserted that skin psoriasis reappeared after an absence of 20-30 years and multiple joints in the hands and feet flared up with psoriatic Arthritis being diagnosed.
I am an otherwise healthy and health-conscious person, 163cm tall, 55kg in weight who eats well and excercises regularly.
Incidentally, skin psoriasis on my scalp cleared quite recently and within a few days following the extraction of a wisdom tooth, removed because of an adjacent 'pocket'. Joint problems remain. As with the Mirena removal, doctors say it is 'coincidence'. The endontist says there may be an infection below the adjacent root canal but that it is too early to tell.
Unfortunately I have no medical training but based on my own experience I believe that the Mirena has damaged my immune system and possibly caused my arthritis.
BTW I dont have the rheumatoid factor or the HLA B27 gene. No family history of psoriasis or Arthritis either.
Good luck with your research and let me know if you would like any further information. I would be very interested in any outcomes.

best,
Giulietta

Hello,
Not sure if you're still looking into this or not, but I am definitely developing auto immune symptoms from the Mirena coil. In fact, after reading many of the posts on this site and a few others, I'm not sure if I should head to the rheumatologist or my OBGYN. I am currently experiencing my 2nd bout of swollen wrist joints w/pain since having the coil inserted last year. I really did not even think about it being related to the coil until I started jotting down my symptoms last night. I realized then that my first bout of arthritis-like symptoms in my hands & wrists occurred about three months after the coil was inserted. I've had Arthritis in my feet for many years due to surgery on both feet as a child, so it's not abnormal for my feet to bother me from time to time. However, when my hands, wrists & feet started hurting last year, I though that was really strange. I've also had terrible problems with Depression and anxiety to the point that I've started taking an anti-depressant. The doctor initially had me take it only during the 2nd half of my cycle, but I decided after a few months of this that I likely needed it full time because trying to stop it after my period was too difficult.

A bit of background information, I am a 41 year old mother of three. I had the coil inserted last year approximately 6 months after the birth of my 3rd child. I have a history of intolerance to birth control pills due to severe bloating/weight gain, moodiness & migraine headaches. I did experience migraine like symptoms the first few months after the coil insertion, but they eventually subsided. I haven't had any significant weight gain since the Mirena was inserted, but I am still about seven pounds heavier than I was before my third pregnancy. A few other strange symptoms that I've had are severe itching at the bottom of my legs on both sides and the tops of both of my feet - this comes and goes. I've also had lots of swelling in my tonsils along with a chronic production of tonsil stones. The joint pain comes and goes in my feet and my hands. The wrist pain and swelling has happened twice. I've also experienced the bloating that everyone talks about in my lower abdomen, at times I do look pregnant even though I am very thin for my height. I have also had a terrible time getting my nails to grow since late last year. This is very unusual for me since I've always had strong healthy nails. I've also experienced bouts of fatigue, memory "fog", shortness of breath, severe muscle spasms (lots of knots in neck & back) and difficulty sleeping at times.

I hope this helps with your research. It's very scary to read all of these stories! Feel free to reply if you have any questions.

Hi joleen I'm from england . I had mine fitted this july . Since I've had to be on crutches . Ive been diagnosed with plantar faciitis and then tarsal tunnel syndrome then its spread up my arms . I am now having to see a neurologist to see what I have . Idont feel really hopeful . I asked my hubby to pack a hospital bag as I was that scared ov the pain . I'm holding onto my job as I need the rent money . But im really ill . My nerves are all inflamed they are hot or are just painful . I finally had my coil out yesterday . I will keep you posted. In england they are beinb promted . I accidentally ca men across this forum. There are none in england . So sorry to hear about you . I'm on 600mg of gabapentin 3 x a day that still doesn't seem to stop the pain . I hope I hear back . I'm off to see a neurologist probably to give me bad news . I will keep you informed x

I got the Mirena and developed diabetes. What is strange is that even though I am now insulin dependent there is still some very minor pancreatic function. I am going to have the Mirena removed and see what happens. I also have some other issues that effect the endocrine system that were not present before I got the Mirena. The onset of diabetes happened about 1 year after getting it but the Depression immediately after getting it was immediate and unrelenting. If you have a history of PCOS please do not get the Mirena despite the "professionals" stating it is ok. The medical information for this thing even states that if you have or have ever had PCOS to not use this device.