I had a mirena coil fitted just over two years ago and have suffered from a range of what I realise now were side effects. I had extremely sore, swollen and lumpy breasts and was referred to a specialist because I thought I had breast cancer. All the tests were clear and I was assured it was nothing to do with mirena. I was in so much discomfort that the specialist prescribed tamoxifen.

I put on nearly 2 stone in weight and felt bloated all the time. The doctor advised me to drink more water, eat less, and exercise more! I actually became convinced that I had a thyroid problem, but the results of the test came back negative. I had constipation and cramps and the doctor said it was IBS. Nauseousness came and went over the two years along with outbreaks of spots and bad skin. I never stopped wondering what the hell was wrong with me and why I was falling apart.

I had terrible mood swings and severe Depression so I was prescribed Prozac followed by Lithium (with the associated side effects of these drugs). I needed to wee a lot and sometimes I couldn't hold it, and so was offered more drugs for this. I had severe headaches, backache, my joints ached and I felt lethargic and moody (to the point where I gave up doing my PhD and nearly split up with my long term partner because he couldn't cope with my negativity and emotional outbursts!).

I am so grateful that other women have shared their experiences because I had absolutely no idea what was happening to me, and every time I suggested mirena to doctors it was completely dismissed. I was told that the mirena acted locally and so could not be the cause of my symptoms.

When I realised through these forums that mirena was the problem I was so desperate to have it out that I tried to remove it myself. I ended up in casualty in a lot of pain and, although it was a fast track way to get rid of it I wouldn't recommend this to anyone else.

It has been two days now...on the first day I felt dizzy and nauseous and slept most of the time. Today I feel a lot better - less bloated already, but I realise it is going to take a while for my body to recover from the chemical abuse of the last few years.

I am so looking forward to having my life back, and I just hope that no-one else has to go through the misery that I and others have been through. I have lost two years of my life, and the manufacturers of mirena (Schering) are still advertising it as a wonder cure.

Caitlin