Re: My experience with Mirena after 8 months of use, still having side effects

I have had my mirena in since early december 2007 (almost 8 months now). I have had the exact same problems as you. The bleeding was very irregular for the first 6 months. Sometimes off... sometimes on... sometimes bleeding lightly for two weeks at a time. It has gotten better, but I still have a contant mucous like discharge. sometimes it's clear, sometimes it yellow or tinged with red blood.

I've Have constant cramping as well since I've had it in. sometimes the cramping is very bad, and somtimes it is tolerable. But it'sl always present. I'm getting very tired of it. I'd rather have normal periods every months without Mirena, and just a few days of normal cramping. Also my abdominal area is very tender at times.

I have gained a lot of weight since having it inserted. When I had my baby in november 2007, I shed most of my baby weight quickly (with a little left over to work on). I'm very active, and into running and eating pretty decent. I'm not an overwieght person at all. Since having the Mirena, I've put on 25 pounds. And i havne't really changed my diet all that much, and have been tryign to excerise as much as i can. I have never gained wieght this fast before. And I have really started being very strict about my diet, so I should not be putting on weight still (if anything I should just be staying the same). But I keep gaining.

I've had a lot of back and muscle/joint pain. I'm a very healthy person normally. I have never had trouble with chronic pain. Since I've had Mirena, it's been quite annoying.

Also headaches have been an issues. I've had quite a few migraines, when I don't noramlly have trouble with these. There has also been dizziness and fatigue to go along.

I haven't noticed any real mood changes other than the normal. I have always chocked up my emotional times from life stress, pain, and fatigue.

I went back to my doctor about three months after insertion. They told me that the bleeding/cramping side effects are normal. And to hang in there and would hopefully get better with time. But I am at the point where it's not worth it anymore. I am planning on having mine out. I know that none of these side effects can be proven to be related to the mirena. I know my doctors have tried to explain each symtom individually. But it seems to me that all this started after I had it inserted. And if this is what is going to be like, then I'm ready to be done with it. I've given it 8 months.

hope that helps. it's good to hear other people have been having the same issues. I have felt like I am crazy for thinking that it's mirena.