The doctor gave me the same song and dance as when it was first put in and when I first complained. Couldn't possibly be the IUD. She even had the gall to say that my current hormonal state is likely more my natural state than when I was on the pill. Needless to say I will never go back to her.
The strings had disappeared so it took some doing to get it out and I am having a lot of cramping now, but it is worth it for the relief I feel having that thing out.