Mirena IUS Coil and Depression?

Oh Canada wrote:

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I'm getting mine out tomorrow too. Here's to hoping it solves both of our problems. If it does, I am joining the class action lawsuit against Bayer because I have a pretty thick file by now.
Good luck
xoxo

Hi everyone, just an update, got it out, but I am still nausea, light headed, and still pannicky. For some reason when i got it out, the light would go on, and I could just get back to life. Not so.
Can anyone out there, tell me when I should expect to stop crying and pannicking......
xx

UPDATE:

I went to a women's health clinic and had it removed on Friday. Female nurse and doctor both confirmed that progesterone does cause depression for some (contrary to what idiot GP# 3 said - see previous post. I conclude that male doctors just don't understand women's issues, especially GPs).

The doctor and nurse warned me that it could take 2 months to feel like myself again and same amount of time to get my period back. They said that when you get into a depression, no matter the cause (even if hormonal) chances are it won't just go away and I may need to seek help. I will see how I feel in 2 months and decide then.

The removal was not bad at all. It was a sharp pinching pain as the doctor pulled it out (the same exact pain as when they put that rod in to measure your uterus when getting an iud put in). My uterus rumbled and grumbled a little bit (mild cramp) and settled down almost immediately.

I was very tired after. Not able to work, took the rest of the day off and went to bed in afternoon for around 2 hours. Still sleeping a lot (10 hours a night).

I was able to go cross-country skiing the next day and clean the house Sunday with no cramps. Just a very light spotting. Was very motivated this weekend and did a lot around the house. Yay!

I am taking Chasteberry extract to support my body getting back to hormonal balance, as well as Ginseng for energy and Ginko Biloba for concentration. I am upping my probiotic consumption and taking a multivitamin to make sure my body has everything it needs to heal itself.

Libido is not back yet, sadly.

Had a setback today (Monday morning) with anxiety and panic attacks related to being behind on work (due to all this IUD drama). This was provoked by being late for work due to not getting enough sleep (was on a cleaning spree and stayed up a little too late ... 1am and barely got up at 9am).

I think in order to get through this as smoothly as possible I need to establish and maintain a routine. I'm glad for the motivation this weekend and all the work I got done, but it was too much and I am still too fragile to overdo things. I just can't bounce back that easily. Not yet.

After sitting at my desk and staring into space all morning, followed by a second panic attack and tears, it feels good to write this down and get it off my chest. I think it's important to share, even though I sound really crazy. But I know this is not me and I know one day I will be myself again.

To anyone going through this, you're not alone. You're not crazy. You don't (necessarily) need more medications. You'll get through it and be ok. I'll report back to prove this to you.

xoxo

Holly from UK wrote:

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Hi everyone, just an update, got it out, but I am still nausea, light headed, and still pannicky. For some reason when i got it out, the light would go on, and I could just get back to life. Not so.
Can anyone out there, tell me when I should expect to stop crying and pannicking......
xx

Hi Holly,
the doctors as the women's health clinic told me it could take a couple of months to feel like ourselves again. Just hang in there, seek support from friends and family and try your best to keep your stress levels down. Watch your favorite TV shows/movies, lots of comedies to keep your spirits up.

If it feels too overwhelming, there is nothing wrong with seeing a psychologist/psychiatrist. I am resisting it only because I want to prove to myself (and my case) that the depression was only due to Mirena and once my hormones are ok so will I be. From what I've been told, it's usually not that simple unfortunately. I might need professional help to overcome the depression as well and I accept that.

In the meantime, I send you cyber-hugs and just take comfort knowing that you're not alone. I'm going through the same garbage rollercoaster of emotions too and there's no quick fix. I notice that posting about it and reading others' posts sure helps a lot.

xoxo

Oh Canada wrote:

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Hi Holly,
the doctors as the women's health clinic told me it could take a couple of months to feel like ourselves again. Just hang in there, seek support from friends and family and try your best to keep your stress levels down. Watch your favorite TV shows/movies, lots of comedies to keep your spirits up.
If it feels too overwhelming, there is nothing wrong with seeing a psychologist/psychiatrist. I am resisting it only because I want to prove to myself (and my case) that the depression was only due to Mirena and once my hormones are ok so will I be. From what I've been told, it's usually not that simple unfortunately. I might need professional help to overcome the depression as well and I accept that.
In the meantime, I send you cyber-hugs and just take comfort knowing that you're not alone. I'm going through the same garbage rollercoaster of emotions too and there's no quick fix. I notice that posting about it and reading others' posts sure helps a lot.
xoxo

Thanks for that reply, feeling pretty down today, took myself out for a drive, but as you say when you do too much, it is bad the next day. Two months, if I only knew that would happen, it would be alright, as I am off sick from work, and luckily I have sick pay and a counselling service to rely on, if and when I need it. I have never experienced anything like the anxiety and feelings of doom, with those hormones. I have thyroid trouble as well, so that doesn't help, but I hope and pray that I get back to work soon, and am able to think straight, without breaking down in tears. I am still not eating properly either.... My removal was very simply as well, no problem, except I have a period which is horrible.... Oh why do we put our bodies through these things. I have given my GP permission to show me the door out, if I mention HRT again. Love to all forum users, you are all very brave ladies...xxxfrom Northern Ireland

I am finally getting mine out tomorrow. I had the copper IUD for over 6 years and it was perfect. I didn’t have a heavy period or cramping and my period were only 3-5 days most months. I am trying really hard to remember what I was going through prior to getting the Mirena. I was diagnosed with PMDD several years before and I was a raging lunatic a week prior to my period and after the period I was so depressed. I went to a therapist at the suggestion of my OB/GYN and kept a diary of all my feelings and the he confirmed the diagnosis of PMDD and suggested that I go on Zoloft. The bad thing about the SSRI’s that after a while you need to up the dosage or add another SSRI. I have had to add Wellbutrin. I have missed a few days of these two SSRI’s out of just being fed up of taking pills! I’m so tired of taking pills that’s why I can’t follow a good vitamin regimen for the life of me. I have tons of them and get tired of all of them after a week. Getting back to this… I was climbing the walls and so angry I couldn’t even tell you until I reconvened the meds. That scared the crap out of me. I can only imagine if these didn’t exist. I wouldn’t be able to stand myself and would have to take myself out! No, never this, but you get the extremity of it.
I was overdue to have the copper IUD removed and my OB/GYN (a man) suggested that I get the Mirena because I still was having bouts of depression and I didn’t want to up the medications anymore. He said that it has Progesterone that would probably stop my periods and with no periods no PMDD.

I got this in October 2009. And since then these are the extra side-effects that are what I struggle with on a daily basis:

Extreme Fatigue – I used to be an energy bunny. I would have so much energy and clean my house from top to bottom obsessively. I haven’t had this energy in years.
I can’t sleep at night and I can’t get up in the morning. I’m late for work all the time. They finally gave me a later start time and I was very lucky to have a boss that understood.
I have no libido whatsoever. I force myself to have it regularly as I don’t want my husband to stray. My Mama’s best advice was never say “no” to your husband. They have needs that we just don’t understand and they will find others to fulfill these needs if I’m not. I don’t know about you but I don’t want anyone, any magazine, any film to take my place in my husband’s life. I try all the time and the last few months it has been worst then ever and I t ry to avoid it without him really knowing I’m avoiding it. You know what I mean!
The thoughts I get in my head… don’t stop. I just think about negative things and nothing ever is positive. I’m such an unhappy person I think and I now isolate myself from everyone except my immediate family. I avoid friends, some relatives and anything social like I used to do. I was involved in many things and I had hobbies. I do nothing now but work, come home and watch t.v. I go no where. I don’t want to do anything whatsoever which makes me even more depressed. I feel like I’m wasting away.
I just want to feel happiness again and joy and excitement about something – anything. Shopping doesn’t even feel good anymore and believe me that was a “drug.” I just get more depressed for spending money! TO BE CONTINUED!

What else… If I move a certain way while laying down I have a pain on my right ovary like something is stabbing me. My body hurts all the time and my GP said I may have Fibromyalgia. What the heck? How do they even know this? I’m not taking anything else! I think sometimes I don’t want to participate in life period – especially today as you can tell by all the negativity in my remarks. Sorry! I must sound like a basket case. Lastly, the weight gain. I called the OB/GYN and asked what I weighed when I got the implant. It was only 10 lbs. less than what I weigh right now which I think is incorrect. I actually think she gave me the weight of when I got the copper IUD inserted. I know I weighed a lot less than I do now. I feel so fat. But..no energy to exercise, no energy to do anything. I can’t get motivated to diet. My husband does not like “big” women. Just his preference so I’m trying not to get any bigger than I am. I am a size 12 US and this is big for me. I’m 43 and I don’t think I’m in menopause and the women don’t go into menopause early in my family either so I don’t know… I have night sweats – could be from the SSRI’s – I don’t know. The weight gain could too. I was able to lose 60 lbs before the Mirena insertion so I don’t know. I was wearing a size 6 that’s why I think she was wrong. I still have all my jeans and clothes during that time. I’m always hot and cold and hot and cold. I have low blood pressure. I have low iron. I’m a mess. I really hope that I magically feel better after tomorrow. I know it may take time but maybe I’ll get the placebo effect and it will be mind over matter. I’ll just think it was the Mirena. Ha! That will be Bayer’s defense… these women “just think” it was the Mirena and once its out they improve on their own through their own belief and no proof that it was the IUD itself. Who knows...

Hi there
Don't believe what the doctors say, it is the Mirena. I got mine removed after 3 months of hell. Now just to be honest on some of these forums some woman have felt immediately better, but for me, I am still having a rough time after having it removed just over 2 weeks ago. I am still very nauseous, and as you say, you feel the world would be better off without you, although you know you would never do anything about it, but its the negative thoughts all the time, the morning is the worst for me. I am off work, as I can't stop crying, but hopefully, and I am sure of it, I will feel better each day, slowly but surely. I am forcing myself to do things everyday, go out etc. So keep posting, and I will too. Big hugs Holly xx

I had my first mirena fitted in 05 after the birth of my second child. I never managed to lose all if the baby weight and was very moody. I put the moodiness down to having 2 young children. Had another mirena fitted in Dec 10 but it was an awful experience! My heart stopped twice whilst on the docs bed and woke up to him performing CPR on me. Apparently that can happen when having a coil fitted!!! I feel down a lot of the time and have very limited patience with my kids! I'm also putting weight on and have a very bloated stomach! I'm so glad that I found this site as I'm now going to get mine removed. I can't wait to feel like the happy me again!

Hi Mad Woman

Keep posting, you are not going mad.... Just like the rest of us, Mirena Coil users. I am going to see a counsellor on Tuesday for my anxiety/depression, which I have never suffered for so long and so deeply, I have frightened all my family.
Keep on posting, and google it, because there are loads of other poor ladies on this Mirena Coil effects....
Love and hugs, and as long as we keep supporting each other, my laptop is like my lifeline at the moment, don't even like wakening up in the morning, because that anxiety is still there, but we will feel better and the support from the forums is wonderful.....

Hi ladies,
I just wanted to check in to let you all know that I’m still alive, hahaha. Actually I’m much better than alive. I am almost back to my old self again. But it was an uphill battle. Lots of crying, wayward emotions, self-loathing, not getting work done, seeking help. I still have an appointment with psychologist in 2 weeks to “deal” with my issues about not getting work done, just to be cautious and make sure I NEVER get self-destructive like that again. But honestly, I’ve been able to get a handle on things on my own. Once I started feeling better, I started feeling happier and then realised how much it could ruin me to lose my job. If that’s not motivation to work, I don’t know what is.

What got me feeling better? Lots of good friends, a wonderful supportive spouse, talking talking talking and crying it all out. Saying things out loud forced them into reality and brought me out of any denial and self-pitying. When I heard yourself telling people all my “what’s wrong with me” issues, I caught myself and realized how ridiculous all of it sounded. First world problems, you know?

I have been forcing myself to eat properly even if I still wasn’t hungry in the mornings but now I naturally get a rumble in my tummy when it’s time for breakfast &#61514; and I have gained 10 pounds.

I’ve been taking Chasteberry extract, Ginseng, Gingko Biloba in the morning on an empty stomach. A daily multivitamin at lunch and recently added algae-based Omega 3. I will write back with the exact dosages for anyone wanting to do the same. Chasteberry is a hormone regulator so I think it was the key in my fast recovery.

As for exercise, that’s the only part I didn’t follow as planned. I’ve been working too hard and seeing friends after work so there hasn’t been time but I bought a membership and plan to start when I return home from my current work assignment. And my libido, unfortunately, is still very low. I think I will just give it time and not pressure myself. My partner is very understanding and patient.

I cannot stress how important it is to have a strong support network. People that will not let you mope around, that will drag you out and encourage you to get out of the rut.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. It starts with removing that awful evil IUD. I am never subjecting my body to hormones again and I will be very careful in the future before taking any medication whatsoever. I am glad I didn’t listen to the idiot doctors who told me to take anti-depressants. I am not depressed. Never was, never will be. I was chemically imbalanced from the artificial hormones and I proved it to myself and anyone reading because now that it’s out of me, I am normal again.

Hugs to all of you going through the “detox”. It’s gonna be ok I promise.

Depression is indeed one of the side effects of Mirena. You can tell your doctor about the side effects that you had with the contraception. Some medications like Zoloft has also side effects like worsening depression. Know more about it at http://www.zoloftsertralinebirthdefects.com/

Hi everyone,
just wanted to post about today. I had a rough evening. Went out for dinner and as I was leaving the restaurant got light-headed and nearly fainted. After sitting down 5 minutes and another 5 minutes out in the cold, I was able to get myself home. But barely. I've been constipated to the point of tearing and bleeding in spite of a high fiber diet and drinking lots of water and tea. Not more than one coffee a day but will cut that out to see if it helps.
To make matters worse, for the first time in my life I have eczema all over my belly and lower back.
I am all out of whack. I don't know if it's food related or hormonal but I've never had this happen before and I am scared to go to a MD since they've been wrong and misdiagnosing me the whole time.

Anyone else had this happen???

Sorry to hear of that Canada, but I am not suprised, I have had to go on a higher dose of anti depressants, and have nausea, and panic attacks, racing thoughts, just feel dreadful in the morning. I only have one cup of coffee a day,and drink quite a lot of water.
I can't find anything on the web to help, and it all seems to stem from depression anxiety, and just as you say your body is out of whack.... I pray to God that I will soon start feeling better, as I am so down about everything.. and I am afraid I will lose my job.....

Oh sorry forgot, I am very constipated but then I had it the other way when I was on HRT.....

I have had the mirena for 2 years now and I have been depressed almost the entire time but it has been getting really deep to where I don't even care about living. I feel like I have been a horrible wife and mother and my husband has been tryig to cater to this depressin and try to make me happy but nothing works. Although, I am scared to get the Mirena moved I see I have to. Today is the first day I realized the side effect is Depression. I can't let the IUD control my life.

i had mirena coil fitted in oct 2010. everything was fine then i started gettin severe anxiety feeling rate low, worryin over the simplest things worryin about my son. my son is 20 months old. before i had coil fitted i was fine no worry no anxiety. Im getting it out asap wish i would hav never had it in.

Yes, get it out, it has destroyed my worklife, my home life, I can't relax,and according to my gp, I am suffering from trauma..... losing weight etc, and pannicking, suicidal thoughts.... get it out, as soon as you can....

I've had my coil in for nearly a year. I'm. Normally a size 8 I've proberly out on over a stone thinking of getting it. Removed

i think mirena give my daughter depression because from when they put her shes having very bad mood swings

I had my miRena out 6 days ago after nearly 3 years. At first I was fine with it, but after I stopped breastfeeding I started getting worse and worse. It started with headaches that lasted for days on end every month, then severe dark depression and anxiety, I got pimples in my underarm area that caused a lot of pain and would not go away. My cervix and uterus seemed lower and pushed against my bladder, making me feel like I have to pee all the time. My secretions were thick and didn't smell like me, and weren't smooth and lubricating. I've grown a collection of beard hairs. My pc muscles were unable to fully engage. All these things got worse over time. Until I couldn't take it anymore and had the thing out. Oh, and in spite of burning over 300 a day and on slimmest, I've gained weight. Since I've had it out I've felt so much better I was actually worried I might be manic. I have much higher energy levels, my personality is back, im back and I feel great. Other minor side affects I got included psoriasis and my sense of smell and taste were off. That's all gone now, even the pimples under my arms which have been there over a year are clearing up. Hormones affect moods don't let doctors tell you they don't. If you're having problems after the first three months get it out. If you're thinking about getting one DONT. I'd rather use any other form of BC.