As most of you may recall I had been having pretty severe neck pain, and recurring headaches, for quite some time. Then back in May I began experiencing horrendous migraines; about one every week. Boy, were they awful. I was quite shaken by the debilitating pain accompanying each episode. There were days I clearly felt like I was dying.
Then came my pinched nerve and all of the drama surrounding that crisis… Doctor’s appointments, hospital visits, and test after test. My personal physician concluded that it was not only a pinched nerve ailing me, but also a severe migraine. A migraine that lasted for four days. Four days that left me unable to take care of my kiddos. Four days I will never get back. Even after the four days there were days – weeks, even – that I couldn’t move without a sharp pain shooting up my neck and through my head.
Seeing my chiropractor and a physical therapist helped a bit, but I had this voice in the back of my mind telling that there was something causing these migraines. Something I could easily get rid of, but I wasn’t quite willing.
You see, after my third or fourth migraine in as many weeks, I vaguely remembered reading that one of the side effects of the Mirena IUD, which I had inserted shortly after Noah was born, can be severe headaches and migraines. So, I looked it up, just to be sure I recalled correctly. Sure enough, users are cautioned to call a practitioner if severe or migraine headaches develop.
I know it sounds weird, but I knew the Mirena was the cause of my migraines. Sure, stress triggered them each week, but the IUD was most definitely the cause. I have no doubt.
Other side effects of the Mirena include back and pelvic pain, high blood pressure, pain during intercourse, and a myriad of other ailments. None of which I experienced, thank God. But, I do believe that, in addition to the headaches and migraines, the Mirena was also effecting my libido (decreased sex drive) and my mood… I just always felt so down.
So, Ray and I made a huge leap of faith and I had the Mirena removed 3 weeks ago today. I say it was a huge leap of faith, because Ray quite literally breathes on me and I’m pregnant. We truly had to be okay with whatever God has in store for us in that department.
But, guess what? It’s been almost 4 weeks since I succumbed to a migraine!
Will I never have to suffer from another migraine again? I can’t say that, as time will only tell. I strongly suspect, however, that I won’t be visited by another horrible alien any time soon.
Oh, and just a side note :: I’m not such a horrible person to be around any more. My husband can attest to that!
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, Christine! I’m glad you found the source of your migraines!
Hmmmm…. now that makes me wonder if the Mirena is causing MY migraines. They are not as bad as it sounds like you have had them, but bad enough I cannot take care of the girls when I have them.
Thanks for sharing with us
Soooo happy that it has helped! Now you be careful on your cruise;) hehehehehe
wierd.i have had mirena for almost two years now, and have never had any problems. well except the first 3 months.
Wow. So glad you found the source of the problem. I understanding the debilitating effect of migraines. Mine are triggered usually by stress or dehydration. I do have a few food triggers, but I know to stay away from them.
Hi Christine. I’m so sorry to hear that you had been experiencing such horrible pain. I’ve never had a migraine but I’ve witnessed my husband with them many times and it’s not something I’d wish upon my worst enemy.
That said…I also had a horrible experience with Mirena. Come to find out, it’s really common to have one of many side effects. Even though we paid over $600 out of pocket for mine since it wasn’t covered on insurance (but we figured it was equivalent to BC pills over the 3 year period (ha)), I had my dr remove it about 9 mos later and never experienced the pain and illness that I did with it. I know of a handful of friends in similar situations – one with the same migraines you described!
I think it’s great for the women who don’t experience the side effects and I’m happy for them. It’s just not for everyone. You might want to ask about Seasonique (sp?) – it’s a 3-mos cycle and has been good for me at least the last 12 mos. Best of luck!
OMG, dear… how awful! Glad to hear you figured it out.
So glad you figured out what was causing your migraines! They can be debilitating- can’t imagine how you managed with a migraine and six kids. Good for you for remembering the potential side effects of meds- too often we take a treatment and forget it can cause problems of it’s own.
Wow I have one. So glad you found out.
hi! I too, am a migraine sufferer. I’ve been getting them for nearly 21 years now…and I have seen an increase in the 4 months I’ve had the Mirena. I was extremely against having the IUD placed, but I was having hormonal imbalance issues, and my husband lost his job, so our insurance was running up so I gave in.
My good friend has had 2 ectopic pregnancies with this device, and she was the only person I’d known that had it.
As soon as my husbands new job lets me have insurance (5 more months!?), I’m going right back to the doc and asking them to take it out. Or at least discuss the options. I know what you mean when you say you can’t get that time back. I now wake up nearly every morning with a migraine and it takes my medication at least 1.5 hours to kick in + my morning caffeine, which everyone advises me against.
I wish you luck with your fight against migraines, and to figure out a way of family planning that works out for you guys!
This sounds so familiar! I have had the Mirena for 2 years, (after my 2 year old was born) and I have been dealing with so many side-effects since I’ve had it! I have told others about how I’ve felt since I’ve had my Mirena, and most people blow it off, or act as if they don’t believe it to be possible. But I too have read about all of the awful side-effects that Mirena can cause, and look forward to having mine taken out. Thanks for writing this post, and I am glad you have felt better since having this removed.
You you poor thing… I’m SOOO glad you’ve figured it out! It makes me happy to know that you’re feeling more like yourself these days! Phew!!!
Thanks for the information, I will definitely be on alert if I have any of these side effects. I also have a Mirena, I’ve had it for 3 years. The main side effect for me is decreased libido and have also noticed more mood swings. I know you aren’t a doctor, but have you heard if the copper IUD causes the same side effects?
Sabrina -
I had the Paragard copper IUD for 2 years before getting the Mirena this past April. I just had the Mirena removed 2 days ago due to severe headaches every day lasting pretty much from lunchtime until bedtime. (And also weight gain after being very stable in that department for months) Anyway, the only side effects I experienced with the copper IUD were local: increased cramping and bleeding during/around the time of my period. These side effects were tolerable, but unfortunately I was already anemic and prone to heavy periods, and the increased bleeding made the anemia even worse, which results in fatigue. That was the nice thing about the Mirena, hardly any bleeding! Oh well, now I’m just using condoms. So sick of birth control. Thinking about maybe getting my husband to get a vasectomy.
I also had the copper IUD for almost 10 years and NEVER had these symptoms that I have experienced with the Mirena.
My whole life changed at the same time as starting a new birth control. I had horrific migraines for 20 days straight. Im telling the story over at my blog. The doctors say that it was not the birth control but I disagree.
Im glad that you figured this out. Congrats on the anniversry too. Where does the time go?
Lucy
I have had the mirena for about a year and a half and I am having very bad neck and back pain. I have done PT, Chiroprator, facet blocker shots. They say I have a herniated disc in my neck but they could hav been there for years. I am thinking about having it taking out but wanted to know if anyone had this awful neck pain? It feels like my necka nd shoulders just ache, feel warm….I don’t know what to do and the next step is surgery for the hernaited disc but a friend told me to check out a website talking about the Mirena and it got me thinking! Please let me know, any info can help me make this decision!
I have had mirena for the past six months, although I’ve suffered neck and back pain from a car accident a few years ago my pains have definitely seemed to be worse since mirena. Moreso I’ve suffered from severe headaches, I never suffered migraine prior to having mirena inserted and have had 6 in the past 6 months.
I have also put on a few kgs which no amount of diet or exercise will move and have absolutely no sex drive!
I’m pleased to say that i’m having Mirena taken out tomorrow …. bring on getting my body back to normal!
Shortly after I had the Mirena implanted I began experiencing migraines, severe neck pain (like someone took a baseball bat too me), dizziness, nausea, moodiness, and my personal and professional lives went downhill. Almost daily things would get so bad that I could not drive, or barely walk for that matter. Then, after numerous doctor visits (7 doctors/specialists total) I decided to take things into my own hands. Against the advice of my family doctor I had the Mirena removed. She had claimed she NEVER heard of the Mirena giving someone migraines and that having the Mirena removed would not fix my problem. Guess what? Six months have now passed. I have not had a migraine since I had the Mirena removed and my life has returned to normal!!
I’am so shocked to hear all these stories regarding Mirena. I have had Mirena for 3 months and also have been having horrible neck pain and headachs! I went to see my doctor and she said there is no way the Mirena was causing it! she wants me to go to physical therepy, I dont know what to do:(
It never fails to amaze me how many women experience the same symptoms while on the Mirena. I was certain that the Mirena was the problem for me. My doctor retracted her original statement about the Mirena in no way being the cause of my neck problems and headaches… She cautions all of her patients who desire this particular IUD that there is a possibility.
i too have been having horrible migranes, in the back on my neck, and into the lower portion of back of my head.i started googling reasons i could get these migranes. i am not under too much stress, i eat fine, im only 22 years old! its not normal for me to have these headaches, and on top of that i have lumps on/near my ovaries, and the doctors dont know what they are! i love mirena, i have had it for 2 years now, i never get periods, and its great for me because i forget to take the pill, and the patch falls off.i already have two babygirls! but i have all of these health problems now? lumps and headaches? before i got the mirena i was perfectly healthy! never an issue! now i have to sleep alllll day because it hurts to hold my head up, and when i do have to get up i have to hold my head to the left, or im in excrusiating pain.i am going to talk to my doc. about taking mirena out-im thinking it could be the cause of my health issues.
OMG! A friend of mine just sent me this blog post. I am going to my OBGYN tomorrow and insisting he takes this out. Not only have I been having horrific debilitating migraines, but a constant headache regardless and every other symptom you mention. I do think it is evil. The worst decision I have ever made .
I have the debilitating migraines as well… I see a neurologist and he’s not even sure whats going on with me. I had an MRI and nothing showed up. He wants to try Botox on me and I’m skeptical, but want relief. My husband is a U.S. Marine and is rarely home, but when he is I get pregnant… So I had the mirena put in after my second son and didn’t have many problems other than my headaches.. now we have a 2 yr old little princess.. so I’ve had this mirena in for 2 years now, it seems that as time goes on I’m not happy anymore especially with my hubby being in Japan and missing everything. I’m always stressed, but on top of that I feel like I’m a horrible mother to my 3 wonderful kids because mommy is always in pain and can’t move from having migraines that my mom has to take care of my kids a lot. I’m wondering if I should just go ahead and take out the mirena and if I get pregnant when he comes home, so be it.
Hi Melissa! I would venture to guess that the Mirena could be the cause of your migraines, but I would recommend you see your doctor and discuss your symptoms with him. Giving up control over planning your family is a huge leap of faith and one that should be met with much prayer. I’ll be praying for you!
I have had Mirena in for almost three months now and have I am experiencing the same symptoms as you Christine. I am scheduled to have it removed on Monday so hopefully this will help me. I have been to the er twice and 5 shots later still experiencing pain in my neck shpooting to my head. with the worst headache in my life. They did a ct and everything came back ok so they just ruled it a severe migraine. This has been going on for a week and a half straight!!!! Can not wait to get it out.
Wow, I am so sorry Loralee! Please let me know if removing the Mirena helps.
This website inspired me to have my IUD removed…..I have been hospitalized 6 times with multiple ER visits all for migraines this year. I had my Mirena placed in April 2011 and almost immediately had a migraine that ended me up in the hospital. I do have a history of migraines, but these are different. I pressure and tightness in the head/face/neck/shoulders. I’m also moody and do not want to do much of anything. I feel like a terrible mother because i have been in pain this last go round for almost 2 months straight. I recalled reading this blog back in April and found it again and said that’s it the mirena is coming out! Not only did I have headaches that kept me in bed or in the hospital, but I had ovarian cysts and well low libido. I want “me” back. The mirena came out yesterday and I only had a slight headache today! I already see an improvement. Thank you!!
I am so glad you are already seeing an improvement in your health, Kim! Removing the Mirena was the best decision I made for my body!
I have a question for some of the other Mirena users out there. Have any of you had a feeling in you stomach like you have a baby there. Every day I have the movement feeling, I have taken multiple preg. test and they have all came up negative, even the blood test still neg. I am lost I have talked to my doctor and he has stated that is probably my intestinal track. Also I was a migraine suffer before I got this thing placed and now after two years they have gotten 10 time worse. I get sick to my stomach and no on will do anything. Mine get so bad i have to go to the ER so they can give me pain meds. That is wrong right. but I have other options for I am a disabled vet out of the Army and I only have the VA for medical.
I have had the mirena for a little of a month. For the past 8 days I have had the WORSE Migraine in my life and I have never had one before. I went to a doctor 3 days ago she told me it was a virus, so I went to another one today in the ER and he said it was just a bad migraine and gave me asprin. I am living in the UK and got the mirena for free which is why I opted to get it now. I had the implanon for 3 years and on the 3rd year started with horrible side effects. I had hoped with the mirena I would be free, but I am going to the doctor that inserted the mirena tomorrow to get it taken out. I will try anything to get rid of this migraine!! Nothing is working..
Wow this was helpful and somewhat scary. I got the mirena put in two days ago and have had really bad headaches and dizzy spells all day today. This is definatly not good considering im a full time mommy with my 1month old baby at home all day alone. Is two days too early to call the dr?
Mirena is the most evil thing I had done. I had weird symptoms like I was being mind controlled, extreme fatigue, moodiness, nausea, migraines, hair was acting weird like it was moving and alive.. It was almost like it was an antena to something and it was controlling me. you name it I had it. I had it removed. Six months later I feel back to myself. So for any doctor who tells you it’s not the mirena, they are lying to you. Go with your intuition because doctors are in with the pharmaceutical companies and don’t care because it’s all about profit.
{ 2 trackbacks }