Mirena & Depression - Five Fucking years of my life!! AIBU to have the rage?

[BeMorePanda]

I've been depressed for 5 years now. I've had depression in the past and have learned how to manage it very well, I know what signs to look out for and how to look after myself etc. Or so I thought.

Then shortly after DD2 was born I became fairly depressed. Not PND, more a general depression. And it became worse once I stopped BF. This was also around the time I left my abusive XP. So I attributed the depression to be living with an abusive arse (and suffering from gas lighting, very abuse, emotional abuse and a bit of financial abuse for good measure for several years).

I did have a wee surge of happiness after leaving him, but generally the depression continued. It was different than I had suffered before - more of a flat line depression.

My self esteem was rock bottom. None of my usual coping/self care tactics worked. I've been feeling so damaged. I've had 2 lots of counselling - nothing has really helped or got to the bottom of it.

Before having DD2 I was in a very happy place in myself, despite my rubbish relationship and difficult pregnancy. It now occurs to me that the only times in my adult life that I haven't been using hormonal contraception, coincided with me feeling normal, myself, happy, in charge of my life and not depressed.

Just last week I had a penny drop moment after reading about the Mirena coil & it's link to depression. And I realised I started feeling this way shortly after having it inserted after DD2 was born. I didn't notice the connection - at first I was BF and had all those happy hormones, I believed the doctor who talked of "localised hormones" etc, my relationship was rubbish and home life difficult and it simply never occurred to me that my "wonderful contraception solution" was actually an evil fucker, messing with me from the inside.

I thought I was one of the people who had got along with it - I loved having no periods, no hormonal fluctuations etc. I thought I had no side effects.

So I've been doing some reading around and I'm pretty sure that the Mirena is contributing to or even causing my unliftable low level constant depression.

It's been like living with a rock around my neck for all my daughters life. What a fucker.

And I just had a new one put in a couple of months ago. I'm making an appt to get it removed asap. Not once at any stage of the process of having TWO Mirena coils fitted did any one mention depression. When I talked to my GP about my ongoing depression Mirena was not mentioned or questioned.

I have read many threads where women have had acute reactions with the Mirena.

But AIBU to think I am not alone in this and there are many other women with similar revelations after a period of time being otherwise happy with the Mirena???

AIBU to think there is no joined up thinking in healthcare?

(Op here)

I was also bf when I first got Mirena. I think the oxytocin "disguised" the effects somewhat. By the time I stopped bf I was so faraway from when the coil was implanted, I didn't make the connection at all.

Just had my 6 week check for the Mirena & told my gp that I was crying all the time, not sleeping & at times suicidal & she said she was sure it wasn’t the coil & to persevere for 6 months as everything would settle & it was great. Like the op I feel low constantly, like a big fog is over me & its horrible. I think I need to get this thing out, I was fine before I had it put in. My pms was awful for a couple of days/a week before my period but that was all. My previous gp didn’t advise the Mirena because of my pms 7 or 8 years ago but 2 kids later & a new gp I just thought that advice had changed as this one was so sure it would be my saviour. I have endometriosis so it was for contraception & to try & ease my bleeding & pain.
Back to the drawing board.

sorry to hear that Arrghhh - GP's seem determined to not listen to women about these issues, or to dismiss us when we report adverse side effects. I don't t know if there is a lot of ignorance still around re contraceptives & the side effects - you would think GP's would have at least read the widely reported studies. I do wonder how much they are influenced by Bayer/Big Pharma - they do seem to follow a script. Or are we expected to just suck up the misery and be grateful we aren't constantly pregnant?

There is a bigger picture about medical professionals not listening to women, but I think it is very clear around contraceptives.

Yes it can be a brilliant contraceptive IF IT WORKS. If you are experiencing the many side effects then it is misery.

I hope you "return to normality" soon xx

I got mine out last week after 2 years, a light bulb moment one day that tied all my symptoms together and I blamed Mirena, got mine out and felt instant relief, no cravings for sugar, no rage or anxiety, felt my children and dh suffered while I had it, feel so bad that I was so miserable for long on it, will see how copper coil goes, looking forward to no hormones,

I literally made an account on this website just for this thread.

I've had the Mirena for 3 years (well it will be 3 in May), and I KNEW IN MY GUT from day 1 that it was a horrible mistake. A few months after fitting I started noticing sharp pains in my hips and groin. My concerns were shrugged off. Then I started developing cysts on my ovaries, losing my hair, growing hair on my breasts, severe breast pain, weight gain. Again my concerns were shrugged off and I was told it wasn't the IUD.

Then the last few months/last year my anxiety has TRIPLED. I've always been an anxious person, but NO WHERE near where I am now. From the time I wake up until I go to bed is nothing but anxiety. Questioning my career, my relationships, everything. Finally got a NP to take me seriously who suggested I have the IUD removed just to find out that the IUD and the strings are in a place that can't be reached easily and I will need to have surgery to remove this blasted piece of torture.

I feel like 3 years of my life have been taken from me, and now I'm being held hostage. Someone please just tell me that this ends eventually.