I’ve noticed this summer that when I log onto my WordPress site, previous posts about my experience with the Mirena IUD receive more traffic than most of my other posts. Actually, to be honest, there doesn’t seem to be any other interest in my other topics, but people are concerned about the Mirena, and some readers have reached out to me. It occurred to me that I haven’t written a follow-up describing how my health has changed in the year since having my Mirena removed. I’ve put it off long enough, and now it’s time to share.
This sculpture reminds me of the struggle I’ve overcome. Sometimes we just have to pick up the pieces.
Last March I had my IUD removed after using it the full five years prescribed. By that time, I had all the symptoms of what is referred to as the ‘Mirena Crash’: persistent fatigue, bloating, abdominal cramps, headaches, confusion, irritability, limb numbness, back pain, and more, all to the extreme. At that time, I didn’t know anything about Mirena’s side effects, but suspected it was the culprit. When I reached out to my doctor at the VA, I did not receive the kind of help that I expected or believed that I deserved. Instead of being supported by the medical community, I was left to my own devices, and I became very scared and angry. I had to figure out how to heal on my own, and it has taken me the at least a year to heal not only physically but mentally as well. The trauma caused by getting “sick” from the Mirena left me feeling isolated, crazy, untrustworthy, and unable to trust medical professionals.
My emotions, however justified, were part of the myriad of symptoms from my reaction to the IUD. Even after the device’s removal, toxins from the Mirena continued to circulate through my system, and my hormones could be best described as defunct. I was a mess! I felt as though I had been poisoned, and in a sense, I had. It was extremely difficult to drudge through the day pretending to be a “normal” person while my body purged the bad hormones and toxic build up. I felt like I was on a bad drug trip for months, yet I was in for a much longer ride.
It has now been about eighteen months since my Mirena was removed, since I was very ill, and I am so happy to say that I am not the same person. I am in extraordinary physical shape (comparatively), I feel confident about how I look, I have boundless energy, and I don’t suffer from as many aches and pains. I love to wake up in the morning and be active all day, because I know I will not become exhausted like before. I don’t feel emotionally sabotaged and my hormones are finally in balance for the first time since I started using the Mirena. Best of all, I never have to go back to IUDs, because better options are at my disposal.
But you are probably wondering what exactly I did to take care of myself and conquer the nightmare that left me so miserable, right? First, remember that there is no magical equation to follow in order to become well after the Mirena Crash. Your personal definition of well is not going to be identical to mine, and your biology, cultural and familial background, lifestyle, preferences, and external influences are not the same as mine either. So you must determine which plan is best on your road to recovery.
This is how I did it.
I. First I made a commitment — to myself. I committed to follow a strict diet and exercise plan to get my health back on track. I carefully considered how to reach my goals. This commitment was important because it was an investment in myself.
2. I took up an exercise routine (kickboxing) that helped me develop confidence as well as muscle tone. My routine became a catalyst in ridding my body of toxins and excess body fat, both of which had accumulated while I was using the Mirena. Bonus: I made new friends at the kickboxing studio!
3. I tweaked my diet as needed. For example, when I realized I was not eating enough protein to support my newly active lifestyle, I changed the diet to reflect my needs. This was critical in healing because the body has to be able to flush out toxins and regenerate new, healthy cells!
*I used the Standard Process products recommended by Dr. J (see the link to his site below) but only as long as I felt that I needed them. I used an extremely healthy diet to clean out my system because I believe that food is medicine, not the other way around.
4. I made time for myself every day to pursue a hobby, something just for me, and I didn’t feel an ounce of guilt. Sometimes I just took ten minutes to read a magazine and drink tea; other days I painted or caught up with a friend over coffee. Very beneficial to my soul!
5. I talked to my friends and family about my struggle and listened to the wisdom that they had to share. Their love and support helped me feel strong enough to move past my anger and frustration over the situation.
6. I let go. I acknowledged that there was really no one to blame in this situation — not me, not any of the doctors, and no one else. But I especially stopped blaming myself in hindsight. It’s a waste of energy.
I like to think that the last year and a half is a chapter in my life that I can close, and now it is time to look forward, move forward, and anticipate what lies in the future. I sometimes think that my Mirena robbed me of five years of good living, but that is not true. It was a minor setback, and if anything, I learned to take better care of myself, to be more kind, and to forgive the faults that we all cannot help but possess.
Best of luck to those fighting their battles.
~G
The link to Dr. J’s site, where you can find his take on the Mirena Crash:
A Pioneer's Journey 
Glad that you were able (with much hard work) to bounce back. It is a shame that the VA did not handle this issue well at all, and that it fell to you to do all the research and trial and error to heal yourself. Not everyone would have the wherewithal to do that.
Thanks for checking on me! It was nice to hear from you again. I decided not to hold a grudge against the VA; it’s a cumbersome animal created by well-meaning individuals, and it has its shortcomings. I learned a lot in the last year, and having to do it largely myself taught me so much about my own capabilities and potential. No more wallowing in self pity! Thanks again for the kind words.
Hi! Thanks so much for posting. Just curious if you ever experienced facial pain, tmj symptoms and high anxiety while the mirena was in? I just got mine removed because I started having severe anxiety and heart palpitations. I’m only a few weeks post removal- but not feeling much better. I know it will take time just getting discouraged.
Hi! Thank you for reading and posting a comment! I do remember having anxiety while the Mirena was in, and it became worse right at the end of the five years, but I never really identified it as a symptom. During that time, I was also on two different types of migraine medication, so for me, looking back over the last few years, it can be difficult to trace the exact source of a symptom. I also had facial numbness and eye pain, but kind of suspect the migraine medication and not the IUD. You are totally right, it takes time, and it can be a very discouraging process. I still haven’t been provided with *good* answers or even real support from medical professionals, so the advice I gave when I initially wrote the blog post is still probably the best advice I can give you. Do your own research and get to know your own body. If you feed it and nourish it properly, it will heal. Figure out what makes you feel better, focusing particular attention to balancing your hormones. In my experience, getting plenty of sleep, regular exercise, and developing a super healthy long term diet has been the best way to recover. And, feel free to check in with me and let me know how things are going. Best of luck!
Hi Allie, I know this is two years after your post but just wanted to share that I too experienced severe anxiety while I had the mirena. It started about 6 months after having it inserted, and seemed to get progressively worse over the next few months until I had the worst panic attack (which I’ve never had prior to this) in August. I did some research and found a link from mirena to anxiety so I had it removed in September 2018. It’s now been over six months and I still get anxiety and occasional insomnia about 2 weeks before my period (which is still also not totally normal). Really curious to hear how you are doing now, if things improved, and if so how long it took? Thanks!
Hello!
So I have had mine in a little over 5 years (getting it out tomorrow). I have had several of the physiological symptoms you mentions the whole I’ve had it in but never connected it. Mainly I just dealt with it. Then, I was struck with anxiety like I’ve never known recently (again it’s been over 5 years). Could this be the Mirena crash even though it’s still in my body?
Like I said I get it out tomorrow and am looking for any advice on a smooth transition.
Hi Sarah, I know this is a year after your post (and I shared this same message above to a different poster) but just wanted to share that I too experienced severe anxiety while I had the mirena. It started about 6 months after having it inserted, and seemed to get progressively worse over the next few months until I had the worst panic attack (which I’ve never had prior to this) in August. I did some research and found a link from mirena to anxiety so I had it removed in September 2018. It’s now been over six months and I still get anxiety and occasional insomnia about 2 weeks before my period (which is still also not totally normal). Really curious to hear how you are doing now, if things improved, and if so how long it took? Thanks!