So This is the Dreaded Mirena Crash (and Burn)

Experiencing and coping with the Mirena crash, following removal of the Mirena IUD. Symptoms, feelings, and helpful tips for getting through it.

The Mirena IUD… All I can say is never again. Ever.

I used Mirena for a very long time. And yes, I'm experiencing the Mirena crash at this very moment and have been for the last week and a half, though I really didn't know exactly what I was experiencing until I started to do a little more research and reading. 

I can say that I wish I'd researched the IUD more before deciding to go down that path. I wish I'd been more concerned about my health when I was younger, more concerned with living a more natural lifestyle.

Now that we do care more, we're also getting a little older; I'm no spring chicken. And though my family may be shocked to read this (if they read this), we're also planning to try for another baby (more on this in a near future post, I promise).

We weren't going to tell anyone and just keep our secret all to ourselves, but Dan and I both decided maybe I should write about this and share my story.

Mirena removal side effects seem to be something that many women experience, but if they're like me, they may not fully be prepared for them or even know they're coming.

What Causes the Mirena Crash?

In short, the Mirena Crash is due to hormone imbalance following Mirena removal.

Now that I'm experiencing the crash, I'm seriously wondering if some of the problems I've experienced while having Mirena as a form of birth control have been due to that little foreign contraption hangin' out in my uterus. So many things make a lot of sense when I think about it.

For the longest time, I've woke up with night sweats, had severe abdominal pain and issues with what I thought was my colon (nothing found on colonoscopy and other tests), mood swings, hair loss (you wouldn't believe the amount of hair I've cleaned out of my brush time and again), weight gain that just seems stuck no matter how much exercise or eating right I do, etc., etc.

Mirena Crash Symptoms

Symptoms of Mirena crash can include the following:

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• General malaise and feeling of just not feeling good

Since having the Mirena IUD removed about a week and a half ago, I've crashed (and sorta burned). Well, not literally, but I've honestly felt like it.

Headaches

Oh my word, the headaches. I can honestly say the only headache I've had that's been worse than these headaches was due to altitude sickness because they're killer.

No amount of ibuprofen or essential oils help. Nothing. It's like I've gone cold turkey, and I just have to wait for the pain to subside, and it eventually does, but it can last all day.

The pain is all over my head, even in my neck. I've even had pain shoot up from my shoulder/neck area to my head. Awful.

Fatigue

I'm sooooo tired! I could sleep 12-14 hours straight.

Well, I can't, but if I could… So tired.

Mood Swings

One minute I'm fine, the next I feel like I'm raging inside. Well, raging is what my boys call it when you get angry, so I'm going with that.

I'm irritable and grumpy.

Anxiety

I think this has been the worst of it all. I wake up at night, can't go back to sleep, and feel this elephant of anxiety in my chest, mind, and spirit.

I can't put my finger on exactly why I'm feeling that way. There's no reason to feel anxious.

I mean, I have the normal deadlines for work, the normal family stuff going on, the normal chores and stuff that need done, but nothing out of the ordinary. I can't put my finger on why I'm so pent up and worked up!

It's like doom, gloom, and anxiety all rolled up into one tightly wound little package. It's got me feeling like I'm going C-R-A-Z-Y!

And until I learned about the Mirena Crash, I thought I was going crazy.

General Malaise and Feeling of Just Not Feeling Good

I've almost felt like I'm coming down with something.

It's just a general feeling of not feeling good. It's yuck.

So, What Am I Doing about It? Mirena Crash Detox

(Disclaimer: If you're experiencing Mirena crash symptoms, please do your own research, and talk to your health care provider. This is simply my own experience.)

Honestly, I'm just waiting it out and taking a few steps to help myself go through a bit of a Mirena detox.

• I'm using my essential oils for emotional and general well-being, and I'm so glad I have them.
• Drinking a lot of water. My water bottle helps me stay well hydrated.
• Eating more citrus and berries and trying to eat things that will hopefully help me detox just a bit and get through this. My favorite blueberry spinach smoothie and tropical fruit smoothie are just what I'm craving.

• I'm on a food-based prenatal vitamin.
• Also, I'm exercising every day, sweating it out; and let me tell you, exercise does wonders for the emotions and for building up a feeling of strength.
• I'm using my calming bedtime foot rub to both help with feeling anxious, and it helps my restless legs and arms.

From what I've read, I think my body is just freaking out a bit, trying to get back on track, and figure out what is going on and what it needs to do.

Hopefully, this won't last much longer; most people say it lasts for a short period of time, about a week or two… A select few have gone longer or more long term.

I've also read that it gets better with menstruation. Can't say I've ever looked forward to that 'til now. Oh but I do.

I honestly feel like I'm on the tail end of the crash. Yesterday was better, today is ok, tomorrow can only go up from here.

Why Share All of This?

I can't tell you what to do in your personal life, nor do I want to; but I do want you to be aware.

Do your own research, study up on things before you say yes, know what you're putting into your body.

Get to know your own body. Don't ignore problems.

Ask your health care provider, and don't be afraid to go to your visit armed with a whole list of questions.

Your health really is in your hands.
Grab on to that responsibility for dear life, and don't let go.

Of course, I also write this to share my story and relate to others who've experienced it, as well.

With that said…

Have you experienced the dreaded Mirena Crash? What has been your experience?