How Long Does It Take To Get Mood Side Effects from Mirena?

[dkwgdk.livejournal.com]

Hey y'all-- I got my Mirena back in April of 2011 and things have been good so far, minus some acne and bloating (boo.)  Over the past couple of months, though, my mood has been in really, really abysmal.  For those of you who experienced mood side effects on the Mirena, how long did it take for them to show up?

Backstory: I've had severe depression for about 12 years.  It was made worse by oral contraceptives, so I stopped taking them.  It got better (finally) with a bunch o' drugs. However, my periods were getting 'dangerously' heavy (my doc's words) and no one could figure out why.  I couldn't take Pill again, so we tried the Mirena.  Two months ago, my mood took a major nose-dive and hasn't improved. I need to talk to my psychiatrist, and I'm pretty sure she's going to ask about the Mirena as a possible cause. However, I think it's not the Mirena because the 'bad mood' is constant -- not tied to my menstrual cycle like it was on the Pill. But, I wanted to get y'all's thoughts, too.

Someone posted a similar question over on IUD-Divas (http://iud-divas.livejournal.com/3031901.html) and I'll follow that thread, but wanted to cross-post here in case there are Mirena users here who have thoughts, too.

An aside--thanks for your reassuring words re: my friend with the breast lump.  It was really helpful.  They found she had a calcified mass in there (!!!) so she's having a needle biopsy on Monday.  But, again, I appreciate all of your support.

Comments

[dkwgdk.livejournal.com]

I do have a regular cycle. I've always been really regular, and neither the Pill nor the Mirena has changed that. I am getting so much relief from my period symptoms (pain, heavy bleeding) that I'm reluctant to give up the IUD. But, yeah, if it's making me suicidal (that's the case now), then I need to get rid of it.

[kaberett.livejournal.com]

Hrmm. Like I said, I did still experience fluctuations in mood associated with hormones, but I seem to be sensitive to all forms of progesterone; it might just be that you don't get on well with the one in the Mirena. :-s

May I ask what's been ruled out as causes of your pain and bleeding? I *might* be able to suggest useful medications, but obviously that's affected by what it's safe for you to take, what illnesses you know you don't have, etc.

For what it's worth, I was similarly bad on the Mirena and was much, MUCH better within 3 days of having it removed.

[dkwgdk.livejournal.com]

I do not have: endometriosis, polyps, fibroids, Von Willebrand's disease, adenomyosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, STIs, or PCOS. I've had saline ultrasounds, regular ultrasounds, and a full panel of bloodwork.

My only health problems are hypothyroidism (managed with meds), a history of migraines, being overweight despite being really active, and having this horrific depression. I take a mood stabilizer called Lamictal that there is some anecdotal evidence causes heavy bleeding. However, I've had heavy bleeding my whole life...it's just gotten worse in the last few years...by 'worse' I mean I went from having several days where I soaked through super-plus tampons in two or three hours to having several days where I soaked through super-plus tampons in less than an hour.