depression vs pms

[CALAMERO]

I have suffered depression on and off following the birth of my daughter 10 years ago. I have recieved counseling and been on and off medication over that period. I am resigned to taking anti-depressents from now on as I seem to be well for the most part and dread the relapses. A year ago I had a Mirena Coil fitted as my periods had become very heavy following the birth of my son. (I had put up with it for a couple of years but as a teacher you cannot simply excuse yourself from the classroom and if any of you have experienced flooding, nothing short of roof insulation will stop it finding a way through!) The bleeding has all but disappeared and I suppose I should be celebrating but the side-effects (horrific PMS, lower back and joint pain, chronic fatigue) have been terrible and seem to be getting worse. I have just had my third visit to the GP to try to have it removed and they are very reluctant to do it - on two occasions they increased my dose of medication till I am now on the maximum and I went on to have the worst Christmas that I can remember. I explained all this to the GP and still she tried to talk me out of it. She said that the bleeding would come back and surely that would be worse - there speaks a woman who has never suffered from depression and the impact that has on everyone around you. I would rather have the ruined undies than this, so I have insisted that it be removed. I'd love to know if anyone out there has had a similar experience and what the outcome was

[grumpier]

I have just read your experience with disbelief. My story is so similar; after the birth of my first 6 years ago, I have dabbled with a host of anti depressents, natural remedies, and counselling, all to no avail. I had the Mirena Coil fitted just under 3 years ago and things are terrible - not having a proper cycle it is hard to say if it is pmt, but my god is it terrible when it happens. I feel completely worthless and suicidal thoughts do pop into my head. No doctor seems willing to say that the Mirena has anything to do with it, but I am at a loss to know what to do. I cant keep on feeling like this every month.