Alesse symptoms and conditions

I loved alesse when i was on it then the pharmacist changed it to aviane and i told my mom they gave me the wrong one so she called and they told her it was the same thing. well since i ve been on it i ve been so sick. nausea, headaches, and tired all the time- no matter how much i sleep or how much medication i take to try and make myself feel better i don't. its horrible and i have an appointment Monday to switch to yaz but i really don't want yaz, i m hoping i can just get the normal alesse that i was on before cause i had no problems what so ever with it.

I loved alesse when i was on it i has no problems, but then the pharmacy gave me the generic alesse (aviane) and i have had every problem you can think of while on mainly headaches and very, very nausea.

I've been taking Alesse since I was 15 (I'm 24 now), and my pharmacy switched me to Aviane as the generic last year. Since I was switched, I put on at least 30 pounds, look and feel bloated no matter what I do, and my face has suddenly sprouted bad T-zone acne. I had NO PROBLEMS when I was on Alesse, but thanks to the generic, I look like a fat, bloated, walking pimple! I went off of it for a month thinking I wasn't going to be sexually active -- lost a good ten pounds and looked/felt GREAT -- and now that I have a new partner went back on it... in just a week, I've gained seven pounds, my face looks really bloated, the acne is back, and I'm EXHAUSTED from doing nothing. My appetite is like a grizzly bear too. This is the WORST pill on the market, girls. Try something else. I'm going to Planned Parenthood and asking for a prescription for Yaz... don't have insurance at the moment, so it might be expensive (compared to the $25/generic Aviane), but at this point I couldn't care less if I start looking and feeling better! Girls, I advise you to STAY AWAY FROM THIS PILL.

I am 45 years old. I get the impression many of the ladies here are younger, as they speak of having younger children, so I will tell my side from a bit more "mature" (ie older!) perspective:

Had Mirena for a little over 9 months. My two MAIN side effects were a development of terrible cystic acne on my face, back, shoulders, hairline, behind my ears and straight down my spine, ending in a nice lovely rash just above my tailbone. These things were deep, solid knots under the skin, not average little pimples. Worse acne I've ever had, and at my age too!

Second, profuse sweating under my breasts and lower back, again just at my tailbone, right above my butt. After drying off from a shower, I'd run my hand back there and still feel soaked. This did not seem related to hot flashes. Just sweating, and I think that contributed to the acne, which was beginning to leave scars it was so deep.

I do feel like I gained weight, my pants were much tighter and I just felt bloated all the time.

Fortunately, no hair loss or emotional side effects. I've had anxiety for years and take Ativan (lorazepam) which keeps it pretty much under control. No loss of sex drive either. It seems there are a distinct set of side effects, and some get them in different combination than others, but we're ALL getting them one way or the other!

OBGYN said as the Mirena is only progesterone, I was missing the estrogen which were the 2 components of the pill I took for years with no trouble. He gave me a Rx for a low dose of estrogen. Now I am getting what I had in the pill in 2 separate forms, and having these awful side effects on top of it. It didn't help.

So I had Mirena removed 6 days ago. Luckily he found the strings, told me to cough, and pulled it out, no pain! I immediately went back on Alesse BC pill that same day, so no break in hormones, but I handled the BC pill fine all those years, so I"m just going back on it. Have been bleeding ever since removal, but I figure that is just my body "getting back at me" for not having periods for months. My first real one, due in about 3 weeks following the pill schedule will probably be the period from hell. Ok, I accept that. My uterus wants to get this poison toxic mess out of me, and I'm ok with that.

I'm crossing my fingers that I will miss the "crash" I've read so much about. As it seems to be mostly psychological, and I didn't have those side effects to begin with, maybe it won't be so bad, or at all. Of course that could just be wishful thinking on my part! So far, 6 days of having it out of me and I already feel 100% better! My face cleared up in a matter of days. The sweating stopped immediately. My pants are looser, although I still weigh the same. The bloated feeling is gone. I just feel thinner. Before, my profile in the mirror looked like I was 4 months pregnant! That too is going down quick. Good luck to all who have it removed. Things can only get better!

And don't let any doctor tell you you can't have it out! It's your body! You can demand whatever you want, especially if you feel like it is making you sick! Do not take no for an answer. You don't even owe them an explanation. Just a "Sorry, it's not for me..." at the most.

Good luck to all....

I started taking Aviane on Sunday, and i have been on it for 4 day now. just in the 4 days i have become a NUT CASE. i warn every girl not take this birth control. I was fun, loving. optimistic person and after I took it, I have been very irritable, borderline depressed, and very sensitive. There is no good outcome to this birth control. Hopefully I'm not pregnant, stupid birth control!

I was on Alesse for years and did fine with it, then took a pill break. When I decided to go back on the pill for my PCOS, I wanted Alesse but was told they don't make it anymore so I am forced to take Aviane. Since I started taking Aviane 4 months ago, I have gained 5-10 pounds, feel bloated and heavy, have no sex drive, and just feel kind of "blank" a lot of the time emotionally. I wish I could get Alesse back!

I was on Alesse for 3 years with no troubles except the occasional acne breakout. I got switched to Aviane a year ago and I hate it. I just went back to Alesse for several reasons.

1: My blood pressure rose from 110/70 to 160/80 in the year I was on Aviane. I'm only 24 and although I am overweight, my blood pressure has always been on the low side of normal. In the week I went off Aviane, my blood pressure dropped to 145/70. It's still high but it had gone down in just a week. My doctor's handling of this prompted me to switch doctors, too- instead of recommending I lose a bit of weight, he just prescribed a blood pressure medication which can't be taken with birth control pills.

2: Mood swings. Big time. I used to work in fast-food and having 20-30 customers lined up wouldn't bother me on the Alesse, but on Aviane I was really short with my coworkers and if we got a busy rush, I'd get cranky in about 3 orders. Not to mention, I'm a veterinary nurse and sometimes you just can't save an animal no matter how hard you try. Normally I have a very thick skin and I could leave work issues at work. I noticed, and so did my boss, that I would be very depressed and near the point of tears if we had to give bad news, whereas before I would be professional but sympathetic, as opposed to nearly breaking down in front of clients now.

3: Decreased sex drive. I'm glad I'm not the only person with this problem but it caused a LOT of trouble between myself and my ex. I used to have a high libido and now...I might be aroused once or twice per month.

4: Migraines. I'd usually get them once or twice a year, depending on how stressful work was, but now I get them if I spend more than 2-3 hours at any activity. It sucks to get a migraine when you're fishing!

5: Sleeplessness/insomnia & restlessness. I put those two together because when I DO get to sleep, I toss and turn and I'm fidgety all day. I might get to sleep at 3 AM and I have to be up by 6 AM. On my days off, I might get to sleep by 5 AM and not get out of bed until 11 or 12. I've got no energy at all and it takes me a long time to be really aware of what's going on around me.

I think the only reason I've lost weight on this pill is because I've stepped up my workout routine to get some energy. Otherwise, I'm sure I'd have gained weight. I'm relieved to find that I'm not the only woman having troubles with Aviane.

Well I've been on Yasmin for about 8 months, was on Tri-cyclen (Give me really bad IBS and I had massive stomach aches every morning), The Patch (I was on the patch for about a year to 2 years and I stopped because I got my period and it didn't stop for 2 months) and Alesse (I had a little bit of depression).
So, I'm 21 now and Have been taking birth control since I was 15, I got my period when I was 12 and it was always regular so I just took birth control not to have kids.

So, the major symptom I've been having is depression (anxiety), I feel like I'm bi-bolar. I feel lonely all the time when I shouldn’t be because I’m not alone. Yesterday I had a horrible fight with my b/f for no reason at all. After I calmed down I realized I had accused him of something that wasn’t even plausible and told him several times I was going to kill myself, and I had huge impulses to cut myself like I did when I was depressed at 15. I thought about all this and was like wtf, this isn’t right, this isn’t me. I loved life before and now I just don’t care about anything, don’t want to do anything ever. I don’t even get excited for stuff I used to love.

The second symptom is impulsion and paranoia; My b/f is the sweetest guy ever and has never given me a reason to think he’s doing anything to hurt me but I continue to hurt his feelings by accusing him of stuff he would never even think I’m doing and I think I’m pushing him away. I was never ever like this. I quit smoking about a year ago and don’t need it at all anymore. I see my b/f a lot and I get more than enough time to spend with him, well the other week he wanted to stay home and play some video games alone, well I wouldn’t take no for an answer and ended up going, buying smokes and smoking a lot. I don’t get upset like that.

I’ve been crying at least twice a week for no reason or the stupidest reasons. Before I would cry for a reason when something upset me but I now feel like I’m always on the verge of tears and was never like this before, songs that shouldn’t make people cry make my eyes water. I’m always thinking about myself and woe is me and then I cry about that. It’s stupid I never did that before and don’t want to do it now.

I was 115 lbs from when I was 14 until I was 20 and now that I’ve been on Jasmin I’m 130lbs and look like I gained the weight in my stomach because I’m bloated all the time. It was a very unhealthy weight gain and if this was my only symptom I would be alright with it but it’s not.

I’ve also noticed having frequent urination. It sucks when you’re getting intimate and you have to stop in the middle to make sure you use the washroom so it doesn’t hurt if it pushes on your bladder. Sometimes it feels like every ½ to 1 hour I have to pee, other times it’s more like 4 hours or something more normal.

Well, I’m going to the doctor this week, to switch pills, I’ve been thinking about going on Seasonale or Tri-cyclen Lo, I trust my doctors opinion and will ask him what he thinks, if nothing works I’ll just go off birth control all together and use a condom.

I've been on birth control since my early 20's and now I'm 39. My most current bc was Diane 35 which was not bad. I was scared about the risks of using birth control after the age of 35 so changed to a lower form of birth control-Aviane. Was suppose to have Alesse but was given the generic Aviane. I've gained weight so most likely due to my bad habits, old age due to a lower metabolism. I'm sure I'm at my max weight of 120. I've been feeling horrible in the dressing rooms when I'm trying on clothes and my stomach seems to be more "muffin top" than normal. Also, feel very bloated all the time...thus, a spa rep had asked me how many months I was(might have been the type of top I was wearing but...) I just went on the scale at a gymn I was trying out and to my shock I had gained 10 pounds? I haven't eaten that much different lately...is it Aviane? I think it's time for me to get off bc..

Hi There :)
I went to the doctor 2 days ago and was prescribed alesse, but the pharmacy gave me aviane instead, as my mom's health insurance only covers generic brands. Now I have a 3 month prescription sitting in front of me, and after reading about all of these negative experiences, I don't know what to do! this is my first pill (I'm 17 - 18 soon) and I really don't want any negative side effects. My main reasons for going on the pill were skin problems, and that I have horrible cramps that put me out of commission for 1-2 days every month.

I cannot believe I happened to find this page today!! Thank GOD!!

I was looking up reasons for being exhausted and irritable (which I feel I am ALL the time lately) and thought- maybe it has to do with my birth control pill. After reading these posts it sounds to me that it does!

I have been taking Aviane for 10 months now- prescribed Alesse after the birth of my daughter but was given Aviane by the pharmacy because it is a generic that is supposed to be the same as Alesse. I have been depressed, irritable, unable to sleep, overly exhausted, spotting for 3 weeks, and am beginning to gain some weight. I brushed the depression off because I thought it was my hormone levels returning to normal after the pregnancy. Unless I have postpartum depression (which I don't feel I do) then my hormones should have stabilized by now!

As for the weight gain- I'm not eating any differently than usual- maybe less do to the stress of being in school part time, being a mom and wife, and working, so this gain is not typical for me. Generally, when I'm stressed I lose a few pounds.

My irritability is out of control! Since I've been on Aviane I have been angry and mean. My reactions feel out of control. I can't count the times I've told my husband that I don't know why I'm acting the way I am and that I feel my "freak outs" are beyond my control. I have destroyed some of my husband's personal property as well as my own during fits of rage. When I pull myself outside of these situations I say to myself- who the hell is that person because It's not me. I used to be very laid back, easy going, and rarely angry in the past.

Every night I wake up at least 3 times on my own. My daughter sleeps through the night so I can't attribute my lack of sleep and night waking to her. I can't seem to get through the day without a nap. Sometimes I take two because I feel so tired.

All of these behaviors are so uncharacteristic to me. Before I had my daughter I was a competitive soccer player and enjoyed running, hiking, and biking. I traveled the country working as an archaeology field tech where I would work 10-12 hours outside all day, sometimes walking 4 miles or more a day in the hot summer sun. I enjoyed life and was light hearted and funny. I would never raise my voice to the people I care and never considered myself someone with a temper. Sadly, for the last 4 months I have been walking through life wondering what is the matter with me and wondering why I couldn't get myself together. I never even thought to research the side effects of my pill!!

Thank You EVERYONE for posting your thoughts or problems because it has helped me to see that maybe this pill isn't for me!! I am going to stop and will post again in a few months to let people know if my life has changed for the positive since quitting this monster of a pill.

Seems like we're all in the same boat. I'm 43 and the Loestrin makes me breakout horribly, I scar very easily so now I get to deal with that. It happens in the first week of every month so I tried over the counter acne products, it helps keep it ay bay but the scars from it are just bad, now more money to spend to fix that. Mood swings?! Look out, I can't be around anything or anyone, I live in a neighborhood with a lot of kids and barking dogs and just want to duct tape their mouths shut, that's how aggravated I get, which starts at the mid to end of week 2 of the pills. My periods are pretty much non-existent but I've always had light periods so that doesn't bother me at all, yeah the loss of sex drive is bad too, plus being all bloated and huge now-AAHH!!!
I gained weight, could eat a house and not be satisfied, depression, etc. I'm trying Alesse, or the generic of that next, whatever is covered by the insurance, I told my doc I can't take it anymore, the loestrin she could give me a lot of sample packs for because my insurance won't cover that specific brand and $60 a month for them being unemployed now is really out of the question. I can only hope for the best on the Alesse.
Only advice I can give to anyone with the depression factor, try to work out, go for a long walk, it really helps too.
Good luck everyone and hang in there!!!

I understand there is a lot of negativity surrounding this drug, and although I read a lot of similar stories before filling my prescription, I started taking Yaz. Since I have started my period, I have suffered extreme back pain, moodiness, cramping, bloating and a flow so heavy I would go through a super tampon almost every hour. So when I was 14 I started on Alesse. It helped a little with the bleeding and did nothing for my pain. I am now 20 years old and just switched to Yaz. My life has changed. For the first time in 8 years I feel no cramping, bloating, nausea, back pain or diarrhea that was associated with my period. My flow is much lighter. My moods are completely stable and my sex drive has improved. Not to mention my skin is in perfect condition. I have the energy I have always wanted at this time of the month and finally I can get myself out of bed (I have missed school because of my pain). For some, this drug may not help. But for others, like me, it can change your life. I am so happy...maybe it has something to do with actually having PMDD symptoms. If you do not have PMDD maybe this drug will backfire. I don't know. But for now, I am so grateful for Yaz.

I was on NuvaRing for about 3yrs, decreased sex drive, very dry,ruined my sex life, stomach sick only the day after I put the ring back in...but no weight gain and no acne. I asked my dr. for another option with low estrogen because I get very nausea, she put me on Lutera. (the generic for Alesse 28) My sex drive has increased, no dryness at all which is good, but I have been on it for 2 months now and I have noticed a couple of pairs of my jeans don't fit. I eat very healthy and work out 4-5 days a week...so I was trying to think of what I have changed in the last couple of weeks...and the pill it is! Its got to be...my husband is upset because he doesn't want me to go off the pill, but I am so bloated sometimes that it even makes me feel pregnant! (and I have taken tests and I'm not) Does anyone have any advice on IUD? No hormones is prob better, do you feel the IUD during sex? Please help before I gain 10 lbs!!!

I was on Alesse for years to regulate my hormones and it worked very well. The pharmacy automatically changed it to Aviane when this product came out. For the first few months I didn't notice any changes in me, but during a physical my doctor told me that many of her patients were going back to Alesse because of problems with Aviane. I guess I forgot about what she said for a while because I was fine, but since then my periods alternate between almost no cramps/no flow one month, to unbearable cramps and super heavy flow the next month. I get many pimples one or two weeks a month on my face and chest (on Alesse I would always get just one face pimple per cycle), I am nauseous two weeks a month (last month I called in sick for two days in a row because of it), most of the time I have a dull pain behind my eyes, and around the 3rd week of each cycle I have horrible personal itch issues, sometimes leading to yeast infections. I had a light bulb moment yesterday, realizing that this could all be due to Aviane. I am going back to Alesse no matter the cost.

I feel like such an idiot. I'm usually so careful about new things. When I was prescribed Alesse 3 years ago I researched all the side effects, but I never had a problem. About a year ago, my pharmacy offered me Aviane, and since the pharmacist told me it was exactly the same as Alesse I figured I might as well save a few bucks. I trusted the pharmacist, and never thought to research the side effects since I believed it was the same. Now I know I was so wrong. I never connected the side effects until recently. I have noticed thinning hair around my temples for about 6 months, and it wasn't until I googled that expecting to find that its a normal part of aging (even though I'm only 25) that I came across so much about Aviane. Then reading everyone else's experiences, I realized I hadn't connected all the other side effects to this generic brand. I had rapid weight gain the first 3 months and have been unable to lose it no matter what I do. The depression, low sex drive, acne, and practically constant yeast infections I think now are all connected to Aviane. After reading this yesterday, I went straight to my pharmacy and switched back to Alesse. Even though it cost me $25 with my health plan (2 years ago it only cost $6 so I wonder if my plan pays less because of the cheaper alternative) I don't care, I just want to be healthy and sane again. Thanks for sharing your stories, they made me realize there was a problem and I can't wait to start my new pack tomorrow and see what happens.

*JENN*

I thought that all the problems I've had the last 3 months that I've been on Yaz were unrelated....I thought between stress, IBS, my job as a teacher, and being a single mother, that all my problems are just stress. I've been on the pill for three months. I am taking the pill to help with adult acne and mood swings. I really think that it has helped both of those things. However, the last month I have noticed some symptoms and I think that maybe I can tie them all to yaz???? Here's the list:
Headaches
Weight gain
Muscle cramps
Extreme GI problems (worse than my normal IBS)
Blanking out (short time frames where I do weird things and I don't remember them). Is this a symptom? I haven't read about this one. I'm scared to death I have some mental disease or something! Anyone else have this problem? I am so scared that I've lost my mind and have gone crazy.
Night mares
Anxiety
Panic attacks (I think)
Abnormal heart beat

thank all of you ladies for actually coming forth and helping out your fellow womanly community with posting your issues.

i found this board as i was currently freaking out that i might be pregnant due to the fact that i barely got my period this month. I was not told by my doctor at all that this would be a side effect.

All I can say is that i was on Alesse for years and years and never had a problem or side effect once. They no longer carry the name brand anymore in the US and the generic has a different formula that makes me have the worst PMS ever. I'm going to have to get my name brand Alesse from now on from Canada. No more of this Loestrin stuff for me.

Let me start by saying WOW ... I've been on AVIANE now for roughly 6 months or more yet have been on Try cyclin and Alesse in the past. I went in expecting to get Alesse, came home to notice it was Aviane (Pharmacist must have switched without saying anything), didn't think anything of it and just started taking the pills (thinking it doesn't hurt to try a new brand, to not let your body get too immune to a certain kind). However I have had nothing but problems and have finally decided to research it more.

For the first few months, if I were to miss a pill i'd spot for the rest of the month (nothing like having your period for 30 days) ... I've gained at least 15 pounds which is ridiculous as I play for 3 indoor soccer teams, bounce on my trampoline daily and can not seem to shed any pounds (only gain).

I'm waking up frequently throughout the night, have had heart palpitations, my hair is thinning, have had more yeast infections in the past 6 months than I've had in my life, etc... Luckily my sex drive hasn't decreased (thank god) but I have noticed its more painful during sex (vaginal dryness) and now reading all these posts things are starting to make A LOT more sense.

Luckily as well i'm able to control the irritability and depression however it does come quite frequently.

OH also not to mention the acne, I wash my face twice daily and seem to be getting acne quite often.

Other symptoms i'm experiencing are:
Dry mouth, no motivation (even to play sports and that's a passion of mine), lack of confidence, bloating, increased hunger, heart palpitations, memory loss, etc...

I'm going to look at switching IMMEDIATELY!!
Thanks girls for all your posts ... helped me figure out what my symptoms were caused from :) Good luck to all you!

I started taking Aviane maybe a week ago and i've never felt like this in my entire life. At work yesterday I just wanted to snap at everyone, and today i woke up with a horrible headache. I'm dizzy all the time, my vision is is weird, I'm getting pains and numbness in my right leg and arm, I feel very weak, I'm getting very bad pains in my chest and shortness of breath, i'm nauseated and I'm so grumpy and sad all the time. Today i've wanted to just cry for no reason. This was bothering me so i looked up the side effects on the package and i have most of the severe side effects. This scares me so much ! I stopped talking birth control almost a year ago because i was very forgetful, i was on alesse, so this time they gave me this pill because it was cheaper (even though i am fully covered) I was concerned and questionable about it but the assured me that it was the same as alesse just generic. well i'm going to stop talking it as of now and going back to my doctor.

When I first started taking Alesse I did have nausea for about one week. That was the least of my problems.
I became such a basket case! I cried at everything (both happy and sad movies) and wanted to hurt anyone around me (including myself). I actually felt suicidal at times, even though I'd never ever seriously consider it. This was extreme depression, despite being happier than ever with my boyfriend. It was so confusing. I would burst into tears randomly...and on the last day of taking the pill, (only two days ago!) I burst into tears in public. It was very embarrassing!
I gained ~10lbs during the first month. My appetite had no end to it. I pretty much had all the symptoms of pregnancy, minus breast tenderness. My Dr. scared me and told me I needed a pregnancy test. Luckily, I'm not pregnant.
I developed these painful, red bumps on my shins. At first it looked like bruises, now the Dr. says it's from the pill (but he wouldn't tell me what it was). Now I'm worried about blood clots and the like. I've heard of other women having these symptoms. So, it's not just me.
Finally, I had a lot of trouble sleeping at night. I'd wake up randomly, feeling as though I was high on caffeine, and not be able to relax for ~30mins afterwards. By the time the alarm went off, I was exhausted. I just had mono this past year, and losing sleep weakens me even more now.
Not only is Alesse totally wrong for me, but I'm changing doctors. If you know your symptoms are from the pill, find another one. It's NOT worth ruining your life. Thankfully my boyfriend is understanding!

I haven't had ANY problems taking Aviane. I've been on it for almost 4 months now. I don't know why everyone else is having so many problems with it? Aviane has actually decreased my appetite of sweets, which has made me lose about 10lbs. My Period only last about 3 days, and it's way lighter than what it was w/o BC. Also, Aviane helped my face acne A LOT! I was on a different BC before this and it made me EXTREMELY crabby/mood swings and it didn't help with the bleeding..it made it worse. I'm satisfied with Aviane and recommend it to anyone.

I took Alesse 3 years ago with no problems, Aviane is horrible. I've been on it for a week, thought I'd tough it out. Forget it. Anxiety, increased heart rate, irritability, depression, negativity, intense nausea and heartburn, weight gain, increased hunger, insomnia, bloating, dry eyes...you name it. The only issue is that I can't find brand-name Alesse anymore, pharmacies say it hasn't been produced since 2007, is this true? Anyone know if or where it's available? Some of you are writing in 2008 and seem to be taking Alesse, any help is appreciated!

I have been taking Aviane for a month now. I have noticed extreme fatigue and more irritability than normal. I am 22 and have not had the best luck with birth control in the past but it is suggested that I take it as I have already had one ovary removed due to ovarian torsion. BC can help prevent more cysts from forming. This pill was given to me in place of Alesse which is what my Dr. prescribed to me. I am so discouraged with how tired I am. I have lost all motivation to work out which is something I normally enjoy very much. Last night i picked up another pack of pills for this month, but after reading all of this I am very hesitant to even take them. After a week of Aviane I go my period unexpectedly in the middle of my pack of pills, which has never happened to me. I had planned to just skip the week of sugar pills since I had juts had my period for a week or so, but now I think I will just stop taking them which I know is not a good idea. I just can't stand to feel this exhausted all the time anymore. It is making my life so much more difficult than it needs to be, and not to mention that I feel sad and hopeless and can not understand why. Yesterday I woke up and just started crying! This is not normal...even if it is a new pill and my body is not used to it yet.

My pharmacy switched me from Alesse to Aviane because my insurance company will only cover generic brands if available. I was hesitant at first but the pharmacist assured me that they were the same. After a week of taking them, I started to have panic attacks in the evenings, difficulty breathing, face would start to tingle and feel numb, and was very irritable during the day. I would start to feel really tense and annoyed during meetings to the point that my body felt like it was vibrating.

I couldn't think of any other valid reasons as to why I was experiencing these symptoms over the past week because nothing else in my life has changed. My life is very stress free. I decided to look online to see if these symptoms were related to Aviane and was very comforted to see that a number of people experienced the exaxt same type of symptoms.

After informing my doctor of the switch, she rewrote me a prescription indicating 'no subsitituions' so my insurance company will cover them. I've never had a reaction like this to any type of medication before, I'm glad that's all it was. Thanks everyone for your posts!