Drastic increase symptoms and conditions

I've had my Mirena in for about a month now, and honestly, it hasn't given me any problems. Of course I had cramps in the first week, and spotting for the first 3 months or whatever...but I can truly say that I love this birth control, and I hope not to get the negative side effects like most of these women. If you are considering the Mirena for birth control, talk with your doctor. If you have problems, talk with your doctor...if you're pissed off because you feel like you wasted your money, maybe you should take a second to think about it...neither you nor your doctor can look into a crystal ball to find out how something will effect you. But please, if you are considering the Mirena, don't decide against it because what a bunch of middle-aged women (with less than healthy reproductive systems) said. I'm 20 years old, and this IUD is a blessing.

I'm only 26 years old and have been on yasmin for a little over a year now. Before yasmin, I was on Orthotricylen and on Orthotricyclen-lo before that. My OBGYN kept switching my pills because after a year or so on one, my period would come before I was even finished the active pills. My doctor said it was because the hormones weren't "strong enough" for my body or something to that effect. I'm not good with science or medical things, so I've just gone along with her advice. I've been on BC since I was 18, so this is 8 years now I've been on chemical hormones, and I'm starting to think I need to stop. I'm willing to deal with severe menstrual cramps if it means getting my normal life back in order. I felt okay with the ortho pills, so I never though in a million years that Yasmin could be making me miserable. I used to be the nicest, happiest, and most optimistic person you'd ever want to meet, and lately, I've been depressed, moody, extremely fatigued (even with a full night's sleep), have lost interest in sex and don't even like being touched sometimes, and I've been anxious about everything-my job, my relationship, my investments, my family. I almost feel as if I don't know my old self anymore. I don't have fun anymore and I have a lack of interest in seeing a lot of people sometimes. I just want to sleep or be alone. I feel bad because my fiance is the one suffering. I feel bad that I have no libido anymore, and he's been extremely supportive of me through my depression/mood swings. I'm so glad he hasn't run for the hills with the way I've changed so suddenly. He has definitely noticed that I'm not myself. I've never before felt like this. I also have a sneaking suspicion that my IBS(irritable bowel syndrome) is connected to Yasmin. I was diagnosed with it just around the same time I began taking Yasmin. In addition, (without giving too much information!), I've noticed a drastic increase in vaginal disharge to the point where I'm wearing little panty liners on a daily basis to keep feeling "fresh." Concerned about this sudden increase of secretions, I went to my OBGYN (actually, I went 2 times for the same thing). She assured me that it wasn't an infection or anything and ran tests to be sure and all checked out fine. She just said that my body "naturally" produces more discharge. Well, I'm beginning to think that that's a load of crap--never before did I experience the heavy daily discharge before Yasmin and I hate feeling "uncomfortable." I don't know anyone else who has to wear liners everyday to feel "fresh." Has this happened to anyone else on Yasmin? I read through many posts and no one else mentioned this. I'm so glad that I'm not alone in most of my side effects, and I plan on seeking medical advice from my OBGYN (who I'm beginning to lose faith in) AND also I plan on seeking advice from my regular family Doctor. I have about 3 active pills left... and after that I'm stopping this pill. I'll revert to strickly condom usage to avert pregnancy and get away from these horrible pills! I can't imagine what damage has been done to my body... I just hope it can be undone!

since taking Femcon, i've experienced a drastic increase in acne. I never broke out, even as a teenager, and now i have acne all the time, except for the week where i skip my pills to get my period. i'll be switching birth controls, thank you.

I've been using the NuvaRing for about nine months. I had used it about 3 yrs ago for a 1.5 yr period. At first I noticed similar symptons to the first time that I used it- very intolerant to alcohol, slightly depressed, naseaus frequently. But wasn't too concerned- I have a number of stomach problems, so I though that it just was agrivating that, and didn't worry too much. Then last month, my period came 20days after the previous, for about 15 days, with extreme itchness around my vulva. (Before going on the ring I would get my period every 33-35 days for about 3 days-no cramping, which increased to 30days/8-9 day length with light cramping on the ring) Now again, 13 days after I put a new Ring in I got my period again- really heavy. I'm going to try and see my gyno this week about it.
The most concerning thing is that my Cholesterol has increased 30 pts since last year- I'm practically vegan- only eating cheese on a rare ocassion, an active rock climber and road biker, and eat less cheese then last year, so it's a drastic increase. Also, my Triglyceride level was high- which I have never experienced before.
Also- about 4 months into using the ring I had an ovarian cyst pop in me. It was a random occurance that I ended up in the ER for and had never had anything like that occur before- can't say for-sure if it's related, but it was really scary and I couldn't move for about a month of my life.

This might seem strange, but I've noticed a drastic increase in my sex drive since I've begun taking it a month ago. Anyone else?

I am the person who posted the above message about kidney pain as a bad side-effect of N. use for fibromyalgia -- I use the drug for muscle pain, and to get to sleep at night -- and am at the point of trying to lower the dose, as well as wean myself off of it, before permanent damage can happen to my kidneys (and I hate the brain-fog).

Some research into the chemical and physical effects of the med lead me to believe that it works by helping the kidneys take a certain substance out of the blood stream -- the same way that dialysis works for kidney-failure, so definately Neurontin will affect the operation of the kidneys (see posting on "husband taking it for prostate problems" -- is this because of problems urinating?).

There have NOT been any studies on how Neurontin works -- or dangers/side-effects of the drug --for any other use besides epileptic seizures. If a person is experiencing bad side-effects he or she should immediately contact the doctor who prescibed it and ask for a different med, or for the dosage to be reduced (don't just stop taking it, which is what a lot of people do about bad side-effects -- that could be dangerous.). Such use makes a patient a guiney-pig for research, and the makers of Neurontin have been under attack for aggressively pushing it for what are called "off-label" uses.

If the doctor won't listen to you about this, find another one. IT'S YOUR BODY and no one knows better how you feel inside of it. Also you could experiment with withdrawing yourselve from high levels of the dosage, or asking that the amount of the med in the rx be reduced...fast- withdrawal sometimes causes seizures (as I understand it) and of course you have the complete right to ask a doctor to listen to your symptoms and needs.

Also if you're a person who notices bad effects in a child or a spouse you should make it an urgent project to point the bad effects out to the doctor, to become an advocate for the person who cannot do it. Good luck. JanK in Portland OR (and I am not a doctor, just a person with a lot of experience in surviving the American health system.)