Getting off the pill symptoms and conditions

I am so glad I found this site. I'm 42 and the doc put me on these stupid pills because of ovarian cysts. The first few days were fine but by day 4 I had awful stomach and lower back pains and by day 9 I had leg pain. I have had awful insomnia which I NEVER had before. One other thing that I thought was odd I woke up in the middle of the night soaking wet, like I had peed myself but it wasn't urine. I thought I was really sick and then out of curiosity I googled these pills and was shocked at what I found. I will stop taking them tomorrow, it's not worth it. The body and joint aches are awful not to mention the bloating. I look like I'm 5 months pregnant. I wish I had seen this site at the first sign of my symptoms because I would have stopped right away. I was really starting to think I was going crazy.

I feel like i'm gasping for air...shortness of breath... heavy chest ...

5 weeks into taking yasma & I'm done!!!

this is scarey

Yeah I don't know why physicians just put us on this Aviane because its "cheaper" than Alysse. Mine told me it was basically the same thing but it's obviously not because I've been breaking out in zits like crazy ever since I went on it. I also got harsh mood swings, intense fits of anger (broken furniture can attest to this) and it comes completely randomly; one tiny thing can set me into a fit of rage. I had previously been using Alysse since I was 16 (I'm now 22) and it worked perfectly - didn't have harsh breakouts, my moods were normal, didn't gain weight. I've been taking Aviane for more than six months now and the zits (which are often huge and painful) haven't gone away :( I wash my face day and night, haven't changed my diet at all... So I can only assume it's because of hormonal changes - which only leaves Aviane.

I'm definitely switching back to Alysse - hell I'll pay the extra five dollars if it means a clear complexion and my/my boyfriend's sanity!!!

Unfortunately I just went thru a termination of pregnancy 3 weeks ago and the doctor has put me on Loestrin Fe24. I have only been on it 10 days and since day 2 have been "constipated" and bloated. I have lower back pain and feel awful. I went to the hospital because the pain in my abdomen was so bad I thought I had a blockage. The ER doctor asked if I were on the pill but I gave him the wrong information about when I started taking it by accident. But since I have been on the pill is when my "regularity" stopped. I am 33 years old and very active and never had this problem before. Doctor said there was no blockage blood and urine came back fine..No kidney infection nothing....It just occurred to me this morning that everything starting changing when I started this pill. Has anyone else had "bowel issues" since taking this pill?

I have been on Yasmin for 2yrs. now. I went to my doctor recently to check my thyroid out because I've been experiencing hair lose.My thyroid is normal and now I'm thinking about getting off the pill. I'm only 24yrs.old I work out regularly and eat healthy so I know it has nothing to do with my life style.It also seems like my sex drive is not where it should be.

If you don't like having sex, take Yaz... if you want to kill your sex drive completely and then try to force yourself to have sex (it's very painful) take Yaz... if your just trying to take a good birth control that doesn't mess with your moods too much and gives you a light cycle, Yaz is perfect. Unfortunately for me, I started taking it right before I got married. I stopped 2 weeks ago and feel fantastic! Goodbye sexless marriage! FREEDOM!!! Really, though, it's not just Yaz that does that.. almost all birth control pills will. A recent study came out saying that it puts you in pregnancy mode which makes you not only less sexually driven, but also less attracted to your partner. Check it out at ****** in the health section. I'm sticking to condoms... oh, side effect of getting off the pill, SORE nipples... anyone else experience this... I'm worrying a bit about pregnancy....

Hello all! for everyone considering getting off of yaz because of the side effects, from experience i say DO IT!! I took it for about a year and definitely became a different person. I've never been really emotional, i've always been active, and never had many heath problems (fortunately!) - It took me a long time to associate my changes with yaz, because they didn't come suddenly, but became gradually worse after a few months. I started getting worried about everything, and acting irrationally...especially in my relationship. I got insecure, needy and moody, and that obviously didn't help, especially when he was used to being with someone laid back and easy going!! things mattered to me that would never have before. i hate drama, and i just seemed to be causing it! i also gained some weight, but didn't notice that right away either. at one point i began having sharp pains that my doctor said were at my bladder, and i only felt them during sex. I went to two doctors and they couldn't figure out what they were so i just had to deal. they were horribly painful, and i've never had anything like it before, or since. i ended up getting off the pill by accident when i didn't realize my prescription had run out. at this point my boyfriend and i had broken up, and i now know a big part of it was how emotional and irrational i had become. i decided to stay off of it, because i don't medication anyway unless its truly necessary.

I didn't start feeling any different for about three months. i didn't know there would be a completely different set of side effects for coming off of it either!! so about 3 months later i started having these awful stomach pains. i had no idea what it was, i had never felt anything close to it. a friend suggested it was gas but i knew better...it was very odd and lasted almost 2 weeks. i felt nauseous almost every day. i didn't know what was wrong with me! i couldn't find anything exact online, so i planned on seeing a doctor shortly. i lost weight suddenly, and another friend asked me about it. i hadn't changed my diet or activities so i was confused! then i thought....maybe i lost this weight bc of my birth control, and we continued to look up symptoms online. WOW. everything i felt was described perfectly, and many sources said it took about 3 months to get out of your system!

i noticed i felt emotionally stable again too. it was me again! i figured it was relationship probs that made me feel crazy before, but at this point i was able to sit back and think about everything rationally. i think my craziness caused a good amount of them...i cant believe all of the changes i had, and didn't even know it.

anyway, ive been off of yaz for almost a year now and its great. i have a new boyfriend, and everything is great- i'm no emotional wreck, i don't make issues out of nothing, and when we do have an issue we're able to discuss it like normal people. life is much more simple. and its nice knowing the decisions and acts i make are all just bc thats how i am...not because of some medication!!

i know that was long, but hopefully it was helpful :)

I was on Yasmin for 3 years, and just got off it a week ago. I tried 3 different birth control pills before Yasmin, but I cannot recommend any of them. The side effects of the first pill (three-phase pill) were more visible in a short period of time - weight gain, moodiness like crying or feeling edgy for no reason, BV, and decreased sex drive. Because it was not tolerable, after 3 months of this pill (I cannot remember the name), I switched to Min-Ovral. It was better in regards to weight and moods, but I had no sex drive. Also I had several yeast infections (following the initial episode after use of antibiotics to treat BV) after I had sex. After about 6 month of this, pill I tried Alesse but nothing changed. After 6 month of Alesse, I changed to Yasmin. The side effects include
(1) zero sex drive (affected relationship with my husband)
(2) yeast infections and bladder infections (never had either before)
(3) migraine (2-3 times a month, sometimes with nausea)
(4) anxiety (not severe)
(5) fatigue or low energy
Migraine was so bad that I was wasting my time just suffering from pain 2-3 times a month, 1-2 days each time, my husband suggested I should go off the pill. Now I've been off Yasmin for a week (2 weeks including a week between packs) and I've seen 'side effects' getting off the pill.
(1) feel like my head is going to explode - feel pressure in my head
(2) fatigue and sleepiness - can't concentrate
(3) weight gain 6 lb in a week!! while my diet or exercise did not change
(4) bloating especially on my lower stomach
I found this web site and had to post my experience, although it is still too early to tell. I think I will see a doctor if these side effects persist for a month, and will update the post here.
Thanks for reading, and I hope we will find a good solution somehow.

I have been on Femcon Fe for only 2 1/2 weeks. When I started the third week which is a week before the brown pills I got my period. I understand that I need to give the BC time but the way this pill is headed I don't like. Its my first type of birth control and I am upset my GYN put me on it. I hear such wonderful things about Orthro-Tri Cyclen. After reading all of the responses from different women I am nervous things will not get better. Aside from getting my period early which I understand is normal at first because my body is adjusting I also feel very fatigued and mentally slow. My breast are certainly tender as well and I also feel lightheaded. Ladies I am getting off the pill and getting on Ortho. I should have in the first place but the doc really pushed FEMCON-FE. I am beginning to feel that there is some hidden agenda. Maybe they get extra money in promoting one vs the other.

My gyn prescribed this because of my irregular period and acne.
I took this on the second day of my period. Everything was going ok, except for the nausea. Then after 4 days, I developed acid reflux (which I never had before), bloating, lightheadedness, high blood pressure and horrible anxiety and panic attacks. I couldn't eat anything without feeling the bile rise to my throat. Then with all that was happening to me, my anxiety and fear worsened that I made my parents stay with me until I got better. I kept on feeling my heart beating so fast that I almost felt like passing out.
So after one week, I thought it was the pill affecting me instead of a bad stomach virus. Only after two days of getting off the pill, I feel much better. I do not have the bile rising to my throat, but I do burp a bit and can eat. I still feel a little anxious, but am doing much better. I think I would rather keep my irregular periods and facial acne after my bad experience with this pill. I was ok two years ago when I was on other birth control, so now I am reconsidering ever taking any BC again.

I am 20 yrs old and this is my second month on Loestrin 24 Fe. So far I have been experiencing a lot of the same problems everyone else has, no period, but constant spotting. I haven't had too many mood swings but I have noticed that I am a little more emotional than usual. I snap at my boyfriend sometimes over the smallest things. I even got a cyst for the first time! My sex drive has decreased greatly and I tend to be really dry whenever I do have sex with my boyfriend, and of course that is uncomfortable. This month I have noticed a brown discharge or maybe its just the spotting I am not sure. Also I missed one pill this month and I got a mild yeast infection without the burning or itching. This has really effected my sex life with my boyfriend cuz it seems like something is always wrong. I also thought I was pregnant since being on the pill but it was just a false alarm. Loestrin 24 is the first form of birth control I have ever taken in my life because I never wanted to get on it. I didn't think bc was natural or healthy because I felt like if God didn't want women to bleed or get pregnant, we wouldn't. But my boyfriend had talked me into it. Being that this is my FIRST experience, I am almost positive I will be getting off the pill. I haven't gained much weight, maybe about 3 or 4 lbs if that. This pill is horrible and I don't recommend it for anybody!!!!

This is very scary. I cannot believe I have denied myself the reality of all of my health problems being due to the pill. Side chest pain I have had for years.. mood swings.. headaches... and as of late major anxiety. I am def going to try getting off the pill after this pack. God to think for the last 7 years all these symptoms and bad feelings I was having was due to this!! Wow! Thank you all for blogging and for this blog in general!!!

I started taking Yasmin august 07-took it for 3 weeks, 2nd week I felt pressure on my chest, 3rd week there was this day I started feeling pressure on my chest and bad palpitations, I got a little worried and they told me I was having a panic attack, it took 20 minutes for me to calm down. I stopped taking Yasmin that day and have continued to feel sick since. Symptoms since Yasmin have been:severe nervousness, shivering, racing heart especially with activity, chest pressure, pain by me heart, huge decrease in appetite, panic, thoughts I will die, body aches, headaches, slight dizziness sometimes. I've been to ER twice I've also had 2 d-dimer tests positive but no blood clot in my chest or legs and been to doctor about 7 times-she just sent me to psychiatry even though she knows I say the pill caused it. I also have an appt with cardiology tomorrow- and I'm sure they will tell me its in my head as well-its been 5 months I wonder how long my sickness will last.

My birth control problems have been an ongoing problem. . I am a 26 year old nurse. I had been on birth control since about age 16.I was on Ortho tricyclen up until about two and a half years ago. I was noticing that I got nauseated each day around 5 pm when supposedly my hormone level dropped. I would eat and then I would feel better. Now that I think of it, I may have been just a little hypoglycemic. I told my GYN about this and he had me switch to the NuvaRing. I was on that for about 5-6 months when I started to have problems with it. When I had to put it back in after the week out, I would vomit for about 12 hours until my hormone level evened out. After deciding that I was not getting food poisoning each month, and it truly was the ring, I went back to my GYN. He then said that it was too much estrogen for me and prescribed Loestrin 24. I was on that for about 5 months when I started to notice problems. I felt extremely tired all the time. My breasts hurt like hell, and my mood was changing significantly. I was watching TV one night when all of the sudden it felt like someone was just murdered in front of me. I had no idea what was wrong. My husband told me he thought I was having a panic attack. I have never had any problems with anxiety or depression. This happened twice in one week. I had never had any problems with acne, and I looked like I had chicken pox on my back. I was also getting abnormal hair growth. I would cry, and not know why. I then decided that I needed to stop my pills. I called the GYN, and of course they were of no help to me. I then spent about 4-5 months off of BCP's all together. I would still get anxiety the week before my period and then after I started it would get better. I then saw a new GYN who decided it would be good for me to go on Seasonique. I was on that for 5 weeks and all of my symptoms came back. I now have been put on Zoloft to help with my panic attacks. I fight them on a daily basis, and they are more constant than ever before. I truly feel like my hormones are so fucked right now. I have all of these strange thoughts and feel half crazy. I have been to every specialist possible and they all agree that my hormones are out of whack. I am small anyway and have lost about 10 pounds. I only weigh about 98, which is also alarming to me. Okay, well how the hell do you fix all of this without going on another damb pill? I was fitted for a diaphragm and am using that for the time being. I am a smart enough person to know that something is not right. I am seeing a homeopathic specialist this week to try a new approach. I have been to a therapist, and have been tested for everything under the sun. Most frightening was the fact that I was almost put on a beta-blocker. I had a 24 holter monitor for my heart. My median heart rate was in the high 90's. I also had a heart rate that went from 51 to 145 bpm in my sleep. My normal heart rate is in the hig 60's to low 70's. Overall, the Zoloft is starting to help, but I am so angry. I really do feel like we are screwing up our natural chemistry by putting all of these females on hormones. In 20 years or so, we will truly see the effects of what hormone therapy has done to women. It is very scary. I just hope I can get myself evened out. Does anyone have a similar story or any suggestions? Please reply or email me. Any support I can get from other women will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Nurse Billie

I was on Yasmin for 3 years and have recently changed to Ortho Cyclen. My side effects built gradually over time. I became progressively manic every month during the last two active pills. I was starting to think I was crazy. I would cry for no reason, snap at people over nothing; I was super paranoid and highly over sensitive. I'd get violent mood swings that would throw me into a rage that I had never exhibited before - it was to the point my boyfriend was afraid of me and for me during those few days each month. I would get so depressed, I had no value on my life or anyone else and no concept of future or consequences - it was like the end of the world once a month. I was ready to go in for a Psychiatric Evaluation when I told my GYN what I was going through. He said he heard of Yasimin's reputation for causing psychotic aggressive mood swings. I notice a difference within 2 days of getting off the pill. My general mood was improved and I feel back to normal. I've been off the pill for six months without the slightest mood swing. The only thing that hasn't improved, and I think it's a consequence of my new pill, is my libido. My libido decreased the entire time I was on Yasmin, but was still present. Now that I've started Ortho I haven't be interested in the least. In fact, it's painful which only makes the libido lower (as if it were possible). I'm going to GYN again to continue my search for a better pill. My poor boyfriend - sometimes he'd rather have a scary psycho than a passionless non-physical relationship.

I barely got off the pill Microgestin, because of the weight gain and water retention, to have Mirena inserted the beginning of July. It has been nrealy 3 months, and I am still experiencing back pain, water retention, and my chin breaks out with acne every once in a while. I also have been experiencing moderate cramping and a constant slight feeling of being bloated. I was told when this was put in that weight gain was not one of the side effects, weight gain being the main reason for getting off the pill. I have not lost the weight, and it could be a combo of the pill slowly dissipating, or the Mirena does cause weight gain. Anyone else have the weight gain or slight increase in tendency towards water retention??

hi guys,

finding your posts so helpful.
i've been on yasmin for nearly 5 years and its only just dawned on me recently that my:
-anxiety/mood swings/erratic behaviour
-body hair growth
-weight gain
-increase in discharge etcetc
could actually be from the pill!!

i was always so bubbly and strong but i seem to cry now at silly things and i just don't feel myself. i initially went on the pill when i was 17 because my periods were so bad but i'm not sure what to do now... change pill or come off pills altogether?!

i'd love some feedback if any of you have been in a similar position, thanks so much

xxx

I have been on Aviane for a year and a half after switching from Yasmine because of depression. It worked great for this long, but all of a sudden I am experiencing severe anxiety and nervousness...almost to the point of panick attacks. Has anyone else experienced this? My dr. took me off Aviane and wants me to wait a week or two before trying something else...but after almost a week off, I still feel the same? Will it take my body awhile to adjust?

I was on Yasmin 2 different times. After 6 months of being on the pill, I ended up in ICU with acute Gastrointestenal bleeding with no known cause. I went off Yasmin-no more problems. I went back on it 4 years later (not knowing the connection) 6 months after taking it ended up in the hospital with acute GI bleeding. This time I stayed on the pill, still not putting it together. Then my real nightmare began. I almost died from Anemia, I kept having boughts of bleeding, anxiety depression, hypoglycemia, you name it. I wanted help from the DR.'s no help. I wanted help getting off the pill because I was scared. I finally took the plunge, and it was like going to HELL. I would not wish this on any living thing. I became so overtaken with either deep depression, or anxiety, it is only by the grace of God and a few friends and family I am here today. I spent thousands on tests 4x in the hospital, couldn't work, or work out for the pat 3 years. I use to run 3-5 miles a day, and work physically about 6-8 hours everyday. They say the fact I was so healthy saved my life. I have since gained 25 lbs, had Fibromyalgia symptoms, chronic Fatigue symptoms, adrenal gland problems, and never have had another normal period, and now it is gone. No sex drive, vaginal irregularities, lost my hair (it grew back thank God), still have issues with unknown causes. It has been 3.5years since I started the pill, and 2 since I went off it, This pill is straight from Hell. I believe it is ruining women. We need to unite to get it off the market. Has anyone else had their life severily damaged from taking this pill. Words can not express enough the horror I have experienced and the continued pain emotionally, physically and mentally I must go through as I believe and hold faith for full recovery. Let your Doctors know what is happening so they will stop pushing this evil drug. PB

Hey Silke,
Congratulations.
My happiness for you is beyond measure. You truly show us that there's a light at the end of the tunnel, albeit a long and arduous tunnel.
I know I haven't posted in a while, but just to update you, my baby is due next month god willing. (which is a miracle in and of itself as I wasn't ovulating after getting off the pill.) I gained a lot of weight and I believe it's because of the yasmin. I hope that after the baby my body will start healing itself and I will go back to normal, but time will tell.
Good luck and many hugs to you. Your an inspiration to us all.
Regards,
Sherry

Just a question to the ladies off of Yasmin... When did you get your period after getting off the pill. I started taking Yasmin on February 27th and when my period actually stopped was March 27th. So I had my period for a month, cramping & sharp pain in my ankles/feet, bloating & weight gain, insomnia, and along with many other side effects, I decided to stop taking the pill all together. I am hoping that it comes soon. (Never thought I would WANT my period to come, haha!) After taking the pill I am dealing with shooting pain in my legs from my ankle to my thigh on occassion. But everything is getting better atleast! Thanks for the help on my previous inquiry.

My previous side effect post:
"Thu, 09 Mar 2006 15:23:45 -0600 by Guest, #19245

In addition to my post below with longer periods, I am also having a horrible cramping/sharp pain that I get on occassion in my feet. I read someone else had this too.

Thu, 09 Mar 2006 15:20:04 -0600 by Guest, #19244

I've just started taking Yasmin on February 27th 2006. My periods are always normal as far as how long I have them. Usually about 4-5 days MAX. Yasmin was really great for my cramping. I noticed I didnt have any to be honest. But It is now March 9th and I am still heavily on my period. That is 11 days now and it doesn't look like it's getting any lighter. I know it has to be a result of the pill because I have NEVER had this with any other birth control, or even off birth control. I've read alot of people saying they had lighter periods, but has this happened to any others? It is really worrying me. I am also having a horrible time sleeping. I feel tired constantly and I am tossing and turning all through the night. More so I would like to know about the longer periods and if it is normal. "

ANTI-DEPRESSANTS AFTER STOPPING YASMIN? HAS IT WORKED FOR YALL?????

I have a question, I have been on yasmin for over two years and I had severe depression and anxiety, for that reason I have come off of it. I have been of about 5 weeks now. I am still having depression. Before quitting the pill I tried anti depressants and they made me so sick. Has anyone had success using depression medicine after getting off the pill? And if so how soon?

Hi Mollie!!

Well, what I say now might sound a bit strange, but I'M SO HAPPY TO HEAR, WHAT you're DOC said!!! It's so relieving to see, that a doctor is telling you that you could do NOTHING against the weight gain after getting off the pill!!

Believe me, it's much harder to hear things from a doc like "you should eat less" or "you should do everything to come off that weight immediately" and so on!! Because I just know, that I didn't eat too much the last months and I know, that it couldn't be normal to go up 2 dress sizes within just 3 (!) months (it's been 40 lbs I had gained after getting off Yasmin within such a short time!!!) WITHOUT eating cakes and chocolate and big amounts of other food every day.

And that it might last ONE year to get off the weight again I've heard from another woman in another german forum, too!! She also had gained about 40 lbs after getting off a bcp and after about ONE Year everything has eased up and normalized finally!! I can't say how, and if it happens suddenly, but just the hope that it WILL get away some day gives me hope again and gives me more patience again!!

There's really not much doctor's that really admit that getting off a bcp can cause such a weight gain and I'm so happy to hear, that your doctor does!!

All the best wishes and much patience to everyone out there suffering!!

Silke

I am new to this site and am so thankful I found it. I was on Yasmin for 3 years and got off in June '04. Anyway I have gained 10 to 12 lbs and now it's October and the weight hasn't budged. I am so MAD!! Also I just started this last month to break out in acne all over my neck and face.

My doctor was so mad that I got off of the Yasmin and made me feel like I made a horrible choice. I do not understand why they think it's the best thing out.

Anyway has anyone lost all of their weight after getting off the pill and how long does it take? It seems nothing will come off!! It's already been 4 months!!

Please give me any advice or information from those who have been off the pill. How long does it take to start feeling like myself?

I'm new to this board and am thankful to anyone who responds!!

I made an earlier post about losing my hair post-Yasmin. I'm about 4-5 months off. After I stopped I had two regular periods, then the 3rd came after 5 weeks and now the 4th has yet to come. This seems to be the opposite of what should happen after getting off the pill!! Has this happened to anyone else? Did it regulate at some point?