Ortho tricyclen symptoms and conditions

I am a 30 year old, been on L24Fe since beginning of Aug 06 due to breakthrough bleeding for several months on Ortho TriCyclen which I had been on since 1994, with no problems. Once I started it, my breakthrough bleeding stopped-in fact I never had a period again.

However, after a month, I started experiencing shortness of breath, and my heart was racing, I went to the Dr, they did an EKG, chest xray, pulmonary function tests, allergy tests. You name it. Dry mouth, dry eyes, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, insomnia, acne and wheezing and coughing followed. I was seen by several top specialists. They decided that I had Vocal Cord Dysfunction and it was caused by either something called Sjorgren’s syndrome or Acid Reflux. They decided it must be Acid Reflux-even though I didn’t feel like I had indigestion. They started me on protonix, that didn’t work, then switched me to prevacid, then when that didn’t work, they decided to put me on prilosec, then doubled the dosage, then tripled the dosage. By that time, I was doubled over in pain and was going to the bathroom every ½ hour. My stomach was swollen so bad, I looked very pregnant. I am a petite, thin person. I gained about six lbs over this time and I’ve been the same weight since I was 18, and I worked hard to keep it just at six lbs. (working out 2xs a day-seriously became a huge gym rat). I couldn’t wear my wedding rings b/c my hands were so swollen-when I complained-they said they weren’t “that swollen” and I just needed to buy bigger rings. I finally had an endoscope in Nov 07 and they ruled out acid reflux (which I knew bc I had no symptoms).

They then decided it must be the Sjorgrens-a very serious auto-immune disease-which causes-dryness everywhere, and they were guessing the dryness was causing my vocal cords to spasm-so they tested me-with a blood test-it was negative. They said sometimes the blood test is negative-so they then did a lip biopsy-also negative. The doctors all finally said, we don’t know what’s causing this, we’re stumped. You’re just going to have to live with the Vocal Cord Dysfunction-here’s some anti-depressants. I didn’t want to take them so I didn’t. I was stressed b/c I wanted to start a family-but how-I had no sexual desire, and I wasn’t an emotional wreck-not ideal conditions for starting a family-right?

Throughout all of this, I kept asking each dr. could it be my pill? No, it’s not the pill and I believed them b/c I had never had any problems with Ortho. I decided that I would go over my huge medical file 5 weeks ago. I spent two days and then got online and found this website and spent about 6 hours reading everyone’s comments. I was at the end of my package. I threw all of them away. It has been a month, I’ve never felt better. Suddenly, I’m able breath, my mouth isn’t dry, and I’m sleeping at night. I’m still periodically having hot flashes (but I’m not sure if its just the weather) and I’ve noticed that the vaginal dryness is getting better, but not fully. I have been getting a little dizzy, but I’m told that this pill has iron in it, and I’m likely just noticing the reduction in iron. I have started taking an iron supplement and it helped. Also, I got my period after 4 weeks, it wasn’t terrible-it lasted 5 days and it was light. I was massively bloated though. I just weighed myself after 2 days finishing my period-I haven’t weighed myself since about 2 weeks before I stopped the pill and I’ve lost 3 lbs.

If you think about everything. The signs I had ARE THE SAME AS MENOPAUSE. This pill mimics menopause. I’m 30, I’m not ready for that. I am paranoid that I’m never going to be able to have children. Oh yea, and my face has been clear.

All the doctors think I’m crazy, even my gynecologist. I’m considering contacting the FDA to force them to review our complaints so no one else has to go through all of these problems. Please contact me at this email address if you are interested.
I also found this website that we can report complaints to the FDA.

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/

I lasted just 20 days on Yaz. I had a persistent "kicked-in-the-stomach" feeling that just wouldn't go away. This is the kind of stomach pain that makes you want to bend over and not sit or stand up straight. For days which I wasn't even on my period, I had cramping and a backache -- which usually only occur for 1-2 days during my period. So it's like I got to experience the pain of my period most of the month! Finally, I couldn't stand the stomach ache any more, and read the leaflet that came with the pills. Then I jumped online and -- surprise! I'm not the only one experiencing nasty side effects. Thank God I finally figured it out. However, it's been 3 days OFF the pills, and still my stomach has been hurting. And for all that pain, my period is still heavy! I had tried Ortho Tricyclen in the past and had very few side effects. It was NOTHING as bad as this. These are some of the worst pills I have ever taken.

May 2006 I stopped taking Yasmin after being on it for a few years. I was having bad sinus congestion, sinus pressure, headaches and post nasal drip but never thought it was because of Yasmin. I went to a ENT doctor and the tissue in my sinsus cavities was so inflamed he recommended surgery. I also had a deviated septum and bone spur which were corrected. After the surgery (August 2006) I felt great. I exercise A LOT and it was now so much easier because I could breathe without all the fluid buildup. I kept thinking what a miracle the surgery was. March 2007 I started taking Ortho-tricyclen and quickly gained 10lbs in 2 months. I also had mood swings mostly feeling down. But I was still able to run and exercise more than I had in many years. March 2008 I went in for my annual exam and after mentioning my side effects from Ortho-tricyclen my doctor recommended going back on Yasmin since it had worked before. Two days after starting Yasmin my sinus problems and headaches returned. I was so low on energy and my chest felt tight. The only good thing is that I lost my appetite and in one month I lost 7 of the 10 lbs I gained on Ortho. I stopped taking Yasmin this past weekend in the middle of a pack. I am feeling better and have not had a headache this week. I was also able to run yesterday which felt so good. I hadn’t exercised in a month because of my lack of energy and difficulty breathing. Had I not been on it before I would have thought this was just a bad allergy season. I am convinced Yasmin was the cause of all my sinus problems and headaches.

First of all, Yaz and yazmin are two diff pills, yaz was approved a few years after yazmin b/c it held a lower dose of estrogen.

I am a female who had a bad reaction to ortho and the depo shot. I was turned onto yazmin about 4 years ago because I had bad reactions to the other forms I'd tried. I suffer from depression problems as well, and my doctor said that it tested well among people with my background. I loved it.

Anyhoo, the whole reason I am writing, is because I've noticed a pattern in all of the statements on this website: the women who had bad experiences w/Yaz or Yazmin, had good experiences w/Ortho Tricyclen and vise versa. I just find that so amusing!!!

Thank you for your time,

Mel

I am reading this thread and will, as a male, caution everyone about the possible effects of Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. I am 41, have been married 19 years and have two children. I believe I occasionally suffer from bouts of mild depression which I have treated through therapy (about every 18 to 24 months). My wife had been on OT Lo for a long time until 6 months ago when she finally went off about 6 months after I had a vasectomy.

I cannot do justice to the transformation, at least from my perspective, that resulted after about 30 days of being off OT Lo. Sex drive went from very low to higher than anything I have ever seen. Call me a typical male if you want, but I can tell you the emotional impact of feeling like your wife really wants to be with you versus having almost no interest in sex.

Also, the way she approached problems changed dramatically. Therefore, the way I participated in those problems was able to change. No more highly emotional responses that were very difficult for me to understand while managing my own emotions and our level of conflict. The way way we were able to resolve problems became a partnership, not me bending to emotions I suspected neither she nor I could control.

Biggest problem: Irregeular periods. So, she goes back on the OT Lo and 1 week later we have a huge meltdown because she thinks I am ignoring her and the kids while away on a business trip. I am not for a minute going to tell you I am perfect, but this is precisely the type of issue that hurt our marriage for 18 years (in part because I am not great at handling emotional issues like this, particularly when I don't believe they are true) and went totally away during the 5 months she was OT Lo-free.

Kicker: She doesn't recognize how much differently she is processing her emotions and I have not found a way to address the issue without going through another major emotional battle that historically wouldn't have worked anyway.

Sidenote: I never wanted to get a vas. until I read an article that referenced depression as a possible side-effect of the Pill. I was willing to do anything to help change the emotional equation of our marriage because I didn't know how long I could last managing my bouts of depression in our environment.

So, probably not everyone had or will have the same effects. But please make sure you are paying attention to yourself, your level of happiness and how you handle things. FWIW.

Hi everybody, I just wanted to say that I am on the patch and it is the only birth control I've tried that gives me NO emotional side effects (mood swings, depression, anger, etc). I have tried Ortho TriCyclen, Yasmin, and the NuvaRing...all were terrible for me. I experience some breast tenderness and bloating around my period while on the patch, but the period is normal and always comes at the same time. If you have tried several pills and you find that you always end up turning into an emotional mess...I would try the patch out. It's a little annoying because it can get itchy, depending on where you put it...but it's still convenient. I would also only recommend it to women who are under 35, weigh under 198 lbs, and have low blood pressure. Hope this helps some people out. Again, it's worth a shot if you can't seem to find a pill that you like.

I am in the same boat as the rest of you. I was on Loestrin a year ago and switched because of the cost. I then called my doctor up and switched back, but not without asking if it could cause me to gain weight. She said no, but I now know she was wrong. When I was off the pill I lost about 10 pounds. Since being back on it, I have gained the weight back in spite of working out and trying to eat better. I know it is the pill doing this. I also have had horrible headaches. After reading this blog, I am calling my doctor tomorrow and switching back to Ortho Tricyclen. Don't want to gain the weight while I am working out to lose it! Good luck to you others.

I was taking Ortho-Tricyclen low for a year and everything was fine. I had no side effects. Recently I told my doctor that I feel my hormones have gone down drastically and I haven't been in the romantic mood with my BF. I figured my daily routines may have changed something in my body. So she gave me 3 packs of Microgestin FE 1.5/30 and told me that would boost up my hormones A LOT. So far, after finishing the last pack, nothing. I mean NOTHING. All of a sudden I got the common cold perhaps the flu and now receiving lower back pain. The first night it was on the right only and now its only on the left side. Could this be a side effect to the pill???

I started Femcon Fe a week and a half ago for irregular periods. I am halfway through the second row and I am DONE. I have tension headaches, insomnia, nausea that wakes me in my sleep, I feel lazy and tired. The worst part is that is making me itch all over my body. I had cholestasis of pregnancy TWICE, and I am experiencing the same symptoms. I also felt these symptoms with Ortho Tricyclen and NuvaRing. I guess I'll just have to deal with the irregular periods.

I've been taking Femcon for about three months now, and while I haven't noticed 'typical' side effects i.e. weight gain (I've actually lost weight), moodiness/PMS, breast tenderness, etc., I've had my period THREE times in one month. They've been true periods, too, complete with cramps and fatigue. It's so frustrating.

I've also experienced a severe UTI while taking this pill; I thought it was due to sex, but upon reading an earlier post I can't help but wonder if it was from this pill. The pain was horrific, and I have a high pain threshold. I went to urgent care and had to have my boyfriend drive because I was in such severe pain. It felt like I had thrown my back out (pain was centered in my lower back).

I've been on and off birth control since I was 17 - for 6-7 years I took Ortho Tricyclen with no side effects, then the patch (which I absolutely HATED), and now have been trying different pills (Tricyclen, Tricyclen Lo and Femcon) to see what works best for me (I'm now 29) since I plan to take the pill continuously again.

Overall, I'd highly recommend Ortho Lo. I felt great, didn't appear to gain any weight and it made my period very light and as pleasant as possible (if that is possible!). Unfortunately, there is no generic for Lo and with insurance it's still $50/month. However, it's worth the extra money....I mean, who wants to perpertually bleed and feel like crap? Not me.

I just switched to Yasmin 3 days ago after being on Ortho Evra (patch) for over 5 years (since I was 15, due to severe cramps). I had continual spotting on the patch, and a bit of nausea but other than that I felt normal. After 3 days on Yasmin, I am convinced it is not for me. The first two nights I took it, I felt mildly nauseous. I have been breaking out in very strange places over the past fews days (my neck and stomach) and I have had relatively clear skin for years. I've noticed I've been quite moody, crying very suddenly and constantly snapping at loved ones over the past few days but wrote at off as stress. Now I know that there is something not right. I took the pill at 10pm and felt find until 1am when I laid down to go to bed and felt VERY nauseous. I was somehow able to fall asleep but at 4am I woke up and vomitted 5 times. Two hours later and I still feel nauseous although I think (hope) the worst of it is over. I even called my poor mom who lives hours away in the middle of the night crying about how sick and sad I felt. Which I knew was ridiculous but I didn't know what else to do! I couldn't stop crying or throwing up! I am hoping to switch to Ortho Tricyclen or back to the patch. I never realized how good I had it!

I need some help. I have been on Yasmin for almost 4 years. Previously I was on ortho and was taken off of it due to an alarming weight gain and emotional side effects. Yasmin seemed GREAT until now... I am experiencing severe anxiety, shaking, headaches, blurred vision, hair loss, low sex drive and depression. I assumed this was all due to stress from graduating and entering the working world, but I have nothing to be upset or stressed about... I have such nervous thoughts and can sometimes say things that are just so unlike me.. I just don't feel myself. I am afraid to go off Yasmin and onto another pill in fear that things could get even worse... My previous experience with ortho was short but definitely not sweet. I am scared and afraid because I am only 22... Has anyone experienced anything like this that can give me some piece of mind?

I have been on this pill for four months. It has been an experience. If you miss one pill you will bleed for the rest of the pack and then get you period again. I have had multiple yeast infections since I started taking this pill. Some say this is due to the sugar component in the pill that gives it the minty flavor. I get headaches all the time and severe mood swings.Recently I started clotting from the pills. I don't know what that was all about. I started this pill because I needed a higher dosage but it is too sensitive and I could do without the yeast infections. Also, my dermatologist stated that it has an ingredient in it that causes acne. My acne has been minimal. It is not nearly as bad as it was when I was on other pills. I am switcing to Ortho-tricyclen regular because the lo makes me spot. I hope I have better success

I've been on Ortho-Tricyclen (then switched to generic, TriNessa) for well over 3 years, and I can honestly say that I have had minimal, if any, side effects. My skin is clear, my periods are extremely light with minimal cramping and only last 2-3 days. I have no other side effects to speak of (i.e. nausea, vomiting, depression, etc.) My doctor recently wrote me a scrip for Aviane, because she was concerned about the progestrin in TriNessa, but I don't think I'm going to fill it. On this site alone, I've read 50 against Aviane and only 1 on TriNessa.

I have just started taking Yasmin for a month. So far, I have not found any of the side effects mentioned here. Previously, I had been on Ortho-Tricyclen for over 2 years..However, I never thought that birth control pills could have such so much side effects until my doctor asked me to consider taking Yasmin and I went online to research this pill before I started taking it.. and then, I realized that Ortho-tricyclen gave me all the side effects mentioned here. Ortho-tricyclen made me severly bloated, I was constantly craving for food (which of course contributed to weight gain), I had a lot of acne on my cheeks (I have always had great skin), on top of that I had mood swings, felt depressed, and fatigue most of the time. I could barely get myself to wake up in the morning while I was on Ortho-tricyclen. Now, that I switched to Yasmin, things are much better for me. I didn't feel any side effects mentioned here so far, and I managed to get my skin to clear up and lost some weight too but as far as I know it could take a few months until the side effects kick in so, I will keep observing for symptoms for the next few months.

I have been on Yaz for a few weeks. The side effects are awful. I am 31 and haven't been on BCP's since 1999. I sat down with my NP to explore different options for dealing with my terrible periods and she thought Yaz was the answer.
Well I have averaged about 4 hours of sleep a night since starting it. Because Yaz is like a diuertic I am up peeing all night as well.I feel anxious and panicky. Normally I am very laid back but feel like I am going nuts.The thing that drives me the most crazy is having restless legs while lying in bed. Time to get my potassium checked? I will be stopping this med as nothing should make you feel this bad. Not worth it.As a nurse I would never tell my patients to take this. I feel like an idiot for starting a pill that 1000's of women on the internet are complaining about.Of course you would never see the positive comments. But this pill sucks!

I am here b/c I've been having crying spells with very light (at first no) periods. I've been on Yaz for about 4-5 months and I don't know if it's causing it. I've reviewed my life and don't really have any particular reason to be crying... great family, good life, good job, etc. so... why the crying. I'm here trying to find out if this might be a side effect. The good side? I'm not as irritable as I was before YAZ, while taking Ortho-tricyclen.

I am a healthy, active 31-yr-old with no medical problems other than acid reflux (I take Prilosec OTC) and 50 lbs overweight. (I may be slightly overweight, but I'm very strong, healthy, and I work out religiously 3-4x a week with a personal fitness trainer.) I've been an Ortho-Tricyclen user for years due to my dysfunctional menorrhea (extremely painful menstruation with flooding blood for days, unending cramps, bloating and water-weight gain). I absolutely adore the OT Rx as I only have to have my period 4x a year, and it's not so dysfunctional when it comes. However after doing much research, I decided to try out Nuvaring and drop taking the pill everyday. I started the ring this past Saturday night at 10 PM (as that's easier for me to remember than a Sunday) and today is only less than two days later. My ankles blew up with what seems like water after the first eight hours of use. I had sex later on Saturday night with the ring inside me, and I got to add a burning sensation to my symptoms, which as of yet still has not gone away. Today (Monday) when I woke up, my hands are swollen now too. Exactly 36 hours of wearing the ring, and already symptoms, least to mention symptoms that should have nothing to do with birth/menstruation control? I just threw the ring away a few minutes ago; I'm going back to OT this week.

I just started Yasmin 6 days ago. I have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and depression. I am also on Wellbutrin. Since starting Yasmin I have had severe nausea, chest pain, elevated blood pressure, and pain in my joints. I actually feel like I have the flu all day long. I am glad that I found this site and know that there are others who have similar symptoms and it is not just in my head. I have tried ortho-tricyclen and didn't tolerate that either, it made my heart race.

I've been on Yaz for 1 year now. I've been in a deep depression since September ( 6 months on Yaz) for which I've had to seek treatment. It took 4 months to get me straightened out on medications and still daily I struggle with it.

Also I've noticed right shoulder pain, weight gain (60 pounds), no libido, chronic fatigue, bloating with horrible gas.Is all of this from the Yaz or is it my depression or what? I'm having a really hard time sorting thru all of this.

I'm so thankful to have found this site. I have been taking oral contraceptives sinc the age of 17. I'm now 30. I've never had any problems, but approached my new GYN several months ago about switching to a "better" pill since I noticed was getting more cramps and a heavier flow after taking Ortho-tricyclen for 5 years. Prior to that I hadn't had any major issues. I began taking Yasmin in October...starting this January, I've been experiencing multiple stomach issues...gas, bloating, pain...all the time. Already having had GI issues, I went back on my old medication and made an appt with an internist after having diarrhea every day for about 1.5 months. She switched me to new GI meds for GERD. I also complained of my fatigue, weakness, lack of motivation, hair loss, headaches, irritability and some symptoms of depression. She checked me for hypothyroidism and that came back negative.

On my drive home I felt defeated and racked my brain for what could be the cause of all this. Being a mental health clinician, I immediately started thinking of any emotional issues that might be the root. Then I realized that the difference in the last few months was Yasmin. I made an appt with my GYN, and unfortunately, she didn't believe that this may actually be causing these side effects. I even told her of websites such as this, in addition to (DUH) the manufacturer's own publication. She tried saying it might be Seasonal Affective Disorder. She reluctantly agreed to switching me back to Ortho upon my request.

Although I feel like I'm getting nowhere with my (suerly overpaid) physicians, I find validation here and truly believe that, despite the manufacturer's contention that this pill is "the one" that doesn't cause these side effects, it's all relative. We're all unique and our bodies react differently to different things. Thanks again for the posts!

My DR recently gave me samples for yasmin. I was told YAZ is bad, but Yasmin is ok. I was on ortho tricyclen but am getting cysts again. I asked for a change but after seeing this, I may call for something else. I have low blood sugar, mitral valve prolapse, and ANXIETY as it is...any suggestions. thanks! I am supposed to start that pack in a week.

Kate

Well I have been on yasmin for 6 months. The first two weeks were hell. I had moderate cramping not anywhere close to my period and break through bleeding. I kept thinking it must be my body trying to get used to it.

Well forget it! I now have severe breast pain in my left side and asthma like symtoms. My breast size has gone from a small 34 C to a very full 34 D. My husband says my breast look great, like a got a breast enlargement, but I feel like I did when my breast were engorged after having my son. That only lasted one day, and this has been going on for weeks. Brestfeeding for 19 months is a breeze compared to this pain and discomfort.

I just got tested for asthma last week and its negative. The next step is a ct scan on my chest to see if my heart is the problem. This medicine sucks! I have been on the mini pill before and ortho tricyclen with never these types of problems.

My doctor says this is the best pill for me since it doesn't make you gain any weight. Well I think I gained 4 pounds of breast tissue.

Ok ...vented. If anyone else is having severe breast cramps/tenderness/growth; please let me know. I am going to stop taking these pills and find another solution to birthcontrol.

Thanks,

Amy H

I started taking Yasmin 11 months ago for PCOS. In addition to the Yasmin, I am taking spirolactine and metformin. I have all of the symptoms above....the depression, the anxiety, the unexplained insomnia, the lack of sex drive (I had a major sex drive before Yasmin...it's at ZERO at this point.) and extreme vaginal dryness/painful intercourse. At first I thought I had a yeast infection...and that's what my doctor chalked it up to. And finally I sat down with my boyfriend to find out if Yasmin was the cause of the vaginal dryness....because we checked out the other two drugs I'm taking...and low and behold I found ALL these horrible blogs referring to Yasmin and it's side effects. My question to all of you though...is whether you immediately switched to another birth control pill? And if so...what do you guys recommend? I used Ortho TriCyclen for a long time and don't remember any terrible side effects like this.
Thanks.

I've been taking Desogen for 8 months. I don't like it. The major side-effect I've had with this medicine is severe constipation and abdominal cramps. Usually the week before my period is the WORST! I've been stuck in the bathroom for 2 hours at a time. Not good! Also I have no sex drive. And during my period I've noticed the menstrual cramps are very painful and the bleeding is heavier than with other birth control I've taken. I think LoOvaral is the best birth control I've used so far. Ortho-tricyclen is okay too, but way too expensive.