April 15th
2008
3:29 PM
Here's my story, and if anyone has any thoughts of which pill to try next, I'd love to hear them.
A while ago, I had been on Orthocyclen for several years, which worked great for me, but stopped taking the pill back in late 2005 when my long-term relationship ended. I just wanted to give my body a break, you know? I went back on a different pill, Loestrin 24-FE, the middle of 2006, because my doctor wanted me to try something low-dosage, and as a result I had lots of problems with spotting and readjusting to a new pill. Loestrin continued to piss me off with the spotting, which was the only real side effect, but my doctor wanted me to keep with it to see if it lessened. It never did. So in August of 2007, per my doctor's suggestion, I changed to Femcon (great name for a lady vitamin - it sounds like the name of a Transformer), and around this time started to notice some mild dizziness.
I'm in great shape and very healthy and active. Last summer I even ran a half marathon, and about a week later the dizziness started. At this point I didn't even consider that the dizziness could be related to the new pill.
The dizziness was steady, and I was starting to have some problems focusing on my computer monitor at work, so I finally saw my primary care physician, who referred me to a neurologist. He did some minor tests with me, and based on the results, told me he thought I was getting migraines. I've never had migraines before in my life, so this was all new to me. And it was interesting because I didn't really get headaches, just dizziness and lightheadedness and some blurred or jumpy vision. It definitely starting freaking me out, and even impacted my running because I didn't know if I'd lose my balance (I never did, but still) when out for a run. I'm 31 years old, by the way. The neurologist finally suggested the link between the dizziness and the pill, and suggested I try something even lower dosage. So I switched to Yaz.
I'm in my second month of it, and trying to power through to finish the pill pack just so I don't mess up my period too much, and I am a disaster. I should also mention I've had some major life changes as of late, moving to a new city, new job, and newly living with my boyfriend, so I'm sure this plays a part. But I have been an absolute train wreck since I started Yaz. The dizziness has gotten far worse, making me feel like I'm in a fog, sort of detached, hard to focus. Been awful to my boyfriend, when only weeks ago we were SO EXCITED to finally be living together and having this crazy adventure together. He asks me now why we can't just be happy. I get annoyed so easily, have had massive mood swings, and several panic attacks. Everything you all are describing - heart palpitations, headaches, nausea, insomnia. All the things I used to love to do, especially going out and exploring and being social (I just moved to NYC for god's sake!!!) are daunting and almost terrifying, and all I want to do is lay on the couch at home and hope the dizziness subsides. I was seriously contemplating psychological therapy, and my boyfriend was trying to get me to try yoga, but how could I possibly even do the poses when I can barely balance myself?? The only time I feel remotely normal is when I force myself to go for a run and just try to power through the light headedness.
I am finishing up the pack on Friday even though I should take it through the middle of next week, and I'm going to give myself a couple months off and go back to sucky condoms just to try and clear my head. Then I'm going to see if my doc will put me back on Orthocyclen.
Has anyone else experienced dizziness or light headedness on these pills? Have you found a pill that works for you?
Any suggestions on which birth control pill (or method) I should try next? I'm so tired of putting hormones in my body, but I'm not ready for kids yet and really hate condoms. I was looking into the ring but I hear that's just as bad. Sigh. If only they could do temporary vasectomies.
October 25th
2007
5:01 PM
I've been on various pills over the past 8-9 years, including OrthoNovum, OrthoTri-cyclen, Orthocyclen, Estrostep and others. I basically switched every year because I had constant break through bleeding.
By contrast, Yasmin is by far the worst birth control I have ever been on. I'd been on it around 2 years, maybe longer. I am a level-headed, career minded woman. About a year ago I started to suspect I might be bi-polar or depressed.
Here is a list of the side-effects I had while on Yasmin that have disappeared since I stopped taking it 3 months ago:
-Depression
-Suicidal thoughts
-Paranoia
-Anxiety
-Nausea
-Decreased libido
-Intense Anger/Rage
-Irritability
-Increased thirst
-General disinterest/lack of motivation
-Acne
-Break-through bleeding
-Irregular periods
-Overly sensitive/swollen nipples
-Yellow discharge
I only had the above symptoms during the time I was taking Yasmin, not before and not after. This stuff is vile.
If you don't have any side-effects from this pill you are lucky. But I still urge you to pay very close attention. It is very easy for these symptoms to slowly grow over time until one day you wake up and don't even recognize your own self.
Since I stopped taking hormonal birth control I feel normal again, which by comparison means even the worst day is 10x better than a single day on Yasmin.
-- By anifa | Reply | Send Private Mail
October 25th
2007
11:10 AM
I had been on Yasmine for about two years with no complications until last week. Last week my heart began beating extremely fast just while sitting at my desk typing. Later on in the day my chest began feelign tight and I had an "anxious" feeling in my upper body. At the same time my lower body felt completely weak- as if my legs could not support my body weight if I were to stand. Evenso, I thought nothing of it and just assumed my normal one cup of coffee just so happened to have a strong effect on me that day. The next day the anxious feeling and weakness had subsided but my left arm and hand were tingling. It felt as if they had fallen asleep and now had that "cotton" feeling. The next morning I lost all feeling in my left hand except for my first three fingers. This is when I began trying to figure out what on earth I may have eaten, where I had been, had i drank too much coffee, etc.
I rarely drink alcahol, don't smoke, have no family history of heart problems, etc. I don't take any other medications, I don't take vitamins, I dont eat strange foods, and exercise regularly. The only thing I could possibly change is my birth control. I immediately quit taking Yasmine and all problems disappeared in two days.
I
-- By laurahope | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail
August 6th
2007
7:39 AM
I am 34 yrs old and new to oral contraceptives. Have been on Loestrin 24 Fe for about a month and a half and have noticed the following symptoms: shortness of breath, sore/tender breasts, vaginal dryness, extremely dry patchy skin (from otherwise having very oily skin), 2 periods in one month, hungry all the time - which has lead to overeating and weight gain, feelings of despair - lots of crying and mood swings, periodic tingling sensations in feet and lower legs.
My first period on the pill was shorter and pain was dulled, but second time the period was longer and had pain every day of my period which is unusual for me.
I think its time to jump off the Loestrin 24 ship...
-- By christine243 | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail
November 9th
2004
8:45 AM
I have only been on Desogen for a couple months, but I have experienced bloating, weight gain, breast increasing in size, diarhea, not being able to sleep well, depression, crying bouts for no reason at all, acne. I am contacting my doctor to see if I can switch back to the OrthoCyclen that my HMO does not want to cover. I can't deal with the side effects of this product.
-- By miczast | Reply | Send Private Mail
July 11th
2008
3:48 AM
I have been on everything from OrthoCyclen to YAZ and this extra low-dose pill has been the only thing that I can remotely tolerate. I am, however, having some trouble with my cycle. It seems as though every other month, I start this really light period ONE WEEK early. I'm only coming up on my 4th pack, but I can't figure out why it's doing this. This is the only pill I've ever had this happen with. I'd much rather have some light spotting for 2 weeks than to be crazy and psychotic! If anyone else has experienced this, please reply. Was there a pattern????
-- By missaffliction | Reply | Send Private Mail