Orthotricyclin symptoms and conditions

after reading this site, I decided to get off the NuvaRing and see if any of my medical problems would change.
The weekend before I decided to take it out permanently, I passed out twice from ambiguous lightheadedness (much like anemia but definitely tested negative for that).
It's only been 2 weeks, and I feel so much better already!
NOTABLE CHANGES:
-I have a SEX DRIVE again! I'm only 21 and when I was on the ring I never wanted sex with my long term partner (or anyone, even my self, for that matter). In the 2 weeks it's been out I've felt my libido come back to life.
-I haven't been napping! I used to come home from school and sleep 3-4 hours every single day. I feel much more awake now, even after 2 weeks.
-I have developed a minor daily headache. I think this might just be my body adjusting to the lack of hormones.
-I'm actually losing weight! I gained about 20 pounds on the ring, and even when I worked out regularly I couldn't get rid of it. In the past 2 weeks I've already lost 3 pounds, on the exact same exercise plan that did nothing for me for the previous 6 months.
-My dreams are significantly more realistic and I can remember them- I take this as an indicator that my general mental state is much better. I honestly feel like I've been re-introduced to my imagination which has been in a NuvaRing hibernation or something.

i was skeptical that the NuvaRing was the cause of my problems until NONE of my bloodwork (and I had TONS done) turned up any other possible reasons for my chronic fainting.
In the 2 weeks since I've been off the NuvaRing, I've already seen an incredible shift.

I was hesitant at first to acknowledge this, because when I first got on the ring it felt like a godsend- lower hormones meant I was less depressed than I was on orthotricyclin and i felt healthier all around --- at FIRST that is.
After almost 2 years of being on the Ring I almost feel back-stabbed by it... I'm not sure what changed but I am definitely willing to attribute my medical and mental problems to this drug.

Be careful, and be aware of your body.
If something feels wrong, figure out what it is, and don't risk your health.

There are a lot of negative experiences on here, so I thought I should share my positive one. I have been on birth control off and on for about 6 years. I was on orthotricyclin for the majority of the time-off and on. After getting horrible near migraine headaches on orthotricylin every Friday before my period for about 5 months in a row my doctor and I decided to try a different pill. I was on trilevelin (sp) for 4 months and gained a few pounds and felt easily irritated and emotionally different-just cried easily and not myself. I've been on Yasmin for a month and have had a great experience. I lost the water weight I'd gained and just verified with my boyfriend that my PMS was hardly even there. Everyone is different and has different hormone levels, but so far I am very happy with Yasmin. I've been migraine free tthe whole month!

I have been taking Yaz for almost one month now and I am noticing hundreds of changes. Originally this was prescribed to me for my extreme mood swings and sadness and a tendency towards ovarian cysts.
I have to start by describing my medical situation as after reading these posts I am growing extremely concerned about whether I should be taking this at all. About 4 years ago I had acne so bad that nothing would help. My Gyno put me on Orthotricyclin and a steroid, which I can't recall the name of now. I took that for almost 3 years, until I noticed my life was becoming full of depression and weight issues. I consulted the doctor about this, and since I had clear skin, I was ready to get off both pills. I said that no matter how much I tried to lose weight, I couldn't. He basically said that I was depressed because I was too fat and that I needed to keep trying to lose weight. Well, out of frustration, I quit the pill and the steroid. With the steroid you should come off slowly and taper, but I just took one month to come off and that was it. Of course, I got really sick, with all kinds of muscle problems and weakness, and had my first problems with ovarian cysts. The muscle weakness was from the adrenal gland having to all of a sudden work on its own, my new doctor said. Eventually, after visits to an endocrinologist and a cardiologist and a possible hole in my heart, I started to get better. This all finally was over about a year ago. In July of last year I moved in with my fiance (to Germany from Texas...a big change) and it was my first time to live with a guy. My body started to go crazy, as if it was working overtime to get pregnant or something. My hormones went crazy, I was an emotional wild woman. I had never ending cramps and finally saw a doctor in Germany about it. He confirmed my ovarian cysts were back in action. When I got to go back to the US for a visit, my doctor said that I should try Yaz, and gave me packs for free since I wouldn't get it without prescription in Germany. As soon as I started, my nipples became so sensitive they couldn't be touched. My emotions started to level out, but almost to the point of not caring about anything. I have had a few cramps, and spotting since last week although I am not due for another 5 days. My back pain is worse, and I have zero desire to have sex. I have a lot of itching, not only around my vagina but on my legs and arms as well. I do have a sense of sadness, and when I try and think about why, it always comes back to having taken the steroid and being in this position in the first place. And that I cannot get myself in the mood to have sex with my (now) husband. The doc basically said that I should take this only for 6 months to do what she referred to as a hormone flush. And that directly after that I could even try to have a baby. I am at a loss of what to do. I realize that this is kind of a complaining letter rather than a post of symptoms, but I have to talk somewhere.

I have been using the ring for about 9 months. I have used it both as directed - 3 wk in, 1 wk out - and continuously for 3 months at a time. My 'side' effects have been: (1) vaginal discharge, which took a little getting used to but is actually an improvement over the extreme dryness I had with Orthotricyclin pills. (2) noticibly fuller breasts with occasional tenderness, mostly in the 3rd week. (3) Finally, my periods are so light on the ring, it's almost spooky - I'm glad to read here that this is not uncommon. Overall, I'd say the ring suits me well. Notably, I haven't experienced any changes in mood. Good luck to all of you out there who are trying to find the right BC!