October 15th
2009
1:41 AM
I am a few days away from my 19th birthday and i've been taking Yasmin since the age of 11. I was diagnosed with PCOS when i was 11 and Yasmin has been what's keeping my period regular and more or less pain free since then. In May of 2008 i was switched to the generic version of Yasmin called, Ocella and started to notice more and more symptoms and side effects. My stomach pain in the mornings grew greater by the day and when i was on my sugar pill i would gain an unbearable migraine. Thinking it was just part of being a woman i ignored it and went about my life. It wasn't until December of 2008 while out with a group of friends i came into some serious stomach pain. thinking it was just a typical stomach ache that i normally got i ignored it. when i came to be about 4 am and the pain hadn't stopped i started to worry. first thing in the morning i went to the doctor who referred me to get an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed that i had gall stones and that i should have my gall bladder removed before more complications were to occur. Being a college student only a week away from returning to my second semester i opted to wait until spring break to have the surgery. During the 3 month wait i experience extreme diarrhea whenever something was put in my mouth, extreme stomach pain, heartburn, nausea, headaches, sore muscles, the list goes on and on i felt like i had been hit by a truck every day and i still had to go to class. in March of 2009 i had my gall bladder removed thinking that the symptoms would finally stop i returned to school only to find that nothing got better. It's been 7 months since my gall bladder has been removed and i'm still having the same symptoms as before and now i've added depression, stress, lack of energy and interest and many other things to the list. I'm still taking Ocella because i've never been advised otherwise but the symptoms are taking over my life. I am a sophomore majoring in electrical engineering at college and it's just become harder and harder to focus on my work or to enjoy the aspects of college that i should be with the frequent trips to the bathroom or having to opt out of a fun activity because of stomach pain. I was wondering if anyone can help me, maybe point me in a direction where i can get better and get back to enjoying what a 19 should be. Thanks.
-- By giantpinkflamingos6 | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
October 14th
2009
9:39 PM
I was on yaz for close to 4-5 years. I started taking antibiotics and my husband and I became pregnant while on the pill. We were well aware of chances of becoming pregnant. From the day I found out i was pregnant I started throwing up. I LOST 15 pounds during my pregnancy due to being sick all of the time. I had constant heartburn and choked all of this up to being pregnant with a little girl with a head full of black hair! The day my husband was suppose to go back to work from his leave (exactly 2 weeks after having my baby) i started throwing up at about 3am due to intense stomach pain that radiated into my chest and back and couldn't stop. He stayed home. The next day it happened again, my husband assumed i had postpartum depression and told me i would be fine and left for work. I tried to go back to bed but couldn't stop throwing up long enough to go into the next room and check on my crying newborn. I had to beg him to come home from work, we got a babysitter, went to the hospital, they did an ultrasound and admitted me. 12 hrs later I was on the operating table having my gallbladder removed. I now suffer with DAILY diarrhea immediately after I eat ANYTHING and stomach pain. I try to stick to a low fat diet but it doesn't help!!!! i have constant stomach pain, headaches, nausea and heartburn. Not to mention the FOUR scars that i have from the surgery. When i started taking Yasmin and eventually yaz NOWHERE did it say that it could cause gallbladder disease!
-- By rinlawrence | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
October 12th
2009
5:07 PM
I just started taking this drug three days ago, and I am already having such bad side effects that I don't want to take it anymore. I am only 29, but have a family history of high BP, and went to the doctor last week to find out my bp was 175/90. Since starting the drug, I've been getting dizziness, but last night took the cake. I woke up around 4:30 with horrible nausea. I ran to the bathroom where I fainted while sitting on the toilet lid, wanting nothing more than to vomit. I remember waking up and looking in the mirror, and my face was as white as a sheet, as were my lips. I looked dead, and it scared the hell out of me. As I came to, I suddenly had diarrhea hit me, and once that was over, I felt better. My husband thinks my body is trying to get rid of the drug. In addition to all this, I am having palpitations and feel that my heart is beating too fast. I know that part of this is nerves, because I'm scared of taking this medication, but the fainting and nausea ARE because of the drug. I called my doctor today, and she wants me to come in to get my BP taken again. I am so scared that she won't lower the dose or (better yet) switch me to something else, because my bp always goes up at the doctor's office when I get nervous, every time. Oh, and I also started metformin last week because the doctor tested my blood sugar and it came back 250. Could it be the combination? I don't know. I just know I have only been on this stuff for a few days and already hate it and feel that it's bad for my body! It's very scary.
-- By squareone | Reply | (5) replies | Private Message me
October 11th
2009
9:09 PM
Oh yes I forgot a few things. I also experience extreme hot/cold flashes. My husband yells at me because I am constantly turning the thermostat up and down. Also I am losing my hair, much more than other women I know. I attribute this to my PCOS, which already has a side effect of thinning hair, but I doubt Yaz is helping it any. At this point it's hard to say how many of these side effects are not Yaz related, and it's quite possible that 95% of them aren't. I know I'm young and still maturing, however, these headaches and nausea are not normal (and no I'm not pregnant).
If Yaz works for you, that's fantastic, but for those that are having physical/mental/emotional symptoms that you don't feel are normal, please get yourself checked out. Even if you only go off Yaz for a month to see how your symptoms are affected, please do so. Every birth control pill works differently for every woman, and it might not be for you.
-- By blackbolt | Reply | Private Message me
September 16th
2009
5:53 PM
I'm sorry so many have had such negative experiences with YAZ/Yasmin. Mine has been nothing but good. No other pill has worked for me with regard to my PCOS, painful cramping, bloating, etc. and I've been on it over 4 years. When my insurance wouldn't cover the cost I tried others as a substitute, and none worked half as well. On any other pill my periods were so painful, that cramps woke me up in the middle of the night. I pay out of pocket for it because it's the only pill that has really helped me...and I tried 4 or 5 others, all with no benefit/relief for my painful periods and PCOS.
As for mood swings/depression, I was/am already on a daily low dose of paxil, so perhaps that preempted any mood effects like those described by some. All I know is, this pill works for me when nothing else has and the only real negative side effect I have from it (if you can call it that) is increased urination from the diuretic to counteract bloat. Can't say I mind so much.
I'm sorry it's not been the same for others. :(
-- By sehelmick | Reply | Private Message me
September 11th
2009
5:34 PM
The experience is not with me, but my daughter, who is a sufferer of PCOS and experienced acne problems She's been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo since January 2007, and received positive results for acne and regulating menstrual cycle, with minimal side effects. Since being switched to generic tri-lo sprintec (July 29), she's experiencing lethargy, some headaches, moodiness, acne, and slight depression, which is very unlike her. What I recommend to everyone on this website is to submit adverse event to the pharmaceutical company, Teva. They should have a website and or a call line for presenting your concerns. I will be doing this because this drug definitely needs to be reported and possibly pulled from the market.
-- By mm44972 | Reply | Private Message me
September 7th
2009
1:56 AM
I was on Alesse for years and did fine with it, then took a pill break. When I decided to go back on the pill for my PCOS, I wanted Alesse but was told they don't make it anymore so I am forced to take Aviane. Since I started taking Aviane 4 months ago, I have gained 5-10 pounds, feel bloated and heavy, have no sex drive, and just feel kind of "blank" a lot of the time emotionally. I wish I could get Alesse back!
-- By margaret333 | Reply | Private Message me
August 24th
2009
12:13 PM
I have had problems with regulating my period since I was 15. When I was 17 I was on Depo (2 years) and it really screwed me up, I gained 40 lbs. and became lactose intolerant (don't ask me how that happened, i have no clue). I still have not been able to loose the weight. I then tried the OrthoEvra patch and I loved it. I went off bc because my insurance doesn't cover it anymore and i could no longer afford it. About a year and a half ago I was diagnosed with PCOS and my fiance and I decided that it didn't really matter if I was on bc, if I was able to get pregnant we would consider it a miracle. Over the last 6 months my mood swings and periods were so severe and painful that I have had to go to the ER 2x so we decided to try bc again, I was prescribed Femcon about a month ago. My first round of pills left me sick to my stomach every day and having migraines every couple of days. I started my second round yesterday and I have been so violently sick since swallowing the pill last night that I haven't slept and had to call out of work. I spent 6 hours in my bathroom last night and by the time i passed out I had thrown up blood twice. Ive never been this sick in my life and I'm waiting to hear back from my doctor to tell her I refuse to take this pill one more day.
-- By misskaylamac | Reply | Private Message me
June 26th
2009
4:37 PM
I have been on Avaine for almost 2 years. I have been on almost every birth control since I was 16. From depo to the patch and four types of pills. I was diagnosed with PCOS have been on Avaine for almost 2 years. I have been on almost every birth control since I was 16. From depo to the patch and four types of pills. I was diagnosed with PCOS 2 years ago… they took me off my pill tri-sprintek (I think that how spell it) I loved that pill. Didn’t have any mood swings, and my periods would come on a Wednesday and stop Saturday. I was on Yasmin (YAZ) because of the PCOS… it helped with my hormone imbalance, but gave me chest pains. I had to switch to Avaine, I have to admit that my sex drive is lower then what it use to be. My period starts Friday or Saturday and ends Monday or Tuesday. My pimples are gone and I have lost a lot of weight. Not sure if it’s due to some of the other pills I take. It’s not such a bad birth control. But it’s not for everybody. So if doesn’t work for you change your pill. But it can take your body up to 3 months to get use to.
-- By puccapeach | Reply | Private Message me
June 18th
2009
2:12 AM
I am 17 years old and have been on NuvaRing for about 5 months. My doctor put me on birth control because i have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and would not be able to get my periods on my own. I've noticed that ive been much more tired and can sleep longer but that isn't what bothers me. PCOS made me have severe cystic acne but after being on the NuvaRing for a few months my skin is completely clear. Also, I find it convenient not to have to take a pill every day. The side effect that really bothers me is the weight gain. I have gained 10 pounds over the past 5 months and being 5'2 I really can't handle it. None of my clothes fit, my face looks fatter, and I am completely insecure. My boobs went up a cup size which is always a plus, but I really can't deal with the weight gain. I've been on birth control before and it made me gain 10 pounds also, and I was wondering if anyone has seen the weight gain disappear after using the NuvaRing for longer periods of time. If not, I plan on switching to a low-dose birth control this week but if the side effects of weight gain start to go away I would like to stay on the NuvaRing.
-- By casey1123 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
May 29th
2009
7:17 PM
i have mirena right now and i feel the same at all of u girls i m sick of this feeling i m ALL THE TIME MOODY ALSO I FEEL LIKE SOCCER BALL MY BREAST ARE HUGE AND I FEEL FAT I M NOT FAT BUT I FEEL MAXIVE AND YES I CAN'T LOSE ANY WEIGHT I M SICK OF THIS SOME PLZZZ HELP I WANT TO REMOVE IT I M SO SICK I ALWAYS HAVE HEADACHES DEPRESSION I WANT TO KILL MYSELF I M REALLY SICK OF THIS
-- By talita | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
May 11th
2009
10:42 PM
I'm just in shock.
I can't believe that this sort of thing can go on.
My experience is all over this page. And the seven after it.
I graduated high school with a 99 GPA and was at the top of my class.
I was accepted to medical school along with my admission to college.
I started Yasmin at the same time.
All of a sudden I was getting classic migraines multiple times every month.
Soon, Yasmin became Yaz. Okay, fair enough, nurse says to switch, I'll switch. Yaz is said to be safer.
Time goes by... I'm irritable, I've lost my sex drive, I'm dragging myself out of bed in the morning if I get to classes at all, but I miss lots of them.
My GPA falls from a 4.0 to a 3.6.
I had to come home last semester because of how sick I was. Nurse says that the doctor wants me off Yaz because of the risk of classic migraines.
Liver enzymes were screwed up - fatty liver at 20?? - and cholesterol is backwards. My heart races a lot, too.
My anxiety is out of control and I'm depressed for the first time in my life.
I've been off Yaz since November of 2008 and still haven't had a period.
Additionally, I still haven't MET my gynecologist, despite asking repeatedly if I can see her.
Now she's ruled out PCOS and all other causes and wants me to "jump start" my period with more synthetic hormones.
This feels so wrong.
I have IBS, nausea, back pain, and abdomen pain. This is all just too much. I'm disillusioned with the medical field now and am having a hard time accepting that I wanted to put myself in a position in which I'd have to either perpetuate the problem or fight it. It doesn't make sense.
There needs to be a lawsuit, and now.
-- By kayten | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
May 10th
2009
10:45 PM
I'm taking Aldactone for PCOS and was exhausted with terrible headaches for the first few months. I have taken this medication on 2 different occasions so I had to forced myself to stick it out because it does work but getting used to it was the tough part. After the first few months my body adjusted and all was well minus breast distention and occasional tiredness.
-- By misssara | Reply | Private Message me
April 22th
2009
6:58 PM
Hi,
I have posted here before, and now I'm wondering about you who have gone off the ring after using it a few years, how your body has reacted to the stopping of Nuvaring? Has anything changed?
I was using it for about 2 years and now I have been off it for about 3 weeks (first 1 regular week off and then I just didn't start a new ring). I haven't had my period again after going off it (just during that regular 1 week off), so I'm not sure how my body will work now that I have stopped using Nuvaring after about 2 years of using it. For those who have gone off it after a few years, how has your body reacted?
Thank you!
April 16th
2009
12:16 PM
OKAY!!! after reading everyone comments about mirena I decided to tell yall about mine. I'm 19 years old, I recently had my daughter July of 2008. I got my mirena in at my 6 weeks appointment and had it ever since, since then I've had major mood swings, I'm always bitchy and always exhausted like i never get enough sleep. And every month I have the ovarian cyst which my doctor said it normal when your on the mirena and that every month I can feel them rupture which hurts like hell... And also before I had my daughter i weighed 125-127 and when i was pregnant with my daughter i only gained 10 pounds so I weighed around 130-135 NOW get this after having my daughter I weigh 148-150 and im only 5"1' and 19 years old I've never been so big in my life... not only that I have other side effects they are Poor memory, Lethargy Hair loss,
Weight gain around my stomach, Feeling constantly bloated. Agitation, and every time my fiancee touches me or wants to do something I don't want to its like I don't wanna have sex anymore and also get depressed and I get very very irritated with my fiancee to where I just want to pick my things and my daughter and get up and leave him its like his consistly getting on my nerves but after reading everyone input on it im calling my doctor and having it taking out.. thanks everyone for yall input.
March 7th
2009
5:39 AM
I was on 500 mg/ twice a day to start off with for PCOS and was trying to get pregnant. However I was never able to get past the 500 mg/ twice a day as for the side effects were terrible I had severe nausea and vomiting every day all day long and couldn't keep nothing down (when I could eat) which lead to having stomach pains. I stopped taking it as for the side effects were way to severe for me to deal with.
-- By taurus2009 | Reply | Private Message me
February 25th
2009
11:47 PM
Hello, I'm a 21 year old female and I've been taking Yasmin for about one month and two weeks now. Prior to taking Yasmin I was on Ortho-Tri-cyclen lo for about 8 years and had only positive results. I have PCOS and my specialist recommended that I take Yasmin because it is suppose to be better for those with PCOS. After reading the negative posts on this site I was scared to switch but decided I would give Yasmin a try because results vary from person to person. The first month I noticed that I was extremely moody, when I'm usually mild mannered. I also noticed that I was really thirsty, which is probably because Yasmin is a diuretic. Other then that I didn't have any negative symptoms. This month I noticed that the mood swings have disappeared. Yay!!! Also, my skin looks really clear. My skin usually has one or two bumps on either cheek, while taking Yasmin I don't have any. Oh yeah my period lasted about 7 days and Yasmin hasn't altered my weight. I wouldn't mind losing 5lbs though. I will post another update once I've been taking Yasmin longer.
-- By brainznbeauty | Reply | Private Message me
February 18th
2009
6:15 AM
My doctor thinks I might have PCOS, which is why I went in the first place after reading up on the subject. I've always had random periods, and if I miss a couple months, they can last up to a month with heavy bleeding. I thought it might be wise to go get some help in regulating. At 27, I'm tired of 15 years like this. She gave me Loestrin24Fe because when I took birth control in high school for about two weeks, I turned into a raging monster that would have attacked anyone.
I'm on my second week of the pack, and bleeding heavy. I have an opposite schedule than most people (I'm naturally a late night to early morning person and no amount of work changes it) so I take it when I get up in the afternoon (around 5pm). I've been bleeding the same way I bleed when I haven't had a period in four months. This? Is unacceptable. If I wanted unreliability, I'd have just avoided getting an OBGYN in the first place.
Reading the side effects and replies here, I'm also wondering if the weird episode I had last week is related. I woke up dizzy when I went to the bathroom. I remember getting dizzy twice in there at random times, nearly falling against my tub, and then falling in my bedroom, passed out for a couple hours. I also had a severe migraine, like no lights could be on, not even the computer as back lighting so I don't stumble in the dark. I'm lucky that I wasn't concussed, but this is just not okay.
Later today, I'm going to call my doc since I need to call my endocrinologist anyway for sick meds. And I'm stopping the pills today. I got off my bed after takeout last night, to clean up, and noticed this insane amount of blood underneath that bled onto the mattress. No more of this.
-- By veracity | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
January 22th
2009
3:31 PM
I experienced a lot of pain while I was on YAZ . I was taking it as a treatment for PCOS. I took it for 3 weeks. I was instructed be my GYN to take it on the first day of my period. The first week, I had no complaints. The second week, instead of it ending - my period became a lot heavier. I started experiencing constant headaches, and sever bloating. My wedding band is usually loose around my finger. One morning I woke up and my finger was red and I could not get it off my finger. The third week, I started experiencing a lot of pain. The pain first started in my lower back, it felt a lot like back cramps. Then it started to intensify. By this time I also had cramps in my abdomen and groin area, and my ovaries felt like they were going to burst. The pain I was in , was equivalent to being in labor. I was rushed to the ER where they gave me morphine. I was in so much pain that the first two batches of morphine did not work. On top of all that, I was so sick. I was not able to hold anything down the whole last two weeks prior to there ER visit. I had no idea that YAZ was causing the pain, until the ER Dr. explained that I was not reacting well with the Yaz , and that I should stop taking it immediately. Oh and let me mention - I experienced sever mood swings, sometimes accompanied with rage like feelings. I went back to my GYN and she put me on Femcon Fe. I will never recommend the birth control YAZ to anybody. It is a horrible birth control pill in my opinion. It did not help me in any way it just made it worse. I give YAZ a big fat zero.
-- By adara_2030 | Reply | Private Message me
January 18th
2009
3:09 PM
I was diagnosed with PCOS and my doctor suggested getting on birth control to adjust my hormone levels. She suggested NuvaRing for it's ease of use. The first two months, everything went great... I noticed my daily discharge seemed to increase, but no real big deal. The third month was horrible.. I got my period and had THE worse cramps! I've always had a problem with pain during the first 24hrs, but this was unreal! Pamprin usually does the trick for me, and I only feel a dull pain, but not even Pamprin would rid me of this horrible pain. I few hours, the worst of the pain had past. I went to change my tampon, and I had discharged a section of my lining that was the width/height of my fist! No WONDER I was in pain!! I called my OBGYN and she said this is a side effect of NR, and is natural, no worries. This pain and large tissue discharge continued for 3 more months. I told the OBGYN I needed a different form of BC... she refused. Needless to say, I switched OBGYN's and I'm on YAZ now... since I've switched BC, I've had a light, and painless period. Obviously NR did not agree with my body. I like it for it's ease of use (I don't remember to have to swallow a pill @ the same time everyday), but it's not worth it for the pain I had to go through. I would NEVER recommend NuvaRing to anyone looking to getting on BC.
-- By mmdishart | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
December 10th
2008
11:42 AM
I have been on Yasmin since April of this year, 2008. My doctor put me on Yasmin because of a hormonal imbalance caused by PCOS. At first, all I noticed was my periods had become regular and my skin had cleared up. About 4-6 weeks later, I started experiencing EXTREME pain in my right breast. After the onset of the pain, just my right breast became enlarged. A few weeks later I started having chest/heart pains at random times. It started occurring when I would run and that made me really scared. I had the feeling of having a heavy rock on my chest and wasn't able to get a real breath. After an EKG my doctor confirmed that my heart was healthy. Here is a list of some of the other side effects that I noticed: no sex drive, weight gain, TIREDNESS, forgetfulness, cramps in my legs, but only while sleeping, extreme thirst.
I am so grateful that I found this website. It's just awful to hear some many other women complaining of the same symptoms.
-- By trace02 | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
December 2th
2008
3:34 PM
This is my 4th month on Nuvaring. Luckily, I work in a clinic and have a pretty good gyn as well. The symptoms normally pass after the 2nd month. I developed a rash on my face, headaches, nausea, and lost about 5-7 lbs because I wouldn't eat due to the nausea. The discharge stays. Each time I have sex something new happens. I swell up, I itch, I get a bump, something. The last sexual encounter resulting in a watery discharge that lasted for 2 days. My partner doesn't seem to notice this. I too have had the night sweats. I do like the convenience. I began the nuvaring because of very bad periods, cramps, bleeding for 10 days. Month 3- I had so many clots I thought I was having a miscarriage. I wasn't. At this point, unless something severe happens, and I don't have sex 2 often, I may remain on the nuvaring. Without it, I am out of work at least 3 days of my, READ, 10 day cycle. I should mention that I have the beginnings of PCOS, and it has helped to reduce the hair on my face. I may consider the birth control pills. I just read today that inserting them would alleviate a lot of side effects. However, I don't feel like inserting them each day. Within the last month, I have become fatigued. Vitamins help some. Everyone is an individual. I am still evaluating if it's for me. I can't blame all of this on the Nuvaring, but let's just say, I couldn't report any of these symptoms prior to it's use.
-- By scrabblequeen | Reply | Private Message me
November 7th
2008
12:17 AM
I took aldactone (50mg / day) for a little over 6 years for the excess hair growth associated with PCOS. It did make the hair issue much better. About a year into taking it I wasn't sure it was working, so I stopped taking it. All my old facial hair grew back while off of it, so I started back up again.
I had no problems with the medication at all - or so I thought. I have had dizzy spells for years, especially after standing up from sitting or squatting, to the point where I would almost fall over or black out. For 6 years I went on like this, thinking it was no big deal until I went to a new doctor and he mentioned that my blood pressure was low 90/60 (Usually the nurse would say "you're BP is low, that's good") and he asked me if I ever got dizzy spells and I said yes all the time. He told me to stop taking the spironalactone NOW because REALLY LOW bp can cause damage to your organs. Now that I have stopped, my face is more hairy but I'm not dizzy anymore.
It works for PCOS, but keep an eye on your BP.
-- By fontaniniangel | Reply | Private Message me
Yasmin (92) NuvaRing (10) Mirena (8) Yaz (5) Metformin Hydrochloride (5) Aviane (3) Dyazide (3) Femcon FE (3) Aldactone (2) Loestrin 24 Fe (2) Tri-Sprintec (1) Spironolactone (1) Lisinopril (1) Desogen (1) Toprol-XL (1) Demulen 1/35 (1) Synthroid (1) Lupron (1) Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo (1) Kenalog (1) Biaxin (1)
November 20th
2009
10:52 PM
I have been taking Biaxin XL 500mg for three days now for bronchitis. I have been sick to my stomache, I have had the runs, and the WORST taste in my mouth ever, no matter how much I brush my teeth or chew gum. Another shock came when I got my period. I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and do NOT get a natural period. Unless I take birth control and induce a period, I do not get one. Plain and simple. While I wiped after peeing, I noticed that the wipe felt a bit 'slimey' (gross I know) I pulled the tissue up to see what was the matter, and there it was, a bloody mucous mixed with my urine, and what looked like they could be blood clots, in the toilet, however they looked more like balls of bloody phlegm. Doctor said, sit it out and keep it clean.
-- By juleeyadee | Reply | Private Message me