Physicals symptoms and conditions

I just started my second pack of Loestrin 24 Fe two days ago. I have not had any nausea, weight gain, unusual acne, loss of libido, or crazy mood swings. I have, however, had non-stop breakthrough bleeding. In the past month, there has only been one day where I was not bleeding. I take it at the same time every morning and have not missed a day. I'm really trying to be patient and give it a couple more months...but it has gotten very annoying. I got on the pill because I recently decided to become sexually active. Having my period 24/7, though, has kept me from actually wanting to start. I was on Ortho (the original) back in high school for regularity, and it made me gain 15 pounds and have intense mood swings. Beyond the btb, I love the lack of weird side effects....has anybody made it past the first 3 months to find more regularity with no side effects?

I started taking Loestrin 24 FE March 2008-everything was OK up until the first 3-4 months; my mood had changed from my normal happy free-spirited self to angry and emotional over everything-most of the time for no reason-I felt anxious and nervous during these months. It was not a good feeling. I went to my doctor and she advised these "early symptoms" were normal and would go away in a few months These symptoms did eventually get better but never fully went away. Also, I had a change in my weight; I was a size 6-8 and had losst weight and my appetite decreased. I wasn't happy about that; I didn't want to lose weight; I was happy with my size. Throughout this time, I noticed my hair had stopped growing and became very short in the back, crown and front areas specifically. I've never had a problem with hair growth. My hair has never been like this and it all dates back to starting Loestrin 24 FE last March. It will be a year next month and I've decided this will be my last month taking any form of oral contraceptive birth control. I believe we all know our bodys and BC isnt the only thing that can cause hair loss; but I know for me, this started as a result of the pill. I get regular physicals and even had a check-up with a Thyroid Specialist (just in case) every thing was normal; as it had been years before taking this pill. I'm going to monitor my changes for the better once I stop this pill. I'm sure my hair will grow back because it's not damaged; it just won't grow right now due to these uncontrollable hormone levels. My weight and appetite will return and I will feel better about my decision. The only good thing I experienced was my cycle was predictable; it was initially 1-2 very light days and I knew when I would come on my cycle. I haven't had a cycle since Oct. 2008 but this is also a symptom and very common. I'm not pregnant because I had my blood checked. These two good points aren't as important as the problems I've experienced. I wish us all luck!!!!

I stopped taking yaz 4 months ago and started taking Loestrin. I was on yaz for 2 years and after so many side effects I stopped taking it. It's been a week now that I've noticed my hair is coming out in my hands when I take a bath. I counted the strainds and it's around 30 to 40. I'm so worried because I love my hair what should I do. I've been on Loestrin for about 4 months.

I have suffered with chronic sinusitis for about 8 years, and concurrent asthma for about 6 years. I am a 46 year old male.

I have worked with highly noted ENT in the area, and he tried many (non-prescription) recommendations over the course of a few months, but nothing worked. I had a CT scan that showed profound sinusitis in all regions, especially the ones that nasal corticosteroids cannot reach. In an attempt to avoid surgery, which he described as risky and not particularly effective with the type of widespread sinusitis I had (my orbital lobes were involved), he then suggested I get a single intramuscular corticosteroid shot, which he administered about 10 days ago. I was not advised of any potential side effects.

I called today to ask what it was, and was told Kenalog 60mg - I was getting a prescription for something else and wanted to make sure the pharmacist knew what I already had in my system. No comment from the pharmacist.

First of all, the Kenalog has worked like a miracle drug on my sinusitis. I can breathe normally, I can fly without intense ear pain, my sense of smell and taste has returned after an absence of almost a year, and my asthma seems to have improved. Also, and perhaps strangely, I had a noticeably enlarged lymph node below my left ear on the lower part of my neck for many, many years. It felt like a pea under the skin. None of the doctors in any of my physicals expressed concern about it over the years. Since receiving the Kenalog, this node has returned to normal and I cannot feel it unless I really search for it. I thought it has just calcified and was going to remain that way forever, but perhaps it was permanently inflamed from permanent sinusitis.

The only side effect while on Kenalog that I have noticed is that following Albuterol inhalation (for the asthma), my lungs burn a little and I have a productive cough for a few hours. I suspect that two things are going on: the Kenalog has decreased bronchial inflammation, and increased a vast amount of sinus drainage, some of which is going into my lungs to be expectorated.

My doctor is an older, seasoned pro, and I trust him. I just found and read online the BMS prescribing leaflet (the one for doctors) and it is very explicit that unless the injection is given as a DEEP intramuscular injection, then local atrophy is LIKELY to occur (their words, not mine). It does appear, therefore, that the side effect of atrophy is potentially dependent on the skill of the administering doctor.

I know I will get about 2-3 months relief from this medication, but with all the very tragic tales of side effects listed here, with which I sympathize deeply, I will be reluctant to take it again.

I am hoping the skill of my doctor - and my body's own system - cope with injection without some of the more serious side effects that the people here have been experiencing, though I expect I will have to wait a couple of months to see what happens. For some of us, the drug has (so far) saved us from a life of constant misery and fatigue. I am keeping my fingers crossed and will report back.

Wishing you all well.