Serious auto 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 was in a very serious auto accident in 1999 that left me in a coma for 2 months. I lost my spleen, 2/3rds. of my pancrease, broken ribs and sternum, broken pelvis and a severe head injury. I am on many medications due to my accident. by losing 2/3rds of my pancrease, I was left with diabetes, very painful periphral neuropathy that I am on pain meds for for life. I lost 40% of my cognative ability. Doctors tried all sorts of drugs to keep me calm preventing panic attacks (PTSD) and tachacardia episodes. The Pyciatrist that I finally was able to see Prescribed me 2 mg. of xanax 3 per day. I must say that this medication was my savior to having a normal life. Before I took this med I took Valium and that did nothing. BUT, this medication according to my Doctor said that it's not for all people, however he said it was custom made for persons in my condition. Without it I cannot get into a car. Have a civil conversation with others. I just sit and stare
all day. Even though I take celexa everyday, it does nothing for me. With the combination of celexa and xanax I am able to live a near normal life. As I said, I have many other physical problems controled by opiods. My life till date has meaning to it. God bless my Doctor that gave me my life back to me. Granted, I hurt non stop but at least I can function. Xanax is a good medication for the few it was entended for like me. I highly recommend it to those that take their meds responsibly.
BLR - Northern Virginia