Whirl symptoms and conditions

Wow, it amazes me how many negative reviews this BC (birth control) received after doing a Google search and yet this RING FROM HELL is STILL on the market. And even worse, doctors who are prescribing it are CLUELESS. They don't give you the full extent of the side effects when you ask them about it. And when you don't ask them, they don't even tell you anything!

My first experience with NuvaRing was a positive one, or so I thought. I was on it for about 1 1/2 years, if I remember correctly. It cleared up my skin, made me gain weight (which is actually a good thing, considering I was always so rail-thin), breasts got bigger, didn't affect my sex drive...it basically took care of all the problems I was having before. However, looking back, I do remember gradually losing my mind, having dizzy spells, and depression. I don't remember why exactly I took the ring out, but I think it was because I didn't have insurance anymore to cover it. The experience of going off the ring wasn't too bad at all, from what I can remember.

NOW, just recently, approx. 9 weeks ago, I decided to give this thing a whirl for a second time because I mostly remembered the high points and I was dealing with acne breakouts on my cheeks when I turned 22 (which I never had before). I remembered how well it cleared up my skin last time, when I was dealing with mild teenage acne. Unfortunately, this time around, being on it for roughly 2 months, I didn't have such a great experience. Side effects came on strong immediately, and the worst I've felt. Like this one time, I was getting ready to sleep when suddenly, I felt like my chest was being sat on, like a sensation of heaviness or pressure on my chest and I could not inhale fully. I couldn't catch my breath if that makes sense. It lasted until I finally passed out from sleepiness. It was scary...also; I started to have acne breakouts as well, and developed rash acne AND 2 deep pimples that were large in size. This made me quickly remove the ring on the spot, even though I had just inserted 3 days ago. Other side effects included painful bloating, constipation, very bad cramps, negative mood, low sex drive, vaginal burning and dryness, occasional chest pinch or pressure, and zero motivation.

Also, quick question, has anyone experienced moments of complete stiffness or dazedness or whatever? For example, I remember I was eating a great meal and watching TV with my fiance when suddenly, I just started to slow down in movement. I just put my utensils down and placed my arms on my side, and my vision became out of whack. It went from blurry to clear, blurry to clear and I felt out of it and that something was very wrong with me. Like, I was spacing out hardcore. It was like being catatonic, but not fully. Not sure if this was directly related to the BC, but I've never experienced this before until I was on the NuvaRing...hmmm

Anyway, after taking the ring out about 4 days ago, I have experienced what seems to be yet a second withdrawal period (as well as headaches). And I just ended my "period" last week. Only had the damn ring back in for 3 days?? Now I'm concerned because I've read you can have side effects even while trying to GET OFF the ring? Such as hair loss, unrecovered sex drive, acne, and withdrawal bleeding which lasts for days to weeks. And I was only on the ring this time around for 9 weeks. I will keep you all posted on how long my withdrawal effects take to subside….

This is my personal experience with it and I think that the idea to directly penetrate hormones into our bloodstream with third generation hormones is just too much for us women to handle. Why is it that we women have to suffer through all this? Why don't men create a birth control for THEMSELVES and deal with it! After all, we can't get pregnant without a sperm so men should be on BC, not us! Grrrrrr…Sorry, another withdrawal side effect from getting off the ring (crankiness).

Good luck to all,
L.A.

I just started Lialda a few days ago (May 12th). I have experienced headaches, back pain, nausea, some abdominal pain, I had severe gas yesterday and today I feel sick to my stomach. Not sure I like taking Lialda, but I will give it a whirl.

I am on my last shot and I am so Glad.I have had night sweats,hot flashes,sleeping diffuculties,no energy,achey and a little weightgain.I am curious to see how I feel once I am off this for good.If anyone has any ideas or any comments about Lupron let me know.

MY doctor laughed in my face when I expressed my concern with the side effects that I was experiencing. "There are NO side effects" he urged. But still I would get sharp abdominal pains, the cramps were sometimes unbearable, my back broke out in horrible acne and since I've barely had 5 zits in my life this symptom is hard to ignore, the constant feeling of being bloated, the weight gain even with a change of diet. And the worse symptom of all, the mood changes. I constantly felt in whirl of emotions from crying reading a magazine to being so unexplainably angry with everyone. I could be fine one minute and the next watch out! My poor husband had to endure this type behavior for 6 months. My doctor still insists that there are NO side effects but i feel the proof is in the pudding.

I have just started taking Lamictal and typically have sensitivity to meds. I take it for mood stabalization along with effexor xr 150 mg. Moy dose of Lamictal is only 75mg right now. But I have been getting acne again which I haven't had to deal with in over a year and a half. I go my occassional pms pimple or two even but now I am constinantly fighting the blemishes, including a couple of new ones on my back which I haven't gotten in probably 7 years. Frustrated is an understatement. But it is good to hear others are experiencing similar systems and I am not as confused finding the cause for this. Memory loss, lack of focus, disorientation,confusion are also the scarier of the side effects I have been experiencing. Today something new and very scary happened. For a split second I had to grab my desk at work cause I literally felt like the room was spinning. Not see swirls or anything but like when your on the til-a whirl at the amusement part. Does anyone have any idea what that could have been? I have been feeling a bit dizzy since also. Anything neurological really scares me. Does anyone also know what other mood stabilizers if they have taken any have little side effects from their experience?