Femcon FE and ortho tricyclen

I started Femcon Fe a week and a half ago for irregular periods. I am halfway through the second row and I am DONE. I have tension headaches, insomnia, nausea that wakes me in my sleep, I feel lazy and tired. The worst part is that is making me itch all over my body. I had cholestasis of pregnancy TWICE, and I am experiencing the same symptoms. I also felt these symptoms with Ortho Tricyclen and NuvaRing. I guess I'll just have to deal with the irregular periods.

I've been taking Femcon for about three months now, and while I haven't noticed 'typical' side effects i.e. weight gain (I've actually lost weight), moodiness/PMS, breast tenderness, etc., I've had my period THREE times in one month. They've been true periods, too, complete with cramps and fatigue. It's so frustrating.

I've also experienced a severe UTI while taking this pill; I thought it was due to sex, but upon reading an earlier post I can't help but wonder if it was from this pill. The pain was horrific, and I have a high pain threshold. I went to urgent care and had to have my boyfriend drive because I was in such severe pain. It felt like I had thrown my back out (pain was centered in my lower back).

I've been on and off birth control since I was 17 - for 6-7 years I took Ortho Tricyclen with no side effects, then the patch (which I absolutely HATED), and now have been trying different pills (Tricyclen, Tricyclen Lo and Femcon) to see what works best for me (I'm now 29) since I plan to take the pill continuously again.

Overall, I'd highly recommend Ortho Lo. I felt great, didn't appear to gain any weight and it made my period very light and as pleasant as possible (if that is possible!). Unfortunately, there is no generic for Lo and with insurance it's still $50/month. However, it's worth the extra money....I mean, who wants to perpertually bleed and feel like crap? Not me.

I have been on this pill for four months. It has been an experience. If you miss one pill you will bleed for the rest of the pack and then get you period again. I have had multiple yeast infections since I started taking this pill. Some say this is due to the sugar component in the pill that gives it the minty flavor. I get headaches all the time and severe mood swings.Recently I started clotting from the pills. I don't know what that was all about. I started this pill because I needed a higher dosage but it is too sensitive and I could do without the yeast infections. Also, my dermatologist stated that it has an ingredient in it that causes acne. My acne has been minimal. It is not nearly as bad as it was when I was on other pills. I am switcing to Ortho-tricyclen regular because the lo makes me spot. I hope I have better success