NuvaRing and chest pains

I am 25 years old. A mother of 2, and i have now been on the NuvaRing for 5 years. I got on the NuvaRing the day of my postpartum check up after i had my second child.. I loved the NuvaRing at first thought it was the best thing in the entire world, hell all you had to do was put it in leave it for 21 days days leave it out for 7. Go on your period and other then that everything was great. About 2 months into using the Nuvaring i started having HORRIBLE HEADACHES that would last 3-5 days at a time without letting up. I could not stand to be around noise, light or anything that had a strong smell or it would get my head pounding to where i just could not take it anymore. So i called my doctor and told him about the horrible headaches that i have had. Explained to him that before a bad headache would come on i would have this horrible burning sensation in my head that would make you want to die.. And the doctor told me just hang in there and give the Ring time to work, so i did and then as time went on i started having other side effects along with the headaches.. Such as BAD ACNE that scars after clearing up which has made my completion not so good. Breakouts on arms, back ,chest. So i got some neutrogena soap to help with that and it has worked.. But then i got more side effects such as BREAK THREW BLEEDING right after my period was suppose to be over and after intercourse.. Then i totally HAD NO SEX DRIVE which caused lots of problems in my marriage cause my husband began to think i wasn't sexually attracted to him anymore.. And i began to think that also. Cause i had lost my sex drive didn't want to do it, the thought of it made me cringe. After being on the NuvaRing after so long you began to develop this THICK DISCHARGE that is annoying then as time goes on you get another type of discharge that is thin WATERY DISCHARGE that is aggravating cause it almost feels as if you have peed your pants a bit almost feels like a yeast infection with out the smell. Which brings me to my next awful side effect which is the Yeast INFECTIONS and the number of UTI's i have had while being on the NuvaRing never had a UTI or a yeast infection before the nuvaring. Not having a sex drive because you cant because intercourse is too PAINFUL sex it hurts like FRICTION and STABBING because of the DRYNESS the Nuva Ring causes. So i called the doctor he told me that i would have dryness at first and to just use lube so i tried that. Didn't work still had pain from the dryness so i called the doctor again and told him about the pain so he wrote me a prescription for a numbing jelly that you use right before intercourse and that was suppose to help with the pain.But that didn't work either just made everything numb till where you couldn't feel rather anything was out or in so i quit using that and hoped to god that my body would adjust to the Nuvaring. Still today after intercourse it causes STOMACH CRAMPS similar to the ones when your on your menstrual cycle,and PRESSURE similar to the pressure you have when your 8-9 months pregnant. Going to the bathroom after intercourse is a total NIGHTMARE i have had times it has burned so bad that i have pinched my stomach as i peed to take some of the PAIN AND BURNING away.Dont always work! Another side effect that i have had is DEPRESSION i have noticed that i have been unhappy and just got to where a lot of times i don't care about things that matter to me because i don't feel that i have the energy to do so.. I also have ANXIETY ATTACKS which i have never had until i got on this NuvaRing. CHEST PAINS that i thought the first time i was having a heart attack it hurt so bad. I had to take little breaths to breathe which would then lead into a PANIC ATTACK cause i felt like i was unable to breathe like i am suppose to.. So yet again called the doctor who told me that i need to be on prozac to handle this. Never got on the prozac just delt with it hoping that it was just a little side effect and that my body would adjust to the NuvaRing, but guess what NO never did.. Another side effect that i always hate is getting SICK AND THROWING UP caused by a medication, guess what i still have this after 5 years i get to cramping so bad and headaches tied onto being MISERABLE and BLOATING and DIARRHEA and DRY MOUTH so bad that you cant stand it seems no matter what you drink to get rid of dry mouth nothing can quench your thirst and this is all hours of the day. So i would take Midol which would only help for a few hours and then i was right back to square one with the B.S caused by the NuvaRing. So i call the doctor and get told "well you will have that." the side effects will be less obvious the longer your on the NuvaRing." So stupid me stays on the NuvaRing hoping this is true! Which i have found out is not. The only good thing that i have noticed is the NuvaRing is easy to use and you don't have to remember take a pill everyday! I never had any weight gain or loss while on this dang thing. Pretty well maintained the same weight as i have always been. I have tried to get off the ring several times, but always get back on it, Because while the ring is out for 7 days i am miserable mostly with a headache that last 3-5 days untop of the TERRIBLE MOOD SWINGS that i get. i truly think that my body has been on this hormone so long that i have HORMONAL WITHDRAWALS when i don't have the ring in. Cause i am fine after the ring is inserted again. People can say what they want and say that this is a issue and that they haven't had problems and that is understandable and different people adjust to hormones in different ways but the time that i have my ring out i always get my sex drive back 1-2 days before i start my period. I am not asking anyone to believe me about any of this and if the ring works for you then great, i thought that it was going to work for me also but it didn't. . I have taken the nuvaring out this last past Sunday and have no intentions on putting another ring back in.. Yet again i have had 3 days of a SEVERE HEADACHES some thing that i believe is HOT FLASHES or NIGHT SWEATS,BLOATING,DEPRESSION,CHEST PAINS,ANXIETY ATTACKS,YEAST INFECTIONS, and BAD MOOD SWINGS and i am hoping that all this will pass and my body will go back to the way it was before the NuvaRing came along... I would not suggest anyone to get this as a form of birth control i would actually tell then that the pill is better off to have in the long run.. This has caused me nothing but a miserable life that i have tried to deal with and i am just not going to do it anymore. I hope to see in the near future the NuvaRing go off the markets and not able to sale anymore.. The only reason that i was put on the nuvaring is because my doctor had a hard time finding a birth control method that my body would accept I was on Ortho- Tri- Cyclin and got pregnant and had a girl... My postpartum check up with her i was given the Orthra- Evra patch and i got pregnant with my son. Tried IUD and my body rejected it. So the doctor says" lets try this new birth control"you insert yourself leave in for 21 days leave out for 7 and have your period," the longer your on this NuvaRing the lighter your period will become and the side effects which aren't many will fade also.". "So how bout it." Well i thought this NuvaRing was a dream come true, BUT IT WAS A NIGHTMARE WAITING TO HAPPEN..

Is there anyone out there that has had severe chest pains, particularly in the sternum region, on the ring? I've had mine out for two days after weeks of RAGE and back pain...along with chest pains and heart palpitations. Just hoping the chest pain and pressure will subside.
Thank you.

I had used NR for six weeks when I woke up at 3 am with SEVERE chest pains. Went to the ER and was diagnosed with *substantial* pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the lungs). I was hospitalized for five days and am now under the direction of a pulmonologist and hematologist for the next six months while I'm on blood thinner therapy. I had to do injections into my abdomen twice a day to prevent further clotting until my blood reached a theraputic level with the Coumadin (blood thinning drug).

Usually, pulmonary embolism afflicts sedentary people or those who have recently had surgery or those who have cancer . .. etc etc etc. I am a 33 year old personal trainer. I have ZERO risk factors for this to have happened to me . .. other than the nuvaring. It was determined that it was the cause and I was told to remove it immediately and to never never never use it again.

Please be careful in your decisions to use this product. I used it for the convenience of not popping a pill daily as I would usually forget. Wish I would have just looked a bit further into the possible side effects before choosing to go ahead with it.

I forgot to mention I have had terrible chest pains occasionally. I am seeing my OB/GYN this week to get a check up. This has been very scary recently and just so glad I found all of you!!

I switched my birth control from the pill to nuvaring a little over five months ago. I am a graduate student/research assistant and have been in a great relationship for 3 years. I know myself and I know my body, SOMETHING WAS SEVERELY WRONG. I knew there was something happening inside me. I have been off nuvaring for almost two weeks and I feel significantly better. These were my symptoms:

PHYSICAL:
-severe leg pains
-pains in my arms
-chest pains
-shortness of breath
-headaches
-blurred vision
-weight gain
-rapid heart beat

EMOTIONAL:
-depression
-anxiety
-feeling of hopelessness
-easily discouraged
-rapid mood swings
-withdrawl from talking to people
-feeling like a burden to others
-paranoia

I had never felt like this before, and I thought I was going crazy. I could not explain what was happening. If you feel any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor immediately! Physical symtoms could be signs of blood clots, which can result in death. And even more painful were the emotional side effects. If you are feeling any thing like this please talk to someone or even email me! Nothing will happen if you take the ring out early, but definitely consult a doctor. If you do take the ring out, please be safe and use a condom. You are not alone! Everyone's body is different and sometimes we need to listen to what our bodies are trying to tell us.

Hello everyone, I have been going nuts trying to find people who have had side effects from the Nuvaring. I used to be on the patch before that, but I am sure many of you have heard about the deaths that occured to some people on it, so I decided to switch to the ring. It sounded amazing, leave it in for 3 weeks and that is it. The patch also used to come off here and there, so this sounded perfect. Then the side effects started. The only thing I ever had from the patch was a like a 10 pound weight gain, fuller breasts, and a regular period. I didn't know there are many women who feel extreme anxiety from certain birth control. Just within the last few months, I figured out the timing, and about a month or so, maybe less, after I switched to the ring, I started having serious anxiety, nervousness to where at times I thought I was going to have a panic attack, feeling like I was going mad, every so often would have a breakdown, gained more weight and in places I never had before, occassional night sweats, occassional chest pains, though could also be related to anxiety, depression, crying many times a week, and some other effects. I just started counseling because my anxiety has hurt my relationship. I always had a healthy worry when it came to my fiance. Part of it is caused by my past, but nothing I couldn't let go. Now I have for about a yr and a half constantly think he is going to cheat on me, always think he is lying, checking his phone as I see someone else posted on here as well, etc. I also worry about my friends too, like when they don't return my calls soon, I worry they are mad at me. I started therapy because all of my friends and family thought I should because they all see the man I have, and I have lost sight in the beauty this relationship had. So I took the ring out almost 2 weeks ago so I could get my period, and staying off from now on. I know it takes a few months to get out of your system, so hoping the anxiety goes away. I have also lost my sex drive due to all this. I know I wrote a lot, but hoping to help out others with my post. I am glad you all posted, and thank you for making me realize I am not alone. Just remember, some other birth control can have the same effects, but not all. I may consider the pill after I let my body get over this. Good luck to you all, and for the ones who love it and have no bad side effects, i am happy for you. It is great because it is so easy, but unfortunately, can't use it.

I've only used NR for a couple of months and I have been have sever back and chest pains that I have never experienced before, I have also lost my sex drive which isn't a good thing for me. I don't know if this is a side effect of the NR. but with the pain in my back and chest being so sever I have decided to stop using the NR and hope that you other ladies really consider what is going on with your bodies when you use BC. I really felt like I was having a heart attack a feeling that just didn't sit right with me. Good Luck ladies. The NR wasn't right for me.

Hi. I started the NR about 5 weeks ago and for the first few weeks I was fine but then started experiencing leg cramps, chest pains, more gas than usual and even swollen down there! WTF! I literally took the thing out as I was reading all these comments on here! SCARY STUFF!!! I am waiting a few days and if the swelling does not go away I am going in asap! I have tried all sorts of B.C. but nothing works for me! Thank god my husband just went and had a vasectomy (SP)! But still have to becareful for a few months...no more babies for this mommy. Thanks for making this website!

I was on NR in the early 2003... I was on it for like a week, if I recall it was a short time.... They doc placed me on it because of slow hormone release into my blood stream, before that I was on Yasmin, and had no issues, other then being very moody.... With in the first five days I was very sick, I had breathing issues, coughing, nausea, and every bad eye sight..... This was on a saturday, I had went to the doctor that very morning and he told me I just had a cold, need to go home take it easy and take meds... So I went home, was on the couch, taking the meds he gave to me, when all of sudden I couldnt breath, had very very very heavey chest, strong chest pains and I thought I was dying.... My mother was with me, she called the doc, and he said it could had been a reaction to the meds, just dont take anymore, if I am not better go to the ER.... By that night, was not able to breath at all, walking from the tv to the couch was not even possible, I actually thought I was dying... then during all of this, I began to get this deep pain in my inner thigh of my right leg... By Monday, the leg was HUGE, three times the size it should be... I was still not able to breath, I thought I was dying... I went to ER on Monday, they found nothing wrong with me.... Sent me back home.... This kept going on, and getting worse, they knew I couldnt breath but we didnt know why, they checked my heart and it was fine... So I went all week long, with this issue my leg just kept swelling bigger, and breathing was worse... By thursday, I was back to ER.... the Doc on duty, found the issue... I had a DVT, that was in my leg, and it was in my lung at this time.. was not sure if more was going to follow or what, but he said my body is not wanting to adjust to this, and is trying to shut down... I was to stay very still, and tell him everything I had and was taken in meds.... I told him about the cold meds that I had taken, but then he asked me about birth control, I told him, I had the Nuvaring in as we speak... he told me to pull it out, and NEVER use it again... I did.. and I was rushed to a larger Hospital, where the fight for my life began.... By the time I got there I had blood sugar over 380.. My body was not working right, I couldnt breath, I was dying... My body would not take any blood thinners, meds or anything, I smelled like death, they moved me to a private room, due to the smell.... I was vomiting, had major loose stool, and was not able to wear any clothes for a period of about two days... the doc there at the hospital told my family it would be a miracle if she pulls thru this, or even if she does, if she can keep the leg, (it was blocked 98% and was turning purple).... Her life will never be the same, and she has a very very high risk of this again, if not death in the near furture, she will have to be on blood thinners for the rest of her life.... to make a long story very short, I am still alive, of course, and I kept the leg, it swells from time to time, I actually walk on it, wear 3 inch heels and live as normal of a life as I can... July of 03 they were going to take the leg, and I asked the doc if he could just wait, I was determined to keep it... and I did... they said I would never be able to wear heels again, it was at that time my foot was a size 12 and my other foot was an 8.... But I beat the odds... I cannot and would never take Birth Control again, I cannot have children due to the risk of dying, have to live on blood thinners for the rest of my life... This was caused by the Nuvaring.... I had no blood issues, did not smoke nor drink, and I was very active.... PLEASE PLEASE dont use this device! READ everything you can! PLEASE, Blood clots dont care who you are or what you do.... It can happen to anyone! If you have had issues with this device, contact me at******. I would like to hear your story, and would hope you would join me in making women know what the outcome can be.... I am now 36, and I live everyday as tho it could be my last...WE are not promised anything, so the next time you use any form of Birth Control. please, be careful! I have never been married, and was told I cannot have children and of course I didnt have any before all of this happen... This device changed my future, dont let it change the people you love! SPEAK OUT, PLEASE!

I've been using the ring for 3 months now - it was prescribed following an abortion - i thought that my depression was related to the abortion, i've been sad all the time, crying randomly, unable to sleep, gaining weight, tired ALL of the time, so very easily annoyed. i've had raging headaches, body pains in my legs and arms, and for the past 3 days chest pains. i've been a crazed woman with my friends, and most especially my boyfriend, i'm confused as to what's reality and what i've blown out of porportion now, calming down since the removal of the ring, and laughing at myself. i'd get off the nuva ring sooner than later, it's not something to mess with.

I started the NR about a month ago. The first two weeks were going great until I started having chest pain and flu like symptoms. I'm 21 years old, I didn't think I should be having chest pains. I recently returned from a trip and sometimes I get sinus infections when I get home and I figured the chest pain was from a pulled muscle because I had an awful bed to sleep in or being in the car for 8 hours. I took the NR out last Sunday and all of my symptoms went away slowly throughout the week. But i thought it was just a cold until I read everyone else's posts. I put the NR in again last night and all my symptoms returned, the chest pain especially. I took it out this morning for good. My doctor told me to give my body 3 months to adjust but I can't feel like this everyday until my body adjust, it's just not practical. I guess I'll just have to remember a pill. The NR was just to good to be true, at least for me anyway. I just wanted to share my experience with everyone.

starting the ring was awful for me, more so the 2nd month then the first, very dissy, to the point of not walking, black outs while driving. I was put on it for the massive pms problems. It might be endo I dont know, i am stuck in the battle of the doctors atm, and most all women in my family have it. b4 i started the ring i would cramp up to one week b4 starting my period. Now I constantly cramp all month, and my chest pains which are associated with my panic disorder has increased and my doctor put me on zoloft and visitine. As far as my mood has been going my depression has come back along with lack of sleep and night terrors. I have actually lost weight on the ring and my acne has cleared up with the aid of some cleaners. I have had no trouble with it feeling or acting like its going to fall out at any times, and i dont feel its there. The only reason i know its there is because of the light constant cramping i have during most of the month. I was on the path a few years ago and prefer the ring to the patch over any day. The path had far worse effects on my mood changes, i was on that for a year and things kept getting worse and it did not help with my cramps or bleeding, infact when i came off it my cramps had doubled. There are time i want to take the ring out but I am going to stick with it and hope for the best. But the ring is great for those of us that have a bad memory and there is a computer program that can be downloaded onto your computer that will remind you when to change it out. That is a very helpful aid!