Ovcon and birth control pills

I had a horrible experience with this one. I was switched to ovcon from ortho-novum to help with breakthrough bleeding. Over the years, I taken probably about 5 different brands of birth control pills and I NEVER had such a bad experience as this. I didn't connect it with ovcon at first because when I started ovcon, I was also stopping a series of antidepressant medications that I'd been taking for years but finally felt stable enough to do without. Everything that happened as a result I thought was due to stopping the antidepressants but I'm suspecting it was all due to ovcon.

I took ovcon for 5 months. Besides nausea, I had MAJOR bloating and water retention and HUGE weight gain. I felt like I wasn't even in my own body but a strangers. Appetite shot way up. I was never full, no matter how much I ate. I got terrible swelling in my ankles and fingers and feet. Breasts felt huge. All I wanted to do was eat. Depression and ennui set in. I had mood swings like you wouldn't believe. I assumed this was due to stopping treatment with antidepressants, but I'd never had such mood swings even before seeking treatment for my depression. Libido nonexistent.

It worked for helping control the breakthrough bleeding but hardly was it worth it with all these side effects. The swelling finally sent me to the doctor, it was so uncomfortable. Dr. could find nothing wrong--blood pressure, blood tests, urine sample all normal. She decided to try switching birth control.

I'm my third day on LoEstrin now, and I feel tons better. Having major peeing now it seems my body is ridding itself of excess water. Body beginning to feel like my own again. Appetite back to normal--I get full again like I should! Mood much improved and libido hasn't been this strong in ages.

Ovcon was definitely not for me.

I was prescribed Ovcon 35 for ongoing bleeding associated with endometriosis. I have had the mild headaches, EXTREMELY tender and bloated breasts and stomach upset others have described but can live with it. One of my concerns is that even WITH endometriosis, I have never really experienced bad cramps. After being on this for only three weeks, my cramps are really pretty bad. Secondly, I have gained three to four pounds. I am willing to stay on this and see if my body adjusts. It has helped my bleeding tremendously (so far) and I have not had the PMS symptoms I typically do. My main concern is the weight gain. Does your body adjust to it and the side effects lessen over time? I can stand just about anything but the weight gain. Oh, and by the way...I have been on a few different birth control pills for close to 20 years and have NEVER had side effects until this one.

GET A LIFE!!! You can not possibly blame all these crazy symptoms on birth control pills!!! Muscle spasms?!? Come on!!!