Yasmin and benadryl

After 5 weeks of taking Yaz, I have developed hives, "lobster red" skin and itchiness from my ankles to my knees. The itching is was so bad, I was using a metal hair brush to scratch (I know, not good). It turns out, I'm allergic to Yasmine. Hives is one of the first side effects.

I stopped taking Yaz about 3-4 days ago and the hives went away completely last night (my doctor told me yaz stays in your system 7-10 days).

The doctor also told me, if you do develop hives on this medication, you need emergency help. Hives can spread very very quickly and they can obstruct your airway.

I personally did not go to the emergency room (I didn't know any better), I was able to control them with Benadryl.

I am sad I can no longer take this pill. It was awesome. It took away my appetite, no moodiness, no pms, no weight gain.

:-(

So I started taking YASMIN in December 07. I switched to YAZ in January 08 and just quit a week ago. So about 4 months of bc. A week ago, I broke out in hives and rashes. I would itch one spot and then others would form. The areas get hot and the welts raise up my skin. It started when I was out in the sun but it couldn't have been sun poisoning because I never got burnt. I am diagnosing myself rather than a doctor because they do NOT know everything. After reading into the YAZ and YASMIN side effects, I am not risking anymore problems. Oh and I got an upper respitory infection along with the rash. This lingering cough has a weaze and phligmy sound. My friends are concerned with it too. I have never been the type of person to suffer from any major sickness or skin problem. I am tough skinned and have never gotten any kind of food allergy. I am 24, 5'6'' and in semi-athletic shape. I am an actor and model and I cannot afford to get rashes and a bad horsey cough! YAZ was great for 2 months and now bam! Downfall happening. Temporary relief-cortozone cream and antihistamines like benadryl.
YAZ benefit-clear skin, no PMS
YAZ side effect-rash, no sex drive/libido loss, difficult/no orgasm, appetite like a hog! Food #1 thought. Packed on pounds quick.
YASMIN benefit-clear skin, lost weight quick
YASMIN side effect- a little loopy, speech impediment, no sex drive/libido loss, no orgasm, couldn't even fake an orgasm!

Where do I begin??? I have been taking Yaz for six months. Migraines! The worst migraines ever, I cannot function for one full day and sometimes more, the pain was so intolerable.

Hives! For the past two months, I keep thinking that I had a food allergy; even my doctor diagnosed it as that. After going to the allergist, I was told that I have developed an allergy to the Yasmin pill. No part of my body has been discriminated with this medication. Hives from the top of my head, in my eyes, right down to the bottom of my feet! This has been the worst experience of my life with this pill.

Fatigue to the extreme! I fall asleep sitting up and never feel rested. Yaz has caused me to go up two cup sizes so far, I went from being a 38C to a 40DD and I can't fit into anything. My boobs are sore a lot.

Weight gain, at least 20 pounds heavier. Nausea; Indigestion; Diarrhea & Constipation; Decreased Sex Drive; and Mood swings; Uncontrollable Rages; Severe body aches; Hot Flashes/Chills; Crying Spells; Blurred Vision; Lack of Concentration; Trouble sleeping; Dizziness; Shaking; Restlessness mainly after 9pm when I should be winding down to go to bed; Terrible night sweats; Never ending cravings for junk food; Inability to cope with stressful situations; Feeling of being inadequate; Can’t concentrate; Gassy; Hate family & partners; Irrational.

Hi Two Girls Mom,
Thanks for your response. My cold is actually a lot better and the constant numbing/pain has pretty much stopped. I still have it on and off, but not straight through for weeks like I used to. I took the one dose of Benadryl and didn't take any more. I found that if I breathed into a paper bag, it caused no anxiety whatsoever. (Once I got the numbing I felt so paranoid I would get the anxiety I used the bag). I didn't get it but still I guess at this point I want to be prepared just in case...
I'm still having the weird pulsing in my ear on and off, not quite as constant as I did on the Yasmin, I'm just assuming that it is still Yasmin related.
To be honest with you although I have a cold, this has been the best I have felt in a long time. I have so much energy, and can actually sleep about 8 hrs. a night, granite I'm still up at 6 am, but I've always been like that.
As for the anxiety, I really haven't experienced a full attack in about 2 weeks. I haven't felt anxious, (not that I did on the pill it just seemed to kinda creep up on me for no reason) Keeping my fingers crossed. Like I said I still have a bit of the numbing here and there, but it is nothing like the constant numbing I used to experience. I'm actually anticipating feeling worse this next week, b/c it should be the start of my period. And like you said and others I have read stating it's worse around menstration and ovulation, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I'm glad you are starting to feeling better. It's a shame that you have to take another drug to cure the symptoms of an old drug, hopefully you will be able to stop that soon as well. I still think's it's absolutely crazy that a stupid birth control pill can cause so many problems. I really don't think I want to take another one. I'm 27 but my b.f. and I don't want kids any time in the near future, so I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I guess condoms for now. I really don't want to mess with my hormones any more.
I did go to the Dr. on Mon. and they took blood pressure, they said it was fine, so I guess that's OK.
Thanks for your help. Like I said before, I really appreciate this site I think it's great that women can talk to other women experiencing the same thing. I really hope they get that crap off the market...
Hill

Hi Hill,
Sorry that you are not feeling well. The cold will pass.
Fortunately you are no longer on Yasmin and are on your road to getting better.
My experience is that I cannot take Benadryl or any cold medicine without getting a racy heart and/or totally exhausted.
It is hard to say with certainty why you are having these symptoms. Keep an eye on them and see if you can see a direct correlation to the meds and the symptoms. You will know your body's reactions.
I am about one and a half months off of Yasmin. I notice that my anxiety is peaking during ovulation and my period. I started Paxil CR 12.5mg when I stopped the Yasmin. I assume that it is helping keep the anxiety under control.
Do alot of deep cleansing breaths when you feel anxious. Also, I recently purchased a couple of relaxation CD's. I listen to them in the late evening once my kids and husband are asleep. It has helped me fall asleep. Staying asleep has not been easy, but I am working on it.
Also- Have you had your blood pressure checked?

Hi Everyone,
I have been off Yasmin now for 24 days. I just got a cold (seems to be going around) and I took a Benadryl cold and congestion yesterday at about 7 am. I didn't go to work b/c I felt horrible. However, my numbness came back yesterday. I haven't had it in about a week or so. I was just wondering if it is b/c of the Benadryl, or if maybe the cold triggered these symptoms. Or if it is maybe even b/c I should be getting my period next week, and from what I have read the anxiety symtoms came back around menstration. If I do get it it will be the first normal cycle since off of it. Also since yesterday, I can hear my heart beat or a pulse in my right ear. This is the side where I get the numbing and tingling. I am wondering if it's due to my cold or just brought out by it. I did get it every now and then when I was on yasmin. Also has anyone experience this.
Thanks a lot and I really do love this site.
Hill