Yasmin and tiredness

I wonder if you realize you are talking to over 4000 users will all the same or similar symptoms....when addressing a mass of people who agree upon the negative aspects of this Synthetic HORMONE. Just wait until the time when you start getting the palpitations, (as a completely fit young person like me) Then tell me how great you feel. if this wasn't serious and in suspicion, we wouldn't have googled it and made an account just to be able to contribute to complaining. if we wanted to attribute our negative health issues to something rather than owning up to them, we surely wouldn't reach out to strangers to do it, but rather be satisfied with that idea in our head, as our reasoning, as you suggest. Say what you wish about Us complainers, I can only THANK GOD that I had enough side effects to become fed up with it truly enough to say goodbye AFTER 6 YEARS of troubles including tiredness, weight gain, depression, anxiety, palpitations (scary flip flop ones ...and super fast out of no where ones....exercise ones and sitting in my bed ones....Irritability and lack of interest in life in general) This is my first month off in 6 years and i had no period, so i came on to google it....and come to find out there are zillions of women having trouble on LOTS of sites if you type it in google. I hate to tell you dear, but just because you are having a great result with it in ONE aspect after a short time, doesn't mean your hair wont fall out too when you finally decide to stop like the rest of us. I can only hope mine wont. and again, I reiterate, this many people cant be wrong. I hope the best for you and for gods sake, get OFF the shit.

Wow you are all a bunch of complainers who try and blame XYZ on Yasmin which probably have ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the pills. I have bee diagnosed with PCOS and have been on hormone therapy since age 15, first zovia, which worked well enough but did not get rid of a lot of my symptoms, only lessened them somewhat, so now I am on yaz. My depression has completely subsided, I feel GREAT and only had some nausea which almost EVERYONE gets when taking a hormone therapy birth control pill. Trust me, if you are going to have SIDE EFFECTS it is not going to happen 4 YEARS LATER, please.... grow up and take responsibility for yourselves, rather than trying to blame a pill

I was on Yasmin for two months and then switched to the new generic form this month, completed two weeks and now I am taking myself off of the pill due to the following side effects: anxiety, crying over every little thing, insomnia, tiredness, extreme hunger, sore and swollen breasts, ear aches, constipation, and leg cramping.

Wow I'm glad I stumbled across this page.
I only started taking Yasmin 1 month ago after switching from LevlenEd which I was on for 4 months.On LevlenEd I found I was developing a redness in the face (not acne but almost like rosacea) which is something very uncommon for me as I have always had very clear and even toned skin. After visiting the doctor he switched me to Yasmin - something about the different combination of hormones in the tablet and that this should clear things up. Well it hasn't. In fact I've experienced so many horrible side effects of the pill that I decided tonight that I'm just going to stop taking it all together. Side effects include:
Extreme emotions
Massive increase in appetite resulting in excessive weight gain
Lack of motivation
Tiredness
Skin redness and swelling of the pores
Hot flushes at night resulting in sweat break outs (usually I'm actually cold at night and never sweat)
Decrease in libido and dryness during sex
Puffiness in the skin and a hot feeling
Sensitive muscles all over - around the ribs, tummy, arms - just touching and they feel lightly bruised
I'm usually a very active and fit person but have just felt so lethargic on the pill. Combine this with an increase in appetite and I now have a task ahead of my to loose this excess weight that I have put back on after working it off for so many years.
Before taking the pill I generally did not take any medications at all.
I am particularly interested to hear from anyone who may have experienced the same skin conditions that I found when on the pill.
The funny thing is that my sister is on Yasmin and has had no problems at all.
The only plus was that my breasts went up a whole size! A great thing for me!!
My boyfriend is just going to have to deal with the change in how we manage birth control because the side effects I've experienced over the last 5 months are just ridiculous!

It is so funny to read all of the negativity but nothing positive! I came here looking for side effects and get a bashing about how horrid Yasmin/Yaz is! Let me first start off by listing my side effects that I wanted to know about:

breast tenderness
change in appetite
tiredness
red spot in eye

Next, let me tell you that I researched BEFORE taking this medicine because 1. I have MS 2. I suffer from migraines and seizures and 3. I take a whole boat load of medications! My doc recommended Yasmin for PMDD coupled with Sarafem to help my mood right before and during my time of the month. I must say that I have only been on it for about 10 days so I do not know anything of how it works with my period.

I am APPALLED at the fact that there are few, if any, positive comments about this pill! I know for a FACT that it works because I know 7 people personally that are on it that have NO PROBLEMS! So, I ask you all that have negative comments, what is wrong with you, other than you HATE the pill? What OTHER meds were you on while taking it? I read a few comments about stopping for a month and then starting again and then wondering why they felt like crap?? Well HELLO?! You are effing with your body's hormones! And there is a difference between Yaz and Yasmin hormones. If you had a bad experience with Yaz, make sure you are not confusing it with Yasmin! Yaz is a 24 day hormone pill where Yasmin is only 21 days.

I am not a doctor, but like I said, I have done my research. I have suffered with adult acne and PMDD for years. It sucks. If Yasmin helps, I want to know. I don't want to read a bunch of bull about people who mess up their cycles by taking the pill and smoking or taking the pill with meds they shouldn't be taking them with. I know what I can and cannot take. Most of what I take is natural and what is not, well, it CAN be taken with Yasmin. Like the website for Yasmin says and like most of the informational, non-biased websites say, Yasmin and Yaz is not for everyone. Some people cannot handle this type of hormone.

I can guarantee you that some doctor or pharm company can tell you that whatever symptom you are having is from something completely unrelated to the BC you are taking. Warnings are clearly marked...read them and obey!

ive been on Yasmin for about a month now
my symptoms are:
nausea
brown discharge
tiredness
erratic sex drive
moodiness
and i seem to space out a lot,like stare at walls and lose concentration

i think the discharge is annoying me most as its the most recent and effects my boyfriend wanting to have sex with me

I have been using Yasmin for over 3 years now. I did suffer from tiredness and nausea with everything else that I have tried before Yasmin. However, after reading several comments on this forum, I have to say that I too suffer from anxiety and depression. Although I wouldn't call it severe, its enough to take its toll on me. It makes me extremely paranoid in the sense that I worry over the silliest things and elaborate on every little problem thinking that everything is going to be worse. Basically my mind races over problems all day and I have been feeling like I am losing my rationalization. I did seek help from my psychiatrist and was put on a mild antidepressants and although they provide immediate relief and give my mind a little rest, I didn't benefit from any long term solution that he said the medicine would provide.
I have been quite annoyed at myself really for not being in control of my feelings because the person I know I am, has done an okay job at it before. Something is definitely screwing up my emotions and that could very well be Yasmin since I have tried every other solution. So I am going to give Yasminelle a go as of today and see if the lower dose improves things and if not I will definitely be looking at alternative birth control methods because I am honestly fed up of feeling like I have no control over my own emotions.

Where to start! I started Yasmin in Sept. of 2005. So I've been on it 2 and a half years. Things were fine for a while. It did what it was supposed to do, including no weight gain. That's how its been marketed here, so that's why i got it. Nothing has happened all of a sudden. Its all creeped up on me very slowly. Headaches, pressure in my sinuses, tiredness...all pretty simple. But here's the thing. I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression and put on Prozac. The Prozac didnt help. I came off it. Now here's the more troubling symptoms I've experienced. Heart Palpitations, squeezing in my chest making it hard to breathe, increased fear and anxiety (which cause heart attack-like symptoms which can more commonly be described as a panic attack). I've had my finger on the 911 buttons several times in the last 8 months. Now I'm discovering the joy of incontinence. Do you have any idea what its like to be in the store buying groceries and then all of a sudden there's a puddle of number 2 around your shoe? I do. I'm 23. Abdominal pain, stomach distension, constipation followed by diarrhea. Hair loss. Cold feet. LOSS OF SEXUAL DRIVE! My God!

I've said all this to my doctor. He ran blood for everything, there's nothing wrong with me medically. X-rays, mri's, cat scans, ekg's. Nothing nothing nothing. I changed doctors and told the new doctor my story. He figures that because i was put on Prozac for depression, that I must have developed Hypochondria (aka extreme paranoia and a belief that I'm terminally ill). Not true, I know its not terminal, i just need to be put on a new pill. My husband and I have regular sex, he's allergic to latex, and even those non-latex condoms. We're not ready for babies yet, so I dont know what to do. But if this helps someone else, then taking the time to write this was worth it. And as a side note, if you're on the pill and have the choice, and your doc wants to put you on prozac...Don't do it. Try switching your pill first.

Amanda I think we should all keep an open mind. As women we know our bodies and definitely know when something is not right. I have been a ballet dancer for almost 17 yrs. I was young, happy, very active and when i was 19 I started Yasmin to regulate my period. My first three cycles were the worst, I am talking about nausea, headaches, tiredness(did not feel like dancing anymore was just too tired),vaginal dryness that lead to yeast infections terrible mood swings right down to bloating and fatigue. However after the first three months my body adjusted nicely and i was fine. I had been on Yasmin for 2 1/2 yrs and finally stopped a month ago when the symptoms become worse. Instead of PMS my doctor diagnosed me with PMDD instead of mood swings i was depressed(really) my face started to break out and i could not understand what was going on. I finally went to my doctor and he took me of Yasmin completely and I am now on Diane 35. Again my symptoms are back and they are worse but I know my body has to adjust to the pill. To you Amanda be careful what you say. Every woman biological make up is different and we all respond to medications differently.

I have been taking Yasmin for 2 months and suffer the following symptoms for the last 7 weeks, lack of balance and co ordination, problems walking which consist of shaking wobbly legs its like they are made from jelly , shortness of breath, palpitations, panic attacks, clumsiness, stomach cramp, constipation, diarrhea, clots whilst not menstruating, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, seeing spots, light headed, aching muscles, fluid retention, swollen hands and feet, abdominal pain, lack of period, mood swings, nausea, lack of appetite, sore breasts, bloatedness, tiredness, insomnia, pais in my chest, has any one else got these symptoms?

I think It is wonderful...I don't understand why everyone can blame a little birth control pill. Come on now, is everyone honestly reading what they wrote it sounds ridiculous. My acne has cleared up and I haven't gained any weight except for the weight i put on myself not because of the pill. That whole weight gain thing all depends on you. I have headaches...but they are just headaches I had them before I started birth control -their not gonna disappear. Mood swings -we're woman like I said about the headaches- had mood swings before- their not gonna disappear... Thats all I got--- think about what your saying before you write it.

I'm 15 and I've been taking yaz for about a month.
the side affects just aren't worth it, i didn't know my depression and tiredness was from the pill because my doctor told me there are NO SIDE EFFECTS.
well everyday i come home and i cant get out of bed, my boyfriend thinks I'm going crazy cause ill start getting mad for no reason and that usually doesn't happen. i play soccer and have been noticing extreme muscle aches and shortness of breath, which doesn't help at all. helppp! any other pills that are worth taking? thanks

I used YAZ for one moth last July and it really helped with my mood swings. My period has always been light and I only have cramps the first day of my period and they are bearable by most standards. However, i stopped using YAZ after a month and a half and decided to get back on a few weeks ago (in time for the New Year) and within ONE WEEK I FEEL TERRIBLE!!! Like many of you I kept worrying that I was pregnant, took a test which turned out to be negative but still experiencing the NAUSEA, TIREDNESS even after a full night's rest, back pain and I am emotional!!!
I am VERY in-tune with my body so this is soo bizarre to me especially since I've only a taken 8 pills so far. My boyfriend says to get off it ...for all the bad side effects it just doesn't seem worth it!!!! I was thinking that the symptoms would subside as my body adjusts in the first month. I am still debating if it's worth finding out! ~ Still looking for the right pill for me! :o(

Oh my....I thought I was having a heart attack or something!!! I had no idea that this stupid pill was doing all of this, when I found this page and read through a few of them I was so relieved!!!!!! I have not been on Yasmin very long I started in October and I hadn't even went through my second pack. I stopped taking the pill today because I started these chest pains a few days ago and I told my mom about them tonight it really scared me.So I called and told her and she looked it up and told me so I looked it up and found this page. My side effects didn't start happening until recently I have had pains through out my whole body, chest pains, back pains, stomach pains, leg, arm, etc., I am tired all the time and depression is starting and I have never had that. I thought my tiredness was just from having a two year old but I now know that it should not make me feel like this I am only 19 years old and will never take this stupid pill again or recommend it to any one thanks to all that made me see it was really Yasmin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been taking Yasmin for a year and a half now and have been suffering so many side effects I thought I might be imagining them. But now I know I'm NOT! 2 months after taking Yasmin my hair started to fall out in clumps, and has been falling out for over a year now. As if that wasn't bad enough, I've been moody, weepy, anxious, feeling ringing in my ears and vertigo, tiredness and so many other side effects described by other women on this forum.

I felt not myself for so long now and put it all down to the stress of a moving to a new country. But I know better now and only wish I made the connection sooner. I am going to stop taking Yamin immediately, but am worried about losing even more hair. Have any of you had similar experience, and most importantly - will it grow back?

Hello,

I read about how YAZ birth control pill affects the body and psych and I am now scared. This is my 2nd day of YAZ (I've never been on birth control pills ever and I am 27 years old), it's all new to me but after reading all these negative posts about Yaz I don't know what to do. Before the birth control pills, I was depressed, annoying, serious weight problems - 210 lbs :~~((, low energy, low libido, always tired, terrible migraines every 2nd day, ridiculously increased appetite and excessive hunger, hair where it shouldn't be, menstrual blood clots, excessive cramping etc
I have all these problems for 3 years now and now that the family doc. put me on YAZ birth control pill I am even more scared - mainly of more weight gain, it would be a tragedy for me, I am fat enough already and what's worse I can't lose the weight, exercise doesn't help, diet doesn't help, NOTHING. Will YAZ birth control pill worsen my already tragic condition? I just don't know what to do and what to believe ... I appreciate any advice or help you can give me ... Thank You to all!

i have endometriosis, as well. i tried doing the vitamin thing for a couple of months but my peroids didn't get any easier, so i gave-in and went on BCPills. i was on loestrin which worked great for the 1st 3 months but then stopped working and i gained 8-10 pounds of water weight. i took a month off and went on yasmin and LOVED it! for the 1st 4 months, it was a dream come true - i lost the water weight, had TONS of energy. well, when i started working out again, around month 4 - i was fine doing cardio but as soon as i'd add weights to the routine, i would be hit with TOTAL exhaustion, muscle fatigue, etc.. i thought i was coming down w/ the flu or a cold and would take some time off...only to try again and have the same effect. this went on ALL summer - then i found out it might be YASMIN!!! apparently the increased levels of potassium in the blood can mess w/ the acidity in the blood and make the muscles hurt. my OBGYN refuses to accept it could be the pill (suggested i get tested for fibromyalgia, depression, etc.). i'm off of the pill now for a week and am still REALLY muscle-achey (sorta feels like the flu). does anyone else have this? does anyone have experience w/ how long it takes this crap to get out of the body? i just started at the gym this morning, only adding cardio for awhile... i am so frustrated!! i'm getting married in 8 months and want to be buff for the wedding but keep getting sidetracked w/ exhaustion. *UGH* can't wait to get yasmin behind me.

Hello to all, I have been on Yasmin for about 3 or 4 years and wanted to add something to the information already on this forum. I am now 25 and have been on the Pill since the age of 16. I put myself on it for birth control and had to change a number of time as the Microgynon caused a mass load of acne (which I hadn't ever experienced previousl)!! I was then put on Dianette for ages as it was the only one which sorted that issue out. Finally I was told I had to leave Dianette and was given the ''new'' Yasmin. I have to say, I have never (apart from the spots from high hormone ones) had any obvious symptoms from the Pill at all.....
I do suffer from IBS but I can't link it to any specific Pill. I have never suddenly gained or lost weight at all or got bigger breasts (which I would LOVE). My tiredness is merely due to getting up at 5:30am most mornings and leading a very hectic lifestyle..!
I don't know whether that is of any use to anyone at all but I thought I would add this in anyway, so that people don't feel the need to avoid Yasmin at all costs. I think at the end of the day, it's a manufactured drug to stop you getting pregnant and it's going to have some sort of drawbacks...I guess maybe we all need to start putting more pressure on men to take responsibility and not filling our bodies with poison?
One question for you all though: has anyone had problems getting pregnant once coming off this drug?

My 13 yr old daughter was given yasmin because irregular periods. Bleeding all the time. she got regulated but after reading this site i realize why she has had the awful side effects that she has had. She started taking y around october of last year. She plays competetive soccer and she was not able to keep up ..Shortness of breath tiredness looked as though she was out of shape. We never thought it could be those y pills. never crossed our mind. march she was diagnosed with mono so we just decided to take her off because she had mono. she has not had y since march and she is still tired all the time. back hurts hot flashed heat intolerant. will this y leave her system soon?

I started taking Yaz in January or this year, I was on it for 2 months when I called my doctor and said that my appetite changed so much I had practically stopped eating. I couldn't finish a meal and sometimes I'd have the feeling of being really hungry, but then when I sat down to eat, I'd become so nauseated I was afraid I'd get sick right at the table. My doctor then switched me to Yasmin and it was a world of difference. My only side effects would be interrupted sleep (very minimal), periods of tiredness, leg cramps and strangest of all, an increase in sex drive. I can probably right off the side effects as being contributed to my mild case of sleep apnea, working 40+ hours a week and being young and in love. They aren't bothersome enough to stop taking the medication. As like all medicines, its not for everyone. I think the benefits I'm receiving far out weight the small amounts of side effects I do experience, my skin has cleared up, my periods are now regulated and not so severe and best of all.. I'm not pregnant. Hopefully the other women here will find a BCP that suits them and new hopefuls looking for answers wont be too afraid to try Yasmin. Its changed my life for the better... like all medicine, its trail and error, don't rule it out before you try it. Good luck.

ive been taking yasmin in 1 month but my period didn´t come until now delayed in 5days, and i having stomach pain, headache,tiredness,cramping, and have a insomia.

My gynocologist had to put me on Yaz because I had had a Kenalog Injection for a slipped disk and after being injected with Kenalog I kept having menstrual periods....4 in a month a half! So she gave me Yaz, it seems to work so far, but this drug gives me side effects too. Has anyone experienced extreme tiredness? I seem to be tired non-stop even after having a lot of sleep. This wasn't listed as side effect on my prescription, but I thought this may be causing it. Since I started taking this 3 weeks ago I began to feel real depressed and angry for no reason at all. I just get these weird bouts of depression.

I have been noticing an increase in tiredness and muscle weakness. Also I am most concerned about the constant ache in my breasts and ovaries.

Severe depression,personality change, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks. Acne on face and body, hair growth on face, red,blotchy skin, bloated face. Hair loss on head. Constant hunger, sugar and caffeine cravings. Constant feeling of cold, even in warm environment. Frequent urination, dry eyes and mouth. Greasy hair and skin. Muscle and joint pains. Raised blood pressure. All these symptoms began when I started taking Yasmin and have cleared up since I stopped taking it. Never again!

Dear Jen,

wow, this TSH of 0,009 (or 0,09?) sounds very very low.... The normal ranges (well, here in GErmany, I think it's in US the same...?) lie between 0,5 and 2,5...

Didn't they do anything for your thyroid? I think you should get checked this again.

In my case it's the opposite, I'm experiencing a subclinical hypothyreoidism, my TSH was a bit high (4,1). And I read very often, that the pill is also interacting with our thyroids.

So perhaps time will heal that thing but everyone should get checked for thyroid-problems, I think, because this can also cause all those symptoms of anxiety, dizzyness, tiredness, nervousness, muscle weakness and many more...

I wish you all the best, Jen, and keep us updated on how you're doing!!

Greetings
Silke

I have been having this unbelievable sweating every night at about 3:00 AM that keeps me up until about 6:00AM at which point I am totally exhausted but must start my day...I have been feeling flu-like tiredness that causes me to nap EVERY afternoon (didn't even do this when I had babies in the house). I also have almost no interest in sex which is not normal for me. I could care less, but my husband is looking for the same gal who was ready willing and eager. It just dawned on me today that it may be the pills that are causing the sweating. As I look back it started a month or 2 after I started them. We had been blaming it on the new mattress. But after reading all the posts I'm terrified to go off for fear of something worse!! Has anypne gone off and been okay?

HI All,
You know I never thought that the side effects I were experiencing were due to the yasmin.I have been taking it for almost 3 years.....and I have almost everyone of the side effects you guys have listed...The no sex drive will really come in between a marriage...along with everything else...i work 3 rd shift so i always blamed the tiredness on that...
Well, I go to the Dr. for my annual tom. so I think I may just have to ask her about it then.
You know I was on Orthro-cyclen off and on for about 5-6 years and did not have not one trouble with it....They took me off of it after I had my daughter...
I will keep you posted on my visit tom.
Thanks a bunch,
Susie

Hello ladies,

I thank the organisers of this forum and all the ladies who have participated in discussion in regards to the concerns and problems they are facing with Yasmin.

I am a 26 yr old male whose girlfriend is currently on Yasmin and have taken the time to research a bit about this product with a serious concern not only to her health but to our relationship !

We are suffering almost all of the above mentioned problems - and i say 'we' because i am going through a LOT here. It might be worth noting here that I only see my girlfriend on weekends.
Excessive moodiness - and when i say excessive i mean the type that was described by 'Nicole' and many others - the type that makes her want to crawl out of her skin, she gets very shaky as a result and complains that she has knots in her stomach at the end of it. These sessions have lasted up to 6 hours straight which was only yesterday evening. Being a who the type of person i am, i cant but feel responsible for her feeling this way, i keep blaming myself for something i may have said.
Anxious / panic attacks. She becomes totally unmanagable, often crying a LOT from feeling anxious for hours on end, to the point where she DOES want to crawl out of her skin as 'Nicole' put it. She gets shakey and dizzy all at the same time.

Cramping sensation in the legs

Tiredness - as put by 'Voicesi' "like pass-out tiredness". After a day long attempt to make her feel relaxed, being a kind gentlemen for an entire day, she would literally pass-out. Being a stereotypical male in this regard and I understand that us men have the ultimate weakness when it comes to the 'urge for sex' or our 'need to reproduce' but i hope to get intimate with my best friend, who ends up passing out. This leads me to another problem:
Loss of libido - Yet another problem faced by the many messages on this forum, namely by 'Christy', 'missy botto', 'missy' to name but a few. 'Tanna' has also complained about having no sex drive. No sex drive to the point where there is usually no physical contact whatsoever. I cant go near her sometimes which leads to further problems. she feels as though i'm afraid of her. I am very afraid of her! She cries, gets very anxious, would be shaking in the foetal position for hours. I would in return feel totally useless as I cant comfort her in any way. I feel helpless, she feels that she's all alone in this so i take it personally... I think its safe to say that these pills are 'from hell' as 'ML' put it.
I am tempted to throw away these pills to be the partner "who cant keep up" as 'christy' put it.
I believe she is doing physical damage to herself.
I dont deserve the way I am being treated and you ladies out there with these problems are hurting not only yourselves but quite possibly - and my case is a perfect example - others around you. Why ? all in the name of having unprotected sex, reduced periods, clear skin, controlled periods, or whatever reason it is ITS NOT WORTH IT !!

Hi Bitter RN!!

I'm so sorry, I misunderstood your last post. I thought you would post again over Sarah's forum so that we don't have to post here again (someone complained about our "personal chats" here a few days ago...).

The appointment for the bloodwork (iron levels, thyroid levels, etc.) was this morning. I think I'll get the results back about thursday next week... Hmmm, again a very long time to go on with those extremely weak muscles and that horrible tiredness....

The results of my hormonal test by my gyn a few weeks ago I had already posted here, but I didn't know the normal ranges then (they could'nt even tell me in the gyn's office, how they are.... Hmmm...). My gyn told me everything was fine with them, and another doc, to whom I had posted the results over the internet (www.cyberdoc.de. or something similar) told me, they were not ok at all... Wham! I think the docs even don't know by themselves what is right or wrong...

But I think if the bloodwork, which my family doc has done today, will not show anything, I'll ask him to send me again to the endocrinologist from two years ago whom was the second doc who believed, that my symptoms could have been caused by Yasmin and suggested to stop taking it (she even attested me this in her report!!). It hink she could perhaps be the one to find out anything about my still lasting hormonal chaos...

I realized some other very unusual changes in my body over the last hmmm, I think 4 weeks, ok, since my last period. It already started about 2 days too early and only with some kind of "spotting". This lasted for about 5 days until I was hit overnight with a full bleeding... I thought I was gonna faint because of that heavy bleeding. This heavy bleeding lasted even 6 days more until it slightly stopped...

Then I usually got terrible hurting breasts around 10 days before my period and also a very heavy discharge (normal color, nothing pathologic, just the normal ovulation discharge...). All those things didn't happen this cycle besides a horrible upcoming and increasing tiredness and weakness and dizzyness (that kind of dizzyness I had the first few weeks off Yasmin because of the hormonal changes...)....
I already wondered if I could be pregnant...... ???

Well, I'm also anxious to see the results of my iron levels. If it would be just that there would at least be a way to treat my symptoms... Well, and that muscle weakness had again gotten so bad after my period started again in August 2006... So I think there might be a correlation. I'll have to wait and see...

Thank you for caring bitter RN, I'll let you know the results as soon as I have them!!

How are you doing?? Hope you're still feeling better day by day...

All the best and read you soon!!

Silke

Sorry to those who are enervated by our personal posts, but please remember ladies, these posts have already saved some lives out there........

IRON DEFICIENCY or ANEMIA

I already told you ladies about iron deficiency in one of my earlier posts. But yesterday my doc finally supposed the same when I told him about my now again upcoming symptoms (tight chest, breathlessness after walking or doing anything, muscle weakness, nausea, tiredness, circulation problems, etc.).

So I'll finally get my iron levels checked on friday (my gyn, whom I had visited a few weeks before, didn't do anything like that at all, he again just told me to "wait and see" if the problems perhaps get better by themselves..... Wow, what a nice suggestion in such a bad situation. Thank you!).

Perhaps one thing for some of you to get checked, too!? I think it might be worth it and could be another chance to find a solution!!

Check the symptoms of iron deficiency over google or whatever, I'm sure you'll find some of yours!!

All the best to you out there!!

Silke

Dear Jasmine, (later on something for "foggyhead", too!!)

that heavy chest feeling have posted the most women I've met hiere within the last 2 years!! Seems to be a very common (side-)effect of that pill.

But as I also posted here earlier the heavy feeling CAN be caused for example by an iron deficiency (which also can be caused by the diuretic effect of Yasmin on top of your monthly bleeding!!). Also breathlessness, changing of your finger nails, weakness, tiredness, and so on can also be symptoms for it. Very important: The iron deficiency CAN cause anemia, but even if you don't already have anemia the iron deficiency may cause the above mentioned symptoms.

So I think it would be a good idea to get your iron levels checked and especially the "Ferritin" (hope it's called so in English, too). It shows the situation of the iron storage in your body. Try to google a bit over "iron deficiency" and the symptoms, I bet you'll find yours... Just a thought, which perhaps might be the solution and I think it's worth a try!!

Jasmine, I remember one lady here, Sherry, whom had gotten pregnant shortly after stopping Yasmin. She also had very severe side effects and posted a lot here. I wonder how she might be doing today... But you see there is hope to get pregnant even after this nightmare.

@foggyhead:

Well, I think you meant "Virginia", not Laura. Virginia had been off Yasmin for 15 mos now. But I think you didn't read the whole post.... First she was telling, that she physically is doing completely fine! And as I can say, I'm doing nearly the same way as Virginia now, I've been off Yasmin for about 17 months. And I hope you NOW read further:

Yes, there are still some problems, and YES, they come up every month around the same time, BUT: I (and I guess Virginia, too) am definitely NOT in the same stadium as I was a year or longer ago! I'm back working, singing, gardening, going out and the list goes on.

What I try to say is, that you might (and I don't say WILL!!) still have some problems after such a long time, but they're definitely not as they were shortly after getting off Yasmin. And I also met so many women here, who didn't have ANY problems after such a long time. Not every woman is the same. Every body is different.

So please don't loose hope! Hang in there and you will be better, I swear!!

Virginia, I remember your name somehow, I think we have already met here, too, a few months ago. One question: Do you have a normal cycle back? Are your problems somehow rising around ovulation and shortly before your period starts or even within it??

Best wishes!

Silke

@guest 34715:

Please check out my post from about 2 - 3 days ago. It was a very long post where I nearly told my story again completely. The most frightening side effects again here:

anxiety
uncontrollable panic attacks (day and night), and during taking yasmin always about 8 hours after taking it (about 5 am within my sleep!! not necessary to mention that these have stopped nearly immediately after getting off!!)!!
muscle hurting
muscle weakness
dizziness
tiredness to the point where I thought I'd pass out
fainting spells
weakness all over my body
headaches
nervousness (sometimes to a point, where I thought I'd go totally crazy)
muscle fasciculations
blurred vision (totally frightening!!)
breathlessness
tight throat
heavy feeling on my chest from time to time
joint aching

Simply everything was completely too much for me, for about 3 months I even couldn't talk to someone on the phone without getting a fainting spell and dizziness

and the list goes on.......

Greetings
Silke

Dear bitter RN!! Thank you so much for caring about me and everyone here so intensive!! It feels good not bo be alone with all that sh....

Well, my gyn said, everything was ok with my hormones. But I must admit, that I don't really believe him. It felt as if he wasn't sure himself, if really everything is ok with my hormone levels... He sounded so unsure... I think that hormonal things should better be done by an endocrinologist and not just a "simple" gyn... And if you're testosterone level with 0,6 already is "low", well, then what is mine with only 0,37?? Hmmmm... I'm getting so angry again about all that "gods in white"...... :-(

I'm sorry, but I can't read that part of the testresults behind the number of Testosterone. They sent it to me over fax and the part behind "ng/..." is totally unrecognizable.

But they even only sent me a handwritten protocol and not the original results from the laboratory. So I'm gonna call them again this evening and ask about sending me the original!! Also the normal lab ranges are missing on this protocol, so I can't say anyhow what those numbers would tell me....

As I found out over google my prolactine may be a bit high, but my gyn said, it was pretty fine. Hmmmm... I really don't trust in any doctor after my whole story any longer I fear!! So I'll really try to get those results completely and see, what I can find out by myself or with your help bitter RN!!

The blood was taken on day 3 or 4 of my cycle. My gyn told me to come to him within the first week of my period, which I did.

The fact about your iron levels sounds very interesting!! Another thing, which my gyn didn't want to believe in and therefore didn't test! I found out that the tiredness, weakness, breathlessness I was experiencing the last few weeks after my heavy period and that heavy cold are definitely symptoms of low iron levels!!! And another thing: My finger nails look totally unnormal, and that happened also since I've been getting my first period in August!! They are so soft and totally bend, it looks completely unnatural!!! And that's the way they looked ALWAYS (during the last years), when I was in such a bad constitution!!!

I definitely have to get to my family doctor to get that iron levels checked finally!!! And please all the other ladies: One little thing you should do also!!!

That sore mouth can also be a symptom of low iron levels (as well as for hormonal imbalances). And you may wonder: I HAD THAT DURING THE LAST WEEKS IN A VERY HEAVY WAY!! My tongue and mouth, especially the gum and teeth hurt so much somedays, that I thought I had something serious and should get to the dentist........ Sounds remarkable, doesn't it!???

Again to kim and dejay:

Everything that bitter RN wrote here is so right!! Reading it I felt as if I had written everything by myself!! And 5 weeks off Yasmin isn't really long I fear!! Even if you had been on it for only 3 weeks. So please stay strong and keep looking forward to the next months, there will be better times I swear, all it needs is TIME and PATIENCE, please believe us!!

And in a few weeks or months YOU will be posting here by yourself for many other women, that everyone who told you, you'll be better, was so right!! That's how it was for the last 2 years now (that's the time I've been coming here nearly EVERY day now!!)

Best wishes to all of you!!!!

Silke

Hi BitterRN!!

(Sorry ladies if this seems to get a "privat chat", but I think our "written books" can surely be helpful to others of you, too....)

Well, I absolutely understand, what you say. And this is surely an option I will get checked (ok, if I ever will have the power to go to another doctor again after my aimless oddyssey in 2005.......!). I think I should mention, that here in Germany the health system has gotten really difficult in the past 6 - 7 years so that the doctor's could not make every test on you which might be helpful. So it's really difficult to get blood tests (especially the expensive ones as homormonal testings...) done by a doc. That's what my situation always made even more difficult, than it already was...

But one thing I really don't understand: My perhaps low testosterone levels still don't explain, why I was doing so much better the last few months (as I already told here in former posts, I even started singing in my band again and I really felt good, about 85% like my old self!!) and now, after that bad cold 3 weeks ago, the tiredness and muscle weakness and stiffness (also craming in my legs during night and day) kicked in at once as if I was thrown back to nearly one year ago... I really feel and think, that his must be a lack of some minerals or vitamines again (magnesium because of the cramping legs and fingers, perhaps b-vitamines??? I feel so unsure......). Maybe this comes on top of the testosterone or other hormonal problem and makes my symptoms worse...!??? But I deeply feel, that there MUST be something else above the definitely still lasting hormonal imbalance...

Thank you BitterRN for answering so quickly and detailed!!

best wishes
Silke

Hi all,
I only discovered my condition due to bleeding for ten days.
After running tests, i was diagnosed as thalassemia carrier having iron deficiency anemia with PCO My doctor prescribed for me yasmine for 3 months. However she believes, it will not treat PCO. So i will do an oral glucose tolerance test this week. Besides on the result, i may start metformin. I already started losing my hair months ago.

Is it normal what i feel of dizziness and tiredness? Will this medication increase my weight? I am very healthy and watching my diet carefully. If any one has similar experience please tell me what i should expect and feel free to mail me.

I just stopped yasmin yesterday..I only took it for 4 days. I had heart palpitations, got a fever, my anxiety and tiredness got much worse and by the 2nd day I started getting bad chest pains. I went to the hospital cause the chest pains were so bad. They did an EKG and CT scan of my chest and I was fine. So I kept taking yasmin. But 2 days later my left lower leg started hurting. The chest pains have gone away but my lower leg is still hurting (its been hurting for 2 days now) :( Should I be worried? I'm only 24 and don't smoke. Could the pain be something other than a blood clot? I can't afford more tests!
Thanks,
Kate

Hi everybody, Sherry, Lisa, Sophie and all the other wonderful ladies here!!

Thank you so much for your kind posts. It feels so good hearing, that my posts are somewhat able to help so many of you. That's what I supposed them to be!! Your posts nearly brought me to (happy) tears!! :) Well, if that agony had only one sense, then that I know use my experiences to help others, who are going through the same nightmare, as I did!!

And believe me, I'll keep on posting here as much as I can, if someone is in need for help!

Sophie, I fear you were right... The last 4 days I felt totally miserable... I felt so weak and tired and dizzy, and the anxiety also rose up a bit. And now you helped me with one little sentence in your post: I didn't know, that it was pretty "normal" to feel that way during period, as I didn't have one regular period WITHOUT pill for about 10 YEARS until you wrote, that you're feeling the same during period! The bleeding you get during taking the pill is just a withdrawal bleeding which you can't compare with a natural normal period!! So I think it will take my body another few months to get used to that hormonal changes during period again... But I'm sure I'll stand this too!!!

Well, today the weakness is getting a bit better, but the tiredness is still lasting. But I think I lost al ot of blood during the last week, because this first period after 1,5 Years was really heavy... And nevertheless I'm still happy to have gotten it finally! The two weeks before my period started I felt so good! I was fit and worked in my house like crazy! :) But also my breasts were hurting very bad, so I already supposed something could be happening with my body...

Ah Sophie, you asked about the eye problem: YES!! I have that, too!! Sometimes it feels, as if I couldn't look straight ahead and as if my eyes were always moving. And as I read in many german websites, it's pretty normal during period to be very "nervous" for some women (that's how this eye problem feels to me: Like a very heavy nervousness)!! This should go away within a few days after your period!!

Sherry, I'm so glad to hear that you and your baby are doing fine!! I had thought about you now and then during the last months and wondered how you might be doing. Please let us know when your baby is here!! I wish you all the best for the birth!! I'm sure your body will be recovering completely from Yasmin after the pregnancy!!!

Virginia: So good to hear, that the Valerian has worked for you, too!! It's definitely better than taking those chemicals for calming down!! And I promise, some day you won't even need the Valerian any longer!! :)

Ok, ladies, I'll stop for today. I feel a little tired again, but as I know now that is really normal during a period! I have to get used to those things again after such a long time without a normal hormonal balance!

All the best to you out there and hang in there! We're on the right way to a healthy new life!! God bless you all!!

Silke

Hi Tiffany!

I'm sorry to hear, that you're doing so bad.

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But I think that you shouldn't say something like the above. Everyone's body is reacting different and some women already feel better after only 4 weeks, another after 2 or 3 months and some women are still dealing with some problems after 1 year and more. But you should definitely NOT say, that its NOT true, that you CAN feel better after 3 months. I think that's very discouraging to many women who are dealing with severe symptoms and are thinking of stopping Yasmin.

In my case, for example, there was something like a "turnaround" point at around 3 - 4 months. That was where I felt that things SLIGHTLY got better. And I mean SLIGHTLY!! Just every month a very little step. I remember that I always was in fear that I NEVER would get better, because everything just started getting better so SLOWLY.

And now, I'm about 1,5 years WITHOUT Yasmin, I'm still dealing with some hormonal imbalances, didn't get my normal period, yet, sometimes I feel I'm on a rollercoaster. There are weeks, where I feel totally normal and fit and then it hits me again with tiredness, weakness and anxiety-problems, but NOT AT ALL that severe as it was during taking Yasmin and around after 6 months off!

And I think that my problems at the moment are caused by that hormonal problems I'm still dealing with (not to forget: before taking Yasmin my periods always where regular!!!) that I'm still dealing with.

My weight, that I gained AFTER getting off Yasmin (around 25 pounds within 3 months!!!!!!) is slightly going down since about 3 months, without changing anything in my life. For me that is a nother proof for the regulating of my metabolism and I'm very sure, that in a few months more everything will be better than today. That's what kept me alive the last 2 years, dealing with symptoms, that I nearly couldn't have beared any longer....

So please all of you don't loose hope and believe in yourself!! You can get through this!! One year ago I never would have believed that I'd be feeling ever again the way I'M feeling today!! I swear!!

And if it's not within 3 months then in 8 months or even longer, but your live is worth waiting for better times, that DEFINITELY are ahead!!!

I wish you all the best and the strength that you need right now!! God bless you all!!

Silke

Hi swtcatina282u!

Please read through as much posts here as you can!! It's ABSOLUTELY normal, that your symptoms don't go away within two weeks!! And I'm also pretty SURE, that the symptoms you had mentioned are caused by that Yasmin- poison!!!

I've been off the pill now for about a year and still some symptoms come up a few times a month!! You've been taking that Yasmin poison over 2 years (in my case it even was 5 long YEARS!!), so it might take you surely longer than only 2 LITTLE weeks to get off the side effects!! It can last about 6 months (CAN not MUST!!) until the chemicals have completely lost your body and everything slowly turns to normal (some women felt better after 2 - 3 months, some only after 6 - 7 months, it's completely different for everyone!!).

But I can tell you, that I had the same feelings as you: That absolutely foggy feeling in my head, the tiredness, and so on!!! And especially that fogginess went away just VERY slowly and STILL (after one year without Yasmin) didn't stop completely!!

So PLEASE and I beg you that much, because I know that this poison can nearly ruin your life: STAY OFF THAT PILL!!! To not take it any longer was the best decision you could have made, I PROMISE!!! And what you need now is patience and strength and soon you'll feel normal again!!!

And please look at more posts in this forum, you will find out, that you're not alone and there are so many women which have experienced the same symptoms!!!

All the best and feel free to write or E-Mail me, if you got any furhter questions!!!

Silke

Hi (cant call u sickofbeingsick)
Thanks for ur reply
My doc had prescribed prevacid and the gi has told me to switch to pepcid. Anyways since its only 3 days since i stopped the pills i dont think i'll be alright so soon. I am also taking some vitamin b tablets for muscle ache and tiredness and also for my sore gum.

I took Yasmin for about a year and had no problems. I just started re-taking them again and have had nausea and tiredness. They also make me more anxious. I took Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo which is supposed to help your skin and got massive acne like I've never had before in my life - I looked like a 12 year old boy! I will NEVER take that stuff again. If Yasmin doesn't work out I'm not sure what I'll do - I know I'll never take Ortho products again though!

i have been on yasmin for nearly 2 years, i get dizzy spells and i have just been diagnosed with chronic IBS which i am now thinkin might have something to do with yasmin, my stomach bloats and is rock hard! i cant eat certain foods as the thought of them makes me physically sick. i have resorted to eating potatoes and white bread as that is the only thing that i can stomach. my gp changed me to cerazzette but the thought of not being protected from pregnancy scared me and as a result i went back to yasmin. i am considering the contraceptive injections, anyone know anything about them as i still want to be protected from pregnancy but i dont want the dizziness, mood swing, tiredness etc etc anymore.

After reading the post by guest 12715, I did a search on symptoms of low potassium and this is what I found

Weakness, tiredness, or cramping in arm or leg muscles, sometimes severe enough to cause inability to move arms or legs due to weakness (much like a paralysis)
Tingling or numbness
Nausea or vomiting
Abdominal cramping, bloating
Constipation
Palpitations (feeling your heart beat irregularly)
Passing large amounts of urine or feeling very thirsty most of the time
Fainting due to low blood pressure
Abnormal psychological behavior (depression, psychosis, delirium), confusion, or seeing or hearing things (hallucinations)

Sounds like the list of symptoms some of us are experiencing.
Since Yasmin contains a diuretic and diuretics are a cause of low potassium this kind of makes sense. Might be worth getting it checked out. I have been off Yasmin for 6 weeks now and I'm still experiencing nausea, tiredness, abdominal bloating and thirst.

I was glad but surprised to find this site. I have been struggling with birth control ever since I had my daughter last December. I first tried ortho tricyclen and had severe manic attacks. Now I am on Yasmin and the mood swings, irritability, and unexplained tiredness are to the point of being unbearable. Everyone keeps telling me to hang on, it'll get better but it's not. My family and I are suffering.

My big problem is I need a form of bc and am running out of options! Maybe I just need to get the diaphragm and relegate my sex life to one of those things I just have to prepare for.

Any advice???

I wanted to post here to state that I have been off Yasmine for a Month and a half now and Finally feel okay. I was on it for 9 months the main problem that started was depression and a constant feeling of Tiredness. I have a 4 year old son so it seemed that all my energy went to him with none left over. About 4 months into the pil I started get severe breast pain. I had never experienced anything like it at times it was unbearable. I was sent for a mamogram which came back fine so the Doctor suggested a birth control pill change.

I'm still in shock that after a Month and half off of that pill I now feel fantastic. My life is finally getting back to normal. the worst thing about it was that due to being so tired and the pain I just tried to get through it to take care of my son. I never stopped long enough to work harder to fix the problem. I'm so glad this information is out here. I wish I had found it earlier and read some of the side effects. I hope mine may help someone else.

Hey,

I am currently on my first period after taking Yasmin for my first month, I was put in Yasmin as I had been taking Dianette for 3 years.

For the month i have been taking Yasmin I have been experiencing extreme leg cramps, weight gain, headaches, light headedness and more, again I thought it was caused by tiredness and stress, but after looking up Yasmin on the off chance it is a relief to see that there is a cause, I am going to go my doctor ASAP and get it changed.

So glad I found this website, if anyone has suffered from acne and has now been put on a different pill with positive effects please let me know.

Clare

@NURSET:

Yes, I'm feeling the same way as you describe (been off Yasmin for 4 months now, too!) !!

There are some good days, sometimes even weeks (2 or so) and then out of nothing there is an anxiety and depression, which almost paralyses me (just had a very bad day yesterday!!)!!

The weakness all over my body comes back so that it's even very hard to lift an arm or to walk. I feel dizzy and foggy in my head and am again a little tired (just a LITTLE BIT of the tiredness I experienced during taking Yasmin though!!).

That lasts for a few days, sometimes even weeks and then lessens again. It just feels like my whole body and head has been completely messed up by this pill and is just VERY SLOWLY getting back to normal and in balance and every pore is fighting against this horrible Yasmin stuff!!

Seems that there is a connection between these odd symptoms and my hormones (which are still NOT in balance again!! I'm even suffering from PCOS (found out by a blood test that my gyn did a few weeks ago!), which I never had before taking Yasmin! Had just ONE regular period 9 weeks ago since getting off Yasmin!), because during the times I'm feeling worse, also my skin gets very oily, I get terrible acne all over my face and shoulders and my hair is getting oily very fast, too.

What I'm experiencing too is a very heavy bloating all over my body. Sometimes I feel like a very big balloon shortly before exploding!! I've gained about 12 pounds after getting off Yasmin, without eating more or doing anything different as before!!! I'm so despaired bout this.

I had been on the pill for about 5 (!) years and I think that it might take me even a little bit longer to feel really healthy again than all the others who got opened their eyes about Yasmin much earlier than me.... :-(

One week I write, that I'm doin better and am happy again and the other week (just like this week...) I feel really disappointed and anxious, because I'm suffering from so many symptoms again.

I'm just so thankful to have my husband who stands right beside me and always tells me not to give up and that there will come better times again. I think without him I wouldn't get over these horrible times at all!

All the best to everyone out there, going through the same!!

I would still be very thankful for any kind of mail about your experiences, perhaps any tips how to get better faster...??

Thank you for this website. I took yasmin for a couple of years but the worst side effects appeared in the last 3 months. These included shortness of breath, leg and foot cramps, and bad mood swings; however the worst side effect for me was EXTREME FATIGUE that worsened over this time. I didnt link it to yasmin and went to my GP several times each time feeling worse. By the end of this time I was so exhausted i could barely do anything, I was sleeping 12-14 hours per day and still feeling tired, I had no eneregy to even walk to the mailbox, I was crying constantly from sheer exhaustion. I was not depressed but did not feel happy just indifferent. When i read this website this tiredness had reached its peak, I felt like i was dying, i kept saying to my dr i KNOW there is something wrong with me i just dont know what! i stopped yasmin that night and within 3 days was starting to feel better, now a few weeks later I am sleeping less and have more eneergy and feel much more normal. I know it was yasmin that made me feel this way but because the side effects were delayed it took me a while to work it out.

A positive story, for once:
Hi, I'm just finishing up my first month on yasmin, and I just wanted to share that I have experienced no side effects whatsoever. I was terrified of starting it--I mean, I had visited this site and others like it and almost nothing positive was listed--plus I've never been on BC before, but I decided to give it a try. There has been no change in my life--no weight gain, no bloating, no anxiety, no depression, no tiredness, nothing. I am 20, active, work out several times a week, a stressed-out student, and have a fairly healthy diet...or as much as is possible at my age. So for those of you hesitant to start yasmin, give it a try. It may work for you, it may not, but don't give up before starting!

Hi I'm a 35 year old living in London, UK. I started to take Yasmin approximately 6 months ago. These are the changes I've noticed:

- tiredness
- headaches - the type that you go to bed with and wake up with
- hot flushes
- increased appetite
- acid reflux
- disturbed sleep

I hate this pill and I'm being tested at the moment to determine whether it's Yasmin causing these problem, but I KNOW its Yasmin.