BC and side effects

Carrie H · June 2011

Hey Ladies,

I'm new to this board and have read some previous posts about birth control and realize many of the issues you all have with HBC, as do I and my FI. My problem is I JUST started (on week 2) HBC for the first time and got next to no info from my OBGYN. We do not believe in sex before we are married and I will be 29 at the end of this week and have never been on BC before. Also, I have had Fibromyalgia since I was 15 and have most of the side effects from that normally (migranes, have had significant issues with IBS including carb intolerance and weight changes). Now that I am on the pill, I am having issues with bloating (already about 1/2 inch around my waist), migranes and feel sick ALL the time (getting worse - last week it was only when I took the pill but this week it is all the time). I did take a couple of days off and decided today to try to stick it out the rest of the month but right now I'm looking for a job, need to find a new apartment but don't even know what state, and am planning a wedding in October. Plus my fiance is having issues with an injury and his ability to work. I have called my OBGYN and she is horrible about giving me info and calling me back. I'm currently on the generic for Ortho TriCyclin (Tri-Sprintec). Does anyone know if these side effects will go away or is this what I will face the whole time I'm on BC? Has anyone had success with another form of HBC? I can't handle feeling like I have ulcers forming and nausea and putting on the weight I've worked so hard to lose for the next few years till we are stable enough to have kids!

fpaemp2011 · June 2011

We're preparing to use Natural Family Planning, but it took my FSIL over a year to figure out which HBC's she could take, and the answer was none. She reacted negatively to every formula available in the US, so now she and FBIL are using barriers. If your GYN isn't willing to talk about your reactions, then switch doctors or try to make an appointment with your primary care physician or nurse practitioner at their office to talk about what's going on. Feeling like ick isn't going to be beneficial to you or your job or anyone around you.

sessionswedding · June 2011

First off, bloating on the pill is mostly a myth. That's probably bloating that you're experiencing with your cycle or by eating more sodium.

Second, skipping pills here and there makes side effects WORSE, so don't do that.

Third, yes, the side effects WILL go away over time if you stick with it.

Fourth, get a neurologist for your migraines. Best move I ever made for mine.

Fifth, get a new OBGYN who will talk to you.

Anything else? Lol.

sessionswedding · June 2011

Alright now, TK did that weird thing where it placed my post above everyone else's. I responded about HBC side effects above. I have been on HBC for 7.5 years and I love it.

ETA: UGH! It did it again!

sessionswedding · June 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_bc-side-effects?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:ae5da4f1-456d-456d-8e04-f40f20e9638dPost:b090eae2-5d52-43fa-bdb2-68be1d86968e">Re: BC and side effects</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: BC and side effects : Nope. It's just a regular, digital thermometer. My next one will have a backlight, though. <strong>You have to take your temp at the same time every morning, before you get out of bed</strong>, so that takes some discipline at the beginning. The book has tips on traveling and changing time zones. Mine goes in my mouth as soon as the alarm goes off...and on Saturdays, or other mornings that I don't have to get up at 7, I just write down my temp and go back to sleep. The book explains why temping at the same time is so important.
Posted by fpaemp2011[/QUOTE]
Yeah, see that wouldn't work for me. I sleep with a space heater on and often wake up sweating. My reading would be totally inaccurate unless I start sleeping without the heater (which in my case means I wouldn't be sleeping, lol).

loves2shop4shoes · June 2011

Dude, you need to get a new GYN that will return your calls.

Carrie H · June 2011

I can't agree more! Especially since every one in my family seems to be extra fertile so I'm a little nervous about NFP but do like the idea.

fpaemp2011 · June 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_bc-side-effects?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:ae5da4f1-456d-456d-8e04-f40f20e9638dPost:8dca32d4-cd22-498e-905a-b029660fb19e">Re: BC and side effects</a>:
[QUOTE]I can't agree more! Especially since every one in my family seems to be extra fertile so I'm a little nervous about NFP but do like the idea.
Posted by Carrie H[/QUOTE]
If you're interested in NFP or FAM (barriers during fertile times instead of abstinence), check out <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.tcoyf.com">www.tcoyf.com</a> and the book, "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." All you need is a good thermometer (mine was $8 at wal-mart) and a grasp on how to chart your temp and other changes in your body during your cycle (the book is invaluable for that). The book recommends charting for at least 3 cycles before you use it exclusively as a way to avoid pregnancy. I think it's really cool knowing the exact days I could conceive.

drama1308 · June 2011

I am on the same exact pill as you. I just finished my 3rd month.

In all honesty the first month was the worst. I had migraines (I have migraines, just not that often) just about every day, constantly hungry, grumpiness, moody, and breast growth and tenderness. All of my symptoms are gone except for the breast growth (I don't mind that one and neither does FI).

My advice, stick it out and keep taking your pills consistantly. It doesn't work if you skip pills. It will get better I promise, I was about ready to give up after the first month but it really does get better

Carrie H · June 2011

Thanks I'm going to order that book tonight. Is the thermometer hard to use?

fpaemp2011 · June 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_bc-side-effects?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:ae5da4f1-456d-456d-8e04-f40f20e9638dPost:3cb33a35-3338-4916-a1dc-64c96a6c0376">Re: BC and side effects</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks I'm going to order that book tonight. Is the thermometer hard to use?
Posted by Carrie H[/QUOTE]
Nope. It's just a regular, digital thermometer. My next one will have a backlight, though. You have to take your temp at the same time every morning, before you get out of bed, so that takes some discipline at the beginning. The book has tips on traveling and changing time zones. Mine goes in my mouth as soon as the alarm goes off...and on Saturdays, or other mornings that I don't have to get up at 7, I just write down my temp and go back to sleep. The book explains why temping at the same time is so important.

FaithCaitlin · June 2011

Time for a new gyno!

I've heard it takes 3 cycles for your body to adjust to the BC. I've been on Loestrin 24 FE since I was 16 and absolutely love it. I had absolutely no side effects.

Sometimes I think it's all a guessing game until you find the brand/method your body responds best to. I got lucky that it happened on my first shot. Your gyno should try to help you find a different brand or other options.

I hope you feel better!

Carrie H · June 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_bc-side-effects?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:ae5da4f1-456d-456d-8e04-f40f20e9638dPost:d0fada8e-6b1a-494f-b62c-3f670d485b6f">Re: BC and side effects</a>:
[QUOTE]I am on the same exact pill as you. I just finished my 3rd month. In all honesty the first month was the worst. I had migraines (I have migraines, just not that often) just about every day, constantly hungry, grumpiness, moody, and breast growth and tenderness. All of my symptoms are gone except for the breast growth (I don't mind that one and neither does FI). My advice, stick it out and keep taking your pills consistantly. It doesn't work if you skip pills. It will get better I promise, I was about ready to give up after the first month but it really does get better
Posted by drama1308[/QUOTE]
Thanks I just got off the phone with my gyno and she said that the stomach symptoms I am having aren't that normal with my pill so to stop taking it and after two periods she'll just try me on a different one if I want to make sure that it is the pill causing them because of my significant past of GI problems. I had been taking them consistently but my migranes and stomach problems were getting so bad I almost had to leave work a few times.

agapecarrie · June 2011

In order to learn NFP, you can't be on hormonal birth control. If you've taken birth control, it may take awhile to get it out of your system in order to see patterns in the cycle.

The thermometer is actually ideally a basal body temp thermometer (all the means is that it can read lower temps). Perhaps all thermometers do that now, I don't know.

There are other methods of NFP than Sympto thermal. ST is the only method that you take temps. Temps are only a secondary sign to cross check, not the same sign.

katanne9 · June 2011

If your Dr doesn't get back to you, I would find a new one.

I take Aviane and have been taking it about a year. I went up a cup size. I also struggled with migraines, and do so a little more than since I have started.

My dr. switched me to a 24 pack instead of the 21 pack and that has helped a lot.

It does take a little while for your body to adjust to the pill. But you certainly shouldn't feel that bad. I would talk to your Dr. about it.

kellya01 · June 2011

I just started BC as well (FI and I also haven't had sex, etc, and we don't want children for at least a few years). My doc put me on Aviane-28 and I take only the active pills for 9 weeks, then the inactive pills for 1 week (So that it is like seasonique). The hormone dosage is SO low that I barely even notice it and I have yet to experience any of the side effects that some people claim come with HBC. Maybe you could talk with your doctor about what pill options there are and try a new one if you aren't happy with the one you are taking now. So sorry that you are struggling with migraines. I hope it's not related to the BC, but it quite possibly could be, so just talk with the doc and see what other options you have in the way of HBC.

joyfulbride424 · June 2011

Whatever you do, find a new doctor. My doctor was extremely nice to me and explained all my options in great depth. You shouldn't be feeling as horrible as you say you feel!

sessionswedding · June 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_bc-side-effects?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:ae5da4f1-456d-456d-8e04-f40f20e9638dPost:337bf2a2-d8d7-448f-b6c7-6e3db829834a">Re: BC and side effects</a>:
[QUOTE]If your Dr doesn't get back to you, I would find a new one. I take Aviane and have been taking it about a year.<strong> I went up a cup size.</strong> I also struggled with migraines, and do so a little more than since I have started. My dr. switched me to a 24 pack instead of the 21 pack and that has helped a lot. It does take a little while for your body to adjust to the pill. But you certainly shouldn't feel that bad. I would talk to your Dr. about it.
Posted by katanne9[/QUOTE]
Sweet! *calls my gyno*

twixinthemix · June 2011

There are other forms of NFP that don't require you to take your temperature every morning. FI and I are using the Creighton Model, or CrMd, and while we aren't sexually active yet (16 days!!) by charting my cycles and ther cervical mucus, we have been able to detect some potential medical issues. So not only is NFP (Creighton Model) just as effective as HBC, but it doesn't mask or cover up any medical issues. Plus some people feel (me included) that HBC is an aborfacient, so if that's a concern, Creighton or NFP is a very natural safe way of protection.

For more information about creighton model, check out these sites!

http://www.creightonmodel.com/

http://www.fertilitycare.org/

Good luck!

untherapy · June 2011

I'll just agree with PPs and say get a new doc! You should also be able to do a web search on your pill and come up with a bunch of studies and other clinical information that will detail out what side affects are "normal"

Switching pills sounds good - I've been on Beyaz for about 4 months now and had no side effects to note - AND I've been checking ovulation with the urine sticks and nothing! So it's working well.

sessionswedding · June 2011

I'm on Beyaz as well.

LittleBigO · June 2011

I take Sprintec too and I'm halfway through the third cycle. My boobs are bigger (I had to by sports bras that stretch; it's hot out so I'm not worried about peek-aboo-ing) and I was grouchy and moody for the first month and a half. I have noticed my face is broken out all the time, and was really bad when I first started but it's slowly decreasing and I can't wait until my face it clear or almost clear!! Now I'm not really grouchy, but I have noticed I'm a little more emotional. I cried twice the other night during the movie "Open Season." DH said that's why he loves me and just held me and wiped my tears - he's a keeper. :P

Carrie H · June 2011

Thanks so much ladies for all your input! I've been the BC pill and all stomach issues and migranes are gone. (My diagnosed issues in those areas have been under control for years so that isn't it). Also, my bloating drastically went down (can't be sodium since I get in trouble for not eating enough with my doc sometimes!) Ironically, my skin had also started to break out and I thought it was the stress but now that I'm off the pill my skin is clearing up again and FI asked if I did something to my face cause it looked a lot better(Bless his heart!), other than a sun burn and a Mary Kay at home microderm abrasion 1 time - had to be the pill! Didn't think it worked that way. I'm going to call the gyno back in a month (not waiting two cycles to prove what I already know with how fast my issues have resovled) and going to ask her about your recommendations. That and probably get a new gyno as soon as I get a new insurance plan!

BC and side effects

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