BC questions- Long

Stina51286 · February 2012

Have any of you who are on birth control ever felt depressed, sad, or not "normal" being on it?

Here is the reasoning behind my question. When I was younger I started bc for ovarian cysts and abnormal periods. The pill never really control the abnormal periods besides getting me on a normal cycle but all the other stuff stayed the same or got worse. Well I switched to Implanin everything mood wise seemed to get better, cramps finally gone, but then I was getting my period every month 18 days straight. This lasted 1.5 yrs as the dr told me to give it time, my body needs to adjust to it.

This past August I had it taken out and went back on the pill because I needed something to regulate me and keep the cysts away. However, I am back to feeling sad, tired, and depressed. I could care less about running and training for my half in May, just don't want to do it. FI and I have been arguing a lot more than normal and I know it has a lot to do with me.

What pisses me off is some of the severe side effects listed on the website for my pill, I have mentioned to my dr (the one I complained about a month or two ago)...
mental or mood changes (eg, depression); recurring headache or dizziness;

swelling of the fingers, hands, legs, or ankles; unusual tiredness or weakness;

vision changes (eg, sudden vision loss, double vision)- ive had this problem for about three months where I cant even see big signs down the road and my eye exam was less then a yr ago and I had no distance issues, so why be so drastic when it started?

The swelling of the fingers started aprox a month after starting the pill. I mentioned it to my dr bc when I got my ring back from being resized I could still get it on easily and off easily, now I can barely get it off. I even made a complaint to the hospital about her and she wrote it off as it being normal.

So I think I am calling a different dr today. I need to see someone and I think its time that I get over being afraid of talking to someone and just do it. At this point I am even considering going off bc but I am terrified of getting knocked up even though we do use condoms (Yes I know Im being stupid but it can happen).

Sorry for the long post.

peekaboo2011 · February 2012

It might be the wrong combination of hormones. Get yourself a new doctor and talk to them about all of your issues that you've had since switching BC. They should be able to fix it. It may take some time to adjust though. I went through 4 or 5 before I found something that both worked for me and didn't make me crazy.

jorja86 · February 2012

You need to find a new doctor...like, yesterday. Those side effects don't sound like anything to mess around with.

As far as the depression, it can definitely be a result of the change in hormones. I know with Depo, it was one of the major side effects.

jemmini6 · February 2012

Definitely get a new doctor. Most people try several different pills before they find one that has the right balance of hormones for them. Your doctor should be paying attention to your complaints and work on finding you a pill that works, she just sounds plain lazy.

pockysquirrel · February 2012

Yeah dude, you definitely need a new doctor. This one sounds like a dismissive ass. Seconding Peek that it might not be all BCP, just the kind you're currently on. I went through four and had depression and total loss of sex drive on most of them, and then nausea, vomiting, and severe mood swings on one. We did find one that I can take without problems, and I refuse to let them prescribe me any other kind.

loves2shop4shoes · February 2012

Yeah, I'd get a new doctor.

elannis · February 2012

I agree with everyone else that a new doctor is the way to go. Good luck!

P.S. Pocky: That Mario and Princess Peach thing is adorable!

kellyt89 · February 2012

Definitely forget this doctor he/she seems really lazy and unwilling to actually get to the bottom of what's going on. It might be the wrong combo of hormones, like peek was saying or it might be that your body doesn't respond well to synthetic hormones at all. The vision problems sound scary, I'm sorry you're dealing with this.

If you are able to switch to a different pill and are still having side effects you might need to look into non-hormonal BC. I have a few friends whose bodies just don't react well to BCP's. The one friend has been using just condoms for 3 years now with good results.

Stina51286 · February 2012

Thanks ladies, I will be calling a new doctor today and try to get in asap. Pocky, the sex drive has also gone down, I could probably count on one hand the amount of times we've had sex in the last 2 months and I know thats one of the reason we've been arguing.

xmansmommy2010 · February 2012

A few of the older ones didn't work for me at all. I spent most of my adult life on Orthotricyclen, but since hitting 30 I can't remember to take a pill to save my life. I got Paragard (like Mirena but hormone-free) implanted last week and it has been smooth sailing so far.

If you don't want to keep switching pills, I would suggest looking into that. I would, however, definitely switch doctors.

leia1979 · February 2012

I agree with the others. Get a new doctor and try something else. I never found a BC pill that worked for me. They gave me mood swings and personality changes. NuvaRIng was a lot better, but it still caused problems. Mirena is the only thing that's been mostly issue-free. I'd recommend trying some new stuff until you find what works.

Blue & White · February 2012

I agree with the above posts that I'd get a doctor, but I'd also think about what you want the birth control for primarily. I, too, am on birth control for reasons OTHER than preventing little children from growing in my uterus...and I'm worried that when I stop using BC (when I go to conceive kids) I'm going to have problems with my other issues (may that be ovarian cysts or whatnot, not a big deal.)

So I would say at least try a new birth control - and definitely know which ones you've been on before you go to your doc so you can know. And remember, there are TONS of forms of birth control, not all pill forms. So if you're okay with dealing with your cyst symptoms in another way (if there is another way), then you can do one of the non-hormonal options as well.

Oh, and I'm totally paranoid if I'm "only" using a condom for sex too. It's normal when you don't think you're ready for kids yet (in my opinion, it's normal, haha).

Good luck!

Beads921 · February 2012

What everyone else has said.

Find a new doctor, and try a different pill. This one isn't right for you.

Stina51286 · February 2012

Dr. Apt is made however I couldn't get in until March 7, that must be a good sign if this new one is busy?

Blue & White · February 2012

You can go to your primary to discuss birth control too (if you're in any sort of hurry), but since you have additional health issues besides just not wanting babies at this very instant, I think an OBGYN is your best best. Best of luck for Mar 7! (plus, it's only 2 weeks away!)

BC questions- Long

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