Side effects of stopping the birth control pill...depression?

Guest · Guest

I'm so happy to have found this site. My hormones have been out of control since stopping the pill not to mention the weight gain. I just recently got married and we decided to try for a baby later this year. So after 15 years of being on the pill I stopped a month ago. I have never felt so bad, depressed, bloated and foggy! Can anyone tell me how long until things go back to normal as I hate feeling like this.

Guest · Guest

I know what you mean about the foggyness and all that, i have been off birth control since Christmas 07 and have been getting all that, only now have got my period back and the foggyness worse with it, email me if you want to talk to somone about all this **** it is so bad that we are all having to go through this and i want to support as many people as i can through this and for myself also.

Guest · Guest

Wow, I'm so happy that I found this site! I stopped taking the pill a little over a month ago. The one I had been taking for 10 years (took a couple of breaks when I had my two kids) was Triphasil (generic is Trilevelen). Since I stopped them, the main problems I'm having are heart palpitations and chest pain. It is scary because I keep thinking that I'm having a heart attack!

I was taking an antibiotic for a sinus infection when this started, so I thought it was that, but now I'm learning that it is probably from stopping the pill since I've seen others who are having heart palpitations and/or chest pain! This makes me feel better, but I'm still a little worried about it.

I am pretty sure I am never going to take birth control pills again!

DLBJWB · Newbie Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 1

I was on ortho tri-cyclen for 6 years... the last month I took the pill was in December. I have had two regular periods since but ever since mid-January I have had off and on nausea. Some days it lasts all day, some days it comes and goes and one day I won't have it all. Has anyone experienced this? I met with a Gastroenterologist and am having an Upper Endoscopy but I can't help but feel I am experiencing this because of stopping the pill.

LILA8022 · Newbie Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 2

hi all. a friend of mine emailed me a link to this page and wow!! It's like you all took the words out of my mouth. I hate feeling this way!!! I,ve reach the four month mark with all this. Trying to fight it with vitamins. Seeing a counselor and journaling my days and moods.
Has anyone battling this hormonal beast won the fight without more meds?
Have you found anything that helps with the anxiety?
I'd love to have support buddies to get through those days that just seem like there never going to end.
lila80@playful.com

Anonymous Islander · Newbie Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 4

Hi ladies,

I thought that I would share my latest with you... I'm feeling A LOT better than I was. A quite summary - stopped the Pill (after having taken it for 10 yrs) in November 2007... had my first ever panic attack on December 11th... life was rather up and down after that. I thought I needed anti-anxiety meds which I tried for a few days but I didn't like the way they made me feel. I was taking Ativan, almost daily, for a while there to ease my foggy/fuzzy head. I then started using a compound hormonal cream (progesterone) in mid February and so far, so good Smile

I feel WAY better than I did... and I'm not using the Ativan anymore. I can't say that I feel 100% back to my "old" self, but I may never get to that point...but I can definitely say that my days are better and I feel much more normal, which is a nice feeling after feeling crappy for so long! My husband and I even decided to be "carefree" and see what happens...

Overall, I would highly recommend staying away from meds and asking your dr about the hormonal cream way. It's completely natural and without side effects... it's worth a shot for sure!

All the best =)

gshaenan · Newbie Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Posts: 4

Hello ladies,

I, too, am so relieved to have found this site.

Here is my story, 32, married, was on Yazmin for over 6 years. Got off 2 weeks ago, and that's WHEN IT STARTED: vertigo, headaches, muscle spasms, tingling, numbness in hands and legs, some burning pain, ANXIETY, paralyzing phobia!

Went to my doctor at the sign of first symptom, then I convinced myself I had MS, so they sent me to 4 more doctors, incl. a neurologist, who sent me to have an MRI of the brain and spine (all normal), and diagnosed anxiety and put me on Xanax (I only took a couple). All that stress while waiting for the MRI results put me in a catatonic state, I could not cry anymore, and stopped eating.

Last week I finally decided to go to a holistic healer that my friends all rave about. Please know that I am skeptical by nature, but what that woman did to me stopped the symptoms in 7 sessions. Cost me about $1,000, but at that point of my depression, I felt it was worth every penny (for those in Los Angeles area, I would be happy to share my healer's info with you).

Now, I am convinced it is the effect of going off the pill, BUT, please go to the doctor and have yourself thoroughly checked out. It will calm you down.

I am not going to get pregnant for a few more months, just to see it if things balance out on their own. Yoga and protein (I had to cut out sugar and my BFF caffeine) has also helped tremendously!

If you need support, please email me at imthecosmos@yahoo.com

And please find some girlfriends to fill up your time in the meantime!
Gia

enolf · Newbie Joined: 23 Mar 2008 Posts: 1

Thought I'd add my experiences. I've never been on the pill, but for around 2 years I was consuming incredible amounts of soy milk, as well as soy products. I stopped because I found that the estrogen in them was making me gain weight around my middle.

I've now gone cold turkey on these for around 3 weeks and I've got exactly the same symptoms that everyone is talking about. I've got the foggiest head (so not normal), and and getting the oiliest face...causing acne (which I've never had before).

Worst however is the depression. I've never ever been depressed in my life but these few weeks I've just been feel 'off'. I'm feeling so alone and stressed out and worried about things. Also, I just feel so demotivated to do anything. I'm feeling pretty ordinary.

I'm guessing that this is just my body readapting. Please someone tell me that it will get better soon! There aren't a lot of messages that say it gets better...which is freaking me out.

On the upside, I've lost my appetite, and feel a little nauseous...so I've lost a but of weight...but I'd rather feel happy on the inside!

Sad

Guest · Guest

I have been on the pill for 8-9 years. I just came off a month ago. I am experiencing head aches, dry eyes and nausea. Are these things normal? one good thing so far, no middle of the month spotting...

Barb48 · Newbie Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 3

I have to say I'm glad I found this site like the rest of you. I'm 48 years old and have been on bc for 5 years when my new doc wanted me to take less estrogen and prescribed YAZ. After reading the symptoms, I decided not to take it or anything else.

It's been 6 weeks sinc I've been off bc and feel aweful. I'm dizzy, have naseau, heaviness in check, don't feel like myself at all. I loved to go for walks in my neighborhood, but since coming off the pill, I almost pass out from dizziness after 15 minutes. I do hope all this stops as other have said.

Since I'm probably in perimenopause but never felt symptoms because I was on the pill, I'm not getting hot and my face flush a few times a day. For the past 10 months, I also have bad acne that I didn't have before

I went to a local health food store that gave me Menopausal Formula to try. I've only taken it for 2 days so know I need longer to see what happens.

I hope we can all help each other get through the experience of all these symptoms coming off bc.

Side effects of stopping the birth control pill...depression?

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