Another person thankful for this forum...
I went off of BCP recently after being on it for 17 years (seasonale, most recently). I swear it was like going through chemically induced post partum depression--was super sensitive, wanted to cry all the time, couldn't get out of bed in the morning or take interest in a lot in life. I also had anxiety and panic attack flare ups for the first time in years, enough to the point that I had to get some xanax just for the really bad attacks.
Well, I'm now on my 3rd period post BCP, and I'm *finally* starting to feel like I'm getting back to normal. In addition to the xanax for emergencies, I started taking omega 3s (flaxseed oil), b complex, and calcium supplements. Those really seemed to help. My period and cramps are actually *BETTER* off the pill!
I'm never going back on the pill. So far, the fertility awareness method of contraception is working for us.
It took me a year to get back to almost normal after going off the pill.
My daughter stopped Yaz after being on it for 3 years. 1 week later she was in and out of the hospital with severe panic, depression and anxiety. She had to withdraw from college and 10 months later is still the very sick
. Can anyone PLEASE reply if you have gotten better from this and if you did, how long did it take to recover?
Hi Beaches....please take your daughter to a naturopathic doctor or to a doctor who will do a full hormone panel on her and NOT put her back on birth control. You have to understand that birth control has depleted her hormones and because of this she is experiencing anxiety, depression, panic attacks etc. I was on Yaz for a little over 4 years and am now 3.5 months off the pill...I'm still touch and go but it's getting better. I'm now on NATURAL bioidentical hormone creams, Estrogen and Progesterone. Birth Control depleted my hormones so severely that my hormones were post menopausal...that's how low they were, almost non existent. I'm only 28! The Bioidentical hormone creams are helping me and I've already had 2 natural periods becuase of it, which means my hormones are evening out. Please research bioidentical hormone creams...they are a miracle and are VERY safe....the FDA and dr's try to bad mouth them because they don't make the money they make pushing pharmaceuticals.
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I have tried every anti-depressant available pretty much and was on a couple for years at a time...no real result with depression or anxiety. One thing that HAS helped, and I am so grateful I discovered it, is a supplement called 5HTP. You can get it at any natural food store and I felt results after three days. It gives your brain the building blocks it needs to produce seratonin. It has a calming, anxiety relieving effect. I realized how much it really works when I ran out without thinking it would be a big deal. After a couple of days, my anxiety and irritability were back, and after I got some more and started taking it again, I felt immediately better. I have had this recommended to me by both western medical doctors and my naturopath. Another quick stress reliever that is safe and natural is absorbable magnesium. I use a powdered form that you mix with slightly warm water and then add juice (I actually like it just in water, but it is too tart for some people). When people are anxious and stressed their bodies dump magnesium, which is a vital element that the body needs to function and keep stress under control. The kind I use is called "Mag Relax." It also helps with muscle cramps of all kinds, heart health, migraines etc... My third recommendation is seeing an acupuncturist/chinese medical dr and asking about "Free and Easy Wanderer." It is a commonly prescribed chinese herbal remedy that clears the liver channel, which is related to stress. It is powerful stuff and during the first two weeks that you take it, a lot of emotions that have been repressed might come to the surface, but it is immensely helpful and I take it every day. My fourth recommendation is tincture of California Poppy (does not contain opium and is completely legal and safe if used by following the directions). You can order it online (as well as the Free and Easy Wanderer) if you can't find it in your local health food store. Lastly, another thing that has helped me is some form of exercise, even if it is putting on your favorite music and dancing around your house when no one can see you. Even little walks before bed or in the morning can help... Hope this helps and best of luck to you!!
I just found this thread, and was surprised to see so many women suffering like I have been! I went off ortho to try to get pregnant, and immediately I was pregnant with twins. I had anxiety attacks in my second trimester only, but once they were born the attacks were awful. My doc put me back on the pill to see if regulating my periods would help, and the attacks went away but I could never really exercise without my chest tightening and me feeling "breathy". My twins are almost five now, and I decided I wanted to try going off the pill, because I've had a tubal done and I didn't think I needed the pill. Wrong! Without the pill my PMS is panic attacks - I wake up out of a dead sleep having one, and I'll have three to seven a morning until I get my period. Then they're gone until my next PMS time, but I can cause one at any time simply by walking uphill, bending over too quickly, or trying to do any cardio workout. I used to be a very energetic person, always doing something, and had a rather physically strenuous job. Now I have to think before I pick up a laundry basket to make sure I don't get "breathy". My doc put me back on the pill two months ago and gave me klonopan to take if I have another attack. This week is the first time I have felt an attack coming on, and while I'm not having actual attacks, I can feel my heart flitter and my chest gets tight at night and in the mornings. I went to see a heart specialist, who said I was fine, and a hormone specialist told me my hormones look perfect off the pill ... and he has no clue why the pill would stop anxiety attacks.
I just want my life back!!! I was off the pill for six months and my attacks got worse with every period. I don't have the attacks now, but I still can't exercise, lift heavy things or even walk quickly up my stairs. I hope someday we find an answer, a cure to make the anxiety go away. I'm tired of feeling like I have a truck parked in my chest!
Hey Ladies!
After spending the morning reading all of your posts, I admire each and every one of you for your patience and persistence over the last months, and years! I'm 22, and got off of Lo-Loestrin in August 2012 after experiencing bloating, fatigue and mild acid reflux. After coming off of it the mild stomach problems continued, and the overwhelming anxiety set it. I have always been a positive and optimistic individual, and was dutifully employed after graduating college! I experienced my first, full-blown panic attack in October, as well as generalized anxiety, overwhelming negative thoughts, and pelvic floor muscle spasms in the coming weeks! On November 15th, I experienced my first night at insomnia, and thereafter did not sleep more than 3-4/nights for 5 weeks. I called my PCP and he advised me to start the following regimen: B-complex each morning after breakfast, and 400 mg Magnesium, and Melatonin each night. I'm 5 weeks in and have seen a definite improvement. In addition, I started a strict work-out regimen and try to fit in about 2.5 hours of cardio per week. Moreover, my PCP prescribed 50mg of Trazodone, a little-known anti-depressant to "help retrain my brain to sleep." I'm supposed to take it for 3 weeks and tonight will be day 17 but I'm still sleeping on and off. As hard as it is, we have to power through this. One woman wrote, that key to anxiety is acceptance. Ever since I read a book about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I realized the power of our thoughts in transforming our emotions, and in turn, helping to alleviate the all-too-real physical symptoms of anxiety. I will write again soon, but urge you to research B-Complex and Magnesiumsupplements. I'm currently working out managing my anxiety with CBT and working out/eating a balanced and nutritious diet to help re-balance my hormones. If there is anything I have learned from reading all of your posts, it is that this process is slow, and there is no telling how long it will take...BUT IT DOES GET BETTER!
SO PROUD OF ALL OF YOU! SENDING LOVE!
can i just say after reading you post.. it is exactly what i would have written. i too have come off yaz, about 2 months or so ago and im suffering in the exact same way.. its like im you cos i went to the doc and he gave me ativan, i only took 12 over a one month period and then stopped cos like you i dont like taking that stuff. i then went back and he tried to prrescribe effexor (an anti- depressant) which a also refused to take. i am so releived that there are others out there with the same experiences which means we will all get better in time... we just have to be patient and positive. thank you so much for posting AMBULL. cheers : )
i too have been on YAZ for 3 years and stopped it about two or so months ago, apparently it can take about 6 months for your body to return to normal again so dont worry. i am going through severe anxiety almost daily and its horrible but it will pass. you say 10 months later she is still experiencing anxiety.. this may be because for some people, when they experience anxiety for too long.. it can stick with them for longer.. ie always being on the look out for the next anxiety attack etc. i recommend that she seek specialised help for anxiety with natural therapies such as seeing a natropath, getting some accupuncture and also seeking hypnotherapy for anxiety administered by a clinical psychologist. all of these help and do wonders.. also lots and lots of excersise. the most important thing to note is that IT WILL PASS!! she wont feel like this forever!!! good luck.
I wrote a little while back. I am doing much better now. Still not great, but better. I am now 4 months off bcp (Kariva). I have been seeing a naturopath and getting acupuncture and massages now and then. Also, baths with Epsom salt every other night. I did a saliva hormone test and found out my cortisol (stress hormone) is sky high day and night. I now do an anti inflammatory shake every morning with flax oil, magnesium, vitimins, greens, etc. I also take Cortisol Manager (a supplement) at night. Helps so much. All per my naturopath. I highly suggest to go natural and skip the anti depressants. You don't want to mask the real problem. I find it extremely difficult to stay positive through this, but we must try our best! xo
Hi Amanda,
How are you doing now? I got of BC back in Oct. of 2012 and I have been experiencing the same symptom like you noted above. I'm really interested to see how you are doing now and to see if there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Hello ladies!!!
I thought I was going crazy when I finally came all your posts!!! I stopped taking a generic form of Ortho Tri Cyclen BC back in Oct. 2012. In November I began to feel a little lightheaded and dizzy sometime around my period. December was when the panic attacks began. Ever since 12/21/12 I have been experiencing anxiety almost everyday. Some days are bad and some days are good. I've been prescribed Xanax and been taking .25 - .50 per day. I have also looked into Biofeedpack and seen a naturopath. I really want to nip this in the butt because I have two little ones and a Firefighter husband that is gone 2 days a week. Can someone please tell me, does it get better??? I'm at my wits ends and I don't want to be on Xanax or an antidepressant. Help!!!!