anxiety attacks after stopping birth control

My symptoms are mainly at night too, i used to get panic attacks in the evenings and nights but now i get anxiety at nights mostly.

Hi, I’ve been going through this for four months now. It’s so frustrating and I too come to this thread because there is so little knowledge about this issue and I don’t want to feel alone. I thought the anxiety issues would subside by now and it’s disheartening to still be dealing with it intensely this far into stopping. I’ve always been a high-functioning anxious person but I easily had it managed naturally and had no issues until I stopped the pill. Now I’m thinking of seeing a therapist but find all of this ridiculous as none of these issues were even on my radar before I stopped. I miss feeling normal so much. When did your anxiety issues stop? I hope you start feel completely better soon.

I believe this is an issue that will be scientifically validated in the future and listed as a potential side effect, especially with women who were prone to anxiety (even mild) before starting hormonal BC. I also think that only a percentage of the women who read this thread for comfort post on it. This is an issue that feels scary and isolating and since there is comfort in numbers, I’d propose that even if you don’t feel like posting your story that you comment on this thread with you state or even country to let others know you’ve found comfort in this thread. Even better if you also write about how long it took to feel better or other encouraging information.

So to start ... Indiana

California , 9 months .. still not 100% better but way better than the first few months. I figure i would post some positive things I’ve experienced post birth control since I’ve already listed my symptoms. I’m way less tired than i use to be on birth control, i do not crave sugar nearly as much, and i feel like I’ve lost weight in a good way. Also sex drive is wayyyyyyy higher. Yes it’s been hell but on bad days i like to try to find the positive things about this process.

Thanks for posting. I also don’t crave sugar like I used to and have lost a noticeable amount of weight. Four months after stopping BC I still have weird tension headaches that remind me of my hair being pulled in a tight ponytail for too long, but the worst is trying to calm the intense and usually unrelenting bizarre anxiety symptoms. I think the ringing in my ears has stopped for the most part in the past couple months.
Also, I remember years ago when I started this BC that it caused eye floaters, ringing ears, and anxiety but the doctor didn’t think those symptoms were related to starting it. It’s just more validation that it can have nasty side effects on both sides...

Hey, I know exactly what you mean when you say the unrelenting bizarre anxiety symptoms. I've gotten everything, and I mean everything. Dizziness, nausea, racing heart, racing mind, tightness in chest, feeling like I'm going to faint, weird head pressure, just an overall feeling of not being at ease, even numbness and tingling in my arms and hands, and yes I have also had the tinnitus (ringing in the ears) - I first experienced it about a month ago when I was about to go to sleep and I freaked out because it came out of nowhere and it made my other anxiety symptoms worse because I was terrified. I am currently in the beginning of my 3rd month off of birth control and the anxiety and weird symptoms of it is what still lingers the most. Just when I start to feel a little calm and better, BAM...out of nowhere the anxiety comes back full force. It sucks.

I fully agree with you! I'm from Pennsylvania and am currently in my 3rd month off birth control. Main symptoms right now are anxiety and everything that goes along with it.

Toronto! I went off in February and the anxiety is still here, moreso around my period. I’ve been experiencing heart palpiatations, headaches, anxiety, jitteriness, acne like crazy, water retention, some dizziness, depression (never been depressed a day in my life until this). Had my hormones tested via the DUTCH sex hormone urine test and just waiting for my results.

Thanks everyone here for keeping me sane!! It’s been 3 months total and I’ve seen a difference in me but it’s still lingering.

11 months! Florida!!!! Nowhere near what it was like at the beginning however, still not back to my normal self! We will get there ladies! Hang in there :)

Hi. My name is Becca.I was on nexplanon for 9 years and nuva ring for 1 year but on and off also while I had nexplanon. I have been watching this thread for 6 months now and it is the only thing keeping me semi stable. My symptoms started 3 minus in (January 2018) I felt like I was crawling out of my skin. I was tingling and shaking and my anxiety was through the roof... The floresent light felt like it was burning through my skin.. I was also having sinus issues and head pressure and tingling like something was crawling on me. I went to the ENT and got and MRI and ran all blood tests and got my hormones tested. Everything came back normal..My hormones tested 0.04 for progesterone. Honestly, I have not found any doctors thus far to test properly. I am guessimg tho my body is having trouble producing progesterone.I am seeing a naturopath for a few months who has me on estrofactor and minerals to flush out bad estrogen . I thought I was doing better until One month ago(month 7) I had several SEVERE panic attacks and landed in the ER. So scary. Now I am also back to having nerve pain in my feet legs armd and hands. I am having a hard time sleeping. I eat an anti inflammatory diet with no gluten or dairy or soy and this is still so defeating. I saw the doctor today and he wants me to start on prozac... For pmdd until I balance out. Has anyone tried prozac 20 mg? I am going to a natural medicime place to get my neurtransmitters and 4 point cortisol levels checks and a saliva hormone test so I am praying that will help guide me through this hell. I want everyone to know you are not alone. Doctors will write you off as crazy and just remember you are NOT! Lets keep in touch.

Chloxx, let us know what the test results show. I’ve felt my hormones have been terribly messed up but I am having periods every 23 days. I never remember it being that short of a cycle before BC but then again I guess it wasn’t a focus as I felt completely normal.
-Indiana

Anna, after waiting four months for the anxiety to simmer down on its own, I’m now looking to set appointments with a therapist. I feel sort of scarred by the severity of it, if that makes sense. I now have anxiety about anxiety and it’s a miserable cycle that needs to be healed. I’m trying to learn the basics of meditation now too which was something that never really crossed my mind before this.
-from Indiana

I think that is the right thing to do. Honestly, as humans we can only handle so much on our own, and sometimes external help is needed. I have been seeing a therapist since the middle of April (a few weeks after this whole thing started for me) and I have found that she does help some, not 100%, but I have found that on the days I see her and for a day or two after I do generally feel calmer and I have been trying to put some of the things she has taught me into practice. The severity of my anxiety has definitely increased to a point where I almost feel like I am going crazy at times. I also have anxiety about anxiety, and when my next anxiety or panic attack will be. Its mentally and physically draining. After four months of being off the pill, do you find your anxiety is constant or comes and goes? What are some of your anxiety symptoms? Anyway, I wish you the best in finding a therapist that works well for you! If you find a good one, it can be a huge help - but it does take time and will not eliminate the anxiety 100% unfortunately, thats just my experience.

Does anyone else feel like they are going completely crazy? I am almost 2.5 months off of BC and just recently my anxiety has gotten to the point where I have it almost 24/7 and have intrusive thoughts about my health and going crazy. Last night I only slept for 4-5 hours and that was after taking a Xanax. I'm at my wits end with this, I don't think the intensity of my anxiety is normal and I feel like I need to get checked into a mental hospital. Anyone else feel this way?

Anna, my anxiety has been pretty consistent, . I’ve had a couple “better” days here and there but honestly at this point I feel so emotionally drained. My mind goes a million miles an hour about irrational things. I feel scared of things that never phased me or crossed my mind before. It frustrates me so much because I know it’s irrational and don’t understand why I’m in a state of fear. Its like my logic is battling my fear center. Thinking about it as a whole though I think it’s a little better than the first couple months.
It’s misery... I have read though on a comforting anxiety website that fearing you are losing your mind is a good indication that you are actually not. Those who are truly losing their minds usually don’t notice.
I think anyone feeling this way should talk it out with someone they trust. It helps to talk.