I feel the same way. I’m a year off so I know how it feels to go through this for so long. It almost feels like it isn’t normal to feel this way for so long but I’ve honestly gotten used to the “new” me. I’m feeling really shitty these past couple of days which sucks because I would say I was feeling better. I have the anxiety and depression but ROCD is the worst for me. Constantly questioning my love for my boyfriend and if he’s right for me which definitely sparks the anxiety and depression. I just want to feel normal again, this is so crazy!
I’m absolutely down to contribute to this. I went off the Nuva ring because I read being on it for so long makes you infertile (been on it for 10+ years) and I’m losing my mind. Im not myself at all. Im depressed and angry. My sex drive is up but for a while different type of people. I wish I read this post before hand. I thought I was crazy.
I have not tried Zoloft, by I do take an anti-anxiety medication and a few weeks ago when things got really bad for me while I was going through this, my doctor upped my dosage and it has actually helped a lot. I know that a lot of people are against medication but honestly there is no need to suffer... taking medication is a very personal choice, but for me it has helped me be able to actually live my life rather than feel like an anxious and depressed mess all the time. Has it cured me completely from feeling bad after going off of birth control? No, of course not. But it has helped a lot. I would say that since it has been over a year for you at this point it might be worth a try, that and therapy as well might help you.
I am going through all of this and was hoping there's some way I could get in contact with you. I tried to find your blog, but it's not up anymore. This is a serious issue and I think that they should be legally required to put these symptoms on the box. It's a nightmare
Hello ladies,
Ive been off Diane after 13 years of continuous use since me and my husband decided to prepare my body for pregnancy. Ive been off the pill for about a month and a half now, and my symptoms peaked 2-3 weeks post pill (I thought I was dying of some sort, which made it even worse!!!. The symptoms varies day by day to the ff:
1) blurred vision 2) weird pressure on different parts of my head which i cannot attribute to migraine (it isnt painful but it is annoying) - sometimes i feel it at the back of my ear, 3) hot flashes 4) occasional migraine 5) neck and back pain 6) anxiety attacks - intense worrying that i have a heart condition or brain tumor, strange thoughts about death and impending doom which makes me cry 7) panic attacks - tachycardia, palpitations, and slight elevation in BP, 8) gastric disturbances (loose stools, flatulence, and acidic taste),9) insomnia lately 10) lethargy/anergia — who wouldn’t feel anxious about all these things? I consulted several doctors - cardio, ortho, OB, optha who requested complete blood and lipid profile, ECG, EKG, xrays, which yielded only a high cholesterol level that could be managed by proper diet and exercise however, nothing can relieve my anxiety
Thankful I read this blog and somehow it is helping me cope. Its been 1.5 months post-pill now and i have felt the symptoms subside a little with supplementation. I tried drinking vitamin B complex, magnesium, zinc, iron, biotin, and somehow the panic attacks lessened (i hope), however, i still feel the rest at a lesser extent.
Are there others who felt the same symptoms too? How were you able to manage the symptoms? I want this all to end... yesterday while watching TV i suddenly bursted into tears because of fear that it won’t get better.
Hello,
First of all, I am so sorry you’re going through this, sending you love! So, I was on the pill for 3 years, the last year I was switched to a generic version and that’s when I had problems. I came off the last day of August so I’m 8 months off. I too had terrible symptoms, the exact ones you described in your post, especially up until month 5 (Though the timeline of recovery is different for everyone). i am still on my way to being fully recovered. Please know that this is your hormones. Hormones and hormonal imbalance are able to cause a slew of issues. Since you were receiving hormones artificially for years, your body does not understand what’s going on now that you’ve suddenly stopped it. Eventually you’re body will begin to produce estrogen etc. again normally on its own, that’s why women here begin to feel better progressively because their hormone progressively normalize and produce what’s needed for your body to physically and mentally run well. I am getting married next year and tell myself that I’m SO glad that I’m getting off now instead of later because I want to be a healthy, happy mom, and now I know that the pill doesn’t work for me because my body is slow to jump back. Better to know sooner than later. I’ve been through hell, but better times are ahead. Let me know if you have any questions.
First of all, I am so sorry you’re going through this, sending you love! So, I was on the pill for 3 years, the last year I was switched to a generic version and that’s when I had problems. I came off the last day of August so I’m 8 months off. I too had terrible symptoms, the exact ones you described in your post, especially up until month 5 (Though the timeline of recovery is different for everyone). i am still on my way to being fully recovered. Please know that this is your hormones. Hormones and hormonal imbalance are able to cause a slew of issues. Since you were receiving hormones artificially for years, your body does not understand what’s going on now that you’ve suddenly stopped it. Eventually you’re body will begin to produce estrogen etc. again normally on its own, that’s why women here begin to feel better progressively because their hormone progressively normalize and produce what’s needed for your body to physically and mentally run well. I am getting married next year and tell myself that I’m SO glad that I’m getting off now instead of later because I want to be a healthy, happy mom, and now I know that the pill doesn’t work for me because my body is slow to jump back. Better to know sooner than later. I’ve been through hell, but better times are ahead. Let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you so much for the encouragement. These words are gold in times like this. There is such comfort from strong women who’ve been through this just the same and it’s empowering.
By the way, since you’ve been off it for 8 months now - I just have a few queries:
1) On my 4th week off the pill, I had very light spotting (small as a dime).— i do not have idea what that is, but im expecting a regular period since it’s already 4 weeks but it’s disturbing because of the scanty amount - is that something to be expected? have you experienced the same?
2) Do you have recommendations on how to relieve anxiety and panic attacks, or at least when they come, how could i lessen the impact?
3) Did your symptoms change from time to time as well? It’s making me crazy - like everyday symptoms are different/ ramdom.
Thanks for the assistance in advance love. HELP!!!
By the way, since you’ve been off it for 8 months now - I just have a few queries:
1) On my 4th week off the pill, I had very light spotting (small as a dime).— i do not have idea what that is, but im expecting a regular period since it’s already 4 weeks but it’s disturbing because of the scanty amount - is that something to be expected? have you experienced the same?
2) Do you have recommendations on how to relieve anxiety and panic attacks, or at least when they come, how could i lessen the impact?
3) Did your symptoms change from time to time as well? It’s making me crazy - like everyday symptoms are different/ ramdom.
Thanks for the assistance in advance love. HELP!!!
Hi there,
I just wanted to let you know you are not alone. I have been off of birth control for almost 2 months now (this Thursday will make 2 months on the nose), and I have had/continue to have many of the symptoms you have described. Especially the changes in vision, pressure in different parts of my head, back pain, terrible anxiety and sometimes panic attacks too, insomnia some nights, among others and just not feeling like myself at all. This forum has definitely been a blessing for me during this difficult time. Like you, before I found it I thought that I was dying or had some awful disease or illness. I would spend hours online looking into my symptoms and scaring myself silly until I stumbled upon this forum. I have to tell you that many doctors simply won't recognize that this has to do with the pill or coming off it. They will attribute it to anxiety or depression, which yes it is, but it comes from the changes in our hormones when going off of the pill. It takes time, but your symptoms will become less intense as the weeks and months go by. I have found that mine are connected to my cycle, and a little before my period I really feel them - I call it my PMS on steroids and I just know to lay low those few days and not push myself too much. I have had days where I feel so foggy/dizzy and off that I can't really leave my bed let alone my house, but I am also starting to have great days where I feel almost back to my old self. It will get better, just keep up with the vitamins and make sure to eat as healthy as you can and get tons of sleep at night. Time is the best healer though. Please know you are not alone and let me know if you need to talk!
I just wanted to let you know you are not alone. I have been off of birth control for almost 2 months now (this Thursday will make 2 months on the nose), and I have had/continue to have many of the symptoms you have described. Especially the changes in vision, pressure in different parts of my head, back pain, terrible anxiety and sometimes panic attacks too, insomnia some nights, among others and just not feeling like myself at all. This forum has definitely been a blessing for me during this difficult time. Like you, before I found it I thought that I was dying or had some awful disease or illness. I would spend hours online looking into my symptoms and scaring myself silly until I stumbled upon this forum. I have to tell you that many doctors simply won't recognize that this has to do with the pill or coming off it. They will attribute it to anxiety or depression, which yes it is, but it comes from the changes in our hormones when going off of the pill. It takes time, but your symptoms will become less intense as the weeks and months go by. I have found that mine are connected to my cycle, and a little before my period I really feel them - I call it my PMS on steroids and I just know to lay low those few days and not push myself too much. I have had days where I feel so foggy/dizzy and off that I can't really leave my bed let alone my house, but I am also starting to have great days where I feel almost back to my old self. It will get better, just keep up with the vitamins and make sure to eat as healthy as you can and get tons of sleep at night. Time is the best healer though. Please know you are not alone and let me know if you need to talk!
Hi Anna! Thank you for such encouragement - knowing someone understands,
and I am not alone in this is very comforting. Thank you for taking time to encourage ladies like you in this battle.
I too spend hours looking into symptoms online, burying myself further to fear. And i agree with you that doctors fail to acknowledge that these symptoms are attributed to hormonal imbalance. One time I wento to mu OBGYN only to be scolded why i took the pill when i expected help on how to recover from what I am currently suffering! Other doctors only said “probably its because of the pill withrawal” :(
On your second month - have you felt any improvement already? which symptoms lessened? How do you cope?
Thanks again for your time.
and I am not alone in this is very comforting. Thank you for taking time to encourage ladies like you in this battle.
I too spend hours looking into symptoms online, burying myself further to fear. And i agree with you that doctors fail to acknowledge that these symptoms are attributed to hormonal imbalance. One time I wento to mu OBGYN only to be scolded why i took the pill when i expected help on how to recover from what I am currently suffering! Other doctors only said “probably its because of the pill withrawal” :(
On your second month - have you felt any improvement already? which symptoms lessened? How do you cope?
Thanks again for your time.
I’m glad I was a little helpful! Here are my answers to your questions:
1) I did not have a full period until 4-5 months off. Which is interesting because that’s when my side effects began to lift a little bit - even more evidence of how the pill coincideds with our imbalanced hormones. I was actually in the first day of my period the day I stopped birth control, and I stopped because I’d been getting a weird foggy feeling out of the blue for about a month and then had terrible heart palipitations the day I went to the hospital and realized it could be the prescription birth control (the exact day I stopped taking it). So I did not wait until the first day of a new pack or whatever like I think you’re suppose to. My periods have been extremely light to heavy. The spotting may be your body unsure of how to react, just as my mixed cycles are. I do track my cycle using Natural Cycles and I’m still considered “highly irregular.” It may help you to use something like that, especially because you can track spotting.
2) So I did not stay alone during the first couple of months as much as humanly possible. I would go to school, go to work, then go straight to my family home until I was ready for bed. Not being alone as much at that time was helpful and now I’m totally okay to be alone. Although many people here have Relationship OCD or ROCD, I’ve had Health OCD, which a group of women here have. Because of this, and not knowing at first what was happening until I found this forum and did research, I cut out sugar and caffeine in the first couple of months. I don’t know if it helped but it may have been good just to encourage me to eat better foods/drink more water. I did drink a lot of tea, especially chamomile during the attacks, and ginger tea to help with the nausea/dizziness. I saw a therapist for 12 sessions, and it did help hearing her explain my symptoms, even though I had no particular situation i.e. a breakup or recent loss that triggered my depression/anxiety.
3) My symptoms were different all the time. I stopped agreeing to plans with friends or any commitments ahead of time because I never knew what state I’d be in. One symptom that has been consistent is the foggy feeling for me, although it has defenitly diminished from derealization which is a side effect of anxiety, to just feeling out of it a little/no myself. The instructive thoughts or anxious thoughts have settled, I don’t get the dizzy spells anymore and I’m now dealing with the vision issues/floaters, waiting for the rest of the fog to lift, and dealing with the low mood/depression (although the depression has gotten a little better). I am more than grateful to say that the heart palipitations and trouble breathing (anxiety?) did stop!!! I didn’t think it would but after about 2 months it did, and that’s the best improvement so far that I’ve had.
Please hang in there, I promise it will ease up. I know it’s scary. My mother’s doctor, who I can’t afford, did say that this is from the pill, but my doctor didn’t, even though she let me know to tell her if I had side effects. What we’re experiencing isn’t super we’ll known but if you look at the fine print on the manual of the prescription you had, you may see depression right on there, I did. I wish I would’ve known all of this before. Some have said here that acupuncture helps. I’ve never tried it though. Do a little search on what helps balance hormones and you may find something else that works for you too. Think about how some women have post pattum depression after having a baby - that’s hormonal, and so is this. The pill simulated pregnancy so that you don’t get pregnant, but this will pass, just as that does, slowly but surely. Be kind to yourself.
- Alicia
1) I did not have a full period until 4-5 months off. Which is interesting because that’s when my side effects began to lift a little bit - even more evidence of how the pill coincideds with our imbalanced hormones. I was actually in the first day of my period the day I stopped birth control, and I stopped because I’d been getting a weird foggy feeling out of the blue for about a month and then had terrible heart palipitations the day I went to the hospital and realized it could be the prescription birth control (the exact day I stopped taking it). So I did not wait until the first day of a new pack or whatever like I think you’re suppose to. My periods have been extremely light to heavy. The spotting may be your body unsure of how to react, just as my mixed cycles are. I do track my cycle using Natural Cycles and I’m still considered “highly irregular.” It may help you to use something like that, especially because you can track spotting.
2) So I did not stay alone during the first couple of months as much as humanly possible. I would go to school, go to work, then go straight to my family home until I was ready for bed. Not being alone as much at that time was helpful and now I’m totally okay to be alone. Although many people here have Relationship OCD or ROCD, I’ve had Health OCD, which a group of women here have. Because of this, and not knowing at first what was happening until I found this forum and did research, I cut out sugar and caffeine in the first couple of months. I don’t know if it helped but it may have been good just to encourage me to eat better foods/drink more water. I did drink a lot of tea, especially chamomile during the attacks, and ginger tea to help with the nausea/dizziness. I saw a therapist for 12 sessions, and it did help hearing her explain my symptoms, even though I had no particular situation i.e. a breakup or recent loss that triggered my depression/anxiety.
3) My symptoms were different all the time. I stopped agreeing to plans with friends or any commitments ahead of time because I never knew what state I’d be in. One symptom that has been consistent is the foggy feeling for me, although it has defenitly diminished from derealization which is a side effect of anxiety, to just feeling out of it a little/no myself. The instructive thoughts or anxious thoughts have settled, I don’t get the dizzy spells anymore and I’m now dealing with the vision issues/floaters, waiting for the rest of the fog to lift, and dealing with the low mood/depression (although the depression has gotten a little better). I am more than grateful to say that the heart palipitations and trouble breathing (anxiety?) did stop!!! I didn’t think it would but after about 2 months it did, and that’s the best improvement so far that I’ve had.
Please hang in there, I promise it will ease up. I know it’s scary. My mother’s doctor, who I can’t afford, did say that this is from the pill, but my doctor didn’t, even though she let me know to tell her if I had side effects. What we’re experiencing isn’t super we’ll known but if you look at the fine print on the manual of the prescription you had, you may see depression right on there, I did. I wish I would’ve known all of this before. Some have said here that acupuncture helps. I’ve never tried it though. Do a little search on what helps balance hormones and you may find something else that works for you too. Think about how some women have post pattum depression after having a baby - that’s hormonal, and so is this. The pill simulated pregnancy so that you don’t get pregnant, but this will pass, just as that does, slowly but surely. Be kind to yourself.
- Alicia
Saw this and agree that it totally makes sense! I was prescribed pills by my derma as early as 13 years of age because of severe acne, but got scared since I was too young by then. I only started the pill by 18y/o as i got sexually active. Some doctors prescribe these hormones in frenzy without discussing potential side effects. :( had i known that breaking up with the pill can cause these issues, i’d rather endure my acne for years.
Hi Anna! You’re just ahead by 2 weeks and am glad your symptoms are gradually improving. I just hope it would be better everyday. Have you tried anything to ease out your symptoms? I tried Magnesium and B complex before bed time and somehow this makes me calmer. There are days though when i feel so worried - and this would give me palpitations and tapid heart beat even at rest. You know I tried to seek help from doctors but sometimes it only makes things worse because of the tension and added anxiety it gives me while i wait for results and all. It’s so difficult isn’t it?! And sometimes I just don’t want to have myself checked anymore because if I do - I feel like I’ll develop HOCD (health anxiety disorder).
Hugs!!!
- Flow
Hugs!!!
- Flow
Of course, happy to help! It is always comforting to know that you are not alone in this. When I first started posting on this forum it was so nice to see all of the kind responses. I would definitely try and stop or at least limit your searching of your symptoms on the internet. There is so much stuff out there, its honestly just become triggering for my anxiety. Like I notice if during the day I look up symptoms I have and read about different diseases, conditions, etc... I am way more anxious and just off so I've pretty much stopped doing it altogether. My first month off the pill (very end of March into April) was a nightmare. I was scared, anxious, felt awful, and felt like I couldn't really do much besides lay in bed and watch movies. I lost a lot of weight because I had no appetite and felt nausea a lot. I was unmotivated and couldn't really concentrate on anything, even reading a book. And the worst was this weird foggy feeling I would get a lot - I just felt really out of it and not present. Almost like I was dreaming. All of those symptoms got worse before my first period off the pill (very end of April into May) and I had to see my doctor. I was having the worst anxiety and depression I have ever had - and I have struggled with anxiety for a while now, but had it under control prior to this. My doctor upped the dosage of my anxiety medication (which I have been on for 3 years) and I also started seeing a therapist because I really needed someone nonjudgmental to listen to me about what I was going through. She diagnosed me with "adjustment disorder" and has been a huge help through all of this. Going into my second month off the pill in early May I started to feel a little better. In early May I still had multiple bad days in a row but then I started getting good days sprinkled in there too. Just over the past two weeks I have felt an improvement and the symptoms have become less intense. I still feel off and not like myself, and my period is due at the end of this week so I am a bit nauseous and more anxious, I also feel a bit dizzy and foggy. These symptoms come and go. I cope by taking my medicine as prescribed by my doctor and not feeling ashamed for taking it because I know I would be a mess without it, seeing my therapist weekly, getting weekly acupuncture (also has helped so much!), resting when I need to, and allowing myself to just be the way I am. I used to get really angry that I couldn't go out and do all of the things I used to do (see friends, drink, go out to eat, go to the gym, etc...) but now I am okay with it and know that I'll get back to those things in time but for now I just need to heal.
Hi Flow!
I know what you mean, I wish I could feel good every day as well. Right now, even though my symptoms have improved they are still present but they come and go. Yes, actually last month right before I got my period my anxiety and depression got so bad and intense that I had to see my doctor and he upped the dosage of my anxiety medication. I have always had generalized anxiety and have been on the same medication for 3 years and always the same dosage. This is the first time I had to up the dosage and at first was hesitant but it has helped me so I know I am doing the right thing for myself right now. I tried the magnesium powder as well and it did not work for me, but I may give it a try again at some point. I may have not taken the correct amount. I also started a new women's multi vitamin with B12, Boron, Iron, Vitamin E, Folate, and Omega-3. I'm not sure if it is connected, but shortly after I started the vitamins I started to feel a little more energy throughout the day and have had better concentration and just felt better overall. Like you, I also worry about my health and think that I have health anxiety too. How long were you on the pill for before you stopped taking it? I'm sorry you're going through this too, I know how awful it is - believe me. Worrying about every little sensation or feeling I get because I'm worried its a new symptom or I have some awful disease. Have you tried acupuncture? I started doing it weekly about a month ago and it has helped me a lot.
I know what you mean, I wish I could feel good every day as well. Right now, even though my symptoms have improved they are still present but they come and go. Yes, actually last month right before I got my period my anxiety and depression got so bad and intense that I had to see my doctor and he upped the dosage of my anxiety medication. I have always had generalized anxiety and have been on the same medication for 3 years and always the same dosage. This is the first time I had to up the dosage and at first was hesitant but it has helped me so I know I am doing the right thing for myself right now. I tried the magnesium powder as well and it did not work for me, but I may give it a try again at some point. I may have not taken the correct amount. I also started a new women's multi vitamin with B12, Boron, Iron, Vitamin E, Folate, and Omega-3. I'm not sure if it is connected, but shortly after I started the vitamins I started to feel a little more energy throughout the day and have had better concentration and just felt better overall. Like you, I also worry about my health and think that I have health anxiety too. How long were you on the pill for before you stopped taking it? I'm sorry you're going through this too, I know how awful it is - believe me. Worrying about every little sensation or feeling I get because I'm worried its a new symptom or I have some awful disease. Have you tried acupuncture? I started doing it weekly about a month ago and it has helped me a lot.
Hello, if anyone here got off the pill in August or September so you’re about 8 months off, PLEASE tell me how you’re doing. I still don’t feel back to myself and just want to cry right now :( I’ve had many improvements but still something is not right. I am heartbroken.