Feeling depressed after stopping the birth control pills?

Hi Anna! I was on the pill for 13 years nonstop. Had i known that this would be the aftermath of longterm use, I never would’ve started it at the first place! By the way, I’d like to share how my day progressed:
I went to 2 different specialists today, 1st a neurologist to have my head pressure checked, 2nd is an endocrinologist who specializes in hormones. The first consultation turned out fast - I was expecting a request for MRI as i described the pressure sensations i feel in my head, unfortunately he diagnosed me as having a tension headace. He pinched some nerves on my back and neck and lo— yes it was painful. He prescribed high dose B vitamins for that and a muscle relaxant. Next visit was the endo. My session with her was a breath of fresh air - Finally someone who understands what we are going thru. She explained that hormones could really cause the symptoms I am feeling, and best is to “wait it out” until everything normalizes. Responses of women after taking BCP varies no matter how long the duration. She mentioned that there are cases where some women only took the pill for a short time, but symptoms are full blown. Some suffer milder symptoms even if they took BCPs longer. Whew! She requested a full thyroid panel to check on my hormone level since high or low levels can really produce symptoms i am feeling right now. Ive read somewhere that yne thyroid glands are usually affected with the use of BCPs - and suspected hyperthroidism. Also, my echocardiogram and electrocardiogram results turned out normal in all levels despite the palpitations and tachycardia. So i guess the next thing is to really address the hormones! And yes, like what the endo told me — watchful waiting! Time is really the best healer.

Ive been to almost all types of specialists - neuro, gyno, cardio, optha, ENT, and spent a lot already. Only the endo was truly helpful in explaining to me thoroughly what Ive been going through and this gave me a hint of hope aside from the encouragement of people like you Anna (thanks again)!

Will keep u posted with my progress. Please feel free to share yours as well so we can learn from and find comfort from each other.

Take care!

- Flow

Hi Flow,
Thanks so much for sharing that! I'm so glad your trip to the endo was successful and she listened to you and that she is aware of these issues and she ordered for you to have a thyroid panel - when will you get the results for that? I also saw a new doctor yesterday, she was recommended to me as on who works with women who struggle with hormone imbalance and getting them back on track to fixing hormone issues and she is in my area. She was very nice and listened to me more than other doctors, but my visit with her was a bit disheartening. She said yes, it definitely could be hormone issues after birth control but she also believes it could be Lyme disease as well because a lot of the symptoms I described are also common in people who are in the later stages of having Lyme disease. As you can imagine, since I have Health Anxiety, I freaked out. I had thought of the possibility of Lyme disease before myself when I first started experiencing the issues but to hear a doctor say it really scared me. She said she has seen many patients who have these symptoms I have (extreme fatigue, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, weak/relaxed muscles, dizziness, anxiety, etc...) and they ended up testing positive for Lyme and needing antibiotics for 2-4 weeks to be treated for it. The scariest thing she said that some of the people had it for years already and it was considered a "Chronic Condition" and the symptoms might never go away or take a very very long time (I'm talking years) to go away. That made me terrified. I have been thinking about it ever since. Anyway, she ordered more blood work to be done (specifically a test for Lyme disease called the Western Blot test) and also thyroid and some vitamin deficiencies and others which I have to go do this morning. Sadly, we have a holiday here on Monday so my results will most likely be delayed and I probably won't get them back until the end of next week or beginning of the following week. What a way to start the weekend... Anyway, I'm trying not to think about it for now because it is out of my hands and I won't be able to do anything until the results from the blood work come back. How are you feeling today? I hope you have a good weekend!
Anna

Hi Anna!I’m sorry you have to go through that! Don’t worry about that — I’m sure your results will turn out just fine. Try to focus on strengthening your health while waiting, and do worthwhile activities — REST your body and your mind. Do not look up Lime Disease ‘coz it will give you unnecessary anxiety. Besides, that disease can be treated by antibiotics. Your doctor is simply ruling out the appropriate diagnosis. Initially, my endo suspected Hyperthyroidism because of similar presentation of symptoms but the results turned out fine to answer your query. Anyway, my echocardiogram turned out okay as well.

I still feel some of the symptoms - blurred vision, headache, and dizziness which comes and goes, occasional back spasms, bloating, anxiety, at a lesser extent compared to the first month. I think the high blood pressure is caused by my anxiety - which is what disturbs me the most. Will return to my cardio and endo and wait for what they have to say, but after i swear i’ll lay low from the hospital setting at the moment and focus on recovering and strengthening myself. In a way my visits to the doctors didn’t give me much help, except to validate that what i an experiencing isn’t anything major.

May i know how long you were on BCP and your symptoms on month 2?

We will be able to survive this Anna! Hang in there, will stay in touch if you need someone to talk to. Am just here like you, fighting.

Thanks so much! I'm trying not to worry about it, its totally out of my hands and I think worrying and looking things up online will just make things worse for me. I was doing okay but last night had a pretty bad anxiety attack that lasted about an hour and a half and then I was able to calm down by deep breathing, meditations, a few cups of herbal tea, and just laying in the dark. I feel really shaky today though but at the same time I feel tired. Its a weird feeling. To answer your question, I was on my original birth control pill for a little over a year but I had to switch because my insurance wouldn't cover it anymore so I started the "generic" version of the same pill and after a few weeks on it is when I started experiencing all of these symptoms. During my second month I saw a small improvement from my first month off the pill. The anxiety wasn't constant anymore but rather came and went, I had far less depression the second month, during the beginning of the second month my blurry vision and sensitivity to light went away but sadly they have just come back a few days ago so I still struggle with that. I still feel dizzy almost daily (not the whole day though, usually just in the morning), and I noticed that I still feel extreme fatigue in my second month off and usually need a nap daily. I also feel nauseous sometimes. I also occasionally experience muscle weakness or just weird sensations in my arms and hands (I don't know if that is linked to the hormones or to anxiety). During my second month off I was lucky to have a few good days in a row where I felt almost back to my old self, I rarely had that in the first month. Just the past couple of days I have felt very off - anxious, tired, shaky, moody, depressed, etc... I was expecting my period on Friday but it did not come, so I am thinking that the intensity of my symptoms now means that it is coming soon. I hope this helps to answer your question. Stay in touch! I hope you feel better to and let me know how you're doing!
Take care,
Anna

Hi loves, I’m almost a year off BC. June 1st marks my one year mark. I can say with a whole heart I’m 100% better. But it took almost a year to get here. The first 3-4mo were the worst. Then it would just hit in waves. Some weeks I’d feel better and then I would have a week of set backs. This continued for months. And even though I knew the cause, there were many times I felt crazy and not me. There were many times I wanted to go on a antidepressant or anxiety med but I didn’t. It was a personal choice. I did a lot of research on how to heal your body naturally after hormone imbalance and decided to go that route. It was not easy and it took a lot of time. I was a pretty healthy person before this but I had to give my body the nutrients and time it needed to heal. I also had to retrain my brain and mind in order to combat the anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I am definitely stronger because of this. I hold no shame in what I went through. I’ve learned a lot along the way. And I feel in order to have complete healing , I must also have a heart of gratitude. This does not take away from the fact it was pure hell. I had a lot of physical symptoms just like y’all and my anxiety was just like yalls. So my heart hurts to see others go through this. But I assure you, you will get to the other side. And when you do, come back and tell your story. It brings hope to others . Look up Dr. Kelly Brogan and Dr. Jolene Brighten for tips on how to heal your body. Find a good Naturopath and herbalist to help you identify where your body is lacking. For me it was estrogen dominance and thyroid problems and blood sugar imbalances. It took time but my body healed. I also learned how to apply CBT and meditation to help me combat the anxiety. This did wonders. Exercise, grounding and breathing work helps too. Find a friend you can talk to, even if it’s just this page. Know that you are not alone or crazy. Also pray. I prayed so much that God would take it away but he didn’t instead he taught me how to heal myself. And that’s been a beautiful lesson. Also get rid of hormone disrupters. Cosmetics, non organic tampons, unfiltered water, synthetic fragrances, shampoos, cleaning products and plastics all cause hormone disruption. I used vitacost a online store to help me change my toiletries, cleaning supplies and makeup ect. And it’s affordable. I promise. Please message me with any questions im happy to help. Sending you all my love !
Faye

Hi Anna! Thank you for staying in touch. Yesterday and today is awful since i have dizzy & blurred vision spells, coupled with mild anxiety. Like you,it comes and it goes coupled with back spasms (probably caused by anxiety), and i still wonder how long it will take for everything to get normal. :(

All these seesaw of physical symtoms is exhausting and debilitating.

Sending a huge hug — sorry you had to feel that. Please stay strong and know that you are not alone.We will get through this eventually. You see, our days off the pill are pretty much close, and i feel relieved knowing i have a companion in this journey towards healing.

By the way, magnesium seems to help with the anxiety and panic attacks, but Ive read somewhere that fish oil also aids in balancing anxiety. Have you ever tried this?

Also, does your dizziness/foggy head linger among all other symptoms?

Looking forward to your response - please take care! Stay strong! Am just here as well.

— xoxo flow

Hello Faye, your testimony certainly gives hope to women like us who are currently suffering the aftermath of the post birth control syndrome.I truly admire you for fighting and following the natural path in healing. I wouldn’t even dare go back on BCP only to experience this immense suffering all over again I swear. The experience itself is truly heartbreaking but I believe our body is already thanking us enough for giving our body the time to heal.

Since you are a survivor and well experienced in fighting this off - i just have a few queries:
1. What were your symptoms and which among these lingered?
2. What are helpful vitamins or supplements you can recommend? Which among these addressed the anxiety and the dizzy spells

Thanks a lot Dear!
xoxo
Floe

Hi Faye,

Thank you so much for coming back here and sharing your story! I’m almost 24 and was on BC for about 3 years. I’ve had all of the post BC symptoms im 8 months off and am feeling much better but am not 100% yet. Do you remember how you felt during month 7-12 towards the end? I still have fogginess a bit, and vision issues, low mood sometimes but defenitly not as much as before, and have serenity improved. I lost 20 pounds during this time and now have gained 5 back out of the blue - did you have and weight loss or gain as well like that? If you’re up to it, I’d appreciate hearing how you felt around the mark I’m at now. Thank you.

Alicia

Hi Alicia, I lost about 10lbs and have sinced gained it back. During the first couple of months. I had no appetite and food sensitivities something I’ve never had a problem with before. At around 8mo I would still have anxiety , some mood fluctuations and my eyes were still sensitive. The fatigue was gone at that point for me. I think my biggest obstacle to overcome was the ocd intrusive thoughts. I had some weird paranoia that developed after stopping the pill and that took the longest to resolve. I could see the light at the end of the tunnel loud and clear at month 10. From there it’s been nothing but a downhill victory. Praise God. Hope this helps! You’re doing great ! You got this, promise!

Hi Floe it’s Faye.
I took a organic women’s multivitamin. A organic women’s probiotic, I took magnesium calm at night. I took collagen by vital peptides. I took tumeric capsules. I drank lots of water and kombucha. I did the whole 30 to detox by body. Once I could handle caffeine again, I drank bulletproof coffee for my brain health. GABA calm and Passion flower also helps you can get it at Whole Foods. All of this you can get at Whole Foods.
The intrusive thoughts and mood fluctuations stuck the longest. You got this girl, keep up the fight !

Hi Faye,
Thank you so much for coming back and posting here after a year! It is amazing to hear that you are 100% better. I am just now entering my 3rd month off of the birth control pill and although have seen some improvement from my first month and am not nearly as bad as I was back then, I am still in a pretty bad state (as I'm sure you read in my last post). I am also grateful in the little progress I have made. Although I wish there was a way to fast forward time so I could feel completely better. I actually have looked up Dr. Jolene Brighten and listened to a podcast where she was a guest...it was definitely eye opening and reassuring to have a doctor acknowledge our issues with such honesty and openness rather than some of the doctors who I have spoken with who don't even believe the issues exists. I will also look up the other doctor you mentioned as well :) Thank you so much for all of your great advice! I am currently seeing a therapist about once a week to help with the anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I've developed awful Health Anxiety/Health OCD over the past few months when this started and she definitely helps with that. I also just recently had blood drawn to test for thyroid issues/vitamin deficiencies/sugar levels and to check for Lyme disease just in case. I should get those results back later this week. So glad to hear you are doing well! I hope that one day, not too far from now, I'll be able to come back here and also give such a positive update :)
Take care,
Anna

Hi Flow,
Thanks so much for responding! I'm so sorry you're also going through a tough time with the blurred vision, dizziness, and anxiety these past few days. Sounds just like me. I also have had a migraine last night and most of today. Just now it seems to be going away so I can use the computer again. I was in bed almost all day yesterday exhausted, depressed, and then with the migraine. Yes, I agree with you...all of the symptoms that come and go are so exhausting. I also hate that when I stop having one symptom something another symptom pops up. It really feels like it will never end. How are you feeling today? Any better than yesterday? It is really nice to have someone to talk to about this that is also off of the bill almost the same amount of time. To answer your question, I did try the magnesium in powder form once...I didn't feel like it did anything for me, but I still have it and might try it again because my doctor also said to try it and take a higher dose. The fish oil is in the multi-vitamin I started taking a few weeks ago, since taking that vitamin I honestly have seen some improvement with energy, anxiety, and concentration so I do believe that it has contributed to my overall well being. It is a great vitamin specifically for women consisting of things our bodies need after being on the BC pill and having many of those vitamins and minerals depleted. Yes, I still do experience dizziness but its not as bad as it used to be...I now only get it in the morning sometimes or if I go out and go into a large crowd or a store and start to feel anxious, I also noticed a couple of times if I don't eat enough I feel dizzy - so perhaps something with my blood sugar levels is off too. How often do you feel dizzy? As for the foggy head - yes, sadly I do still have this symptom but it now comes and goes and is not nearly as bad as in my first month when I had it almost every day. My acupuncturist told me the foggy head is because I am suffering from adrenal fatigue. After my last two acupuncture sessions with her it has actually gotten a lot better. I remember during the first month I had the foggy brain almost every single night and sometimes during the day too. It has definitely gotten a lot better and now just comes and goes and usually when I don't have enough sleep the previous night or if I have a really bad anxiety attack.
Thanks so much for being there for me! Please know that I am here for you too. I'm so happy we have each other to talk to about this.
Hope you are having a good day!
Anna

Hi Anna, Magnesium is very effective if in optimum dose. How many mg are you taking? You could take up to 600mg per day for best results! I usually take it in the evening and ever since I started it, my anxiety lessened and have not encountered panic attacks and palpitations since ( I still do have occasional blows of anxiety but milder). It helps if you have insomnia too! By the way, I tried fish oil (1G), double strength omega 3 based on your recommendation, and evening primrose oil capsules. I hope these supplements would help BIG time plus I’ve read that it’s cardioprotective. OMG! I also experience dizziness in the morning esp. in areas with large crowds. Regarding the eyes, its still blurry but I guess I really have to wear my eyeglasses :(

If you haven’t tried the B vitamins - please do so every morning. After I took B complex, I never experienced migraine anymore, at least impending threats go away immediately.

Today is generally okay, and I’m at my 1 month 14 days off the pill. I just wonder - if the symptoms are related to our cycle, which part of it does the blow strike hard? before or after ovulation? Since you’ve passed the 2 month mark, have you noticed any pattern?

I can’t validate mine yet. If you have recorded your observations - pls do share!

Anyway, how are you doing? I hope you are better compared to the past few days. How did your tests came out?

Take care Anna! Looking forward to your reply!
- Flow

Hi Flow,
I'm glad you are feeling better today. I really wish I could say the same, but the past 4 days have been really tough. I feel very shaky, dizzy and anxious and just overall not well. I haven't left my house since Saturday, since I started feeling this way because I tried to go outside Sunday and felt like I would pass out just walking. I am not sure if the symptoms are related to my cycle - I initially thought they were, because last month (end of April) all of my symptoms got worse during the week leading up to my period. That time I had really severe anxiety, intrusive thoughts, paranoia, depression, nausea, I felt weak and dizzy, trouble sleeping, shortness of breath, etc... and after I got my period last month, I felt a lot better. but now, my period for this month is already 4 days late (was supposed to get it last Friday) and I still haven't gotten it and I feel absolutely awful... a lot of the same symptoms as last month, dizzy, anxious, a little bit of depression, paranoia, feeling foggy and tired, bad mood, low concentration, sensitivity to light, and I just feel weak and unable to go anywhere. Its like living in a nightmare. I actually started to keep a calendar of good/bad/okay days in the second week of May and before the last 4 days, I had 14 good or great days, 5 bad days (including the last 4), and 3 okay days (these days were kind of in the middle, like maybe I had some symptoms but they weren't that bad). So from those observations, I was actually doing really well in the beginning of May and then towards the end is when I started having the bad days. I wish I had thought to do this for April too, but I plan on continuing to keep a log like this because its really simple and helps me keep track.

Thank you for asking about my test results! I actually haven't heard back from the doctor yet with the results, but I'm going to call her tomorrow if I don't hear anything by then. For the magnesium, the one time I took it I took 325 mg. This is in powder form, its the kind you mix into water and drink. I took it before bed and didn't notice a difference. In fact, I think I felt even more anxious that night if I remember correctly (this was back in April). Do you experience any sensitivity to light? or is it just the blurry/worsened vision? I have to leave the house later today for an appointment and I'm a little nervous because I don't feel well, but I have to go so I'll make it work somehow. Hopefully I won't pass out.

Anyway, I hope you continue to feel better!

Take care!
Anna

Hi Anna! Sadly i don’t feel well for the past days—i had episodes of (2 days) dizziness followed by another 2 days of upper back pain/ spasms and blurred vision :( i feel so sad. Also have intrusive thoughts thinking I have a lung tumor or what) causing me chest tightness. I feel down. I’m scared. I’m worried that things won’t be the same anymore.

Regarding your question — i experience dizziness around 2 -3x in a week. There are random parts of the day when I feel dizzy, there are moments that I feel okay. It’s crazy! The symtoms just comes and goes and like you said its one symptom after the other!

It’s 14 days since my spotting (only lasted a moment of a day), so I assume my body tried to ovulate this week which is probably related to the symptoms?? I am so clueless. I remember though that on the first month of my BCP discontinuation, the symptoms started by week 2. If that’s the case, I am really crossing my fingers that “this too shall pass”

By the way - did you have your period already after 2 mos? I don’t know if the scanty bleeding i told you about is considered a period already.It didnt even last a day! I guess my body is still confused.

Will go to the endocrinologist and cardiologist tomorrow to hear out what they have to say regarding the tests i took. I’m losing faith in them. How come this post BCP syndrome is a blind spot to these practitioners?I actually went to different specialists already and when ask the correlation of stopping BCP to my symptoms- they just “probably”

GEEZ!

How are you today?Hope you were able to go out today! Dont worry Anna! Will be here. Will keep you posted regarding my progress. Lets encourage each other! :)

Hope to hear from you soon.
Take care love,
Flow