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I had the same experience coming off the patch. I thought I was literally going to die.... The gerson therapy saved my life! And it didn't take long... Check it out...
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Hi how long did gerso therapy take to get you back to normal what juice did you make
Thanks
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Hi, i have been off micrgynon now for about 10 months, i was fine first couple months an then next few i suffered severe paranoia an insecurity particularly in my relationship, was petrified my husband was gona leave me for no reason whatsoeevr! Then last 3 months i have gone full circle whereby i now question my feelings for my husband an generally feel emotionally numb! It is killin me! I jus wana feel head over heels again like i was only 3 months ago! How can a hormone imbalance cause this??? Im so scared my marriage will end :-( has anyone else been off this long an still struggle?
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Hi I feel the same thing u are going through I took 1 depo provera shot and still don't feel the same 

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Any new recovery stories? I am almost 3.5 months off BC and I feel myself getting better each month. Anxiety, Depression, ROCD, you name it.. Quit my job, couldn't go to school, couldn't enjoy life, could not even get up from my bed until 12 pm almost every day. Ignored my friends, broke up with my bf several times, craziness.. But IT DOES GET BETTER. And i hope to come back in 3 more months to give you all an update.
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I want to start by saying thank you to everyone here who has shared their story. I also went through this exact same thing, and in my darkest, worst, scariest moments, finding this thread made me feel some sort of comfort that I hadn’t felt before. These stories showed me that in all of my fear, worry, and irrational thoughts, other women had gone through this and recovered and nothing was seriously wrong with me. It ensured me that my body just needed to heal and I would get through it, which I hope anyone currently in the throes of this battle reading this takes away. Stay strong, take care of yourself, and you will get through this! You will get back to normal in time!

I was on birth control pills for the better part of about 6 years. I was getting more frequent migraines with aura, so my gynecologist switched me to a progestin-only pill. I thought all was fine, but I was spotting almost constantly between periods. I figured I’d wait it out and see if my body adjusted to the new pill. Almost exactly six months after switching, I had the worst panic episode I have ever experienced while on a plane (and I’m not a nervous flyer!). My stomach was a MESS, I was shaking uncontrollably, and couldn’t think straight the whole flight. Once I got off the plane, my confusion got so bad that I actually went to the ER. They said nothing was seriously wrong, but I did not feel like nothing was wrong.

The following weeks I could not work or live my life normally. I was so confused, my vision was blurred, I couldn’t comprehend even the most basic things. All I could do was worry. The world felt dark and scary out of nowhere- something I had never felt before. The mental fog was overwhelming. I now know, I think this was intense dissociation. I went to every doctor I could think of- an internist, a hematologist, a gastroenterologist, a gynecologist, a neurologist, an endocrinologist- and everyone said that “nothing was wrong.” The amount of times I heard “you’re fine” while I sat in tears in the doctor’s office is more than I can believe. No one could find anything wrong to fix and just said it was probably anxiety or depression and it was “all in my head.” I was beyond frustrated that no one really cared to find out what was going on.

After living like this for almost a month and doing a ton of my own research, I decided to stop taking my birth control mid-pack around the end of September. That following week is when the overwhelming sadness and irrational thoughts really set in. I burst into inconsolable tears multiple times a day in public places. I never had necessarily suicidal thoughts, but I did worry about “what if I did?” Death has always been a scary thing to me, but I’d be cooking dinner and look at the knife and get scared to be too close to it. I was scared to be alone feeling like this- I’d constantly call my family or friends if my roommates weren’t home, because I didn’t know what was going on in my head. I couldn’t be alone with my thoughts. What if I did something? I felt so out of control mentally, I was unsure what I could control in reality. I felt empty, worthless, and upset about my life- one which prior to all of this I was extremely proud of and happy with. This is how I knew something was going on, because none of these feelings I was having were based in fact or anything I had ever felt before that day on the plane.

I’ve been off of birth control for a little over 2 months now (and plan on NEVER EVER going back on anything hormonal), and I do think I’m on my way back to normal. I’m much clearer and my mood is stabilizing. I still have my dips, but I just remember that this is hormonal and it is not anything wrong with me. It’s an imbalance caused by synthetic hormones that my body is working its hardest to correct.

I’ve tried so many things to try to get to feel better, and since I was so panicked about how awful I felt, I started most of these things quickly within similar time frames, so it’s hard what to say really helped in isolation. But, I wanted to share things I’ve been doing with anyone else looking for help to get through this insanely hard time. (I will note I had 2 doctors prescribe me anti-anxiety and anti-depression medication, but I made the decision not to take either. I do think it is a personal choice, but I just encourage people to be fully educated before deciding. I knew that this was something that would pass once my hormones could get themselves straightened out, and I didn’t think the benefit of the medication (masking the symptoms of my hormone balance) outweighed the risks (potential addiction, worsening depression, interaction with other medication, etc.).)

1. Acupuncture- I really do think this is one of the things that has helped me the most. I’ve been 4 or 5 times now and I absolutely love it. I go about once a week and right after leaving I feel immediately grounded and calm, and for days after I feel like my normal self again. I highly highly recommend this- it can help with anxiety, depression, digestion issues, sleep issues, and hormone balance (among tons more!).
2. Cut out caffeine and (mostly) alcohol- This is coming from a young professional who was full-on addicted to coffee and drinking FAR more than she should have been on the weekends before this all happened. The caffeine I noticed was just messing up my stomach more and heightening my anxiety/dissociation. I noticed the effects of alcohol more the next day- also heightening dissociation and bringing on the sadness. The liver is a huge organ needed to naturally clean out your system and get your hormones back on track, so treat it nicely! I don’t do perfect here- a girl needs a glass of wine sometimes. But, I definitely notice the difference when I do have a drink and just know that the bad feelings will pass and there’s a reason I’m feeling them.
3. Focus on eating as healthy as possible, including lots of good fats- When I eat bad, I notice my mood takes extreme dips. I try to focus on getting a good fat in every meal (avocado, salmon, etc.). I also have tried to consciously consume more veggies throughout the day. One doctor recommended I try to cut gluten…but that’s really hard. I don’t do perfectly on this either, but I notice that it definitely helps when I do!
4. Therapy- I saw a psychologist for the first time since this all happened and I’ve gone about once a week since. Besides having a safe place to talk things through and someone to rationalize my irrational thoughts, I think just the comfort of knowing my mental health is being checked-up on is comforting enough for me to make it worth it.
5. Take a probiotic- I had digestive issues before all of this started, but once the anxiety set in, my stomach was a mess for about a month straight. I wasn’t keeping any food in and was losing weight. I take Align extra strength probiotics, and my stomach has been near perfect the last few weeks. (I started the probiotics around the same time I started acupuncture and drinking the turmeric noted below, so it’s hard to say what really contributed to this.)
6. Turmeric- I warm up some almond milk every morning and put turmeric, a bit of ginger, black pepper and honey in it. I’ve read about the natural anti-depressive and anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric, and figured it can’t hurt! I’ve acquired the taste, and actually look forward to my morning “tea” now.
7. Vitamin D- This is something I just started, so it’s hard to say if it’s helping yet. I recently found a great gynecologist who actually was knowledgeable about all of this. I don’t know all of the exact science behind it, but she told me that vitamin D is hugely important in the production of hormones and that many people are deficient.
8. Finally, and probably most importantly, LEAN ON YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM. I’ve been overly vocal about what I’ve gone through to anyone who will listen, because I knew I couldn’t suffer in silence. And no one has to! Talk to friends and family so they know that you need some extra love and support through this. Have someone check-in on you. Have a friend tell you a story- it’s a great distraction! Let those close to you in so they can help you! People are here for you and people care – you don’t have to go through this alone.
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Hi! Am in the middle of the EXACT same thing right now. Everything you've described feels like my exact story. I had my first random panic episode (exactly how you described yours, but mine was on a plane) the beginning of September. It's now December and the depression has set in heavily. I do think I'm trending better, but it definitely comes in heavy waves still. I've had absolutely terrible experiences with doctors telling me this is nothing, and it's all in my head and throwing anti anxiety and depression prescriptions at me. I've been looking to more and more eastern medicine including herbs and acupuncture, but I'd love to hear more about your holistic therapist!
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Hey girl,

Just want to send you some comforting words your way. I got off the pill last august (august 2016) and was only on it for about 7 months and was on it before for 3 months a year prior (so our timelines are different), but I want to comfort someone like this thread did for me!
I am feeling much better now and experienced much of what you did. Do not fret, just breathe and exercise and spend time with people when the thoughts get bad. Things get better and you will get through it. Be loving to your body and work on yourself. Realize that the fact that these scary thoughts scare you because you value other things and that is not who YOU are. That took a long time for me to realize because I was so scared. It is crazy how they give out hormonal pills like candy, right? Its horrible and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. To be in a silent battle with your own thoughts is something no one should have to experience. I want to tell you that it does and will get better.

Thank you for sharing your story, you're helping more people than you know, and I will be sending good vibes your way.
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I also forgot to mention that I have been pill free since i got off it last august (2016) and haven't touched any medication just vitamins and self love!
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I have recovered from depression and anxiety caused by birth control!! Nexplanon nearly ruined my life and 6 months after getting it removed I feel that it's necessary to share my experience in order to potentially help someone who's struggling with the same thing. Growing up, I never struggled with anxiety or depression. I was very lucky in this regard and always took my mental health for granted. That is until I got the Nexplanon put in in January of 2017. At first, the only side effects I experienced was breaking out. That is until about 3 months into having the nexplanon when I started having bouts of pure terror for no particular reason. I would be sitting in my living room at night and would be having (what I learned later was) a panic attack about nuclear warfare, or a giant natural disaster, or everyone in my family being killed, or the fear of death itself. I became terrified of life to the point where each day was only viewed in negative light and even getting out of bed or doing my school work felt unbearable. I went on a cruise with my mom in June all over the caribbean to beautiful destinations that was truly an incredible trip however I spent almost all of it curled up in a corner of the room terrified the ship was going to sink or something worse. When we went to DC I was convinced the city was going to get bombed. Never before had I experienced such intrusive thoughts and never before had I had anxiety until I got the nexplanon put in. My doctors didn’t believe that there could be any correlation and thought I was crazy to get it removed. I didn’t believe that the anxiety/ intrusive thoughts/ depression I’d started having were any coincidence, however, and I went forward with having it removed. The anxiety continued for a little over a month after I got it taken out and then it slowly returned back to normal. 6 months later and my intrusive thoughts and depression are completely gone and my mental state is back to where it was prior to getting the nexplanon put in. I wanted to write this in case there is anyone out there who is experiencing something similar and to give hope that it is not you it is your birth control!!! I cannot express how grateful I am that I went against my doctors advice and that I did the research myself and got it removed. Birth control is not worth your emotional well being. If someone who is experiencing the same thing out here reads this I want you to know: you are not alone! It will get better. Have strength in yourself and get help in any way you can.
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Thank you guys for coming back with your recovery stories! This is great to hear!! :) Keep up the healthy ways for 2018 and don't take the calm moments for granted! Yes we are still recovering out here
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Thank you for sharing your story. I have been experiencing the same for two months after stopping bcp. Tired of grinding my teeth and unexplainable sadness. Reading this gives hope that it will get better
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Hi girls! Like all of you, I have been reading all the stories of women like us victimized by birth control pills.. i would like to also share my story in hopes I would get to talk to some of you who understands exactly how it feels to be in this challenging experience.

I was on birth control pills for nearly 6 years for menstrual regularization.. october 2017 i had a panic attack that sent me to the emergency room. They gave me Inderal and was sent home because all the tests were fine. The palpitations though continued and i figure it can be because of the pill im taking. I also want to rid myself oy synthethic hormones so i stopped cold turkey Nov 15, 2017. First 2 weeks was ok. I had flu and some minor weakness so i thought it was because of that...

Then december came another panic attack i was shaking, dizzy, felt hot and i thought i was gonna faint while at work. At first i thought stress and lack of sleep finally caught up to me.. for the next 3 weeks i got depressed thinking why i feel all these things. Weakness, unexplainable head pressure, dizziness, nausea, palpitations... went to different doctors but all said i was fine and been told its all in my head.

Twas just last week around xmas time when it dawned on me it must be the pill!!! So i googled and found this forum and several others...

Im now onto my 8th week off the pill and its been hard. Yes i feel better compared to weeks ago but the physical symptoms still get the best of me. I developed health anxiety and fear of being in a crowded place. I feel stuck here.. like this will never be better :( I try my best to be positive but its so hard when you feel ill everyday. Every morning is so dreadful.. always scared of what i might feel the rest of the day. I took a leave from work whole december and now whole january because i cant.. im scared to have the attack at work again.

Now im taking several vitamins ( C, b1 b6 b12, iron with folic acid and enerlife supplement) and avoiding food that can worsen my hormonal imbalance..
Im gonna try acupuncture tomorrow and i have scheduled an appointment with a Naturopathic Doctor. Im crossing my fingers that it will help with my symptoms..

Best of luck to us ladies.. i will update from time to time..

Martha
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Hello everyone! This forum has been a huge help for me, in my lowest moments. A little background- I was on the pill for 2.5 years. I switched pills about four times because well it never really agreed with me. Sprintec completely killed my libido (what every 25 year old wants). Lo loestrin gave me the worst acne I've ever had (also great). So I had been on junel for about six months when I began to experience the start of the worst few months of my life. I was going through a lot of work related stress at this point. But usually I am a pretty tough gal and can handle my sh*t. I would spend hours each night breaking down crying. I was angry. The feeling of emptiness and just wanting to disappear. I will spare you the details since most of you have been there.

While this eventually faded, a month later I was faced with sudden anxiety that seemed to appear out of no where. Literally, I was standing in disney world on vacation having the best time and I began having the worst thoughts, about life and about my relationship. It felt as though someone else was inside my head and these thoughts did not belong to me and it was completely terrifying.

I stopped taking the pill about 2 months ago. Two days later I got the "fog lifting" feeling so many talk about. You don't realize how numb birth control makes you until you are off. I rememebr sitting on my couch and crying because I felt so much and it was wonderful. But my journey was not over. I was and still am struggling with anxiety. I had several weeks of smooth sailing before my period came and I felt like I was back on square one with the worst anxiety/rocd and depression since it began. Some things that have helped:

1. I don't know if it's placebo or really helping but I've been taking nature's answer female complex supplements and I have slowly improved day by day. Knock on wood the last couple have been great. I will continue to take them to see if I notice a difference. I've also been taking daily vitamins.

2. "Our thoughts are not reality, they are just thoughts."

3. Time. Be kind to yourself, hang in there especially on the worst days. It does get better.

4. It was really really hard, but I told my husband what I was going on and what I was feeling. I was afraid he would be upset, but he assured me that he would always fight for us and that things would be ok. It helped to know that i was not alone, because the times when I felt trapped inside my own head were the worst.

Well I didn't plan on writing so much but I just want you all to know you are not alone! I was helped to much by reading similar stories to what I experienced. Keep up the good fight!
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I'm so glad you found this thread.. makes us feel less alone in this hard and debilitating fight..

What are the physical symptoms you're experiencing? We're the same - I'm also 2 months off now and it has been hard.. ai'm constantly in fear of my condition.
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