Serious issues after coming off of birth control pills! Anixety, Acne, Fatigue, Eye Pain, Headaches

Hi Megan! Sorry you had these symptoms... but reading this also made me feel a little better knowing someone else was feeling what I am currently going through. I got off the pill almost a month ago and have been having a lot of the same symptoms you experienced. A buzzy feeling in my head/on my scalp, my vision is all messed up (the afterimage thing is most disconcerting to me), I cant look at a computer screen without getting the head pressure and sensations and everything getting all fuzzy. There's a lot of pressure behind my nose but a ct of my sinuses came back normal. I have an appointment with a neurologist on Monday so we'll see what he says. Im just wondering how you feel now that its been 4 months since you posted. Did you end up getting any tests run?

Hi there... Sorry you are experiencing the same things as me. I honestly wouldn't wish this on anyone and hope your symptoms go away soon. I believe my head/scalp symptoms also started about 1 month off. I don't want to put any negative vibes out there, but I am on month 7 and I am still experiencing these symptoms (although they are getting less intense). If you have read all of my previous posts, I have had tons of tests done - head MRI (normal), ear exams (normal), blood tests (my thyroid was low, and I had a bunch of vitamin deficiencies that I have started taking meds and supplements for). Pretty much everything has come back "normal" or "treatable" though and nothing has really helped the head sensations/tingling, etc. I've also been having some ear problems (fullness, popping, tingling) for the same amount of time, so I'm starting to think they are connected in some way, but I haven't been able to figure it out yet. We did move into a new house about 2 months before it started (and there was a little bit of mold that was treated), so I'm starting to think it could be something in the house (we just bought an empty lot and will be building a new house, so I guess we will see what happens when we move in a 5-6 months). I also had the vision problems and they were definitely worse when looking at a computer screen, but it's gotten slightly better (maybe because my dizziness went away). I am still having some slight issues with my vision, but it doesn't seem to bother me as much (I'm also starting to think it's related to the ear problem, maybe allergies? not sure)... Are you having hair loss at all? I went to the dermatologist a few days ago and asked her about it, and she said it definitely looked like I had some hair loss from the hormones (which is normal) and she said it could definitely cause a tingling sensation on the scalp. Not sure how long it will last, but at least that could be my problem... I've also ready that anxiety and stress can cause it (and I have had plenty of that in the last 1/2 year.) My doctor has also told me to get an appt with my dentist because wisdom teeth and TMJ can cause similar sensations (ear and tingling problems). I'm waiting for my 6 month dental checkup to talk to him about that... If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask. The good news is, everything does seem to get less intense (in my opinion), it's just a matter of time before things start to fully go away. My best piece of advice would be to try to keep your anxiety in check. All of my symptoms got a lot better once the anxiety started to lessen.

How is everyone else doing? Emily, Kate..... it's been a few weeks.

Hi Megan,

was on vacation otherwise I would have responded sooner! Megan I'm glad you are doing alright! So I'm doing ok. Having second period since being off BC. However, it is just spotting and I started that last Wednesday. I'm still going back and forth over what to do about birth control. My doctor thinks Skyla or Mirena would be the right option. I can't remember if I have already asked you ladies if you have tried/heard anything about those IUD's. Of course I find positive and negative reviews on both. I just am so nervous that I am tracking fertility wrong, or might make a mistake and have a surprise that I need to do something. I would just hate to spend hundreds of dollars for an IUD and end up in the mess like I was with the pill. Thoughts or suggestions?

GAH it looks like women are experiencing what we did with IUD. UGHHHHH this is so frustrating

Yea, I was going to say... I've heard some pretty scary things about IUD's, but I have never tried them. I know one of my friends got it taken out pretty quickly because she was having all kinds of problems. I've already pledged to myself (and to my fiance) that I am never getting on any type of birth control ever again, so I don't think any sort of birth control will appeal to me. I don't ever want to go through this again (if it is the birth control)... I guess if I end up having 20 kids, oh well. Maybe I'll get my own TLC show! haha... Things are getting better, though. Some things are just hanging around a little longer than I'd like. I've pretty much given up on going to the doctor for anything, as they can never find anything wrong and I have tons of Dr bills at this point. I will say that getting my anxiety in check and not stressing about it as much has definitely helped the intensity of most things. Still waiting to talk to my dentist about my ear and head problems.... Glad you are doing well, too Kate! Everyone please keep us posted...

Hi Megan, thanks for making me laugh today, TLC haha! Work has been crazy so I needed that. Glad you are feeling better too!! I basically told my husband the same thing last night. I have decided to geek out tracking everything on an app called Kindara (free). You can monitor a ton of different stuff, it might be worth checking out. Yesterday I ordered the book, Taking Charge of Your Fertility, because it supposedly has a lot of useful/helpful information. Info about conceiving and avoiding using the Fertility Awareness Method. I figure the more I try to educate myself about fertility the better right? Anyway, yes everyone please keep us updated on the good, bad, suggestions or tips! We can continue to bounce ideas around. Take care.

Hi all,

I read through all your posts and noticed i'm having some if not all the same symptoms as you ladies are. 

I stopped birth control at the end of last December after being on it for only a few weeks. It is now May 1st and i'm still trying to recover. I've done so much research on the side effects of birth control I feel like I could write a book. Here are some of the symptoms i've been having since I stopped  BC:

Hair loss (Due to telogen effluvium from stopping BC, I suggest you all look this up because it helped me to understand what I was going through) 

Tingling all over body (It comes and goes and seems to come at a certain time in my cycle)

Brain fog/inability to concentrate

Dryness (lips/skin/eyes)

Itching in ears/plugged ears

Digestive/PH balance issues (I cant seem to digest my food the same way I used to and Im more susceptible to infections)

Anxiety (This could be caused by all the other symptoms)

After my thorough research on my symptoms I've found that all are linked to coming off birth control. 

I went through the same thing last year; started a birth control for about a month and suffered all these symptoms for about 6-7 months post quitting BC. The symptoms started going away/getting better by the 8th month (last December). The tingling stopped, my hair was growing in and getting thicker again, my mood swings weren't as bad, and my skin went back to normal. I made a HUGE mistake starting another birth control again because all of my symptoms have returned since then. 

My advice is, stay off birth control and wait it out. I've read multiple times that it can take up to a year for your body to regulate itself and be back to normal (sometimes longer than a year). I know that even 7 months seems like a long time to wait to have these symptoms. Like most of you, its affected my every day life and its the hardest thing i've had to go through. 

I'm currently at month 4 (almost 4.5!) of being off birth control. I've cut down on alcohol/sugar intake and trying to get plenty of rest and exercise. I'll try to update a month or two from now to let you know if any symptoms have improved. 

To summarize - By the 8th or 9th month you should all start to feel a little better. Good luck!

Thanks Tashi_Z! Hope you are doing better! How is everyone doing? I have good days and some not so good days still. I'm looking forward to getting a few months tracking with the app so I can look back and see any trends. Feeling crappy today and it has been a while since anyone has checked in so obviously I thought of this group. I'm at least able to work out more, so that makes me feel better. Still not fitting into clothes the way I should due to inactivity this winter. Long process...

Hi Kate - Thanks for following up! Glad you are doing okay... I've been thinking about everyone on here too, but I've been pretty busy lately. I'm slightly over 8 months off BC and I still have some bad days, but the good news is that the good days are finally getting to be more than the bad ones (I didn't think I would ever say that! lol). I will say that my vision problems are about 90%+ better and the actual headaches are completely gone. I am still having some slight problems with my ears feeling full (but the popping and itching has gotten much better) and I still have some slight discomfort on my scalp (but that has gotten much better too - or I'm just getting used to it and not letting it bother me anymore lol)... My anxiety is MUCH better too, although it does still get worse right before and during my period. I thought my periods were pretty regular, but I was 5 days late this month (which freaked me out, but I've been pretty stressed out from wedding planning so I think that was the main cause). Other than that, I feel almost back to normal, but still having those slight issues. I'm just going to keep pushing through it....

Hi! Wow - so glad I found these posts! I have also been through the self Google diagnosis of MS and all other nerve related diseases and had eye tests because of black floating dots. All to be told there is nothing wrong with me, and that it's not linked to BC. Am coming up to month 8, and my symptoms have solely been tingling, numbness and eye issues. Hoping this will work itself out soon; it still comes and goes. Very refreshing to read similar stories. This comes after a tingling attack tonight where I re-convince myself I have something serious and take to Google. Fortunately I found you girls and have a little peace of mind now. Thanks for sharing your experience for me to find! Clare x

Hi everyone. It's been almost 10 months for me and I thought I would give you a quick update. Kate and Megan, I am so glad you are feeling better. As for me, I can also say that my good days are finally more than my bad days. And my bad days are concentrated around my period (usually during and the 5 days following my period). Most of my symptoms are gone, except for the eye floaters but I am getting used to them I guess. I still have some digestive problems, like Kate mentioned. This week, for the first time in a while, I felt like my old self and I felt some of the good emotions that I haven't felt in a while. Today is not such a good day but when I am feeling down and anxious I remind myself that it will go away. FYI breathing exercises and meditation helped me a lot. I just can not believe what we put our bodies through with this ******* birth control:( Now, I am trying to stay away from chemicals, eat health, and be healthy. For others who are reading this, it is a long process and people around you may not understand what you are going through, but you just need to have faith that it will get better. I will keep updating and hopefully help someone who is struggling with the same problems. Take care, Emily

Hi Emily - Sorry I haven't posted or responded in a while. I'm glad you are starting to feel better too. I am coming up on 10 months too - and think that I am starting to get back to normal (although still not 100% yet)... I can't decide if I'm getting better, or just getting used to it lol... Either way, my life is seeming to be more positive regardless. I am getting married in 10 weeks(!), so I'm pretty preoccupied with wedding stuff, which has definitely helped. I feel like the more I pay attention to how bad I feel, I actually feel worse. I too am trying to watch what I eat and stay away from anything processed and chemically. I did talk to my dentist who thinks it could be my wisdom teeth that are affecting my ears and my headaches, so we'll see about that in a couple months when I go back. I definitely agree that it's just a long process and takes TONS of patience and positive thoughts. If you are going through weird symptoms after birth control, just keep pushing through it. You will start to feel better, eventually... I am planning to get pregnant soon after my wedding, so maybe everything will feel better when my hormones get out of whack again! lol... I will definitely keep you all updated. Best wishes to all reading this!

Hi Ladies,

I am glad to have found this forum. Most of the forums I have found were last updated 5 or more years ago and had no contributions for quite some time. A little background on me. I was on birth control for 10 years (since 24). I took it very consistently for the most part, but for the past year I stopped being so rigid about taking it at the right time and missing some here or there. I found out I was pregnant in May 2015 (and of course stopped taking the pill altogether). Almost immediately I was emotional and grumpy and rude. So much so that my husband was scared to even talk to me. Unfortunately I had a miscarriage at 8 weeks and a d&c one week later. At this point I have not taken the pill for about 6 weeks.

We decided that I should stay off of the pill and try to conceive again in a few months. I am about 2.5 months off and am feeling very discouraged. I am primarily noticing the hair loss and scalp tingling. I have lost a large strip of hair the top left side of my scalp. It starts in the front and wraps midway around the back of my head. The part seems to be getting wider, I lose quiet a bit of hair all day and even more when I shower. I feel a lot of head tingly and itchy that is not so much painful, but annoying. I am a group exercise instructor and when I go to the gym and my head gets sweaty it gets progressively itchier. I would like to know if this indicates more hair lost to come or regrowth to come.

I had a small breakout two weeks after the miscarriage, and am now emotional and grouchy and experience daily headaches. They aren't debilitating, just a nagging nuisance.

My husband thinks that all of these symptoms are in my head, but musters up some fake empathy for me. Unfortunately he just doesn't get it and probably never will.

I have a follow-up with my gyno on Friday and an appointment next Thursday with my dermatologist. From all of the forums I have been reading, it seems that medical doctors aren't really providing many answers.

I would really like to know how long before everyone's "detox" symptom subsided AND when they finally ended. I want to feel "normal" again. Thanks ladies.

Hi there. I've posted a few times before, but thought I would send you an update since you were wondering about the recovery time-frame. I have been off BC for 11 months. Pretty much everything has went back to normal, but I am still experiencing the tingling and/or weird sensation on my scalp. My Dr has diagnosed it as a migraine disorder, but my dentist has also said it could be an issue with my impacted wisdom teeth. I have a consultation with an oral surgeon soon, so I will know if it's that here shortly... Most days I just try to ignore it. I mean, after 11 months, I've just accepted it and started to live with it. No idea if the BC caused it or what. I am also still very tired some days.... although I have been planning my wedding (which is 31 days away), so the stress is probably not helping. I hope to start trying to conceive shortly after my wedding, so I'm hoping a hormone boost might help me feel better too. Hope everyone else is doing well :)

Hi ladies,
heres my story, I am hoping someoneother Hilate to this as I am going insane trying to figure out what the heck is wrong with me!
I was on the birth control pill since I was 14 for terrible acne which the pill masked for many years until I decided to get off the pill last year in October to give my body a break and hopefully my acne would be gone since I am 25 years old now! ... anyway 1 month goes by off the pill and my skin was still looking immaculate but my hair was falling out in chunks and when it finally stopped I was left with baby hairs all over and had to cut my hair pretty short to make it look even which thankfully has since grown back nicely...two months go by and skin is still nice and I was soo happy to think my bad skin finally was gone for good! ..3 months in and bamm!!! The oil started pouring out of my pores and my face was flooded with blackheads which turned into angry inflamed acne which turned Into big painful cyst that spread down my neck and even caused my lymph nodes to swell that much you could see them poke through my neck! ..to cut a long story short..I let this go on for atleast 2-3 months thinking I just needed my hormones to balance out...it just got worse. So I went tothe drs and they gave me Doxyciline which is an antibiotic and that did not help at all! ..I tried creams, toners, face washes etc. And nothing helped. I got that depressed from my skin and the pain it was causing me due to the swollen glands ..I decided to get a referral to an Endrinocologist who suspected PCOS and after an ultrasound this confirmed it. .two options he gave me were Spirolactone which is an anti androgen or back on the birth control. ..I did not want to touch birth co trol so I tried Spiro and two weeks into that It was making me lethargic so I stopped and went back on the pill out of desperation
two weeks on that and I began to feel sick! And I have not been the same since! I thought it was that particular brand so I switched and it just got worse ..I continued the pill for another month and I have just got off it a week ago today. These are my symptoms

Sensitive sensation/feeling throughout body
mainly on left side like tickling
Twitching throughout whole body including stomach
weird feeling in stomach like when you have diarrhea and you push and contract your stomach muscles
Left thigh feels tingly
legs feel weak
it basically feels like I want to jump out of my skin! I honestly cannot describe it in words!
also left side of back in between the wing feels like pins and needles
and I feel so lethargic!
I just dont feel myself and want this to all go away! :((
I am currently seeing a naturopath trying to balance my hormones the right way holistically.
Has anyone had theae symptoms being on the pill? And have they gone once coming off?... I didnt feel this way exactly when I was on the pill for many years besides the anxiety it gave me and depression episodes
I wish I never went back on this junk!!!!
I have an MRI tomorrow trying to rule out any other neuro problems

Maria