BCP - Am I Nuts Not to Try?

maybride23 · 10-22-2006, 07:59 PM

Hello, I'm new around here, and have a question I've been wrestling with for some time

I've known of my PCOS for some time now, and was recently prescribed the pill (Yasmin) for symptom control. I'm relatively well versed in the workings of the body, and mine in particular, and I know that taking the pill can work to my advantage. That being said - I do have some anxiety "issues" (your run of the mill panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder). Although I've learned to deal with this, I'm a bit anxious to introduce something to my system that has the potential to augment my anxiety levels. True, everyone's makeup is different, and yes, I really don't know how the pill will affect me until I try it. I generally do not like to take medication; when I was younger, I thought I'd try a medication to help with my anxiety, and had a nasty reaction to it which produced - yup - more anxiety. Tremendous anxiety, I should say. Also - while I know the pill has provided relief to many, I'm concerned about only masking symptoms, rather than making lifestyle changes and exploring other medicinal options to really improve my health. So, to wrap this up, my question is - am I foolish to say "Thanks, but no thanks." to the pill?

Eva37 · 10-22-2006, 09:49 PM

welcome to sc

I personally cant take bcp as it messes up my bp and weight, but we are all different.
eva

ranchelmarie · 10-23-2006, 09:33 PM

I don't think you're crazy at all. Right now I have 6 months worth of Yasmin, and I can't decide whether to take it or not. I've been on the pill before, mostly a different one, but Yasmin for a month, and I didn't have horrible side effects. But I just don't like the idea of taking it just to take it. I don't have insurance right now, but if I did (and I suggest you try if you haven't) I would go to an endo and find out as much as possible about how to deal with symptoms and long term PCOS problems without BCPs.

AnnieC · 10-24-2006, 11:47 PM

Personally I think (because it's happened to me) that if you start getting paranoid/skeptical before taking a medication then you basically begin to set yourself up for failure. For example, a couple of years ago I started Wellbutrin for my depression (I really didn't want to but I was being influenced by people around me) and I was so skeptical that it wasn't going to work that I think I convinced myself that it wasn't working so I stopped taking it. Well my depression "came back" x10. I'm on it again (giving it a chance) and so far it's working. The best way to manage PCOS is with lifestyle changes. I've been on BCPs and spiro for 6 years and I know for a fact that if I hadn't been taking those meds then my symptoms would be a lot worse today. I stopped taking my spiro for about a year and a half or so and my hair growth got unbelievably worse. The medications don't "mask" the problems but help to correct the chemical/hormonal imbalances so you can better manage your symptoms. Right now I'm working on the weight loss thing (so I can look down and see my feet), but every day is a struggle. Personally I think you should give the meds a try, because they really do help with symptoms. But only you know your body the best. Hope this helps and good luck!

avonlady1981 · 10-25-2006, 04:26 AM

i feel like i wasted a lot of time by not starting the BCP...i was diagnosed like 10 months ago and i tried to go to a naturopathic doctor at first instead of a gyno i knew would give me the BCP...i felt the same way as you that i would be masking the problem(this was my ignorance because i am a treehugging vegetarian who didnt like the thought of medication or any foreign drug in my body)...well i guess i can explain it like my doctor did to me yesterday...the BCP makes you not get worse...PCOS is not something you can cure...its something we can treat with different therapies...somethings work better for some and not for others...why not try something and see if your body responds... honestly to an average person..PCOS is not common knowledge...when you first are DX you dont know where the information is, what is right , what is wrong...shoot! even now we are sharing our experiences not knowing right and wrong...

the BCP is called birth control because for a majority of woman that is what it does...keep them from getting knocked up! really it should be called hormone therapy pills...because thats what they are...hormones that you need...that you aren't producing in the proper fashion to keep you body balanced....don't get scared of the term "birth control"...

kayk2 · 10-25-2006, 05:25 AM

I can totally relate. I was diagnosed in July and was unsure whether I wanted to try BCPs, in part because of the just masking symptoms, in part because I was afraid the artificial hormones would screw up my body worse than the PCOS (my hormone tests were all fairly normal, no cysts seen on ultrasound). But at my gyn's request I agreed to give it a try for 3 months -- they were the worst 3 months of my life, seriously. Had almost every side effect listed on the package (and some not listed), and instead of getting better with time they just kept getting worse. My acne worsened tenfold (now on retinoids to see if those will help clear it up, but will likely have to get laser resurfacing for all the scarring), hirsutism/oily skin didn't get any better, etc. When I couldn't take it anymore I went to my PCP to see about trying a lower-dose pill, but after reviewing my hormone profile he actually recommended stopping them for as long as my hormone levels are relatively normal. One of my biggest worries was not having regular periods (never even got one on the pill), since the high estrogen and low progesterone typical of PCOS can cause problems, but apparently my progesterone is actually above the normal range so my PCP doesn't see any reason why I "need" to be BCPs (still can't figure out how I can have PCOS with a progesterone level that high, but whatever, that's the million dollar question next time for my gyn

Personally, I've felt so much better just with diet/exercise/lifestyle changes (started eating healthy, exercising regularly while waiting for my gyn referral and haven't looked back since). My symptoms didn't improve with just lifestyle changes, but they are progressing much, much slower than before, so I'm quite happy just sticking with a healthy lifestyle as long as I can. If my symptoms or hormone profile get worse I'll definitely reconsider BCPs or other treatment. But no, I don't think you're nuts to not want the pill (looking back I wish I had said no when my gyn prescribed them). But as you're well aware everyone's different, everyone responds differently to BCPs and other treatments, and ultimately you know your body best. Regardless of whether or not you decide to try the pill lifestyle changes are important. Just remember that either way, if you decide to go without the pill you can always give it a try later if lifestyle changes aren't helping enough, or conversely if you do decide to try the pill you can stop anytime if it worsens your anxiety. Ultimately the decision is yours -- learn as much as you can and make the choice that's right for YOU. Good luck!

Meringoo · 11-15-2006, 09:34 PM

Gosh it is so interesting to read these posts! I get so anxious and worried about the same stuff. When i was finally diagnosed in January this year, I was immediately put on a BCP (Dianette) I had taken a few years before for contraception, but it had made me extremely depressed and gain so much weight! So, low and behold the same thing happened again so I stopped it after 2 months. With my hormones still crazy and no sign of a natural period for 7 months, i decided to take matters into my own hands, and armed with research, i went to a chinese herabalist and had a course of herbs and acupuncture for about 2 months. I must say it really helped. I had regular periods, my skin improved a bit and my hair was in better condition than before. Wasn't able to lose weight though. After that i saw a reflexologist for 3 sessions and that was great. It was extremely relaxing and I learned so much about being in tune with my body. This was combined with homeopathy. However, after a while, the effects of these therapies seemed to be waring off, and i was getting my "ill weeks" where i'd just feel terrible and my skin would be acne ridden and sore, and my pelvic area hurt too. Bit like bad PMS. So I went back to my doctor and he was horrified i'd come off my BCP and tried these "mysterious" therapies which "have no solid proof of working" blah blah...he's not a big fan of alternative medicine! :-) He wouldn't treat me because he didn't think he'd get it right so off i went to my gynae, who was actually PLEASED Id tried the alternative stuff. Apparently the chinese herbal medicine contains a lot of oestrogen hich would have helped my skin and bring my periods back. I confessed that I stopped taking Dianette because of what it does to me and he made an educated decision to put me on Yasmin, judging from my previous success on Marvelon (before dx), and said if Yasmin doesn't help with my weight and acne as wel as the rest, i could try Marvelon again.
So...I gave it a go because the more worried and stressed I get (either down to work or my health), the worse my symptoms become. I've just finished my 2nd month and I think it's right for me. The only thing I reckon i might change i how much i take it - i think i will start to bi-cycle my packs as the week free seems to hit me hard! So I'll see how it goes.
Sorry this is such a long message. I think my basic point is that if you research things and give them a try, you might just find something that suits you really well. I though I'd wasted a few months on the alternative medicine, but I think (as does my gynae) that it did me good. I felt more prepared to be on a new bcp.
Good luck, I hope it works for you. xx