Goodbye Yasmin, Goodbye BCPs

curlygrrl · 08-11-2003, 02:04 PM

I decided to go off Yasmin. It had some great effects for me, weight loss, no problems with acne, I even think my excess hair might have been lightening up, but ultimately I think being on the birth control pill is causing a relapse in my depression.

I went on Wellbutrin SR a few months ago. For 2-3 months I felt *A LOT* better. Then my IUD came out and I started the pill again. Within a month I felt worse and more depressed. Then the other day I realized that I felt exactly the same as when I went into the psychiatrists office and asked for an antidepressant. I called her and asked her for advice. She wasn't terribly helpful but she did say that she hadn't seen a person feel better and then relapse while still on it.

After talking to my GYN I decided to stop the pill for a couple months and see if I feel better emotionally. She said she'd never known the pill to cause clinical depression but it couldn't hurt to go off it and see how I feel.

I'm thinking about asking for a prescription for spiro because I think that component of the Yasmin was what helped me the most.

I hope my story might help someone.

((hugs))
Tamara

LauraEE · 08-11-2003, 09:07 PM

Thanks for sharing your story. I think BCPs can definitely effect a person's mood. I'm not saying they'll effect everyone, but I know lots of women who experienced mood probs on the pill. I had to switch kinds of BCPs before being put on Ovcon which finally didn't promote my depression. I too am off BCPs now because of liver disease. Now the acne's back and painful periods are back

Oh well! I'll just deal with one thing at a time!

Laura

ScrapbookChick · 08-13-2003, 12:40 PM

Good Luck Curlygirl--

I started on Yasmin right after my diagnosis and ended up switching to Spiro, becauase I was seeing improvement with anti-androgen effects. Since my first month of Spiro I haven't had one pimple, (and I was having cystic acne flare ups), my chin/facial hair stopped spreading and the hair on my head is very thick again. So, I hope if you try it, it works as well for you, too.

curlygrrl · 08-14-2003, 02:37 PM

I just realized when I was on my way to see the counselor last night that I'm feeling soooo much better and less depressed. It's been about 2 weeks since I took my last Yasmin pill and the world is getting back into perspective. I swear, I was about to leave my husband and now I'm starting to wonder what I was thinking! I can't believe the pill affected me so bad. I'm going to write down and frame it so I never make that mistake again. I know BCPs are good for a lot of women but not for me!!

happycapri · 08-15-2003, 11:13 PM

I went off Ortho Tricyclen because as time went on, all of a sudden I was horribly depressed. I am predisposed to it, and realized what was happening, but I was so happy when my clinic let me switch to Alesse and I started feeling better as soon as the other was out of my system. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! It isn't real common, but it does happen.

I am a little nervous that I could still have problems on this one in a few months, but overall I am trusting that this level of hormones is much safer for me.

daughty · 08-19-2003, 02:42 PM

hi!

I too have noticed such side-effect on Yasmin. As soon as my period starts my mood will be uplifted in an instant. 3-4 days after starting a new pack i am on "crying mode" again. I cry at the drop of a hat.. it's really annoying!

am thinking of quitting but i don't know what to do for birth control.

good luck to you!
luv steph

curlygrrl · 08-20-2003, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by happycapri
I was so happy when my clinic let me switch to Alesse and I started feeling better as soon as the other was out of my system.

Please keep us posted on how you do with the Alesse!

curlygrrl · 08-20-2003, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by daughty
am thinking of quitting but i don't know what to do for birth control.

I know they're not the greatest thing in the world but ask yourself, is all this depression better than using barrier methods?? I wasn't even sure myself until I quit the Yasmin and came out of the fog. It really wasn't worth it!

((hugs))
Tamara

curlygrrl · 09-16-2003, 11:38 AM

I knew I was doing better on the BCP as far as symptoms, but I didn't know how much better until now. I had been able to stop shaving my face and only wax and now I'm back to shaving every day. It took my last period six weeks to show up. I'm afraid to weigh myself, I thing I've gained back all I lost over the past few months.

I'll say what the worst thing is, I can't stop eating!! This was happening to me last year when I was diagnosed. I'll have to stroll on over to the diet and exercise board and see what I can do.

I haven't been able to go the the doctor yet, I have an appointment for next month to hopefully talk about going on spiro.

((hugs)) to everyone!!
Tamara

Chrissy · 09-18-2003, 10:35 AM

I loved alesse for the way it made me feel. Good luck on it! No anger rages and definately no depression. Ortho tri made me very moody and high progestin pills made me depressed!

amora · 09-21-2003, 03:46 AM

Using a diaphragm wasn't that big of a deal. If the pill is making you crazy, it is definitely better to switch.

Juliekaboolie · 09-21-2003, 12:39 PM

Hi Curlygirrl! Have you thought about asking your dr to check your labs with your Metformin? Is it possible you aren't on a high enough dose to control your hormones? I used to feel *terrible* when I went off the pill (usually to TTC) and would literally gain 10lbs in a month... it was awful. Now that I've been on a helpful dose of Metformin and off the pill and I feeling *really* good! No emotional high's and low's... no acne flare-ups... no excess hair growth at all. It's just a thought but I remember reading somewhre (maybe on the Metformin board) that 1500mg is considered the minimum effective dosage for women with PCOS. HTH!!