What BCP do you recommend & WHY

mrsllrobertson · 07-26-2008, 01:40 AM

I just got off seasonique b/c they realized that with the type of migraines I have (they have partially paralyzed my left pupil and eyelid) that the interaction could cause a stroke (eeeeek)

So I have been on Orthotricyclen and Ortho lo (I still get wicked migraines, and evil mood swings and acne). . . those are my most recent the only other I have taken is Depo when I was still a teen (caused major weight gain)

so basically, I am reaching out to my cysters to find out which ones have worked for you and your PCOS symptoms (which ones) and which ones you highly do NOT recommend.

So PLEASE recommend away

Future Doc Cyster · 07-27-2008, 05:24 AM

I'm currently on Yasmin, and I have nothing but good things to say about it!

~It has helped clear up my skin (my skin is not perfect, but several people have commented on how much better my skin looks!!!).
~It has helped to stabilize my mood swings. I'm not the emotional mess I used to be, thanks to Yasmin. My mood may change slightly, but it's nothing like the HUGE mood swings I had before.
~My excess hair grows a bit slower now. I don't need to pluck EVERY day!
~Yasmin + Life style changes=a happier, healthier, more active me! When I went on Yasmin, I also began to work out regularly and changed the way I eat. This lead to a dramatic weightloss and higher self-esteem.

I tried switching to Yaz but had issues with spotting. It didn't take long until I was back on Yasmin.

soulfulqween · 07-27-2008, 01:30 PM

I'm on Zovia and happy with it, but I think that the key here is knowing what your pill is made up of and knowing what chemical caused that reaction with your migraines.

I was on Micrette for years and then one cycle...seemingly randomly I started getting large amounts of white discharge (the whites or leucorrhoea) It caused a host of other issues. Going forward I thought I needed to figure out what caused me to have the discharge. It was a specific man made progesterone, it also happens to be in Murena, good thing I researched and knew otherwise when my specialist suggested it I would have done and I would have made myself sick all over again.

I say ALL THAT to drive the point home that because a pill works for me doesn't mean it will work for you because we are each different. Please take the suggestions here and make sure that you find the common denominator between the pill you were on that caused the trouble so that you don't have the same issue again.

Also consider that you may not be able to take a pill at all. I had a friend that had a similar issue and had to stop the pill for good.

No matter what research and be careful.

mrsllrobertson · 07-27-2008, 02:57 PM

Thank you both . . .

SoulQueen you are right . . . I will start researching a little more carefully in the past I have left it to my gyne on the BCPs which is kinda weird considering how carefully I research everything else. I will start looking at all the options, thank you

I hate the idea of no contraception but in the end if that is what is necessary than so be it.

We cannot use condoms because a latex sensitivity causes constant UTIs, I do know their are lambskin ones but the cost is exorbitant.

sapphirepl · 07-27-2008, 04:08 PM

That's very interesting to me, because I get migraines too on occasion, and I've recently had stroke-like symptoms. I had to stop taking Tri-Sprintec (Generic Ortho Tri-Cyclen) because it made my anxiety so much worse I couldn't function. When I get to see a doctor, I will try to ask about BCP. Keep us updated

soulfulqween · 07-27-2008, 04:21 PM

You're welcome. I always say that our health care is more our own responsibility then it is the Dr's.

Loongirl · 07-27-2008, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulfulqween

You're welcome. I always say that our health care is more our own responsibility then it is the Dr's.

That statement is sooo true.

I cannot give an answer to the bcp question though. I have been on many different ones over the years and they all lead to low libido or none at all. I am now a supporter of the Mirena iud. I have had it for a little over a week and am happy with it.

chaucerg · 07-27-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulfulqween

You're welcome. I always say that our health care is more our own responsibility then it is the Dr's.

Soulfulqween, I agree with you 100%. Drs. are too busy these days and so many are uninformed about our problem. You would be shocked if I told you what a well-respected endo. told me and my 19 year old daughter. But anyway, I will not let that stop me. I'm going to find a doctor who will give her a diagnosis. I wanted to ask you a question about your supplement regime. Do you take the things you've listed with the Zovia? I've been hesitant about mixing the natural stuff with the BCP.

soulfulqween · 07-27-2008, 08:31 PM

Thanks ladies...

I am taking herbs, minerals and vitamins with my bcp...I find that if I don't take them I feel kinda crappy... Again the key is knowing specifically what each herb can do. I did hours of research to be familiar with the herbs that I take. I also went thru it with my Dr just so that she would be aware of what I was doing.

I took it upon myself to check drug interactions and to know what I should and shouldn't be taking...example...I know that licorice root mixed with white peony can be helpful in terms of pcos. I also learned that licorice root can raise blood pressure, so can the pill...so I know that if I try those herbs I have to watch my blood pressure, may have to alter my diet.

It takes time and it is stuff that the Dr's don't always know or have the time to research.

If you do decide to mix herbal and modern medicine, talk to your Dr and be sure to know all that you can about the things you decide to take. Get an herb book, see a nauropath, the Internet has thousands of site...here is one that I used:
Medicinal Herbs and Their Uses
There are alternative medicine threads here that are great and a natural social group.

bingobango · 07-29-2008, 11:45 AM

Have you tried Ortho Cyclen? I think it's different than Tri-Cyclen in that it provides the same level of hormones throughout the month. I've been taking that 'round the clock' which for me means no periods, or only 1-2 a year and it's been pretty good. I was on Yasmin but it was really expensive, and I didn't notice much difference (although without it I'm having some swelling). I find when I miss a pill I do get headaches and mood swings, but that is telling me that the consistency of the pill does help me stay "level."

Sorry about your migraines....I have a friend with debilitating migraines and I understand how it can affect your life.

mrsllrobertson · 07-29-2008, 03:14 PM

The prob is that I have nuerological migraines or a way to explain it migraines that effect me nuerologically . . . they have caused me too have partial paralysis in my left pupil (doesn't dilate correctly) and my left eye lid (droops sometimes always but really droops alot when tired or I have a headache of anykind). Therefore, it seems my options are very limited. I have been researching a little more extensively as Soulqueen reminded me to do and have yet to find anything.

Here's hoping right.

soulfulqween · 07-30-2008, 12:14 AM

Maybe get your Dr to help.
Or better still see a neurologist if you can.

mrsllrobertson · 07-30-2008, 02:23 AM

Soulful: I used to see a nuerologist regularly but all I ended up with was a drug cocktail of Depakote and Topamax for a daily regime and every narcotic you can think for break through pain . . . unfortunately they are not interested in BCPs only nuero meds . . . and the Gyne doesn't seem to understand the extent of the migraines so it is like the are battling one another rather than working together. . . .I have changed gynes a few times but the way they like to work it is Gyne for hormone/PCOS symptoms and nuero for migraines even though they are related.

I am going to keep researching and seeking answers . . . without being on BCPs my headaches get worse and even more regular along with the short term memory loss, ect and the cramping, acne and everything else becomes explosive again on the other end . . . so in other words I need the BCPs to manage the hormones to help regulate everything without causing me to, you know, die . . . at this point it seems a tad unattainable but I will keep looking.

Thanks for the help and advice everyone.

I am sure I will find answers eventually.

framin_memories · 07-30-2008, 02:35 AM

I am on Desogen (really the generic version). I usually have light, light cycles even after taking prometrium and another bcp I did back in FEb. The RE recommended this one because it (in her opinion) is the best for cystic ovaries. I never had problems with skin or anything like that but it has seemed to help a little bit with the desire to snack. I'm not necessarily overweight but I am the largest I have ever been. This last cycle on it started later than I would have expected (finished pill on Sat and didn't see AF till Fri) but it was a decent AF visit. I know it sounds wacky but I wanted to have a good cycle so I know the lining is actually coming off. It also helped with my bloated feeling I have had for the last few months.

soulfulqween · 07-30-2008, 02:38 AM

Oh I hope that something works out for you soon.