Birth control pills, what to do? Options

[enough]

i started using seasonique in july due to many hot flashes, sleepless nights, irregular bleeding and major anxiety. after two months i felt much better, more like myself. this week, though i experienced a few hot falhes and painc symptoms and a period of internal shaking. my reg. doc saiys its ftill fluctuating hormones, even on bcp's. he doesnt bleive in bcps, but my og-gyn feels this is an ok dose at least for a year. i am soooo confused, any advice?

[Amanda M]

Hi,

I am on HRt which is a lower dosage of hormones than most BCP. It does help the symptons but it does not make them go away completly.

You will still get the fluctuations, whether you take hormones or not, your own natural ones are still going up and down all the time, it seems though to lessen the effects and give you more good days than bad ones I suppose.


You have to decide what is best for you, for me without the HRT I was not functioning too well, with it I do.

You are so right though, it is confusing!

Amanda x

[diluvlabs]

enough,
I don't know how old you are, but you might want to start looking at going off bcp's (unless you need them for the actual birth control!), and perhaps trying a low dose of HRT. My gyn started me on the lowest form of FemHrt in July - he told me it only has one eighth the amount of hormones of your typical low dose bcp. My hot flashes, irritability, etc... are virtually gone for the most part, and I don't feel bad taking such a very low dose. We are going to evaluate my need for them on a yearly basis, and as soon as I feel I can cope without the HRT, I will go off.
I have heard of some serious health issues with the "seasonal" type pill - a high increase of blood clots, which have sometimes proven to be fatal.
You really need to speak with your doctor and see which type of pill is best for you and YOUR symptoms. You really want to be on the lowest effective dose - a dose that can control your symptoms and increase your quality of life.

I don't know if this has anwered any of your questions - it may have caused more. I just wanted to give my personal experience and perspective.
Best of luck to you, no matter what you decide to do - speak with your doctor.
Di

[enough]

thank you both for your reply. i am 47 and my ob feels this is the best course, but if there is a lower doe of hrt available, i will certainly consider it. the only thing that concerns me is that i still have shaking, anxiety and flashes and with a lesser amount maybe they will be more. maybe, i just have to relax and accept this as a part of life. boy, i never knew it would be this tough. thank you again and god luck to you both as well.

[Lady E]

Hi there,I just wanted to say that it took me around 4-5 months to find that I needed to change pills-now that I am on zovia1/35 I feel much better,I still have times when I know my hormones are doing backflips(lol) but My quality of life is much improved.Magnesium helps with the internal shaking,I take at least 500 mg per day.Exercise is good for anxiety-at least 30 minutes a day three times a weekor more.I know it is hard,but the bcp won't take all the symptoms away,but they do make them much,much more bearable.GODbless

[Coopersmom]

I am on Seasonique too. After four months I started having a lot of break through bleeding and cramps! The main reason why I was taking it to begin with, but, I changed times of day I took it and that took care of that. I will say that I still have hormonal times like you are describing, moods, internal shaking etc. So I guess really the only thing that little blue pill is doing for me is just keeping me from having long painful periods.

[enough]

thanks for yor replies. i am happy i am not alone. my newest complaint is cramps in my feet, like a charlie horse. now i am paranois i have als, my two aunts did. i had a brain mri and it ruled it out, but still, i worry. i wish i could just relax and enjoy the good life i have.