Hello All, I am aware that this site is mostly for menopausal woman. I am 20 years old and I am having sever hot flashed constantly throughout the day. I cannot go about my normal because of it and I only sleep an hour a day because of it. I am scared and freaked out by what all is happening to me. I'm on edge and panicky and the anxiety from the hot flashes scares e to death. I've been on Loestrin Fe for about 2 months now and these problems started about a week ago. Finally I got sick of the pill and stopped using it yesterday. Do any of u think it could just be the birth control giving me these horrible flashes? Also I bought a pack of Estroven yesterday and am contemplating taking it. I wish I could go to a doc asap but I am uninsured and the free clinic can't see me til July 8th. If anyone has any help or advice or encouragement it would be greatly appreciated because I am so scared, I don't feel normal.

Dear 'briauna'
Am reaching out to you my dear ,with compassion.What you are describing sounds to be very much of a Hormonal nature
It would be unusual,but not unlikely that you are in Peri-Menopause.Age is not necessarily a good determining factor as to where you are hormonally.
My daughter has taken BCPs for many years and has never complained of hot flashes which does not mean to say there isn't a connection.Were you prescribed the Estroven or you bought it over the counter?Because I think it would be only sensible not to add too many meds. into the mix.
I would encourage you to stay away from all caffeine,sugary products and no alcohol or smoking.Try to drink lots of water too.Primrose Oil-a natural Herb- may help with the Flashes.
Is there any family member who could loan you money to see a Doctor as you really need to have your Thyroid checked out?Then you could arrange to pay them back a little each month.

We all welcome you here with open hearts and minds
I am sure that lots of my Power Surge friends will be in touch with you very soon
By the way have you tried to find out if there is a free Well Woman's Clinic in your area?It might be good to find out.

Please keep us posted
And remember you are not alone

Warm Hugs
Elizabeth
.

((hugs briauna'))

I think it's the Loestrin that is causing your problems and you're right to stop taking it... You might have some type of hormonal crash going on but I'm not sure. Give your body a few weeks to settle down and you should be okay by then.... At least I hope so..... Elizabeth has given you some great advice by telling you not to add anymore meds.... Keep posting ... I know you're scared but we are here for you

I would get a complete blood work before making any conclusions, it could be from the BCP but can be something esle. Please, see your doctor and don't use Estroven, as it can make your symptoms worse. I never used this BCP, check the package, see if it lists severe hot flashes and sweats as possible side effects?
If you don't feel normal, you need to see a doctor ASAP, this is would I would do.
HTH,
best of luck,
I.

Hey kiddo! Sounds like it could be a few things (the BCP hormone issues) but not likely it's menpausal. Does the clinic have an urgent care? Can you call back and let them know you can't wait until the 8th? Being assertive isn't always the easiest way to go, but it often gets results. Don't leave until you understand and are happy with the response you get from the doctor. For some ignorant reason, many doctors dismiss hormone issues. Yeah, if it happened to THEM it would be a different story If you can get some history from your mom, or other female family members before going. That can prove to be helpful.

At 20 there are a few things that could be going on. I would for sure get off the BCP's, as this is the most likely source if your flashes. If these flashes weren't happening BEFORE the pill, then it sounds like it may be the culprit.

Hang in there, sweetie, and let us know how you're doing!

Sorry… my post was a grammatical nightmare, but you get the point

Thank you ladies soooo much for replying so fast! I haven't slept since Sunday and I just feel so uneasy. I try to lay and relax and I just can't. So I've literally been sitting up on the computer day and night just googling all my symptoms. Yesterday was the worst but a little bit of the edge is off today. I bought the estroven extra strength from walmart. I also bought iron pills and b12. I took all three yesterday afternoon. My last birth control pill was yesterday morning. I don't have anyone that I can borrow money from right now but the woman at the clinic said I could call everyday to see if they had any cancellations. So should I not take the estroven before i try and go to bed tonight?

stop all bcp and see how that helps with the flashes, my daughter who is little older than you (27) has had sweats like that due to bcp, make sure you use a back up form of birth control

Estroven isn't a BCP-its a herbal phytoestrogen remedy for menopause isn't it? It could make things worse. It would be best to stop everything until after you have seen a doctor.
janet c

oh my bad ... thanks for educated me !!!

yes, stop all, eat well, take a deep breath it is not fatal....you will be ok...most likely BCP did not sit well with you.......coming off BCP will also give its own host of symptoms....it can take a month or more for all to settle down.....I did not do well on BCP either.....there are many froms of birth control, and i'm sure you can find one that works better for your body ...Joan

bri-

welcome darling!

it is possible that you are having a reaction to the bcp's and likely too in my opinion. in any case, could you not go to the emergency room at your local hospital for treatment since you don't have the $ and cannot be seen by your local clinic now? It is not good for you to continue to suffer if the symptoms do not abate. These ER's are used to seeing people who's situation is of a "non-emergency" nature (very relative term) becuase so many are uninsured and have no other choice.

You are most likely fine but should be seen by a doctor if you are flashing and uncomfortable. I would not add the estroven until you figure out if its the bcp's causing the prob.

Hang in there baby!

Post again if you need help.

Good luck.

Pookds

I have a great update ladies. I finally fell asleep yesterday afternoon then woke up around 9 last night and slept through the whole night. I feel so much better today, I can actually feel air on my skin and not all hot inside. My last bcp was Tuesday morning and I threw them all out Weds. I was on Yaz about a year ago for 2 months and it made me feel crazy in the head but my body felt fine. I didn't get bac on birth control until about 2 months ago and the doc prescribed me Loestrin 24fe because he said it had a lower dose of hormones. But this one made me feel worse then the Yaz did. I didn't take the estroven last night because I was scared it might mess something up but I am gonna take an iron pill and b12 in a lil bit. Thank you all so much for your input and advice because my family just sorta brushed how I was feeling off. I don't feel all disoriented and freaked out anymore and like I'm gonna die.

So glad you are feeling better darling. Not everyone can use the contraceptive pill. I myself could never tolerate it, and I can't tolerate HRT either.I was prescribed a very low dose patch very recently and it made me so ill I had to stop after a week. It took another two weeks before I felt normal so give your body time to get the pill out of your system.
You don't need Estroven. That is a menopausal remedy and no way are you menopausal.
Take care sweetie-you will be fine
janet c

Hello Ladies I have good news and bad!!! Yesterday afternoon shortly after I posted that I was feeling better I had another anxiety attack. I freaked out in front of my mom and thankfully went to to the Emergency Room. The staff there was sooooo nice and comforting. They checked my blood, heart, lungs, kidneys, and tyroid and they said everything was perfect. That reallly camed me down alot to know that I was healthy. They gave me an Ativan but it didnt really stop my anxiousness. They prescribed me 15 pills but it costs $280 so i don't think ill b getting it. The nurse told me that I just need to let the bcp wear out my body and that I will be fine. I just know my anxietys gonna come bac when that bill omes but it was worth it because im relieved to hear my bodys fine. I've had 2 good nights of sleep and hopefully I will make it through the day without an attack. Also the hotflashes have gone away and I don't get very flushed anymore. As always thank u ladies soooo ,uch for ur input and I will keep u all updated.

Hi darling
I just came to my computer as your post came through.
This is what hormones can do-believe me I know! Once the bcp wears off you will be absolutely fine-I guarantee it!
Ativan is very addictive so if you can, try not to use it unless you really have to. As long as you have some there as a last resort maybe you could try to manage without? If you take them until they are gone you might find you are getting dependant on them and you don't want that
So glad the hot flashes have gone.
Take care and have a great weekend

janet c

Are the hormones really supposed to make me feel this bad because I'm sitting here crying and I wish all these weird feelings would go away. I don't feel like myself and I feel crazy. I've neva had thoughts like these and I'm freaked out. Did u experience any of this and are u sure all this will go away. I'm so scared and I don't even wanna leave my house and try to be normal because I'm scared but I'm tired of jus laying in my room thinking. I havent taken bcp since tuesday morning and I'm wondering how long it could be til I cycle out. I am sleeping at nite now and thats great. I'm not taking the ativan because i can't afford it and I'm to afraid to take it anyways. I'm jus gonna keep praying and try to keep my mind busy as much as i can without getting freaked out.

Honestly my darling you musn't worry. Yes I have been very very ill on hormones. I cannot take any estrogen at all and I never could. I promise you it will go away.
A couple of months ago I cut a tiny low dose hormone patch into eighths and tried one eighth for one week. By the end of that week I was feeling very ill so I ripped it off and decided to stop.
The next week I was in hell-sobbing like you wouldn't believe and terrible thoughts, anxiety-just like you.
The following week I still felt unwell and that was after a total of one week on a tiny, tiny bit of patch.
You have been using a much stronger hormone preparation for a lot longer and it obviously doesn't suit you. The abrupt withdrawal from it doesn't mean that your body will just ping straight back to normal. It is going to take time. Maybe a month or so.
The thing is-
Are you feeling slightly better than you did before?-Yes.
Have the hot flushes stopped?- Yes.
Is the pill completely out of your system? NO!
I would give it at least a month, during which time you will probably gradually start to feel better each day. You already are and things can only get better from now on.
I do understand what you are going through.
My pharmacist said there is a small section of the population who are very drug sensitive. There is nothing to be done about it except avoid the drugs or use tiny doses.
Sweetheart you are younger than my three daughters and I can't bear that you are suffering like this. If I could I would give you a big hug right now but I can't so I am sending one to you
Take care and accept how you are feeling at the moment because it is just temporary

Hugs

janet c

Thank you soooooo much for this!!! My mom is very back and forth with me. One minute she's nice and the next she's sick of me complaining. I can't blame her though. I do feel better as each day goes on. I jus have to keep my mind busy reading stuff cause if not it just starts to wander and I drift off. From the time I wake up I'm just counting down the hours til its time to sleep again. My anxiety heightens around 12 but by the afternoon even time I'm okay. A month seems like a long time but I'll just have to bear with it. My birthdays in less than 2 weeks and im scared I won't enjoy it or won't want to be around my friends and family to celebrate. Bu thanks for reassuring me that everything will be back to normal to and that this to shall pass, you don't know what that means to me right now.

Dear 'briauna'
Please stay hopeful my dear and I believe you will start to feel better.
Hormones affect us all but some ladies are super sensitive so do better without them unless the Gyno. feels they are really indicated.
Try to avoid all alcohol,and keep sugary treats to a minimum.Take a short walk each day and then try to get a friend to go with you.
If after a couple of months you are still not feeling well no harm in seeing a Therapist.Sometimes we all need to talk to someone totally objective.
This Site is fantastic and it is lovely having you here to share.And I am giving you a great big hug too.
So please come back often and let us know how you are doing

Warm Wishes
Elizabeth

Hi Bri,
I just saw your post and I have to make this quick because we have to get to church. I agree that the bcp could have caused your symptoms, but it's also possible (as Iradan said) that you have other issues. Write everything down! I would wait a few weeks to make sure the bcp is out of my system and then find a doctor who will test your FSH, sex hormone levels, and thyroid (at least). There are conditions that can mimic menopause symptoms. Also, while menopause (actually premature ovarian failure) at your age is EXTREMELY rare, it is not impossible. If you are not feeling yourself is a few weeks you really need to get this checked out. Hang in there kid--I hope you are feeling better!

Hello ladies thanks again for the support. Today I feel okay. I don't feel out of my mind right now. The only problem I'm having is that my muscles will not relax. Like I everything is just so tense is this normal?

Dear 'briauna'
Muscles tense up due to anxiety which is very common when coming off any type of hormone so please do not let it worry you too much
Are you going for further education or do you have a job?I ask this because it is important to keep your body and mind busy.
If you feel that you are not able to completely open up to friends or family about your feelings try to get in contact with a support group in your area.You can call the Samaritans and they will have the numbers of places in your area that might be best able to give you reassurance or suggest further help if needed.

Please keep in contact
It is nice to have a sweet young lady amongst us.

God Bless
Elizabeth

Hi there - it could simply be because you've been worried these last few days. When I was in my twenties I was really upset by my then boyfriend on one occasion. The following day when I woke up I could hardly move! I was tense and it was painful to move. I couldn't go to work that day. The following day I was fine again. It never reoccurred.

All the best.

I agree with this! Keep a journal and if you aren't well in a week or two go see someone to test you.

Hello ladies I'm just checking in with you all. It's been about 2 weeks since I first posted about the problems I was experiencing. I am soooo thankful to say that all of thos symptoms have gone away! I feel beack to normal. The only problems I have are a few headaches every now and then or slight dizziness. Other than that I'm fine. My anxiety is also so much better. It is my 21st birthday today and I am so happy I finally feel like me again. I will keep you all posted to let you know how I'm doing. But thank you all for ur kind words of encouragement and reassurance during my time of need. God Bless

well you just got a preveiw of things to come,in 20yrs when your in peri, think back on it and dont let it freak you out so.....beleive me that 20 yrs will just fly by, have a good time , see you in 20 yrs ....lol

That's cheerful More like 25 or 30 hopefully! You don't need to be thinking about that today anyway!
Your life is just starting and congratulations on your 21st birthday. Soo glad you are feeling better darling.
Take care and have a happy life.
God bless
janet c