Women...BCPs? Has anyone else had this experience? HELP!

VanessaHeartsMasr
VanessaHeartsMasr Posts: 727
in Health and Weight Loss
My doc started me on Ortho Tri-Cyclen last week for my adult acne (I'm 37, go figure). I have noticed for the last week I have been SEVERELY fatigued, unmotivated, dizzy, hungry all the time, and just plain feel weird. I thought maybe I was coming down with something, but then *lightbulb* I realized I these symptoms coincided with me starting the pill. I can't find anything on the internet about whether or not these symptoms will go away, how long this will last, or if I should just stop taking them!! When I talked to the nurse, all I got was "sometimes these symptoms will go away in a few months, or a few weeks...blah, blah, blah." I got no real answers. Looking for personal experiences. Will this go away? I'm going nuts. I'd much rather have pimples than this crap!! Thanks for any insight yall can give me.

Replies

  • Simone_King
    Simone_King Posts: 467 Member
    I wish I could say that I felt that way but I can't. I am on the same pill as you.

    I haven't felt that way. I say, give it a few more days and if it hasn't cleared up complain again. In my view you shouldn't be feeling like that.
  • delilah47
    delilah47 Posts: 1,658
    At 37, I believe you are taking a serious risk taking a birth control pill, especially if it's just for acne. When I was young, I took a B/C pill by Ortho. It didn't have any side effects except to relieve my severe cramps and other problems I was having with my period. B/C and women's hormone therapy are very risky.
  • laurachristina92
    laurachristina92 Posts: 9
    It's really up to you. Your nurse was right, it depends on the individual, sometimes it can take a few months for side effects to disappear, if at all. If you can get past your side effects and keep taking them then do so, if not can your doctor not prescribe you with something else, like oxytetracycline? Alternatively if you wanted to remain on the contraceptive pill, you could ask for Jasmin contraceptive pills? Alternatively you could come off everything, although that would mean having to put up with your acne. Hope this helps!! x
  • miriamwithcats
    miriamwithcats Posts: 1,120 Member
    I had a similar reaction to BCPs in my youth and could not take them, ever. I have Bipolar Disorder with mostly severe depression, and it got SOOOO bad on BCPs. I had to rely on barrier methods and prayer. Then, i developed an allergy to latex! I think the good lord was trying to tell me to get out of my marriage! LOL
  • miriamwithcats
    miriamwithcats Posts: 1,120 Member
    By the way, I had adult acne until a couple of years ago. I had developed cellulitis in my check (an infection of the fascia on the muscle) that was MRSA (antibiotic resistant staph). I had to go through several rounds of Bactrin to get rid of it, and since then I have had NO ACNE! I think it was caused by a resistant strain of staph (which we all have on our skin) and until I got rid of that strain, the acne would not respond to ANY treatment. I had tried other antibiotics both oral and cream, retin A, etc. etc.
  • tequillarose04
    tequillarose04 Posts: 30 Member
    I am calling my dr. tomorrow morning regarding this same thing! My pharmacist switched me to a different brand thats 'the same thing' but definately isnt...I noticed not feeling well within the first pack, mentioned it but couldnt really explain any symptoms other than 'makes me feel weird'...Ive now been on the new stuff for about 4 months total & my vision is blurry & im always dizzy(ive been refusing to drive because im afraid ill get into an accident with my kids in the car), feel really weird(dont really have words to explain weird, just know its not normal), ive also noticed major mood swings.....
    would also like to know what other peoples experiences are...
  • VanessaHeartsMasr
    VanessaHeartsMasr Posts: 727
    Cool. Thanks for the answers gals. I think I'm just going to stop them. Especially because she just put me on them temporarily (for a couple months to get the acne flare down) and I'm older. It's scaring me. Appreciate it. :)
  • Kalynx
    Kalynx Posts: 707 Member
    call your pharmacist!!

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