Birth Control Pills & Depression?? Some TMI...

[ohiomom28]

I have been on the pill off and on for the last 12 years. Never had any problem until a couple years ago when I started them again. I was put on Seasonique. I experienced extreme constipation, (I know TMI, sorry) that landed me in the ER with severe back pain. I had no idea what it was until the X-Rays were done. I also had anxiety pretty bad that ceased as soon as I stopped taking them. I recently was put back on Mircette in March. I was given samples for 3 months and when I filled my script, I was given Kariva. The 1st month I started spotting 2 weeks into my cycle. Now, 3 months later I am still spotting and I have had the anxiety and depression again. Its been really bad at times. My boyfriend has mentioned to me that I may need to see my doctor about it. I have read about the side effects this morning and it makes sense but why am I just having the problems now?

I did note one difference with this pill...most pills have 7 days of Placebos and this one only has 2 and then a light hormone for 5 days before the regular pills start. My doctor never told me about that and I have never taken the last week...never. They were always just placebos before.

Has anyone taken these pills and if so, have any experience with this. Just asking before I call my doctor. I'm due to start my pills again Sunday.

TIA!

 

[HM]

Definitely see your doctor before refilling your pills.
You need to let him/her know about your trouble with spotting, anxiety, and anything else you might be having trouble with. They can't help you without some input. There are plenty of different pills and other methods of birth control you can try.

I take a very low estrogen pill and occasionally have some spotting, but the pill is otherwise really great (I take three months straight...and then one week off). I used to get migranes really bad around each period. Now they are a few and far between.

 

[Imzadi]

Yes, have your doctor change the pill you are on. There are so many different brands.

You didn't mention how old you are. You may be entering perimenopause. Some women as young as 28-32 have been starting it.

Also, have your iron level checked. Those hormone pills you didn't take may actually have been iron supplements. I recently found out I was severly iron deficiency anemic. I had been diagnosed as "slightly" anemic 2 decades ago. I was never given a treatment that really handled it other than taking a multivitamin with iron now & again. I was never told what the effects of anemia are, other than "low iron" blood count. Depression and a brain fog (anxiety) are two of the symptoms.

I've been on my mega-dose of iron + supplements for about 45 days now. OMG!!!! The difference in my energy levels, my moods, my lack of depression, even my skin tone & resiliency are incredible. I am literally a different person.

I grew up in an abusive, violent home. During my 20's, (when I was first diagnosed with slight anemia) it was also a turbulent era. I was always chronically depressed. Being on the pill made it worse. I figured the depression was part of my makeup, part of the scarring and moods I was forced to live with in my past that are a part of me now.

I was so wrong! I wish I had the anemia properly handled back then. I would have been such a different person and probably would have made different life choices than I did living with depression & anxiety all the time.

 

[ohiomom28]

I just turned 32 last week. I started having these problems with the pills right after I turned 30. I'm going to call the doctor here soon and see what she says.

Thanks!

 

[RadioNate]

I just wanted to thank the op for bring this up. I too am on Seasonique and have had some serious issues with anxiety and OCD. So much so that I'm on my 2nd therapist.

I never connected the pill with the problems but I'm going to look into that.

I think I'm going to see a really good doctor and start with general work ups. I was anemic as a child so that wouldn't shock me.

 

[ohiomom28]

I just wanted to thank the op for bring this up. I too am on Seasonique and have had some serious issues with anxiety and OCD. So much so that I'm on my 2nd therapist.

I never connected the pill with the problems but I'm going to look into that.

I think I'm going to see a really good doctor and start with general work ups. I was anemic as a child so that wouldn't shock me.

YES! Anxiety is a horrible feeling and I was so relieved to figure it out and it stopped almost immediately. The one thing that worries me now is I am on my week "off" right now and the symptoms haven't gone away. I haven't taken a pill since Saturday night.

I would really get it checked out. I am planning on checking into other forms of BC too. Just not sure on the cost of it all and what my insurance will cover. Good luck to you!

 

[LMC]

Definitely see your doctor before refilling your pills.
You need to let him/her know about your trouble with spotting, anxiety, and anything else you might be having trouble with. They can't help you without some input. There are plenty of different pills and other methods of birth control you can try.

I take a very low estrogen pill and occasionally have some spotting, but the pill is otherwise really great (I take three months straight...and then one week off). I used to get migranes really bad around each period. Now they are a few and far between.

I was put on Seasonique in Oct 08 too for migraines. I had such high hopes as I had tracked my migraines down to twice per month before starting the seasonique. That medication in conjunction with my two preventatives was working really well until May 09. While I did not have the anxiety issues (I'm high strung anyway) I did get breakthru in May and I just got it stopped. The GYN changed me to a new, stronger pill last week. I was about to go crazy over the break thru but nothing else seemed to bother me. My cramps were very bad and I've NEVER had bad cramps in my life. I had to liken them to contractions. I'm on a new script now so hopefully I can take it 3 mo's in a row sucessfully for my migraines. You need to see your doctor, you probably need a stronger pill to stop the spotting. Maybe that will help the hormones and stop the other effects you are seeing.

 

[ohiomom28]

I called my doctor. The nurse suggested I try another month with the pill I am on. I asked about Mirena and I called my insurance and they don't cover it unless medically necessary but even then my deductible has to be met. So, I guess I am stuck with the pill.
I do feel better today with the anxiety but I have to do something about not being able to sleep. I wake up around 4 and toss and turn all night.

 

[clutter]

I find that I get anxious (paranoid actually) and depressed when I get the generic version of my pill. Funky, but my doctor seemed to think that it was a reasonable reaction. I also get depressed when I'm not on the pill, so go figure.

 

[Imzadi]

I called my doctor. The nurse suggested I try another month with the pill I am on.

I would suggest calling back and saying, No, you do not want another month on this pill. Sounds like you have enough symptoms that warrant a change in pills.

I said this on another thread, you really have to be proactive in asking what procedures you want. The days of simply accepting an authority figure's word as God or the final judgement is over. I don't care what fancy title or bunch of letters come after someone's name. We need to be discerning about what we are told and decide for ourselves. Get the point across (gently) that you need to start another pill immediately. Your window of opportunity is now.