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Fibro & Menstrual and/or Birth Control Pill Issues?

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Posted 8/28/2008 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi y'all

Has anyone else had issues finding a birth control pill that works well with you?

Also, does anyone else get bedridden during PMS or while Aunt Flow is visiting?

I am completely bedridden 3-4 days a month during my period & PMS even when not in a flare.
I have also been on birth control since I was 17 to 'regulate' my cycle, but the last 6 years or so it hasn't been helping. I went off the pill from August to January but saw little relief (but lost 15 lbs!). I went backn on the pill (Loestrin 24) in January and haven't had a period since. I was on Apri (Desogen) for years then had breakthrough bleeding and the bad PMS & period for months. So, I am just looking for some help/info/experiences. I am trying to figure out what to do, my GYN doesn't get the fibro thing. I have to do all the leg work.

Thank you so much!

Hugs
Posted 8/28/2008 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
my periods have become worse since I became sick. the cramps bring me to my knees, I throw up, my ibs flares up, I get migraines, it's awful. I'm 41, and have had my tubes tied since I was 22 so I haven''t taken birth control since then. I keep wishing menapause would hurry up and arrive but that is probably just as bad but in different ways.

kellie in alaska
Posted 8/28/2008 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
I am SO with you. My cramps aren't that bad, but my entire body aches and all I want to do is sleep. The moodiness is also increased. I had really bad PMS as a teenager and into my early twenties but once I had children that all seemed to get better, that is, until now. I'm 37 and I have a daughter who is 10 and showing signs of impending flow ( I started at 11). I know I'm scaring the crap out of her. I can only hope and pray she has an easy go of it. I can't imagine two of us like this in the house! My poor husband and son.

Well, I'm so feeling your pain right now, that I think I'll go lie down. And as far as your GYN goes, look for another. I'm a nurse and I hate to work with or see doctors that won't even try to understand something new for them!

DMax
Posted 8/28/2008 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
Oh Kellie & DMax -

Thanks for your replies so much. It helps so much to know I'm not alone. My IBS flares as soon as I go on the "sugar pills" and I cannot be far from the bathroom. Headaches, nausea & sometimes vomiting. Exhaustion & bad bad back cramps. I am 35 and have not had any babies yet. My Mom keeps saying once I have kids I will get better, but she doesn't really understand the fibro (or really believe it).

I think being on the pill makes me worse during the "off" week? But I could be wrong. Maybe a change of pill would help, but GYN just throws the latest & greatest (and most expensive) at me. Now it's Yaz she is pushing. I read online reviews that aren't so great -- and being SO sensitive to everything, I don't want to go there.

Thanks again... I really appreciate your input.

Hugs
Posted 8/28/2008 6:33 PM (GMT 0)

I'm 41 and have been on the pill non-stop since I was 17.

I had a bout with fibroids (surgery) when I was 33.

At that time I was put on Seasonale.

I haven't had a period since. I go back and forth between Seasonale & Seasonique (whatever the doc writes the script for).

Since being on these and not having a period I don't have any of the "other" stuff either. No bloating, cramping, breast tenderness, moodiness (other than my "normal" LOL), etc...

I do notice a little nausea at times if I take it and stay up too late. Nothing a few Rolaids doesn't take care of. If I take it and head off to bed within an hour I am good to go.

If the doc takes me off of these before I make it to, through and end menopause I will freak out!

Posted 8/28/2008 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Susi!

I tried Seasonale when it first came out...and I was on it for 2 packs I think? I had pretty bad spotting and breakthrough bleeding.

I am so happy it works for you! I would love to get rid of my PMS and all the stuff that comes monthly... maybe I should give it another try...

Great info - Thanks!!

Hugs
Posted 8/29/2008 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
i don't have bad pms or anything.. but i find marvelon is good just aunt flow visits every month.. but i haven't been any worse on it with the fibro... just find that you do put a bit of weight on.. but on a good eating plan you can over come that

 

Posted 8/29/2008 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

 

My periods are terrible.  Awful cramps, bloating, VERY heavy flow.  I've absolutely had it with my period.  I'm having a hysterectomy on November 5th!  BUH BYE sucker.... I hate my uterus.....  You're definitely not alone in this department.  I can't take birth control due to my history of stroke.  I have the antiphospholipid syndrome which makes clotting very common.  A hysterectomy seems like my best bet!

 

Ginny

Posted 8/29/2008 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
I was warned about the spotting and break through bleeding. It was never very heavy for me and only happened on the 2nd pack of pills. By the start of the third it was over and hasn't happened again. I am also pretty anal and take it within an hour of my self "assigned" time every night. I tend to freak out slightly when the time changes twice a year trying to make sure I don't mess up!

Posted 8/29/2008 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
I too, experience terrible cramps, migraines, very heavy flow and I also feel just completely drained, very lightheaded. I end up spending the first few days getting up as little as possible. But I have kids to take care of, money is tight and hubs needs to be at work as much as he can. I wish I could have him come and take care of me and the kids on those days but right now we cant afford him to. My mother helps as much as she can but she also has to work during the day. My stepfather will watch my older two sons but usually doesnt take my youngest (hes 20months old) unless I beg him to when I have a migraine.
Right now Im having some insurance issues, but those should be resolved soon and I plan on making an appt to discuss birth control to regulate my periods. The gyno that I used to have had taken me off of it years ago because at the time I had been having severe migraines very often and did go through a spell where I had chronic daily headache. The gyno at the time didnt want to give me anything that had hormones in it because if it happened again they wanted to know that this wasnt the cause. I dont know..I didnt really understand it. Another gyno was telling me he didnt want me taking it, he said that because of the kind of headaches I had a history of, that I would be at a high risk of stroke. He was the only doctor to tell me this but I since havent used birth control. I would like to discuss all of this with my new primary to see what she thinks. Now I know that those headaches were more than likely caused from a fibro flare. My migraines now have mostly been just around that time of the month so maybe I can bypass those with the pill. We shall see what the doctor recommends.
Posted 8/31/2008 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
If you find a pill that works well and you like it, talk to your doc about skipping the sugar pills. You can do that with just about any BCP. Seasonale is just marketed that way, it's not really any different than other pills.

The only problem will be with your insurance company. Your doctor has to write the prescription saying to skip the placebos. Your doc may need to contact your insurance company to straighten it out but I know of many women that were successful getting it paid for.

You may find that you spot for a few months when you take any BCP continuously. They usually suggest giving it at least three months to see if it stops. It can be a long three months when you are spotting.
Posted 8/31/2008 1:28 AM (GMT 0)

Hi ya'll!

 

Just thought I'd share my thoughts. I know how you all feel! I used to have my period that lasted 10-15 days out of the month. The doctor put me on birth control pills (Femmcon) and they worked great. They even tasted like mint. I did not gain weight and had nothing but good from those. But for the fact that I would have break through bleeding every 3rd month. So they put me on Yaz and I haven't been on it but a few days, so I can't form an opinion on it yet.

 

I just wanted to say that what many of you describe is dysmenorhea (sp?). It is long, very painful periods. So painful that my doctor was willing to prescribe vicoden for it. I told him that don't work on me for some reason. I told him I wanted a super Midol pill. Luckily they make that. It's called Ponstel. It's an older drug, non-narcotic, but very expensive. ($700 without insurance my pharmacy told me & $200 for generic) I pay $50. And worth every penny! It helps with the cramps, back ache, body ache, headache, etc. 


I take it when I'm in a flare sometimes and it even helps with the fibro. I used to be in bed the first 5 days of my period. The pill really helped alot and so does Ponstel with the pain.  I hope Yaz continues to work as good as the other pill.

Good Luck,

Chelle

Posted 8/31/2008 1:39 AM (GMT 0)

I just wanted to add that the long periods with heavy flow made me anemic.

 

Also, all my problems didn't start until after I had thyroid surgery to remove half the thyroid. This is when my period problems and fibro problems all started. Since we know thyroid is dealing with the endocrine system, I have wondered if the fibro does too. I also know that heavy periods is a symptom of thyroid problems. I have heard that surgery can trigger fibro. So I blame it all on my thryoid problems. I could be wrong but this is just my opinion. I feel like if I still had my thyroid and it was working properly, I wouldnt have any other problems. I was always healthy and active prior to this.

 

Anyways, this is my life now.

 

Cheers,

Chelle

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