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Posted 9/21/2009 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Is anyone taking YAZ and they are thinking of getting off it b/c of the new claims of death, stroke and heart attacks out there? I read the company used a unapproved ingredient that wasn't approved by the FDA.  I've been on it a year, noticed a lot of cramping in my feet and calves. I've been very emotional too. I have terrible night sweats, but I think I'm perimenapasual (I'm 40 in a week) Anyone preferr one pill over another?
Posted 9/21/2009 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
I use Lo Estran Fe. I like it because it works and the placebo pills have iron in them. I think it is good to get a little iron during your period esp. if your UC is also active.
Posted 9/21/2009 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Those a potential side effects of any hormone-containing contraceptive: oral contraceptives, the Nuva ring, Depo shots, etc. If it contains hormones, it can cause these side effects.

Smoking increases the risk.
Posted 9/21/2009 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
I love depo shots because I mostly do not have periods.
Posted 9/21/2009 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
I have heard rumblings about Yaz as well, but I am not sure exactly what the deal was/is with it. I did take it, but very briefly. This was years ago, before I really had any problems with my UC. I hated it. My periods were really irregular and spotty on it, among other things. I switched back to a basic pill after that.

I no longer take BCP or any hormonal BC now. I don't like the way being on the pill makes me feel. Of course being on pred royally screwed up my cycles and I am STILL dealing with the fallout of that, more than a year later. Maybe going back on the pill wouldn't be a bad thing..
Posted 9/21/2009 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you commenting, I think it's trial and error with the side effects. I read all morning on a bunch of different ones, especially ones with very low estrogen, some love it some hated it. I just need to switch. Thank you. Linda
Posted 9/21/2009 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
I've been doing pretty well on ortho tri-cyclen lo. When I was put on it for increased D and pain from my UC during my period, my primary dr wanted it to be a lower estrogen level.
Seasonale really freaks me out. It seems unnatural to me to not have a period (even though I am controlling mine with BCP).
If you want to switch, talk with your gyno and discuss your concerns and maybe he/she will have an idea for a better bc for you.
Posted 9/21/2009 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
"Is anyone taking YAZ and they are thinking of getting off it b/c of the new claims of death, stroke and heart attacks out there? "

All oral contraceptives have those risks. It's not news.

I am on Yaz and plan to stay on it. It doesn't give me mood swings or make my periods worse, like the other pills I've tried.

Keep in mind that a lot of the progesterone only or very low estrogen pills require much more attention to the time you take them than most other pills. With progesterone only pills, you literally have a window of about a half hour. If you're okay with that, go for it.

Callalilly-I'd be worried about spotting with seasonale.
Posted 9/21/2009 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
I was on ortho tri cyclen lo for years. Now that I have UC I don't want to take oral BC b/c I heard it's not good for the gut flora. I'm going this Friday for a consult about getting Paragard. The IUD w/o hormones. Hope it works!
Posted 9/21/2009 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
I use marvalon. I was on Seasonale for awhile but it wasn't working right, I was getting periods after two months not three so I went back to my normal one. Marvalon is a higher dose one cause I'm usually on the heavier side. Don't notice any side affects from it.
Posted 9/21/2009 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
AMK77-IUDs have about the same success rate as getting your tubes tied. I've heard it can worsen cramping though (which is the reason I'm on it to begin with).
Posted 9/22/2009 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
I'd just take Sprintec or what callalilly is on...
I'm now on Depo but thinking about the Paragard... but I'm gonna try some probiotics with my Depo and see what happens first.
Posted 9/22/2009 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
I was on Yaz but switched to Ortho. I didn't switch because I hated Yaz but because, with my lack of insurance, Ortho was less expensive. I never liked or disliked Yaz, it did help my skin but I was a little worried about the drospirenone, it is very new and I heard it has higher incidence of blood clots and stroke. I am happy I am off of it.

There is a good support group

http://www.createforum.com/yasminsideeffec/viewforum.php?f=1&mforum=yasminsideeffec

Posted 9/22/2009 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
After the age of 35, side effects become more noticable while being on any sort of bc especially the potential of blood clots. When I was trying to regulate my cycle a few years ago, my doc had me try progesterone for a short time. I can not tolerate any sort of estrogen hormone surge or I get migraines. The progesterone did nothing make things more terrible for such as erratic bleeding and intense, excruciating painful period cramps. I mentioned this to my GI and he seemed shocked. He said that he highly recommends that all his female patients not be on any sort of bc if they can help it (and especially over the age of 35) because IBD tends to increase the risk of blood clots and add a bc on top of that is a potential recipe for disaster.

I had to do something because I was miserable. I had a horrible cycle of before starting my period, I would get thrown into mini Uc flares and then when my period would start, my colon would bleed heavily while my period was light. Then came the horrible increasingly painful period cramps - I'm talking 11 on the pain scale. So I seen a GYN and he recommended I had the endometrial ablation. So I had that done and all my hormone related Uc flares diminished (I still get them but on a very minor level) and my periods stopped. It was the best thing I couldn've done and if I had to do it over again, I would in a heartbeat (even though I had a very bad reaction to the narcotic pain relievers at the time - taken away by ambulance and all that). So if you do not want to go the bc route because you are afraid of the potential risks, why not look into the ablation. Since you are almost 40 you are not having (anymore) children right? I am a huge advocate of the ablation in case you haven't noticed! :)
Posted 9/22/2009 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
Just to let those of you know who have mentioned that all bcp carry these risks, there have been studies and lawsuits in regards to Yaz/Yasmin specifically. Yaz has different hormones than other pills, and if you listen to their ad on the TV, it mentions something about increased potassium-and it mentions that those who take medications for chronic inflammatory disease should talk to their doctor before taking it.

http://www.dallasfortworthinjurylawyer.com/2009/09/new_study_shows_yaz_birth_cont.html

I mean, to each their own, but I have enough risks with the meds I take, and there are so many bcp options out there-I wouldn't take this one if I didn't have to.
Posted 9/22/2009 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
I have just stopped using the Nuvaring after being on it the last 6 + months i have gone down hill with my UC (just coming out of a bad flare) and I believe it has aided in my deterioration, I have bad proctitus and uc all round my colon and I wonder if having the ring in such close proximity has upset it all down there. Im supposed to put it back in thursday but after talking with my "bum doctor" Ive decided to stay away from all contraceptives as theres alot of evidence they can make uc and chrones worse.

Not only that the risks of the pill are so awful !

Anyone thinking of going on the pill should think about the pros and cons before taking it.
Ness x
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