rawr

[Megan Turnidge]

Ugh. So, let's talk girl stuff for a minute.

Lately I've been REALLY moody and emotional.... and sometimes just downright mean. I'm impatient. I get really frustrated at the little things.

And this is NOT like me.

I can't help but think it's probably the BCP I'm on. I got back on it 3 months ago... and I'm not sure if that's when I became a monster, but I think it is. Now that I think back on our first year of marriage... when I was on BCP.... I was really moody then too.

So, for you gals that are greatly affected by BCP, did you find a good alternative? I'm on Ortho Tri Cyclen. I'm going to call my OBGYN today and schedule an appointment because I'm suffering (and so is my sweet family) on this pill... I'd love to hear anyone else's similar experiences and maybe what BCP ended up working ok without turning you into THE BEAST. lol

[Libby Pritchett]

I had to go see my doctor in March because I was becoming SO hateful around PMS time. I don't mean like a little moody. I mean like completely irrational, crying for no reason, everything ticked me off... my husband would lovingly ask "um sweetie? how many more days?" This went on for months before it even occurred to me that they might be able to fix it.

I had been taking the bc patch for like 2 years, but this sudden mood swing only came on in about the past 8-10 months. So I didn't think that was it or that they could do anything about it. Anyway, I saw my dr in March, he diagnosed me with PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), and switched my bc to Yaz (you know the one that they show the commercial for all the time?).

I can't even begin to tell you the world of difference it has made in my life. Seriously. It's unreal. I still have MINOR pms symptoms, but nowhere NEAR the level that I used to. And I haven't had an actual period since I started taking it (which I've read is not considered unusual).

Anyway, I know Yaz isn't for everyone, and it's not meant to treat mild PMS. But definitely talk to your doctor and see what they think. For me, it was the greatest decision I could've made.

[Megan Turnidge]

Originally Posted by Libby Weifenbach

I had to go see my doctor in March because I was becoming SO hateful around PMS time. I don't mean like a little moody. I mean like completely irrational, crying for no reason, everything ticked me off... my husband would lovingly ask "um sweetie? how many more days?" This went on for months before it even occurred to me that they might be able to fix it.

I had been taking the bc patch for like 2 years, but this sudden mood swing only came on in about the past 8-10 months. So I didn't think that was it or that they could do anything about it. Anyway, I saw my dr in March, he diagnosed me with PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), and switched my bc to Yaz (you know the one that they show the commercial for all the time?).

I can't even begin to tell you the world of difference it has made in my life. Seriously. It's unreal. I still have MINOR pms symptoms, but nowhere NEAR the level that I used to. And I haven't had an actual period since I started taking it (which I've read is not considered unusual).

Anyway, I know Yaz isn't for everyone, and it's not meant to treat mild PMS. But definitely talk to your doctor and see what they think. For me, it was the greatest decision I could've made.

That sounds like me.... my poor husband. It's like in the moment it feels like whatever pissed me off is going to ruin me and I lash out... but then an hour later I look back at myself and I KNOW I was totally and completely irrational! I hate this feeling of not having more control over myself and feeling so much anger over little things.

Thanks for the info on Yaz. I wonder if I could try that... I thought maybe the doc wouldn't suggest it because when I'm not on the pill, my PMS is VERY mild. I would also love the acne benefits it claims it has... because this BCP has made my skin WORSE.

[digideb]

I was on Ortho Tri Cyclen also & HATED it! It did the same thing to me & that's not me at all either! I switched to the Ortho Evra patch & LOVED it! No problems with it at all!

[Jenn Barrette]

Sounds like me and Libby have similar experiences. I was on bc pills (can't remember what kind) and was basically psycho. I was completely irrational, paranoid, and depressed before my period. I was diagnosed with PMDD and was actually taking Prozac for a few years. After having Lilly I decided not to go back on Prozac (stopped taking it well prego) and tried Yaz. It has completely changed my life. I feel like a normal person, no mood swings, no irrational anger and frustration. As Libby said, its not for everyone, but it wont hurt to ask your doctor about it.

[Libby Pritchett]

Oh wow, Jenn! I've never talked to anyone else with PMDD. It's a crazy crazy thing, isn't it? I'm glad to hear that the Yaz has helped you, too. My doctor actually gave me the option of trying an anti-depressant, but I opted for Yaz. It's truly been a blessing for me. The irrational anger and depression were just out of control before. There were days I'd sit on the couch and cry for hours for no reason at all. It was miserable!

[SmallMoments]

I can't remember what I was on when we first got married... maybe it was tri-cyclen... but it was horrible. I just completely went off. I couldn't stand it. (Then there was Luke. lol) After I had Luke, I went on the mini pill and it didn't affect me nearly as bad. I was only on it for a short while, though. I've been on nothing ever since. And I still have grouchy PMS. lol

[Nettio]

Ortho Tri-Cyclen is crap. I'm sure someone will come on here and say they use it and love it but that was very much not my experience. It was the first BCP I was ever on and it made me go from completely normal with pretty much NO PMS mood-swings, to completely psycho, emotions out of the control ALL THE TIME. It was beyond terrible.

After three months, I went back in and asked for something else. When I took my new prescription to the pharmacist at the clinic, she said it was really common for people to have problems with Ortho Tri-cylcen but that it's almost always the first BCP prescribed by the doctors because it's CHEAP.

I ended up switching to Yasmin and have been on it for many years now with no real problems. Certainly nothing at all like I had with Ortho Tri-Cyclen.

[Jenn Barrette]

Originally Posted by Libby Weifenbach

Oh wow, Jenn! I've never talked to anyone else with PMDD. It's a crazy crazy thing, isn't it? I'm glad to hear that the Yaz has helped you, too. My doctor actually gave me the option of trying an anti-depressant, but I opted for Yaz. It's truly been a blessing for me. The irrational anger and depression were just out of control before. There were days I'd sit on the couch and cry for hours for no reason at all. It was miserable!

It was so crazy! It really affected my relationships, even my job. Yaz has been awesome for me! Glad it works for you too.

[BrattyMeg]

I too had problems with OTC..hated it!! Made me sooo moody even when on zoloft (PPD)

I switched to Loestrin and loved it. Taking the minipill now b/c I'm nursing but plan on going back to Loestrin after T is weaned.

[kscwgirl]

I was on OTC too and was also a psycho bitch.

[sammi]

I had a tubal after having Sophia, so I can't get pregnant, but holy cow the week before my period I am such a moody person and always losing my temper with my girls and my dh over the littlest of things. I hate the way I am and can never figure out why I am such a biotch...then I remember what the date is and it's like a light bulb went off.

I think I need to talk to my Dr. and see if there is something I can take.

[kscwgirl]

Me too sammi. I dont' need bcp but I need to figure something out.

[jessica31876]

I do notice that I have really bad mood swings but always about a week or so before the time Im due to start. I had my tubes tied too so I dont need birth control but I am going to talk to my dr to see what can be done. In the past I went to a dr and he basically said that these issues are in my mind and that I can learn to "control" them. Never went back to him again.

[ColleenSwerb]

I've been on Yasmin for like.....10 years? Lol! The pharmacy recently switched me to the generic version (Ocella), and I can tell the difference. I'm due for a yearly appt soon (totally forgot to schedule it, I'll probably get screwed and have to wait til like november) and I'm going to make sure they don't change it to Ocella this time.

[crystalbella77]

ugh..I take the generic kind of OTC and I do think I get really really depressed and snippy. The problem is that my insurance will cover no part of BC at all...ZERO part of it. So I switched from the patch (it was like 60 bucks a month) to these generic pills because they are only 9 bucks a month! It's crazy!

[digideb]

Yes, the patch is much more expensive. But, we thought it was worth it! lol Also, my brother & SIL live in Mexico & she gets it for me for $16/month! That definitely helps!

[Sharon Kay]

I took Depo Prevera shots for several years and loved the no mood swings and no periods!! I had absolutely no problem with it at all. My sis had continual bleeding so she couldn't take it...my niece kept losing hair (but I have suspicions that wasn't ALL she was taking if YKWIM).

However...if you think about these shots (every 3 months)...find out what the maximum time is on them. I switched about a year after taking them to a new practice...and went through 2 nurse practitioners that administered it...and a doctor...when the 2nd doctor came into the practice and looked at my chart she said NO MORE! I was way over on the maximum number of years...a bone scanned revealed what the doctor feared...I got osteopenia because I took the shots for too many years. BUMMER! (to say the least)

I was having headaches and the doctor told me about several BC options but said several of them could actually make my headaches worse so it could be trial and error...or just get dh to get sliced.

Now no BC for me...told dh it was HIS TURN. ...and it's done. ;-)

[BrattyMeg]

I'm allergic to the adhesive or something in Ortho-Evra..I tried it and just itched to death the first 3 days I had it on..finally I had to just take it off and go back on Loestrin (pretty sure T was conceived in that time period lol)

[meganmecrazy]

I was on SOOOOO many different brands of BCPs and they all made me a monster so I simply had to stop taking them. I also believe they are the reason I have all these hormone issues now. I wish I had some alternative advice for you but I just simply stopped taking them and refuse to be put back on them.

[amandabarugh]

I can't do the mini-pill because it makes me insane. So, since I'm still nursing, we're using NFP. Before I got pregnant, I was on Yasmine.

[aly321]

I hate BC and the issues that are related with it. I am not good at remembering a pill, so after each of my pregnancies I have had the Mirena IUD. LOOOOOOOVE it!! No remembering to take a pill, no mood problems, NO period (if there is any it is a little spotting for a day or two)!! I have also had no problems getting pregnant after it is taken out. I don't think I will EVER do anything else!

[Shawna]

I've taken several kinds of BCP over the years including OTC and Ortho-Evra (patch) and they all made me a moody pyscho woman and also breakthrough spotting throughout the month. I had a tubal a little over 2yrs ago and that really screwed with my cycle and I have lots of extremely crazy irrational moments where the tiniest thing totally sets me off. So I don't technically need BCP's but I know I need to do something before my DH decides to make me go stay somewhere else for a week or so every month lol! I'm way overdue for my yearly (even my insurance co. sent me a reminder) but I have to find a new Dr since my awesome ob/gyn retired from her practice so I've been putting it off.

[4noisyboys]

I'm on Loestrin24Fe.....NOT the generic either...but the real thing. Cost me a pretty penny each month, but so worth it. I'm on it for hormonal reasons...and I can tell you, my family is very happy that I'm on it. Without it, I'm a ... well, a super crabby person!

[emmasmommy]

OTC is the devil. I swear. It was NOTHING but problems for me or my family. I switched to Nuvaring before I got pregnant with Madelyn and besides the dryness down there (sorry, TMI), I loved it. I didn't have to worry about taking a pill every day and it was so much less hassle.

DH had a vasectomy for my Valentine's Day present this year *giggle* so as of now, I'm on nothing...and seriously have never been happier.

[Nikki Epperson]

I'd love something to help with my mood. DH always knows before when it's time, lol!!!
I got my tubes tied when I had Colton, so I'm not really worried about birth control, but my PMS is horrible!

[Megan Turnidge]

I'm surprised to hear how many people had problems with OTC... because it's always been the first thing my OBGYNs have suggested/prescribed.

[MelindaH]

I have Mirena, so I doubt they would prescribe me Yaz now to deal with the PMDD, but I have a feeling I have this. Except my cycles are unpredictable now that I have my IUD and so I never know when I'm going to be a grouchy, moody queen B. Unfortunately, I am at that point right now, and I hate myself for it. I took my kids shopping tonight and my 5 year old disappeared, and seriously I was so mad at her for disappearing that if it weren't illegal (in some way... neglect I suppose) I would have left her there in the store. I knew it wasn't rational to leave her there, but man did I want to. I have a voice in my head telling me that I'm overreacting and being irrational, but I feel like I can't control it. I tell my kids to get away from me, and then want to cry because I don't want them around me.

I hate myself when I'm like this, and since I have Mirena I don't know what they'd do for me. I don't know which doctor I'd even talk to for it, and feel stupid for even asking because maybe it's just the way I am. But when you can realize you are being irrational but can't shut it off ... ? I don't know. Are women just naturally psycho at this time of month and we're just supposed to deal with it like that one doctor told a previous poster on here? Is it wrong of us to want a medication to deal with it, and we should find a different way to deal with it?

Wow, sorry .... opened up a can of worms in my brain I guess. But I guess since I'm feeling this way right now it's on my mind.

[DawnMarch]

I had good luck with Yasmine which I took for quite a while. I switched to Mirena recently, but it made my hair get all brittle and fall out (among other unpleasant side effects), so I had it taken out. I might go back on Yasmine.

[MamaBee]

Originally Posted by Libby Weifenbach

Anyway, I know Yaz isn't for everyone, and it's not meant to treat mild PMS. .

LOL, Libby!!! When you mentioned Yaz, that ladies voice popped into my head saying that... LOL!

I come from a family history of breast cancer, so my dr has recommended that I need to be on a BC... but I, too, hate OTC... but was put on it because I have high cholesteral... and I really bad at remembering to take it, been really lucky that I've had only one kiddo, and he was planned. Haven't done the patch... allergic to the adhesive... haven't done anything that required something inserted or put under the skin... *shutter*

I'll have to ask about yaz... I just figured I was in a "phase" (like when you have kiddos) and it would pass. But this phase has been lasting 2 years...

[glumirk]

Has anyone used Ortho Tricyclen-Lo? That's what I was on before we decided to have kids, and it worked really well. In fact, when I went off of it I remembered all of the random crying and horrible cramping. I had completely forgotten how crazy I got!

There was an issue with our insurance not paying for it and there wasn't a specific generic brand for Ortho-Lo so I had to go to my Dr. to get a generic prescription with similar dosages, and I didn't notice a difference. I used to get Ortho-Lo for $20 through the school pharmacy, but they decided to stop offering such great discounts, and it went up to like $56 a month. Insurance paid for generic, so we didn't mind and I didn't notice a difference. Also, we got pregnant the 2nd month off of the pill, so it didn't seem to do any lasting damage like I was afraid of (I had heard horror stories about BC ruining your chances to have kids). We'll see how this kid turns out!

[Megan Turnidge]

Originally Posted by glumirk

Has anyone used Ortho Tricyclen-Lo? That's what I was on before we decided to have kids, and it worked really well. In fact, when I went off of it I remembered all of the random crying and horrible cramping. I had completely forgotten how crazy I got!

There was an issue with our insurance not paying for it and there wasn't a specific generic brand for Ortho-Lo so I had to go to my Dr. to get a generic prescription with similar dosages, and I didn't notice a difference. I used to get Ortho-Lo for $20 through the school pharmacy, but they decided to stop offering such great discounts, and it went up to like $56 a month. Insurance paid for generic, so we didn't mind and I didn't notice a difference. Also, we got pregnant the 2nd month off of the pill, so it didn't seem to do any lasting damage like I was afraid of (I had heard horror stories about BC ruining your chances to have kids). We'll see how this kid turns out!

I was on that too for a time before I got pregnant and I'm pretty sure it affected me in the same kind of way.

[lauren grier]

I was on ortho tri forever ago- and I do remember it making me kinda insane, I wasn't on it long though ( I got pg). I think that the reason it's harder on you is because of the phases of the hormones etc.

anyway, I'm on the generic of loestrin (I think. I am going brain dead atm).. it's microgestin-- there are two different ones though, the one that makes people crazy, and the one I am on hahaha.. anyway. it's constant hormone levels and like I was saying I think that is really what helps.. straight across same dose until your week off. and.. it's only $7 a month for me.. ^_^ score. There are a gabillion different options obviously.. so.. hopefully your dr has some good suggestions.

[lauren grier]

oh also.. the nice thing about the loestrins/microgestins is that they have several different dosage options with them.. so you could try a low dose one.. or a higher dose one etc.

[Libby Pritchett]

Originally Posted by MamaBee

LOL, Libby!!! When you mentioned Yaz, that ladies voice popped into my head saying that... LOL!

HA! I was wondering if anyone caught that. I was totally cracking up saying it in that lady's voice, too.

[Megan Turnidge]

So, just wanted to update and THANK you for the advice, ladies. I went in today and after I told her how OTC was affecting me, she immediately suggested Yaz. haha... I hope it gets me feeling back to normal.

[Libby Pritchett]

Oh good!!! I hope you have as much luck with it as I've had. My husband is a huge fan of Yaz.

[Ainwena]

This is a great post! I thought I was the only psycho on Ortho Tri, but it is good to hear that others were/are having the same issue. I might try Yaz too now-sounds ALOT better!

[Megan Turnidge]

Originally Posted by Libby Weifenbach

My husband is a huge fan of Yaz.

My hubby is definitely not a fan of OTC... I asked him the other day why he never just comes up and gives me hugs anymore... He said because I always tell him to go away and I never want him to touch me. How sad is that?! I'm actually excited to switch to Yaz. lol

[mormishmom]

I considered Yaz after having JT, but decided BC just wasn't for me. I really don't like anything messing with me hormonally and all the side effects freak me out LOL After we're done having kids I'm really considering a IUC. I think they have non-hormonal ones. Right? This is a great thread to find out all the options out there. I sometimes feel like OBGYNS get comfortable with one type of BC and then they become almost like pushers and they don't give you all info/options.

BTW - I just saw a commercial last night about a class action suit against Yaz. Anyone know anything about it?