Major Patch Problems - Please Help!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2003
Major Patch Problems - Please Help!
4
Fri, 05-07-2004 - 5:48pm
Hello all!

I have been on the patch for 3 weeks, and took it off this morning. Two times this past week, my right arm muscles started to spasm (I thought I was having a stroke) down to my thumb and my index finger - to the point where it felt broken, and brought me to a panic attack (both times). My muscles would be really hard, and buldging out (like a charlie horse) and lasted for hours. The area around the patch started to itch like crazy, and now feels like I have a burn in that area. Some people said I could have been allergic to it. I don't know. Yesterday, also, I have been having some very, dark brown discharge. So, I thought maybe it was my period, coming early???? Today I even had to wear a tampon it was so heavy. I feel very bloated, and huge. I also think I may be pregnant. (I have two children already, so I'm just getting that "feeling".) I took a test last week, and it looked as if there was a light pink line in the "pregnant" window. So, I figured I would wait awhile to retest. Does anyone think this "brown stuff" is my period coming early? My period has never been like this before. Anyone else experience the muscle spasms? It was very scary, especially when it brings me to a panic attack. I freaked, and thought I could feel blood clots. It drove me insane, obviously. So, since I just got off the IUD for 5 years, and have been on the pill twice (with 2 children as a result), what birth control do you suggest? Is Seasonal a pill you take every 3 months? Cause maybe I will try that one, but I think I need a lower dosage of the hormones, because I'm not reacting well. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading.

Heidi


Edited 5/7/2004 6:00 pm ET ET by hls1977

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 05-07-2004 - 6:09pm

Hi Heidi,


I'm not sure what to tell you about the muscle spasm, except that you should call your gynecologist or clinic about this before starting next month's patches.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2003
Fri, 05-07-2004 - 6:40pm
Thank you marrymeflyfree! That was a lot of great info.

I did forget to add the fact that I did in fact change where I was placing the patch. Only once was it actually on my right arm (where the pain is). As for getting pregnant on the pill, I actually never did miss a pill, and was not on any medication at the time. That's why I just feel like I'm meant to have children. I feel very fertile. Also, the light pink line was there within 3 minutes. I will never read it as time goes on, because I do know it changes while it sits. That is a mistake a lot of women make, too. Because I was on the IUD for so long, I really am just looking for some BC that's not high maintenance. The ring doesn't sound like something I'd want to do. I loved not thinking about the IUD at all. -but it had to be taken out because I had non-stop periods for 3 months straight.

Thank you so much for all your info, your hand must hurt from typing so much. It is greatly appreciated though.

Heidi

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2004
Wed, 05-12-2004 - 11:48pm
It sounds as though you and I have a lot in common. I have had problem after problem with the pill. I've never been on an IUD but have thought about it. I was on the pill and like you, I have a beautiful little girl as a result. Anyway, seems like I've had one reaction or another to every kind of pill made so I thought I'd give the patch a try as soon as it came out. I was on it for about a year with slight spotting in the beginning. As long as you change it every week on the same day, you should be fine. After 11 mos of being on it, I started "twitching" but just kind of ignored it. A couple of days after applying a new patch, the area (I normally put it on my lower abdomen and switched sides every week) that I applied it to started getting itchy, hot and you could see around the outside of the patch that it was red. I left it on as long as I could, which was about 3 days and finally took it off. My skin was red and scaley underneath and BURNED!!! I applied a new patch to the other side and it was ok for about a day. I did this with 4 different patches (even put them on my butt and shoulder) out of 2 different boxes and had the same reaction to each. I finally went to the Dr and he told me that for some reason it was burning me, which was obvious but didn't make any sense after I'd been on it for 11 mos with no reaction what so ever. Anyway, he changed my script and put me on Seasonal, which I like but I have found this too, has some side effects, for me anyway. I'm just finishing up my 1st pack and have about 2 weeks left. Everything was good the first month, second month I became a little irritated and the 3rd month my boyfriend is irritating like no one else!!! I have become moody on other pills before so I know that's what's causing it. The other thing is that I've gained about 5-8 lbs in the past couple of months which is something I did not experience with any other the other pills I have been on. My cousin is on Seasonal also, she's about a month or two ahead of me and she loves it and has not had any problems, weight gain or moodiness. I would give it a try. After 3 mos you will know whether you like it or not. I have not had any spotting or anything like that, which I normally end up with when I start a differnet brand of pills.

Hope this helps!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2004
Thu, 05-13-2004 - 5:13pm
I am saying this as a total lay person when it comes to the pill...First, you are definately allergic to the adhesive or something on the patch, I don't know about the twitching though. Second, as someone who constantly was charting, taking temps etc while trying to conceive, I think you are prego. The line on the test is a big thumbs up to me, but also you have two kids, you know how it feels and you feel fertile. And it's happened before :) SO good luck with what ever is going to happen! :)