HELP - on BCP w/possible preg. symptoms!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2004
HELP - on BCP w/possible preg. symptoms!
6
Thu, 06-10-2004 - 3:18pm
I am hoping that someone here can help me out! I have been on BCP for 5 years (Ortho-Tricyclen for the last 2-3 years). Last month my bbs got incredibly sore & tender (also sensitive nipples - sorry TMI) about 2 1/2 weeks BEFORE AF was due. They also ached. I had some cramping during that time & thought for sure that I might be preg. However, AF showed up - it was shorter & pretty light. My bbs got better during AF, but the same feelings came back again at the same exact time in my cycle this month. Normally, my bbs get sore about a week before AF, but this is different - they hurt when I walk, when I even just lay on my side in bed - it is so bad. I have been on antibiotics since right after AF ended last month. DH & I didn't use another form of protection & turns out that we did it on my most fertile days - according to the ovulation calculators - of course, that is if I ovulated. I never really knew much about all of this. I am expecting AF on 6/16 & this waiting is killing me. After researching all of this it seems impossible that the pain in my bbs is related to preg since it has started before my 'fertile time'. Could it be that my BCP aren't effective & I am ovulating? I would understand it was b/c of the antibiotics, but this also happened before I was on them. I have also been incredibly sick to my stomach today. Also something else weird is that I have always been a big chocolate eater - last month I didn't crave it at all & I haven't this month either. This is VERY strange for me. I would appreciate anyone's input. By the way, I am planning on making an appointment with the doc after AF comes (or doesn't) this month. I really would love to be preg, but it is also terrifying at the same time!

Thanks - sorry that this is so long!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2004
Thu, 06-10-2004 - 4:26pm
Bump. Bump. Bump. Someone please help!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2000
Thu, 06-10-2004 - 5:48pm
Antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills, but they don't necessarily always do so. Most pharmacists and doctors recommend using a backup whenever you are taking antibiotics, and for at least 7 days after your last dose.

Your symptoms could be PMS. PMS symptoms can vary from month to month, depending on your stress level, what you eat, any number of factors. I'll have breast pain when the air pressure and tempreture drop really quickly.

Unfortunately, no one here can tell you if you are pregnant or not. It's something that will just take time.

(BTW, you only waited a short time between your first post and your "bump" post. We're all just regular people, with regular lives, and sometimes it can take a while to get a response. Trust me, we all love to help. We post when we can. Really urgent questions should be directed to a health professional.)

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2003
Fri, 06-11-2004 - 1:01pm
Yours sympotms seem a lot like I had when I became pregnant.

If I were you I would take a pregnancy test to be sure. I also had my period, but it was very light and short so I knew something was different. It could also be that the antibiotic changed your cycle a bit therefore, changing your pms for a while.

Sarah
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2004
Fri, 06-11-2004 - 2:12pm
Thanks for your input! I took one test, but I took it WAY too early - about a week and a 1/2 before AF was due last month. I am just waiting, waiting, waiting to see what happens. I had to change my BCP pills once before, but that time I was having break through bleeding. I have never experienced anything like this. I am anxious to know the cause. :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2004
Fri, 06-11-2004 - 2:16pm
Thanks for the info. Sorry about the bump - I was just overly anxious for someone to give me advice/input. I know that no one - doctor included - can truthfully tell me what is going on & whether or not I am preg, but I wanted to see if anyone else had experienced the same thing & how their situation turned out. I have had virtually the same PMS symptoms for as long as I can remember, but this is new for me.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2004
Fri, 06-11-2004 - 2:21pm
Hi honeycuttc,

If it makes you feel any better, I've experienced the same types of symptoms as you on the pill - especially tender breasts. Mine also tend to get tender during the same time of the month, each month. It's not quite as unbearable at all as you describe yours to be, but they are still noticeably more painful than at other times of the month. I'm just saying - there can definitely be other causes of painful breasts than pregnancy.

As for a "fertile time" on bcps, even if you did ovulate while on the pill, your fertile time would probably not be "mid-cycle" as women who are not on the pill do. It would be difficult to tell when you would actually ovulate. I know that this info doesn't necessarily help with your concerns so much, but it's probably something important to know. The best way for you to detect whether or not you are ovulating is to do a combination of charting your basal body temps, checking the consistency and quality of your cervical fluid, and checking your cervical position.

Bottom line, don't start worrying until you really feel you have to. You still have another few days until AF should show up so just try to keep in mind that there are a host of other factors that could be producing your pregnancy "symptoms." I know it's tough though. And take it from someone who overanalyzes EVERY symptom . . .try not to do it! You'll notice things that aren't even really happening and you'll drive yourself crazy.

Hope this helps!

Kristina