Thinking about stopping the pill

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-22-2006
Thinking about stopping the pill
3
Wed, 07-19-2006 - 2:35pm

Hi everyone!

I've been on OTC for almost two years now. Initially, I started taking it, because I knew I was going to be sexually active soon, and also, I had a bit of acne I wanted to get under control, and I heard that going on the pill helped this.

Well, I no longer am in a relationship, nor do I intend on getting back into one any time soon, and have no real reason to be on the pill except for the fact, I would like to keep my skin clear.

The thing is, I've noticed a few things about the pill that I don't like. The first one is that ever since starting it, I've been having very wierd and vivid dreams, that disrupt my sleep. I find that especially during the last week of active pills, I don't sleep that well. I also notice that the pill makes me intolerant to certain foods, ones that I had no problem eating before. I've also gained some weight while being on the pill, and am having a hard time losing it while I'm staying on it.

I think another huge thing I've noticed is that I just feel very BLAH most of the time. I can really feel it during the last week of the active pills. I feel run down, and tired, and lifeless. Not to mention the fact, I have mood swings, and get headaches.

So I guess all those bads outweigh the one good! I might just try using a really good facial cleanser, to see if it keeps my acne under control while I go off the pill. But then again, I'd like to know if you think it's a good idea to see if things improve with me if I go off of it? I'd really like to see, because then if I need to go back on birth control again, I can weigh my options and perhaps discuss a better alternative to the pill.

Thanks for your help!

Vicky

image

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 07-19-2006 - 4:14pm

Hi earispointy, welcome!


      Jill

    

Avatar for balletkat
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-13-2005
Wed, 07-19-2006 - 4:19pm

Talk to your dr. He/she could put you on a different form of the pill that might not cause the vivid dreams, sleep disruptions, etc. Even if you think your side effect is "no big deal", it is a big deal when YOU are the one having to deal with it, so don't let the dr do the whole dr thing of brushing it off and telling you that you are imagining the whole issue. You have pretty specific times in the cycle of when you are feeling certian ways, your dr needs to know this information to help you best.

Mary

Mary

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2006
Wed, 07-19-2006 - 5:01pm

Hi,

BCP's and pregnancy are the only things that kept my acne under control. I have cystic acne and never broke out while on the pill or while pregnant/nursing. I'm 40 and just recently started BCP's again. If they don't work, I will try Accutane in the fall.

Try switching pills.

Good luck,

Lucky