Had to stop taking Yasmin

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-05-2004
Had to stop taking Yasmin
6
Mon, 07-31-2006 - 1:17pm
Friends--I wanted to share with you my recent experience with Yasmin--not to scare anyone away from trying it, but just to let those of you who are reacting poorly to it that you are not alone. I am 42-years-old and began taking Yasmin for birth control, I had to stop taking Yasmin after six weeks (a pack and a half). I had been on Ortho 777 for about 20 years and over time began experiencing severe PMS symptoms for 14 days per month. So, the doc switched me to Yasmin. I had severe diarrhea for the entire six weeks and lost eight pounds that I didn't need to lose. I am normally trim, fit, and health conscious. I looked and felt so very ill. I had no appetite and was nauseated all of the time. By the last few days, I was experiencing panic attacks at night. I was extremely dehydrated, my skin was dry and lips were chapped. By the second pack of pills, the veins in my lower left leg began to pop out, and I was experiencing a warm sensation along the side of my shin--not warm to the touch, but warm from the inside out. After one final night of violent diarrhea and anxiety, I threw out the pills. After the first pack I phoned the doc's office and the nurse told me that it usually takes two to three months for a woman's body to adjust to a new pill. But these side effects were much too much to handle. Now that I've been off of them for a few days, my appetite is back, BMs coming back to normal, and I feel like a fog has been lifted from my brain. Not sure if it was the drug itself or the dehydration, but I was so listless and out of it. I'm coming back to my normal self, and I am very grateful for it. No more artificial hormones for me; my body needs to heal. Old fashioned condoms, spermicide, and hope that my 42-year-old ovaries are petering out!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 07-31-2006 - 2:25pm

Hi camilisa, welcome back!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2006
Mon, 07-31-2006 - 4:04pm

Doesn't Yasmin have spirolactolone in it? I can't take that because it acts like a diuretic and can mess with electrolytes. I have heart arrythmias that are very sensitive to changes in those salts and minerals.

I guess it what I am saying is it might not have been the estrogen/progesterone part of it. It may have been the spirolactolone (sp?).

I may be totally off here, but it is one of the pills my cardiologist told me to stay away from.

Lucky

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2006
Mon, 07-31-2006 - 4:11pm

I just looked it up. The progestin is made from spironolactone instead of testosterone.

That's what makes Yasmin different.

Lucky

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-31-2006
Mon, 07-31-2006 - 4:57pm

Hi,

I'm 46 years old and have been on Yaz for 2 months now. I feel much better since switching over. I was having frequent headaches and realized the other day that I can't remember the last time I had a headache! Must be the Yaz. I haven't had any other symptoms, good or bad.

Good luck!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2002
Mon, 07-31-2006 - 8:36pm

I'm 34. For several years I took OTC but then had to switch to Yasmin for insurance reasons. It turned out to be good for me. I am bipolar, and I have been less moody since switching to Yasmin.

Express!
Beth "Petrouchka"

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-05-2004
Tue, 08-01-2006 - 10:10am
Thanks everyone for replying! I'm sure Yasmin works wonders for many people. I just wanted to share with you how it whacked me out big time. I think it was the diuretic property of Yasmin that messed up my electrolytes. Cami L.