ALLERGIC TO BIRTH CONTROL???

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-03-2006
ALLERGIC TO BIRTH CONTROL???
4
Mon, 12-04-2006 - 2:18pm
I am 19 years old have been on birth control for five years for the sole purpose of hormonal control. Without birth control (BC), I have constant periods, unbearable cramps, and very sore, swollen breasts. For the first two years of BC, I was prescribed the pill; when I eventually began throwing up constantly, I was bounced from one type of pill to another to try different levels of estrogen until my gynecologist offered a new approach. I then began with the patch method of BC. I remained on BC in that manner until a few weeks ago.
After three years of being on 'the patch' without any sort of reaction, I began (a week ago) getting chills throughout the day. I developed a severe burning sensation followed by an itchy rash around the area that I place my patch. The very evening that the burning sensation developed, I became VERY nauseated and had debilitating cramps worse than I have ever experienced. From 2:30AM until 9:00AM, I had severe fits of vomiting and dry heaves. It wasn't until I removed the patch that, 45 minutes later, all of the symptoms ceased.
Two days thereafter, I started my period and have had it now for NINE DAYS. My gynecologist doesn't know what to think.
I am a healthy, active young adult, I exercise (but don't overdo it), eat right (omnivorous, 5'2", 105lbs, once-a-day Centrum multi-vitamin), abstain from drinking and drugs, and am on no other medications. Granted, I am at college and have my fair share of stress, but I am grounded in faith and don't let myself become exhausted or pull all-nighters. What could possibly be the cause of all of this?? I've prayed for answers, but have come up with none. Am I the only one who has ever had this problem????
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2005
Mon, 12-04-2006 - 4:09pm
haven't heard of symptoms as severe as yours but I'm no expert.I have heard of girls having to switch pills because of throwing up and such.I hope you find some relief and a method that works for you....
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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 12-04-2006 - 6:20pm

Hi nichole87, welcome!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2006
Tue, 12-05-2006 - 12:25am

We are in the same boat! I'm 21 and have had almost the exact same symptoms you've mentioned. I was okay on the pill in high school (my mom and sister have a history of ovarian cysts, so the gynoco. recommended I go on the pill for prevention). I was okay the first couple of years, but developed anxiety-like symptoms. I felt nervous, shaky, nausiated, irratable. I would have dry-heaves but never actually throw up. I went off the pill for about a year, and my period became horrible again, my skin got bad and so I tried a different kind of pill. Mood swings and the whole package of symptoms came back again. I have tried 5 different pills and the patch. No matter what nothing works without consequences that get in the way with every-day life!

This is an annoying problem, I know, and I wish I had some advice. I'm actually about to go to the doctor tomorrow to try some other sort of pill with different hormones (Yaz and Yasmin have a different synthetic hormone than other common pills ie: orthotricycline, othronovum, etc.). I'll have to let you know if anything works! I'm hoping for some sort of miracle.

I'm not sure if it's an allergy, or more so just our bodies not responding well to the different hormones. Sensitive stomaches?? I dont know!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 12-05-2006 - 9:40am

Hi lovesethan, welcome!


      Jill