The Mini-pill, one woman's horror story

[AZMomof4]

So I started the mini-pill in October and have finally realized that it took over my life in a horrible, horrible way.  I had trouble in the past with traditional BC pills getting migraines and visual disturbances.  Then, with my ex, came fertility treatment so I didn't have to worry about it.  But when my new hubby and I got pregnant on our first try WITH TWINS, I knew BC would become an issue again.

My doctor suggested the mini-pill as estrogen is the likely cause of the migraines and I figured it would be a viable option.  My first choice was the IUD but my insurance wouldn't cover any of the almost $1000 cost.

I don't know why I didn't make the correlation between the immediate and drastic changes in my mood, my appearance and my general well-being.  I had known that my PMS and other menstrual symptoms changed after each time I gave birth.  Plus I figured having twins, my age, my homesickness, the death of two close family members, returning to being an at-home mom after leaving a job I enjoyed and the general stress of a new marriage and going from a mother of 2 to a mother of 4, losing a hard fought for figure, etc. contributed to my constant crappy mood.  And I am sure all those factors played a roll but I feel like I have come out of a nightmare in the few short days since finally realizing what that pill was doing to me and consequently the ones I love.

It all reached a crescendo after 5 months of being nasty to my children, having no energy, having a horrible sand paper rash on my arms and legs, and berating my poor husband for the littlest thing at least 4 days out of every month that I made the connection.  I have to attribute my DH for drawing the line to make me realize what was happening.  He had a hard battle to fight and I was pretty darn ticked off at him in the process, but he did the right thing and proved to me how strong our love really is.

The last time I took the last "active" pill in the pack I nearly lost my mind.  There were some times during those days that I actually thought I might need to be committed.  I am typically not a negative individual but the world has never looked that bleak to me.  I was threatening to leave the man I love more than anyone (over the age of 7 anyway) and take our children!  It was insane; I was insane. 

Within 3 days of stopping the pill, I lost 8 lbs w/o changing any of my eating, drinking, workout habits, the rash that has plagued my skin for months despite changing detergents, moisturizers, soap, etc. is almost gone, I get up and do the things that need to be done w/o hating every minute of it, I am laughing with my kids and each day the fog is lifting a bit more.  I commented to my DH this weekend, that I had forgotten what it felt like to be myself.  I am sleeping way better.  It is amazing.  

I will be returning to the doctor in a few weeks to discuss other BC options.  My DH is willing to plop down the $1K for the IUD but now I am nervous about that too.  I hate to spend that kind of money only to have my body reject it or something.  Today I am going to look in to the diaphragm.  I know I am not the only one who experienced these extreme side-effects, I did a lot of research.  So, if you know anyone who is in a similar situation, please let them know, it might not be postpartum depression, it might be the pill.   

[Kechara]

Apr. 3, 2007 at 12:19 PM I was in a similar situation with the Depo shot....... It caused me to have very similar side effects as the one's you had.......Plus it caused me to bleed to some degree for 3 weeks out of every month!!!!!!!!!! Right now I'm trying to decided what form of birth control to use......... long term.............  

[kater]

Apr. 3, 2007 at 2:10 PM

i am so glad to be rid of the birth control crap.  both dh & i got the snip and we have honestly not had an angry fight in four years.  we get ticked.  we disagree.  but we don't get MAD-screaming-fury-my-god-why-did-i-just-say-that angry anymore.  because once i got going i'd just nip and nag at him until he started up too.  it wasn't until a couple weeks after the surgery that i realized i wasn't screaming all the time anymore.

 

long term birth countrol...with four kids....

the snip.