BC pills.. should I just stop taking them?

Woohoo! Another topic on female issues. :D Perhaps a little on the icky side, just a warning.

A little history on my problemo:

• I've had a problem with my period since I first got it. It starts, goes on, gives me a day off, and continues to bleed for 3+ months. (And then I get another day off! Woohoo.. x_x)

•  Been to loads and loads of doctors. Blood tests have been done, aside from low iron levels in the past (which have been taken care of) nothin' is wrong. My hormones are just funky.

• Been on 3 different pills before this one. None of them have ever completely worked. 

So now my current doctor has put me on Yas, which stops the bleeding. That's great, right? Well, now I'm having other problems.. My emotions are all messed up! I'm being mean to my family, I don't feel like myself with my friends, I don't want to be with people, and every night before I go to bed I feel depressed and sad for no good reason. I really, really, really don't like feeling this way everyday.

Unfortunately for me, I can't go to the doctor and change pills until next week on the 11th or 12th. I just hate feeling this way, which brings me to my question..

Should I just stop taking the pills? Yes, this does mean I'll start bleeding again, but my emotions would improve, and I'd feel more like myself again. Or do you think it'd be best if I just did my best to stay on it for one last week?

I should probably also note I am not sexually active, not planning on being sexually active if that makes any difference to anyone's answer. :3

I suggest stop taking them immediately if they are having that much of an effect on you.  Have you been to an Endocrinologist?  I'm no doctor by any means but it sounds like you may have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome).  My sister has it but she's the reverse, she gets no periods, or just a few a year, however some people with PCOS can have extremely long periods that last for weeks or months.  A couple of other friends of mine also have this.  The name sounds scarier than the condition and it's treatable, getting tested for it to rule it out is my suggestion.  Since you're not sexually active i'm assuming the bc pills is mostly for trying to control your periods but until you find out what exactly the problem is they won't be of much help and may only harm you by messing with your already delicate hormone imbalance.  Good luck! 

Crouss05 gives great advice.

Did you mean Yaz?  I'm currently on it and just started about two weeks ago.  I don't seem to be experiencing any issues with it thus far but I've heard people have gotten really bad mood swings on it.  Everyone is different.

Best of luck to you :]

That was pretty good advice from crouss. How long have you been on YAZ? I would stay on if its only been a little while, and see if your emotions even out as your body gets used to the meds. Try some St.Johns Wort to take the edge off your emotions. Good Luck!

I stopped taking birth control three years ago because my doctor and I couldn't find one that agreed with my body.  My periods would become worse - both heavier and longer.  I continued to have cramps.  I gained about 40 pounds, breasts grew until they had stretch marks (before the 40 pound gain).  We decided I could live without taking them.  Some women are just more sensitive to hormones.  I decided my body could work things out for itself.  I've felt much more like me since I made that decision.

I'm on Yaz as well, and although I tend to get moody, I believe that's because of other aspects of my life.  I started out with the depro shot, but heard it can cause weight gain so I switched to Yaz. Then after dealing with relationship problems, I could never snap out of a bad mood if my life depended on it...so I thought maybe trying another birth control would help and I switched to LoEstrin.  I didn't notice any difference in mood so I went back to Yaz.  I don't know if anything I just said helped in anyway, but what I'm trying to conclude is that maybe your bad mood is something else going on in your life?  Are you positive it's the BC?

Aight, well, I talked to mom and we got it settled: I'm going to the doctor tomorrow and getting my pills switched. :D Woohoo!

crouss05 - Thanks for your advice. I think I've actually already been tested for PCOS. I'm not entirely sure, but if I haven't, I'll ask my doc about it tomorrow. Thanks for bringing that up. :]

makettle - I've only been on it for one full month and a week, and my emotions have gotten increasingly worse.

bucketofglitter4 - Naw.. It's kind of like.. you know when you're PMSing right? When you step back after you've reacted and look at what you said/did, you know that's not entirely "you" at that moment? That's kind of how it is. It's like I'm PMSing and having extreme mood swings. I'm actually a pretty peaceful gal, and I can really handle my emotions well on a usual day, but since I've started Yaz, I just can't handle my emotions. @_@ There's really nothing that's wrong with my current life situation, it's pretty good.

Anywho, I think the case is closed now. (Assuming the doctor listens to me and switches me over to something else.) Thanks for your replies, you guys! :D

I have PCOS and I have the same reaction to birth control pills but only during the first week.  I think maybe, you might just have to wait it out.  It is a battle to find a birth control but nothing can be worse than bleeding 3+ months in a row. My period was coming twice a month before I was diagnosed. But regardless, give your body a chance to adjust.  Good luck.

I had the same "constant PMS" when I was on a certain BC, but not with others.  If its bothering you that bad that you can't wait til the 12th, I'd stop taking it.  Hopefully your doc can find something you can take with less side effect.  It sucks, doesn't it??

Edit to add:  Oh I see you are going to the doc sooner. Yay!  Good luck :)

Original Post by kaybug:

... but my emotions would improve, and I'd feel more like myself again....

That is quite an assumption that you would feel like yourself again.

Call the doc's office & ask to speak to a nurse and ask her that question.  I'd hate to think of you making it worse.

Kaybug...

I recently stopped taking Yaz (had been on it a little less than a year)...everyone around me told me that I just wasnt myself.  I experienced the same things you did, the sadness, the meanness.  I would get completely annoyed with people for no good reason.  it was a miserable way to be - like you said - everyday.  When the 4th person told me that I just seemed like a dark cloud was following me around - I stopped cold turkey.  I had an appt with my doctor the following month - she told me I did the best thing for my body - "listen to the signs" she said.  You ARE messing with mother nature by changing your natural hormonal balance.  I am no doctor, either, jst sharing what I have gone through and what my doctor told me.

Since I quit - I am back to myself, lighter moods, fun and not so moody.

It sounds as though your first responder might be on track with a possibile problem you might be experiencing.  Couldnt hurt to ask when you have your appointment and get tested.

Good Luck -
Carla