BC question - Bad side effects - everyone's thoughts?

My2Beauties wrote: As some of you may know I have had problems with past BC pills my Gyno has prescribed to me, so I'm no newbie to BC pill side effects. I'm thinking maybe stop taking BC all together, but everyone let me know if these are common side effects from your experience or if this could be something else, or if they are all unrelated. Sorry if some of this is TMI......

Symptom #1: OK this is something that is bugging me, I have been on BC ever since I was 15 years old, with the exception of the 4 months prior to me conceiving Hanna and while preggo. The first few years (until I was 22, so 7 years, I took Alesse, this worked fine for me, perfectly fine, never had problems. After I had Hanna the doctor put me on Yasmin, if any of you can remember, I was having severe mood swings, depression, headaches, you name it I had it with these BC pills, I contacted my gyno and she switched me to Ovcon. OK, no mood swings, no depression, feel great as far as that is concerned, no headaches - AT FIRST, but lately I have had a headache everyday for the past month at least, if not longer than that. They aren't migraines, they are very dull headaches and at first they were going away with simple Excedrin, Advil, or Tylenol, but the past few days nothing I take helps me So, a side effect from BC or something I should have checked out? Whaddya think? Second thing within this same BC question - throughout the time in my life that I have been on BC, I have never just skipped one pill and had AF show up again or even spotted for that matter, especially when I skipped just a week or so after AF left town. Well this past Saturday, I just got off AF a week prior to this, I had called in my prescription for my BC pills, but I got busy and forgot to pick them up, until it was time to take them that night and by that time the pharmacy was closed. So I picked them up Sunday and proceeded as normal, I didn't double up because I have found with the new BC pills Ovcon that I take when I double up I get deathly sick! So I just went along as normal, which I have done before with these pills, never had a problem, but this time on Sunday night, during um....mine and DH "session" I started bleeding and it was bad! Like a normal AF, I bled bad that night, didn't do anything the next day, well barely anything, started again that night, spotting again, but sort of heavy spotting and onto Tuesday afternoon. Haven't done anything since late Tuesday evening, just last night. I know the package says you can "spot" when you miss a pill, but this was something I have never done, not even with these pills especially since I had just got off my period, if I was close to AF again, say a couple days away and I skipped a pill I would suspect I may start to bleed again - but one week later ?? Opinions???

Symptom #2: this is where you may hear TMI - but hey we're all friends right ? I don't know if this is tied to BC pills at all which is why I left it seperate - For the past year or so I have been battling with ongoing stomach problems. People wonder why I am so thin - well I use the bathroom on average 2-3 times a day, sometimes 4-5 and sometimes maybe only 1-2, but on average I do "#2" atleast 3 times a day. Here is the thing, it's not really a problem that I go so much it just means I have a good digestive system, except I ask this because the majority of the time it's diarrhea! I get the Big "D" at least 3-4 times out of a 7 day week. It's awful and it's that "gotta go right now" type thing, I can't hold it. It's been getting worse the past few months, either that or I have just noticed it more because Brian is concerned about it. On numerous occassions we have had to leave places early because of my "bathroom issues!" My dad is also really concerned, I just do not think it's healthy for everything to be going right through me! When I eat, I poop I have always been small which I attributed it to for the first few years when it was an average 1-2 times a day thing and it wasn't the big "D" but lately there is just no excuse for this. I have stopped eating all the fast good junk I consumed in the past here lately, I've been cooking almost every single night and bringing my lunch to work each day, because I thought maybe it was my diet - no change! I'm doing it just as much! Anyone ever heard of BC pills causing bowel movement probs? My mom thinks I need to have an US done on my stomach and even maybe further testing because she thinks it may be IBS, I don't know much about it and haven't had time to really research it, but my aunt has it, my grandpa has it, is it hereditary, anyone know? I had a friend who had it and her BM's seemed much more painful to me, she was literally doubled over and she had both, she would have bouts of constipation and diarrhea, I just have the latter !!!

I don't know what to think of all this, I've missed some work over the stomach issues and the headache issues really scare me, it seems like nomatter what BC I take I get headaches with it, and maybe this isn't the BC pills but something else. I know someone who let mild headaches like this go and when they got worse and worse they would just give her migraine medication and send her on her way, she ended up having a really terrible seizure from her headaches and they didn't do anything to find the cause until after the seizure. I'm just wondering if this is a concern, what can you say to your doctor so they don't just give me some headache medicine and send me on my way - I don't want to have to take meds to control headaches. I am not under any stress honestly, I don't let things stress me too too much, I get a good amount of sleep, I eat ok, not the best but I eat decent meals, I don't know what this could be stemming from! I am just scared about all of this! My boss is not the most understanding person when it comes to time off, but I have let her know about the issues I am concerned with and she suggested intermittent FMLA which helps, at least she is trying to make strides toward understanding it more. Not to mention, Brian's insurance doesn't kick in until January 1, 2006 - my insurance is awful, I have a $2500 deductible to meet if I would have to endure these kinds of tests, his is no deductible, $30 hospital copay and everything is paid at 100% - I would hate to have to use my insurance to run tests if I am getting his insurance within the next 3 months.

I know this got long, but I'm just scared as to what could be wrong, anyone have any thoughts or ideas?

amymom replied: Well, I think the headaches and spotting could be the BC. I don't know about the Irritable stomach problems being BC related. Maybe a low cost way to check it out is to ask the pharmacist.

Next, just because, Celiac disease is a disease that runs in my family. It is often overlooked and relatively easy to treat. It is often misdiagnosed as IBS and Crohns disease, the symptoms are as you describe. But those symptoms are the same for many things that are not worrisome and some that are worrisome. I would (if you wanted to wait until Jan.) try more diet changes. A low carb --- no breads diet helps IBS, Celiac, Chrohns patients. But DON"T self diagnose. Definetely do some checking into. Good Luck and to you.

gr33n3y3z replied: Let me see if i can remember all of this lol

BC pills I cant help you with bc I was only one them for 1 year bc I had an tubal pregnacy a way back when. But when I was on them I never had any problems like that. And those were the Ortho Novas or something like that.

But on the other hand you may have stomach problems and you should be checked out bc it just doesnt sound right to me you could have Colitis
Let me know how things go

redchief replied: Okay... I hope you don't mind a male interjecting here, but... aww heck! I think you've got two unrelated problems (that's not a diagnosis, but an observation based upon your descriptions of your symptoms).

On the headaches. See your OB. Frequent or severe headaches are a potential danger sign. Those signs can be remembered using the pnemonic:

ACHES

Abdominal pains that are severe
Chest pain or shortness of breath
Headaches that are frequent or severe
Eye problems like blurry vision
Severe leg or arm pain or numbness

The frequent defecation should be brought to the attention of your general practitioner or internist. 2 - 3 times a day may be perfectly normal for you, but your frequent urges and loose bowels would make me suggest further investigation. This may be as simple as your body allowing too much water to remain or infuse into your large intestine. The solution might be as simple as dietary change or a change in lifestyle (stress can cause loose bowels). If it is found that your body doesn't absorb as much water from your digestive tract, and none of the aforementioned solutions work, there are medications that can help. Also, you didn't mention any other symptoms, so I'm assuming they aren't there, but if you have incontinence or frequent overwhelming urges, cramps, nasuea, or fever, you may have one of several forms of colitis. Also, if you continue to have diarrhea and are continuing to lose weight, could be colitis. This is usually controlled by diet and medication and is often chronic (that means it will always be present, though under control).

Good luck and good detective work, Leanne. Hope you're feeling better.

My2Beauties replied:

Now that you mention this, I do have nausea quite often the past few weeks too. Now urges, cramps and all that, I only do when I have gas Thanks for your insight, I'm going to do a search on colitis!

Sarah&Mackenzie replied: I have the same problems. I have frequent headaches and go to the bathroom often and it is usually very soft stool or diarrhea. I am wondering if it Irritable Bowel Syndrom. I keep telling myself to call the doctor, but I keep telling myself it will go away. Anyway I hope you get the answers you are looking for.

My2Beauties replied: I searched on colitis and it brought up the difference between this and IBS and my symptoms go along more with IBS but they said that it's normally a 12 week process for a physician to diagnose someone. Guess it's off to the docs I go within the next few weeks I haven't read but just one big long article on it thus far, should have been doing this for quite some time, but I wanted to ask opinions first if anyone had any insight! Thanks.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: I don't know much about BC. I've used Ortho Tryclen (which gave me awful everything, headaches, upset stomach, gained weight, constipation, etc) and then I switched to Mircette which is a lower dose and that was fine. But I haven't been on anything for over two years.

Anyhow, as far as the frequent BM, I have read that it is normal to have 2-3 BMs per day and that many of us are actually not having enough, but they shouldn't be loose or watery. All I can think of is the fact you said you changed your diet from less fast food, but what about dairy or wheat?? You could have an allergy. One of the mothers in my mom's group says she is allergic to wheat and gets bad BMs if she has it. I wish I knew the name of the disorder. Sorry. Also, are you taking any other non-prescriptive supplements...anything herbal? Sometimes even vitamins or supplements can cause IBS. Same with caffeine.

Hope you find out what it is. It does sound serious, so please go to the doctor.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I don't know. You sound normal to me. I have the same problems as you.

I can't take BCP and haven't taken them in years. They make me nutso and very ill. I haven't tried a lot of different kinds b/c I learned that artificial hormones aren't good for you and that is what caused my mother's breast cancer.

Anyway, I do have headaches everyday. Mine are caused from diet, stress and hormones. (yours could very well be caused by the added hormones from your BCP) Sometimes nothing I take gets rid of it and I'm not kidding when I say I have one everyday.

AND I have the same stomach problems. I go #2 a lot during the day and I get horrible boughts of diarrhea in the middle of the night sometime. This is probably caused by dairy. I also go more when AF is here b/c I have endometriosis and always attributed it to that. My stools are not loose though...not unless I have diarrhea and when I have diarrhea it is accompanied by horrible stomach cramps. BUT Scotty's symptoms sound a lot like yours. He goes a lot during the day and his stools are always loose. And everytime we go eat somewhere we have to rush home b/c everything he eats goes right thru him.

LeaAnn I would agree that you need to see a doctor. I'm sorry I don't have any advice. I just wanted you to know you aren't alone. I hope you get some answers.

amymom replied:

Rae--Sounds like celiac disease. Celiac is a gluten intolerance and it is sometimes referred (for ease of explanation) to as an allergy to wheat. Gluten is found in wheat and other things.

I am currently having my DD tested for Celiacs, so I am learning more.

ammommy replied: It sounds like a trip to the doc is in order. While they are testing for everything under the sun, have them check your B-12, also, especially if you have been tired at all. I have had a headache nearly every day of my life since I was 15---no exaggeration. My doc got me onto B12 shots and the headache went away. Unfortunately, it creeps back about a day and a half before my next shot. Headaches are really pesky symptoms because they can be caused by anything from poor eyesight to a tumor (which I know you don't have, but I can't get the scene from Kindergarten Cop out of my mind when Arnold has a headache while talking to the class and the kid pipes up "you might have a tumor" and Arnold growls back "It's not a tuuuummaahh" in that oh, so lovely accent of his )

My2Beauties replied: Well the saga continues - this morning when I was getting in the shower, I was taking my clothes off and AF was back, it was dark brown at that I have been back on my BC for 4 days now, WTH!!! Well I am going to go to the docs soon, I am going to schedule an appt with a gastroentologist (sp??)! The more I read on the different things, I have some symptoms of everything stomach problem there is I have the most of IBS, I didn't read up on Celiac disease though because I read so much yesterday on everything else, I plan to check on that today! Aimee, I am the same way as Scotty, like if we go out to dinner say like Texas Roadhouse and I eat a big yummy steak with a salad and bread and a loaded baked potato - we have to rush home too because I have to poop! LOL! I don't have a problem with the fact that I have more than one BM a day - doesn't bother me because it let's me know everything is working ok but the fact that at least 3-4 days out of the week they are loose, that is what scares me! I definitely think the headaches are attributed to the BC and I am going to call the gyno today and talk to her again. She didn't even make me come in when she switched me from Yasmin to these, but I really wish she would make me come in this time so that I can talk to her about these other symptoms, matter of fact I am going to tell her that I want to make an appt anyways! Then there is always the big "talk" with DH, if she just thinks it's best for me to come off of BC, and condoms frankly "bother" me, (won't get into that ). I know there are other forms of BC like Depo shots and things of that nature, but if I have the effects from just a pill, Lord I don't want a shot, and the patch is the same as the pill basically so that is out of the question! *sighs* If he doesn't want anymore kids, we may be talking the Big "V" for DH I don't want my tubes tied because of problems my mother and my aunt had after getting theirs done, but then I'm still not sure whether I want anymore children yet - oh this all just sucks!

coasterqueen replied: I don't know if this is any help, but you talked about your diet. I know when I cut out fast food or restaurant type food and then eat it I'm STRAIGHT to the bathroom as soon as I eat it. I've especially noticed this since I've gone back on WW and aren't eating out as much. I get very bloated, bad gas pains and horrible stools. Maybe this is the problem? Now when I was eating fast food/restaurant food a lot I didn't have this issue. I just assume it's my body's way of saying "hey I'm getting healthier, stop feeding me that crap or else I'll make you pay for it!".

Our Lil' Family replied: Do you still have your gall bladder?

I just ask because my husband (amd my mom) doesn't anymore and he has the same problems you are mentioning because it's been removed, less organs to filter the food or something like that.

My2Beauties replied:
Yeah it's still in there

Maddie&EthansMom replied:
Exact same thing as been happening to me lately, too.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
I agree that there would be an adjustment period if you were always eating fast food and out at restaurants and then suddenly switched to healthier meals, but I don't think it would give you THIS many loose BM's all in one day for so long. JMO.

I'm not trying to be a know it all, but I really think you should talk to your doctor about trying a gluten free diet and see if it helps. It sounds like it's been going on too long. And think about it, wheat is pretty much in everything even if it's healthy or not.