Biscuit came with the wine, Kevin, the Pirate Booty, and Jen with the blanket just big enough for four tushies. Emmylou Harris & Patty Griffin came with the rockin’ country tunes and I… came with a headache.
The weather held out nicely (despite weather.com’s promise that it was going to rain), and excepting the mosquitoes and Crazy Man with a Megaphone, Central Park, Summer Stage and thick skinned, laugh-a-minute pals were the perfect cure for what ailed me. Or mostly.
The rest of what ails me should be gone in two to six weeks.
When my new insurance kicked in, I popped in at Doctor Ruth’s (yes, it’s really her name) to renew my birth control prescription. While talking, I mentioned I’d been having trouble with headaches — persistent, nagging headaches for the last two weeks of every month.
“Hmmm,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “Fatigue, too?”
“Yes.”
“Anything else out of the ordinary?”
“I don’t know if it’s related…”
“You won’t until you tell me, will you?” Doctor Ruth is an in-your-face kinda lady. I dig her.
“Dizzy spells. Anxiety attacks. Depressive moods that keep me in my apartment for entire weekends. Skin sensitivity. Oh, and I’ve had my period for the last thirteen days. But I thought that was just stress.”
It warrants mentioning that I thought it all was just stress. Or that I was falling apart. I know my body pretty well — really well, actually. My cycle functioned with well-timed, to-the-hour sort of predictability until a couple months ago. Then things sort of went haywire in that department, as well as others.
“Are you on {insert name of pill here}.”
“Yes! How did you know?”
“You’re experiencing what 70% of women who take it experience within the first six months. Bad combination of hormones. We’ll switch and you’ll be fine.”
It was that easy. Switch and I’ll be fine.
After Doctor Ruth went on to lecture me about my navel ring (they get infected!), waxing, and not taking multi-vitamins, I went home to do a little research on the birth control pill. I discovered that this pill, which my old doctor was so very anxious to put me on, has been recalled three times since 2000. Shocker. There’s a big ole class action lawsuit against its maker, too. While part of me feels like jumping on that wagon, the other part of me is just too worn out.
Maybe I’ll feel up to it in two to six weeks.
glad the weather held out for you! today’s isn’t looking so promising, unfortunately. what a rainy summer. anyway, hope you start to feel better soon, fish
Hurray for the good Dr. Ruth. Good medicine is mostly art and a little science; it takes years’ of experience to do what she did. And keep talking in those appointments. Sometimes a bit embarrassing but they’ve heard it all and the more they know, the more thy can help. Good for you, too.
jesus! you’re going to have to tell me what kind of pill this is. i’m glad the country music was something of an alleviant, though.
i am being totally naive here – but what kind of lecture can a doctor give about waxing?
and i hear you on the bcp issue – i am on a new one and im not quite sure if it is helping or hindering. so frustrating.
Apparently, Dr. Ruth says that with the popularization of bikini waxing/shaving, infections (UTI, etc) have increased.
She’s fun, but it’s a lecture a minute with that woman.
Yes, what pill were you on? We should all avoid it!
I love the Dixie Chicks reference, by the way.
What’s the name of the pill?
Ditto we need to know about this evil pill!
Hope your hormones stabilize soon!
I sorta want to finish my research and get the full story before I slander the pill on this site.
One thing I do know, if you’re a smaller person (like under 5’2″ or like, less that 115 lbs) it may work quite nicely for you.
Speaking of lawsuits, whatever you do, do not post the name of the pill on the internet – email people individually. These horrible side effects may totally be pill related, but until it’s taken off the market, anything you say about the it opens you up to a libel suit by the Big Bad Company. I know this is an advice-fee zone, but unfortunately I am my job – I just can’t help myself
Hope you feel better!
I was just going to ask what kind of lecture one gets on waxing. Hmm, given my chronic UTIs, my doctor could’ve mentioned the connection between them.
After crying jags, weight gain, and cramps for the first time ever! I gave up the pill years ago. It’s just not worth it. My skin actually got Worse after taking birth control pills. Weird huh?
Too lazy to do my own research, I’m also itching for the name of the pill, especially if it’s, oh, an Ortho-something-or-nother. Hope the new one works out better for you, sweetie.
first of all, i want to tell you that i love your site. i’ve been lurking in the shadows here for a little while now. i read all the archives, and will continue to keep coming back.
second, if you send out emails about what pill that is, i’m interested in the info. thanks!
I just went through the same thing with the pill I was taking for the last 5 years. Apparently they just recently decided that women that have migraines with visual side affects should not take anything with Estrogen, as it may cause a stroke. Thanks for telling me after taking it for 5 years! Good luck with the new pill!
I, too, am interested in that pill info. I’m thinking of switching myself. I’ve had issues with anxiety and I’m curious if it’s pill related. I feel for you, Fish. Hope this other pill works better for you.
My birth control pill is wonderful. Fewer PMS symptoms, lighter & shorter periods, and none of the weight gain and bloating you get with most other pills. Love it, love it, love it.
A loved one of mine had the same problems; the good news was, they DID clear up right quick once she stopped taking the pill in question. (I know which one, but I’m not going to libel it on your site, or even my own.)
Oh I’ll jump in with an annoying “me too” (sorry Fish if it’s annoying) about the Pill because mine isn’t so hot either.
Sign me up for the list of people who want to know which pill that is! I’ve been on 5 different ones in the last 2 years, with varying side effects, and I’d like to know if I’ve run into it (or am on it now)…
Sorry to clutter your comments, but please add me to the list of folks who want to know which pill. I’ve had some symptoms I believe are due to my pill, but my dr keeps singing the praises.
Thanks!
I definitely would like to know which pill you’re talking about– you don’t have to post it here, but an email would be fab. I actually recently went off the pill because EVERY FREAKIN’ MONTH I was getting major “pregnancy” symptoms. I mean, as serious as once I even lactated a bit. ICK! So I wonder if it was the pill you’re discussing.
I’m noticing a trend amongst all us lady readers. I’m thinking of switching as well, just because after several years on my current pill, the side effects are popping out of the woodwork. So add me to your list, if you would.
How about telling us what the name of the pill rhymes with? That should skirt the legalities nicely.
how much do I love my husband’s vasectomy. so, so much.
So sorry about your sad days, but I’m glad to know that they were largely due to hormonal issues, and not solely emotional.
As far as that email goes, me too!
oh, and 80′s pop music works wonders for me when I’m depressed.
and I love my diaphragm! for years I didn’t even consider it because I preemptively decided it was too intimidating, too much trouble. then I got one and I love it!!!!!
I NEVER felt like myself on ANY pill I ever tried….
woo! girl talk!!!
Wonder why people (doctors?) are still so keen on the pill? Coils have nearly no side effects and you don’t have to remember anything.
Since we’re on the personal birth control details, I had a tubal ligation & I’m sooooo happy (I don’t want any more kids, though, so obviously that’s one reason…) I tried out lots of pills with few problems, and the patch as well. The big STINKER for me was the shot – gained 20 lbs., constantly depressed, aggressive – YUCK! Thank god that’s over.
Fish, I’d like to know the pill name too if you do email it out and it’s not too much trouble.
I hope you start feeling better soon. My Doctor always tries to push the pill on me, and I have been thinking about it, but sometimes wonder if it’s more because of the drug company incentives moreso than my own personal welfare.
me too, please.
My hormones are naturally imbalanced, so I basically HAVE to be on the pill. It was horrible the first few months. (I had morning sickness, though I never did LACTATE (I’d like to know what kind of pills THOSE were.) Plus I was going through this terrible break-up and it felt like the WORLD WAS ENDING.) But I’ve been on it for like 6 months and things seem to have levelled out.
My skin is still mega-sensitive though.
I hope you find a pill that treats you right.
I think I’m on a not-so-well-known brand of pill.. never see it on any of those silly commercials, and I haven’t had much issue with it. Just a little bit of morning nausea the first day of a pack for the first few months. It’s been pretty good.
I’m so glad your doctor figured out the source of your problems too. Doctors (most of them) rock.
Interesting… I’m curious to get the name of the pill… perhaps you can email it to all of us? I’ve gone off one and been off for the last 6 months and love not being on it. Of course, I haven’t needed it either so… But yeah, when you find out more, let everyone know. This is quite important stuff!!
I love my diaphram! I went off the pill six months ago because of the above mentioned side effects. My regular female Dr. thinks the diaphram is a great method of BC but the male gyn. that I got if from looked at me as if I had two heads (he said he rarley dispenses them) and encouraged me to go back on BC. Men have no appreciation for what us women will go through
OK, I have to know too….what pill WAS it? I had a similar problem with one (which started with an O, for those who are curious).
Having had every possible nasty side effect you can imagine and trying every pill ever made, I went off the pill for good about 9 years ago, only to find that I was unable to conceive (which is good – never wanted kids) but OH, the wasted time! The gallbladder surgery, two breast reductions and three surgeries for endometriosis (which cleared up, strangely enough, when I stopped taking the pill) – I think they were starting to think I was a surgery addict.
I think doctors and patients both just don’t give enough credit to the alternatives (erm, except ‘rhythm’ – that takes too much brainpower and I imagine, prayer). My doctors refused to consider even discussing IUD’s.
On the other hand, if you tolerate it well, here’s hoping this one does better for you and hey, if being on the class action is just a matter of adding your name to the list then there’s no point in missing out on a little cash. Cash is good.
I just started the pill about four months ago and was a mess until recently. But then again, that could have just been the stress of unemployment. Please add me to the list if you e-mail the name! I’m curious.
Thanks for doing your research. Sound like we girls could have an all-out gab-fest about the pill and other methods of torture used to avoid pregnancy.
I was on a pill (started with “m”) that was great but it made my blood pressure borderline high which freaked me out. Tried another pill “y” and it totally made me binge, feel depressed and bloated and so forth.
Currently in-between and thinking of using a new pill “s”
The quest continues…..
Fish,
I’m hoping you’ll divulge your research. I’m currently in the market for birth control now that I’ve found a worthy partner, but I’m all too nervous about volunteering for the emotional/physical turmoil that often accompanies The Pill. Please, please do share your information.
If you’d be so kind I’d love the name of the pill I’d appreciate it. I’ve had many of the same symptoms you’ve described. I’ve asked my dr. if the pill could be the cause but she seems to think not. Thanks!
Leah – I’m curious why you would see a male gyno since as you say they have no appreciation for what we go through.
Mine have all been female. A medical incident at age 12 lead me to believe men have no idea what part is which. Since then I vowed to only see female gynos.
Dr once put me on 7-7-7. Forget the other name of it. Hormone levels increase every 7 days. I was on that for 2 months. Hubster was hiding in the basement playing on the computer.
I just have to mention 777 and he gets that deer in the headlight look. Priceless.
For the curious, could you post a link to some of the information you found when you researched? That should relieve you of any possible liability, since it’s not your words. Might be easier than emailing everyone who’s asked.
I’m in the middle of an emotional meltdown. I’m 19, and I have to take the pill because of hormones– I don’t get my period otherwise.
(Weird how I’m spilling all of this when probably no one will read it. And none of you know me, either.)
But on the 2nd or 3rd day of my period, for two months now, I get so depressed it’s almost clinical. Or, it feels the way it did when I WAS clinically depressed, a few years ago.
And of course, I’m all bitchy and puffy and hormonal as well, which is NOT me. It makes me feel psychotic.
Consider me one of the many who are interested in the name of the evil pill. Glad you’re off it now – good luck with the new one!
Anna, I’m on the pill for the same reason. I didn’t have a period for like, two years. Like I said before, I had the worst time for a couple of months, but then it (mostly) levelled out once my system got used to all the girl hormones coursing through it.
Sometimes I wonder what was so bad about not having a period.
Which pill is this? I’ve had similiar problems, migraines that last for days, with out much relief from meds, lack of periods, anxiety attacks, etc… I feel like I’ve been losing my mind at times!!!
I stopped the pill and got an IUD about a year ago, and I LOVE it!! They really got a bad rap years ago but are now considered to be totally safe, and are even more effective at preventing pregnancy than the pill. I have a non-hormonal one, and it feels wonderful to see what I am really like, without all the extra hormones being pumped into my system. I still wake up in the middle of the night worried that I forgot to take my pill, but it is a wonderful feeling to realize that I never have to worry again.