STOP HURTING DAMN YOU!

[Amethyst Hunter]

I HATE TENSION HEADACHES!!!!!!!!!!!! :pissed:

Every goddamned time it's the same thing. Placebo pills = tension headache that sticks around for 2 - 3 days. This time it's making me want to throw up (not bad, but still...).

I love my Pill, I really do, I just wish the placeboes wouldn't do this to me. :( If this is the price I must pay for having a HUGE relief from the vileness that was my cycle pre-Pill, so be it, I guess. :/

[Anriana]

Can you just skip the placebos?

[the_std]

Yeah, I never take my placebo week, I just watch the dates on the counter-part of it to know when to start taking the real pills again.

If they cause you that much pain, don't take 'em!

[Amethyst Hunter]

I can't skip the placebos, unfortunately. Tried doing that and all it makes me do is bleed and bleed and bleed.

At least the headache is easing some now. I love you, Mr. Icepack... @_@

[the_std]

But... If they're placebos, it really shouldn't affect your cycle at all not to take them. That seems really odd, to me.

[Evil Queen]

But... If they're placebos, it really shouldn't affect your cycle at all not to take them. That seems really odd, to me.

It's psychological. Realistically, she knows the pills are placebo, but deep down she feels this is not true so she takes them. It's like giving a placebo to someone who's in pain and telling them it's a morphine pill.

*rubs AH's head and neck for her*

[DistantStar]

For me it was the sudden hormone drop going to the off-day pills that gave me headaches -- and they were migraines for me, not regular headaches. It really, really sucks. And I can't do the continuous pill thing either, after six weeks I start feeling super crappy.

If I were you I'd start trying some different pills. Isn't there one where they only give you three placebo pills anyway? It's not like I ever had a period ever three weeks like clockwork anyway. The pill cycle's pretty much totally artificial.

One beneficial side effect of involuntary celibacy and generally not-horrid cycles is a lack of need for the pill, but you totally have my sympathy.

[Amethyst Hunter]

To clarify my previous comment to the_std - I had tried skipping the placeboes entirely by just staying on the pill for 3 months straight, since I wanted to skip the monthly mess entirely. But all that did for me was give me a 'period' that lasted well over a month. So I just went back to my original route of going through pill packs as normal (i.e., the pills, then 4 days of placeboes, then back on the pill again). Even taking the placeboes into account, my 'period' with the pill is still a helluva lot more tolerable than it was before I got on the pill. I just hate the whole period business to begin with and would just as soon as get rid of it entirely if I could. :p

If I were you I'd start trying some different pills. Isn't there one where they only give you three placebo pills anyway?

What I'm on now is Yaz, which I've heard both good and bad things about from various people who were/are on it (I belong to a couple of CF communities so such things are often discussed in detail). With the exception of the migraines (which, yes, I've come to realize that these are not tension-based, they are in fact fullblown migraines from hell *sigh* as this most recent one made me sick to the point of nausea), I've otherwise not had any problems while on the pill, and I *love* what it's done for me as far as greatly reducing the misery of the monthly curse. With Yaz, you get 4 days of placeboes, after which you get the rest of the 'regular' pills when you start a new pack.

I can live with the migraines, as horrible as they make me feel. I'd prefer not to, but if this is the price I pay for not bleeding Niagara Falls and feeling even worse every damn month, I can tolerate it. I will, though, try to call up Planned Parenthood this week and see what they can do for me (no money + no insurance = no healthcare for me), if anything.

[KiaKat]

Tension headaches actually can cause nausea, if they're severe enough. Migraines can rarely be mistaken for anything else. Have you had auras, visual/auditory sensitivity, skin sensitivity, or emotional instability?

I think what they're saying about skipping the placebos is still having the 'off' week, but not taking the pills themselves. See what happens if you do that.

Another thing is that one of the Yasmins (I'm not sure if it's the original or Yaz) has the added risk of higher potassium and liver enzymes. Do the research and ask the doctor, because headaches are a sign of high blood pressure, and that can be a sign of increased potassium. Not something to screw with.

If none of the above apply, change pills. There are a whole bunch out there, and one of the low-dose pills might be better for you.

(Disclaimer: most of the above information came from a 3rd year med student, who, while not yet a doctor, has been on BC pills for a decade at this point and has done quite a bit of research on them. I am not a doctor.)

[Emrld]

If you are getting hedaches like clockwork every time you go to the "have a period" portion of you birth control you need to talk to your Dr.
Make sure via a professional that there isn't something else going on . . .be it an adverse effect of the pill, too much estrogen and then drop, complications with your actual reproductive system.
If I am reading correctly you tried to go 11 weeks and then have a period and that led to a longer bleeding time. Did you try going 7 weeks first? I have a friend that had to do the 7 week thing for two years and then went to 11 week. Her body had to adjust to the idea of longer time between.

I learned something recently (please note this is for all women . . .not just AH - I have never physically seen her or a picture of her - I have no idea what she looks like) if you weigh over 190lbs the pill is less effective. There isn't a pill designed for women who are larger. Just one of those things that Dr's don't always mention.
More you weigh the higher the amount of estrogen you are given. Do your research . . .on the net . . .talk to Dr's . . .talk to friends. Know what you are putting into your body and what it can do over the long term.

[AccountingDrone]

I can live with the migraines, as horrible as they make me feel. I'd prefer not to, but if this is the price I pay for not bleeding Niagara Falls and feeling even worse every damn month, I can tolerate it. I will, though, try to call up Planned Parenthood this week and see what they can do for me (no money + no insurance = no healthcare for me), if anything.
I can highly recommend norethindrone, i bleed once per year - just before the annual trifecta [pap smear, slam-the-mammogram and the ritual spelunking of the hoohaa]

With the lack of hormone swings, I have reduced my migraines drastically, I no longer bleed out every month, no cramps, my PCOS is mostly tamed.

And people wonder why I claim that I will throw a party when I finally hit menopause....10 years and counting!

[Supermarket Slave Girl]

I have the Mirena and I don't get periods at all, no cramping, no headaches and no mood swings, loving it. I do get a little spotting sometimes but usually only lasts a day and nothing a panty liner can't fix.

[Amethyst Hunter]

Tension headaches actually can cause nausea, if they're severe enough. Migraines can rarely be mistaken for anything else. Have you had auras, visual/auditory sensitivity, skin sensitivity, or emotional instability?

No, but I know if I move too much it only increases the headache - as in, bending down to pick up stuff, or turning my head too much in any direction.

Another thing is that one of the Yasmins (I'm not sure if it's the original or Yaz) has the added risk of higher potassium and liver enzymes. Do the research and ask the doctor, because headaches are a sign of high blood pressure, and that can be a sign of increased potassium. Not something to screw with.

Weird thing is that I've always had low BP. Always. I've stunned people with how low it can be (last time I had it checked was at the dr.'s in October, and - stress of dr. visit aside - it was something like 120/80 (or however those numbers are supposed to be). Any other time, I generally don't get headaches, and certainly not as craptastic as these ones.



If you are getting hedaches like clockwork every time you go to the "have a period" portion of you birth control you need to talk to your Dr.
Make sure via a professional that there isn't something else going on . . .be it an adverse effect of the pill, too much estrogen and then drop, complications with your actual reproductive system.

I hope the PP people can help me there, because there is NO way in hell I'm going back to that doctor I originally went to and get stung with another thousand-dollar bill that I cannot afford. As it was this doctor wanted me to come back in February for a follow-up; she wanted me to see a urologist because there was a teensy-tiny microscopic bit of blood in my urine test (which was very likely from my last period, as I'd just finished one prior to the dr. visit) and God only knows how much that would've cost. Needless to say, I passed on that nugget of joy.


I learned something recently (please note this is for all women . . .not just AH - I have never physically seen her or a picture of her - I have no idea what she looks like) if you weigh over 190lbs the pill is less effective. There isn't a pill designed for women who are larger. Just one of those things that Dr's don't always mention.

This is mainly in regards for those trying to avoid unwanted pregnancy. I'm celibate by choice so this doesn't worry me much. ;)

[Emrld]

That isn't just effective for pregnancy . . .it has to do with the ability to control your body into thinking it is expecting and therefore you don't have a period.