Who knew hormones sucked?

[zombiequeen]

Pain and how it motivates you
Well, I went to change my address on my insurance, finally found out who my caseworker is and contacted her, she's sending me some updated info. Should be here this or next week. Yay, it only took me three months of calling numbers until work, then starting over the next day. Stupid father in law for not giving me the info I needed right away. ANYways, hopefully it'll update soon, and I'll still be covered.

Because, I have to get some stuff figured out.

I'm having some serious complications from my current birth control, along the lines of constant abdominal pain, bleeding, and the like. Doc said last month during my checkup to wait a couple more months, if it gets worse (it has) then she needs to try some new stuff and refer me to a specialist. She says they check you by cutting a hole in your belly and wiggling a camera around in there. Sounds...fun.
Hubby is all for me getting stuff figured out, he's suffering from my constant pain as well.
I've had so many problems with the pain being too severe for me to keep food down, or even walk sometimes. My friend made me some bag things with corn in them, you microwave them and they help sooooo much! If I don't have constant pressure on my belly, I get sick.
Apparently half of my problem is what the medical field refers to as "mechanical problems" and that's why I had pain before, just this medicine is making it so instead of just being a little hurt, I'm torn up instead.
I've been depressed, borderline suicidal, since starting these stupid pills. I mean, shouldn't I have been switched the day after I sleepwalked over to the box of pills and started pouring them out in my hand? Good thing I had to climb over hubby, he managed to only let me dump them on the floor. Had fun cleaning that up when I was awake.
I need to get my driver's license so I can get a job. Before I do that, I need to get my eyes checked. I seriously haven't done it in three years, and it's pretty obvious that my vision has changed since then. I sometimes stress my eyes so much that I get these big blobs in the middle of my vision. Grandma has serious macular degeneration, it keeps going from wet to dry and making her slowly go blind. I can't even read the signs over the expressway when I should be able to. Heck, the display on my stereo across the room, which is like 6 feet away, I have to squint and tilt my head.
Meh, I wish we weren't poor, so I could get all this stuff fixed and be done with it.
I'd talk about how stressful my relationship with various relatives are, but it would be several pages long.
Sorry for the rantiness, and if there is something wrong with anything I posted, please let me know. I just want to get this out there so I can start feeling better.

[Amusement Gal]

I'm having some serious complications from my current birth control, along the lines of constant abdominal pain, bleeding, and the like. Doc said last month during my checkup to wait a couple more months, if it gets worse (it has) then she needs to try some new stuff and refer me to a specialist. She says they check you by cutting a hole in your belly and wiggling a camera around in there. Sounds...fun.
Hubby is all for me getting stuff figured out, he's suffering from my constant pain as well.
I've had so many problems with the pain being too severe for me to keep food down, or even walk sometimes. My friend made me some bag things with corn in them, you microwave them and they help sooooo much! If I don't have constant pressure on my belly, I get sick.
Apparently half of my problem is what the medical field refers to as "mechanical problems" and that's why I had pain before, just this medicine is making it so instead of just being a little hurt, I'm torn up instead.
<MR SNIPPY WAS HERE>

I'm sorry, that doesn't sound good at all. =/ Just curious, but are you taking the birth control FOR your hormones, or are you using it for prevention? Because there are quite a few herbs that can help with hormones naturally that I've been taking that work like a charm.

I feel the same way about myself. We have a volunteer clinic that you can sign up for, but to actually get in with so many people enrolled is almost impossible. Three months just to get to a dentist! So it's gotten to the point of where everyone thinks I'm a hypochondriac because I'm trying to figure out what exactly the hell is wrong with me since I can't get to a doctor. I hope your eyes and tummy feel better though, no one should have to go through that.

[zombiequeen]

I take it for both hormones and prevention. I was on a weaker form, that made me less sick, but the doctor put me on something stronger, and that's when I got as bad as I have.

[Amusement Gal]

I take it for both hormones and prevention. I was on a weaker form, that made me less sick, but the doctor put me on something stronger, and that's when I got as bad as I have.

Well, darn. I know some stuff natural for hormones, but it clashes with BC, so that wouldn't be a good option. I was going to suggest chasteberry extracts or pills, but there's a couple of hurdles for that. 1) You have to take it over at least a week or two to work; 2) It doesn't work with other hormone things or BC; 3) Some people are allergic; 4) Those who are prone to depression really shouldn't use it (unless the depression is from the hormone problems themselves, in which it helps)

I'm going to try some more google-fu to see if there's something that's BC friendly. That way hopefully you could take a lower dosage/different type AND benefit hormone-wise. I have too much free time not to do it.

[Magpie]

If it's for cramps, and that's the hormonal control you're looking for, have you tried dietary control? My SIL did that for a while, and she used to have consistently bad cramps. (Mine were the kind that get better after you throw up, never more than half a day + recovery). I've switched to dietary control, and it's lovely to not have low-grade nausea all the time. Because mine were mild, I only have to watch my diet some of the time (i.e. after I ovulate). It's a little awkward, because I can't just tell people "Ok, don't feed me meat anymore", but it's such an improvement.

Good that you're aware what the cause of the problems is though. A friend of mine took several months before she noticed that she was less stressed and more cheerful when she was off her pills than when she was taking them. As an added bonus, if you're having this much trouble with your pills, your husband will be more likely to agree to other methods of b/c. (I consider myself quite fortunate that my husband was open to other alternatives, even before he noticed how much my mood improved).

(In case you didn't notice, the answer to your title question is "me").

[Amusement Gal]

(In case you didn't notice, the answer to your title question is "me").

Hey, don't steal my answer!

But I agree with Magpie. If the BC in general makes you ill, you might have to use other forms of prevention to truly feel better. I found this if you want to research some natural stuff. This herb seems the most promising though. Hopefully this will help you if you decide to get into it. Unfortunately, all I really know about is herbs and whatnot, so doctor-type things I can't really help with.

[Magpie]

This might just come down to a philosophical difference, but I think that if you have time to experiment, that you might be better off using diet first, and if that works skipping the herbal supplements. Or going straight to something like naproxen (it's an NSAID, it's BEAUTIFUL, it actually stops cramps, do you know how weird it is to menstruate without pain? If not, talk to your doctor).

The reason I'm wary of the herbal supplements is that you're still taking medication. If something has enough effect to actually make a difference, it has the potential to harm you. If it doesn't have enough effect, its' not going to help. So if you take them, treat them with all the same respect you'd give anything your GP prescribed. My preference for synthetics is that they can regulate the quantity more carefully. And yes, there are purified and carefully regulated natural supplements. At that point there isn't much "natural" left about them though. Just my

[zombiequeen]

Well, I am in a constant state of low grade nausea due to what my doctor calls Nervous Stomach, it's almost all stomach/digestive problems rolled into one neat package. Mostly the BC is because I literally could not eat at all during my period, and they were lasting 2+ weeks at a time. Now it's dulled enough that after about three days I'm ok to eat some things, but the first day I can't even walk.
This also causes problems with supplements/dietary changes. I take children's chewable vitamins, Niacin (good cholesterol low), and some other pills. I also have some random food allergies: citrus and cinnamon.
I've also noticed that my normal mood swings have switched and gotten...darker. I'm hardly ever super happy anymore, I'm normally, depressed, mad, or bawling. I mean, I am happy, and I still feel joy, just not as often anymore. I'm also having nightmares constantly and barely sleeping.
Could that all be due to birth control? I figured it was stress from living with my parents, coupled with my husband working third shift so he wasn't home when I went to bed. I've noticed that I'm not having as many panic attacks though, but that might be because I know the warning signs and distract myself so I don't slip into panic.

[Amusement Gal]

This might just come down to a philosophical difference, but I think that if you have time to experiment, that you might be better off using diet first, and if that works skipping the herbal supplements. Or going straight to something like naproxen (it's an NSAID, it's BEAUTIFUL, it actually stops cramps, do you know how weird it is to menstruate without pain? If not, talk to your doctor).

The reason I'm wary of the herbal supplements is that you're still taking medication. If something has enough effect to actually make a difference, it has the potential to harm you. If it doesn't have enough effect, its' not going to help. So if you take them, treat them with all the same respect you'd give anything your GP prescribed. My preference for synthetics is that they can regulate the quantity more carefully. And yes, there are purified and carefully regulated natural supplements. At that point there isn't much "natural" left about them though. Just my

That is true. The site I was looking at mentioned that the BC should be out of the system after two months, THEN you start taking stuff. I forgot to mention that because it was on the page. Though I'm sure that if you get a tincture it's a lot more regulated than pills or the actual thing. I do well on my research before suggesting, thankfully, but that is an important part. Herbs for big medical problems should NOT be taken haphazardly with the idea of 'natural = won't kill me'. Because there is PLENTY that can be dangerous if you load up on it. Never underestimate mother nature. However, the upside is that there's not nearly as many side effects.

Edit: Zombiequeen, that's a huge sign to get off of it. It started when you took it, and if that isn't a warning to use something else, I don't know what is. (I'm going to assume this started after the BC was being unpleasant)

[Magpie]

The hormonal birth control can cause severe depression, and it can definitely cause nausea. I'm not sure about the allergies (although it's not impossible, I've been told pregnancy/puberty/other major hormonal changes can cure allergies, so it stands to reason that they can cause them too). The depression could be causing the nightmares and lack of sleep. I'm assuming that I don't need to tell you that it can cause mood swings and make them worse.

Unfortunately, if you are having 2 week + periods, you really don't want to go off hormonal b/c completely if you have any other options. That's beyond what diet is going to help with. Be of good cheer though! My friend who was having problems (Jackdaw had to walk her to counselling services so she could finish the term), is perfectly ok on a new brand.

[Eisa]

I knew hormones sucked, I knew! *waves hand frantically in air* I've been lucky, my birth control pills worked to regulate them. I was in hell for weeks at a time every month and having random bleeding probably 25 days out of 30. And the PMS...oh my Gawd...horrific mood swings every month. Even had a manic episode one month. I love my birth control pills. *loves on them*

Anyway...yeah, Holy Gawd, that is not normal, even for the stress and all, get off them. Maybe you need to try a different hormone regulator like Magpie said. That sounds like a really good idea!

[Der Cute]

Zombie,
ask your doc to do a Vitamin D check via blood next time you're in. Also check your iron levels and thyroid.

After those have been checked, I'd really work on the food stuff. (my approach is start physical then go hormones then go drugs then psych) Can you eat veggies that are good for you in iron, protien etc? Can you chat with a dietician about this stuff - your tummy seems to be ornery and that turns out to be low blood sugar, weakness, etc.

Then, chat with the doc /pharmacist about swapping BC pills for a dosage a bit lower and a different brand. The gunk that makes up the pill itself differs at every manufacturer. So you might be lucky trying something else.

Keep a log of your pain/grumpy stuff, and show the doc - you might be able to pin point a "take pills this week and ZOMG IT FARKIN HURTS this week". Can you call your OBGYN also? Some of those symptoms sound a bit like endometriosis and or PCOS. (IANAD)

Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon. Go get some sunshine.

[zombiequeen]

Well, I had the allergies before I started birth control, as well as the stomach issues. Actually, those have stayed the same, other than when I am on my period. Another big part of that is my hemophobia, so you know, period, sick, yeah. I'm not anemic like I used to be, because I take vitamins and (reluctantly, because it makes my stomach hurt) eat red meat now.
As soon as I have confirmation of still having insurance, I am going to my doctor and having her do a OBGYN referral. Then I will get checked for endometriosis.
I did have my thyroid checked and a bunch of other blood tests done, other than being slightly acidic the doc says I should be fine.
I know this may sound odd, but I'm going to throw it out here. My doc says that I need to get a relaxation technique, and go to that whenever I hurt or feel sick or start to panic. Unfortunately, the most relaxing thing I can think of to do is take a shower, that's what I've always done to calm down. Even though there's unlimited hot water here, I'm not allowed to take more than two showers a day (one with hubby, and I can sneak another one after everyone else is asleep). Is this a bad way to relax? I used to go talk to my fish too but his tank is in the living room and I almost pee myself going down the hall at night because I get so freaked out. I'm so glad the bathroom is like ten feet from my room.
Maybe I should get checked for paranoia/anxiety disorders? I know the state doesn't normally pay for that but just knowing that maybe there's something wrong in my head too makes me scared.

[Magpie]

Showering to relax isn't necessarily bad, but if you need to sneak one in, that's a problem. Also, it means you can't relax when you're not home. Mental and physical problems can definitely feed upon each other: there are physiological problems for mental stress, and mental stress can cause physical problems. If you get anxiety of any kind, here's a trick that the office for persons with disabilities at my school gave.

Look around you. What are five things you can see?
What are five things that you can hear?
What are five things that you can feel?

If that doesn't cut it, go on to four things, and keep going.

And in general, try www.moodgym.anu.edu.au/ (ht: Seshat). It's actually really useful. And you'd be amazed at how much healthier you feel physically if everything is in order mentally.

[Amusement Gal]

I think checking all of the possibilities wouldn't be bad at all. If you get negative results, that just means you don't have one, so there's nothing to lose. As for relaxing, have you tried small hobbies, music, or even fragrance oils? For example, I bead when I'm frustrated, and it calms me a little since I have to focus on how I want it made. A calming-type music or sounds CD does wonders for giving you a mental break as well. Even humming your own song a little should calm you down if you don't have a chance to get some music. Lavender and other oils are also fantastic for clearing the mind. Hell, even a 5 minute meditation feels great. Just whatever makes you focus on something positive, and gives you a chance to not think so much on the negative things in your head.