As of Sunday, I was on the birth control pill, Seasonale and I hated it. I felt that it made me overemotional and depressed. I talked to my doctor about it and I asked her if I could switch to Yasmin and she said that I could. All I have to do is finish my pack of Seasonale that I was on at the time and then wait a week and then take Yasmin. Is that okay to do? I stopped taking Seasonale yesterday and I didn't know if I was to start bleeding right away or it takes a couple days or if I bleed at all. The thing I am worried about is if I don't bleed at all this week and then when Sunday comes when I am supposed to go on Yasmin and I do take it, even if my period didn't start on or before Sunday, is it still okay to take since my doctor said it was? Sorry if that is a little confusing, I'm confused and worried myself. If anyone can help me with that, I would greatly appreciate that. Thank you.
thecouch
Posted: 27 Sep 23:04
Just do as a doctor said. Sometimes it might take you a couple of days to start bleeding, sometimes your period might be so light that you almost think that you didn't get it. The best thing alwyas is to just follow doc's advice, they know better than us.
LittleFury
Posted: 27 Sep 23:04
Thanks. The only thing is when I went to see my doctor, it was also because I was having break through bleeding, and I was wondering if she thought that I would still be bleeding by the time I finished the pack...I don't know, I'm so confused.
Thanks for the reply though. It does make me feel better.
thecouch
Posted: 27 Sep 23:04
As a doctor it bothers me that you would leave the doctor's office with questions and then turn to a bunch of people who may or may not know what they are talking about for the "straight" answer.
Many women are on multiple pills before they get one they tolerate well. I assume that your doctor told you to finish the month of your current pill, wait a week and start the new one. Do that. Exactly that. Sure it is ok to do that or she would not have told you to. If you are not tolerating the pill, there may be breakthrough bleeding or there may be no bleeding. It is most likely that your period will be lighter than normal.
For the record, that advice is exactly what I (or likely any doctor) would have recommended. If questions remain, call the doctor's office and speak with one of the nursing assistants. They get these questions all the time. Second best, ask the pharmacist when you get the new prescription filled. They also get these questions all the time.
As much as I respect the regulars on this board, there are sometimes flakes who do not know what is what. Where do you want advice about messing with your hormones?
Brandye
Posted: 27 Sep 23:04
Thanks for that info. (by the way, I didn't have these questions when I left the doctor's office ) Anyway, I have gotten a lot of the same responses so I don't think everyone is telling me wrong. Thanks again for the info.
thecouch
Posted: 27 Sep 23:05
OK, couch, I understand that. I would still recommend with questions regarding medication, go to the source. Some of the suggestions found online are downright dangerous.
Brandye
Posted: 27 Sep 23:05
Hey, last week I had my pill changed from Dianette (yeah not many people have heard of it, I have been on that since I was 13 for help with acne) to Cilest, my doctor told me to start the new pack after I finish my period - which luckily enough was last week anyway.
Well im on this new pack, have been taking them everyday - but for some reason I am having another period - it's not as heavy as I normally am, but is this normal?
I completely stopped last week...then yesterday I started again - even been getting the normal stomach cramps - just seems really weird.:confused:
amy_simcott
Posted: 30 Sep 02:22
Yes, it can be normal. Often it takes a month or so until your body re-adjusts to the new pill. What you are getting is breakthrough bleeding.
sera300
Posted: 30 Sep 02:23
I do not know what these two pills are called in the rest of the world but they are standards in the UK. I also do not know why your doctor switched you. There have been recent reports of depression after long term use of Dianette. Cilest is a natural alternative. The Cilest is also a combination drug (artificial progestin as well as synthetic estrogen). The doses of each are different.
Sera points out that women need to adjust to new pills. In your case, you are going to a lower dose rate and the "second period" is confusion within your body over the lack of so much hormone as it is accustomed to. Most women adjust in a couple months. In the longer term, theCilest may not control the acne as well. Hopefully, you are over the acute stage and that will make no difference.
Brandye
Posted: 30 Sep 02:23
Yeah im over the acne part, but I have been on Dianette for 6 years now and have been told that its a really bad pill to be on for long term effects - that is why I asked my doctor to change my pill, he just never mentioned anything like this.
I guess I just worried a bit since I had a perfectly normal period the other week.
amy_simcott
Posted: 30 Sep 02:23
Ok, now im worried.
After reading some of them reviews I found this one:
Bad Points
Bouts of depression.
Sometimes moody and snappy, especially at the end of each pack.
Being far too emotional.
Irrational thoughts.
Crying and flipping out at the slightest thing.
Always feeling vunerable.
Negative thoughts and feelings, just couldnt look on the bright side!
Bad period pains and heavier periods (which i never used to suffer with)
It would take about 5 days for my period to start.
That is me to a T.
Im going to make an appointment with the doctor again.
It was me who asked to chage my pill, I had heard it had bad long term effects - I want to know why I wasnt warned about this at all or why no one suggested for me to come off these, it explains soo much.
I feel really awful now - I could have possible damaged my health even further from being on Dianette for 6 years.
I really really thankyou for your help, in some ways it helps knowing there is a reason why I have been like this lately - but it's also not a nice thought, I mean, now I gotta wait whille im on this new pill for me to get back to normal happy me.
amy_simcott
Posted: 30 Sep 02:24
Amy:
As Brandye points out; patients who are informed are the best consumers. Often Physicians or other Practitioners do not like to answer or do not have good methodology explaining "whys". However, she knows what is available in the UK v. here in the US...I am not a Physician, just a Nurse Practitioner. If you were in the US & in my care, I would change a patients BCP ASAP [if she had your symptoms] to a different pill until she could see her regular Gyn...or I would contact the Gyn myself & discuss the change right then & there...writing a new RX for the patient & have her follow up with the Gyn in a few weeks & you would be checking in w/me by phone.
I asked about the Pill since one of the meds in higher doses is similar to MTX. However, if that's not the reason [or any of the other's I asked you] I do not see why a better choice is not provided to you.
The key is asking; you see for yourself the side effects...you wondered what was getting to you a few weeks ago, perhaps much has to do with the BCP? I would really grill anyone who prescribes the "WHY" and all risks...be informed. Never fear asking questions and if you do not have sufficient answers change to another.
Some of the info sources I linked are good, some are patient or question forums, other's are just "okay"... but enough to get you some background as to what is happening...I have followed what you have wrote for some time now here & I question the pills.
Get a hold of the prescriber ASAP...there are more pills than you can imagine to try...I would think in the UK 20-30 (generally about three main types). One will work & it's working with your doctor to find the correct one. You do know you can stop them if you don't get an appointment, & use condoms with an added spermicide for BC options until you can get in to be seen. I do not know how long the average appointment time is for you in the UK. Here it's about a week [or under] for an established patient.
Let us know how you do...Please.
sera300
Posted: 30 Sep 02:24
Amy,
Do not freak out. You were looking at sites that either were the drug companies covering themselves or consumers who were dissatisfied. You can find dimilar comments about almost every medication on the market. Including aspirin.
The switch from Dianette was indicated. Maybe sooner, maybe not. I am not your physician.You have been switched to a logical and good alternative. Your initial question was over an episode of breakthrough bleeding. Many, perhaps most, women who change pills have similar. In a month or two your body will have adapted.
Yes, talk to your doctor. But do not get yourself all worked up.
Brandye
Posted: 30 Sep 02:25
Ditto to Brandye's post...I would ask your gyn about the use of the Dianette RX given your history of autoimmune disorder--RA. I assume you acquired the symptoms which they traced back to JRA with an onset around 8-10 years old.
You are 19 and have been on the pill since what? 13 y/o? There have been more advances over time in BC methods. I would seriously ask if the RX was due to your history & now having the symptoms of depression, etc. A switch is indicated.
No need to "freak out" just discuss your concerns with both your Gyn & Rheumatologist. I agree given your symptoms I would have also taken you off the Dianette and to the new RX. Breakthrough bleeding is not such a big deal & often the accompanying complaints take up to 3 months to dissipate.
Do not attempt to interpret medical studies; ask your prescriber to explain. Preventing a unwanted pregnancy is imperative for you since you are currently taking the MTX and the other symptoms can be addressed secondarily. MTX use if you became accidentally become pregnant warrants a termination of pregnancy & that's a tough choice to place on a young person who wants a full life of children. In essence, there is no true choice with the MTX & a unplanned pregnancy which is why I said when you get there [wanting a child] look at the use of Prednisone if a med is required for the RA--it's the only one approved if required; however, it has it's own complications but not near the same as the Anti-TNF, Chemo-therapeutic meds, or Coxx2 inhibitors.
I would doubt you have any real concerns regarding the long term use of the Dianette. If you wish to see other routine medications and the potential side effects look up ASA or APAP commonly known as Aspirin & Tylenol...read through a PDR on both...enough to scare anyone away from them! relax, please! The last matter you need right now is added stress & I never intended to place this level on you. Just be informed & weigh the risks/benefits with YOUR MD. Regardless of the medication used for Hormonal BC; pregnancy prevention is essential for you until you are ready to choose and to be followed closely by your MD's. Being on MTX makes it more of a required prevention. However, given the psychological risks associated with Dianette for you; your MD is correct in the change. Breakthrough bleeding is NOTHING!
Your obligation is to ask, to question, and to be informed...yet if you are suffering depression and became suicidal [assuming] that outweighs everything since life for you is the first priority--all else can be adjusted thereafter. No panic required...RELAX!
sera300
Posted: 30 Sep 02:25
lol ok.
Thanks.
I have calmed down alot today - just was really worked up yesterday.
Again thanks for the help, will definatly speak to my doc.!
amy_simcott
Posted: 30 Sep 02:25
