Life after the pill

beachbeth

dawnydee73 wrote:

Have you been to the doctors, surely it shouldn't be this bad.

I have awful periods. Spend a week and a half building up to it with bad pms, stomach pains and everything else, then the actual pain of the period itself and the awful overwhelming tiredness (I could sleep all day when Im on!). I can't do anything right and am clumsy (I usually burn or cut myself when Im on!) and I don't feel safe driving either. But if Im on the pill it really cuts down a lot on all of this (its not gone completely though). I take anti-depressants and this stops the pms altogether too.

If I couldn't take the pill and my happy tablets my life wouldn't be worth living, and Im not exaggerating!

Ive seen doctors and also a specialist (can't spell gyneacologist!!!) and they said that I could have a hysterectomy which would get rid of the pain but I would still have pms. There is also a high risk of cervical cancer after you've had a hysterectomy and you have to have a smear every year so it just didn't seem worth it to me when I could just take my pills.

trops

Reading these threads, it is nice in a strange sort of way to know that you aren't the only one suffering with these problems.

I too was on the pill for about 20 years and then suddenly kept getting migraines. So the Doctor took me off the pill and they vanished as quick as they had come! Unfortunately, since then (about 8 years agoi) I still haven't got a regular cycle, and suffer most of the month with the usual pms symptoms.
I get terrible cramping which doubles me up, I turn into a psycho, and I am very heavy. I get very clumsy and forgetful and could weep at the tiniest thing. Doesn't sound much when reading it back, but as we all know it is extremely painful and frustrating! And it is something that the men say they understand (how can they possibly????)
I was reading on a website about some tablets for pms called 'Femal', there were lots of reviews about how fantastic they are for pms and for the menopause, so I ordered some and have been taking them for about 3 weeks now. Not too sure whether I can tell a difference just yet, but am keeping everything cross hoping I can turn back into a 'normal' person again.
I have considered many times to go to the Doctor about them, but once they have passed I feel guilty at the thought of taking an appointment that may be needed by someone with a real emergency, so like we all do, I just carry on as usual.
At least we know we are amongst understanding friends on here!

Turning_into_scrooge

beachbeth wrote:

I have awful periods. Spend a week and a half building up to it with bad pms, stomach pains and everything else, then the actual pain of the period itself and the awful overwhelming tiredness (I could sleep all day when Im on!). I can't do anything right and am clumsy (I usually burn or cut myself when Im on!) and I don't feel safe driving either. But if Im on the pill it really cuts down a lot on all of this (its not gone completely though). I take anti-depressants and this stops the pms altogether too.

If I couldn't take the pill and my happy tablets my life wouldn't be worth living, and Im not exaggerating!

Ive seen doctors and also a specialist (can't spell gyneacologist!!!) and they said that I could have a hysterectomy which would get rid of the pain but I would still have pms. There is also a high risk of cervical cancer after you've had a hysterectomy and you have to have a smear every year so it just didn't seem worth it to me when I could just take my pills.

This is strange but i was like this when taking the pill, i had to come off it for medical reasons 2 years ago, much better without it

madauri

Becles wrote:

Around a week before it comes, I get horrid stabbing pains and cramps, feel sickly

Quite the same as with me. And I'm so fed up I'm going to the GP tomorrow and complain.

wigginsmum

beachbeth wrote:

There is also a high risk of cervical cancer after you've had a hysterectomy and you have to have a smear every year

Depends which kind of hysterectomy you have. A subtotal hysterectomy leaving your cervix, then yes you have a continuing risk of cervical cancer although no higher than before. But a total taking your cervix cuts out all risk of cervical cancer and you don't need smears anymore. I had a vaginal hysterectomy and the cervix is always removed with that kind; they left my ovaries and Fallopian tubes though so I wouldn't immediately go into menopause.

Becles

Turning_into_scrooge wrote:

You don't have any disabilities do you?

No.

I've got IBS, and that is worse around peroid time though. I wondered if the hormones had an effect on my bowel

Ladyrider2600

I went in the pill at 14 as I was going through a super tampax and the largest towel on the market within a couple of hrs. I'd often wake up in a mess. I'd spend a day in bed with agonising cramps and I suffered dreadfully with my tummy (like beckles).

I came off the pill about 18mths ago and I've never felt better! :j
I've lost 3st, my moods are better and my monthlies are just as regular as they have ever been. They are a little heavier but nowhere near as bad as they were when I was 14. I get a little bt of a tummy but who doesn't?!
I'm much more in tune with my body and now know where in my cycle I am.

Your body will settle down, some take longer than others.

When I originally came off the pill I bled for 2 or 3wks which wasn't nice, but I certainly wouldn't consider going back on any sort of hormonal contraception again.

debecca

Becles (excellent name by the way),

Hormonal changes are an extremely common trigger of IBS. I used to suffer really badly at any hormonal change (ovulation, beginning of period, end of period) every month but I now avoid cheese and eating too much at those times and things have settled down. My friends with IBS have reported a similar hormonal link, so maybe that's why more woman have IBS than men??

Let us know how you get on at the doctor's. You shouldn't be suffering that much pain - they may refer you for checks on fibroids or something...

Ladyrider2600

Becles wrote:

No.

I've got IBS, and that is worse around peroid time though. I wondered if the hormones had an effect on my bowel

I had endometriosis which didn't help, but I suffer dreadfully around that time 2!

plumpmouse

Becles wrote:

No.

I've got IBS, and that is worse around peroid time though. I wondered if the hormones had an effect on my bowel

Hi

I came off the pill 5 years ago. Periods are not regular and never have been since. I have greasy hair, skin, heavy periods etc. Have been diagnosed with PCOS with also explains my infertility. It took me 18 months to concieve son and have now been trying over 2 1/2 years for another.

I also have IBS which started when I stopped the pill. Put it down to stress of trying for a baby and when it stopped when I was pregnant I thought this was correct. However when ds was 5 months old it came back even worse. I have also noted that around my periods it is unbearable so I do think my IBS is hormone related

Hope your feeling better