FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC UPDATE - WORSE TODAY

BNBride60 Posted: Nov 01, 2007 02:12 AM

FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC UPDATE - WORSE TODAY

I recently went back on the pill after being off of it for many years. I had bad experiences in the past with Ortho Tri-Cyclen so my gyno just put me on what she said was among the lowest possible doses - Lo-Estrin 24. She warned me that it may cause a decreased sex drive and acne, and even possible hair growth.

I was previously having some acne in one concentrated spot on my face while I was not on the pill. I went to a derm and got duac, retin A, and a glycolic peel. Late last week my skin had almost 100% cleared up.

Now, after about 2 weeks on the lo-estrin, today my face has suddenly broken out in the most bizarre and disgusting way. My face is COVERED in tiny pimples ALL OVER. I have never in all my life had anything like this, and since I put retin A on every night I don't understand how this could be anything else besides the birth control.

How do you stop taking the birth control? I can't even remember...should I finish this pack? Can I just stop mid-pack. There is no way I want to stay on it if it causes this, it's like nothing I've ever seen. I have not yet called my gyno (I will first thing tomorrow) but I actually can't even sleep because I'm so freaked out about it.

Sorry so long.

UPDATE: I just had to leave work because I am now covered in a rash all over my arms, stomach and chest. I am not taking any other medication, nor have I eaten/drank anything unusual. I called my gyno to find out if the two are possibly connected and she is out of the office. I asked to speak to one of the other gynos and they said they'd call back but they still haven't.

I am honestly freaking out and I think I'm going to have a nervous breakdown. What the hell is wrong with me right now

SoontobeMrsMc Posted: Nov 01, 2007 02:18 AM

Re: FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC

Hey Jess.... I was told the opposite. I'm on orthro tricyclen and she told me that it would help with acne. I haven't had a problem yet and it's been years BUT you're on a different type. I wouldnt suggest just not taking it. You should take tonight's pill and then talk with your Dr. tomorrow. I wonder if the retina has anything to do with it. I recently started using that too and it caused me to be red and very sensitive. The derm told me that it was because it's removing layers of your skin and exposing the new layers -which might have acne waiting to come through. I wonder if it's the combo of both?

BNBride60 Posted: Nov 01, 2007 02:20 AM

Re: FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC

The higher dose pills like ortho tri cyclen ARE supposed to help with acne.

Lower dose pills like loestrin have more 'androgens' which tend to cause acne to flare up.

This is how she explained it to me...

I may even be willing to start a different pill that is not such a low dose, if I could find one that would work.

SoontobeMrsMc Posted: Nov 01, 2007 02:21 AM

Re: FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC

Yeah, it's hard finding the right one sometimes. Ive only been on this one but I wanted to switch it and my Dr. asked me not to. She said there are a lot of side effects when you change it from one dose to another. I hope to come off of it after we're married. I would take it tonight and all dr tomorrow. Dont skip tonight's.

BNBride60 Posted: Nov 01, 2007 02:23 AM

Re: FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC

Thanks!

I did take tonight's at around 8pm...

I just can't believe this is happening...she warned me, but I didn't think it would come on so soon and I really wanted to find a BC that works for me this time. My experience last time was SO horrible, maybe I should've knwon better.

Lyssiegrl Posted: Nov 01, 2007 02:36 AM

Re: FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC

Ever since I went off the pill my skin has not stopped breaking out- and I've been off for over a year! It was making my nauseous so I went off of it, but I need to go back on again.

Were you on ortho tri cyclen lo before or just regular ortho tri cyclen? If it was regular, ask your gyno about going on lo- b/c it does clear up skin.

BNBride60 Posted: Nov 01, 2007 02:39 AM

Re: FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC

Posted by Lyssiegrl

Ever since I went off the pill my skin has not stopped breaking out- and I've been off for over a year! It was making my nauseous so I went off of it, but I need to go back on again.

Were you on ortho tri cyclen lo before or just regular ortho tri cyclen? If it was regular, ask your gyno about going on lo- b/c it does clear up skin.

I was on regular ortho tri - this was 5 or 6 years ago before they even had the lo option I think.

I will ask my gyno about it. Do you think it's possible to switch pills mid-pack (maybe just picking up mid-way thru a new pack of a different brand)? I honestly don't know how I can bring myself to keep taking it, it's so bad tonight that I'm embarrassed to be seen at work tomorrow.

Randilotus Posted: Nov 01, 2007 02:43 AM

Re: FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC

Posted by Lyssiegrl

Ever since I went off the pill my skin has not stopped breaking out- and I've been off for over a year! It was making my nauseous so I went off of it, but I need to go back on again.

Were you on ortho tri cyclen lo before or just regular ortho tri cyclen? If it was regular, ask your gyno about going on lo- b/c it does clear up skin.

Same here, my skin is so bad right now!

MrsHtobe Posted: Nov 01, 2007 08:59 AM

Re: FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC

I would keep on taking this pack, unless you are okay wiht going off BC for the month alltogether. . . I dont think you can switch mid-pack, but I could be wrong.

Ask your doctor about Yaz. . . I haven't had any problems and it is very low dose also (I used to have high BP so he put me on this one instead of Yasmin)

Mici n KC Posted: Nov 01, 2007 09:27 AM

Re: FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC

Ask your doctor Yaz, it's supposed to be really good.

I don't think you need to stop taking the pill at any point. You can stop whenever.

Tina1117 Posted: Nov 01, 2007 09:35 AM

Re: FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC

It might not be the BC at all. It could be what the Derm pescribed to you. Sometime when you have acne medicine it does a wonderful job clearly your skin up. When you use it for too long your skin suffocated from using acne medicine that it breaks out.

I'm not a doctor but I went through the same thing you did. I use cut back on using what the derm pescribed you (every other night) and then eventually stop using it BUT slowly.

Everyone's skin different but this worked for me and now my skin has never been better.

BTW...I've never had acne skin but I did break out and I hated that

Good luck.

Browneyesncute Posted: Nov 01, 2007 09:39 AM

Re: FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC

Posted by MiciB115

Ask your doctor Yaz, it's supposed to be really good.

I don't think you need to stop taking the pill at any point. You can stop whenever.

YAZ is good it help acne and u only get u'r . for 3 days!

Fausha Posted: Nov 01, 2007 10:34 AM

Re: FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC

I had the same reaction on loestrin 24. It was horrible. I'm on ortho (reg) one. It actually keeps my skin the best. I would probably finish out your pills. Than start a new one. Def call your obgyn to find out whats best. Good luck!

bluegreen08 Posted: Nov 01, 2007 12:26 PM

Re: FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC

i switched from alesse/aviane to loestrin 24 and it has been giving me bad headaches and unbearable cramps. i don't know if i should switch back to my old pill or try yaz which i heard is great.

i'd been on the pill for ages (since HS) due to ovarian cysts and dont even know what is 'normal' for me so i was curious what would happen with the switch.

BNBride60 Posted: Nov 01, 2007 01:04 PM

Re: FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC UPDATE - WORSE TODAY

BUMP

LuvMyAlfonse Posted: Nov 01, 2007 01:09 PM

Re: FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC UPDATE - WORSE TODAY

Wow Jess - I bet it's a combo of the pills, all your topical creams and FREAKING out. The stress is probably wreaking havoc on your body.

Try taking an oatmeal bath and calm down...

Everything is going to be OK, I'm sure the rash'll go away soon!

DNS91308 Posted: Nov 01, 2007 01:09 PM

Re: FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC UPDATE - WORSE TODAY

I would just go to the doctors office, its an emergency and they have to take you....

Belongs2DanBuckley Posted: Nov 01, 2007 01:15 PM

Re: FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC UPDATE - WORSE TODAY

OMG- GET BENADRYL AND STOP TAKING IT!!!

BNBride60 Posted: Nov 01, 2007 01:24 PM

Re: FREAKING OUT - How to Stop BC UPDATE - WORSE TODAY

I just took two benadryl and I checked the loestrin website and it says right on there that rash is a side effect.

I know I'm taking retin A and duac - but I don't see how they could cause a rash all over my body because I'm using them topically on my face and I am not ingesting them. I'm not a doctor, but it just doesn't make sense to me.