Im 22 and started taking birth control pills when i was 16. i started with ortho novum which worked fine for me for the first 2 years. after that, i was constantly nauseated and dizzy, and would get attacks that were similar to panic attacks only i dont think they were.. i would just feel extremely weak and have to sit down. id recover within a few minutes, but it was extremely annoying! unfortunately it took me a long time to find the link between the pills and the symptoms.. my doc switched me to loestrin, but i was still nauseous. then he tried putting me on Progestin only pills (POP) but those made me extremely dizzy. I stopped all pills for about 6 months and I felt better. Recently though, I was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries, and my gyno (a different doctor than the first one who prescribed me the other pills)suggested i go back on the pills to help get rid of the cysts. i was put on ortho tri cyclen lo. Worked great for 2 months, but on the third month I was just sick and nauseous allllll the time. switched to mircette, but it made me dizzy, and i started having the same old symptom (panic attack like) now, my doctor wants me to try the new ring (Nuvaring.) I'm tired of taking hormones, but I dont seem to have any other option. If I'm not on the pills I spot continuously (which can get really annoying) Has anyone here tried nuvaring after having negative experiences with bcp's? what were your experiences with them?? thanks!! i really appreciate it! I'm supposed to start wearing the ring this week but I'm still unsure if I want to.

How about trying birth control that doesn't contain estrogen? Of course there's the diaphram, male/female condoms, or cervical cap, but here are 2 more suggestions that maybe you haven't thought of:

You can either use - A) the copper variety of IUD (suggested use for women who are in monogomous relationships and who have had some children already), B) the Mirena IUD which contains a very small amount of progestin only localized to the uterus.

Just thought I'd put that out there if you hadn't thought of these options. Good luck!

[This message has been edited by Pandabaire3 (edited 08-04-2003).]

I currently use NuvaRing. I don't have any effects from it. Since it doesn't go through your stomach, it may help with the nausea. I haven't experienced anything negative with it since starting it in January.

It would be perfect if one of my other meds didn't interfere with hormonal BC. I'm going more permanent at my next appointment.

I believe there are other ways to treat PCOS that don't involve BCP's. I think BCP's are kind of a "quick fix" that works for some, but not everyone can tollerate them (and obviously, you're one of them!).

I've had a lot of strange complications from BCPs, so I know where you're coming from. Mine were mostly health-related, like winding up with osteopenia at age 25! The pill is definitely not a miracle drug when your body doesn't like it...

Have you considered having your blood sugar checked during the times you feel nausious and dizzy etc. I am wondering if you aren't suffering from hypoglycemia at these times and your blood sugar is what is causing these spells. The symptoms may well be related to the pill but they could also be from hypoglycemia. It wouldn't hurt to ask your doc about this possibility.

hi, thanks for replying. i actually work at a lab so im able to run my blood whenever i feel like it and i do test it during my dizzy spells. everything comes out fine, including my sugar. i've stopped taking all birth control for about a week now and im still getting the dizzy/nausea spells, but less often. does anyone know how long it takes for the medication to get out of your body?? i'm starting to think that maybe it's not the pills thats causing my weird experiences.. could it be something else? or is a week too soon? im leaving to go on vacation for a few days, so i'm hoping i'll feel better soon =( thanks for everyone's replys! Oh and by the way, what is osteopenia?

Osteopenia is kind of preliminary osteoporosis... from what I can remember learning. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
i.e. it is a thinning of the bones, but not to the extent as with osteoporosis.