i've posted a lot about my problems since starting bcps so i'm sorry if this sounds repetitive. i've just been thinking a lot lately & i think i should stop taking them. i'm at the end of my 7th month on the pill (the 1st 4 months i was on estrostep & the last 3 on ovcon 35). i've had btb every month since i started...it usually starts at the same time each month (beginning of the 2nd week of the pack) and lasts an average of over 10 days...and then i get a normal period at the end of the month. i called my gyn last week when this started again & she sounded concerned...said i should have a sonohystogram to look for lesions in my uterus. i've read this procedure is unpleasant & thought that sounded a little drastic since before i started the pill, i was super regular with my cycle. so she said she'll do a regular sonogram followed by an exam. she told me to set it up for the end of my placebo week so i made an apointment for next friday (next saturday being my last placebo pill in the pack). however, i doubled up on pills for 3 days when this btb started to try to get it under control. so now the last active pill i have is tomorrows pill. i posted before about whether or not i should get an extra pack & take 3 pills from it & then take the placebos & i was advised to do that since you need 21 days of pills to be protected against pregnancy.

but now i'm thinking...i dont think my gyn is going to keep me on this pill & even if she says i should, i will say no thanks. i cant take this anymore. so i really dont want to go & spend another $50 (my insurance doesnt cover Rx's) on 3 pills & then just throw the rest out. and i'm really not worried about pregnancy right now...i only had sex once this pack in the 1st week...and as it looks right now, there wont be any in the near future because my bleeding is getting worse. so can i just take this pill tomorrow & forget about the other 3? i left a message tonight to see if i could change my appointment to next wednesday, since that would be my last placebo day if i left out those 3 pills & if she switched me to a different pill, i could just start it on thursday.

i really just want to get into my placebo week asap. the bleeding i'm having today is the heaviest its been since my 1st month on bcps. and i've been bleeding since last monday! i'm feeling incredibly tired & worn out & i think it has to do with that.

has anyone else had any experiences like this? i know bcps just dont work for some people. maybe my body needs a break. i just feel like this cant be good for me. and really, whats the point? i went on the pill to 1-help my skin, 2-help my cramps, 3-make my flow lighter & 4-prevent pregnancy. well my skin hasnt changed, i still have cramps (not as bad but they last a lot longer), i'm bleeding for over 1/2 the month & i'm barely even having sex because i'm bleeding all the time. so really, i'm just nuts for taking them!

i dont know...any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. sorry this is so long...i'm just getting really annoyed & i'm kind of fearful of what i might find out after my appointment.

Like you said, pills don't work for everyone..so maybe that's what's going on with you.

I don't know anything about the pills you're taking. I'm on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and have been for the past 6 months or so. That's the only pill I've ever taken and have never had any problems with it.
Maybe you just need a different prescription?
I know switching between pills back and forth is probably not that great, but you gotta test some out to see which ones are best for you.

Like you, before I started taking pills I was always regular, and I still am.
I also went on the pills for the same reasons you did.. except they actually worked for me.
My skin looks a whole lot better, no more horrible breakouts before my periods start. I no longer get cramps either. My flow is about a day or so shorter than it used to be, and is always predictable. And I haven't experienced any side-effects most people complain about, such as breakthrough bleeding, weight gain, acne, etc.

So what I think you should do is go to your doctor as soon as you can and talk to her about it. If she wants you to do those tests or whatever, just get it over with so you know there is nothing seriously wrong.
Maybe you could take a break from pills for a few months for now..and then get a different prescription till you find the one that works for you.
Or you could also try the patch. I've never used it, but I hear from people that it's easy to use and effective..except I guess the risks of heart attack/stroke etc are higher. I'm not positive on that, but that's I hear.
I'm sure once you talk to your doctor you'll be able to figure out what's best for you.
Good Luck

thanks for the reply riotgirl. thats great that your pill is working so well for you! i guess i'll stay open to the option of trying a different pill...it just gets so frustrating.

i changed my appointment to next wednesday, so i've decided start my placebo week 3 days early. it would really kill me to spend $50 for 3 stupid pills. and maybe i'll get a little relief from this bleeding sooner. its getting ridiculous! yesterday i ruined 3 pairs of underwear it was so heavy. i actually had nightmares last night about the bleeding. i think i'm losing it!

i'll see what my dr says...i refuse to stay on this pill any longer though. its obvious its not right for me. if she suggests a different pill i'll consider trying it but i'm kind of losing hope. i'd hate to go through another 3 months of this just to be back where i am right now.