Yasmin & Yaz Survivors

Joined: 17 Dec 2011 Posts: 2 : Items

I came off Yasmin in may of this year. The first few months were fine some anxiety but was manageable. Since July I have suffered with weakness, numbness and pain in my arms and legs. I have b12 deficiency but my levels are under control and normal. I have also had hair loss which is still ongoing. I have seen a neurologist who puts it all down to ocular migraine and could not give an answer for my legs. I mentioned the pill but it has always been dismissed by every gp/ consultant. Can some one please tell me if this sounds familiar?

Joined: 05 Jun 2010 Posts: 271 : Location: Texas Items

Hi Laura,

So glad to hear that you are off of Yaz. The first year off is definitely the worst, but it will get better!

Weakness is very common with Yaz. In fact, if you take the time to read the Doctor's Insert regarding Yaz (published on their website), in ALL clinical trials, greater than 1% of all women experienced astheina. Asthenia defined means: Weakness. Lack of energy and strength. Loss of strength.

So, Bayer knows that Yaz causes weakness and loss of strength, some doctors know... the only people that don't know are the women taking the pill... it's really sad and frustrating. This is definitely something I experienced (along with the numbness). Numbness is caused by excessive estrogen (from synthetic estrogen in the pill). Estrogen causes the cells to swell up, causing feelings of numbness. Both symptoms will go away given enough time.

I wouldn't expect a doctor to explain what is going on.. most are completely uninformed. Typically a Naturopathic Doctor is your best bet. Oh, and make sure to stay off of medication while you are recovering. Yaz affects the liver greatly, so the body is very sensitive to processing any medications.

Take care!

Joined: 17 Dec 2011 Posts: 2 : Items

Thank you for your reply. It's such a relief to know I'm not going mad and it is Yasmin that has caused this. I am also 4 months pregnant and it's horrible not being able to enjoy it because of the numbness. The only person that has given Yasmin the reason to my problems a second thought is my midwife. I also had awful depression and anxiety a month after coming off. I would advise anyone not to take this pill. I really have had the worst few months apart from the blessing of being pregnant

Joined: 05 Jun 2010 Posts: 271 : Location: Texas Items

Congrats on your pregnancy- that is so wonderful! Just be easy on yourself and rest as much as you need to. I wouldn't worry about the numbness. I (and many others) experienced it and it eventually went away. Depression and anxiety are another common side-effect. I'm sorry you've had a tough time, but it will get better. REST is so important, so just make sure you are doing that, especially with the pregnancy. Keep us updated and take care Smile

Joined: 12 Jun 2011 Posts: 2 : Location: Peru Items

Hi Girls,

Have decided to share my current symptom. I am not sure if this can be attributed to Yasmin or not, but after what I have been through, I have no doubt. So it has been almost 7.5 moths after I stopped taking Yasmin, I've had many symptoms, and book several appointments with doctors. I started with cardiologist, then neurologist and finally with my gynecologist. They all said it was a matter of time, until the pill would leave my system, but it has been so long that I can believe I am still dealing with the side-effects.
I want to know if anyone else feels the same symptoms and if so, could they share they story, I would really appreciate it.
It started with numbness in my left arm(first sign), if was a feeling of tiredness, like I had no strength. Later on, had tingling sensation on some finger and lately on just a couple of toes. Is not constant it comes and goes. This sensation could also be described as if my vein would not be thick enough and that the blood had trouble to go through the vein... Had that feeling in my thigh about 1.5 months ago... Same thing I felt on my arm- this has happened on the left and right side. Since is not constant, then I am not worried but, is lasting so long... which is making me doubt. Also I should add, that I've also had a sensation in my left side of the chest, but is a poking sensation, not constant, but it comes and goes. Now my doctors, have told me that they understand my story- at the same time, they said that to keep my self calm, if this sensations are not constant, then I should not worry about them. If is neurological, heart problems or even circulation they should be constant. For circulation, I have no swelling nor change of color or anything, but my legs feel tired, I have the 'feeling of' ...
May I add, that I have this 'poking' sensation on my left side of my chest, it is like someone is behind my chest and with something they 'poke' me, usually feel it behind my breast, or upper shoulder, or sometimes pretty close to the center of my spine.

Has anyone experience something similar? if so, what has helped?

Thanks girls.

Joined: 03 Feb 2012 Posts: 67 : Items

Ashmira: I experience discomfort in my left chest, just below the breast, and it spreads to the left back and shoulder as well. It feels like a dull ache at the back and shoulder area, and a gnawing feeling on the left chest.

Joined: 05 Jun 2010 Posts: 271 : Location: Texas Items

Sherrie,

I had the exact same thing after I came off Yaz! I even described it as a "gnawing"... it took about a year to go away. It was one of the worst symptoms! I don't know why it happened, but sometimes peppermint tea eased it off a little bit.

Joined: 03 Feb 2012 Posts: 67 : Items

Dear Texas, I'm so glad that I'm not alone in experiencing it!

Anyway, on Saturday night, I discovered a lump/swelling about an inch below my left breast on the ribcage. I'm so totally freaking out now.

Joined: 19 May 2011 Posts: 193 : Location: Canada Items

I have also have numbness and wekaness in my arms coming off, 3 months off today. I drop things, like light things, sometimes for no reason at all. This morning I was doing laundry and dropped a shirt I was holding for no reason at all.