Yasmin & Yaz Survivors

Joined: 17 Nov 2010 Posts: 10 : Location: UK Items

First of all I know everyone says this, but I am so happy to have found this forum and I'd like to thank everyone as reading about all these side effects and symptoms has made me feel so much better about my own situation! I now know I'm not alone in this Yasmin induced nervous breakdown.
Basically I was only on Yasmin for 5 months. I began taking to try and make my periods a bit more bearable. Whilst I was on it I was out of control, I would go crazy over the smallest things and my boyfriend and I were arguing ALL the time. I became jealous and paranoid and unable to control my emotions. I decided that enough was enough and just stopped taking the pill mid pack, without even considering that there may be side effects for coming OFF the pill....silly me.
I had my 'fake' period a few days after stopping Yasmin and felt a little better. Though I had become so used to being an uptight emotional wreck that things weren't changing too dramatically. Anyway, coming up to my first 'real' period is when everything went downhill. I had a panic attack and since then I have been battling some of the worst crippling anxiety and depression that I have ever experienced. I suffer from anxiety disorders and depression anyway and I am currently having c.b.t to try and tackle this, but this has made everything a WHOLE lot worse.
I felt like I was losing my mind. I was so anxious all the time and unable to concentrate on anything (3rd year of uni, not so good) I felt like I was drifting from my boyfriend and began having obsessional thoughts about how I don't love him anymore and how he doesn't love me anymore, I couldn't be around my friends without feeling detached and weird, I couldn't eat anything and I would sit in the stockroom at work and cry and cry and cry over my anxiety and this horrible situation. Not to mention the sudden weakness of my bladder, having to get up many times in the night to go to the toilet even though I hadn't had a drink for hours (this happened whilst on the pill too.)
I have had to resort to antidepressants as all of this has triggered an awful depressive/anxious episode that could cost me my degree and relationship. My doctor has also said that I am probably suffering from PMDD now and I have also done a blood test for my thyroid. I can finally kind of see a light at the end of the tunnel after 3 months of stopping the pill (2 since the panic attack.) AKA THE LONGEST 2 MONTHS OF MY LIFE.
EVERYONE I know who has been on yasmin has not had a positive experience. I wish that the professionals out there who are dishing out this drug to unsuspecting women would actually warn them of the damage that the pill can cause. Of course it can affect you mentally, our hormones are in control of so much in the body (hence p.m.t) and surely it's not just a coincidence that ALL these women are suffering?
I feel for you all and I am just so angry that this is happening.
xxxxxxxxxx

Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 7:59 pm

Dear Mimi,

I hope things will clear up for you soon. There is never a good time to go through the withdraw effects of this poison, all you have to do is fight it.

College time is supposed to be a fun and exploring time, having this like a dark shadow around you all the time is never fun. I know how you feel. Just know that at least you have stopped and are on your way to better health, and probably also a better relationships with your boyfriend, friends and family.

Take one day at a time. It is all you can do. Remember to smile for realizing that it was Yasmin that made you sick and not 'you' - smile because now you know and are working on getting better. Tell yourself thank you for walking this journey. You will be a stronger, more educated, and compassionate woman because of this. You have learned the hard way that a doctor is not equal to a saint... and that will probably help you live a healthier life in the future. You might be more critical when it comes to medicine and even advertisements.

We are all here for you, no matter what question you have or if you just need to vent. Anxiety is never fun to deal with, I know that first hand. Just stay strong and remember that it is not the real you. The real you is coming though.. day by day.

Sending you many hugs,
Helena