Yasmin & Yaz Survivors

Joined: 30 Mar 2011 Posts: 1 : Location: Southampton Items

Hi all

I've just finished my third month on Yasmin and i'm still really unsure.
I changed from Microgynon because of headaches but still getting them now.
Also getting occasional sharp pains on left side of chest, and some pains on my right side today. They're not awful pains but they're not pleasant.
I'm not sure if it makes a difference but since starting the pill 2 years ago, i've developed prominent veins in my calves, they don't stick out but they're dark in colour and they sometimes ache and itch.
I've recently been to the doctor due to some post-coital bleeding, they blamed it on starting a new pill and my body adjusting. I'm too young in the UK for a smear test.

If anyone has some words of wisdom or advice i'd really appreciate it.

Thanks! Lauren x

Joined: 25 Aug 2010 Posts: 195 : Items

Hey fishface, i think most women on here would tell you what i am. Quit taking them. Especially if you're having headaches that continue and now chest pains. This is showing that your body is already having intolerances to the ingredients and synthetic hormones. I know you are young and want some form of birth control but there are non hormonal methods you could look into. I would hate for you to continue and get increasingly sicker, like so many of us on here. Right now it's headaches and chest pains but if you continue the side effects could increase into... blood clots,heart palps, anxiety attacks, leg cramps, sleep problems,depression, sinus issues, weight issues, numbness..the list goes on and on. Keep in mind, many symptoms come on gradually after being on for awhile, its not from the start, so hard to make the correlation. I was sick from Ocella for two yrs before i made the connection and now 8 mths off i'm still battling. When i say battle i mean just that, a daily struggle to get back to my old self, physically and mentally. Just keeping it real with you..i could never tell you anything other than to get off of them..

Continued healing-Kelly

Joined: 24 Nov 2010 Posts: 52 : Items

I have to agree. I really think staying on the pill might hurt you.

For me it started as little things that I rationalized as being from stress (headaches, weird stomach pains, feeling inexplicably fatigued even after a good night's rest). Fast forward a couple months later and I was seeing spots in my left eye. I stopped the Yaz that night.

It has now been over seven months since I stopped the pill, and I still don't feel completely back to myself but I feel a LOT better than I did a few months ago. I lost the weight I put on, my blood pressure decreased, my headaches lessened, and I'm starting to grow back the hair that fell out (in clumps) while I was on it.

So it does get better when you stop. It takes time and some effort but you will feel better. You are too young to be having these health problems! Especailly from something avoidable like BCP.

Joined: 22 Nov 2010 Posts: 6 : Location: Canada Items

I'm also tempted to tell you to stop taking the pill, but honestly, we can't know for sure if those specific symptoms are caused by it or not. Some symptoms will last during the first few months of starting a new pill and slowly disappear, but if yours have been going on for the past year or two, I think our suspicions are warranted. Next time you're on your period, I suggest you pay close attention to your body and see if your current symptoms subside or not. It might help you to pinpoint the cause. As for your chest pains, if they increase in intensity and frequency, it's probably a good idea to have them checked, if only to reassure you.

For my part, I often had headaches when I was on the pill (acetaminophen and ibuprofen did nothing for them). I had leg cramps and pain in my left calf extremely easily. I occasionally had spotting issues during the 5 years I took Yasmin, but it was nothing serious.

In the end, though, it's your decision and whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck!

Joined: 01 Jan 2011 Posts: 67 : Items

Oh I get short sharp chest pains too. They aren't deep in my chest, they feel pretty close to the surface and they don't hurt too much but they are annoying and keep happenig for an hour or so at a time. I get them on both sides too. I got a chest X-ray and bloodwork done and it all came back fine so I assume it's a Yasmin thing. I got them the worst straight after I quit but they aren't as frequent anymore. I find that removing my bra and lying on my back with my arms out and stretching my chest out is the only thing that helps.