Posted by Carol on April 6, 1999, at 18:21:20
In reply to Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills, posted by Terry on April 4, 1999, at 20:17:47
> > > hi just wanted to know if any of you take Birth Control pills and Antidepressents. I will be starting on sunday taking B.c. and want to know if it would have any effect on my antidepressents. I have read on some boards that B.C. pills can make depression worse. I will be on a low dose of B.C. Any suggestions or comments please reply or e-mail, Thanks Ann
> >
To all:I'm 38 and I have been on BC pills AND ADs for around 13 years. The BC pills predated the AD by a little bit, and have been constant through the medication roulette that so many of us are on. I'm diagnosed as "atypical" depression. The BC pills help balance me out over the cycle. I still have some "PMS" symptoms, but they are much more limited, and only last 2, max 3 days. Also, now that I can predict when they should hit, I'm more effective in managing the problem.
Different BC pills have different balances of estrogen and different chemical compositions. The first BC pill I was put on made me totally sick, and I felt lousy for the entire 3 months I took it. I've been on Ortho-novum products for 15? years, and I tolerate these OK. At this time, I'm on the 1-35/28 days (so I don't forget to restart at the end of the week) and I think I do OK with this added to my AD cocktail.
If you feel lousy on the 1st BC pill, ask the dr. to change manufacturers--the side effects should be different. You might need to be on one type for 2 or 3 months to even out your cycle, though.
Good luck
Carol
poster:Carol
thread:4242
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990401/msgs/4485.html