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[Briony]

Went to my GP after several months where I bled and had stomach cramps on days 14-16 of the month, but no end bleed. She agreed Q may not have been strong enough for me yet and eventually agreed I could try a conventional pill - providing I assured her I would stop immediately if I had a bad migraine. We agreed to try Marvelon/Gedarel first as it's more estrogen dominant (she admitted afterwards she takes this pill too).

The last day of Q was Saturday (days 27 and 28 are blanks so in theory I'd not had any hormone for 3/4 days). For some reason I decided to wait a few days before starting Marvelon - in my head it was to get the Q out of my system. Big mistake! Woke up today with a humdinger of a headache. By lunchtime I was aching and anxious - something I've not had for a while. I guess this proves one of the benefits of Q is that the whole standard pack ensures your'e not without  estrogen for long enough to cause withdrawal problems, without having to take back to back. That 36 hours extra seems to have really affected me.

Trouble is, it's left me with a few dilemmas:

- If a four day break from a lower dose pill affects me like this, how will I cope with a seven day break on a stronger pill?

- If I have a bad headache now, how will I know (assuming it continues) whether it's the existing headache or a new one caused by the new pill (in which case I've been told to stop it)

- If I delay until the headache has gone, surely I will feel increasingly worse and it'll take longer to get it in my system again?


Been contemplating these issues all day,  made worse as I'm not at work today and DP is away so more time to 'think' . (Have deliberately avoided the internet all day as I knew that would wind me up even more!).

Eventually, an hour ago, I just decided to take the first pill and see what happens.

...  So here goes GRL. It'll be interesting to see how different/similar our Marvelon experiences will be, especially as we're the same age.   For better or worse, hopefully we can give other members in our situation some insight into this approach.

[GypsyRoseLee]

For what it's worth I think you've done the sensible thing. I also had a couple of really nasty headaches when I finally stopped taking Microgynon.

Have you considered taking Marvelon back to back lime I have been advised to? Or instead shortening the withdrawal break to just 3-4 days per month like someone's (can't rember posting name) endicrinologist suggested? Enough to cause a bleed and stop a prog build up, but not too long that you get full withdrawal. I intend giving myself a shortened break every other month.

I am keeping everything crossed for you.

[Chi chi]

I can't really offer any advice Briony but just wanted to wish you good luck   

[Chi chi]

Briony are you going to do a diary? I'd be interested in reading how you get along 

[Dorothy]

I forgot to take my pill 2 days running & started symptoms and some spotting, so decided I might as well have my break early. (Ovranette has changed the pack design recently and I am finding the new design makes it really easy to miss taking a pill  )  It's actually worked out well for me as it's meant I've had my bad days when I have been less busy.  Although it was by accident this time, I'm thinking I will play around with my break in future to try to time it for when it won't matter so much.  Might be worth trying that?   (Though obviously not a good idea for ladies who are also using BCP as birth control!)

[GypsyRoseLee]

Day 9:

Another good day, though my skin isn't great. Bit blotchy and a few blemishes which is surprising as Marvelon is meant to be great for your skin.

[GypsyRoseLee]

Whoops, forgot to post last night!

Day 10 & 11:

Skin improved a bit. I am getting a good 6-7 hours sleep per night but waking very early and feeling like I should really drop back off but my head feels too wired, if that makes sense?

Overall mood still fine though I feel a little bit flat. Not the awful deadening depression that I often get, thank God but a more general feeling of vague malaise. But I am not complaining at all.

It's just that when I stopped the Microgynon for those 10 days I felt quite excited by things, and felt very lovey-dovey toward DH. Just a lot more alive really. Since being on Gederal I feel quite stable but with that slight flatness.

But very, very early days yet.

[Briony]

Have you had any nausea or bloating? I am on day four now and I feel 'bigger' - in fact, I can actually sense my  boobs buzzing, if that makes sense? I guess this proves it's doing something, but not quite what I'd anticipated! I assume that I am getting more side effects this time as it's more powerful than Q? Feel very jittery and unable to concentrate. Must add though that it's very early days, as you say.

[GypsyRoseLee]

No nausea or bloating, and no changes to boobs either yet? I am still hungry though most if the time and still 12lbs heavier than I was before starting HRT and now BCP.

Day 12:

Much better day today. Not that I have felt 'bad' but just feel better today. Still getting the early waking though, when I can just tell my body would really like to go back to sleep but my mind won't let it.

[dogdoc]

Briiony.. All the buzzing, humming and jitters you feel I associate with high estrogen. When I put on a higher patch around 'ovulation' time I can induce all those sensations. Buzzing, tingling, internal vibrations, jitters and anxiety. Add in the ability to weep at the drop of a hat and that sums up high estrogen ( for me). I'm guessing your body is reacting to the relatively 'high' dose of bcp.

Thanks for posting these threads ladies. You are helping vast numbers of us. Even if we don't post about it.

Tara

[Briony]

Tara, I reckon you could well be right. I also think the new progesterone is having an impact, especially in terms of my GI issues!

[GypsyRoseLee]

Day 13:

Very good day today. Mood up and stable. Still hungry as a horse though. But enjoying the calm and mellow mood.

[Briony]

Yes! The appetite thing (and I am only 5 days in)! 

[GypsyRoseLee]

Day 14:

Another good day mood wise, just wish I wasn't so hungry all the time. Definitely feel more bloated and cumbersime than usual. Still getting the achey left ankle much of the time but really so long as my mood stays buoyant I can cope with the aches and pains.

[Kathleen]

Hello GypsyRoseLee.

I've just replied to my own post, if you know what I mean, about appetite issues. Mine seems to have gone AOL at the moment and I see that you are hungry as a horse. Don't fancy a swap at all ?

I agree with the other ladies, your post is most interesting even to those of us not on your regime. Your comments help us learn the effect of hormones even when they are not strictly from HRT.

Take care.

K.