Birth Control Pill Question

[kadi]

I got sick with IC several months after quitting a birth control pill I'd been on for ten years. I just went back on it, after a year of trying other pills (had not liked some of the side effects of it). The first night on it I had a bladder flare & headache the next morning, but ever since then I've been just fine. I think I might be feeling a little better. It's been 3 weeks since I went back on it.

Anyone know how long it might take to see if it will make a difference to the IC??

[jen_dahling]

It makes an immediate difference for me, Kadi. I have to be on the BC because my IC is definitely hormone related. I went through hell the two times I went off BC, the last time in Feb. was what started me on the road to being dx with IC. I sarted the new BC Seasonale this month so I can even avoid my periods. For some reason instead of the normal hormone drop right before my period, my hormones would drop about 2 weeks before. It made my IC much worse! No problems so far and I am about to start the week that I would normally have a period with NO SYMPTOMS! Good luck sweetie.

[Katrina]

Basically any time I made a change with my hormones like that...ouch to the bladder.....once they are steady (like after about a week on the pill) much better!

Good luck!

[PikkuMyy]

I've just switched to Mircette (a substitute for Seasonale in that although I get my period each month, I have estrogen in the last 5 out of the 7 "placebo" pills so that my hormones only drop enough to start my period but then are steady.) So far I've noticed more bladder problems than being on my old pill (Orthocept) but we'll see. I'm taking it to try to avoid the migraines I was getting with each period. However, I was also on daily antibiotics until this new pack of pills so it may be due to that.

[kadi]

Hi PikkuMyy,
Mircette is much lower in estrogen (20mcgm) than Orthocept (30mcgm). The progesterone type & the dose are the same (desogestrel 0.15mg) The bladder is very reactive to estrogen, so if you're having more symptoms maybe that could be it? I got this info from the link below. Might be worth a discussion with your doctor.

Now that I've been back on the Necon1/35 for 3 weeks, I'm noticing my bladder isn't burning all the time anymore. (Changing from Yasmin to Necon 1/35 raised the estrogen 5 mcgm & changed the progesterone type).

Here is a link to a site that compares different pills in their estrogen amounts & type/amount of progesterone. I printed it out & took it to my doctor for discussion.

www.wdxcyber.com/ncontr13.html

I don't know why it says the link is broken eek , but just type in birth control pills for the search. On the next page it gives you, you'll find the "Which birth control pill is right for me?" in the ARTICLES section on the right hand side.

Hope you find something that helps & have a great conversation with your doctor about it...

[Sharon]

Thanks for the site Kadi, it was very interesting.

[jen_dahling]

Hey! I was on the Mircette before Seasonale. That's why I switched, I was having too much flaring pain. I guess the old BC didn't give me enough hormones to ward off the flares.

Just wanted to add that I found a site from a Dr. who treats allergies, asthma, fatigue, IC, fibromyalgia, and hormone imbalances. One of the things he talks about is an oral progesteron drop. Pm me if you are interested in a link. :)