8 years ago I was 18 and found my future husband to be so off to the doctors for some advice. I will given the normal pill but after having my first migrane just a few hours later the doctor asked me if I wanted to be a 'guinea pig' for a new brand of pill they were trying out. I agreed and so began my long relationship with cerazette.
To begin with everything seemed to be fine. I took the pill before bed time every night to make sure I took it on time. It was especially as great my periods stopped immediately and were gone for the entire 8 years. However most of the slowly developing problems such as piling on weight, strong mood swings, depressions, lack of interest in sex, tiredness which I was putting down to my lifestyle changes (university, new boyfriend, exam stress, living away from home etc) I did not think for a moment that the pill was causing me any difficulties.
Back then I had to have a three monthly check up with the doctor to give her details about how I was progressing on the drug and to check my blood pressure. She also put the developing problems down to my new lifestyle not cerazette so I kept on taking it. (strangely now that doctors just give the pill out they don't even want to check my blood pressure!)
So the years rolled by and I learned to live with my new depressive, mood swinging and 4 stone heavier self. I graduated from university and moved in with my fiance (who surprising enough stuck with me throughout!) We both got jobs and settled into a 'normal' lifestyle. The lifestyle related symptoms were still there but by then I was so used to how the pill was making me feel I just accepted that this must be me!
Gradually though I realised I was getting more and more out of control with my emotions I was starting to have panic attacks in busy supermarkets, something as simple as missing the bus would leave me sobbing at the bus stop, I was constantly snapping at my fiance so we decided to see if it was the cerazette which was affecting me. I agreed to a three month time off the drug. At first there was no change then after 3/4 weeks i felt 'lighter' I felt like something had slotted back into place in my head. I felt happy!!! The arguments stopped, my sex drive returned (typical!) and I felt back in control again. That was until I started my first period in 7 years! I honestly thought I was in labour it was so horrific I was out of action for 4 whole days! That scared me to much I grabbed the cerazette again to stop my periods again! Within a month the previous problems all came back and I stayed on cerazette for another 10 months before my now husband pleaded with me to come off them. This time I have given the pills back to the pharmacists. Been off for a week now and already feel much more 'balanced'. I am terrified of my next period but I am prepared this time and have a box of paracetamol and codine ready!
It was fabulous not having periods but it will take a long to to remove the damage, both mental (the depressions/moodswings) and physical (the 4 stone weight gain) which cerazette caused. I know I must sound crazy to have stayed on cerazette for so long but I honestly thought that it was me not the drug. I spoke to numerous doctors and none of them ever suggested it was the pill and just blamed me for causing the problems!
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Advantages: No periods to speak of! 12 hour window, safe for those who suffer migraines Disadvantages: Can make skin slightly spotty, no "gaps" between packs
Advantages: Safe and effective for women who suffer from migraines or who can't take oestrogens. Disadvantages: None for me so far. Irregular bleeding for some women.
Advantages: Safe and effective for women who suffer from migraines or who can't take oestrogens. Disadvantages: None for me so far. Irregular bleeding for some women.
Advantages: Prevents pregnancy, you don't have to remember to take pills Disadvantages: Almost constant bleeding, No sex drive, Headaches, Mood swings, depression, Significant bruising
Nov 8th, 2009
very helpful by (100%):
