Birth control question (long)

[justbeth]

I haven't been on birth control in 6 years. I recently started taking Kariva because the pain from my endometriosis was becoming unbearable and was effecting my daily life. It was birth control or surgery. We chose birth control and switched our TTC plan from TTC to foster-adopting.

I've been on Kariva for 6 weeks continuously now. It is making me crazy hormonal. I cry ALL the time at the drop of the hat. I am typically not a crier at all. Before getting on BC we wanted a baby, but I had come to terms with adoption and was seriously in a good place with that. Now I want to get pregnant with everything in me. I want it so bad it actually hurts. I cry at the sight of a newborn or the thought of never having another bio child.

I think it's just the hormones from the birth control. I know logically that even trying to get pregnant means having pretty intense surgery, then going through more infertility treatments. I KNOW that I just don't have this in me right now. Maybe one day, but not today. If it was guaranteed to work, guaranteed that I wouldn't miscarry again, I might be in. But it's not. And that's a big commitment for something that *might* work. I KNOW this. I am choosing not to do this. Yet I am not okay emotionally. I'm a mess. But I wasn't before the birth control. I'm not sure if it's making me emotional or if it's just sinking in that I'm on BC and can't get pregnant, that I'm giving that dream up.

All this to say, if you have been on birth control do the crazies stop once your body has adjusted to the hormones? Or is this life? Or do I need a different bc? Or an additional med? How long did it take you to adjust?

In case it's important: My endo pain is 90% gone now. Gone! It's amazing. I forgot what it was like to not be in almost constant pain. My boobs hurt like crazy though. (I keep hoping they are growing, but that doesn't seem to be happening...)

Wow. That got long. If you made it through please have some wine and cookies on me. Sorry for the mental breakdown.

[mommymadness]

I feel like I'm never the friend that is great with knowing exactly what to say at the right time lol but I feel like it is probably the Extra bout of hormones causing extra tears. Although your feelings are definitely valid!! I just want to send you big hugs! I'm glad your pain is being managed now though.
I've been feeling sad lately too about not having more babies! (My uterus is paper thin apparently) I think the finality of being officially done is tough for the majority of people. I think it is soo great that you are doing the adoption route. I often wonder if I would want to adopt down the road!
Sorry I'm rambly and didn't really answer your questions!! Lol

[britbratjf]

Were you on BC previously? If it didn't affect you negatively then then I would try to switch BCs now. I've never had an adjustment period with BC. So I would talk to your dr and try to switch.

[babywinks]

In my experience, hormones from BCP are huge contributors to extra tears and heightened emotions. I took the same BCP from age 17 to my mid 20s when the manufacturer stopped making it and I had to switch to a different manufacturer - generics for the same pill but obviously a little different. For 2 months I was an emotional mess and had no idea why. I was really concerned especially since I thought I was in a great place in my life but felt so off emotionally. One day while I was in tears talking with DH he asked if I needed to go see someone when I suddenly realized the connection with the timing between the switch and my sadness. I was instantly relieved as I had a reason for my feelings. The next month was a little easier as I knew what was driving the crazy emotions and by month 4 I think my body had adjusted.

So I would suggest giving it a little more time especially since your endometriosis pain seems to be well managed. But if you continue to feel extra emotional after a couple months, another BCP might be an option.

Hope you feel better soon.

[justbeth]

Thanks ladies! I had been on birth control previously, but I started it when I was 15 due to endo and had been on it consistently for around 10 years when we started TTC. I never switched in that time. I don't really remember if it effected me when I was 15, but I was 15 so if it had made me moody no one would have probably noticed! It sounds like maybe I should give it a little longer and see if my emotions calm down. If not, or it gets worse, I'll call my doctor.

It comes in waves. Last night when I wrote that I was so so sad, now this morning I'm ok. Hopefully it's just the hormones...

[sarasansh]

I've always been super sensitive to hormonal birth control. Even though each one is basically the same with only tiny variations it definitely affects me. I had to try 2 or 3 different ones in college before I found one that didn't make me crazy.

If it doesn't get better after another month or two, it could be worth mentioning to your doc.

[laurski81]

I too have always been super sensitive to birth control and like sarasansh said I had to try a bunch before I found one that would work "best" for me. But to be completely honest even the "best" one wasn't good and none of them ever made me feel normal so hormonal birth control just isn't for me. I am sure that it is definitely contributing to what you are feeling and going through right now. I am so sorry Hun and I hope that you are able to find something that will work better for you. I hate that you are feeling like this. Sending you lots of hugs.

[justbeth]

I definitely remember feeling so much better when I stopped taking hormonal bc back when we started ttc. At the time I remember telling DH that I was never going back on it. However, it's the best way to control the endometriosis, so I guess I'll be on it from now on.

I really hope my body adjusts quickly!

[bantyrooster]

Hugs momma! I started the mini pill after no BC for 5 years. It sucked the first month, so I would give a pill with estrogen a couple more weeks. If after two three months I was still that bad I would switch. There are so many out there one should work better. I will add that I really want #3. Not right now, but in a couple years. H is on the fence and it would be easier financially if we didn't. Thinking about Ellison being my last makes me very sad. I think its my minds way of letting me know I am not done. So in other words I think some of it is normal "no more babies " sadness. I hope one day I have the "I am definitely done!" Feeling others have.

[trixi282]

I personally haven't experienced this, but like others have mentioned a good friend of mine was on HBC and she was crazy with a capital C for months while she tried a few different kinds (after having been in it previously too) but they just send her hormones out of control. I would call your doc and talk about other BC options, even different HBC if its seriously helping your Endo symptoms, then maybe there's a different one out there that will do the same without as many hormonal/emotional side effects.

[meow84]

I am supposed to be starting Kariva to manage the crazy hormones I have going on right now. My OB said to give a new pill 3 months to adjust before trying a new one.

[origamimommy]

justbeth hormonal BC makes me s whackadoodle! Junel was one very low dose that worked well for me before I had to stop. It can take a few months to level out but if it gets to be too much call your doctor! Hope you feel better soon!