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Prescribed With Aygestin To Control Uterine Bleeding. Having Profuse Sweating, Dizzy And Shallow Breathing. Continue Medication?

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Posted on Tue, 3 Sep 2013
Question: Hi i am am a 49 y.o. female. Was prescribed Aygestin to control extremely heavy mid-cycle uterine bleeding.
I also take armour thyroid 90 mg (partial thyroidectomy). I take ambien for sleep problems and Ativan for anxiety.

I have been on the aygestin for 11 days ( first 2 days @ 10 mg. remaining days @ 5 mg).
I am feeling really really REALLY anxious on the aygestin. Panic attacks & severe agitation. Profuse sweating. Shallow breathing. racing thoughts. Very dizzy.
I have been trying to manage it with ativan but I am struggling not to increase Ativan dosage as I am actually doing myblevel best to taper OFF the ativan. As it has been close to 4 weeks and that is really too long.
These symptoms started almost immediately with the aygestin administration. I want to stop the panic attacks. I have a lot of work to do. If I cut the 5 mg pill in half and take only 1 per day... will I start bleeding??
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rhea Chanda (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Change of drug

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Aygestin causes dizziness as a side effect and interacts with the thyroid medication also. Probabaly thats the reason why the symptoms have arisen. The best course of action would be to change the aygestin. Decreasing the dose by breaking the pill can cause breakthrough bleeding.I suggest that you see your doctor again and have the drug changed. Aygestin is a type of progestin called norethindrone.There are other types of progestins in the market. Maybe if changed,you will tolerate another drug better.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Rhea Chanda (1 hour later)
Thanks for your reply. I was concerned that it was affecting the thyroid med.
But both my gyno & my pharamacist (i asked twice) said it would not be a problem.
Is there other information available on how it affects thyroid meds?

I am getting quite concerned about the conflicting info.
As well as my symptoms

Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rhea Chanda (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
decreased efficacy

Detailed Answer:
The drug is said to decrease the efficacy the thyroid drug. Sweating is a symptom of hypothyroidism. Now these side effects are all relative.The way it affects you may be different from the way it affects others. All patients are not affected by all the side effects.It depend on other factors like the metabolism.It seems that your body is affected by this. I suggest you do see your doctor again,and check to change the drug.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Rhea Chanda (6 minutes later)
Sweating is a symptom of HYPERthyroid. Not hypo. If the Aygestin actually INCREASED thyroid med efficacy/absorption -- it would explain ALL of my symptoms -- as they are all indocators of HYPER not hypo. I remain throughly confused by your answer -- as you say the Aygestin decreases efficacy.

Ugh. Will go back to Doc in Monday.
But I remain quite concerned for the weekend.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rhea Chanda (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
confusion

Detailed Answer:
You had a partial thyroidectomy. Aygestin decreases the efficacy of the thyroid meds.So the absorption is affected.So chemically the thyroid levels may be more in your body may be in hyper state although you have hypothyroidsm. You should get a Free T3,T4,TSH done on monday.Along with that,you are peri menopausal So sweating will occur accentuated with the thyroid dysfunction.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Rhea Chanda (9 minutes later)
Thank you this makes much more sense.
I have an appointment with Endocrinologist for Tuesday.
Eill ask for a full panel.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rhea Chanda (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
confusion

Detailed Answer:
I suppose i couldnt explain this to you properly. Apart from the thyroid tests, you should see a gynecologist for appropriate HRT. Peri menopausal symptoms may last upto a year before you achieve complete menopause.So in case you cant handle the symptoms, discuss Hrt.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Rhea Chanda

OBGYN

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3161 Questions

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Prescribed With Aygestin To Control Uterine Bleeding. Having Profuse Sweating, Dizzy And Shallow Breathing. Continue Medication?

Brief Answer:
Change of drug

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Aygestin causes dizziness as a side effect and interacts with the thyroid medication also. Probabaly thats the reason why the symptoms have arisen. The best course of action would be to change the aygestin. Decreasing the dose by breaking the pill can cause breakthrough bleeding.I suggest that you see your doctor again and have the drug changed. Aygestin is a type of progestin called norethindrone.There are other types of progestins in the market. Maybe if changed,you will tolerate another drug better.