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What Causes Anxiety And Insomnia Post Birth Control Withdrawal?

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Posted on Mon, 2 Feb 2015
Question: Hello,


I am a 25 year old female and have recently had issues with my birth control. I have been on ortho tri-lo for seven years and wanted to get off of it. I stopped taking my pills in early November and within nine days had a complete breakdown; severe anxiety, insomnia, paranoia, and rapid heartbeat.

I was told to go back on the pill even though it was completely out of my cycle and not the right time. WIthin 2-3 days I felt better but I have had two episodes of the same symptoms since then, the week before my period (the last week of the pills). Most recently these symptoms have started Thursday XXXXXXX 1st and I ended my pack last night. Again, haven't slept well in three days, severe anxiety and emotional outbursts. I feel like I am out of control of my body. These symptoms never occurred over the years until I tried to stop the pills and started up again.

I do not know who to turn to for help or what doctor to go to. I was looking into bioidentical hormone therapy but have not been able to contact anyone with this being a weekend. I feel like I am completely out of balance with my hormones. I am debating on a hospital visit for the anxiety and sleeplessness because it has become intolerable.

I am really desperate for any advice and so far my medical doctor was less than helpful and my naturopathic doctor supports me with natural remedies to support my adrenal glands...mood etc. My symptoms go beyond natural supplements.

This is my first year with a real profession and I am afraid to miss work or not be able to handle my work due to these feelings. It has truly become a nightmare for me and with no one telling me that there is a solution I feel very hopeless. Any advice would be appreciated at this point.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
take the pills again

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, I completely understand your anxiety and nervousness related to the mood changes.
I would rather recommend you to start a fresh pill pack from today itself and take it in a continuous fashion.
You may get spotting per vaginum in between (though not necessarily), but there is nothing to worry about the spotting part.
Keep taking it till you get an appointment with your psychiatrist, even if it takes a week or so.
It is a known side effect in chronic pill users.
I hope you will be fine soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (13 minutes later)
I did consider starting a new pack and skipping the placebo week but I am so afraid of messing my body/cycle up more. I have never felt so out of control. I did see a psychiatrist thinking that this might be anxiety and not bc but due to the coincidence I really think it's a hormonal issue.

Are you thinking that if I start a new pack right away the symptoms might go away? Is the last week of pills a lower dose of hormones that could cause this?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (36 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
start new pill pack

Detailed Answer:
No dear, there will be no play with your hormones due to the new pill pack and neither it will change your condition.
Intake of active pills from new pack will give you the desired hormones to tide over the time gap between your visit to the psychiatrist.
You will be tapered off slowly and then replaced with some anti anxiety drugs.
Nothing to worry about.
All the best.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Manisha Jain

OBGYN

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5136 Questions

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What Causes Anxiety And Insomnia Post Birth Control Withdrawal?

Brief Answer: take the pills again Detailed Answer: Hello dear, I completely understand your anxiety and nervousness related to the mood changes. I would rather recommend you to start a fresh pill pack from today itself and take it in a continuous fashion. You may get spotting per vaginum in between (though not necessarily), but there is nothing to worry about the spotting part. Keep taking it till you get an appointment with your psychiatrist, even if it takes a week or so. It is a known side effect in chronic pill users. I hope you will be fine soon.