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.

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?