HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Dizziness And Headaches Post Birth Control Pill Withdrawal?

Posted on Wed, 10 Jun 2015

Question: for about 4 months now, I have been feeling off. it first started after I got off my birth control pill, I started feeling hot daily, for a while on and off. I still get the sensations of feeling hot some days. I have had a lot of blood work done and ct scans of chest, pelvis and sinus. all clear. I have had endoscopy and colonoscopy, all clear except that I have ulceration in my stomach, so doc said I have gastritis. I have had a mammography which was clear. I have seen quite a few doctors. I have attached some blood work for your review. my new symptoms are feeling dizzy, headaches, feeling hot on and off, or feeling cold, tired, and terrible muscle pain above my breasts on both sides on my chest, and under arm pain. please tell me what I can expect of this. I need to find some relief. the birth control pills that I stopped at the end of dec I was on for 10 years prior with no break. i started a new pill thinking it would help about one month ago, but it didn't so i stopped that as well.i have been off the pill for about 3 weeks now, since i started the other one. your help is much appreciated. thanks

Answered by Dr. Soumya (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Fibromyalgia causing symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for your query.

I have read you query and I understand your concerns about the symptoms after stopping pills .

Following is my reply:

1) As we discussed earlier, this seems to be exaggeration of fibromyalgia.

2) Since main reason for fibromyalgia being possible alteration of hormonal levels, it is possible that your earlier birth control pills had suppressed the symptoms.

3) Withdrawal of pills has lead to exaggeration of fibromyalgia which has been worsened by stopping of regular birth control pills it was used to.

4) Your attached reports are fine and dont warrant worry.

5) There is need to work more on fibromyalgia with your doctor and take medicines accordingly. As of now it has nothing to do with pills.

I hope I answered you query and addressed your concerns.

Let me know if you wish to ask any further questions. I will be glad to help you.

Regards,
Dr. Soumya

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (12 hours later)

would this be something more serious missed? I am having a hard time breathing and above my chest hurts, and I have dizziness throughout the day, along with being tired. I hate this feeling.

Answered by Dr. Soumya (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please get an ECG from your physician

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

It is possible to have missed something. Please get an ECG done if there is something wrong with heart as symptoms you describe are also seen when there is heart disease.

See your physician soon.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (6 minutes later)

what is an ecg and what kind of heart condition is this? please explain symptoms of this.

Answered by Dr. Soumya (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
ECG

Detailed Answer:
Hi

ECG stands for electrocardiogram. This is a simple test done in doctor's office which identifies if there is heart attack or any problem with parts of heart like heart valve.

Such heart diseases also have such breathing difficulty and dizziness. So please see a doctor for ECG soon.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (17 minutes later)

I had one of these done about 3 months ago and it was perfect. so you are saying fibro doesn't cause dizziness? I read a list of symptoms online and they were long and included this.

Answered by Dr. Soumya (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
More symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

You have dizziness along with breathing difficulty and chest pain which is more like heart related conditions though fibromyalgia can cause it.
Better get an ECG

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (36 minutes later)

I had a heart test done where they put all the stuff on me and they said my heart was perfect ! About three months ago. Do you think I have cancer ? I am worried.

Answered by Dr. Soumya (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Not a cancer

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

You dont have cancer. This is a cardiorespiratory priblem most likely which needs to be evaluated.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (33 minutes later)

Would I have known if this was cancer by now? I freak out thinking something is being missed. It says fibro has render spots .. I have the two tender spots on my chest. Is this not fibro!

Answered by Dr. Soumya (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Needs examination

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

This is unlikely to be cancer. Cancer presents with a mass and not a tender spot you describe.

I suggest you get examined by a doctor for tender spot and also get ECG done so that issie is resolved directly.

Let me know if you have any more concerns.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (12 minutes later)

you haven't really said that this can be fibro. and fibro has tender spots all over body, and pain. I have some of those tender spots. you keep saying heart, but I just said I had a ecg done avout three months ago and it was perfect! I don't know why you keep thinking that.

Answered by Dr. Soumya (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Breathlessness is a concern

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Fibromyalgia does not present with breathlessness you described.

It is possible that heart element present earlier might have been missed and needs re examination by ECG though it was done earlier.

Therefore I insist on examination by doctor and ECG.

This is not cancer.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (52 minutes later)

I understand. its not like I am out of breath, its more like I cant take a full deep breath. kind of like I am having a panic attack. does fibro cause burning sensations in body? it affects the nerves? can hormones do this?

Answered by Dr. Soumya (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes. They cause burning

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Fibromyalgia as well as hormones cause burning sensation in body. This is by different mechanism.

They do cause burning.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (5 minutes later)

So coming off pill can cause burning in body ? It can cause you to feel hot overall? How long can something like this last? It's not everyday but it does still come out of nowhere and the dizziness as well

Answered by Dr. Soumya (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Fibromyalgia

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

This should not last so long. The pills could have suppressed fibromyalgia and it has increased now after stopping it.

This is the reason I initially said this is more to do with fibromyalgia than stopping pills alone.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D