I've just realised the mini pill (Cerelle) may have caused my sudden depression/anxiety!

[showsomeclass]

I'm kind of hoping I'll discover some shared experiences here - although I'm not sure i'm on the right thread (please let me know!)

I have never been diagnosed with depression or anxiety in my past - I am currently 39

About 2 years ago, I came off the combined pill because of migraines, and was put on Cerelle. This happened to have the same timing of meeting a new man and starting a new relationship

For the first few months, I had butterflies all the time, felt sick, couldn't sleep, had a constantly tightening feeling around my throat and like I had something stuck in it, and felt very on edge all the time. I crazily put this down to the new relationship and being 'love struck'.

Anyway, things didn't get better. The anxiety worsened and I think developed into more of a depression. I run my own business and previously been very driven and motivated. Now I do as little as what I can get away with

I haven't been putting any effort into my other personal relationships

I have almost psychotic thoughts about things that might be happening that aren't. I think everyone has an ulterior motive. I have zero self esteem and just think negatively about absolutely everything! I get obsessive about things (particularly new man, although not so new any more)

Anyway - I stopped having periods when I started taking Cerelle. Like totally vanished. My GP told me this could happen and it was totally fine.

I have had particularly bad mental health thoughts and behaviour in the past week or so and then today, I came on for the first time in about a year and a half or more! And with it - my mind suddenly feels more balanced, more ME - than I can hardly remember!!

Has anyone else had this with Cerelle? Or any other light anyone can shed?

I'm so relieved right now because I feel so normal and happy - but absolutely dreading tomorrow as I may not again..

[dangermouseisace]

There are some people who get depression from the pill or other drugs- my uncle got depressed on an anti-inflammatory! My friend had to have her IUD taken out because if was affecting her mood. It might be worthwhile using other forms of contraception for a while and see if your mood continues to improve.

[Aldilogue]

Absolutely 100% agree with you. I'm in Oz and was on the combined pill Levlen Ed for the past year. First few months were fine and had no issues then suddenly started to become anxious for no reason and felt uneasy about pretty normal situations. Also had a chest pain that was constant which caused anxiety within itself
Two weeks leading up to my period was the worst and I always felt better when my period started on the pill free days. I went to the dr to change brands of pill and she said have two months off before trying the new one, we both agreed. I was nervous because I thought I'd become anxious not be "levelled" out on the hormones but I can honestly say there is not more anxiety, feel like myself, easy going and happy and no more chest pain.
I am never taking the pill again.
If it is possible try another method, prob not Merina because if you have an issue its more of a hassle to stop and it may be the same hormone you had in the pill. Don't take something that makes you feel crap, especially if you know that is the problem. Have a month off and see what happens. Good luck.

[showsomeclass]

Thanks guys

What's silly is that I don't actually use it for contraception as my DP has had 'the snip'! It's for period control, which is works brilliantly for! But oh my days - sometimes I feel suicidal and so out of control of my own feelings

[vfoster]

Hello! I feel like I've had a revelation tonight. Sorry in advance for the long post but I feel like I need to get if off my chest!
I went on cerelle almost 3 years ago after the birth of my daughter as I was breastfeeding. Soon after I started to have very dark thoughts and horrific anxiety and generally not enjoying life.
I was diagnosed with PND but tried to avoid medication. I went back to work and a few
Weeks after there was a death in the family that sent me over the edge I wasn't in a good place at all which led to me leaving work for a year.
I've struggled with depression/irrational anger and horrific, irrational anxiety ever since (an example: not sleeping one night and vomiting with fear as I had to drive to Marks and Spencer's the next day...).
Anyway, I went back to work at the end of
Last year and have just learnt to cope with the anxiety and anger and negative
Thoughts. I'd kind of accepted that it was just the way I am now...
Until tonight: I've just decided to google this pill as I'm thinking of coming off it to TTC again. I've been to several doctors in the past 3 years and not one of them has mentioned this being a cause. I have never even considered the connection.

I am coming off it and plan to see if it changed anything for me. I have to admit that my anxiety has started to rule my life
As I obsess over ridiculous things and get myself worked up all the time! I am intrigued and a little excited that this might be a really simple solution!

I'm so glad that boards like this exist!

[Likkleangel]

Hi ,vfoster are you any better? I think Cerelle has affected me too but I stopped it about 3 weeks ago and feel awful :(

[blamethecat]

I was on cerazette for a year and was awful. Remote, detached, brain fog and exhausted (bed by 9pm most nights) but put it down to fairly major stress in our family. Then I had a moment, did a bit of googling and stopped taking it. Felt better within days and about 3 months on feel like me again. I would suggest you get proper medical advice I didn't but for me it seems to have been the cause. Now I just need to deal with periods! Best of luck op. Hope you feel better soon.

[vfoster]

Hi Likkleangel! I've been off it for a week now and have had a load of horrible symptoms already. I've had horrible stomach pains and headaches. My anxiety pretty much disappeared overnight! I actually found myself sitting and feeling a bit numb as I was so used to feeling so worried all the time. I think my mood is still a bit low but the change in the anxiety has honestly been amazing for me. It had gotten so bad that any change would be huge so I probably still have more anxiety than most people but that's a million times better than it was! Fingers crossed you feel better soon, from what I've read the hormones can take a while to leave your system but it will happen!

Blamethecat, it's great that you are feeling back to yourself. 3 months seems the average time that people feel 'normal' again. Only another 11 weeks to go!

[Likkleangel]

Thank you for the quick reply , I'm
Still bad unfortunately especially with anxiety and can't stop crying :( but I hope it will improve next few weeks

[vfoster]

I've been reading a lot of the posts online about this recently and it sounds like everyone is different. It takes different amounts of time. Think I've been really lucky to see a difference straight away! I've also been quite teary and I've hardly got any energy. It's scary what these pills do to our bodies and I don't feel I was very informed when I started taking them. however long it takes, it seems that coming off this pill is the best course of action!

[cluspin]

Hi, I just wondered if any of you felt better for coming off cerebellum? I change from microgynon to Cerelle because of migraines and I have now been on it for 3 months. I have horrible anxiety and feel like I wanted to end my relationship and I am wondering whether this could be the cause as it's very out of the blue.

[cluspin]

I mean cerelle not cerebellum :)

[PoldarksBreeches]

For me the mini pill was pure evil. Don't touch it with a barge pole.

[vfoster]

I've seen a huge difference! I stopped at the end of August and it's been an immediate personality change. I was about to quit my jobs at the end of July and now I'm in such a better place. Genuinely had a huge change as soon as I came off cerelle!

[cluspin]

Thank you for letting me know, I hope I get the same results!

[misiabella]

I got so bad on Cerelle that in the end I had very disturbing, and very real suicidal thoughts. I took it for about 8 months and it was hell. Constant spotting was the least of my problems. I was in constant anxiety, I would cry in the car after dropping kids at school, constant fog and inability to gather my thoughts. I had moments wen I was extremely angry and had to really control myself. I was irrational and emotional. I almost divorced my husband. Finally I couldn't even sleep at night as my head was full of anxiety and suicide looked to me like a very tempting option. With the last of my sense I went to gp to change it back to cerazzete which I used to be fine with (before they decided to save some money and changed it to cerelle) The effect of cerelle worn off within a few weeks, but even after the first week the difference was huge. They are supposed to be the same, but there is something in cerelle that gave me anxiety/depression.

[Apkd1996]

I was prescribed with Microgynon at the age of 16 and took it for four years up until February this year when they insisted I change my pill due to some weight gain.

The pill was changed to Cerelle asend I have stopped having periods all together - along with this my anxiety has become unbearable. I have dark thoughts and have started to feel guilty for things which I haven't even done wrong.
Every time I feel guilty for something I insist on telling my partner and I worry that this will eventually cause him to want to split up with me. This then leads to further worry and is making me think about splitting up with him. We have been planning children and our life together and to break up with him would be the last thing I want- having read this thread it has suddenly clicked that it could be my pill causing all of these problems.

Does anyone have a recommendation for an alternative contraceptive method?

[Magpiemagpie]

I was on Yasmin Pure evil
I normally get a bit pms bad moods for maybe 2/3 day a month. I can time it perfectly as it's just before I get my period I feel tired and want to sleep loads as soon as I get my period I'm fine .

From the moment I took this bloody pill I felt down miserable tired anxious and stressed
I have absolutly nothing to feel down about .

I took Yasmin for 17 days got thrush straight away and my tiredness just went through the roof sleeping 15 /6 hours a day and no energy or motivation to do anything
I felt like I was permanently how I feel those 2/3 days of my period

Stooped taking it and took some SJW and immediately felt better
I will never take another BCP as long as I live

[s0903]

I've been on the contraceptive pill since the age of 18 (now late 20s) and have not had a period since then. I was on Cerazette roughly speaking from 2009-2016. In late 2015/early 2016 I ordered my repeat prescription and was given Cerelle instead, being told its the same.

I've never linked the two before however I started having extreme anxiety around June 2016 till present. I've been on anti anxiety medication and had CBT. Although I can easily pin point exactly what started my anxiety, and I do feel better for having had the above treatment, I still am not 100% - now wondering if this could be pill related?

I did have an episode of depression in 2010, again easily able to link this to a cause, however this was shortly after being put on Cerazette? Again, not something I ever considered but now am wondering if this could be linked?

There are articles in The Debrief recently which back this thread up. Very interesting read and I know a number of my friends have recently discussed coming off of the pill/using other forms of contraception as a more natural process that lets them feel more "them".

[Apkd1996]

They have now put me on Noriday - does anyone have any experiences"?
Im scared to start taking it as after being on cerelle I nearly lost everything.

[Lmd2017]

Hi there, was just wondering if anyone has had relief from anxiety and nausea symptoms after coming off cerelle? How long did it take to return to normal? I have started feeling anxious/dizzy/nauseous since coming off cerelle and losing my mind :( any help appreciated. Thanks

[SnobblyBobbly]

I just googled Cerelle and anxiety as since I've been taking it (having not used any form of contraception for around 10 years) I've felt tearful, anxious, paranoid and been having really negative thoughts. I'm coming off it as of today to see if it helps, as it is the only thing that's changed.

I'll keep the board posted about any difference. I really hope it is the pill, I really don't fancy a life of doom and gloom

[Cassie15]

Hello to those of you who have previously posted on this thread. I am relieved that I have found it as I genuinely thought I was going insane and reading this has helped me a lot. Showsomeclass I can totally relate to your post. WouId it be ok to chat?
I'll try to keep this short.. I started on cerells a few years ago and I had strange thoughts,anxiety,random panic attacks now and then which seemed to get worse.. this may sound crazy but I sometimes feel when I start a brand new batch that the side effects become either worse or they even disappear! For example last month I was "normal" on the pack I had,then I started a brand new batch at the end of last week and I feel like my anxiety is through the rough, horrible even scary thoughts and I just can't seem to feel like me :-( I'm currently on holiday and it's ruining that so far because even though I am here with my boyfriend whom I get on amazingly well with and all is good in my life,I feel this immense dark cloud over me that makes me feel scared and my thoughts and feelings are a bit out of control.
Cerelle is the only reason I can think of that adds up to being the cause of me feeling like this now and before, I think I may need to give my body a break from this lethal stuff.
Cassie

[HappyGirl86]

Hi girls! I'm another one who is wondering if the mini pill contributes to my anxiety. I've always been a worrier but I genuinely feel like something is making me feel like this and I can't pin point exactly what is making me feel so anxious if that's makes sense.
I've asked my GP and he disagrees but I feel like they don't like to criticise the pill for some reason. I guess they don't want to risk unwanted pregnancies.
I am very tempted to come off the pill and see how I am in 6 months time but I don't want to just make a rush decision- although I have been thinking about this for over 6 months now.
This sounds daft but I feel like I am very easily affected by hormones. I felt very weird when I was only 4 weeks pregnant, I had hip problems from only 16 weeks which was related to hormones and I also get hormone related migraines which is why I can't take the other pill. I worry that my anxiety is here because of the hormones in the mini pill. I'm sure this all probably sounds a bit silly and I have no medical knowledge!

[wowthisisnoteasy]

Oh my days.......I've been wondering if my pill/hormones could've caused my recent meltdowns.....so glad (that I'm not alone) to see this thread!

I have had cerelle in the past but my most recent one was something else I can't recall the name of at the moment.

Whilst taking it I felt nervous and a bit worthless a lot of the time and would get a migraine post period. When I stopped (after 3 months) it got suddenly worse....I couldn't sleep and I found myself panicking without cause to nicely compliment the migraines, upset tummy and dizziness.

[SnobblyBobbly]

Just a little update, I came off Cerelle after I last posted, I'm not using any replacement, and I feel much happier. My mood is lighter again, I'm not dreading the rest of my life as I was a month ago.

Just had my first period since I came off it so everything is back to normal.

If you're feeling as low as I was and are wondering if it's Cerelle, it's got to be worth a try coming off it to see. I bought a box of StJohns Wort about a week after stopping to help things along so taking a couple of weeks worth of that may have played a part as well.