Nervous about coming off the pill

[HowYouBrewin]

I've been here a while, not posted before but could really do with some advice about coming off my pill.
This time last year, my doctor said that as I'm coming up to mid-40s I should think about swapping over to the mini pill around 45 so, as my current pack of Marvelon just finished and I'll be 45 in a few months, I had a phone conversation with the nurse about it who agreed to swap me for my prescription renewal this week. I'm feeling really unsure about whether to start the new pill though now, as the thought of some of the side effects is putting me off, in particular that it can cause acne, depression and weight gain. I'm wondering if it's worth it.
When I first went on the pill around 19/20 years old it was mainly for my skin (Dianette) and it really made a difference. I stayed on that for quite some time, swapped to Marvelon at some point and then when I came off it to try for a baby my skin was terrible until I got pregnant. I'm not sure whether this was to do with withdrawal or if that was just my bad skin back again.
Anyway, I've been back on the pill for about 8 and a half years now and I'm now wondering about just coming off any sort of pill altogether. I'm worried about what withdrawal would be like and how long it would take to get back to a normal cycle.
Any experiences would be really helpful to read - I've just taken my last pill so about to have the 7 day break and period. I feel like I've got a week to decide whether to start a mini pill that I've never taken before or stop pills completely. Sorry that I've rambled!

All pills have side effects and it might not mean you get them. Maybe try it and see how you get on, you can always come off it

I guess I've just got so comfortable with the combined pill, knowing exactly when I'll come on, steady weight, clear skin etc. that the thought of all of that coming undone is unnerving. If the mini pill doesn't agree with me I would come off it but might not be able to go back to my combined one so I'm wondering how women on here have got on when stopping the pill completely. I'm thinking it would be interesting to see how I am without anything but worrying at the same time.

I prefer the 3 hour mini pill (levonorgestrel) to combined pills, I find my mood much more stable & only the occasional light period (this does vary though). I didn't get on with the 12 hour mini pill (desogestrel) at all. Fwiw when I've had periods without any hormonal contraceptives I've found my skin, hair & hormones have settled in 3-6 months.

The one I've been given is Cerelle (I think that's right) and after having a bit of a google last night there were very few positive comments about it. Good to know about things settling down in 3-6 months pill-free. Thanks for sharing that.

You're welcome.

I didn't get on with Cerelle. It made me rather mardi & I was either bleeding or spotting constantly. I had a friend that didn't get on with it either but was fine with Cerzette (Cerelle is just the generic version of Cerzette).