Is the mini pill making me feel like this?

[Prettybubblesintheair]

I’ve been on the mini pill (Destogestrel) for 4 weeks now. In the last week I’ve been waking up with awful anxiety. I’m not sleeping well and waking up with this pit of anxiety in my stomach. I feel so low and angry all the time, the smallest things are making me boil over with anger, so much so I’m having to take myself off to my bedroom so I don’t snap at my dh or kids. I feel completely overwhelmed and often suicidal. I have a long history of depression, I’m on mirtazipine 15mg a day (taken at bedtime) and have been on that for 4 years. It was working brilliantly for me, I was sleeping and my anxiety was kept in check. I wasn’t thrilled with the weight gain but it was more important to me that my mental health got better. I also have epilepsy and take 200mg lamatrogine a day. But since starting the pill I just feel dreadful. I feel this impending sense of doom all the time, I cry at everything and my anxiety is just horrific. I’m having physical symptoms like shaking, sweating, nausea, upset stomach. I don’t know what else is going on, nothing in my life has changed except starting the pill. Has anyone else had these symptoms? Could it be the pill?

Sorry should also add I don’t drink at all.

yes absolutely. I took it a long time ago so its hard to remember but I recall feeling so so low. Didn't stay on it for long.

Thanks so much for replying. I’ve had a horrid day, constantly been between tears and anger! I really can’t think what else it might be other than the pill.

Yes definitely.

I found all hormonal contraceptives made me feel like that.

Mini pill was not good for my anxiety levels either. It also made me dry up. No point using a contraceptive if you're too dry to have sex.

I stopped the pill after a really short time as I felt so down and anxious on it. Was such a long time ago that it's hard to remember details but I just remember how quickly it affected me. Hope you feel better soon

Yes, I didn't realise how rubbish it made me feel until I came off it to TTC but the difference was ridiculous. I had a sex drive, had more energy, was more relaxed and felt a lot less anxious.

Yes definitely. It didn’t agree with me at all, made me feel so low and my entire face and neck broke out in huge hormonal spots. Awful! Never again.....

I’ve broken out in spots too. This is the first time I’ve been on hormonal contraception in years and I can’t get over how bad it’s making me feel! Can I just stop taking it? Dh has been looking and thinks I could try the patch but that’s still hormonal isn’t it?

It can be that but it doesn't have to. I am on them and don't have these issues. But many others will.

Is it possible it's not combining well with your other medication? Do make sure you speak to doctor asap.

Any type of hormonal BC can do things like this. Discontinue it and ask your doc to switch you to something else. The only one I could tolerate was a low dose, estrogen only formulation.

Yes just discontinue it but obviously use condoms until you get sorted with different contraception.
I think copper coil is hormone-free?

its progestogen based isnt it.
Progestogen does that to me too.

I think I will discontinue it, I honestly can’t handle feeling like this! My step daughters are coming for 10 date tomorrow and I don’t want to be like this! My doctor did check it against my other medication and it shouldn’t be reacting with them, I can’t go on the combined pill but this one is fine. It just making me feel like shit I think! Everything is either making me cry or making me angry

@Branleuse

its progestogen based isnt it. Progestogen does that to me too.

Yes it is.

I wasn’t on any other medication when I took it, it just didn’t agree with me. Hope you feel better soon!

I was on cerazette years ago and had the same problem

Yeah id come off it and try something non hormonal.
The copper coil or condoms

Definitely can cause depression and anxiety. I found 3 types did this. I stopped all of them because of the side effects. Go back or call the doctor about stopping them.

My doctor did check it against my other medication and it shouldn’t be reacting with them, I can’t go on the combined pill but this one is fine.

I'm going to guess your doctor is a man.

It's not interacting with any of your other medications, it's knocking your hormones out of balance.

Omg I am so happy to find this thread. I was switched from rigivedon (I can’t spell it) to the mini pill as I get migraines with auras so they weren’t happy with me being on it. In the last five months, my anxiety has been through the roof, awful spots all over my lower face and jaw, literally nearly suicidal at points just before my period which just isn’t me. I thought I was going crazy but I think I need to have a serious think of this pill is behind it.

Thank you so much everyone who has replied. I feel better knowing I’m not alone in this.

I had been fine on the pill for years, then started the mini pill after DC1 was born. I have never felt anything like it, I was so so low and anxious. I stopped and was fine again. I'd had no idea it could cause anything like that, it's completely put me off hormonal contraception. You're definitely not alone, have a chat with your GP about other options. Hope you're ok

my daughter was put on this for the first time and she was incredibly ill...
She was sick, retching, incredibly tearful.. she lasted 3 weeks till I actually told her to throw it in the bin..
two months later she's now in mercillon And no side effects..
Just come off your pill ... restart your periods and try another type dont persevere... there will be one that works for yiu..good luck x

Poor you, OP. I gave up with all hormonal contraception for this reason. I used to joke that it was a brilliant contraceptive, as it made me want to kill myself rather than have sex.

for you. It's rotten.