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Original poster

Just come back from the contraception clinic in tears...

102 replies

spinduchess · 29/12/2014 18:46

I have really sensitive migraines, that are triggered by my hormones.Full aura, body numbness, blindness - the works. I had one every month without fail, and they would last around 4 days on average. Longest one was 10 days.

6 years ago, I was put on Cerazette and it changed my life. No periods, no side effects, no migraines. I am so pleased with it. Skin is clear, mindset is happy all month long, healthy migraine wise.

It has been liberating. There really was no point carrying on living the half-life I had before Cerazette.

I've just come back from the doctors, and they have switched me to Zelleta because its cheaper and didn't have any Cerazette to give me.

I am so upset. I don't know anything about this pill because it is no new - and I really wasn't hoping to change. I'd found something that worked and I was so happy, now I feel so let down.

Does anybody know anything about Zelleta? Am I going to have a period? Will my skin get bad or will I put on weight? Are my migraines going to come back?

I can't bear the thought of that life again. I'm sorry I'm being so dramatic, I'm just panicking - the nurse had no answers for me, just to 'see how it goes'.

I'm so scared.

OP posts:
Original poster
spinduchess · 29/12/2014 19:44

specialsubject you speak the truth. I will get to a GP asap.

Loud has also just terrified me.

OP posts:
Original poster
spinduchess · 29/12/2014 19:46

BumWad I appreciate what you are saying, and I am less panicked now, particularly as I know I can still get Cerazatte.

I wouldn't ever advise someone to take a medication they are uncomfortable taking, so I won't in this case. Horses for courses and all that, and I'm sure these pills will work wonderfully for some people, but I don't to risk upsetting my hormones again. It isn't worth the pain.

OP posts:
Original poster
spinduchess · 29/12/2014 19:51

Cerelle and Cerazette both have the same active ingredient Desogestrel of the same quantity (75mg). It is a progetogen only pill not like microgynon which is a dual hormone pill.

This I appreciate, but the rest of the ingredients are not the same. This is partly what I am sensitive to. My body is used to, and happy with, one specific 'recipe' of drugs. I really don't want to upset that. I have no desire to spend 1 week out of 4 blind again.

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tribpot · 29/12/2014 19:55

Moving to cheaper tablets is generally a good idea for NHS prescribers but the patient's individual need comes first. My DH has had similar discussions over the type of pain relief patches he uses. Some of them stick really well and deliver benefit, others don't and are crap. For many people the second type might stick fine and therefore should be prescribed but if they don't work they don't work.

I agree you should try the new brand and see if you feel okay. If you don't, get yourself back to the GP (do register asap) and make the case for continuation of the other brand.

OddBoots · 29/12/2014 19:57

That's coincidence Loud, the active ingredient is exactly the same. Bad news for you but still coincidence.

If you try the new one and don't get on with it then you can ask your GP (when you get one) to change back but unless you've actually tried it then you won't know if it is okay or not.

SoonToBeSix · 29/12/2014 20:00

Tribpot yes I had that problem with fentanyl patches.

loudarts · 29/12/2014 20:01

It could have been a coincidence, but I still won't trust it again.

pinkfrocks · 29/12/2014 20:01

The other ingredients will be the fillers in the tablets and the things used to coat it. This will amount to a tiny quantity of chemicals many of which you are most likely consuming in food every day.

I think you are over-reacting. Sorry!

If you were that sensitive to 'other' ingredients then you'd notice it daily with your normal diet.

Original poster
spinduchess · 29/12/2014 20:02

Its a bit shit that I'm going to have to risk being really very very ill before anyone will take me seriously.

OP posts:
Original poster
spinduchess · 29/12/2014 20:03

If you were that sensitive to 'other' ingredients then you'd notice it daily with your normal diet.

I do! I'm on a terribly strict diet in management for my migraines. My hormones really are that sensitive.

OP posts:
pinkfrocks · 29/12/2014 20:03

why don't you list here all the ingredients from each type then we can take a look and see what exactly is different?

Original poster
spinduchess · 29/12/2014 20:06

Ok. I'm well aware that it looks like I'm being stubborn and doing a toddler 'I want I want I want' about this, but it is coming from a genuine places of fear about my sensitive health.

Bear with me, I will type them out now. Might take a while!

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Original poster
spinduchess · 29/12/2014 20:13

Cerzatte:

Desogestrel, colloidal anhydrous silica, all-rac-a-tocopherol, maize starch, povidone, stearic acid, hypromellose, macrogol 400, talc, titanium dioxide (E171), lactose monohydrate

Zelleta:

Desogestrel, lactose anhydrous, all-rac-a-tocopherol, povidone, potato starch, silica colloidal anhydrous, stearic acid

By comparison (that I found online):

Cerelle:

Tablet core:
Lactose monohydrate,
Potato starch,
Povidone K-30,
Silica, colloidal anhydrous,
Stearic acid,
all-rac-?-tocopherol

Tablet coat:
Poly[vinyl alcohol],
Titanium dioxide (E171),
Macrogol 3000,
Talc

OP posts:
Bugsylugs · 29/12/2014 20:15

I second trying it and if it is no good go back and explain calmly. As you said £40 a month to you and DH is difficult but you could buy it. These changes need to happen if people want to keep the NHS the savings are absolutely massive however just being stubborn and not trying is saying I am more important and entitled than anyone else which is rubbish.

BumWad · 29/12/2014 20:18

It's £20 for 6 months not £40 a month...

Viviennemary · 29/12/2014 20:23

They are making cuts where they can. Look into how much a private prescription would be. But you could give the new pills a try if they have more or less the same ingredients. But if you're not happy go back to the doctors.

Original poster
spinduchess · 29/12/2014 20:23

Naturally, it is money I'd rather not spend on something that could be worked out for free.

I've not said anywhere that I'm more entitled than anybody else here. Nor do I think that. I was happy with the pill I was on, and would rather not change, or chance being very ill and losing time at work.

I am a big believer in, if its not broke, don't fix it.

Nobody should have to take a medication they are uncomfortable with - I am not yet comfortable, and so shan't be taking yet.

In fact, my work contract has some kind of medical insurance/private medical included in it. I wonder if it would cover Cerazette.

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addictedtosugar · 29/12/2014 20:23

Looks like the maize starch has been switched for potato starch, and the lactose is of a different form. Are you OK with potatoes? Does dairy cause any issues? If your normally OK with spuds and milk in your diet, they may be worth trying. If either of those trigger migraines, I'd stay clear.

Original poster
spinduchess · 29/12/2014 20:24

Tbh, I see all the logic behind everyone saying try and see, but I don't want to. I don't want to take Zelleta, so I won't. No harm there.

OP posts:
Original poster
spinduchess · 29/12/2014 20:25

addicted - spuds are ok, milk is a huge trigger.

Mistake number one was going to a contraceptive clinic and not a real doctor with this, wasn't it? Gah.

OP posts:
OddBoots · 29/12/2014 20:30

The difference between them is that one has a water molecule with the lactose and one doesn't. If you take your tablet with water then there is no effective difference.

pinkfrocks · 29/12/2014 20:31

IMO Zelleta should be better as it doesn't contain maize ( corn) which some people are allergic to and it also has fewer ingredients.

Both contain a type of lactose, stearic acid, but Zelleta doesn't have talc.

In all honesty I don't think you should make a judgement unless you try it.

You are getting in such a state that you are likely to give yourself a migraine and blame it on the Pill when in fact it's a reverse placebo-effect caused by stress and negativity- assuming it will make you ill!

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 29/12/2014 20:32

I doubt the lactose would make any difference tbh - it just has one molecule of water associated with every molecule of now (instead of none).

If you're not happy though, ask for the particular one to be prescribed. I've had to do it with inhalers before (although that was for the shape of the mouthpiece, rather than the drug itself).

Although, it is worth bearing in mind that if one becomes completely unavailable it might be handy to know if there is a back-up option that would suit you.

RumNoRaisins · 29/12/2014 20:33

The both have lactose in it. If you don't want to try it then pay for the more expensive pill. It really is that simple. The NHS is free at the point of use, but you cannot insist in more expensive treatment when a cheaper alternative may well work.

Original poster
spinduchess · 29/12/2014 20:33

You are getting in such a state that you are likely to give yourself a migraine and blame it on the Pill when in fact it's a reverse placebo-effect caused by stress and negativity- assuming it will make you ill!

Thank you for the concern! I'm fine actually. Negativity, yes, but I'm not stressed at all now. I am being very pragmatic, even if it doesn't read that way. I'm not renowned for careful, thought-out typing!

I am nowhere near migraine. Don't worry!

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