11 replies to this topic

[cherrybomb]

Last month, I took Plan B (levonorgestrel) two times in the same menstrual cycle. Not a great idea, I know, and I didn't realize how powerful it is. I've taken it before, but not twice in the same cycle. I got freaked out, basically, and didn't ask anyone that may have advised me against doing it.

I haven't been depressed in months and months, but hooooly crap this sucks. Hi there again, depression! So glad to see your fugly face again. NOT! I've even managed to find a wonderful boyfriend a month or so before this whole thing, and now I can't feel much of anything. It's awful. I think I hate my babymaking parts. They are like a tiny factory of sadness. In addition to the depression, I had a 14-day period from hell. March BLEW, and it sucks that it was kind of my fault. Thanks to the depression, the self-blame really feels extra true.

My question is, has anyone else ever experienced a similar bout of depression after taking Plan B? My excellent pdoc said it could take three months for my hormones to regulate back to normal. BLEURGH! See you in May! Plus 15lbs from depression over-eating, that is.

PS -- I'm bipolar II, usually stable on Topamax and Nuvigil.

Edited by cherrybomb, 03 April 2011 - 09:54 PM.

[Blue Heron]

Haven't experienced it, but it makes sense. What you're doing when you take Plan B is dosing yourself with several times the normal amount of hormones in a regular birth control pill. Doing so more than once in a four-week span can really mess a woman up.

It sounds like it's time for you to start using a more reliable form of birth control.

[cherrybomb]

It sounds like it's time for you to start using a more reliable form of birth control.

Yeah, I really wish I felt like there were good options. Hormonal is way out, already had the Mirena IUD and it was so uncomfortable to have it, let alone the insertion process, which was the worst pain of my life.

We use condoms, but I've broken my fair share of those... I'm not sure what's left besides getting my tubes tied, because I really don't want to be pregnant. I'm 26, so it might be hard to get anyone to do it.

[Blue Heron]

Try condoms + spermicide. The spermicide will work as a backup method.

You would probably have trouble getting your tubes tied (you may want to look at the nonsurgical Essure procedure), but it's possible you could find a doctor who'd do it.

Best case scenario: You find a guy who's willing to get a vasectomy.

Could you handle the hormones from the Mirena, but not its physical presence? If so, the NuvaRing might be an option.

I'm surprised you'd be willing to take Plan B, but not contemplate taking the Pill.

[Blue Heron]

FYI to the rather judgmental post that offered the unsolicited advice/observation to "just go on The Pill - considering the fact that you're willing to use Plan B". Duh. Obviously, she thought of that, as all women would, and has good reasons why she's not on The Pill. I used to be able to tolerate The Pill, but sometimes it can make your depression worse no matter how many different brands/formulations you try. Besides, you can get pregnant on The Pill, too. A lot of medications can decrease it's effectiveness.

Watch the attitude. You don't want to piss off a moderator.

[cherrybomb]

It's pretty much almost a year later and I'm still trying to find my stability. Ooops. Though, I'll take a year of instability over pregnancy and children anytime.

[Her]

I had the Essure procedure done, and while it hurt for some time afterwards (apparently it's more painful for women who have not had children), it was totally worth it.

[cocoaforcocoapuffs]

Some of us unfortunately cannot handle the pill,I have tried so many throughout the years and had to settle with condoms. I had to take plan B after a broken condom and spiraled down into a bad depression for a few months. A super heavy period too. Depression and agitation that made me shake. Just wanted to hopefully validate some feelings and experiences here that I experienced it too and it sucked.

[shakenandstirred]

i took it about three weeks before i was diagnosed (correctly) with bipolar II.
i believe i would have crashed from my manic summer regardless, but that thing made me crash and BURN.
severe cramping, heavy flow, lasted for 11 days... made me extremely depressed and then it got worse- which i didnt think was possible.

i have two little children, single mom, going back to school soon. i am SERIOUSLY considering essure. people keep telling me, but what if you meet a man and he wants to have babies?

umm last time i checked men do not carry the baby and then push it out of their bodies and breastfeed.

besides my ppd was so severe i literally could not do that to myself again.

if you really do not want children, planned parenthood will refer you to a doctor that will agree to do it for you, especially if you make a case of MI and your meds.

we have to be our own advocates, particularly where our mental health and reproductive health is concerned.

[akadis]

Hi Cherrybomb, it is so scary to learn that it can take up to a year for this "Plan B caused - depression" to go away. I just took the pill 1.5 weeks ago, and I've had the most depressing days I can remember ever having. On top of it all, I keep obsessing about someone I shouldn't be thinking about, and I am almost sure that it is also caused by the heavy dose of hormones.

Is there anything we can do to minimize this type of depression?

My menstrual cycle did get messed up, but that doesn't bother me much. It's these awful and debilitating feelings that I am starting to fear I may not be able to handle without medication. The worst part is that before taking the pill, I was feeling super happy, since things in my life are going really great : I am about to accomplish my dream of semi-retiring on the beach, I am super healthy, and in the best shape of my life, my loved ones are still around, and emotionally I was feeling very satisfied. Now I can only focus on my obsession about that someone I mentioned before, and everything else seems to be fading away.

I am getting an IUD next month, no more Plan B for me!

[arieswmn]

I know there are some IUD's without hormones. Other versions have hormones. Since you've had so much trouble with the Plan B you might want to see if you can get the kind without hormones.