Not to put a damper on the news about OTC BCP...

[cap]

but I went to the ER last night because of severe lower left-side chest pain that was wrapping around to my back. Turns out I have a pulmonary embolism. I've been mostly on oral BCP since I started college. My mom had ovarian cancer and I had pretty terrible periods, so it was an easy choice to go on it. I had Mirena for about 18 months about 8 or 9 years ago, but I spotted almost continuously on it so had it removed. I've been back on BCP ever since - until last night, I was taking Yaz, which I'm now seeing is more likely to cause blood clots than most others. 

Since I have no family history and no other risk factors, it seems pretty likely that the Yaz caused this. Anyway, I am on Eliquis and they let me come home early this morning since my blood oxygen levels were great. My main problem is still the pain. Tylenol takes the edge off, but it's completely wearing off before I can take another dose, so that sucks. 

[emujane]

The one that was just approved for OTC is progestin only, the "mini pill".
The increased risk of blood clots is generally believed to be from estrogen in BC, so this one shouldn't increase the risk.

[formerlyak]

I am glad you are ok.

[wanderingback]

Sorry about the pain your in, hope you feel better soon.

The otc pill that was just approved doesn’t have estrogen in it so no increase risk of blood clots.

In other countries a pill with estrogen in it is otc, but I don’t think that’ll happen for awhile in this country. It was intentional to push for a progesterone only pill option as the first otc birth control.

[wildrice]

Oh no! I'm glad you got treatment and it sounds like you will be ok. Eliquis is a good medication that will hopefully work fairly quickly!

I also had a (presumably) BC related blood clot in my leg a couple of years ago. They did a bunch of testing afterward and never found any reason for it, so I stopped taking BC altogether - I had been on the Nuvaring. I may have eventually gone on something without estrogen, but ended up having my tubes removed later that year so I'm off forever. Likely related, I had some unexplained general malaise for years that magically seemed to disappear once I got off BC. I wish I had realized sooner that it was affecting me in that way and switched long before then!

FWIW I am very pro birth control and glad that it was an option that worked for me for many years to prevent pregnancy - but it's definitely worth considering these things when deciding which form to use and making sure it's right for you.

[lilac05]

I’m glad you took your symptoms seriously, went to the ER, and got treatment to be on the road to recovery. The side effects from BC are relatively rare, but definitely not zero.

In addition to the previous comments about this OTC one not having estrogen, I was listening to a report this morning about how they weighed the risks and the benefits of making it OTC. Going through a doctor who can talk you through options and weigh pros and cons of each is still the ideal scenario, but having another option is really important.

[wanderingback]

Jul 13, 2023 13:41:52 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

I’m glad you took your symptoms seriously, went to the ER, and got treatment to be on the road to recovery. The side effects from BC are relatively rare, but definitely not zero.

In addition to the previous comments about this OTC one not having estrogen, I was listening to a report this morning about how they weighed the risks and the benefits of making it OTC. Going through a doctor who can talk you through options and weigh pros and cons of each is still the ideal scenario, but having another option is really important.

Also, one thing we talk about often is how being pregnant is also a huge health risk as well. The chance of having a blood clot during pregnancy is higher than on birth control with estrogen. So it’s good to understand all the different risks and benefit with all options. Reproductive freedom for all!

[erbear]

I'm glad you went! Both my sister and my mom had PEs and I was tested in pregnancy -- turns out we have Factor V Leiden. That said, their PEs were not caused by BCP, and I believe the one in question is not an estrogen pill so lower risk for clots.

[cap]

Thanks, all. This wasn't meant to be an attack on BCP at all, nor an attack on OTC BCP - I'm definitely not clear headed today as I didn't get home until after 2am then didn't really sleep because I hurt so much. My PCP called in a script for Tramadol, but I'm hesitant to take it because when I was on Percocet about 12 or so years ago after a surgery, I had urinary retention.

Another reason that I've stayed on BCP for so long is that I have ulcerative colitis. My "period problems" always included a lot of gastro symptoms that I don't have while on BCP.

@@@



My ulcerative colitis flare started just a couple of weeks after the birth of my first child. The only other time I've had a flare was about 9 months after my second child was born (via c-section, and I had a tubal at the same time). I figured I'd see how I did off BCP, and it did not go well. Each period got progressively worse and then I ended up with a UC flare. So it seems that my flares are hormonal related and I'm worried that I'll end up flaring. I'm also worried about being on an anticoagulant during a UC flare.

[aurora]

I'm so glad you were able to get treatment! I had a PE (unknown cause) ~20 years ago. It's scary and it definitely makes sense that you may need time to heal and process. I hope your doctors are supportive in helping you plan for the future.

[mcsangel2]

I was on Yaz years ago, it's suspected to be the cause of the blood clot that caused my stroke in 2012. I researched at the time and saw it had higher incidents of clots than other bcp, I'm surprised it's still on the market and still having the same issues.

[cap]

Jul 13, 2023 17:52:56 GMT -5 mcsangel2 said:

I was on Yaz years ago, it's suspected to be the cause of the blood clot that caused my stroke in 2012. I researched at the time and saw it had higher incidents of clots than other bcp, I'm surprised it's still on the market and still having the same issues.

I am, too, after reading more about it. I had no idea that Yaz was so much more likely to cause clots than other BCP and I’m a bit surprised that my OBGYN didn’t mention that at my last appointment. I distinctly remember she said we’d need to talk soon about taking me off given my age and clot risk, but didn’t say specifically that yaz was worse. If I’d have know I would have tried something else!

[goldengirlz]

I’m sorry that happened and hope you feel better soon!

I have a condition that raises my risk of stroke, so my doctor actually put me on a progesterone only pill before I got my IUD.

[icedcoffee]

It's been relatively well known for a long time that Yaz and Yasmin have a higher incidence of clots. I was on Yasmin for a very long time. Like 10 years maybe when my GYN said she would not prescribe it any longer and made me go on a different combination BCP. Orto Tri Cyclin Lo I think.

Anyway--I'm glad you're ok!!

[womet]

I'm so sorry to hear about your PE but glad you're on the mend. I had a PE ~9 years ago. I suspect it was the result of a hormonal imbalance that gave me super heavy periods. They never figured out the cause of my PE even after a ton of testing. I ended up getting an IUD so I didn't have to worry about having another period.

[Michelle]

cap i'm sorry to see you are having so many problems. I'm really glad you got seen right away! Get better soon.

[cap]

Thanks, everyone.

@icedcoffe, I'm really struggling to understand why my OBGYN left me on Yaz. I did not know that Yaz had a much higher incidence of DVT and PE than other forms of BCP, and yes, I realize I could have done my own research. But, I don't have a family history of clotting issues, so it wasn't on my radar. But at my appointment last year, she mentioned that we should think of getting me off soon due to my age and increased clot/stroke risk. I guess I just find it odd that she didn't suggest switching to a different one right away.

I'm sorry to hear that others have had PEs or strokes. It's definitely scary stuff.

I also think that stress contributed to this. I found research papers that show a link between stress and inflammatory responses, and inflammation and DVT.

I have had ulcerative colitis (an autoimmune, inflammatory condition) for 14 years now and had eczema as a kid, so I do seem to be prone to inflammatory conditions.

@@@@@

My first UC flare was shortly after my son was born. I was extremely stressed and anxious at that time because he was three weeks early, got jaundiced, wouldn't nurse, ended up back in the hospital, etc. And I had a nurse tell me that I needed to get nursing figured out because giving my baby formula would be like letting him eat McDonald's. I had always assumed that was caused by hormones, but perhaps stress also played a role.

Then this fall/winter, I was diagnosed with dry eye disease and microscopic colitis, two more inflammatory conditions (and yes, it's apparently possible to have two types of inflammatory bowel disease). My current job, that I've been in for about 4 years, causes tremendous anxiety/stress. I'm on one prescription medication for anxiety and one to help me sleep.

I'd already decided I needed to find a new job because of the mental health toll, but now it seems like the stress is contributing to physical health issues as well. Three new diagnoses, all which can be linked to stress, in less than 9 months is too much of a coincidence, I think.