Missing one pill and then period starting?

[sasseebuttrfly.livejournal.com]

Hi all, I've been a reader for ages, but have never posted here. Anyways, on to my more than interesting story..

I missed Monday's pill and took it with Tuesday's pill. I took Wednesday's pill like I am supposed to. But, I was sick Thursday night and fell asleep without taking it. Friday morning I woke up with a bit of brownish sludge coming and was slightly cramping- so with more than a week of pills to finish off; I left them on the bedside table and stuck a tampon in. And I've got a full blown period as well, usually when I'm in my hormone free week it takes a couple of days for the onset to begin.

My biggest concern here is that I know I have a hormonal problem (Pseudo Tumor Cerebri) and only in the last 7 months was I able to start taking HBC (again, I was on it for 2 years previously). I'm usually pretty good about taking my pills, however, with the undue stress at work and with school in the coming weeks- I'm considering just skipping out on the pill completely and asking my neurologist about having an IUD inserted. (I know in the States usually we go through our OB/GYN,here in the Netherlands, you have to get a recommendation from a doctor. )

At least then it is inserted, it may be hormonal or copper (depending on what my Doctor recommends) I can forget about worrying about taking something. But my question is- does anyone out there have have PTC or PCOS and have been recommended not to get the IUD? I know the two diseases are supposedly interlinked, so it is something I want checked out by my doctors (I do not have PCOS or at least have been diagnosed with it.) I'm concerned because in a few years, I do want children. But for now I want to be protected so I do not get pregnant! If not an IUD, any other suggestions for BC? Help?!?

Comments

[jigsaw-jazz.livejournal.com]

I can't help you with your questions concerning the IUD, someone else probably will though.

I just wanted to say, the same thing happened with me this month concerning missing one pill and then getting a period a week early. Since I've missed one pill before and still stayed on schedule I was worried. I talked to my doctor and she said it was normal.

Depending on your birth control and which week you are in, you might still be protected. It really is a pain to remember this time of year. I was on the NuvaRing for a while and it would've been perfect for me if it didn't make my breasts weren't unbearably sore all month. Most women don't experience such drastic side effects after they been on it for a while though. You might want to look into it! You really can't feel it- even during sex. There are a ton of posts in the memories for this community about it.

[tyrsalvia.livejournal.com]

I've never heard of an IUD being contraindicated with PCOS.

[paraxeni.livejournal.com]

I have PCOS and PTC. I was on the Pill but had to come off it in 2000 because of my PTC. I had a shunt fitted in 2002 (subcutaneous lumbar shunt) and went back on the Pill again. I came off the Pill last January when I had my Mirena IUD fitted to stop my endometriosis symptoms.

OK, since then I've had some large ovarian cysts, my PCOS symptoms have worsened since I stopped the Pill, and I'm currently awaiting a neuro referral because my ICP has suddenly become raised and my vision is deterorating rapidly. No-one knows if any of it is related, they are in agreement that hormonal levels are what trigger my PTC. We don't know whether I need to combine the Pill with the Mirena, or remove the Mirena (but have the endo return, which for me is a biiig no-no) or have nothing in place at all.

Good luck to you, feel free to add me/comment in my journal, and we can always discuss it over there! :)

[sasseebuttrfly.livejournal.com]

I'm adding you.. Are you on one of the messengers? Its nice to finally have someone realize what I go through on all of this. I am like you- I've lost alot of my vision due to PTC. And am continually going for check-ups with it. Next one is in fact scheduled next week.

It just scares me, because I know what the risks are with having PTC and PCOS- and I don't want to do anything to make it worse. And then again, I want a birth control that is worry free (off my mind and not a daily thing to deal with). But then it is scary, confusing, and I just have to sigh and deal with it as best I can.

What's your take on the whole thing?

[paraxeni.livejournal.com]

It is so hard, and so frightening to have a rare condition that co-exists with a common condition. The PCOS on it's own could be sorted very easily, and it would be better for my PTC if it was sorted out once and for all, but as no-one can give a true risk evaluation, or even any real sound advice, it's hard to know just what to do!


I've added you back, and I'll make a locked post that we can discuss it on in the next few days. It's good to find someone to share this with, just a shame someone else is gonig through it!

[paraxeni.livejournal.com]

Have posted a locked entry in my journal, only you will be able to see it! :)