|
Post by cas3332 on Mar 10, 2007 12:02:14 GMT -5
I searched the forums and I could not find any threads on this particular birth control that I was given? I am having a hard time in deciding what to do after having all of my endo removed)
Sorry this is so long... please tell me what you guys think! Any info is much appreciated I hate dealing with this :-(
I went to the dr. on friday for my lap checkup. He said everything looks good we talked about Lupron and told him I did not feel comfortable and said I would not take it at this time. He told me that there were absolutely no side effects to Lupron that could not be taken care of. I still told him not at this time, not for me. So he told me that I should be on some type of birth control. Mind you that I am 30 and have not been on birth control since 22. He gave me Seasonale which when I filled it they pharmacy gave me quasense. I thought I was being given a 28 day birth control never had even heard of a birth control that only gives you 4 periods a year :-( I am so out of the loop, I feel like.
I had stage two endo and my periods were painfull but still bearable.
One I am considering not taking anything in hopes that maybe it would not come back. My mom had endo and had it romoved but then had me and for six years none returned, had my brother and then a hysterectomy. Maybe I shouldn't be basing this because of my mom since everyone is different.
My questions are if anyone has any feedback for me:
What is your advice on not taking anything for endo at all?
What is the point of taking all these different hormones and birth control pills for woman? ( I am confused when reading all this stuff on the net, seems like to me that woman take this stuff to slow endo growth down and for pain management)
Is anyone taking Quasense or Seasonale and how do you like it?
Is it really healthy for a woman to only have 4 periods a year?
Have you guys ever heard of any woman having endo removed and not having it return?
Carrie
|
|
|
Post by ouchy on Mar 10, 2007 12:44:34 GMT -5
Hey, Carrie. Yah. Seasonale is supposed to be taken for 3 months or so at a time without any placebos. Most studies I have read on it showed a high percentage of breakthrough. Sounds like you may have gotten the generic version of it...? Not sure. Anyhow, skipping placebos on any monophasic pill, pretty much, is a common treatment for endo. I did it w/ Lo/Ovral and a couple other ones, although I had breakthrough with each one.
To answer your questions:
1) You'll find that quite a few of us actually prefer no treatment in dealing w/ endo...the "watch-and-wait" approach. The pills did crazy things to my body, and I felt MUCH better when I quit taking them. I though most of my day-to-day pain and vaginal irritation was from the endo, but it wound up being mostly from being on the high-progestin b.c. pills continuously for so long!
2) It's thought to slow the growth of endo when taking the pills. Who knows if it really does!
3) I've never taken either Quasense or Seasonale. Have taken continuous b.c. before, and I hated every minute of it.
4) Even if you're taking 28-day pills and having a "period," it's not a real period anyway. It's a withdrawal bleed. It's a fake period.
5) I've read that it is more common for the endo not to return if it is excised, rather than being burned w/ a laser. We have more info on that in one of the excision threads.
Good luck w/ whatever you decide! 5)
|
|
|
Post by cas3332 on Mar 10, 2007 16:50:51 GMT -5
Thank you Ouchy for your feedback! I truly appreciate it.
Carrie
|
|
|
Post by ouchy on Mar 10, 2007 21:52:18 GMT -5
If you are thinking of going on the pill, there are also side effects from that such as having your cervical crypt cells (cervical mucus cells) destroyed, which can lead to vaginal atrophy and problems w/ cervical mucus, which can inhibit the swimming action of sperm, leading to infertility. There is a whole study I have posted on the effect of birth control pills on cervical mucus. I'll try to find the link. Here you go. cjlevett.proboards33.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=infertility&thread=1143958385&page=1
|
|
trish
Full Member
Posts: 157
|
Post by trish on Mar 13, 2007 9:50:38 GMT -5
Thanks for the foward ouch!!!
Cas- That is what my Dr suggested also. I go on Lupron...just cannot bring myself to do it at 36. I got a script for the Seasonale though. I did some reading on not having a period thing and from what I got...it seems ok and not a problem. They compared it to women who are pregnant for 9 months with no period and have several children.
Is there anyone out there that is on Seasonale??? The Dr tried to get me to skip my placebo pills on my current BC...I spotted for 6 months, heavy spotting.
|
|
|
Post by cas3332 on Mar 13, 2007 22:23:19 GMT -5
Hi Trish,
Thanks for your response. I think Lupron would be my last choice of treatment. I don't know anyone who has been on seasonale or the generic form... I do not feel good about taking any birth control either :-(.. I don't want to deal with the extra cramping, mood swings and especially weight gain! I found a woman Dr. who actually has endo herself so I am going to go to her and get a second opinion and see what she has to say on treatments.
I will post her response regarding treatment after my appointment this week.
Carrie
|
|
trish
Full Member
Posts: 157
|
Post by trish on Mar 14, 2007 7:40:28 GMT -5
There is a generic for seasonale...I will have to check that out. After my insurance pays it still cost me $150 for 3 month supply. So I will look into that.
As far a BC I have been on the pill for over 17 yrs. It actually helped cramping, I have no weight gain except for me eating too much. I only have mood swings around period time and that why I was interested in seasonale.
I agree Lupron does not sound like something I will do unless it is a last resort. But I have heard some good/bad things so it depends on the person.
|
|
|
Post by cas3332 on Mar 14, 2007 9:10:25 GMT -5
The generic for Seasonale is Quasense. Have you been on seasonale for awhile.. I was just curious becuase it sounds like you really like it.
Did you experience any side effects at first when taking it?
Carrie
|
|
trish
Full Member
Posts: 157
|
Post by trish on Mar 14, 2007 13:32:40 GMT -5
I have not started on it yet. I am on ortho something or other. The Dr wanted me on the Seasonale to help with PMS.
|
|
|
Post by sallie2318 on May 3, 2007 10:36:57 GMT -5
I currently take seasonale. I was diagnoses with endo years ago... had lap, lupron, etc. It has been under control, began taking seasonale when it first came out. When I got married I went back to the regular 28 day pills because I was afraid I would get pregnant by accident on the pill and not know it for 3 months while still taking seasonale. Well that was a BIG mistake. My endo is now rearing it's ugly head again. I have been feeling terrible. In January I called my nurse practioner and begged her to put my back on Seasonale, which she did. Now I am going through all the pain of endo all over again because I started taking the seasonale again too late. I highly recommend seasonale, especially as a maintenance drug (if that makes sense) After you have treatment, lap, etc I would definately ask your doctor about getting on it.
|
|
|
Post by ouchy on May 3, 2007 10:48:25 GMT -5
Unless you've tried TONS of different pills continuously (like how Seasonale is taken), and they've ALL messed with your system. I was on 10 different hormonal treatments (pills & patch) back-to-back/skipping placebos, and I had breakthrough and pain with all of them. While they work for a few people, the majority of us have gone through Hel* with them. Glad they work for you, though!!!!
|
|
|
Post by cas3332 on May 4, 2007 14:47:26 GMT -5
Hi sallie2318, it's good to know that some people like seasonale and do well on it. I am still thinking about taking it myself.
|
|
|
Post by irishmuse on May 8, 2007 12:59:14 GMT -5
Unless you've tried TONS of different pills continuously (like how Seasonale is taken), and they've ALL messed with your system. I was on 10 different hormonal treatments (pills & patch) back-to-back/skipping placebos, and I had breakthrough and pain with all of them. While they work for a few people, the majority of us have gone through Hel* with them. Glad they work for you, though!!!! I'm in the same boat! Pill after pill, different combinations, extra hormones, the patch, the depo shot, etc etc etc. Now I'm on nothing, and my pain is better than it was when I was on the pill (of course, I also had my period all the time while I was on it, and now it's finally stopped! so I think that had a lot to do with the pain). I feel like we're guinea pigs to doctors...
|
|
|
Post by ouchy on May 8, 2007 13:07:29 GMT -5
Now I'm on nothing, and my pain is better than it was when I was on the pill (of course, I also had my period all the time while I was on it, and now it's finally stopped! so I think that had a lot to do with the pain). Yup!!!!! SAMMMMME thing here!
|
|
|
Post by cas3332 on Jun 15, 2007 15:32:57 GMT -5
Update on endo and BC
I had my lap done back on March 2nd.I debated back and forth on should I get on something or just stay natural and change my diet. I thought about taking the seasonale but I didn't go on anything after my lap :-( Now it's been just a little over 3 months and my endo is all back plus with chocolate cysts on my both of my ovaries the size of golf balls! Ugh... So Now I am on my first week of Seasonique. I guess I will try this and hopefully not to many side affects and that my cysts will shrink :-( Not looking forward to another surgery anytime soon. I will keep updates on the seasonique is coming along.
Carrie
|
|