birth control pills
#306349 - 05/01/07 04:39 PM
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shannonm
Reged: 01/27/07
Posts: 38
Loc: maryland
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It's been awhile since I posted on the board, but I discovered something that might help someone else, so I thought I would post my experience. Seven months ago I asked my dr. to switch my birth control pills from Ortho to the lowest dosage possible, (they gave me Alesse) because the Ortho was causing melasma (brown spots on my face). After a couple of months my IBS improved by 95%, I've been following Heathers diet for a couples of years but I still had more bad days than good (hormones were up and down). Anyway I started to do some research and found out that the Ortho changed dosages every seven days, the Alesse is the same dosage every pill. My prescribtion got messed up somehow and I had to go back to the doctor for another presc. (my IBS came back quick without them) I told her what was happening and she said that I have to have my potassium levels checked every 6 months while taking Alesse. She also said that potassium affects your gut, and that I wasn't the only one who saw IBS improvement while taking Alesse. Of course I asked her if I could take them everyday, at first she said no, but she said she would look into it, I'm very lucky that my dr. is willing to help me figure this out.
Has anyone else experienced anything like this? I know that hormones play a part in IBS, for me the diet helped but keeping my hormone levels the same made the most difference, I still have to follow Heather's diet, and try not to stress out to much, but with the new birth control pills I have more good days than bad.
Shannon
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IBS-A
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This has been talked about frequently on this board. Monophasic pills (like Alesse) are way better for IBS than triphasic pills (Ortho). Many of us also skip our periods by taking the pill every day. This helps eliminate the monthly hormone-related surge in IBS symptoms. I'd highly recommend it!
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Lisa, IBS-C (Vegan)
Stable since July 2007!
Mommy to Rhiannon Marie (Dec. 13, 2008)
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Is the efficacy the same for Alesse? I want to talk to my doc about switching but I am very afraid of getting pregnant and do very well on what I am on -period-wise.
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IBS-A for 20 years with terrible bloating and gas. On the diet since April 2004. Remember this from Heather's information pages:
"You absolutely must eat insoluble fiber foods, and as much as safely possible, but within the IBS dietary guidelines. Treat insoluble fiber foods with suitable caution, and you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of them, in very healthy quantities, without problem." Please eat IF foods!
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I don't know about Alesse, but I've been taking Modicon (generic Necon, or the other way around) for nearly two years, skipping my periods. I'm pretty "active" and I have never gotten pregnant.
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Lisa, IBS-C (Vegan)
Stable since July 2007!
Mommy to Rhiannon Marie (Dec. 13, 2008)
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I am so glad to know that it's okay to take them everyday. I was going to wait for my doc to give me the ok, but I was just dreading the 7 days without them. Thank you for the information, I wish I'd had done a search for this information along time ago. Thanks again!
shannon
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IBS-A
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