Tweet
Hello everyone,
I've never posted on the forums here, but spent several agonizing months earlier this year reading just about every thread. I wanted to share my story, because I think there might be a small chance some of you may benefit from my experience. If I help even ONE person, I'll be absolutely delighted!
In January of this year I began taking Seasonique birth control pills. Previously, I had taken Quasense (a generic form of Seasonale), but had been having significant issues with breakthrough bleeding. My doctor recommended trying a sample pack of Seasonique. I thought it wasn't a big deal, as the hormonal formulation is identical to that of Quasense.
About a month later, I first began experiencing IC-like symptoms. I thought at first that I had a bladder infection, and was treated with Macrobid. The symptoms persisted and I was referred to a urologist. Subsequent urinalysis showed no signs of infection. I also saw my gynecologist, had an ultrasound performed, a CT scan, an IVP, and countless rounds of bloodwork to try and rule out everything else. My urologist ultimately diagnosed me with IC. I mentioned that I had recently changed birth control pills to all of the doctors I visited, but each of them discounted the pill as a potential cause. I was reticent to accept this diagnosis, as I'm only 23 and had never had a single bladder issue (not even an infection) until this year. I didn't want to begin taking any of the drugs typically prescribed to IC patients until I was absolutely certain there wasn't some cause I wasn't pinpointing.
After exhaustive research and many sleepless nights, I came across a post by a young woman on MedHelp. She, too, had begun experiencing IC-like symptoms shortly after beginning Seasonique. We communicated via email, and I decided to discontinue taking the pill. Within 2 weeks I felt significantly better; 2 months later I feel 95% healed. She felt completely better 3 months after stopping the pill.
I feel very grateful to have found such a simple solution to an issue that was beginning to destroy my life. I spent ridiculous amounts of money on doctor appointments and tests which were all ultimately futile. I couldn't leave my apartment some days, and missed a lot of work. I felt devastated and very confused.
If you see any correlation between taking Seasonique and your symptoms, it might not hurt to try going off the pill (or at least changing pills). I realize many of you take birth control pills in an effort to control symptoms, so this is likely not a solution for most women.
I hope that I've helped someone by sharing this. Please feel free to ask me questions, if you'd like.
-Christine
I've never posted on the forums here, but spent several agonizing months earlier this year reading just about every thread. I wanted to share my story, because I think there might be a small chance some of you may benefit from my experience. If I help even ONE person, I'll be absolutely delighted!
In January of this year I began taking Seasonique birth control pills. Previously, I had taken Quasense (a generic form of Seasonale), but had been having significant issues with breakthrough bleeding. My doctor recommended trying a sample pack of Seasonique. I thought it wasn't a big deal, as the hormonal formulation is identical to that of Quasense.
About a month later, I first began experiencing IC-like symptoms. I thought at first that I had a bladder infection, and was treated with Macrobid. The symptoms persisted and I was referred to a urologist. Subsequent urinalysis showed no signs of infection. I also saw my gynecologist, had an ultrasound performed, a CT scan, an IVP, and countless rounds of bloodwork to try and rule out everything else. My urologist ultimately diagnosed me with IC. I mentioned that I had recently changed birth control pills to all of the doctors I visited, but each of them discounted the pill as a potential cause. I was reticent to accept this diagnosis, as I'm only 23 and had never had a single bladder issue (not even an infection) until this year. I didn't want to begin taking any of the drugs typically prescribed to IC patients until I was absolutely certain there wasn't some cause I wasn't pinpointing.
After exhaustive research and many sleepless nights, I came across a post by a young woman on MedHelp. She, too, had begun experiencing IC-like symptoms shortly after beginning Seasonique. We communicated via email, and I decided to discontinue taking the pill. Within 2 weeks I felt significantly better; 2 months later I feel 95% healed. She felt completely better 3 months after stopping the pill.
I feel very grateful to have found such a simple solution to an issue that was beginning to destroy my life. I spent ridiculous amounts of money on doctor appointments and tests which were all ultimately futile. I couldn't leave my apartment some days, and missed a lot of work. I felt devastated and very confused.
If you see any correlation between taking Seasonique and your symptoms, it might not hurt to try going off the pill (or at least changing pills). I realize many of you take birth control pills in an effort to control symptoms, so this is likely not a solution for most women.
I hope that I've helped someone by sharing this. Please feel free to ask me questions, if you'd like.
-Christine
thank you!
Comment