Generic Birth Control

[hlh5f9]

I went to my gynocologist for the first time a few weeks ago, and she tentatively diagnosed me with PCOS. She prescribed me Sprintec, a generic form of Orthocyclen. When the results of my blood tests came in, the only thing they showed was elevated testosterone and progesterone levels. When the gyno called to tell me this, she told me to start the birth control immediatly, even though I hadn't started my period yet. She also told me to make an appointment with an endocrinologist, which I have not had a chance to do yet. So I started the pills last Sunday and have been taking them the last week. I have been incredibly depressed since I started taking them. However, I'm having problems distinguishing whether this could be because of the birth control or not. There's been a lot of stuff going on in my life lately, so it could just be normal not because of any medicine. But the only thing I've changed the last week is starting the birth control pills. I'm hoping that things will start to work themselves out, but I don't know. This past week has been my week of vacation from school and work, and Monday I am starting my full time summer job, and I don't want to be stuck at work all day depressed.

I have also been having incredible problems sleeping since I started taking the pills. I haven't been able to fall asleep, and once I finally do, I wake up every few hours. The other night I fell asleep around 1:30 am, and was wide awake at 3 am. I took a sleeping pill, and still woke up around 6 am and again around 8 am. I don't know if this could be a side effect also.

Has anyone else taken generic birth control, or do you know if these could be symptoms of it? I'd appreciate any advice! Thanks!

[OrangeDaisy]

It doesn't matter if it is generic or not, BCPs affect some people with the symptoms you describe. It may get better as your body gets used to the hormones. If it doesn't, your doctor should give you a different different kind that you may tolerate better. There is a great deal of evidence that BCPs just mask the symptoms of PCOS and may even make it worse in the long run, so I'm not sure why your doctor rushed you into taking them before you saw an endo.

[hlh5f9]

Thanks. I actually wanted to be on birth control for the birth control aspect as well, and we had discussed it before she even suspected PCOS, so she didn't really rush me. I didn't mean to make it sound like she did. Thanks for the info though.

[fireangel02]

i am on the same birth control meds and i was wondering if anyone was having a problem of them seeming not to work any more, i went from my periods being normal to now being only one or two days. was wondering if i should switch see if i can switch the meds.

[lol2806]

All birth control pills have different side effects and the side effects you've just described are not uncommon!

You can't fight fate!