Buddies Wanted: irregular cycles after coming off BCP

[MrsChezek]

Hi there.

I have come off BCP in Dec after being on it for 14 years and am experiencing all kinds of weird changes: irregular cycles, tons of acne, mid cycle bleeding, etc. I'm looking for some folks that are in my shoes to keep me sane!!! I feel almost 'broken' and it sucks - it's all so confusing!

A bit about my journey:
Had 3 normal cycles after coming off BCP (27d, 31d, 29d). Since on the second one AF was seemingly late, I tested and got a

Then, 19 days after that third cycle, I experienced severe cramps and two hours later the ugly arrived!!! ARG I was freaked out by a 19 day cycle so I saw my doc - he did a blood preg test and it came back negative; he did a pap just in case and it came back normal. Told me it was a part of coming off BCP and that I should just relax, have fun with my OH and come see him if nothing happens in 6 mos.

So now I'm in the middle of the next (5th) cycle, CD 21, and have no idea when to expect AF. I also experienced spotting CD14-17 and figured I'd get AF shortly after but it stopped and I got EWCM CD 19&20.

I'm utterly confused, totally frustrated and hoping I'm not alone. I'm 34 and want a lot of kids so I'm getting impatient too!

 

[CountryS2011]

I came off it March 23, bled 27-31, 8 dpo today, AF not due till 24 (if 28 days) and so im hoping its a heavier implantation bleed x.x

 

[daisymay11]

I would love have a buddy! I came off the BCP at the end of December 2011. First cycle was 29 days and I thought everything was great! Then in mid Feb I became quite ill requiring several antibiotics/pain medications. My next cycle was 49 days with really bad acne on face/back/chest, +++ sore boobs and cramping for 2 weeks or more. I was hoping it was due to the ilness and my cycle would return to a more regular pattern but I am now on CD 36. No sore boobs, some acne and mild cramping with a bit of spotting today and yesterday (pinkish when I wipe, no need for a panty liner). Keep thinking AF is coming but it never does. I don't think I am pregnant (only BD on March 28th and 31st) and then OH was sick. I overanalyze everything and it is driving me crazy because I just want to know what the heck is going on with my body and I am worrying that my cycle will never regulate. I just got Taking Charge of Your Fertility today and I am planning on using OPK and temping my next cycle. I just want it to start! Anyway it would be great to have others to chat with that understand!

 

[MrsChezek]

Amen!! So many symptoms - it's overwhelming!! The backne is killer, especially with summer coming (( I had sore boobs my second cycle too!! It was my most symptomatic cycle and I thought I might have been preggers but got the instead!

I'm so glad to see you both here We can keep eachother company thru this frustration Thx for responding!!

 

[MrsChezek]

I came off it March 23, bled 27-31, 8 dpo today, AF not due till 24 (if 28 days) and so im hoping its a heavier implantation bleed x.x

Hope it's implantation bleed for you too! FX
AF is predicted for the 25th for me (cd28) so we're on very similar schedule! Tho I honestly have no idea what this cycle plans to do!

Anyway, baby dust to you!!!

 

[Joey1979]

Hi,
Would love to be a buddy too I am 32 came off BCP end of January after been on it for 14 years (10 years depo and then 4 cerazette). Had first proper AF beginning of March. 1st cycle was 27 days and now on cd21 of second cycle. Have been using OPK but still not o yet! - so don't know if this is going to be a long cycle!

I hate all this waiting just want my

 

[MrsChezek]

Welcome Joey!! Glad to have you join us sometimes it takes a few cycles to actually ovulate cause your body is so used to not ovulating!!! I just ordered my OPKs so I'm eager to see if I'm ovulating at all myself. What I've been doing is marking out my O if I had a 20 day cycle (my shortest) and if I had a 31 day cycle (my longest) and BD in that time frame!!! We'll see if that paid off this month

 

[daisymay11]

Welcome Joey! It is so nice to have other to chat that understand!

So I was woken last night at 2 in the morning with the most severe cramps and AF had come! It is going to be the only time in the near future that I actually wanted AF to come. I knew I wasn't pregnant and I wanted to start a new cycle to try OPKs to see if I am actually ovulating at all. CD 1 for me! Cycles have been 29, 49 and 36 so far! I am just so happy this past cycle wasn't another 49 days. OH and I are thinking of using the sperm meets egg plan. What do you girls think of this? Excited that this will be my first real month of ttc but scared at the same time because I have no control of my body!

 

[preg_pilot]

Hey.
Also just recently off BCP here.
30 years old. TTC#1, and cycle 1 of trying. second cycle after stopping BC.

First cycle was short, only 24 days. (short compared to how I was before starting BC, then I averaged 32 days.)

I was on BC for 13 years (started because of severe pain during
Acne everywhere, haven´t experienced that for years.
Anybody know about any creams that help?

 

[daisymay11]

I use a soap that you can buy OTC (in Canada) called tersaseptic. Works amazing for me!

 

[Joey1979]

I have had acne too - hate it, feel like a teenager again!!! Have been using neutrogena body clear body wash and Clinique anti-blemish solutions - these seem to work.

Oh and still no + OPK

 

[MrsChezek]

Welcome Joey! It is so nice to have other to chat that understand!

So I was woken last night at 2 in the morning with the most severe cramps and AF had come! It is going to be the only time in the near future that I actually wanted AF to come. I knew I wasn't pregnant and I wanted to start a new cycle to try OPKs to see if I am actually ovulating at all. CD 1 for me! Cycles have been 29, 49 and 36 so far! I am just so happy this past cycle wasn't another 49 days. OH and I are thinking of using the sperm meets egg plan. What do you girls think of this? Excited that this will be my first real month of ttc but scared at the same time because I have no control of my body!

I totally hear you on the wanting AF to show! I'm kind of feeling the same as I'm not experiencing any symptoms so I don't feel preggers and this irregular cycle has been so odd that I just want it to end so I can start fresh. Congrats on your new beginning!

As far as sperm meets egg plan, I just read about it after reading your post. I've read other people talking about it on here but didn't really know what it was. They say it's great after miscarriage or if you're having trouble conceiving after your first. But also that it is good for someone TTC #1 as a last resort before consulting a fertility specialist. However, having read the instructions, I don't see why it would hurt ANYone to try it! So if your OH is up to the task, go for it!!!

 

[MrsChezek]

Hi preg pilot! Welcome to our little group

I started BC for the same reason as you...I'd be bent over double in pain So once on it, I didn't want to come off until I knew we were ready to start trying. I wish someone told me how much it messes with your cycles and how we need time to normalize!!!

I'm also experiencing the same acne symptoms as you! And it sucks cause I just feel so helpless. I'm contemplating going to get a backcial done by an esthetician to see if they can help...I don't really have any products other than salicylic acid that I use with a bit of tea tree oil.

daisy - I looked up tersaseptic and it contains triclosan which might not be pregnancy friendly. Here is an article about it:

https://www.maternitique.com/maternity-blog/2012/01/why-pregnancy-and-triclosan-dont-mix/

Supposedly it interferes with the body's hormones which play a big role in getting pregnant. Something to consider!

joey - FX for your +OPK!!!

 

[preg_pilot]

Hi preg pilot! Welcome to our little group

I started BC for the same reason as you...I'd be bent over double in pain So once on it, I didn't want to come off until I knew we were ready to start trying. I wish someone told me how much it messes with your cycles and how we need time to normalize!!!

I'm also experiencing the same acne symptoms as you! And it sucks cause I just feel so helpless. I'm contemplating going to get a backcial done by an esthetician to see if they can help...I don't really have any products other than salicylic acid that I use with a bit of tea tree oil.

Yea. Same here. I´m already getting some of the pain again, but if I have to endure that to get a little bean in my belly, then I will.
It used to get so bad that I actually passed out once... Hope that won´t happen ever again.
Kinda funny though... when I came to, I looked at my clock and exclaimed: "damn, I missed my math test"... luckily I got to take the test the day after.

Also Acne for a baby?.. meh, fair trade

 

[MrsChezek]

Hi preg pilot! Welcome to our little group

I started BC for the same reason as you...I'd be bent over double in pain So once on it, I didn't want to come off until I knew we were ready to start trying. I wish someone told me how much it messes with your cycles and how we need time to normalize!!!

I'm also experiencing the same acne symptoms as you! And it sucks cause I just feel so helpless. I'm contemplating going to get a backcial done by an esthetician to see if they can help...I don't really have any products other than salicylic acid that I use with a bit of tea tree oil.

Yea. Same here. I´m already getting some of the pain again, but if I have to endure that to get a little bean in my belly, then I will.
It used to get so bad that I actually passed out once... Hope that won´t happen ever again.
Kinda funny though... when I came to, I looked at my clock and exclaimed: "damn, I missed my math test"... luckily I got to take the test the day after.

Also Acne for a baby?.. meh, fair trade

TOTALLY AGREED! Very small price to pay!!
I do hope your cramps don't get that bad again, ideally that you get a way before that happens

 

[preg_pilot]

Hi preg pilot! Welcome to our little group

I started BC for the same reason as you...I'd be bent over double in pain So once on it, I didn't want to come off until I knew we were ready to start trying. I wish someone told me how much it messes with your cycles and how we need time to normalize!!!

I'm also experiencing the same acne symptoms as you! And it sucks cause I just feel so helpless. I'm contemplating going to get a backcial done by an esthetician to see if they can help...I don't really have any products other than salicylic acid that I use with a bit of tea tree oil.

Yea. Same here. I´m already getting some of the pain again, but if I have to endure that to get a little bean in my belly, then I will.
It used to get so bad that I actually passed out once... Hope that won´t happen ever again.
Kinda funny though... when I came to, I looked at my clock and exclaimed: "damn, I missed my math test"... luckily I got to take the test the day after.

Also Acne for a baby?.. meh, fair trade

TOTALLY AGREED! Very small price to pay!!
I do hope your cramps don't get that bad again, ideally that you get a :BFP: way before that happens

Thanks
Fingers crossed for you too.

 

[MrsChezek]

I just went to do a tour of the maternity area at one of the hospitals near me. I just moved to the east coast from California so I need to find an OBGYN but apparently they all only work with one of the two local hospitals so I have to choose my hospital first! Go figure. It was very nice, brand spankin' new - just opened in Nov 2011...

But it was SO hard to be in a group of like 8 very pregnant women and walking by all these rooms with women in labor - made me jealous It was even harder to tour the postpartum area and hear babies crying and cooing. SO cannot wait to be there!!!!

Well hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the weekend

 

[AnnaSaRa]

Hi everyone!

I'd love to have some buddies, and you all seem so very nice
Im new here but I've been lurking the board for sometime. This is our 4th month TTC, first month temping since Im not even sure Im actually ovulating.

I went off the BCP in september (after 10 years on BC - 5 on depoprovera and 5 on the pill) and we started trying in Jan. My cycles started off irregular, now they are around 30-34 days. Since getting off BCP I have had the WORST acne (like a teenager), horrible cramps, breast tenderness and so many symptoms I thought were pregnancy but each month followed by AF

Just wanted to say hi and hope to get to know all of you on your (hopefully short and sweet) journey

 

[Joey1979]

Hi annaSaRa! And welcome!!!
This cycle will be my first temping too! So will good to have someone to ask about it
Tried OPK last cycle but never got a positive so kind of gave up AF is due on Wednesday - just want it to to get here so that I can try again!!!!

 

[ladyesq]

Wow, you all sound so much like me! I came off the pill in mid-December 2011 after being on it for 9.5 years. I was 26 and had been on the pill since age 17. I had one normal cycle after coming off the pill, although it was a little long (35 days). I was temping and everything looked great--I had a clear temperature shift and signs of ovulation. It was great.

Then came the cycle from Hell. Nothing was happening--it ended up being a 75 day cycle, which ended only because my doctor put me on Provera for a week. About a week and half after coming off Provera, I bled, and now here I am on my third cycle TTC, hoping and praying that I have a normal cycle. I think I'm on CD 18, with no O yet.

I also have experienced bad breakouts, mostly on my face, but some on my back and shoulders. That sucks--I thought I was over all that by this now.

Oh, and one other thing. When I went to my doctor and got put on Provera, I asked her if my irregularity was due to coming off the pill. She said the pill had nothing to do with it, and that she can't explain why I was regular before being on the pill, and irregular now. I don't know how I feel about that answer since I've seen so many people on these forums that have problems after coming off the pill.