I finally met with my gyn today. My LLMD has been recommending (for the past several months) that I need to try an OCP to help regulate or stop my cycle.
I have terrible symptom flares before and during my period. I also suffer with excruciating cramps (pain radiating to my abd, legs, and back), heavy bleeding, large clots, and long periods.
So, my gyn recommended that I try the NuvaRing. She said that it is less likely to cause side effects because it releases a lower dose of hormones than the pill, shot or patch.
I like the idea of not having to take a pill, and that the ring has more of a local effect with less systemic fluctuations than the pill.
Has anyone tried the NuvaRing or have a friend that uses it? I would like to hear your experiences and honest opinions.
I don't really want to take any more medicines but I feel like I need to trust my LLMD's experience and recommendation.
So, what do you think?
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
What about taking bio-identical hormones, according to what is found on your tests to balance your specific imbalances? That would be the best approach, if you find someone to test and rx.
They have to be compounded usually, so a little more expensive, but better for you.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Thanks Rumigirl. It would no doubt be best to test my hormones and supplement with bio-identicals based on my specific imbalances.
I guess I was hoping that if I tried the NuvaRing it would be a fast, easy, relatively cheap, temporary symptom relieving fix.
I know that it is not ideal but I feel like everything in my life (including Lyme treatment) is so complicated right now.
I would rather not have to take any hormone supplements, ever. I'm only considering it now because my LLMD is convinced that it will help me.
I'm so ready to beat Lyme, I want to move on with my life.
Please forgive me. I'm feeling a little emotional, stressed, and frustrated today. At my gyn visit yesterday I also found out that I have a "very large" ovary. I have to go back to get an ultrasound in a couple weeks.
Posted by melyody (Member # 18900) on :
Sammy,
my llmd had me go on the nuva ring for the exact same reasons as yours. I can so relate.
my llmd said I had to stop cycling so that we'd have one less major stressor in my already complicated, difficult case.
I was really freaked out about it, as I've never been on hormonal bc. I wanted to try natural methods, but we needed to slap a band aid on this problem asap to at least prevent such huge flares.
I've been on the NR since Jan and overall, it's helping. No more horrendous periods (I have PCOS and endo). it's not ideal, and I really want to get off of it asap, but we need to get me better stabilized first.
once I'm stronger, I plan on seeing a ND and working on getting my hormones straightened out naturally.
I hope you're able to make a decision that works best for your body and that it will help you in your road to recovery!
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Thank you melyody! I'm glad to hear that it is helping you.
I agree, I do not want to stay on it long but need something to help for now.
I recently started seeing a new ND so I'll have to get her opinion on this hormone issue at my next f/u visit. She is currently helping me transition from Synthroid to Armor thyroid.
Hope that my body will be able to fight off the infections and handle symptoms better once I get these hormones balanced.
Posted by Amanda (Member # 14107) on :
DO you have endometiosis or fibriods? I ask because I have both.
I had surgery done, and it did help. But I'm like you in that everything is worse during my period.
I tried Nuva ring, I felt really sick on it, but I feel really sick on all birth control pills. ( I wasn't like that until I got the lyme) But I did notice that it stayed in there well, and that it was easy to use, and I didn't feel anything.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
Oh, I didn't realize that the purpose was to stop your periods for now. Still, if it's possible to balance your hormones with bioidenticals, it would be much better. BC is synthetic hormones, of course. Well, talk to your ND and go from there.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Amanda, it is possible that I might have endometriosis. I have the symptoms but I've not had any diagnostic tests to prove it.
From what I understand, my doctor should have felt if I had fibroids during my exam, right? I have to get an ultrasound done in a couple weeks anyways to find out what's going on with my ovary.
I've tried several different OCP's off and on when I was a young teen/high school age to try to help regulate my cycle and reduce symptoms. They never really worked well enough for me to stay on them for more than a couple months at a time. At least they didn't make me feel sicker, just not better.
Well, I'm going to start with it today so lets pray it helps!