Hi, so my story is kind of long, but I really just need help in sorting things out:
When I was 17, I started taking Lo Loestrin Fe birth control pills. I took them until my sophomore year of college, which I stopped in Feb. 2015 because I was on antibiotics and was not sexually active at the time, anyway. I had no side effects while taking this pill & still received a regular period, from what I can remember.
This past July I decided to get back on the pill, as my migraines with my period were getting worse and I was once again sexually active. After going on the pill I spotted for nearly two weeks and had awful symptoms, like nausea/headaches/cramps. I genuinely thought I was pregnant. I called my gyno, who assured me that these symptoms were normal for the first month, as my body was still getting used to the pill (however, this confused me because I had never had any symptoms at all when I was previously on it), but she did advise me to take an at home pregnancy test to be sure. The test was negative and I continued to spot until receiving my full period a week later.
There were minimal problems following this. Until around September/early October. The last time I was sexually active was the first week of September, however I did not consider pregnancy, as I am very diligent when taking my pill. I got my period two weeks later than it was supposed to come, but it was a full period and my schedule was messed up anyway from the spotting from when I first started the pill (in addition to the stress of starting school again/moving). Shortly after getting my period I noticed horrible symptoms, my breasts had become bigger than ever (usually a 34A, now I am pushing a C), and were extremely tender.
I had taken several pregnancy tests (at least 6) between the time of my last intercourse and now, almost four months later. I tried several brands and even went to the on-campus health center and all of which came back negative. I had some spotting but I have received my period twice since then. It has been a different type of blood though - mostly brown and quite light, until the middle when it is extremely heavy.
I have also gained a good 10-15 pounds since starting the pill up, which I have read is a common side-effect for Loestrin. The effects from the pill have me thinking that I am pregnant, even though everything else states that I am not. Between these effects and my horrible, horrible anxiety, I decided to go off the pill. Initially, the first couple days after stopping in the middle of my pack, I felt better. The swelling in my breasts went down and I had more energy.
But now, a few weeks later, and I feel horrible. I am more bloated and heavier than before, my nipples hurt to even touch just my shirt, and I overall look/feel awful. I'm not sure if anyone has experienced these symptoms going off the pill, but I really just need some help because I am freaking out. I have scheduled an appointment with my gyno but need advice in the meantime. I even took another pregnancy test yesterday, which, to no surprise, came back negative like all the rest. If there is any info/similar personal experience anyone could provide me with, it would be SO greatly appreciated because my anxiety about this is driving me nuts. I feel like I have no control over my body.
I read about convincing yourself of a false pregnancy and having symptoms because of that (which I believe is something that I am susceptible to due to my high anxiety) and my huge fear/phobia of becoming pregnant.
Please help! Thanks!