My doctor wants to put me on Kariva. I have previous history of migraines. Anyone out there who has had migraines and went on this pill with no problems?

I've been on Kariva for about 6 months now and I am starting to notice some very strange things. First of all, the reason I went on the pill was to regulate my periods and to relieve really bad cramping and bloating. It was great at first - no bad cramps, helped the bloating (for about 2 months) and I didn't notice any other side effects. Now its a different story. I'm now getting heavier and heavier periods every month, cramps, the bloating is out of control, I'm having a VERY hard time controlling my weight (even though I count calories and exercise 5+ times/week), and every month about a week before my period I've been having some very scary mood swings and depression. I've NEVER experienced anything like that in my LIFE! I'm a very happy person and I'm pretty sure it is this pill. I also don't recommed this pill if you're prone to headaches. Every strong smell gives me a headache now. Does anyone have any suggestions for switching pills? I've heard that progesterone only pills have less side effects. [url]http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/icons/icon9.gif[/url]

[QUOTE=justsaying123;3125047]I've been on Kariva for about 6 months now and I am starting to notice some very strange things. First of all, the reason I went on the pill was to regulate my periods and to relieve really bad cramping and bloating. It was great at first - no bad cramps, helped the bloating (for about 2 months) and I didn't notice any other side effects. Now its a different story. I'm now getting heavier and heavier periods every month, cramps, the bloating is out of control, I'm having a VERY hard time controlling my weight (even though I count calories and exercise 5+ times/week), and every month about a week before my period I've been having some very scary mood swings and depression. I've NEVER experienced anything like that in my LIFE! I'm a very happy person and I'm pretty sure it is this pill. I also don't recommed this pill if you're prone to headaches. Every strong smell gives me a headache now. Does anyone have any suggestions for switching pills? I've heard that progesterone only pills have less side effects. [url]http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/icons/icon9.gif[/url]


Hello there! I just wanted to reply to you and let you know my own experience with kariva. I've been on it for 9 months and have gained 27 pounds and i KEEP gaining even though I do NOT drink soda pop, I watch what I eat and I exercise at the gym 3 to 4 times a week. we only eat healthy at home (my boyfriend does the cooking) but it's always whole grains, low fat, etc...3 years ago on weight watchers I lost 60 pounds. maintained 50 of those lost pounds until i went on this pill and without changing anything about my diet/exercise i've GAINED BACK 27 pounds! ugh!

i went to my doc 2 weeks ago and she's switched me to Yasmin. I don't start this pack until sunday so i don't know how it'll do - but as far as weight gain is concerned - most boards i've read (good or bad) on yasmin - no one really complains about any weight gain as almost ALL kariva boards i've read.

so hopefully YASMIN will make a huge difference.

other things i've noticed on kariva. during the 3 weeks that i'm taking the pills - i'm absolutely EXHAUSTED. i have to FORCE myself to go to the gym and on the days (especially the weekends) when i just go straight home from work, i end up falling asleep the second i lay down on the couch. however, during the 4th week (placebo pills) i've no problem with energy and being that my period only lasts 1 1/2 days (which i don't like either, to me that's NOT normal) i actually feel better during THAT week than i do any other week of the month!

i also usually don't get that many headaches, and while they're not horrible, they have increased since being on kariva.

plus the PMS. wow. before kariva - and i'm not exaggerating - but i NEVER had pms. but since i've been on kariva - i've had pms. no one wants to be around me.

and I have also noticed a decrease in my libido - which i've NEVER had a problem with THAT before either.

so - anyways - that's MY story. now, as far as switching - i'd talk to your doc. mine has suggested yasmin - which is supposed to have the least amount of side effects...and of course - other boards - other women have said they HAVE had side effects, whereas a lot of women also SWEAR by yasmin saying it's been their lifesaver after being on other ones.

so it really is all about YOUR body chemistry and how it reacts to other pills.

i'm at the point though - if i can't start losing weight once i'm on kariva - to just say "forget it" and buy a big ol' box o' condoms. :)

I am on Kariva and I have been retaining water (bloating) lately to a dangerous level. I have gained seven pounds in a day here and there. I take a water pill to get rid of it and a few days later I get the headache and nausea and it comes back on. I just don't feel good on Kariva. I had been on other pills before this. Seem to weight gain and water weight is worse on this one for some reason.

Not sure how my own hormones play into it but the month I was off any pill I was fine except for some normal cramping.

Right now I have taken my last Kariva pill and am waiting for my period. I am going to get a Paraguard as soon as my period starts. I hope I am one of the ones that has good results from it because since I am older I would like to keep it until I go through menopause. I am also not good at remembering to take the pills at the proper time.

I started taking Kariva after 6 or so years of no b/c pills. I'd been on Loestrin Fe previously with zero side effects. Now I am 35 and wonder if my body's changes are making me less tolerable to new hormones.

On Day 2, I had a serious migraine (which I normally get during PMS). The remainder of the week, I had low/changed appetite -- nothing sounds good to eat. I've been irritable, weepy, sad, disconnected. I am usually pretty cheerful.

I am not sure if the pill is just exaggerating some things already there or creating new drama in my life.

I spoke to my doctor, and she said she thinks the migraine was a coincidence since I have not had any since the one last week.

I am currently on Day 9 of the pill. If I stop taking it in the middle of the cycle, the chances of breakthrough bleeding are higher, says the doctor.

The doc also tells me it can take 2-3 months for my body to adjust, and it's not a good idea to switch pills a lot. I felt like crying when I heard that.

So I might finish the month out, but I think I will go back to condoms next month. I don't like feeling this way.

[QUOTE=digga;3292344]I started taking Kariva after 6 or so years of no b/c pills. I'd been on Loestrin Fe previously with zero side effects. Now I am 35 and wonder if my body's changes are making me less tolerable to new hormones.

On Day 2, I had a serious migraine (which I normally get during PMS). The remainder of the week, I had low/changed appetite -- nothing sounds good to eat. I've been irritable, weepy, sad, disconnected. I am usually pretty cheerful.

I am not sure if the pill is just exaggerating some things already there or creating new drama in my life.

I spoke to my doctor, and she said she thinks the migraine was a coincidence since I have not had any since the one last week.

I am currently on Day 9 of the pill. If I stop taking it in the middle of the cycle, the chances of breakthrough bleeding are higher, says the doctor.

The doc also tells me it can take 2-3 months for my body to adjust, and it's not a good idea to switch pills a lot. I felt like crying when I heard that.

So I might finish the month out, but I think I will go back to condoms next month. I don't like feeling this way.

Has anything changed since a month ago when you posted? Did you feel better after you stopped taking kariva or did you continue taking it?

I have been taking it for a few days only and I feel very depressed, angry, irritable and somewhat lethargic. I don't want to continue this if the pill is what is causing it. I feel stupid calling the doc so early after starting, especially since I just changed after a month of being on Loestrin (since I was breaking out terribly). I don't want to be told what you're dr said, no one could suffer with these symptoms for 2-3 months!!

Hello,

I too have recently started taking Kariva and have had a history of migraine heachaches. The first week I was on the pill, I had a significant loss of appetite and bouts of nausea throughout the day. Then, the symptoms seemed to die down for about two days, but were gradually replaced with headaches...mild at first, in the back of my neck. But now they are getting more intense, spreading over my shoulders and making me sick to my stomach. Sounds like a migraine to you? I use to have fierce, dibilitating migraines when I was in my teens and I am so afraid it will come to that. It is affecting work and free time- I never feel 100% right. I am hoping that things die down soon, but in the meantime, is there something I can take with the pill to balance my system? Does acetominiphin interfere at all? It hasn't seemed to be helping with the headaches. I had read in other posts about taking vitamib b with c complex or vitamin b 12...but thats just for moods. Would a multivitamin work for what I am feeling? I'm thinking about taking excedrin migraine for the headaches but am worried about combining aspirin with the pill. Help!

Just Curious If Your Out There If You Still Like Kariva?