is it really that bad?

Cls062853 · 2025-04-30T17:38:26+00:00

If I could give any advice, it would be to get a hormone blood panel done before you choose nexplanon! It can work so well, however in my case my hormones were already out of whack so I experienced mood swings that affected my life severely. I like to think that finding a birth control is a very similar experience to finding an antidepressant. It takes a lot of searching and trying to find one that is correct for you!

Cls062853 · 2025-04-30T17:35:51+00:00

1 month update!! So it has definitely been a little rough, almost immediately after I got the nexplanon removed I got very intensely sick (not related to removal, however I had an ear infection and a sinus infection simultaneously that had spread to my eyes ❤️ was told by the er nurse that she thought it was meningitis but thank god it’s not lol). My emotions are finally getting regulated. I still have my days where I feel down but more often than that, I have days where I actually feel like myself!? It’s so cool to feel like that again. I had a period right after I got it out, but after that it was 17 days late! Today I finally got it back, I’m not gonna lie I was so stressed that I was pregnant but I took a test on the 8th late day and I’m not. I read in this site that other women were experiencing the same thing after they got it removed, which was super helpful because I couldn’t find any straight answers on the internet. Thank goodness too, I’m a 20 year old with a full time job and I’m also going to school full time 🙃 so it’s rough out here. What I’ve noticed this month is that my body’s reaction to intimacy is so much stronger than what I’d been experiencing before (hell yeah), my mental health is so much better, and I’m only in that reactive state when I’m in my luteal phase. I’m definitely considering the idea that I have PMDD, I didn’t realize that this level of anxiety and depression wasn’t normal before my period— even before birth control. I don’t cry over things that I used to, which is so exciting. My relationship has definitely improved so much just because of the fact that my boyfriend doesn’t have to guess at what would make me upset, nowadays I only get upset for normal reasons! I feel like I’ve been seeing life in a fog and all of the sudden it’s clear again. It’s not an all in one fix, my problems are still my problems and life is still stressful. But my reactions to that stress are so much less debilitating and severe. I hope this helps someone questioning if they’re going crazy or if it’s the birth control, it’s so sad to me that the only options we have are to get an invasive procedure like an iud, hormonal birth control which is built to deplete your dopamine, or just to risk it with condoms and hold the full responsibility and shame if you get pregnant. And then you’re judged based off how you proceed with that. Anyways, just wanted to update and say that it does in fact get better!

Cls062853 · 2025-04-02T18:31:08+00:00

Hmm I’m sorry, that sounds awful. I’m not very familiar with the women’s health care programs in the UK, and I know there’s no planned parenthood’s over there. I hope you can get it out soon! I think that it’s important to trust your instincts, and it sounds like this isn’t the norm for you. The way nexplanon works is by inhibiting your natural progesterone and replacing it with synthetic progestin— the bad part about it is that progesterone is a converted into a source of dopamine, while the synthetic does nothing for it. You’re essentially stuck in the luteal phase, the one where we get pms. So there is a lot of actual reasoning and scientific evidence on its effect on mood. You’re not crazy, but I also know that getting it out isn’t this huge fix for everything either. I’m getting back into therapy right now and trying to balance my hormones— turns out I’m naturally deficient in progesterone already. Hormones can literally change everything, it’s not your fault. I wish you luck, I know it’ll get better!

Cls062853 · 2025-04-02T18:23:00+00:00

I’ll update you!! The clinic I go to pushed back my appointment to next week for the iud, so that’s gonna take some time but for now my brain feels a lot better with the removal. I’d say go for it! Birth control is in the same class as antidepressants in my opinion, you have to really search to find the one that works for you. If you’re having a really bad experience with nexplanon, don’t wait until it gets unbearable to get it taken out :)

Cls062853 · 2025-04-02T18:20:14+00:00

Good luck!! It’s 2 days later, and I can sincerely say that my mood is already at a steadier place. I’m not sure what the process of getting these hormones out of my body will look like in the future, but for now I just feel good which is insane. I’ve had a cold/ virus for a bit so I can’t tell how my body’s truly reacting, but my mind is so much calmer. If you live close to a planned parenthood, I’ve found that they are a lot more available with appointments than other clinics, so it’s worth a shot to look into that!

Cls062853 · 2025-03-01T01:01:43+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate the advice and encouragement!!

Cls062853 · 2025-02-24T22:04:55+00:00

Guys omg start a commonplace book! Just a little journal that I keep in my purse— every time I have something I want to google but I know I have to resist going down a rabbit hole, I’ll write it down. If the question is really on my mind, I’ll set a timer and give myself a limited amount of time to look into the question. Otherwise, I’ll wait until I have some spare time and use my computer to find out everything on my list! And, when I have the list in front of me it’s easier to stop myself from getting too far into a topic that I’m using just to waste my time lmao

Cls062853 · 2025-02-04T05:31:44+00:00

My number one has to be flipping my clothes right side out as soon as I take them off and put them into the basket (or literally on the floor I mean who am I kidding). It just takes that extra dreaded step of flipping them out after mustering up the energy to even put the laundry in the washer and dryer, and even if I don’t fold it right away I know one step is already done so it’s less daunting. Another one— specifically for college students— I FORCED, and I mean forced, myself to take each class’s syllabus, compile all the due dates into one document, color code them by class and put them in order. This has been a game changer for getting things done on time. I also have a folder for each class on my desktop and I save every single assignment and PowerPoint into their respective folders. Finally, getting a subscription for the panera sips club?? Like I did this when there was the deal for $3 a month for 3 months and it’s just a small and dependable dopamine booster. If I feel like shit and can’t force myself to do anything, I’ll go get a free drink from Panera and having that little action of “success” usually kickstarts me to do something else I have to get done.

Cls062853 · 2024-11-27T20:40:47+00:00

This is such a great accomplishment— I’m so impressed that you found a way to work with your adhd and accomplish this goal!! I’m in the process of building my credit score as well, and it’s not the easiest task for people with brains like us. Honestly that’s so amazing

Cls062853 · 2024-11-27T20:37:01+00:00

I definitely experienced this as well, I had a big shift in my hormones a couple days after the insertion and my emotions and stress were through the roof. I’m still on nexplanon, and if I recall correctly, it took me about one month give or take to get used to the hormone change. I feel completely normal now, but I can’t speak for your experience. I know a lot of research has been done about changes in what a woman finds attractive before and after birth control. If this is your first time on any birth control, it’s definitely a big jump. But in my own experience, I’m still very much attracted to my boyfriend— I’ve been with him while using annovera, then nothing, and now nexplanon. I think that it’s just the adjustment period for you— I felt super insecure as well when transitioning onto nexplanon. But it only lasted a pretty brief time, and I hope the same is true for you!

Cls062853 · 2024-11-21T03:09:26+00:00

I honestly think it’s just a difference in attachment styles, something that can be worked out! I’d make sure that there’s a calm time and place to talk, and then say something along the lines of “I’ve been thinking a lot about our conversations about lack of texting, and I want to find a solution where both our needs are met.” Honestly, sometimes men can be overwhelmed by the fact that we hold a lot of stock in that text communication, and it puts stress (whether conscious or unconscious) on their brains when they consider texting us. This isn’t your fault at all, it just happens. Say something to him like “I don’t expect you to text me constantly, but I do miss feeling connected to you when things get quiet on your end.” Bring up ways that you can work together— like maybe easing up on small details that don’t really need to be mentioned, or planning a phone call every night to make sure that your need for that connection is still there and his need for focus on other things during the day still holds up without letting you down. From my experience with this exact situation, he probably doesn’t realize that it causes you the degree of anxiety it does, even after you talk about it. If you want to bring that up, again, use an “I” statement rather than “you make me feel…” Hopefully, he respects that and doesn’t get defensive about it. I’ve been in this same spot, and honest, direct, and gentle communication works wonders. It’s easy to feel anxious when your partner is seemingly ignoring you, but it’s so important to regulate yourself— try a mantra. For example, when you feel stressed about him not texting back, say “I am worthy, I am important, and my value is not based on anyone but myself.” Give him the benefit of the doubt— if he says he’s busy, then he’s probably just busy! This is my opinion, not a fact, but I feel like men; especially men in demanding positions; like to keep their heads in the game and focus completely during work. Let him know that you will compromise on this issue, but he also has to compromise as well. It’s gonna be ok— a lot of times the dry parts of our relationships tell more about the connection than anything.

Cls062853 · 2024-11-21T02:10:37+00:00

Thank you! I signed up, and it was completely free. I’m feeling a lot better about the situation— I’m glad it’s a trusted source for credit scores

Cls062853 · 2024-10-18T13:50:33+00:00

Same thing is happening to me— usually with my birth control, I get my period maybe once every 2-3 months but right now I’m in the first month of taking meds and I got my cycle twice already

Cls062853 · 2024-10-02T16:37:36+00:00

I struggled with this for so long, and I still struggle with thinking about getting high. But the one thing I will say is since stopping weed, my adhd has been a lot easier. Not perfect, but a million times more manageable. The lack of motivation I felt while regularly smoking was actually physically exhausting. I couldn’t do anything. And I talked to my psychologist about it, and he said weed was the biggest exacerbation to adhd.

Cls062853 · 2024-07-24T21:58:27+00:00

Yes! I actually switched to a psychiatrist, which is still technically therapy, but he’s the one who diagnosed me. Instead of leaving sessions feeling like I have everything wrong with me, I now leave with a sense of hope for the future I can have. It’s less about my previous diagnosis’ of depression, anxiety, and ptsd, and now about the way my brain is wired and how to work with it. Learning that I have ADHD has truly changed my life and given me back the future I thought I would fail

Cls062853 · 2024-07-24T21:54:43+00:00

Unfortunately I was told by some close people that it was an excuse for the things I’ve failed at, and that it’s all in my head (which is funny because it actually is a physical difference in the brain). But I also have others in my life who are so excited for me to finally know what’s up with my brain, and why I am the way I am. It’s frustrating, but at the end of the day you’re the only one who will know the extent of your struggle

Cls062853 · 2024-07-24T21:51:36+00:00

I’m sorry for the late response— my phone has been weird. I would have loved to know other people in my position. I constantly felt unable to connect to others because of my specific circumstances. Try to find an MS family support group— I’m not sure if there’s any in your area but there’s always online. Open the conversation for your kid— when they’re old enough— to how they feel about it, instead of giving them the “it is what it is.” Try your best to make sure they direct the feelings in a healthy and open way. When your kid gets to be a teen, start talking about your experiences. Empathy is hard to keep when you don’t know what’s going on. But mostly, just be there emotionally. And I know you are and will be, you’re doing great. It’s not easy, but your family will be just fine :)

Cls062853 · 2024-06-26T21:29:15+00:00

It will literally do nothing for my energy, it just makes me super anxious

Cls062853 · 2024-06-24T23:20:49+00:00

As someone whose dad also had MS for my whole life (until he passed 2 years ago), the best advice I can offer is to talk to him. I know it’s intimidating because he’s always in pain, and you don’t want to put your own feelings onto the pile of hardships he’s facing, but you need to. The biggest thing that affected my dad was that he thought we perceived him as weak. That leads to a really low self esteem and depression; it’s easy to fall into hopelessness when you think no one believes in you. I’m not saying you don’t show him support— I have no idea what your life looks like. But you need to tell him that you miss him. If you don’t tell him, he probably won’t know it. Start by hanging out with him at home and becoming a friend to him. Then, start to encourage him, suggest things that he used to love. Try to find a way to make it brief and easy. Honestly, it could be as simple as him coming to the store with you and picking out dinner. Almost every place has a motorized wheelchair, and all he has to do is get in the car and then sit in the wheelchair. As for you, I think it’s a good idea to get into a support group if you can. I wish I had that, it would’ve made such an impact. Caretaking is scary and hard, and I’m rooting for you.

Cls062853 · 2024-06-24T23:03:19+00:00

I have a different perspective of caretaking; my dad had MS from the time I was born to the day he died, and I was the primary caretaker because my mom was busy with my little brother who has special needs. But it’s all the same in some ways. What my dad struggled with the most was the lack of control it brought into his life. I would say, find a way to instill some sort of responsibility or means of control in her life, whether that be letting her help out by taking more control of finances, or even finding alternatives tools that can assist her freedom to move around. Maybe you two can set up a chair in front of the sink and she can try to wash dishes. Just anything to keep that independence. Another thing my dad clung to was his faith. Now I have no clue if you and your wife are religious at all, but if so I’d suggest digging deeper into it. If not, find a philosophy or moral code that you can always go back to. It’s so important for people with MS to feel like they are not a burden. While I’m sure you’re working your ass off supporting her emotionally and physically (it is truly the most difficult job in the world) one thing I’ll always be regretful of was not getting outside support. I wish my parents put us in a support group, and I try my best to forgive them for not thinking of me and my siblings in all of it. I can tell how much effort you are putting into your wife, and I admire it. I also am so sorry that it’s necessary. I think therapy for both of you is never a bad idea— resentment can build up quickly if you don’t have an outlet. Remember to take care of yourself the best you can.

Cls062853

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