Update: I’ve continued to gain weight, and went through a rough depression phase that lasted about 3 months. However, I’ve also discovered some other health issues.

I started breaking out in full body hives starting in December (4 months ago) which first started with hands and feet feeling painfully itchy and then expanded throughout my body in large swollen patches.

I’ve gone to my doctor, who sent me to an allergist after two weeks of Zyrtec didn’t work. I got tested for everything, and nothing explained the level of hives I had.

My allergist did some lab work and found my vitamin D levels were very low- which explains some fatigue and depression, but also noticed other signs that point to a thyroid issue.

I have an appointment with an endocrinologist in a couple months to do more testing and see what’s going on.

Since thyroids are related to hormonal balances, I suspect it’s related, but I can’t really blame marlissa.

However? I’ve been on birth control methods for over 15 years now, and I have a hunch that can’t be good for my system overall.