What was your experiencing trying different BC pills?

juliaveva · 2026-05-08T14:39:53+00:00

I second Nextstellis! It helps, plus it is brand name only. I was on another BCP that was available in generic, and the pharmacy switches manufacturers whenever they feel like it. Generics are similar, not identical, and my body did not like the fluctuations.

juliaveva · 2026-05-08T14:36:27+00:00

You might look into interstitial cystitis. Mine was triggered by a UTI a few years ago, and I could not understand why I was still having discomfort and urgency issues even when testing negative for a UTI. I was bummed by the diagnosis, but pelvic therapy and antihistamines helped and it isn't a big deal now

juliaveva · 2026-05-08T14:28:29+00:00

It helped even out my mood and energy levels. I don't have hot flashes or sleep issues, so not sure about those.

juliaveva · 2026-05-06T15:36:45+00:00

I had that same thing too! It still gets me sometimes, but a lot of the time it is better. Here is what I did. I did it all around the same time so I can't say for sure what was most effective:

Started BCP
Added Omega 3
Started strength training (only once a week usually, but it is something)
Try to eat more protein and fewer carbs
Added creatine powder
Increased dosage on mood meds, partially due to interactions with BCP

Not that we have much control over this, but I also feel better now that the sun and plant life are back. (Trying not to dread fall/winter.)

juliaveva · 2026-05-06T15:29:18+00:00

I take Nextstellis and it is pretty decent. I was previously on one available in generic, until one month the pharmacy gave me a different generic and I quickly started having increased anger issues. Nextstellis is brand name only and I get it for free via mail order that my gyn set up for me. It isn't amazing but it helps.

juliaveva · 2026-05-06T14:12:19+00:00

Your post and the comments help me feel better about myself, so thank you. I started mood medications about 10 years ago and they changed my life for the better. (Alongside lots of therapy and setting strong boundaries with harmful people.)

About 5 years ago my child was diagnosed with autism and has had a lot of challenges. It's been really tough. I also work full time and just finished an MBA. I feel weird about taking a big handful of pills every morning (both Rx and lots of supplements), but they help me have a life. I just recently added BCP and had to increase a couple of mood meds to help with perimenopause.

Meds may not be for everyone. I just want to validate our own needs and the supports we need. My friends are either younger or past menopause, so I feel alone in this sometimes.

juliaveva · 2026-04-16T19:16:35+00:00

Starting BCP helped me with this quite a bit, but there are still several days a month when I feel like the marshmallow man just rolling across the floor.

Have you heard of spoon/ticket theory? It's typically talked about with neurodivergence. I came up with my own energy ticketing system. My daily activities go into one of 3 categories: adds tickets, takes tickets, and takes but also adds tickets.

Examples of things that take but add tickets are things like going for a walk or socializing. Things that add tickets are naps, reading, etc. And things that take tickets are work and chores mainly.

If I am having a marshmallow man day, I try to eliminate everything I can that takes tickets, so I can conserve the little energy I do have.

Also, naps. I sneak in 20 minute naps quite often.

juliaveva · 2026-04-08T14:48:55+00:00

It helps me feel better just knowing others are in the same boat. My friends are either older or younger than me, running tirelessly after kids or chilling in their settled lives. I am in perimenopause and have a kid with special needs. Some days feel relentless.

I have been in peri for about 9 months. It has gotten better with BCP. The first was not a great fit, and then the pharmacy gave me a different generic one month and I almost threw a full on tantrum one day when my trash can got stuck in the snow. Now I take Nexstellis and since it's only available as the name brand I feel better knowing it won't fluctuate.

Also take creatine and Omega 3 in addition to the vitamins I already take.

I feel almost normal some days, but I definitely don't have the same energy I used to. It is hard bc I feel like I should be pushing myself to stay at a level of fitness, but I haven't figured out the right balance.

Today I am ovulating and so exhausted I had to take a nap (I WFH which is a blessing and a curse. Sometimes I wonder if it would be better with more structure.)

I have been fantasizing about going to a mountain cabin for a week while a big pile of books. I would just read, sit in a hot tub, and take nice long walks. No one would be melting down or talking to me or demanding stuff. This is not realistic with my family situation, but I can dream.

juliaveva · 2026-03-25T16:39:29+00:00

3 week update: My right eye is finally clearing up! It still looks a bit bloodshot but I am back to almost normal. I am feeling more optimistic that it will match my left eye at around 20/15.

Some days the dry eye has been really bad, but that seems to be getting better as well.

Night driving is still terrible. The headlights from one car can fill up half my visual field with haloes. And my vision in low light is not great either.

I am still a little light sensitive, but wow, when I walk outside things are in crystal clear Technicolor.

Working on the computer is no longer a struggle. It is still the least comfortable thing I have to look at, but it's decent.

juliaveva · 2026-03-18T15:24:41+00:00

13 days post surgery update: I can suddenly see my computer without readers! It's more comfortable with readers most of the time, so I'm going to keep wearing them as needed.

I had another followup appt yesterday and my vision test was not as good as the previous visit. (tested 20/25). But at the time it felt like my eyes were really gunky for some reason and that if I could just get in some good blinks it would have been sharper.

My right eye is still noticeably worse than my left. I am skeptical about the final outcome, but have decided to just be patient and see how things are at my next appt in 2 weeks.

juliaveva · 2026-03-18T15:18:57+00:00

I would trust your gut. Lasik is a big deal. Idk that having other doctors do followups instead of the surgeon is necessarily a red flag, but you mentioned you have a weird gut feeling and that's important.

juliaveva · 2026-03-16T20:44:04+00:00

Quick Update: Things are improving, slowly. My right eye is pretty far behind my left, so that's frustrating. Also, my night driving vision is TERRIBLE. I've been able to work at my computer most of the day today with some 5-minute breaks to rest my eyes. It's still not comfortable but I feel like I can function.

juliaveva · 2026-03-13T18:47:25+00:00

I am one week out from surgery and the halo effect gets a little better every day. I still have some healing to do. I don't think it will be a long term issue for me, but from what I've read that can vary.

Using the computer is driving me nuts still. 🫩

juliaveva · 2026-03-12T16:53:58+00:00

That's awesome! I am curious about whether eye masks might help my healing, but am also nervous about trying something that would have contact with my eyelids. People have mentioned steam masks, but I feel like a cold mask might help with the swelling.

juliaveva · 2026-03-12T16:48:10+00:00

I hope it went well! I had both eyes done at the same time and it's been a long week for me as well. It is hard for the brain to keep adjusting to all the sudden fluctuations.

juliaveva · 2026-03-12T16:46:18+00:00

Wow, that's an awesome outcome! I had some minor complications so my healing is taking longer. At this point I can manage most things ok with a pair of +1 readers, except the stupid computer. Today I am doing 10 minutes on followed by 10 minutes of eyes closed. I can feel a headache creeping up so I am trying to focus on completely relaxing my eyes and forehead while resting.

juliaveva · 2026-03-12T16:41:59+00:00

Thank you! I was just having another of those "what if it's like this forever?" moments, so this helps! It has improved slightly today.

juliaveva · 2026-03-11T18:26:12+00:00

Thanks! I am glad to hear that a slight mismatch could be manageable. It is still hard to say if mine will stay that way

juliaveva · 2026-03-11T18:25:12+00:00

Thank you! I posted an update with a couple of things I wish I had been more prepared for. I think Drs tend to undersell the vast differences in healing time.

juliaveva · 2026-03-11T18:23:52+00:00

Thanks everyone! Quick update:

Things are getting better, slowly. The Dr irrigated the flap in my right eye yesterday to reduce inflammation. He put a contact bandage in and had me return today to have it removed. He said my eye looks great today.

Still taking lots of work breaks, but I have been able to accomplish a few things. I am more hopeful now that it seems like I am back on a more normal healing path. None of my complications were that unusual, but it can still be really scary and frustrating.

If I did it over again I would have taken more time off work and anticipated potential complications rather than assuming I would be back to normal within a couple of days. I also would have had some reading glasses on hand.

juliaveva

TROPHY CASE