Cerrazette and clots

[Adoradearheart]

Hi ladies.

I’m on month 2 of the progesterone pill and I’ve had no let up. My period s usually last 24 hrs, (but with pain for 5 days after) but after starting the pill it’s lasted 7 days. And now, a fortnight later I’ve been spotting for 3 days with my usual period pain, double tramadol on the go, but what’s passing through now after A spot of red blood yesterday is brown clots today. Anyone else has this? I was really hoping to have some let up but it’s made things worse and even more abnormal instead!

[naryshkin]

Hi, I used to have similar issues with cerazette - all the bloating, clotting, hair loss (incl eyebrows), spotting and pain. The pain was partly caused by fluids in my uterus and ovarian cysts, as a gyno showed in her ultrasounds. Despite calls to try on the coil (Mirena), I persevered from June until September, when I was finally put on Visanne, a medication developed for those with endometriosis. During this time I followed the endometrisis diet which helped. I kept a log of symptoms and I would bring them to my gynos and GPs. I changed gynos, from public to private to public, when I sensed they did not take me seriously. The last one, a public, took me seriously and prescribed me visanne on our first appointment. She's been in the business for 30 years and she knew exactly what the problem was, and since seen specialists at the hospital for periodic check-ups.

My body has been much happier on Visanne, although I periodically have problems with bloating (but this is usually attributed to poor eating when I fall off the endo diet wagon). The pain is generally minimal, if any at all. My hair is growing back, particularly my eyebrows (eyebrow hair-growth is determined by the ovaries, I've heard).

While Cerazette (and most bcps) don't work on me, it admittedly gives some women relief. The endo diet has not only improved my digestive symptoms (fobbed off as IBS for many years), but it also has made me more healthy and aware of what goes into my body; it can be a bit tough at the start but it becomes easier once you've become acquainted. If you feel Cerazette isn't working, then it might be worth bringing it up with your GP or gyno.

[naryshkin in reply to naryshkin]

Also hope you feel better soon!! Hoping there's lots of blankets and hot water bottles waiting for you! That magnesium gel from Holland and Barrett's was a lifesaver, would always smear it where it hurt most and it helped!

[LE90 in reply to naryshkin]

Hi I was juat wondering how long you have been taking visanne for. I'm at a loose end on what to try next, struggling to find something that works for me without spotting etc so was curious about you mentioning visanne as my doctor seems to think we're running out of pills to try and I've not heard of several people have mentioned on here so I'm wondering if they areaybe specially prescribed contraceptives and that's why they haven't mentioned them to me yet.

[naryshkin in reply to LE90]

Hi LE90,

I'm very sorry you're having a tough time in finding something that works! It can be really hard sometimes! I started taking Visanne on 1 September 2018, and am still on it.

The result was not immediate. Within 2-4 weeks, much of the uteral fluid disappeared and I was in much less pain. To my delight, the spotting stopped during this time. My other issues took a bit longer to settle, e.g. my digestion, mood and hair growth (my eyebrows are slowly coming back to their previous selves and my hair is growing thicker...). I lost my libido almost immediately but it returned some time in April (manageable as my partner lived in a different country during the winter). My skin is intact (no breakouts). Sometimes I get bloated but this is largely connected to me slipping off the endo diet wagon. Since going on it, I've introduced probiotic supplements (dairy intolerant) and I've lately been able to reintroduce foods that were triggers before, like apples and avocados. Occasionally, my breasts can be a bit big and sore, struggle with endo fatigue (although improved) and I cyclically suffer from vaginal dryness but these are side effects I'm happy to manage as they outweigh being hospitalised almost every month.

Parallel to this, I combine good eating and exercise, while keeping medication to moderate levels, and hope everything will improve over time. Sometimes tired, I still feel like I'm more energetic now than this time last year and think of this as a process.

The downside is that these pills are quite expensive for me. In my country, they cost ca £50/month and all health insurance plans don't cover endometriosis (so much for gender equality!). But I work a few hours extra and am then able to cover the expense. It's really something I won't let go because it has given me some dignity back to my life, I feel.

If you have any more questions, just ask away

[LE90 in reply to naryshkin]

OK, thanks so much for taking the time to help. I figured you might be in another country, I'm worried I won't be able to access this medication in the UK now you've said that. As my Dr seemed to be running out of pills to try. I'm worried that might be the case with most of the pills I've seen suggested on here.

Also, is this pill a form of contraception or is it just to suppress the symptoms some other way?

[naryshkin in reply to LE90]

Hi, Other people find luck in using pops (progesterone-only) like Cerazette and spirals like Mirena. This forum has a wealth of information on alternative approaches to curbing the effects of endo and improving the quality of your life. It's helped me tremendously!

Visanne is developed to target endometriosis, symptoms and the growth of it. Some users in this forum have described how the treatment has helped shrinking chocolate cysts etc. For me it's too early to assess the cysts, but there has been some progress in shrinking the lesions. As far as I understand, Visanne has been under medical review and could be released onto the market in the near future (endometriosis UK and other users in this forum may know some specifics). The prescription is available in many countries overseas. Some users in this forum buy them in Greece (never tried this so can't vouch). Myself, my gynae prescribes it where I live but will need to figure out how to get hold of it when moving back after the summer.

[milliem]

Your body will take a while to adjust to the Cerazette. I personally really disliked it - it gave me migraines, bad skin, made me feel sick and bleed constantly (but I’m very sensitive to progesterone)

I would say if it’s made things worse don’t stick to it. Life is too short! Go back to the doctors and find the thing that works for you x

[JenBella]

Hi, I know exactly what your going through. I was out in cerazette last year...I lasted 5 months and had to bin them! Constant bleeding and cramps. I also felt really down and strange. Now taking milinette combined pill and it's brilliant for me. I take 3 packs in a row then 1 week break. It's amazing having a few months with no period or cramps.

Everyone is different though, I hope you find something that helps you soon xx

[Adoradearheart]

Thanks all lovely ladies. My cramps are the worst they’ve ever been, even coming through tramadol when laying down, and usually laying down eases them off. I’m going to finish up to the 3rd month but I sure as hell aren’t going to do anymore of it continues xx