Tri Lo Sprintec side effects - anxiety?

K Robin wrote:

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Thanks Lizz. That is interesting--I wonder when we will stop seeing it in the pharmacies? It seems that they lost the fight back in July, but we are still getting the pills. I did see a contact person listed on that site, we should all contact them, tell them what we are experiencing. If they are honorable, they will listen.

It looks like their lawsuit went through in September even though the court date was filed in july. So we shouldn't see anymore people getting it after September.

I have been on ortho lo for two years and after my past visit to the doctor I decided to get the generic since it was less than half the price of ortho lo. I have had terrible side effects just within the first month. I gained 2 noticeable pounds and have been bleeding for two weeks. I NEVER had any of these side effects besides mild weight gain with ortho low. I really dont like the tri lo sprintec and will switching back asap. I though it was just me but this seems to be bad birth control!

Wow, I'm feeling relieved that I'm not the only one who has been experiencing these effects. I've been on the verge of putting myself in therapy because I've been having intense mood swings, NO sex drive, emotional disturbances, breast tenderness... honestly the effects continue. I didn't know if I should be blaming it on this pill but the thing is I didn't experience these effects while on Ortho-lo. Now I know I need to switch. I will post again to comment on whether the effects subside after making the switch.

Goodness! I'm a little pssd off about this medication'. Anxiety is the last thing I need right now. I mean this is bothersome. I have stopped this bunk medication, and waiting for this to come out of my system. It isn't just a little anxiety. It feels awful." You don't have to worry about me taking this anymore! Ever. Yes it does cause you to be off the wall!...
Boo... P.S. stick with the real one....don;t be a guinea pig. There are just some things you don't go cheap on. Especially birht control....boo

Katie wrote:

Did any of you have luck getting back on OrthoLo? Do you have to talk to your insurance or your Dr? They are telling me it's the same and that my insurance won't fill my ortho again without a Dr's note, but my doc won't write me one til I've tried Sprintec. I'm scared!

Try the Sprintec. And dont think about all these nasty comments you've seen on here. Different women react differently. If you think youre entire body is going to spontaneously combust because of what you've read, chances are things are going to go bad. Because youre letting yourself believe it. I just started my first pack of Sprintec after 2 months of being on ortho tri cyclen lo. I may not have had time to get side effects yet, but as of right now im fine. And until something goes wrong with me, im going to keep taking them because all generic brands are the exact same medication as the name brand. The name brand companies are usually the ones that make the generic ones too believe it or not. So give it a try and see how YOU react to them. You'll be saving money in the process. But don't let this dollar stretcher risk your health. If you have terrible side effects, then in my opinion paying more is worth it.

Krystal wrote:

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Try the Sprintec. And dont think about all these nasty comments you've seen on here. Different women react differently. If you think youre entire body is going to spontaneously combust because of what you've read, chances are things are going to go bad. Because youre letting yourself believe it. I just started my first pack of Sprintec after 2 months of being on ortho tri cyclen lo. I may not have had time to get side effects yet, but as of right now im fine. And until something goes wrong with me, im going to keep taking them because all generic brands are the exact same medication as the name brand. The name brand companies are usually the ones that make the generic ones too believe it or not. So give it a try and see how YOU react to them. You'll be saving money in the process. But don't let this dollar stretcher risk your health. If you have terrible side effects, then in my opinion paying more is worth it.

Actually, you are wrong. The generics are not the same. This week I finally caved in and went to the doctor, I thought I was going mad. Turns out my doctor said it isn't the same, similar but not the same. The generic doesn't have to have the same inactive ingredients, absorbtion method, or the same amount of active ingredients. Infact they can't have the same amount of active ingredients. Anyway my doctor told me all of this so...ya. I agree that people should generally give the generics a chance. They do act differently for different people but I had a problem, many people have had a problem so be wary of this generic.

My pharmacist prescribed me Tri-Lo Sprintec in August and I thought it was so nice to only pay $10 a month for it, although I was completely unaware of the side effects. The first side effect I noticed was a rash on my face(where the two skin folds run from each side of the nose to the corners of my mouth), which I didn't think was a big deal at the time, then one morning a few weeks into the pack I woke up with terrible anxiety,irrational thoughts and went through depression (all of which I still am experiencing). I finished the pack then switched right back to Ortho Lo. Now I'm about to begin my 4th pack of Ortho Lo and I am still experiencing these symptoms, although they are not as terrible as they used to be. I am debating whether or not I should continue using Ortho Lo or just completely get off of it. Since my symptoms are slowly going away (but the rash is still there with, does anyone know if i should continue using the pills or not? My doctor thinks I should see a counselor (which is completely ridiculous considering that I KNOW the pills basically ruined the past 4 months of my life), so I don't think I'll see her again. She also mentioned that the only difference between Tri-Lo and Ortho-Lo is 10mg more of hormones in the Tri-Lo, so I'm sure those 10mg really effected me. Please help..I only have 4 days to decide whether I should stay on it or get off it. Thank you so much girls.

Liz wrote:

My pharmacist prescribed me Tri-Lo Sprintec in August and I thought it was so nice to only pay $10 a month for it, although I was completely unaware of the side effects. The first side effect I noticed was a rash on my face(where the two skin folds run from each side of the nose to the corners of my mouth), which I didn't think was a big deal at the time, then one morning a few weeks into the pack I woke up with terrible anxiety,irrational thoughts and went through depression (all of which I still am experiencing). I finished the pack then switched right back to Ortho Lo. Now I'm about to begin my 4th pack of Ortho Lo and I am still experiencing these symptoms, although they are not as terrible as they used to be. I am debating whether or not I should continue using Ortho Lo or just completely get off of it. Since my symptoms are slowly going away (but the rash is still there with, does anyone know if i should continue using the pills or not? My doctor thinks I should see a counselor (which is completely ridiculous considering that I KNOW the pills basically ruined the past 4 months of my life), so I don't think I'll see her again. She also mentioned that the only difference between Tri-Lo and Ortho-Lo is 10mg more of hormones in the Tri-Lo, so I'm sure those 10mg really effected me. Please help..I only have 4 days to decide whether I should stay on it or get off it. Thank you so much girls.

I would think that you probably will be better off staying on the Ortho Lo. You still may be trying to get rid of the Tri-Lo in your system. I would recommend however going to another doctor b/c the rash could be an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions can happen anytime so that could be a definite possibility. If you are allergic obviously the best thing would be to cease the medication but I am no doctor so I would look into that.

Thanks so much for your advice Lizz. It's been complete hell trying to figure out the best thing to do, but you're right, I'll find another doctor. My boyfriend thinks I should stay on the birth control too since there are negative side effects of stopping it, so we'll see. I appreciate it!

I also forgot to mention that I was on Ortho-Lo for 2 1/2 years before she prescribed me the Tri-Lo Sprintec and I never had any negative side effects. So I'm not sure if the Ortho-Lo will keep giving me bad side effects now or just slowly help them go away.

Liz wrote:

I also forgot to mention that I was on Ortho-Lo for 2 1/2 years before she prescribed me the Tri-Lo Sprintec and I never had any negative side effects. So I'm not sure if the Ortho-Lo will keep giving me bad side effects now or just slowly help them go away.

Your boyfriend is right there are definitely side-effects for getting off of the birth control which is why I said you are better off staying on ortho lo until a doctor tells you not to. So like I said go to another doctor and ask them what they think.

I have an appointment next week so I will just see what she says. Have you been on it before and experienced irrational thoughts? Everyday I experience racing thoughts that just don't make sense and I just want them to go away. When I get these thoughts my heart just races and I get really hot and have problems breathing. I've researched this and I guess it's just anxiety, but I am hoping these stupid thoughts go away soon.

Rae wrote:

I've definitely had some horrible side effects since starting this medication a week and a half ago. The worst thing is that my breasts are incredibly, horribly tender. It's very painful. I also got a yeast infection right away after the switch, which still hasn't gone away even after taking medication for it.
On the more mental/emotional side I've been experiencing mood swings and anger/annoyance (like constant PMS), complete loss in sex drive, and anxiety. I've dealt with anxiety before but not for quite awhile, and just the other day realized that it started back up when I started on tri-lo-sprintec. It's awful!
I don't really know what to say about coping anxiety, as I was never very good at it. I guess what helped me the most would be to take big, deep breaths and really focus on my breathing, allowing myself to drift out of whatever situation was making me anxious.
I hope they'll get us back on ortho tri cyclen lo! I've been reading other forums with a lot of not-great reviews of the drug.

Oh my God I really did think that I was the only one! I was on the Ortho Tri Cyclen and everything was fine the I got switched to the generic form Tri-Lo-Sprintec and now Im getting this funny discharge. I've been taking it for a week and a half now... Im really switching to something else now.. Thanks

Basically, I'm with all of you! From 2005-2007, I took OTC Lo and had no problems at all! The only reason I stopped was because I moved away from my Planned Parenthood to a new place and couldn't afford to go to a doctor yet.

When I decided to go back on it, my doctor here prescribed OTC Lo because "they didn't make a generic for it yet." And gave me a month's free sample of it.

I went to fill my prescription on my green pill week, and when the cashier said $10, I almost died. I got to reading that it was a generic and thought, "No biggie, I'm saving money!" and went about my merry way.

I'm on week 3 of this FIRST pack of the tri-sprintec lo...and let me tell you...I'm NOT pleased. I noticed that I was abnormally tired, I felt nauseas and just not right for a couple of days. Then my boobs started hurting and my face broke out worse than I've EVER seen it. Things just popped up over night. I could hear my heart beating because it was working so hard. My boobs are SO SORE that I can barely move.

I didn't put all of this together until tonight when I realized it had to be related to this...and then I Googled it. And came across this site.

I'm happy that I'm not crazy, but I'm also SO SO mad! I'm not even sure I want to finish this pack. I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet.

Ambrienne wrote:

Basically, I'm with all of you! From 2005-2007, I took OTC Lo and had no problems at all! The only reason I stopped was because I moved away from my Planned Parenthood to a new place and couldn't afford to go to a doctor yet.
When I decided to go back on it, my doctor here prescribed OTC Lo because "they didn't make a generic for it yet." And gave me a month's free sample of it.
I went to fill my prescription on my green pill week, and when the cashier said $10, I almost died. I got to reading that it was a generic and thought, "No biggie, I'm saving money!" and went about my merry way.
I'm on week 3 of this FIRST pack of the tri-sprintec lo...and let me tell you...I'm NOT pleased. I noticed that I was abnormally tired, I felt nauseas and just not right for a couple of days. Then my boobs started hurting and my face broke out worse than I've EVER seen it. Things just popped up over night. I could hear my heart beating because it was working so hard. My boobs are SO SORE that I can barely move.
I didn't put all of this together until tonight when I realized it had to be related to this...and then I Googled it. And came across this site.
I'm happy that I'm not crazy, but I'm also SO SO mad! I'm not even sure I want to finish this pack. I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet.

I was on the third week of the pack when I started having all those problems. The good news is when you get to your period all the side-effects go away. I would go ahead and finish it but go to a doctor and get them to write a prescription that says you need the brand name. I tried to switch back and I found that the pharmacy won't let you without a new prescription, i know it sucks. Anyway, you can make it through the last week just go see a doctor for a new prescription

Talked to a nurse at my GYNs office today...she's looking for samples of OTC Lo so I can just take the remaining pills in that pack. She said I COULD stop taking the generic altogether but she wouldn't recommend that option b/c it would start my cycle. So I'm waiting on hearing back from her with hope that she finds samples before I make any decision. She did however say that they were going to make a call in to the pharmacy and let them know I need the name brand, not generic.

I am now SO reassured and relieved after reading this blog that I am not alone in this HORRIFIC experience. I was on ortho tricyclyn lo for about 5 years and then like many of you all, my pharmacy switched me to this generic nightmare. In the 2nd month I was having such bad anxiety to the pt where my heart was palpitating so loud I could physically hear it. & I have no history of ever having anxiety before in my life. I fell into a depression for 2 weeks where I would cry for no reason and would not get out of bed all day. I missed days of work. I began having these illogical "what if" thoughts incessantly running through my head. I thought I was having a psychotic break. I went off the pill and these symptoms continued for 2 weeks. I am now only now starting to feel better because I saw a psychiatrist who prescribed me cymbalta and klonopin.

I've never been one to have anxiety. I was on Ortho for nearly five years before my pharmacy switched my filling in August. I agreed because of the lower co-pay option.
During these last three months, I've been an anxious wreck. I recall asking my pharmacist what she thought of these. She said the effectiveness was the same but they could have noticeable hormonal side effects. Connecting the dots (unfortunately three months later) I've decided my anxiousness must be attributed to the Sprintec. Good luck to all that are forced to switch, I'm going back to the comfortable brand name.

My body is finally starting to soothe itself back into a happy rhythm now that I've finished my first pack of Ortho-Lo following my bout with Sprintec horror. The side effects lingered a touch while waiting out this month for my body to understand that its no longer dealing with Sprintec, but they are definately gone now. For those of you still struggling with all of this, here's hoping that once you are able to get your situation worked out, your side effects will clear up as quickly. Be patient, know you are not alone, and that demanding what works for you and your body is okay. Good luck, and all my love to you.

this is my first bc ever given i am just glad to so i am not crazy its been hell and I HAVENT EVEN BEEN ON THIS PILL THAT LONG only onmmy sec week...soo any advice for first time bc besides condoms