Okay, I basically set myself up, by choosing that as my title. I am a ‘lil crazy folks and that’s why you love me. All kidding aside, I would like to address an issue that seems to be shunned by doctors and nearly obsolete on the internet, save some personal testimonials: SIDE EFFECTS OF GETTING OFF BIRTH CONTROL.

Oh yeah, sure, there are loads of tidbits about what you will feel when you first get on it. (Although, they don’t always tell you that depression, anxiety, potassium build-up that can cause chronic gall bladder disease, weight gain, clots, tumors, insomnia and headaches can occur.) Some of us are lucky not to have that happen, but as in life, the aftermath is the catch-22.

Even your gyno doesn’t, always, give you the low-down on what can happen as a result of adding and taking away the increase in hormones. As with ANY drug use, if you continually add something, your body stops making it, itself, so when you stop using the drug i.e. the pill, your body will have to readjust and re-learn to make the hormones.

It may not be as dramatic for everyone who gets off, but if you’re unfortunate enough to be more sensitive, like me, then you definitely feel like you are spiraling out of control.

As with anything, it’s much easier to handle difficulty if it’s addressed and you logically know why your emotions are so raw, because you know it will pass. But many, of us, don’t have anyone to tell us that it happens and medical tests may show all things to be “fine,” when it’s not totally.

There is a reason. Withdrawal is real. It’s sad, because most women tend to blame themselves, and just feel out of control and crazy. Their relationships and work may suffer, because they can just be deemed as “psycho” and not the same person they used to be, as if they consciously chose to change.

There are things you can do to help yourself deal as your body learns to make hormones again.

1. Increased the amount of cardio to 30 minutes a day.

2. Drink Yogi St. John’s Wort Blues Away Tea.

3. Do Yoga. It really helps balance your system and reduce stress. There are many types. Try them out and see which you like. Anusara or Bikram have been popular choices in my group.

4. Smooth Shaper skin treatments. I see Lynn featured on \"Doctors\" at Per Amore in Beverly Hills. That bloating and major hormone shift gave me major cellulite. You don’t necessarily need to be overweight or older to have cellulite. It’s on the skin level where this occurs not where lipo is traditionally done. Click on the name to learn more and see pics of before and after. I’m too shy to share that!

5. A more, natural and balanced diet, complete with vitamins. 5-HTP
is one vitamin that is not as well-known. it can aid in better sleep and higher serotonin levels a.k.a. the “happy” juice.

6. Major water drinking. Dehydration just exacerbates bloating and cellulite.

I read today that Arbonne has Arbonne Prolief Natural Balancing Cream that helps. I haven’t tried it, myself, but I’m gonna!

So, am I crazy? Crazy is harsh. We’ll call it “under duress.” You will be ok. A year off the pill after being on it for 13 years, I am feeling like I have more control, because I found ways to help myself during the transition. But until you know it’s real, you can’t address it.

Click here for a link to the best thread I could find with testimonials from women and their experiences getting off of different birth control.

Remember, our body changes every seven years. So even though, you were, once, able to handle it, it is not abnormal that you can’t anymore. Some people get food allergies or can’t handle caffeine as time goes on. It’s natural. Don’t be afraid to make the call, when your body is screaming at you to stop certain things, even if your doctor makes light of it.