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There's ALOT to this, so bare with me please.
In December I made a decision to stop taking birth control. I made this decision after being emotionally and hormonally unstable for years (I had been on them since I was 13 years old, and i'm now 21. Stupid mistake #1) As unsure as I was about it, my body adjusted fine and I was feeling great after about a month. Early in March, alot(and I mean ALOT) of stress(work/money/relationship related) reared it's ugly head. I had my last normal period the first week in March. On the 14th of March and my boyfriend had unprotected sex ( stupid mistake #2.), in which we went and got me Plan B. I've taken it once before, and never had any problem.
On the 20th I was checked into the ER for a bad skin infection on my forehead.( I have no medical insurance, and have no way of paying for any dr.s visits. ) I was put on a HIGH dosage of Bactrim ( 4 800mg pills a day, for nine days ). Throughout the month i'd been rather bad about drinking and smoking, since I was under alot of pressure. I also had taken quite a few tramadol to help with the pain from the infection ( not prescribed to me. )
Even after stopping birth control, i'd never had an irregular period, EVER. Last week I spotted very lightly for an hour or two, then it stopped. It did the same thing a couple days in a row, and now has completely ceased. I've taken two pregnancy tests, both coming up negative in a matter of 30 seconds or so. Somehow the answer that " it's just stress" isn't good enough for me. I know there is still the possiblity that I might be pregnant, which is why i'm cutting out anything and everything harmful ( which should of been done in the first place ), until I know for sure. Has anything even remotely as crazy happened to anyone else? A fool needs some advice. :(
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Felineish,
It's a couple of days past when you were writing before, I just thought I'd check in and see how you were doing, and whether you'd gotten your period yet.
I know how worried you are about the medicines and etc that you took. Do be aware that if you did get pregnant, the first few days of the pregnancy would have been taken up with the embryo moving down into the uterus and implanting itself. There's a smaller risk of any external substance affecting it during this time.
I'm very sorry that you are dealing with a health care system that has, basically, left you uninsured and therefore undertreated when it comes to your bipolar. We have a couple of wonderful bipolar writers on the site that you might be interested in. Do you remember, are you bipolar I or II? There are some drug companies that help you get medicine that you need when you cannot afford it; are you interested in getting some information about those?
Please write back and let us know how things are going, and what more we can do for you. And take care.
April 8, 2009 - 8:48amThis Comment
Hi,
First of all, you've got to stop referring to choices you've made as "stupid"! I am sure you are not stupid, and labeling yourself or your choices in such a way is not helpful, as it's too easy to dismiss these "stupid" behaviors, and therefore not correct them. Plus, our mind and body actually believe what we tell (or call) ourselves...causing more stress and low-self esteem.
So, to reword: sounds like you've made some choices that you are second-guessing?!
To sum this up: you had your period the "first week in March". Do you know the actual date of your last menstrual period (LMP)? There are two scenarios:
Scenario One:
LMP: Sunday, March 1st
Sex: March 14th
Possible ovulation (if occurs on "textbook" 14th-day): March 14th
Missed period: Possibly 8 days late (if "textbook" 28-day cycle)
You are more likely to become pregnant if having unprotected intercourse on or near the date you ovulate, so there is an increased risk of pregnancy.
Scenario Two:
LMP: Saturday, March 7th
Sex: March 14th
Possible ovulation (again, if textbook 14th-day): March 20th
Missed period: Possibly 2 days late (again, if "textbook" 28-day cycle)
So, there is a big difference between "first week in March" in these scenarios, especially with regards to when you were ovulating. And, you can add/subtract several days, even weeks, to the date you ovulated, as this can vary from woman-to-woman, cycle-to-cycle.
The most important question: why have you not taken a home pregnancy test? They are 99% effective at detecting pregnancy after a missed period. You can possibly know if you are pregnant within minutes (per product instructions).
Regarding the rest of the stuff you mentioned. Do you want to talk about any of it? Taking prescriptions that are not prescribed to you is called "drug misuse", and is extremely dangerous. You mentioned you took other medication prescribed to you, as well as drank alcohol and smoked. How much alcohol do you drink on a typical week day? Typical weekend? Your wanting to "cut out everything harmful" is a great goal, but unobtainable if you do not have a clear plan on when, why, how, what, etc. It is difficult to make lifestyle changes abruptly, especially something as addictive as smoking. Please let me know if I can help you with any of these changes you would like to make.
Please, go to the 24-hour pharmacy (if safe to do so) and get a pregnancy test. If it is positive, how do you feel about being pregnant? If it is negative, please get back onto a hormonal or non-hormonal contraceptive or have your boyfriend wear protection, so you are not adding so much stress into your life.
I hope to hear back from you, whatever the test result.
Take care,
April 5, 2009 - 7:14pmAlison
This Comment
Thank you for your positive imput. Near the middle of the last paragraph, I did state that I have taken two pregnancy tests ( first response brand ), within afew days of each other, and both came up negative quickly ( within 30 seconds ) The tests were the FIRST THING I did when I noticed my period was late.
As far as the ovulation schedule goes, I can't honestly remember what day it started. I'm almost positive it was more at the end of the week ( around the 3rd or the 4th, lasting till that saturday or sunday. My periods even after getting off birth control were relatively light, and usually only lasting three or four days. )I still did have all my PMS symptoms ( mood-swings, breaking out with zits, etc ), although my cramping was very minimal.
I was drinking on average about 3-4 days out of the week, and enough to get me buzzed every night, and put me to sleep without being restless ( I have mild insomnia, though i've never taken anything for it. )I realize the harm in drug misuse, and i've taken everything that has happened as a sign to stop, and get my life back on track. I will admit I have more than my share of low-self esteem, and was diagnosed as manic-depressive acouple years ago. Unfortunatly, with my finances it's hard to even pay my most basic bills, let alone get medical treatment.
I'm going to the clinic tomorrow to get another test done, just to be sure, and getting back on the pill. regardless of the emotional side-effects, it sure beats all this worry.
Again, thank you for your help and kind words. It's made me feel alot better about everything, and i'll keep you updated with everything.
April 6, 2009 - 12:49pmThis Comment