If you've been following Lucyy Writes for quite some time you'll have probably read my experience with using contraceptive methods Cerazette and the Implant. September '15 marked one year since my second implant, it's definitely not been the same easy ride as the first. At the start of this year I decided enough was enough, it couldn't be down to the 'stress' and contacted my DR for some advice.
Being the NHS, they're pushed for appointments, I was also greeted by the useless receptionist that caused me great grief at the start of my journey. With no appointments until the next month I was put down for a phone consultation a few days later. When my DR called I listed off my issues, she assumed I needed a hormone top up OR to remove the implant and try a different method. As I hate going for pill checks I decided to stay with my implant and opt for a three month 'top up' of Cerelle which from looking online seems to be a much cheaper alternative to Cerazette, the pill I'd previously been on before the implant. If she had suggested to remove it I would have, though she was insistent it was just a top up that was needed to stop the twice a month, week long periods.
How have I got on with this three month top up/trial? I haven't enjoyed taking extra 'hormones', it's indeed no fun to have twice as much going into you. BUT it was worth trying to see if this could prolong my preferred method. It's stopped the twice monthly periods. One thing on my mind is if there's anything in the flaming implant. Surely if there were it would have been doing it's job. What if I were relying on it as contraception? I suppose being on all the time is enough contraception.
Whilst doubling up I've had a lot going on, though I've felt higher anxiety, a lot more headaches and had a sea-sickness feeling. On top of that I've cried a whole lot, snapped a lot and kept urging to be sick like the old days of cerazette. This wouldn't be EVERY day, or as much as I did on cerazette but it's got to be this pill and the combination. Weight wise I dreaded having to have a new pill. With being on the implant I'm used to it and don't worry as long as I'm active and healthy. I've put weight on since being on it BUT I put weight on because whilst at the end of cerazette I was starving myself and very unhappy. I went incredibly small, with UK6's falling off of me. I still fit into UK6's-UK8's - even after doubling up. Basically I shouldn't worry myself but when you suffer with such thoughts rattling around your head it's just horrid. A week or so since finishing my three month trial? I started 10 days early according to my app (I may have clicked a date wrong somewhere recently) - though the length of period seems to be sticking to 3 days, lets hope it definitely keeps that way. As long as I don't have two week long periods again, I'll be happier.
In all honesty whilst this may have worked, I don't think I'll ever find a cure for my monthly, apart from to have it all removed. My Mum found that after years of toying with different methods that the coil was the one that worked for her. Whilst I know that I'll probably face this method one day, I just don't feel ready for it yet. I guess I'm a wimp and for now I see that as far too intrusive. I'd love to hear if you too have suffered with the Implant? Or what method works best for you? I'm sure I'll be back with another chapter to this story. Lucy xx