Expert: Diane Cheryl - 9/29/2007

Question
my friend who is 26 went on a birth control pill called Loestrin 24 Fe. she went on it in February and in June was driving her car and had an attack. she did not know what was happening and pulled to the side of the road and called 911. she said she was disoriented, cold sweats, nervous and dizzy she ended up in the hospital. They ran all kinds of tests and done said that she was having an anxiety or panic attack. She said her heart was beating and she was so nervous. The next day she went to her a doctor to do more tests she was convinced she was going crazy. the doc again ran tests and said she should go to a physiologist and she did. She told the physiologist about her feelings. The physiologist showed my friend ways to help her through a panic attack. She said she just doesn't feel like herself anymore. She is working everyday. she had not had a period for 4 months finally 3 weeks after she came off the pill she had a period. she had been feeling better the last few weeks but 2 days ago had another bad attack of anxiety. She said she is afraid something is wrong with her physically. She is afraid she is dying of something and the doctor can't see it.  She is afraid to drive that she may have an attack. She said they just come on her out of nowhere. She feels nervous, heat beating, dizzy and scared.  How long does it take for the birth control pills to get out of your system?  Do you think the pill could have bought the attacks on? She had never been on birth control in her life.
Please help. My friend really needs some advice.

Answer
Hi Jane,

Thanks for your question. I'm not a medical doctor but I have done much research in this area. I do believe that the pill and the hormones in it could cause such a thing. I can't tell you how long it would take for the hormones to get out of your system. I would suggest that she have a 2nd opinion from another doctor. If you would tell me the area your friend is in, I might be able to find a resource. Please feel free to email me or have your friend email me so we can talk more. My email address is DCHERYL51@yahoo.com
I hope to hear from you soon and hope that your friend gets some help and support.

Sincerely,
Diane Cheryl