[kbtoyssni]

I just started taking Apri birth control again on Sunday and ever since I have felt awful. Typical gluten symptoms - stomach pain, fatigue, joint pain, mild brain fog. This is the only thing that has changed in my diet in the last few days. I called the company to ask about gluten. The lady said it's gluten-free (which I agree with based on the ingredient statement), but that they do make a few drugs with gluten in them. When they make a new batch of drug, they clean and sterilize the drug-mixing-vats.

So, one question is: do you think there might be contamination? (I did start a new pack with a different expiration date today just in case I got one bad pack). I was on this drug a few months ago, and I was gluten free then, and it didn't bother me so I feel like it's probably ok.

My other thought is that it could just be the hormones bothering my stomach. It is listed as a side effect. But once again, I've never had problems with this pill before.

A third possibility is that I'm just having a few yucky stomach days, but I seem to have too many symptoms for there not to be a reason.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

[hannahsue01]

As you stated it can be a side effect. This last time I was on the pill it made my stomach upset.....it took about three months for my system to get used to taking it. I always felt nausus. I would tell your doc that the pill is making you sick and ask for a different script......there are quite a number of different pills out there. I hope you start feeling better soon.

[angel_jd1]

Apri is gluten free. I have had no trouble with it.

[kbtoyssni]

hannahsue01, on Oct 11 2006, 05:54 AM, said:

As you stated it can be a side effect. This last time I was on the pill it made my stomach upset.....it took about three months for my system to get used to taking it. I always felt nausus. I would tell your doc that the pill is making you sick and ask for a different script......there are quite a number of different pills out there. I hope you start feeling better soon.

It's just weird that I'm getting fatigue, joint pain and brain fog, too. And I have taken this pill before for probably a year with no problems. I guess things might be different now that I'm gluten-free, though. I'll give my doctor a call if I don't feel better in a day or two. Today I'm feeling a bit better, but still not 100%.

[loraleena]

Birth control pills can upset the flora in the stomach leading to candida overgrowth. Your symptoms could be caused by this.

[kbtoyssni]

loraleena, on Oct 11 2006, 09:13 AM, said:

Birth control pills can upset the flora in the stomach leading to candida overgrowth. Your symptoms could be caused by this.

Would this really happen within a few hours, though? Because that's how long it took me to start feeling sick. I do take acidopholis, so hopefully that will help with any stomach bacteria imbalance.

[Jestgar]

Maybe you're reacting to something else in the formulation. You could try switching brands.

[Nooner]

I know Apri is gluten free, but this was actually my trigger!

5 years ago I was using an Ortho brand (either Ortho Cept or Ortho Novum, sorry, can't remember which, it was a long time ago) and my insurance switched me to Apri because it's the generic for the Ortho brand and therefore cheaper. The day I started taking the Apri pills, I started my symptoms. I switched back as soon as I could get my Gyn to write a new script, but I've reacted to gluten ever since. I switched from the Ortho to Yasmin about 4.5 years ago and completely went off the pill about 6 months ago.

I'm guessing it's something else in the pills that did it for me. I agree that you probably just want to switch. Just my 2 cents worth.

~Li

[jesscarmel]

i also used to take ortho cept but when imoved to the us they switched me to apri. i have not had any known probs from it. (knock on wood)
Jess

[Hadar]

Same problem here!!! Something is wrong.

I'm so glad you posted. I just googled Apri and celiac and found that you posted this today!!!

I started Apri last Wednesday night. Next morning I had severe stomach pain, cramps and painful bm. Same thing for the next 5 days. For the past 2 days I have had severe pain throughout the day and serious diarrea. This is what my life was like for years before I elimated gluten.

I researched Apri and found it on a list of gluten free meds so I thought it was something else. Tonight I was feeling awful and decided to call the manufacturer, but before I did, I did the search that led me here.

I do not know what is going on, but it is quite interesting that we both have this issue.

Maybe we should compare batch #s.
I'm going to my RE tomorrow and will request that he switch the pill. I'm only on it for a few weeks in prep for IVF and I do NOT want to mess up my whole body now!

is there anyway we can help each other?

kbtoyssni, on Oct 10 2006, 10:26 PM, said:

I just started taking Apri birth control again on Sunday and ever since I have felt awful. Typical gluten symptoms - stomach pain, fatigue, joint pain, mild brain fog. This is the only thing that has changed in my diet in the last few days. I called the company to ask about gluten. The lady said it's gluten-free (which I agree with based on the ingredient statement), but that they do make a few drugs with gluten in them. When they make a new batch of drug, they clean and sterilize the drug-mixing-vats.

So, one question is: do you think there might be contamination? (I did start a new pack with a different expiration date today just in case I got one bad pack). I was on this drug a few months ago, and I was gluten free then, and it didn't bother me so I feel like it's probably ok.

My other thought is that it could just be the hormones bothering my stomach. It is listed as a side effect. But once again, I've never had problems with this pill before.

A third possibility is that I'm just having a few yucky stomach days, but I seem to have too many symptoms for there not to be a reason.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

[sandsplitgravel]

I'm taking Apri for the 2 week preliminary to IVF treatment. I also have gluten allergies and well allergies in general. I'm on my third day of the Apri and I am having slight cramping around ovaries and back pain (sort of like period cramps). Also, I'm headachy and am having symptoms similar to gluten allergies (tired, bloaty, dry crusty puffy eyes in the morning, headachy, and some slight stomach/bowel issues). I wonder why Apri would trigger these symptoms in some of us with gluten allergies? Very strange. I was surprised to find these posts as I was just googling to see about the Apri side effects and thought perhaps I was having some seasonal allergy issues on top of the cramping and period like symtoms that Apri is causing now. Anyhow, I will post again later in the week to let you know if the symptoms improve or change at all as well as what happens after I stop taking them in two weeks.

[alyssa312]

I have been taking Apri for years and just recently found out about my gluten sensitivity. I was off it to try another pill for a month but just got back on right around the time I figured out my gluten intolerance. I missed a day and took two in one day and developed a rash on my hip. It ended up spreading to my back too. I am still in the "detox" stages so am still feeling as bad (or worse) than I was before finding out.

I googled trying to figure my rash out, and found these posts. My friend who is also "gluten-free" got rashes from her flu shot because it had egg in it. She is egg intolerant as well. So, since the pill is the only thing that is constantly in my system, I think the two must be correlated.

Has anyone contacted Apri and told them about our problems with their pill? Who knows if they would cooperate, but I'd like to try and figure out what the trigger is in order to avoid it in the future.

Please let me know! Thanks for the posts, they were really helpful!