Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Apri

kbtoyssni

Recommended Posts

kbtoyssni Contributor
kbtoyssni
Posted

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!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


hannahsue01 Enthusiast
hannahsue01
Posted

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 Community Regular
angel-jd1
Posted

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

kbtoyssni Contributor
kbtoyssni
Posted
  • Author
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 Contributor
loraleena
Posted

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

kbtoyssni Contributor
kbtoyssni
Posted
  • Author
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 Rising Star
Jestgar
Posted

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Nooner Newbie
Nooner
Posted

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 Enthusiast
jesscarmel
Posted

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

  • 11 months later...
Hadar Newbie
Hadar
Posted

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?

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!

  • 10 months later...
sandsplitgravel Newbie
sandsplitgravel
Posted

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.

  • 5 months later...
alyssa312 Newbie
alyssa312
Posted

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!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. catnapt
      - catnapt replied to catnapt's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      8

      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      oh that's interesting... it's hard to say for sure but it has *seemed* like oats might be causing me some vague issues in the past few months. It's odd that I never really connect specific symptoms to foods, it's more of an all over feeling of unwellness after eating them. If it happens a few times after eating the same foods- I cut back...
    2. trents
      - trents replied to SilkieFairy's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      IBS-D vs Celiac

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @SilkieFairy! You could also have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) as opposed to celiac disease. They share many of the same symptoms, especially the GI ones. There is no test for NCGS. Celiac disease must first be ruled out.
    3. trents
      - trents replied to catnapt's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      8

      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      Under the circumstances, your decision to have the testing done on day 14 sounds very reasonable. But I think by now you know for certain that you either have celiac disease or NCGS and either way you absolutely need to eliminate gluten from your diet. I don't think you have to have an official diagnosis of celiac disease to leverage gluten free service in...
    4. SilkieFairy
      - SilkieFairy posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      IBS-D vs Celiac

      After the birth of my daughter nearly 6 years ago, my stools changed. They became thin if they happened to be solid (which was rare) but most of the time it was Bristol #6 (very loose and 6-8x a day). I was on various medications and put it down to that. A few years later I went on this strict "fruit and meat" diet where I just ate meat, fruit, and squash...
    5. catnapt
      - catnapt posted a topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      0

      anyone here diagnosed with a PARAthyroid disorder? (NOT the thyroid) the calcium controlling glands

      learned I had a high PTH level in 2022 suspected to be due to low vit D got my vit D level up a bit but still have high PTH I am 70 yrs old (today in fact) I am looking for someone who also has hyperparathyroidism that might be caused by malabsorption
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,321
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    James Minton
    Newest Member
    James Minton
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By catnapt · Posted

      oh that's interesting... it's hard to say for sure but it has *seemed* like oats might be causing me some vague issues in the past few months. It's odd that I never really connect specific symptoms to foods, it's more of an all over feeling of unwellness after  eating them.  If it happens a few times after eating the same foods- I cut back or avoid them. for this reason I avoid dairy and eggs.  So far this has worked well for me.  oh, I have some of Bob's Red Mill Mighty Tasty Hot cereal and I love it! it's hard to find but I will be looking for more.  for the next few weeks I'm going to be concentrating on whole fresh fruits and veggies and beans and nuts and seeds. I'll have to find out if grains are truly necessary in our diet. I buy brown rice pasta but only eat that maybe once a month at most. Never liked quinoa. And all the other exotic sounding grains seem to be time consuming to prepare. Something to look at later. I love beans and to me they provide the heft and calories that make me feel full for a lot longer than a big bowl of broccoli or other veggies. I can't even tolerate the plant milks right now.  I have reached out to the endo for guidance regarding calcium intake - she wants me to consume 1000mgs from food daily and I'm not able to get to more than 600mgs right now.  not supposed to use a supplement until after my next round of testing for hyperparathyroidism.   thanks again- you seem to know quite a bit about celiac.  
    • trents
      IBS-D vs Celiac

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @SilkieFairy! You could also have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) as opposed to celiac disease. They share many of the same symptoms, especially the GI ones. There is no test for NCGS. Celiac disease must first be ruled out.
    • trents
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By trents · Posted

      Under the circumstances, your decision to have the testing done on day 14 sounds very reasonable. But I think by now you know for certain that you either have celiac disease or NCGS and either way you absolutely need to eliminate gluten from your diet. I don't think you have to have an official diagnosis of celiac disease to leverage gluten free service in hospitals or institutional care and I'm guessing your physician would be willing to grant you a diagnosis of gluten sensitivity (NCGS) even if your celiac testing comes up negative. Also, you need to be aware that oats (even gluten free oats) is a common cross reactor in the celiac community. Oat protein (avenin) is similar to gluten. You might want to look at some other gluten free hot  breakfast cereal alternatives.
    • SilkieFairy
      IBS-D vs Celiac

      By SilkieFairy · Posted

      After the birth of my daughter nearly 6 years ago, my stools changed. They became thin if they happened to be solid (which was rare) but most of the time it was Bristol #6 (very loose and 6-8x a day). I was on various medications and put it down to that. A few years later I went on this strict "fruit and meat" diet where I just ate meat, fruit, and squash vegetables. I noticed my stools were suddenly formed, if a bit narrow. I knew then that the diarrhea was probably food related not medication related. I tried following the fodmap diet but honestly it was just too complicated, I just lived with pooping 8x a day and wondering how I'd ever get and keep a job once my children were in school.  This past December I got my yearly bloodwork and my triglycerides were high. I looked into Dr. William Davis (wheat belly author) and he recommended going off wheat and other grains. This is the first time in my life I was reading labels to make sure there was no wheat. Within 2 weeks, not only were my stools formed and firm but I was only pooping twice a day, beautiful formed Bristol #4.  Dr. Davis allows some legumes, so I went ahead and added red lentils and beans. Nervous that the diarrhea would come back if I had IBS-D. Not only did it not come back, it just made my stools even bigger and beautiful. Still formed just with a lot more width and bulk. I've also been eating a lot of plant food like tofu, mushrooms, bell peppers, hummus etc which I thought was the cause of my diarrhea before and still, my stools are formed. In January I ran a genetics test because I knew you had to have the genes for celiac. The report came back with  DQ 2.2 plus other markers that I guess are necessary in order for it to be possible to have celiac. Apparently DQ 2.2 is the "rarer" kind but based on my report it's genetically possible for me to have celiac.  I know the next step is to bring gluten back so I can get testing but I am just not wanting to do that. After suffering with diarrhea for years I can't bring myself to do it right now. So that is where I am!   
    • catnapt
      anyone here diagnosed with a PARAthyroid disorder? (NOT the thyroid) the calcium controlling glands

      By catnapt · Posted

      learned I had a high PTH level in 2022 suspected to be due to low vit D  got my vit D level up a bit but still have high PTH   I am 70 yrs old (today in fact) I am looking for someone who also has hyperparathyroidism that might be caused by malabsorption    
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.