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Light Headed, Tingling Like Waves Over Chest And Arms. Short Of Breath, Cold Hands And Swollen Legs. Taking Loestrin. What Could It Be?
Posted on
Sat, 19 Oct 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 19 Oct 2013
Answered on
Thu, 7 Nov 2013
Last reviewed on
Brief Answer:
WAIT AND WATCH FOR A WEEK OR TWO
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
Most of the symptoms you describe are common with the birth control.
These include tingling, dizziness, clammy hands, all of this coming on in waves.
If you have been taking the Loestrin 24 only for a few days, then wait for a few more days to get used to the birth control.
The hormones would take atleast 2 weeks to settle down in your body.
Also, with your history of hypothyroidism, I would ask you to have a recent TSH level measurement, if not already done, as the symptoms fit in with uncontrolled hypothyroidism also.
The shortness of breath, if severe, and recurrent, warrants a cardiac evaluation, as it is one symptom you cannot ignore or dismiss easily.
All the best.
Please feel free to ask for further clarifications.
WAIT AND WATCH FOR A WEEK OR TWO
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
Most of the symptoms you describe are common with the birth control.
These include tingling, dizziness, clammy hands, all of this coming on in waves.
If you have been taking the Loestrin 24 only for a few days, then wait for a few more days to get used to the birth control.
The hormones would take atleast 2 weeks to settle down in your body.
Also, with your history of hypothyroidism, I would ask you to have a recent TSH level measurement, if not already done, as the symptoms fit in with uncontrolled hypothyroidism also.
The shortness of breath, if severe, and recurrent, warrants a cardiac evaluation, as it is one symptom you cannot ignore or dismiss easily.
All the best.
Please feel free to ask for further clarifications.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The shortness in breath comes in waves with the almost panic attack feeling. I have been on the birth control for 6 days. So waiting it out for a week more? Also, I take it in the evening...does time of day and eating with it help or change any?
Brief Answer:
DETAILED BELOW
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
The birth control often takes a month for your body to get adjusted to it.
So yes, waiting for a couple of weeks more is recmmended.
Most women experience side effects when the pill is taken on an empty stomach, or first thing in the morning.
Taking it after dinner or with a bedtime snack may help.
DETAILED BELOW
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
The birth control often takes a month for your body to get adjusted to it.
So yes, waiting for a couple of weeks more is recmmended.
Most women experience side effects when the pill is taken on an empty stomach, or first thing in the morning.
Taking it after dinner or with a bedtime snack may help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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