Caffine sensitivity with orthotricyclin

[rebeccab]

I was taking orthotricyclin low and I was getting my period every 2 weeks, so I switched to orthotricyclin regular. Before the switch, I was drinking coffee daily because it was getting towards finals time at school. After the switch, I drank a cup of coffee at 9 am, by 10 am I was so jittery I couldnt control my hand to write. My heart beat was irregular and rapid, and I was very wired, and uncontrollable as far as fluid movements went. At 3 am, I was still wide awake with a fast heart beat and I was still jittery (as if I drank too much coffee). The next day, I was mostly ok. Eventually I eliminated it to being caffine that caused that. Since then, Ive realized that even a regular dose of 2 pills of Motrin gives me the jitters with the amount of caffine thats in it. I have never had this problem before, but now I have to seriously watch what I am drinking or even eating. I have quit drinking coffee or any teas with caffine. I have to drink tea that is labeled decaf. Even 1/2 dose of Motrin makes me jittery, although its the only way to get rid of my cramps when I get them.

I have searched through PubMed and any medical journals or message boards looking for noted sensitivity to caffine when using orthotricyclin. Has this been documented? Is this the only known case, or have there been others?

At least now Im caffine independent...haha But now I cant enjoy things like chai tea

[rebeccab]

Yes! Im glad I made the same deduction. Ill mention it to the doctor on my next visit. I appreciate your help!

[AlleyD.]

Well, I can speak from my own experience, the answer is YES, there can very definitely be a caffeine reaction with BCP.

It is EXTREMELY hard to find the info, but I did, years ago, with no internet help!  I started taking BCP and suddenly noticed that I was wide awake all night, then particularly shaky in the mornings after my coffee (and I had drank caffeinated products my WHOLE LIFE!)  I at this point didn't link the caffeine to the pill, but I did think the pill itself had something to do with it.

The doctor said he had never heard of difficulty sleeping and shakiness from the pill.  But I knew me, better than anyone, and as my insomnia grew worse, I was convinced the pill was to blame.

So I started scowering medical books everywhere (again, this was before regular internet usage).  Couldn't find a link anywhere.  Then, frustrated, I finally grabbed a very technical pharmaceutical guide, and discovered on TINY LITTLE half-statement that certain birth control pills could slower the metabolic processing of caffeine and as a result increase caffeine side effects in certain sensitive individuals.  Finally, an answer!

I cut out all caffeine cold turkey, and within a week I was sleeping normally again and all the shakiness was gone.  I haven't gone back to caffeine, years later.

I still hardly ever, if at all, see such a side effect mentioned so I'm guessing it's pretty rare.  But harmless (at least for me, anyway.)

Hope this helps!

[DivaGurl]

i won't be of much help, but how much do you eat befor that fist cup of coffee?  from one coffee lover to another, you have to eat befor you drink coffee. Just like people who drink alcohol. you have to eat first, or it's affect on you is way stronger. try that. but if you are a breakfast eater, than i have no idea. i don't feel 1 or 2 pills. you should also think about any other addictions you might have. ( not having coffee gives me more gitters than drinking too much. )do you smoke? maybe that has a factor in it. or maybe you just need to switch brandnames of ibprophen.  i'm sorry i can't help more.