I guess maybe some people are just really sensitive to birth control pills. I was on OrthotryCyclen Lo and did not experience any type of side effects -- at all. I don't know anyone else who's experienced anything more than a headache at first when being on the pill, either. Perhaps it's the pill plus an upcoming menstrual cycle? I feel exactly like that when I'm PMSing. Extreme cravings & I'll stay hungry for hours and feel extremely emotional, especially irritable like I could jump out of my skin. Maybe it's a mixture of both, but it could be just the pill alone, I guess.

It is normal for birth control to mess up your period. It changed mine huge when I was on it! Nothing horrible, but it did totally change days.

Sorry to hear you're having cramps. Are you sure there's not something more happening, besides the pill? You say this isn't your usual type of period symptoms? I might would get another visit with the dr. then.

Have you ever suspected or been told you could possibly have a touch of endometriosis? Sounds sooooo much like what I've been through for years due to having endometriosis -- extreme cramps and extremely heavy, lengthy periods.

Maybe normal, but it'd depend mostly on what your normal is. For me, this would be a normal period as long as I had severe migraines to go along with it. Lol. If I had a period without migraines, I'd think something was wrong. Do you have them? I guess it might not be a bad idea to go back to the pill that worked for you. If it worked for you, why did you switch, if you don't mind me asking? Something your Dr recommended or did you just want to try a new one or something? Just curious. I guess if you're used to a certain birth control pill, a different one could cause intense symptoms. I don't know. I haven't been on the pill in years.

I know all to well that switching pills can mess up your hormones and throw your period all off. I'm having that problem now. Breakthrough bleeding for 2 weeks then full on crazy period. I went back to Planned Parenthood today and asked them to put me back on the pills I had with them. I got them through the Dr. $5 cheaper and I've tried 3 different packs and nothing is helping. I never had any issues with the pills I was on and I wish I would've told the Dr that I want the SAME ones. I'm waiting for Sunday and then I'm going to through this pack out and start the old ones again. I was thinking of taking the rest of the pack but I'm on day 3 of the 2nd week and after two months of spotting and periods, I've about had it! It's interfering with my sex life, I'm having cramps and other symptoms like I did when I first started my period when I was a pre-teen. UGH. The thrills of being a woman!

I have also experienced before where it would start light, get heavy and then just altogether stop. I'd say it's normal. I would start your new pack and throw the old out,if you're still having issues by the end of the 2nd pack of new pills, then I'd get with the doctor to get something new. Because this has happened to me a few times over the years, I don't think you have anything to worry about, but if it would ease your mind then go see your doctor .

My woman changed pills once before and it resulted in a month long full period. Finishing out the cycle and starting the next one as she was supposed to got everything back to normal, but for a while there we were both wondering if it would ever end.

I'm pretty sure you just have to commit to it (which sounds absolutely awful I know) as it will take your body a full cycle to get used to the slightly / wildly different hormone balances in your system. Switching back (especially mid-cycle) seems like it would just further aggravate things.

I was on that one. It made me sick for about 3 months. Wonky periods, heavy bleeding, bad cramps, period not on time, vomiting, etc. However, after 3 months...everything was completely normal.

Each pill is different. You need to give your body time to get use to it. My doctor told me 3 months before she would consider changing it. As everything changed after the 3rd month. I keep on it. It was a good birth control. Just needed to get use to it.