The SARS Volta

I know I did a good thing for myself by quitting oral contraceptives after 2 years of use. The side effects were unreasonable and persistent (spotting, water retention, mood alteration). Doctors advised me to "stick it out", assuring me that the side effects were likely to stave off after prolonged use and my system's adjustment would take care of it. I used them exactly as directed and waited it out, hoping the effects to normalize.

Wrong. I stopped taking the pills because they became unworthy of the main reason I began taking them (to regulate chronic PMDD--which is severe PMS). Initially, ceasing to use the pill felt great. Then a few weeks pass, and I feel like shit. My symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, inability to concentrate, anxiety that I never before had, depression that I didn't have either, severe cramps, nausea, insomnia, muscle and joint pain, etc. It gets in the way of daily life and causes me much anguish.

This could be the return of PMDD, because there's no way I could be pregnant. I always used condoms while on the pill and I haven't had sex recently enough for this to be possible.

I did some research and it appears that my symptoms and problems due to stopping the pill are common, and most likely a reaction of my hormones getting back to normal after being altered/controlled by birth control for two years.

Does anybody else have experience with this? If you have been on the pill yourself, or men with girlfriend or wives on BC. If so, what did you do to ameliorate the difficulties?

__________________
(fiance)