One Month Orilissa: All My Thoughts So Far

Welcome back, everybody! I have now been taking Orilissa for a month and 2 weeks and I wanted to give a little update and write up on my thoughts on the experience of taking it so far. I do want to clarify that just because I have endometriosis does not mean I am an expert or doctor by any means (clearly) and I am simply sharing my experience thus far! So keep reading, but also please talk to your doctor.

First up, I didn’t notice any side effects until exactly one month after being on the drug. One day before the last dose of the first month I got my first side effect: horrific hot flashes. Endo gives me hot flashes anyway, but these were much worse. They are so intense and come on so quickly they have almost made me pass out a couple of times, and to make it all worse I blush the color of a tomato. These guys are ruthless and I have had to pull over more than once when I’ve had one while driving. They are not casual hot flashes whatsoever and should not be taken lightly.

Orilissa

Second, the heart palpitations are enough to make me want to call my doctor to quit taking this med. It started out as very mild and they were over and done with very quickly, but the longer I am on it, the more I notice them. They cannot actually cause harm, but they are annoying and don’t feel great at all. They could also be a by-product of the increased anxiety feeling I have noticed on it as well. I already have anxiety and teak medication for it, but I have noticed recently that the longer I take Orilissa, the more I have an increased sense of anxiety over things I never have before. Now, the state of the world could also be contributing to my increased level of anxiety and just, unfortunately, coincided with the Orilissa, but it is a side effect listed.

Overall, I have been kind of lucky with it in that I haven’t gotten terrible mood swings, headaches, or worse nausea than I usually have. While it has been uncomfortable, it has not been life-threatening or overly life-altering. I was informed by my doctor that I will not see any results (less pain, easier periods, less bloating, etc.) until I have been taking this medication for a full three months. So for now, it is a waiting game. For now, I am planning on trying to make it through the first three months with the side effects in hope that they will level out soon. But, if by the three months on it I am still having side effects, it may be time to throw in the towel. Not every med will work for every person. I still will need surgery and to see a specialist, but for now, I am doing whatever I can to make things comfortable while they are pretty uncomfortable. I am currently working on some videos and recipes to make of things I have bee eating while I am attempting to go dairy and soy free on top of being gluten free, so stay tuned for those! I will be posting again on Thirsday this week, so see ya then!

Madey