pill suggestions

[ephemery1]

Date: 6/21/2006 4:49:40 PM
Author: LAJennifer

Date: 6/21/2006 3:18:57 PM
Author: ephemery1

As for painkillers, I am on a prescription medication for headaches, which combines a barbituate, acetiminophen, and caffeine... I''d been taking it for years before I read (on my own, my doctor never mentioned it) that it has been known to interact with the pill. EEK!

I used to take that too - it was called Esgic Plus. I never got pregnant while taking it, but it always made me spot.

That''s the one! Though I take the generic version. SO interesting that you noticed some breakthrough bleeding with it... were you taking it every day or just once in a while? It is the only thing that has EVER worked for my headaches, after trying about 6 other meds... my miracle cure! But now I''m hyper-careful about taking it only when I absolutely need it.

 

[nytemist]

I never considered an IUD. I too have known a few people with horror stories about them, one resulting in surgery. I don''t know anyone who uses one now, since most people I know think it''s too risky.

I had a talk with my fiance about it last night. He keeps saying telling me not to if it will affect my body so much and he will just deal. But I think it''s time to do this and not have any more of those "did it break" scares.

 

[nytemist]

Forgot to add, realizing not everything is 100% foolproof.

 

[LAJennifer]

Date: 6/21/2006 4:55:06 PM
Author: ephemery1

Date: 6/21/2006 4:49:40 PM
Author: LAJennifer

Date: 6/21/2006 3:18:57 PM
Author: ephemery1

As for painkillers, I am on a prescription medication for headaches, which combines a barbituate, acetiminophen, and caffeine... I''d been taking it for years before I read (on my own, my doctor never mentioned it) that it has been known to interact with the pill. EEK!

I used to take that too - it was called Esgic Plus. I never got pregnant while taking it, but it always made me spot.

That''s the one! Though I take the generic version. SO interesting that you noticed some breakthrough bleeding with it... were you taking it every day or just once in a while? It is the only thing that has EVER worked for my headaches, after trying about 6 other meds... my miracle cure! But now I''m hyper-careful about taking it only when I absolutely need it.

It''s the only one that has ever worked for my headaches too! Nothing else compares. When I was about 24/25 I took them often (a few a week). Now I''m 33 and don''t really risk taking them anymore (only when its really bad). If I even take 1 within a few hours of taking the pill, I will spot - every time. But no pregnancies.

 

[sumbride]

I''ve always read that you can''t get an iud unless you''ve previously had a child. Something about the size and condition of your uterus. plus probably lawsuits in case it causes infertility. I''d love to get one because my BF and I don''t want kids any time soon (they can last 5 years) and maybe not ever. I''ve been on the pill a long time, I take Mircette''s generic, Kariva, and am happy with it. I actually am skipping periods now even without skipping the placebos... and when I do get it, it''s light. Of course, when I started taking it, I was nauseus for 3 months so I don''t recommend that aspect.

Does anybody know if you can get an IUD if you''ve never had a child. I just had my dr. appt... could have asked!

 

[sumbride]

also, Nytemist... if you two really don''t EVER want kids, maybe HE should consider birth control... aka, "the big snip"??? Have you guys discussed that?

 

[nytemist]

We did for a moment- as a joke. That''s how he got a younger sister. It''s the running joke in his family that his youngest sister is the mailman''s; his dad had a vasectomy, but...

 

[sumbride]

Date: 6/23/2006 8:13:26 AM
Author: nytemist
We did for a moment- as a joke. That''s how he got a younger sister. It''s the running joke in his family that his youngest sister is the mailman''s; his dad had a vasectomy, but...

Ha, yeah.... guess they''re not 100% reliable....

 

[nytemist]

It''s not completely ruled out, we want to start with the pill and see how things go before considering surgical procedures.

 

[Mara]

just wanted to chime in and agree that the snippity snip for the men is not always reliable!! that is how my parents got my youngest sister...who is 15 now and i am 31! hehee.

apparently it can reverse itself...as my parents found out! but the second time took.

 

[bstraszheim]

I wrote a long post before and deleted it because I wanted to recommend Depo Provera, the shot, but you were asking about the pill, now that IUD''s have come up, I decided to post. Another poster posted that Depo Provera was awful for her, but it''s been FANTASTIC for me. No cramping, no spotting, no bleeding at all. A shot once every 12 weeks, sore arm for 2 - 3 days at the injection site, other than that, no side effects to speak of, and I have had unexplained weight LOSS after switching from the pill to the shot. I bought a pair of jeans at a thrift shop a while ago, knowing they were too small, but getting them anyway. I spotted them in my closet the other day and thought, why not, and they FIT! Nothing else has changed for me, I''m not eating differently, or exercising more. I can only attribute it to the change in BC.

I did not know if you would be interested, but you posting that you and your fiance NOT wanting kids prompted me to post about the Depo, because the one thing they do warn you about is that it can take six to eighteen months to "return to fertility" and that it can be very hard to get pregnant (if you want to) after taking it.

I also agree with Dani, you will not know what works for your body until you try it out.

Good luck with your search!

Bridget

 

[Mara]

about the depo...i know about 4-5 gals who have been on it, and a few of them gained A LOT of weight on it, like 30-50 lbs...one of which was my sister who was rail thin before and suddenly she was like 30 lbs heavier. nothing she did could get rid of it. it was totally the depo. also i tried it a few years ago and it was horrible for me, i spotted for three months straight, not fun at all.

i think that honestly BC is SOOO personal. one thing works for someone, but is horrible for 3 others....or something works for 3 people but then there is that one person it doesn't. just keep trying different things. good luck!

 

[galeteia]

The two girls I know who went on Depo (both the type who gains weight easily/are bigger girls) gained a LOT of weight. They were so frustrated and miserable... and their doctors told them there was no point in trying to shift the weight, because it would stay as long as they were on Depo. I may be TMIing here, but their extra weight negatively affected their sex life. As a woman who used to get 'fat days', where there was NO WAY I wanted anyone to see me naked... well, I understand that completely. They liked the efficiency, but hated the blow to their self-image.

So if weight gain is something you want to avoid, you may want to research the stats on Depo-prompted weight gain thoroughly.

 

[dani13]

Date: 6/22/2006 4:27:38 PM
Author: sumbride
I''ve always read that you can''t get an iud unless you''ve previously had a child. Something about the size and condition of your uterus. plus probably lawsuits in case it causes infertility. I''d love to get one because my BF and I don''t want kids any time soon (they can last 5 years) and maybe not ever. I''ve been on the pill a long time, I take Mircette''s generic, Kariva, and am happy with it. I actually am skipping periods now even without skipping the placebos... and when I do get it, it''s light. Of course, when I started taking it, I was nauseus for 3 months so I don''t recommend that aspect.

Does anybody know if you can get an IUD if you''ve never had a child. I just had my dr. appt... could have asked!

Sumbride-

Yes, you can have an IUD placed even if you have never had children...most women have a uterus large enough to accomodate the IUD- even if they have never had a pregnancy before...its a good option if both of you feel you will not be having children anytime soon...

 

[bstraszheim]

See, it is so hard to make a recommendation because all of our bodies are so very, very different! : )

What works for one, may not work for another.

I wish you the best in finding what will work for you!

I wish you well,

Bridgeet

 

[pinkflamingo]

I have an IUD- and I think it is great. it hurt a lot going in, it took about a month to stop spotting. since then, no problems at all. very easy, it only cost about $400, and it lasts for 5 years- so it was more cost effective than shelling out $30 each month for BC pills. i dont get periods anymore and i totally recommend it!

 

[JCJD]

IUD''s can mess with your fertility after taking it out, so if you want children in the future, you shouldn''t get an IUD.

Have you heard of Norplant (I think that''s the brand)? They are plastic tubes that are inserted under the skin of your upper arm and can be left for years at a time. Perhaps one of these hormonal methods plus "snipping" will be a good option for you two.

RE: BC is never foolproof. I was a "surprise" resulting from a diaphragm, spermicidal gel, and the rhythm method. My biochemist father delights in telling us kids how we were conceived.

 

[nytemist]

There is so much out there. I feel kind of foolish for being this old and not knowing most of this information. I have been reading up on BC for about a year, but this has definately been the most I''ve learned, actually reading peoples'' experiences. Looks like I''ll have a barrage of questions for my doctor.

As for the regulating thing; for times like now. As of today my friend is 2 months late. My fiance has been getting really panicked the past couple of weeks, even though he knows this happens with me fairly often.

 

[dani13]

Date: 6/25/2006 11:06:42 PM
Author: JCJD
IUD's can mess with your fertility after taking it out, so if you want children in the future, you shouldn't get an IUD.

JCJD-

Don't mean any disrespect, I am not sure where you got this info from, but this statement is simply not true...there is absolutely NO EVIDENCE that says that an IUD affects future fertility....an IUD is just a long term bc option, but a woman can have it taken out at anytime, and conceive thereafter. It is just that most women that choose the IUD as their bc are women who are not planning on conceiving for quite some time, or not at all, as both of the IUD's on the market right now (both the copper and the the Mirena) are effective and left in place for 5/ 10 years, respectively...

 

[JCJD]

Date: 7/4/2006 10:57:31 AM
Author: Dani

Date: 6/25/2006 11:06:42 PM

Author: JCJD

IUD''s can mess with your fertility after taking it out, so if you want children in the future, you shouldn''t get an IUD.

JCJD-



Don''t mean any disrespect, I am not sure where you got this info from, but this statement is simply not true...there is absolutely NO EVIDENCE that says that an IUD affects future fertility....an IUD is just a long term bc option, but a woman can have it taken out at anytime, and conceive thereafter. It is just that most women that choose the IUD as their bc are women who are not planning on conceiving for quite some time, or not at all, as both of the IUD''s on the market right now (both the copper and the the Mirena) are effective and left in place for 5/ 10 years, respectively...

I got that info from my gyno..... although I just looked up some info on IUDs, (Planned Parenthood website) and it says this:

"Conditions of Increased Risk — Certain conditions or risks may increase the possibility of developing serious complications while using the IUD. These include being at risk for sexually transmitted infections at time of insertion or having...

* a history of impaired fertility and the desire to get pregnant in the future"

So I probably just remembered what she told me incorrectly.

Thanks for the correction! It would seem that IUDs can have a negative effect on already impaired fertility, which is why my gyno recommends against IUDs for women who want children later, just in case they have fertility problems they are unaware of.

 

[dani13]

Date: 7/4/2006 11:51:44 AM
Author: JCJD

Date: 7/4/2006 10:57:31 AM
Author: Dani

Date: 6/25/2006 11:06:42 PM

Author: JCJD

IUD's can mess with your fertility after taking it out, so if you want children in the future, you shouldn't get an IUD.

JCJD-



Don't mean any disrespect, I am not sure where you got this info from, but this statement is simply not true...there is absolutely NO EVIDENCE that says that an IUD affects future fertility....an IUD is just a long term bc option, but a woman can have it taken out at anytime, and conceive thereafter. It is just that most women that choose the IUD as their bc are women who are not planning on conceiving for quite some time, or not at all, as both of the IUD's on the market right now (both the copper and the the Mirena) are effective and left in place for 5/ 10 years, respectively...

I got that info from my gyno..... although I just looked up some info on IUDs, (Planned Parenthood website) and it says this:

'Conditions of Increased Risk — Certain conditions or risks may increase the possibility of developing serious complications while using the IUD. These include being at risk for sexually transmitted infections at time of insertion or having...

* a history of impaired fertility and the desire to get pregnant in the future'

So I probably just remembered what she told me incorrectly.

Thanks for the correction! It would seem that IUDs can have a negative effect on already impaired fertility, which is why my gyno recommends against IUDs for women who want children later, just in case they have fertility problems they are unaware of.

Hey JCJD-

Well...the part about an IUD not being a safe form of bc for a woman with multiple partners/high risk for STD's is true. That is why a woman who is considering an IUD as a form of birth control needs to be screened thoroughly before insertion and counseled regarding its use...it only prevents pregnancy, not STD's, and if a woman acquired an STD when an IUD was in place, bad sequelae could result...it is ideal for patients who are in monogamous, low-risk relationships.

Re: the impaired fertility- the IUD is not recommended for women who have a history of infertility for obvious reasons...it is a form of bc that is long term- sometimes it takes women a while to start ovulating and menstruating normally again after an IUD is removed... So, if a woman has a history of infertilty, and may want to conceive in the near future, it is probably not a good option for her. But as far as an IUD causing infertility itself, that is not true...

 

[bee*]

Im on Yasmin also. I find it great and have been on it for years. My weight hasnt really fluctuated much and Ive had no tenderness or anything else

 

[KristyDarling]

Nuvaring is the best!!! I haven't had ANY weight gain and my skin has really cleared up (used to get cyclic acne). Easy to use, nothing to remember on a daily basis. Prior to the Ring I was using Ortho TriCyclen which caused me to put on like 8 lbs and have horrible acne flare-ups....ironic since it's also marketed as something that helps with acne.

ETA: I had breakthrough bleeding for the first 2 months...freaked me out but my OB said it was normal and part of the adjustment process.

 

[rainbowtrout]

Nuva-Ring. I get awful migraines, and I''m allergic to spermicide--which means I can''t use the condom+backup spermicide, which is the only way to bump up condom effectiveness anywhere NEAR that of the pill. So my doctor said she would rather I try either the Nuva-Ring or an IUD.

For anyone with migraines, the Nuva-Ring is supposedly safer because the relaease of hormones is not spiked, with one really high point. So your risk of stroke is less than the 3X increase if you have migraines and are on the traditional pill.

I used the trad pill for a few years and always spotted. Never do with the Nuva-Ring. I will say, at the risk of TMI, that unlike the other ladies I HAVE had issues with it, er, not staying put. Also DF can feel it, sometimes painfully so. It can be a little grody even if you are comfortable with that area.

It seems to be working OK with the migraines as well. THankfully mine are not that hormonally related anyway, so the pill has only bothered them when I went on a higher-estrogen one for the spotting.

 

[emeraldlover1]

I agree with Mara in regards to figuring out what works best for you. I thought I would share my experience with birth control with you.

For starters...I was put on the pill when I was 16 for cramping and for 10 years my doctors and I could not find one to suit me properly. These are the ones that I was on that I can remember: Othro tri cyclen, Mircette, Ovcon, Ortho Cyclen, and Ortho tri - lo. Throughout these years I experienced major weight changes and mood swings. So when I was 26 I had enough and decided to come off.

I''m making this story much shorter to spare you all of the trials and errors. So...after I came off the pill for two months I got a period and then nothing. No period since. I haven''t had one now in over a year and a half. After coming off the pill the weight, litterally, started to fall off. I lost 25 pounds within the first 4 months and I wasn''t that big to begin with so that brought be down to 115. Now, I do work out and eat healthy, but I didn''t change anything other than coming off the pill. My mood stabalized and my sex drive increased dramatically. I had a few bouts of anxiety but nothing like before and the water retention was almost non-existint.

Anyway, a couple months of not getting my period the doctor was ready to put me on hormone therapy to jump start the cycle again. We waited a good six months to try that and all of my blood work was coming back normal. Well, 10 days didn''t work. Since it was 10 day''s I didn''t really feel to much other than a few pounds of water retention and that came off almost immediatly after stoping. We waited a few more months and then she put me on a month of hormone replacement therapy that she said was "weight and mood neutral". Well...let me tell you...that was far from the case. About a week after I started taking the hormones I could litterally feel myself getting bigger. I was so bloated that within a week or two I had already gone up a dress size. Within a month and a half I had gained 15 pounds and was still gaining after the therapy was over. Now...I''ve had an MRI...came back normal and GYN''s recomendation is to go back on BC to get my period. NO WAY am I going to do that. I''ve been off the meds now for almost two months and the water retention and weight are finally starting to come off. I thought I was going crazy on the hormones. I''m seriously a very happy well driven professional and I couldn''t get out of bed for the three weeks I was on those crazy things. I am very proactive in this and willing to look at it from all angles so I''m on my way to figuring it out.

My point is...everyone responds to hormones differently. Some people don''t have any problem and others, like myself, are sensitive to them.

Good Luck!

 

[nytemist]

Wow. All the different reactions are incredible. I finally got an appointment to see my doctor next month (hate how long it takes to get an appointment!) Depending on when I can start, I guess I may have to adjustment spotting going on come time of the wedding

Who knows, maybe not. I''m kind of sold on yasmin and nuvaring. Those sound the most promising, depending on how my body handles them.

 

[nytemist]

Update. I finally had my sit-down with my doctor today. With my stress level making me gain some weight, she would rather I don''t take the pill. Since my weight can be an issue and we don''t want children at all, she thinks an IUD would be perfect for me. Of course I freak out, knowing the bad times some have had with them. She went into the computer network and showed me some information and feedback from doctor studies of the most recent IUD''s and they are good. I got to read some anonymous patient feedback and not a negative one in the bunch. I pestered her with questions about them; what about the horror stories of them doing damage to the uterine wall and all that. She said that could be the case with anyone who had one placed as recently as the early ''90s. She said they have changed the design of them and they are so much safer now. Also, they can be left in now for up to ten years. I''m going to research more on my own.

My OB/GYN consult about this is August 31. Should I consider it?

 

[allycat0303]

Nytemist,

I did a lot of research on the IUD as I was seriously considering it. I''m a med student and read up on a lot of articles, etc. on it, and I was all set to go, except I''m a little lazy about going through the whole process!

As Dani has said, it''s safe now, and the chances of complications are rare since the change in design. It is only not recommended for woman with multiple sex partners. As with any sort of BC it has it''s pros and cons. For example (although rare), increase in heart attack and stroke risks......and seriously, I KNOW that so far nothing has been shown which concretly suggests that the birth control pill increases the incidence of breast cancer, but I was on the pill for 4 years, and got off it, because I was concerned. Which isn''t to say that the pill is bad, I''m just saying that everything has benefits and risks.

In any case, I had settled on the IUD (non hormone releasing model) as the BC method of choice for me (but haven''t gone through with it yet. Nothing to do with fear, just haven''t gotten around to it.) In any case, I really think you should address all of your concerns to your doctor (don''t be afraid of sounding silly) with all the conflicting information out there, it''s very difficult to interpret all of it without a doctor''s input.

 

[MelissaSue]

I am on a generic called Apri.. I used to take the Ortho- version of the same pill but I can''t remember for the life of me what ortho it was.. In any case.. they''re both fine.. but they do nothing to lighten my periods and cramps. I had pretty heavy/long periods before I was on any pill and the cramps are just as bad still.. and my period might be a DAY shorter.. but probably heavier on the first few days.. (This is WAY TMI but I often bleed through "Super" tampons in like 3-4 hours on my second day)
I''ve been on a bunch
Ortho-Novum.. both the 7/7/7 and the all the same dose one.. I forget why I switched though. Nor can I remember which one of them made me skip periods.. I FREAKING HATED THAT.. I was on some other pill for awhile too.. They all run together though.. I THINK I was on Ortho-Cyclen at some point.

I was also on Nuva-Ring for a year.. No major side effects from it.. but it did cause some irritation in that area.. if you know what I mean. I didn''t realize that was what was causing it.. but since I''ve been off it.. no more.. And also.. it was a lot more money.. Generic pills have to be 0 Co-pay now.. and my co-pay was $25 or $50 depending on what insurance I was on!! YIKES.. Just wasting WAY too much money not to have to take a pill everyday!

 

[nytemist]

MelissaSue- that is a lot of aggravation to go through! I used to be heavy like that in my teens. I believe there is truth to the theory that some women start bad and get better, start ok and get worse, start with great periods and stay that way, or they are bad throughout.

Allycat- thanks for the input! Sounds good to be backed a med student too!