Birth Control - Ortho Evra

[Timber99]

I hate to keep hammering this topic, but my doctor recommended that I try the patch for birth control. Today is day two and I don't feel so good. I have a low cramp, a light headache and feel very lightheaded. I could just be having an off day but I just don't feel like me. Is this normal? How long do I tolerate this to still give it a shot?

I have tried a million different low dose pills and even with the ones that didn't work, I have never had this issue before.

 

[clareMc]

I have never tried the patch. I have to tell you that I have just started using Nuvaring, it's a vaginal ring you wear internally for three weeks each month and I am amazed. I cannot feel it, it never falls out, it's dead easy to use and I do not have any symptoms or side effects at all, and I think I am on day 16 of use, so it's looking good. I am taking it in order to help with my mood disorders. My gynecologist recommended it to me because it has the lowest dose of hormones available in any birth control method, and also because, unlike all other hormonal birth control methods, it releases a steady dose/level of the estrogen and progestin throughout the month, so you avoid the ups and downs of mood that other pills and maybe the patch also brings.

I think it I wonderful. I have tried several bc pills and they all had me bloated up within 4-5 days vomitting or screaming blue murder! So, if this patch thingy turns out not to be the method for you: ask your PCP/gyne about Nuvaring.

Me, I have a very low tolerance for drugs that leave me feeling "just not me". It is the best way of determining whether it is for you or not: you should feel like you. If it gets worse, continues, no improvement, or additional symptoms come along by day 10, I'm ready to pull the plug. I won't put up with a drug that makes me feel like I have PMS for 4 weeks of the month. For me, if it is not an improvement upon the mood disturbances of the PMS weeks, then it's a huge no-no. What's your threshold?

And by the way: you are not hammering the topic. It is important and it will crop up again, and again, and again.......on a board dominated by like-minded women, what can you expect? Are we not here to help eachother and share experiences?

Hope this helps,

Clare

 

[Timber99]

I asked my doc about the patch, ring and shot and she thought that for me, the best option was either the patch or a high dose BC pill. The low dose does not work for me. She seemed to side w/the pill, but when I was all confused and not sure, she suggested I try the patch and then switch if it was necessary. My thought was that she didn't expect the patch to "work" for me but didn't want me to wonder forever if would have. This way, I try it, see that it doesn't work and then can move on to the pill.

I will tell you one downfall so far - It is $25 per month after insurance pays their portion!

I really wanted to try the ring but she didn't seem to think that it would work. Like the patch, she told me that I need something very high dose and that the ring and patch are one dose. There are no "levels" in other words. So, it either works or it doesn't! Her point with the high dose pill was that there are many options and if one doesn't work, another will.

There are so many options and I really don't care what I ultimately do, but I just want something to work! I feel a bit better now but still a bit "weird." I have never had such a reaction to a new BC method, although they say this is very normal the first week or so.

Thanks for the input!