Oww...

[destinydeferred.livejournal.com]

Ready for a story of mystery, intrigue and danger?

I would look elsewhere.

Four months ago I was put on birth control. My intention was to regulate my crazy period and for the no-preggers thing. Also, the first day of my period would always mean extremely bad cramps and I had the hope the BC would stop it. Here is what has happened in those four months:

My period now comes about once every two or so weeks. No, not monthly. Bi-monthly. Not only does it come randomly with no warning, but it is accompanied by constant cramps, the kind that keep me from being able to function. I reguarly am disturbed from sleep by these things and I can't do anything to stop them -- no over the counter pain killer has yet been able to cause them to stop, only to slow them until they come back with a vengeance an hour later.

I am constantly spotting, have random, out of the blue cramps. I got my period last night even though I had it from August 19th to August 27. Yes, an eight day period with knee-buckling cramps when my periods only used to last five days at the max. The blood was bright red, much redder than my normal period blood and I missed my first class today because I have been up since five crying with pain.

I got this stuff through the military. I called a month ago when I was told my prescription for the next three months was ready and asked to be put on something else, to come in and get a check-up and was told rudely that I was to wait until the end of this prescription refill at which point they'd fit me in whenever.

I am in so much pain and wondering if being able to have sex with 99% less fear is really worth being laid up for seven days. I'm on low-dose Loestrin if that helps.

Comments

[betterbebalboa.livejournal.com]

It really sounds like this isn't the right BC pill for you, if you've been on it for four months and your periods are so much worse than before.
Is there anywhere else you can go to get a different brand prescribed? A gyno might be able to listen to your experiences on and off BC and prescribe a brand more likely to alleviate your symptoms.

[destinydeferred.livejournal.com]

The gyno on base says that I have to wait until the end of this six months for some reason. I'm going home from college this weekend to talk to my mother about it. I am sick of going through the military. I am actually in the the middle of my fifth month but I really don't think I can make it another month and a half.

Do you think I need a higher dosage or just a completely different pill?

[superjen.livejournal.com]

that's not accurate info, i think. i am military dependent-- tricare prime is your insurance provider, right? i'm pretty sure that you can name whatever primary you want, depending on where you live. as long as that person accepts tricare prime. then, that primary can give you a referral. so, you could see your primary and ask for a referral to a new gyno. if that person who's giving you crap about waiting when this medication is obviously conflicting with your body is your PCP then you can attempt to name a new PCP and see that person for a referral to a gyno.

[3-black-cats.livejournal.com]

You're right about that if the OP is using Tricare, especially as a private citizen. Lots of doctors accept Tricare and can either help the OP out, or refer her to someone who can.

Now, though, I'm wondering if the OP is actually living ON a military base, or something else that prohibits (or otherwise makes it mighty inconvenient) to get medical attention elsewhere?

To the OP: If you're using Tricare, try calling their customer service line and explaining your situation. They may be able to suggest alternate doctors, or reassign you to a different primary care doctor, who may be more sympathetic and willing to work with you more quickly on this issue.

Here's a handy link to Tricare's contact information, in case that's the insurance you have and you want to get in touch pronto: http://www.tricare.osd.mil/contactus/

[superjen.livejournal.com]

when we lived at hanscom AFB there was medical care on base but we always went off to see doctors/dentists. i think the clinics on base are there as a matter of convenience. anyway, good call on getting in touch with tricare.

[scien.livejournal.com]

Do you think I need a higher dosage or just a completely different pill?

That's really not for us to say I'm afraid. There's only so much LJ can do. I can definitely tell you that this pill is not for you, though!

It's not generally advised that you go off and on hormonal birth control, because there are adjustment side effects with both. But if this pill is really so terrible for you and if you honestly can't wrangle a different prescription from your healthcare, it would be worth discussing with a doctor whether you can just not take them until you can get a different type. But really, that sounds near irresponsible of them - they shouldn't make you go through something like that. There has to be a way out somewhere. I can't help you with that as I'm way over the pond in sunny England, but hopefully someone else will be able to.

[binaryprecision.livejournal.com]

I agree with betterbebalboa, this doesn't sound like the right pill for you. If it makes you feel any better, I'm on my 2nd month of Loestrin: skipped my period the first month, and am now in the middle of a 6 day (so far) period that started in the 3rd week of my active pills in my second pack. Good times.

The transition period for a new pill generally takes 3-6 months, maybe longer if you've never been on HBC before (or it's been a long time). You're still within that timeframe, but I wouldn't blame you for wanting to try something different already. If the military is giving you flack about changing, try a local clinic or planned parenthood and see if you can get something different.

As for whether you need a higher dosage or a different pill, it's hard to say...I got on Loestrin because the higher dose pill I'd been taking for 4 years started giving me melasma. I'm not sure if the higher dose would regulate your periods better or just give you worse side effects, or both. Depends on whether it's the hormones causing the side effects, or the inactive ingredients. Your doctor (or a new doctor, by the sounds of it), may be able to give you some insight into that. Some people's bodies just can't handle/adjust to HBC. You may be one of those people. I would definitely try another pill before giving it up altogether.

[oompaprincess.livejournal.com]

Kindly explain to your gyno that no, you don't have to wait till the end of your perscription. Explain to this Doctor person that you are in ridiculous pain and it is getting in the way of your studies. And if your doc still refuses then ask them to please refer you to a clinic/doctor (that takes tricare) that will be able to help you. You may need to stay off bc until your next natural period to start new bc (if you want to still try hbc) and inbetween times you could use condoms.. I hate it when doctors try and tell you that you have to wait inorder to feel better, esp when this is CAUSED by a medication you're taking, absolutely ridiculous.

whoops, let's try that again...

[3-black-cats.livejournal.com]

I'm a little confused about what you mean by, "You may need to stay off bc until your next natural period to start new bc (if you want to still try hbc) and inbetween times you could use condoms.."

According to the VP vulvapedia article on HBC (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=Hormonal_Birth_Control#OK.2C_I.27ve_got_some_HBC_now._How_do_I_start_taking_it.3F) you can start taking HBC at any time during your cycle. While your protection from pregnancy will vary depending on what start date you use, it should work just fine to start new HBC at any time during your cycle, so there's no reason one has to wait for a "natural" period to occur before starting or switching HBC.

On the other hand, if the OP can't get a doctor to prescribe something new and wishes to stop her current HBC due to the side effects she's experiencing (and use condoms), there's certainly no harm in waiting until until she has a "natural" period to start new HBC, especially if she can't get a new prescription until that time.

Re: whoops, let's try that again...

[oompaprincess.livejournal.com]

Thats what I meant, lol.

Re: whoops, let's try that again...

[3-black-cats.livejournal.com]

Yay for agreement! :)

[jananaphone.livejournal.com]

First of all, stop taking it. If you want to wait until the end of this pack, go ahead, but since it seems like it's not doing anything for your periods, it probably doesn't matter much. Stop taking it. Use condoms. Try to get a new doc. You shouldn't have to go through this.