My question miht be different if not please direct me to a link...
#205403 - 08/14/05 12:54 PM
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It's about birth control.
I am now on tegretol for bipolar.
This decreaes the effectiveness of the bc pill.
So.....I am wondering if anyone is usin an IUD or depo injections and how you feel about it? I tried doing a search for Tina's post about BC but couldn't find it and I'm not even sure if it covered this info. or not!
Any help would be apreciated, thanks *hugs*
Ruch
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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BC
#205405 - 08/14/05 01:02 PM
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melitami
Reged: 02/23/04
Posts: 1213
Loc: Ewing, NJ, USA (IBS-D, Vegetarian)
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I'm on depo, I get a shot every 11 weeks, which hurts for a day or two. But I don't get my period at all, which helps my IBS and helps me not be in more pain. I don't know about drug interactions though, so may want to ask your dr.
*HUGS*
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Melissa
Friendship is thicker than blood. ~Rent
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Depo
#205409 - 08/14/05 01:21 PM
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jen1013
Reged: 05/06/05
Posts: 1322
Loc: the wabe
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I was on depo for six months. I hated it. I was always bleeding and I had the WORST acne. I know a couple people here -- Linz and Nelly? -- have really liked it, though, so you could always give it a try. I would never do an IUD. A couple girls I knew tried it and they bled the whole time, UGH.
Have you looked into the patch? No idea if it would have the same kind of drug interactions as the pill, but that was my favorite form of birth control. I had to switch back to the pill because I always got migraines on patch change day, but that wasn't a normal side effect.
I hated changing birth control ... if you're doing OK with the pill you're on now, I personally would just stay on it and use condoms with spermicidal lubricant for backup. There is also a product called EnCare (I think) that I used to use ... they are little tablets that look sorta like the tip of a tampon ... you push them up inside you 10 minutes before you have sex and they're supposed to ruthlessly slaughter anything that dares venture near. They are a bit of a pain, but it's another option.
I hope the new meds do you good!!! Good luck.
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jen
"It's one of the most serious things that can possibly happen to one in a battle -- to get one's head cut off." -- LC
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I was on DepoProvera for about a year and a half, pre IBS. It's been 3.5 years since I stopped using it, so I don't remember exact details, but here's what I do recall:
I noticed after after the first shot it, my emotions seemed somewhat dulled. It made me a bit depressed, but initially, everything else in life was okay, so it didn't really bother lots. Then I went through some experiences that brought on some depression, so on top of the Depo, I was even more depressed. I also had a lot of light spotting. It was annoying to need a pantyliner so often.
It also killed my libido. Not to be terribly crass, but Depo worked for me because when I was on it, I really did not care if I ever had intercourse again. I was also very dry and it made sex painful.
However, I did not experience the weight gain that some women do.
I stopped using it it January 2002. I believe my period was back by April or May of that year. I had similar mental & libido effects using the OrthaEvra patch.
I've never tried the pill & don't want to. Depo & the patch messed with me enough.
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Patch
#205411 - 08/14/05 01:27 PM
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What is this? Does it keep you from getting your periods or is it just a form of bc?
I am a sexual abuse survivor and condoms would be too much for me...you know an added step 
So we have to find another form of BC plain and simple. I'd love to know more about the patch! Thanks!!! 
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Re: Patch
#205412 - 08/14/05 01:32 PM
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Snorkie
Reged: 02/15/05
Posts: 1999
Loc: Northern Illinois, USA
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With the patch, you put it on your body (hip, shoulder, or abdomen). You change it once a week for three weeks and then go without it for a week so you have your period.
web page
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I'm in quite a quandry!
Staying on the pill isn't an option because it is not effective with the tegretol. Period.
I have enough emotional probs already so depo sounds awful. The patch sounds like it might not be effective enough (am seeing a gyno Aug. 25th so I'll ask then). IUD sounds like a good option if it works and doesn't fall out 
I guess the other option would be to never have sex again because my bipolar wins???
Sorry...I'm angry/agitated today, I'm fasting, hubby is depressed and won't tell me why, and we still don't know why I have blood in my urine and now I'm on a med that makes BC virtully ineffective! Tomorrow is another day ....sorry for the vent I just feel like one thing leads to another to another....and our Hebrew anniversary (the one we REALLY celebrate) is Wed. and I'm nauseous, dizzy, and we can't have sex!!!!!!!!!!    
Sorry for the rant...thanks for letting me get it all out...I just feel so alone and hopeless...
Thanks for the info *hugs*
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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*HUGS*
No need to apologize for venting!
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Ruchie
#205423 - 08/14/05 02:24 PM
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jen1013
Reged: 05/06/05
Posts: 1322
Loc: the wabe
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If you're not familiar w/ the different types of birth control ... check out Planned Parenthood for the different options. If any of them intrigue you, talk to your gyno. If the pill is ineffective though, I'm not sure if other forms of BC might be ineffective as well since they're also hormone-based.
Unless you do end up using something like condoms or a diaphragm, I'm afraid that because BC is hormone-based there is always the gamble that it'll affect your moods. Unlike Snorkie, though, I had no emotional side-effects from the patch or depo (I think I did get the dryness/no libido thing w/ depo, though). So it could be that you will be just fine. If you are really leery of side effects, don't do depo -- it lasts minimum three months and sometimes side effects don't go away for a couple months or so afterwards. I'd try something like the ring/patch because those are one month at a time, plus you have the security of knowing you can stop any time. Since the IUD is so expensive and more permanent I don't know if I'd try that right off the bat unless it was pretty much the only option.
Sorry things are so rough for you. Hang in there, don't feel alone because there are a lot of people here rooting for you.
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jen
"It's one of the most serious things that can possibly happen to one in a battle -- to get one's head cut off." -- LC
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Re: Patch
#205426 - 08/14/05 02:53 PM
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Vicam
Reged: 02/24/04
Posts: 1955
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Hey Ruchie,
The patch delivers the same kind of hormones as the pill does...so it may or may not work depending on what the interaction is. If the drug interaction is regarding absorption, the patch might work because the hormones get absorbed through your skin  But if it's something with that type of hormone, then it probably won't work
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