![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by woolav on August 14, 2005, at 10:09:45
I went to the gyn for birth control and when i told him what meds i was on, he didnt know what trileptal or lamictal were!! So, he gives me the ortho evera patch. I didnt think anything of it, but then reading my rx about trileptal, it says it may reduce the effectiveness of birth control...
If that is true, what am i suppose to do?
I have been doing really well on trileptal, and now if i have to change meds, what else can i suggest to my pdoc? Any idea's? I already take lamictal, but it wasnt working that great for my bp2 symptoms and then when i added the trileptal it got better. But now........
What other meds can i perhaps try that i can augment the lamictal with?
Anyone??
Thanks
S
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 14, 2005, at 17:12:40
In reply to Need Help!!!!, posted by woolav on August 14, 2005, at 10:09:45
Okay, I'm a little frightened that your gyno hadn't heard of those meds. That aside, perhaps the best way to address this potential problem would be to use a 2nd form of birth control (i.e. condoms) in addition to the patch. Would that be possible for you? I've never been on birth control (sadly, no reason to be) but I do remember seeing similar warnings for a number of meds.
I would ask pdoc what s/he knows about your meds reducing the effectiveness of BC. If that is a sort of 1 in 1,000,000,000 kind of thing or pretty common. I would think twice about changing your psych meds if you are happy with them. It is soooo hard to find the right thing sometimes. :(
Hope that this works out for you!
Best,
EE
Posted by anneL on August 15, 2005, at 1:19:12
In reply to Need Help!!!!, posted by woolav on August 14, 2005, at 10:09:45
Any hormonal method of birth control may be affected by certain medications, including some antibiotics. Simply use a barrier method of birth control in addition to either the Pill, the Patch or the Ring (Nuva Ring). Condoms or The Sponge (which is making a comeback in the US) are two good choices. Don't change any of your psych meds if they are working. Some women cannot tolerate hormonal birth control and have to rely on condoms and spermicides in order to prevent pregnancy. Not a hard problem to solve.
Posted by woolav on August 15, 2005, at 7:38:58
In reply to Re: Need Help!!!!, posted by anneL on August 15, 2005, at 1:19:12
Thanks for your input.
The only prob. I have is that my husband and i have been using other forms of BC and its been a pain...So, i was sooo looking forward to using the patch so i didnt have to think about it everyday. :(
Posted by anneL on August 15, 2005, at 15:15:59
In reply to Re: Need Help!!!!, posted by woolav on August 15, 2005, at 7:38:58
I agree with you with respect to birth control hassles. I could not tolerate any form of hormonal birth control and was left with condoms/spermicides or an IUD. This brings up an option for the Mirena IUD which is a progesterone only coated IUD that lasts for 5 years. The progesterone works to alter cervical mucous and up to 80% of women will stop having periods after one year (but the Mirena may also cause spotting for the first year). If you are a candidate for an IUD you have two choices: The Copper T which lasts for 10 or 12 years or the Mirena which lasts for 5 years. This would solve having to use a dual form of birth control. The "Sponge" for a woman who has not had any previous births is another really good option - it "lasts" 24 hours and then it is removed. Speak with your OB/GYN regarding the option of using the sponge along with the Ortho Evra patch. This might be the best choice and the least "hassle" (in other words, no condoms). I truly understand the birth control shuffle having lived it. I finally had a tubal ligation at 40. Hope this helps! :) Laurie
Posted by woolav on August 16, 2005, at 7:56:36
In reply to Re: Need Help!!!! » woolav, posted by anneL on August 15, 2005, at 15:15:59
Thanks Ann-
My last gyn told me he didnt recommend the IUD because of problems with infections and or major problems. Which obviously scared me...He didnt recommend getting my tubes tied because I am 33. I have a daughter who's 15...
Now, am i wondering whats the point of taking the BC if i have to augment it anyway. I hate putting hormones in my body. I swear, there is always something!!! I wish i didnt have to take meds!!
S
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.