Posts by Jeremy Taylor3

rapidhawk24 said:I actually find myself in similar spots quite often, and what I usually end up doing is just calling my doctor back to ask for a prescription for two packs, then picking those up. Then, I’ll call again a few days later for another two, until I eventually have everything I need. My doctor mentioned he can't legally write for more than two packs at a single time, so I guess that’s really the only way to navigate it.

On a different note, I'm curious about something else. How long have you guys ever gone without taking your pills? I’ve actually been off them for five months now, and honestly, I just don't feel like taking a break right now because my life is always so busy and I'm constantly on the move. I suppose it probably won't cause any harm, right?

Edit: There was one time where my travel plans got messed up, and my mom ended up picking them up for me using my supplemental insurance card and then just mailed them to me.

Why would anyone bother with a break in the first place? I know plenty of women who stay on them for ten years straight without a single pause. My doctors here in the States told me breaks aren't necessary—they were treating me for PCOS. But then again, it really depends on why you're taking them. I was on them for seven years, tried to force a break halfway through, and let me tell you, it was an absolute disaster. Now I've been off them for six months, and naturally, most of those old symptoms have come crawling back. I felt perfectly fine while I was actually on the medication.

Tyler Baker5 said:Greetings. Is there anyone here who has been on birth control for more than six years? I have been taking Yasmin since I was 19, and I am now 25. How did you all feel after stopping the pill after such a long duration... Did your old symptoms return?

I was on them for about seven years before I quit roughly four months ago. As for my cycle, things have reverted exactly to how they were before the pills—meaning, no period at all. My acne is still somewhat under control, though it’s flared up a little bit, nothing too crazy. That’s pretty much everything I dealt with prior to starting medication. Honestly, I feel just the same as I did while on them because I didn't really have any major issues to begin with.

jadelynx32 said:I've been taking Diane 35 for years. Started them because of excess hair growth, but honestly, I'm seeing zero progress. I don't even have PCOS, but this body hair is absolutely killing me—I'm hairy everywhere, it’s a nightmare. 😢 Please, I need advice. Should I just quit since they clearly aren't doing anything, or should I stick with them a bit longer? The only thing I've actually gained from them is a constant fear of blood clots. -.-

Look, I have PCOS and I deal with chin hairs myself (not an excessive amount, but they're definitely there). I was on birth control for seven or eight years straight and saw absolutely zero improvement; they're still right where they were. I handle mine with professional waxing rather than plucking them myself. If there was going to be any visible change, it would have shown up within a year, so unfortunately, I'm not exactly an optimist here. But honestly, if your hormone levels are technically fine, then the issue isn't the hormones, which might be why the pills aren't working. Sometimes it’s just genetics, plain and simple, and there isn't much you can do besides maybe looking into laser treatments—though I don't know much about that stuff, so I won't pretend to be an expert. Maybe someone else here has more experience and can offer something a little more positive or give you actual direction on what to do next.

Keith Martin5 said:Got my period this morning around 6 AM—starting my first pack of Lindynette today. Quick question though... since it’s easier for me to take them in the evening, say around 8 or 9 PM, is it too late to take that first pill?...

From what I understand, it doesn't matter at all. The specific hour you kick things off isn't the issue; the only thing that actually matters is making sure you take it on that specific day.🙂

Samuel Morgan40 said:I don't know how old you are, but before making any moves, you should definitely get your hormones checked. Acne, irregular cycles—all of that could point toward PCOS, so it might be best to figure out what you're actually dealing with before jumping straight onto the pill.

I really don't want to just wing it, so I'm planning to see a gynecologist and insist on getting some blood work done (specifically coagulation profiles and fibrinogen, if I remember correctly).

👍

I’ve heard that some gynecologists don't bother with those specific tests, so I was wondering which doctors you all recommend (I’d prefer someone near Orlando, but I suppose anywhere in Florida works). My main priority is finding someone professional, since this will be my first gynecological exam.

Most of them are pretty professional, more or less. If they won't offer the tests before prescribing the pill, you absolutely have the right to ask for them. You mentioned being near Orlando—I don't live in that area anymore, but I know the general landscape 😁. There’s Dr. Miller (private practice) and Dr. Thompson (the local public clinic). Personally, I wouldn't suggest the latter, mostly based on some rather unpleasant experiences my family members had.

You might want to take a look at this thread that Laura Mendoza6 linked—"Orlando - Gynecologists."

I’m curious about your thoughts on birth control—which brands? Why?
I’d love to hear about your actual experiences, any side effects you dealt with, and any advice you might have.
Also, what’s the deal with alcohol and smoking?
And I'm interested in the costs for exams, the pills themselves, and the blood work.

I don't have any firsthand experience with this, specifically, though I know everyone reacts differently—it really depends on how your body handles it and whether it suits you at all. As for cigarettes, well, it depends on how much you smoke or how old you are, but it’s certainly not ideal to combine them with the pill.
If you use your insurance, you shouldn't have to pay anything for the exam or the labs, unless they need to run a quick Pap smear. As for the price of the pills, I couldn't say; it really fluctuates depending on which brand you end up with.

Look, I actually see Karačić, and I can say nothing but positive things about him. I’d honestly recommend him because he isn't half as flaky as others; he tells you exactly what’s happening, and if you have questions, he actually takes the time to answer them. He’s widely known as one of the better diagnosticians out there. My mom has trusted him her whole life too, and she hasn't had a single complaint. But regarding what you said about not having good experiences—I've heard similar stories from others, so it really just comes down to the individual. Some doctors just click with you, and others simply don't.

I was just in for an ultrasound a few days ago (went to see Dr. Roe in Orlando) and my ovaries look absolutely perfect, like I don't even have PCOS. They're totally clear and normal, but let's be real: that is entirely thanks to the birth control. If I stopped taking them, everything would go right back to the way it was. Still, I’m satisfied because at least I know that with medical help, things are functioning the way they should. Until I’m ready to plan for a baby, I’m sticking with this (assuming no side effects pop up, but thank God, I haven't dealt with anything major in these last couple of years).

Daniel Green97 said:So, I’m making the switch from Yaz to Yasmin—which feels like a big step!—and I was wondering if I should start my first pack of Yasmin right after finishing my last active pill, or if I need to follow up with the last placebo pill first?

I switched from Yaz to Diane and started the new pack immediately following my last placebo pill. That was what my gynecologist told me because I actually ended up getting my period during the second-to-last placebo week, but honestly, you really ought to just clear this with your own doctor.

Taylor Smith3 said:I’m heading to the gynecologist today to switch my birth control; apparently, according to my partner, my libido has been somewhat lackluster lately. 😬 Since my doctor tends to prescribe whatever happens to be on hand, I have to admit that cost is a significant factor for me. I’ve been spending my time scrolling through various sites trying to track down pricing for different brands, which is frankly exhausting. It occurred to me that it might be helpful if you all shared what you take and how much they actually cost; I could compile everything into a single post so other women can benefit from the information down the road. 🙂 Currently, I’m on Cilest, which runs about $20.

I take Diane, and it doesn't cost anything because it's prescription-only—you just pay the $3.25 copay at the pharmacy. You get a box containing three packs, which covers you for three months.