Posts by Chloe Gray5

Just hit up your OB-GYN and ask—they’ll definitely have the better handle on this 😉.

And yeah, you'll probably need to play it safe with protection until those antibiotics clear out of your system—like, until they're basically at zero
.

I was just saying I wouldn't use the pill for like, two days out of the month—didn't mean it was better to do nothing at all. But hey, it's her call and there's no point in me lecturing her—she knows exactly what happens when you don't use protection.
Before I started on the pill, I always used condoms—and honestly, not once did things work out without protection...

I was just saying I wouldn't use the pill for only two days out of the month—I didn't say doing nothing was better—but hey, it's her call and there's no point in me lecturing her... she knows exactly what happens when you skip protection.
Before I started on the pill, I always used condoms—and honestly, not once did things work out without protection.

Personally, I wouldn't bother popping pills just for a couple of days—but hey, it really just depends on you.

Reading all this really hit home—I actually teared up a bit. It was such a struggle when we weren't sure if my dad would pull through, and honestly, we’re still fighting those battles today. It’s just brutal when sickness hits out of nowhere. I truly believe that for our loved ones, having us right by their side means the entire world. So, sending nothing but strength and courage to you guys and your families.
Even when things feel pretty dark, just hang in there and stay close to them—I really think that love and care can make a massive difference. They told my dad he wasn't going to make it, but he beat the odds, and later he told my sister and me that we were his whole world—that he pushed through everything just for us.
Lately, I've been thinking that whatever life throws at us, it'll pass eventually. Everything is manageable as long as you have your health...

Linda Morales66 said:Last night, around 10 PM—about a month and a half after getting the official diagnosis—my mom passed away... it was just a few hours after I went to see her one last time to say goodbye..

I am so incredibly sorry, sending you my deepest condolences 😢.

Today was Dad's last round of radiation 🙂. Fingers crossed that once they run the scans, everything looks perfectly targeted—hopefully he won't need any extra sessions and can finally head home. He’s feeling pretty down being stuck in the hospital—just wants to be back in his own space—and honestly, I think being around Mom and my sister would do him a world of good.

hollowtrucker2 said:Hey, is it actually possible for birth control pills to trigger yeast infections—like Candida?

I was on Yasmin for two years and Yaz for about a year, and then I made the switch over to Cilist...
Now that I’ve transitioned to Cilist, I feel like I'm in a constant battle with Candida. It just won't quit, and honestly, I've tried absolutely everything under the sun to get rid of it... It usually seems to flare up right about a week before my period starts.
I never dealt with these kinds of issues while I was taking Yasmin or Yaz. Everything else remains exactly the same as it always has been—my partner, my diet, my workout routine... nothing has changed except this.

If I remember correctly, I think I saw something in the Yaz pamphlet ages ago saying it could cause this kind of thing...

northernlynx36 said:Has anyone else noticed how impossible it is to lose weight while on these pills? Like, seriously. I’m eating super clean—not even hitting a huge calorie count—and I’m absolutely crushing it at the gym, burning tons of calories... but the scale just won't budge. It's maddening.

Maybe you're just not doing it quite right?
You still gotta give your body enough fuel to actually function and power through those workouts—basically, you need a deficit, but you can't starve yourself. If you're eating clean and staying active, there's really no reason the weight wouldn't drop.
I personally dropped 22 lbs while taking them, and honestly, I'm still on them.

If you're seriously stuck, though—go get your hormones checked, especially your thyroid. That might be the real culprit.

Brandon Ward said:So, it doesn't matter when I pick up the first pack?

Nah, doesn't really matter—but since you’re gonna be starting later anyway, just make sure you grab all six before the recipe expires.

Raymond Jackson4 said:Well, I went ahead and did all my testing privately—now I just need those damn referrals, and I need them URGENTLY.

Regarding the tests... unfortunately, in the US, most doctors prescribe these pills like they're Tic Tacs. I'm actually relieved mine sent me for testing at all. My friends were practically dying laughing that I was going in for these exams—one of them even offered to give me her own prescription.
People are such ignoramuses... and when they end up having ten miscarriages down the road, they'll find someone else to blame. 🙄

Oh, I totally misread you—I thought you hadn't done anything yet and were just stuck waiting on liver panels.
I really hope your friend got her tests done.
Sadly, you meet all kinds... my mom was taking pills back when she hit menopause, and when she asked her OB for some testing, he told her it wasn't necessary. Fast forward five years without a single checkup, and she finds out she has a massive blood clot. Luckily, everything turned out okay.
That's why you have to take charge of your own health—even if your doctor is being lazy—and insist on getting checked.

Brandon Ward said:How long do I actually have to pick up my pills after the doctor writes the prescription? I haven't made it to the pharmacy yet—she gave me the script ten days ago. Now I'm starting to panic that it might expire.

Usually, those scripts are good for six months—basically enough for six packs.
Once it expires, they won't give you anything else, even if you only picked up one of the six packs. Also, just a heads-up—if you go ahead and buy all six at once, the pharmacist will note that on the back, and you won't be able to use that same script again until the time is up.

Raymond Jackson4 said:Thanks for all the replies, ladies—you guys are honestly so sweet 🙂

I mean, what kind of nonsense is this? All I need are referrals for liver panels, blood work, and urine tests. Instead, they’re making me go through some whole process with my insurance provider just so they can "approve" the orders, and then I have to head right back to my primary care doctor 😲
What a total joke!
They’re constantly whining about being overbooked—look, I have my own private OBGYN, I just need the actual referrals, yet they’re putting on this entire circus! You wouldn't believe it! 🙂

I was thinking I’d shell out maybe $100 for those tests privately, but now I’m seeing the total is way, way higher 😢

Look, they probably told you to register with an OBGYN under your insurance so you wouldn't have to pay out of pocket.
And honestly, I don't think a private doctor can just hand over prescriptions based solely on liver tests 😕.
When I went, they drew three or four vials of blood and checked way more than just my liver function—though, since it was my first time going private, maybe the doc ordered everything extra just because the lab was right there in his office
. But still, when I went back for follow-ups, they had to draw more blood and run more than just the liver panel again
. Plus, my OBGYN told me she couldn't prescribe certain meds without a transvaginal ultrasound, and that while I didn't necessarily need a Pap smear right then, I did need to make sure the results from my last one were in
. I paid $17 for that ultrasound, and I bet things cost even more at a private clinic—especially if you need a Pap too. By the time you factor in the full exam, the bill is gonna be pretty steep
. If you have the time, I'd say just go through the public system. Besides, you'll end up needing follow-ups later anyway, and you'll be repeating all these tests regardless
.

You think it's radiation side effects? Honestly, I was told there weren't any—now you've got me second-guessing things...
My dad has lung cancer, and after 20 radiation sessions from his oncologist, they actually dropped him down to 10. He had one today, and honestly, he just seemed wiped out—I'm thinking the drive over to the hospital probably drained him more than the treatment itself.

Quick question—I know we don't have any medical pros on this thread, but everyone's experience is so different. My uncle is doing chemo for a week, then 6 weeks of radiation, then another week of chemo to treat rectal cancer. I'm trying to figure out how aggressive this protocol actually is. Since he lives in Germany, my mom only talks to him through texts, so we're basically getting info in tiny little drops.
All I know is that it hasn't metastasized yet, but still—it feels like there has to be a reason for such an intense regimen, especially compared to what my dad is going through. It seems way more aggressive.

Hey Lehane, you'll need blood work, an ultrasound, and a Pap smear for the pills. You can handle all that either privately or through your insurance. Those four swabs aren't actually required for the prescription itself.
Just so you know, you won't have to run all over town. If you're not in a huge rush, the best move is to get on the list and have your OB-GYN give you the referral for blood work—you just go to your primary care doctor for the draw, then pick up the results at the specialist's office the same day. As for the Pap, you do that with the gynecologist; even if they prescribe the pills before the results are back, it’ll be ready in about two weeks—the main thing is just getting the screening done so you have the paperwork on file. You should probably do the ultrasound with your regular doctor too, since most of them have the equipment right there, unless you want to wander around looking for a clinic—though keep in mind there might be a fee for the scan. Honestly, I never know how the billing works; the first time it cost me $17, the second time was 20 bucks, and the third time 😕.

Raymond Jackson4 said:Hey ladies! 🙂

Honestly, I am on the verge of a total meltdown—nobody here seems able to answer two simple questions, and the people working in the healthcare system are so incredibly rude it’s actually terrifying. I only show up once every five years, and they can't even spare five minutes for me.

I'm not even sure if this is the right thread, but I'm hoping someone can help me out. 😢

So, my private gynecologist prescribed Yaz, but before that, obviously, I have to undergo about a hundred different tests. She gave me a list of everything required and sent me back to my primary care doctor to get the referrals.
When I got there, the nurse snapped at me—like, genuinely lost her cool—asking what I was even doing there and telling me to just go to my own gynecologist for that stuff. When I explained I use a private specialist, she basically told me to find an insurance-based doctor instead and slammed the door in my face. She even muttered something about how those things are usually handled over at the county clinic.

Now I'm just completely lost. 🙂

Does anyone know if I can actually get these tests done privately, just so I don't have to deal with these obnoxious, incompetent old ladies? And roughly how much does it cost? People keep quoting these insane numbers at me.

Also, what is the actual process for finding an insurance-covered gynecologist? Where do I even go, and what am I supposed to do? I'm seriously desperate—if these private tests are way too expensive and the wait times for the state doctors are months long, I am absolutely screwed...

Thanks in advance!

Of course you can do them privately, but be prepared—the price tag might sting a bit. For my first time, I just did bloodwork privately and paid about $133, but the best part was getting the results the same day. As for my insurance doctor, I had a transvaginal ultrasound because she couldn't prescribe the pills without it, but I did my Pap smear separately and didn't necessarily need those results immediately to start the meds.

You basically find an insurance provider you actually want to see, check if they're accepting new patients, and if they are, they'll give you some paperwork to take to the insurance office for approval. Once that's cleared, you bring it back to the doctor. From what I remember, you shouldn't have to wait forever for the appointment itself.

John Miller362 said:So, I'm looking into birth control pills. I tried digging around online for something straightforward, but honestly, I couldn't find a single site that actually explains things clearly without being a total mess. If anyone has a decent link, I’d really appreciate it. 😁
I mean, I get the basics—how to take them, why you use them, the whole drill—but I've got a few specific things on my mind.
First off, what's the deal with weight gain and breast growth? I know it varies from person to person, but some people swear it’s basically genetic. Like, if your mom gained weight while on the pill, you're just destined for it too. Makes sense, right?
Also, can my boyfriend finish inside me if I'm on the pill? Just making sure.
And is there any truth to the idea that taking them long-term makes you infertile later on? To me, that sounds completely ridiculous.
Last thing: my gynecologist told me I absolutely cannot smoke while on them, but then I know this guy who smokes like a chimney and he's on the pill just fine. WTF?

Thanks in advance! 🙂

Weight gain and breast changes are definitely different for everyone, though personally, I don't know anyone who actually put on weight from them..
And yeah, obviously he can finish inside you—that's literally why you're taking them, to stay protected..
You aren't going to become infertile either; otherwise, nobody would bother using them.
As for smoking, I think it just bumps up the risk of blood clots, but it’s not strictly "forbidden"—at least from what I've heard.

My dad starts radiation tomorrow. Looks like he’s doing 20 sessions, about 2.3 minutes each—so, quick in and out. They're targeting his lungs. I was wondering if there are any supplements that might make things easier on him? His doctor mentioned you don't really "feel" the radiation itself, but honestly, given how weak he is right now—he can barely even sit up—I feel like he's going to feel *something*. We just really don't want this to slow down his recovery process.
Finally seeing some progress! The gut issues have cleared up, they're slowly weaning him off the catheter, and his wound is almost healed—the main hurdles left are just the pressure sore and the cancer.
Plus, he's actually starting to have an appetite and showing a real will to get better. It would be a huge setback if the radiation messes with his ability to eat.

electricpuma65 said:I posted this a few days ago, but nothing has changed—this pathetic little thing still doesn't even qualify as a period.

So here's what's bothering me... since birth control is supposed to be started on the first day of your period, what happens if I started while this isn't actually my "real" period? 😕
I assume I'm not protected—like, they aren't working?

P.S. I tried calling my doctor, but she's on vacation and there's no one covering for her because it's a private practice.😢

Here's what the manual says:
Start taking YAZ on the first day of your cycle (meaning, the first day of your period). If you start on day one, you're protected from pregnancy immediately. You can start within 2 to 5 days of your cycle starting, but you'll need to use extra protection—like a condom—for those first 7 days.

Maybe your actual period actually started, but the pills just made it lighter? I've been on them forever and honestly can't remember how mine felt, but maybe ask some other girls on the YAZ threads.

rowdyfox12 said:That’s not true.
One option when you forget a pill between days 15 and 24 is to stop taking the active ones (meaning you skip more pills) and start the placebos instead.

And you aren't even reading what I wrote 😁 I don't want to delay it, I want to get it sooner.

Well, that’s only if you miss a pill and need to take an extra precaution to stay protected. Otherwise, you wouldn't do that.
Each pill has a specific hormone ratio depending on where you are in your cycle. So, skipping a few pills is going to mess with your natural rhythm. If you ended up bleeding for an extra two weeks after skipping pills before, there's a good chance you'll deal with that again now.

Your best bet is to just ask your OB-GYN—but honestly, if you're even on them for reasons other than birth control, your cycle probably isn't super regular anyway, and skipping pills will definitely throw things off.