Changing pill time for various time zone

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2004
Changing pill time for various time zone
6
Mon, 03-29-2004 - 1:37pm
Hi everyone! I am going on vacation next week and looking at my itinerary, I'll be in a different time zone almost every day (or so it seems)! Also, with the time change this Saturday night, I'll pretty much be taking my pill at a different time each day. I just want to run this by the board members to make sure I'm figuring it correctly. On Saturday, I'll start off my new pack of pills at 10:30 AM EST. After changing the clocks forward one hour on Saturday (4/3) night, I'll take the pill at 11:30 AM EDT on Sunday morning. I'm not flying to the west coast until Monday afternoon, so I'll be able to take my pill at 11:30 AM EDT. Ok, so here's the part I'm not quite sure of. I'll be in Las Vegas, NV on Tuesday (they are in the Pacific time zone), so I'll take it at 8:30 AM PDT. That makes it 11:30 AM for my body clock. Then on Wednesday, I'll be in Utah (they are in the Mountain time zone), so I'll take it at 9:30 AM MDT. On Thursday, I'll still be in Utah, so I'll take it at 9:30 AM MDT. Now, Friday through Sunday, I'll be in Arizona. They don't change their clocks, so esentially at this time of year, they are the equivalent of the Pacific time zone. So, while I'm in Arizona, I'll take it at 8:30 AM. Will this work? Sorry that I've gone into so much detail, but I want to make sure that my pill stays effective with all the time changes!

Another question, when I get back to the east coast, I'll want to start taking the pill at 8:30 AM EDT, because I like to take it with breakfast while I'm at work. Will I need to inch it back a half an hour every day, or can I just move it from 11:30 AM to 8:30 AM? Thank you so much for your help!! :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 03-29-2004 - 2:11pm
Hi Machellel 24, welcome!

Yes, you have it exactly right. This board considers +/-2 hrs of your normal pill time to be ‘on-time.’ So, while you are out west you could just stick with either Mountain or Pacific time, whichever is the most convenient, and you would still be within that window. Shortening the interval between pills (from 11:30 AM to 8:30 AM) when changing pill time is not a problem and can be done all at once. It’s when you are going the other way and have more that 24 hrs. between pills that you need to make the change either 1) in one hr. increments, or 2) all at once during your placebo week, or 3) all at once during your active pills and use back-up for 7 days. Have a great vacation!

Good luck

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2004
Mon, 03-29-2004 - 2:19pm
Thank you for responding so quickly. I appreciate you taking the time to verify my calculations with the different time zones. I'm sure I'll enjoy my vacation! :)

Thanks again!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2003
Mon, 03-29-2004 - 2:22pm
What you have planned out for your trip sounds fine. Remember that +/- 2 hours is considered on time, so don't be too anal about getting it on the dot of 1/2 past the hour in whichever time zone you're in! Do your best to hit your target times & you should be fine.

You can move from 11:30am to 8:30am all at the same time. Because it will be *less* than 24 hours since your previous pill, you will be protected.

Just for the record, the time change really doesn't affect pill-taking time. I took mine at 10pm, year-round. Since within 2 hours is considered on time, changing by one hour twice a year is fine - and for most of us easier than remembering a different time for 1/2 the year!

Enjoy your trip!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-13-2004
Mon, 03-29-2004 - 2:22pm
Hey Jill, I just saw this response and I know you'd advised me on a similar thing recently... but what if you are traveling much further - like going from the east coast to Paris (6 hour difference). If I take my pill at 8am on a friday, fly out friday night, and arrive in paris saturday morning paris time (8am paris time, 2 am eastern standard time), how should I take the pill? Should I try to adapt to my new routine immediately by taking it at 8am paris time?

because it is such a drastic time change, should I use a back up once I come home again?

Hell, jet lag already messes me up enough!

Thanks again. Such helpful boards...

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 03-29-2004 - 4:13pm
Hi CG,

Lucky you… Paris! (sigh!)

Yes, That’s what I’d do if I were you. I’d take my next pill at 8:00AM in Paris. That would mean only 18 hours between active pills which is ok.

Returning west (to the U.S. from Paris) then changing your pill-time will mean more than 24 hours between active pills. You have several choices: 1) Move your time in one hr. increments before you leave, 2) if you are traveling during your placebo week change to the new time all at once and begin your new pack after the 6th placebo pill (that will change your start day) so that you have no more that 7 24-hour days between active pills, or 3) If you are traveling during your active pills move your time all at once and use BU for 7 days.

Unless you are traveling during placebos and don’t mind changing your start day the only practical choice (in my opinion) is to move your time back to 8:00AM EDT (if after 4/4) and use back-up.

Good luck

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2003
Wed, 03-31-2004 - 6:50pm
Ok, I think this whole time zine calculation is ridiculus. Just carry an extra watch or small clock and set an alarm. Stick with EST if that is what you are on. There is no need to freak over the time difference.