New pills...please help

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
New pills...please help
8
Tue, 03-30-2004 - 10:28am
I just got back from the Gyno because I had a 6 month check-up. Well I needed to get a new prescription for Loestrin but she told me they aren't being sold anymore!! So I was pretty pissed because I actually really liked these pills. Well I asked if there was anything like them available and she said there is, but they are higher dose, which I don't want. So she gave me Minovral 21's...anyone have any experiences with these?

Also, when I got home I looked at the pills and I don't understand the package. I read over the little booklet thing thats on the inside and still don't follow. Printed on the pack of pills are days sun-sat, which I understand but the first day it starts is Sunday but I'm not a Sunday starter I'm supposed to be starting a new pack tomorrow!! Is it okay to take the sunday one tomorrow? I hope I don't get confused now with taking them because with Loestrin they came with a little day sticker you stuck to the top of the pill packs.

One last question...since I was on Loestrin for 6 months, do my bf and I have to start using condoms for like another month again until these stupid pills start working? As you can tell I'm pretty upset about changing. I had to switch from OTC to Loestrin last year because I hated what OTC was doing to be (btb, BAD moodswings, cramps, bleeding with sex, not helping my ovarian cysts etc) So I'm not really looking forward to changing from something that was benefitting me so well.

Any info would be great...I'm pretty lost with these pills right now

~Brookie

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2003
Tue, 03-30-2004 - 10:52am
I think minovral was one of the many kinds of pills I was on over the years! When I took them they came with a little sticker sheet to stick at the top of the pack to tell you what day was next...

If it was me, I'd likely use a narrow piece of masking tape & write the days across the top - starting with MY start date, rather than Sunday. I was never a Sunday start either, it really doesn't matter to the pills.

As for backup, this board frequntly recommends backup when switching methods, but I never did! I'd never heard of such a thing until I started coming here. If you start your new pack of new pills on the same day that you would have started your new pack of old pills, there is really no logical reason to need backup, your protection will continue. I think the reason some people say to use backup when switching is for peace of mind at the end of the month - your period is likely to be different on a different pill (of course, mine was always different even on the same pill - so that wouldn't have made a difference to me!) I think it is up to you whether to backup or not, but I don't really think it is necessary.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Tue, 03-30-2004 - 11:20am
Thanks for the info:)I'll look for that sticker, if not I will definitly use your tape idea...good thinking! As for back-up, I think we will just hold out on the sex for the first week or so, just to make sure everything is A-ok.

Do you know if minovral and loestrin are the same doseage of hormones? I can't seem to find an old package of loestrin to know how much of each hormone are in them. I would think that if they were the same that I would still get my period at the same time. On loestrin I got my period on the same day every month...and I liked that, so I was hoping it would still be the same, but I may be wrong.

~Brookie

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 03-30-2004 - 11:35am
Hi Brookie,

Which Loestrin were you on? Was it Loestrin 1.5/30? See http://www.fpnotebook.com/GYN113.htm I think if you really liked it I would ask your pharmacist if s/he knows about your Loestrin pill being discontinued. Maybe s/he could check with the supplier to see if your Gyn was correct. If there was an error, then if you wanted to push the issue you could ask your Gyn’s office phone in a renewal of your Loestrin Rx. MinOvral is the Canadian name for Nordette. See http://www.fpnotebook.com/GYN118.htm You can search the archives to see what has been said about Nordette. Even if the dosages are the same (the progestin is different) I don’t think I’d count on AF being the same, though she might. Let us know what you decide, ok?

Good luck

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
Tue, 03-30-2004 - 11:54am
Minovral(nordette) and loestrin are not the same-they have different progestins. I have been on both and had different side effects with both. My friend just started loestrin here in the states. I agree with Jill, call your pharmacy and see whats up. If you like loestrin it would be a shame to change if they still make it!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Tue, 03-30-2004 - 6:01pm
Well now I'm just slightly confused...thanks for the links though Jill, they helped. BUt when I was looking through the archives I read something about Nordette being the same thing as Seasonale? And isn't Seasonale the one where you don't get many periods? I may have read the boards all wrong I'm not sure. I really wish my Gyn would have told me more about these pills. I think I'll give these pills a try, least for 3 months and see what happens.

~Brookie

Oh sorry, I was on 1.5/30 Loestrin

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2003
Tue, 03-30-2004 - 6:28pm
From what I have read on this board.... Seasonale is the same formulation as Nordette, in different packaging. If you take Nordette, you have the usual 21 active pills, 7 placebos to have your period. If you take Seasonale, you have 84 active pills, 7 placebos to have your period. They are the same pill, in one case you take more of them before stopping to have your period. Many different (monophasic) pills CAN be taken for more than 21 days (active pills) in a row, in order to space periods out further. Seasonale is the only one to be marketed as such.

Does this help?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Wed, 03-31-2004 - 7:14am
Yep I think I understand now...I was given the 21 pack (without placebo pills)

Thanks!

~Brookie

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 03-31-2004 - 7:41am
Brookie,

I'm glad you are feeling a bit better. Remember, if you get the Antibiotics you should use back-up while taking them and for 7 days afterward.

      Jill