Help! Patch fell off end of week 3

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-02-2003
Help! Patch fell off end of week 3
2
Wed, 04-14-2004 - 5:03pm
Hi. I have an update on a message I wrote below, but still need advice. Last Thursday, during week 3, my patch fell off. I was to begin my week 4 patch free week on Sunday, and since I didn't have my Rx refill, I couldn't reapply a new patch. I got my period 2 days earlier as expected. I now have my refill for the next 4 week cycle, but don't know if I should change my patch change day to tomorrow (Thurs) or keep it Sunday. I phoned my Dr. and a nurse practionier told me to start on Sunday and use back up for a month. But the website for ortho evra says you should never go more than 7 days without a patch on. What do I do? Start tomorrow, with a new patch change day, 7 days from my last patch, or start on Sunday, regular patch day but 10 days later? I'm really worried, thanks for any advice.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2003
Wed, 04-14-2004 - 5:32pm
If it was me, I would do the Thursday start, so that you don't have to use backup next month. Your nurse is basically telling you to start over, treating it like new birth control, just so that you can keep the Sunday start. If starting on Sunday truly matters to you, you may want to consider going that route.

The webpage is telling you to not go more than 7 days so that you will continue to be protected from pregnancy, without backup.

It is all up to you. Do you want to be a Sunday starter & have to use backup next month? Or do you not care which day you change your patch and want to be protected by your patch the whole time?

Good Luck.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-02-2003
Thu, 04-15-2004 - 10:20am
Thank you very much for your message, Happy. I began the patch today. Because I was hesitant to take my doctor's nurses' advice, I phoned in my question to Planned Parenthood and to the nurse line at Ortho Evra. Both said to start Thursday and use backup for one week. I am taking their advice over the nurse's at my doctor's office and will speak to my doctor re: the advice her practice gave me. Hope this may help someone else who finds themselves in the same postition.