I'm changing time zones so . . . help :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2004
I'm changing time zones so . . . help :)
7
Tue, 08-10-2004 - 12:07pm
Hi everyone,

I know this question has been asked before but I just need a little clarification. I usually take my pill at 6 pm every day. Next Wednesday, I leave for California for a week, which means I'll be three hours behind (I live on the East Coast). I know I need to take the pill every 24 hours so, effective next Wednesday, I should really take the pill at 3 pm, West Coast time. Is this right? I start a new pill pack this coming Sunday and I wonder if it wouldn't be easier for me to just start this new pill pack at 3 pm on Sunday as opposed to my regular 6 pm start. Then, I can keep up with the 3 pm time for this entire pack, going back slowly to my original time, hour by hour, the next time I start a pack. Does this make any sense?

Thanks!

Kristina

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 08-10-2004 - 1:41pm
Hi kms82278,

“I wonder if it wouldn't be easier for me to just start this new pill pack at 3 pm on Sunday as opposed to my regular 6 pm start. Then, I can keep up with the 3 pm time for this entire pack, going back slowly to my original time, hour by hour, the next time I start a pack. Does this make any sense?”

If I’m understanding what you are asking, then no you can’t keep the same 3:00PM pill time on both the east and west coasts without some adjustment. If you change to 3:00 PM on the east coast that becomes 12:00 Noon in California.

If 3:00 PM in California wouldn’t be a problem you could just take your pill then or begin moving the time by an hour a day while there until you were back at 6:00 PM Calif. Time. Or, while still on the east coast you could move your pill-time one hour later each day over several days (to 7 pm then 8 pm then 9 pm, which is 6 pm California time) so that by the time you get to California you are at 6:00 PM west coast time. Or, of course you could move it all at once when you get to California and use back-up for 7 days. When returning from Calif. To the east coast you can move the time back to your regular 6:00 PM time all at once as you will be taking your east coast pill less than 24 hours after your last California one. I hope you have a nice trip.

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2004
Wed, 08-11-2004 - 4:10pm
Hi Jill,

I am so glad that Kristina asked this question because I too am going to CA from MA on August 18. If I read your response to her correctly, then if I currently take my pill at 6:00 a.m. I can take it at 3:00 a.m. CA time.... That works for me. I can set the alarm, shut it off, take my pill and go back to sleep. I was wondering how this would work and her question and your answer helped me without my having to post a whole new question. My thanks to both of you. (Honestly, I don't know why I'm so concerned, I not even doing anything so I couldn't get pregnant anyway!) SMILE Lucy

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 08-11-2004 - 4:28pm
Hi lucy,

Yes, you understood correctly.

Have a nice trip!

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 08-11-2004 - 10:59pm
You never know...some women will spot from being late with their pills! ;)

But if you wanted to change your pill time, you can move it by 1/2 to one hour each day if you want to be extra-careful.

Good luck!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2004
Thu, 08-12-2004 - 9:48am
Thanks to everyone!

So, Judie, just to be super duper extra careful clear . . . I think what I'm going to do is take my pill at 3 pm every day (since my normal time on the east coast is 6 pm) while I'm in California. Then, when I come home I can just go back to my normal 6 pm time. Is this right?

I seriously don't know why my brain can't comprehend this. Maybe it's because I DO need to be extra careful . . .after all, it's a vacation with my boyfriend :)

Kristina

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 08-12-2004 - 9:59am
You know what? Bring an extra watch. Have it set to your regular time at home, and if it's got an alarm, set it! Done. ;) Time zones are tough. If you're in the Eastern time zone, at 6:00 your time, it's 5:00 my time, 4:00 Mountain time, and 3:00 on the west coast. So 3:00 during your vacation would work if you can remember!
Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2004
Thu, 08-12-2004 - 10:56am
That's a great idea. Thanks so much for your help AND your patience!

Kristina