thoughts on the patch?
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thoughts on the patch?
| Tue, 08-10-2004 - 2:15pm |
Any opinions out there on the patch? I just started it and have been getting headaches (never had any side effects with the pill). Then I read an article about an 18 year old who died from a blood clot because of the patch (my rational mind knows that the chances of that are so slim, but it still really spooked me). I really like the convenience of the patch but I am starting to think maybe it hasn't been around long enough to know if it is really safe.
anyone else have patch experiences?

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I have been on the patch now for about 6 months and I love it!!! I am 21 years old and suffered hardly any side effects, unlike taking the pill. Of course you have the ring from it being in one place but that is easily removed after the shower. My only complaint was when I got my period the first time it was very heavy and painful. Through time though it seems my body has accepted it and I love it. I switch butt cheeks every week! ha!! Its great. My mom is a nurse and she reccomended it to me. It beats having to remember to take the pill.
You do need to switch where you put it each week, but I just switch back and forth from one side to the other. Also, the replacement patch isn't that expensive (my pharmacist said it's $15) plus you can fill out a form on the pharmaceutical companies website to get a refund for the replacement, you just have to send them the receipt and tell them what the circumstances were of it coming off. The patch is not 100% effective, the only thing that is is not having sex, but when used correctly it is 99% effective. And as for the person who got pregnant a few weeks after stopping using it, that was supposed to be one of the benefits of it, that you didn't have to wait a long time before you could become pregnant, like with depo-provera.
You shouldn't worry too much about dying from it, people die from all sorts of things. Some 13 year old kid died from the fright of SEEING a bear (a black bear, not even a grizzly or anything) a few weeks ago. Does that mean you should never let your children go into the woods? Hardly.
Hope that helps!
I didn't have any problems with weight gain while I was on it, which was a relief as the last type of Pill I was on was awful with that. I didn't have any problems with headaches. I found I was a lot less hormonal/moody than when on the pill.
The sticky residue or ring from wearing the patch is annoying, and it smells AWFUL, but it's just a matter of giving the area a thorough scrub when you remove it. I too was concerned about the wrinkling when wearing it on my butt, but it usually held on pretty firmly - helps not to pick at it! It is not skin colored, and it won't just blend in to your skin when you wear it.. a clear one will definitely be a great change.
One thing, when you go off the patch.. I got my period straight away, but I'm still waiting for a second period now, am a few weeks late. They mention something about that in all the paperwork that comes with it, that if you're trying to conceive afterwards you should probably wait a few months as it takes awhile for your body to resume it's normal cycle and you don't want to think you're pregnant if you're not, but you are late. The less anxiety the better!
Oh and, increased libido from being on the patch/off the pill - woah! That was crazy!
Edited 8/17/2004 6:36 am ET ET by des_eka
~Jenn
I loved the convenience of the patch (soo easy, not stinky, bubbled up a few times, gained about 8#, decreased libido, but everyone is an individual and everyone can have different experiences...) but I quit the OE patch 4 months ago in hopes of Trying To Conceive with my new DH. Here we are 4 months after quitting and we still are ttc... My first cycle after stopping was like 33d, then I had a 19d, now the past 2 cycles have been a 'perfect' 28d. I did the opk last month and I did ovulate on day 12/13. So I am back to ovulating, but I haven't experienced the whole EWM phenomenon like everyone talks about... I did read that having all that globby, copious amounts of mucous aren't necessary for conception anyway. I haven't had those 'copious amounts'!! TMI! (Maybe this is also a result of the patch--????)
Hopefully, since we know that I am ovulating, we have the timing right, cycle is a perfect 18, we know the days to have babymakin' sex, this will be our month!!?? My OD will be Tues Aug 17 for our best chances. This is baby #2 for me, #1 for DH. All this 'failure' is extremely hard on DH as he considers it HIS fault since I have had a successful pg already. I still wonder about the risidual effects of the patch, but have been unable to locate much info on the subject of "ttc after bc"-- esp the patch. ANYONE out there with more info on the subject? How long does it usually take to get pg after going off the Ortho Evra patch? please let me know!
THANKS! Goatster74
Feel free to email me if you have any questions.
skomaromi@pobox.com
Just concerned,
Shelly
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