problems getting the right birth control
Find a Conversation
| Sat, 08-14-2004 - 4:26am |
I really need some help with my options as far as birth control goes. Back in college, I was on Mircette (a brand of birth control that worked really well). I was sexually active with a monogamous partner and the pill also took away migraines, helped stabalize my weight, and cleared up my acne. It was great! Then, when I graduated and got on a different health insurance plan with my new job, I had to switch to Ortho-something or other. It was horrible. I was spotting, breaking out, my weight was going from 120-140 up and down all the time (which is a big variation for me because I am only 5'1'') getting migraines, and although I was not sexually active at the time, I had a feeling it was probably not too effective. It also caused nausea. The new health insurance (Aetna) did not cover any other brand of birth control.
Last month, I got laid off from my job that provided me with the Aetna health insurance. I am due up for my yearly appointment anyway, and luckily I made an appointment for the 24th of this month. My health benefits expire after August 30th and I am probably not going to be able to afford coverage under COBRA. The job market is tough and I can't count on being hired elsewhere by September 1st. I want to go back on the pill, and now I am sexually active again. Because my benefits expire on the 30th, I really don't have any room for trial and error as far as going back on the Ortho. Plus, since I am sexually active, I don't want to take a chance with something that I feel was not effective. Bottom line, I would rather go back on the Mircette. My health insurance won't cover that brand, though. Am I better off just canceling my GYN appointment and going to a clinic? How do I find a clinic? I feel more comfortable going to my regular GYN because I trust her and because she is a woman.
Also, Aetna insurance only lets me get birth control each month. My previous insurance, which allowed me to get Mircette for $10 for a three month's supply, let me get three months in advance! I am sure I will have a job and new insurance in three months' time, but not one. I explained all of this to my boyfriend and he is very sympathetic and wants to pay for all of the costs if he has to, but I think there has to be an easier way than that to get three months' worth of Mircette (the brand I trust) from my regular GYN (the doctor that I trust). As far as my health, safety, and peace of mind are concerned, I feel that going back on Mircette is really my only option.
Plus, I know that my mood swings are not helped by my recent layoff, and that having regular periods with minimal PMS will help me out a lot, and the right brand of birth control will do that.
Has anyone ever been in a similar situation? Can you offer advice? Is there a way I can find out how much the Mircette would cost if my health insurance didn't cover it?
The only other thing I can think about is having another woman with better health insurance get the birth control for me when she is at the GYN. I am sure that is totally illegal. Please tell me there are better options.

Get the Rx for Mircette from your Gyn and let your BF help with the cost, if necessary. Planned Parenthood is worth a check (after you have your Rx) to see if they carry Mircette. If they do it might be less expensive. Let us know how you’re doing, ok?
Good luck,
Jill
I am a lurker on this board but felt compelled to post because I've just been through a situation similar to yours.
I was on Alesse when my husband and I were both laid off from our jobs and lost our insurance. I was able to buy my prescriptions with no insurance coverage. I agree with what the others have said. Go to your Gyn and get the prescription for the Mircette. Drugstore.com charges 32.99 for Mircette and 25.99 for the generic per month. I'm not sure where you are, but I have found the prices on drugstore.com are pretty close to prices in my area. It's more money than it would be with a co-pay, but maybe something you can swing for a few months? My position was that paying the extra money for the pills was cheaper than a pregnancy with no insurance.
Good luck!
Thanks again everyone for your help!!! I'm glad I'll probably be able to stay on this pill.