Kinda disgusting, but I need to know...
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| Sun, 10-03-2004 - 8:21am |
I'm back with some questions. Next weekend I'm seeing my bf (we're in a long-distance relationship) and I had a problem this past month for which I wanted to double-check if I will need back-up.
I am on Ortho Tricyclen Lo, and take it religiously at the same time every day. However, last week I had a bout of the 'flu, and woke up during the middle of the night with nausea; I did vomit a couple of times, BUT this was BEFORE taking my pill; I took it later, at 4:00 am as usual and, afterwards, did NOT vomit again, neither in the 2-hour window the pill needs to be absorbed by the body nor afterwards. If this is so, in this case one shouldn't need back-up, right? Since there was no problem with the pill's absorption by the body?
And just checking for future reference: does it REALLY take 2 hours for the body to absorb the pill? If one should have an upset stomache (be it vomiting or diarrhea) as soon as 3 hours after taking the pill, should you use back-up, or is it safe to depend on the pill only? I mean, if it is true that it only takes 2 hours for it to be absorbed, by then the hormones should be safe in the bloodstream, right? Or should I take a spare just in case?
Thanks in advance.
Edited 10/3/2004 8:39 am ET ET by dianna_pentacle

Duplicate question & reply
>> I did vomit a couple of times, BUT this was BEFORE taking my pill; I took it later, at 4:00 am as usual and, afterwards, did NOT vomit again, neither in the 2-hour window the pill needs to be absorbed by the body nor afterwards. If this is so, in this case one shouldn't need back-up, right? Since there was no problem with the pill's absorption by the body?
You are correct, under the circumstances above there was no need to use back-up.
>> does it REALLY take 2 hours for the body to absorb the pill? If one should have an upset stomache (be it vomiting or diarrhea) as soon as 3 hours after taking the pill, should you use back-up, or is it safe to depend on the pill only?
I think in the prescribing information for some pills (you might want to check yours) it refers to the level of hormones in the blood 2 hours after ingestion, so that seems to be considered a benchmark of effectiveness. If you have vomiting or diarrhea that occurs more than 2 hours after you take your pill I think you should be ok. I hope you guys have a great time next weekend! Let us know how you're doing, ok?
Take care,
Jill
I have a new question, though, after reading a couple of other posts on the subject: does taking a spare pill (or in some people's cases, accidentally taking one pill too many) delay one's AF by a day or two? Just wondering, in case I should ever be in that situation; I always freak out if my AF gets delayed for whatever reason, and would prefer to know in advance!
Thanks again! ^_^
Edited 10/3/2004 9:11 pm ET ET by dianna_pentacle
Take care,
Jill