Question about Ortho-tri Lo

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-2005
Question about Ortho-tri Lo
3
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 5:02am

Hello everyone... I need a little bit of advice.

I took Ortho-tricyclen for about 6 years from the time that I was 17 until I was 23. I wanted to take a break from the pill at 23 because at that time, I had gotten out of a relationship and was told that it's good to give your body breaks from the pill. Well, I am now 27, and have just been prescribed Ortho-tricyclen Lo.

I am a little nervous to start a new medication, mainly because in recent years, I've noticed that I've developed a lot of allergies to different medications, and that any meds that may have side effects always affect me. I am also a lot more sensitive to drugs now that I am older, and seem to get really bad reactions from everything from vitamins, to cold medicine, tylenol, antibiotics, etc.

I am trying to stay positive since I did take Ortho for so many years, but I can't help but worry that I am going to get horribly sick from starting the pill again.

Has anyone heard of anyone starting the pill for a second time and getting side effects then but not the first time they took them?

Thank you!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-06-2004
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 7:32am

Do you know what it was in the other medications that made you sick? Since it seems like they are all different types of medications, it's probably not the medication itself. If you're allergic to one of the "fillers" in a pill (other than the active ingredient) you may want to either A) determine what kind of pill fillers are in OTClo, and B) see if there are other BC methods you could use that do not use Pill form (e.g. Nuvaring, OrthoEvra, Etc.).

I would think that if you took the pill for many years you are probably safe, however our bodies can develop allergies and resistances to drugs as we get older. I would be careful as to not put myself in danger though, over the need to take the BC pill if you are concerned you may make yourself sick. There are many other methods out there that could have more favorable effects if you are still concerned.

Laura

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-2005
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 5:50am

Thank you for the advice!

No, I have no idea what it was that I was allergic to. I took so many different things, and got sick so many times, I couldn't even begin to imagine what it could've been. Mostly, antibiotics had the worst affect on me... all of the 'cillin' drugs, flagyl, etc... and anything with acetaminophen, caffeine, and more.

I took my first pill last night, and generally felt ok. I definitely didn't feel really horrible like I do when I normally take pills that make me sick, but I did get nauseous and had this weird acid reflux thing for like 4-5 hours. I took my second pill an hour ago, and again, nausea and that burpy acid reflux thing. I even feel a little stuffy-headed. I don't know if this is just because my body is still adjusting, I am thinking this is normal? Definitely isn't like a horrible migraine or anything, but is a slight numb feeling in my head...

If the side effects get worse, does anyone know if I can just stop taking the pills, or do I have to take them through the cycle?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-06-2004
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 9:29am

I think as your body adjusts to the new pills it takes a little time before you don't feel the side effects. From my experience, i've had anything from nausea, headaches, fatigue, moodiness from starting a new type of pills. Usually it subsides after the first month or so. Just takes a little adjusting.

Most of the initial side effects are usually mild, so if you begin to experience severe symptoms like migraine-like headaches, vomiting, severe emotional side-effects, etc, I'd check with your doctor to see if this could be a problem. As always, if you have concerns about your health, it never hurts to consult your doctor.

Keep us posted!