Feedback on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, page 55

About Ortho Tri-cyclen®

If you’ve used Ortho Tri-cyclen®, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.

Subj: Questions about Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo
date: 5/8/2006
I’m about to start taking ortho tri-cyclen lo, & just had a few questions about it. First off, once you begin taking the pills, I know to wait at least two weeks before having unprotected sex, but, do you have to do this at the beginning of every pack? Or only in the beginning of taking the pills all together? Also, during your period while taking the pills, are you unprotected from getting pregnant? And if the “period pills” are a sugar pill (as I’ve heard) how do you stay protected? Isn’t that like missing a pill? And if you don’t take the pills to begin your period, & instead start a new pack, will you not have a period?

Heather

AskDocWeb: No, you only have to avoid sex the first two weeks, some even say to wait until your period comes. That is only with the first pack. You don’t need to worry about getting pregnant during the time when taking the sugar pills because you are not fertile at that time.

Subj: Acne problem
Date: 5/8/2006
I was on Ortho Tri for a few years and no problems and then tried Ortho Lo and no problems for 1-2 years and then my acne started to get bad again. Would it be good to go back to Ortho Tri again? I heard the more estrogen the more mood problems? I am getting married soon, I sure do not need that to increase because of a pill. Any ideas?

IF

AskDocWeb: With Ortho lo you will have to use separate acne products to clear your complexion.

Subj: Starting birth control pills
Date: 5/9/2006
I am getting ready to go on Ortho Tri-Cyclen (after using no birth control for a long time). My doctor said I have to wait until my period starts to take it, because I could ovulate and get pregnant depending on where I am in the cycle.

My question: I am wanting to start taking it now and my period is already two months behind (it’s always been irregular). I just want to start taking it already! So I realize taking it before the period starts could be risky if I have sex. But, what if I do NOT have sex for a month after starting the pill? Then, at that time, does it even matter when I started it? I get married in a couple of months and knowing my period it will wait that long to show up!

Amethyst

AskDocWeb: Sorry, your doctor is right, it does matter. If you don’t follow the directions given by your doctor you increase the chances of becoming pregnant.

Subj: Am I going to die?
Date: 5/9/2006
I started ortho lo on Sunday but my period started last Saturday so I should have started bcp on last Sunday? Is this a serious problem? should I continue on ortho lo or am I going to die?

Amanda

AskDocWeb: No, you are not going to die Amanda. You can take one tablet daily beginning on the first day of your menstrual cycle or the first Sunday after menstrual cycle begins. With 20 and 21 tablet package, new cycle begins 7 days after last tablet taken. With 28 tablet package dosage is one tablet daily without interruption. The extra tables taken on days 22-28 are placebos.

Subj: Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo helped with acne
Date: 5/10/2006
Hi there! I have had HORRIBLE acne since I was 12 (18 now) and no topical nor oral medication would relieve me of these angry, red, hurtful pimples. I just recently started taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo about 2.5 weeks ago and my skin has been the clearest it’s ever been since I can remember! I have been having brown daily discharge but I love this pill so far!! My family is amazed by the clarity of my skin, as am I. So I just wanted to say, THANK YOU Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. Today’s medical technology is just amazing.

Sarah

Subj: Unacceptable weight gain and bloating
Date: 5/10/2006
I have been taking ortho tricyclen of a month and a half and it has helped my acne a lot, but I already feel like I am gaining weight and am bloated. Will this go away the longer I am on it or get worse. I am on this pill for the acne benefit only and am already considering going off of it due to the bloating feeling and weight gain.

Sherry

AskDocWeb: There are many alternatives that would be much better than being on a birth control pill that causes you to gain weight and feel bloated.

Subj: How long to get pregnant?
Date: 5/11/2006
I was taking ortho-hi. And it worked for me. I took it for 3 years, and stopped taking it this January, as we are trying to get pregnant. How long will it take?

Cecilia

AskDocWeb: No one can say for sure because everyone is so different. The closest we can come is to guess somewhere between three months to one year, although there is a smaller chance that it could happen before or after that.

Subj: Birth control patch
Date: 5/12/2006
I was on the patch for 2 years I did have some chest pain now that I think about it at the time the reports for the patch were not out yet. Also I do remember having a hard time breathing and chest pain while driving I had to pull over. Finally I got off the patch Nov-05 wanted to get pregnant and I did Jan-06 but I never had a regular period I had to have a D&C because my body would not let me miscarry. Till know I still can’t get pregnant and can’t have my normal period I think the patch had a lot to do with this so please be careful.

Missi

Subj: Migraines, heart palpitations, and lightheadedness
Date: 5/12/2006
Sick all the time on this pill, gained so much weight, about 15 pounds to be exact and I can’t get it off, I have tried everything… had thyroid levels checked and they are fine…Terrible migraines, palpitations, lightheaded, and the veins in my legs are terrible and actually bulge out since I have started this pill. I am pretty sure I’ll be changing pills. I have been on it for about 1 1/2…My diet by the way is fine and I don’t eat a lot of junk so that’s not why I’m putting the weight on. Its been this way ever since I started this pill.

Jacque

AskDocWeb: Sounds like you need to talk with your doctor about this and possibly change your birth control. Don’t put up with migraines, heart palpitations, and lightheadedness for any amount of time. Don’t wait to see if these symptoms will go away, tell your doctor immediately.

Subj: Missed a day
Date: 5/14/2006
I have been on Ortho Tri-cyclen for a week now and have unprotected sex, is there a good chance I could be pregnant? I had missed one day but took double the day I had unprotected sex, does that increase my odds or decrease them in anyway?

Katie

AskDocWeb: Yes, it increases your odds of getting pregnant. You were not on them long enough to protect you and then you missed a pill, which also increases your odds.

Subj: Ortho trycyclin low side effects
Date: 5/15/2006
I started ortho trycyclin low on the first day of my period at 5 in the afternoon and with other antibiotics I had to take it made me throw up and I switched my time to 9 at night now my period is still going on just the same as it was before for 4 extra days now. Is this normal and when can I expect it to stop?

Shannon

AskDocWeb: It should regulate itself within the first 3 months. If you are taking antibiotics, they may affect your birth control so it is recommended that another form of birth control (a backup method such as condoms) be used until finished with the antibiotics.

Subj: Severely fatigued
Date: 5/15/2006
I recently switched from Trilevlen 28 to Ortho Tri-Cyclen 28…my doc’s suggestion. I have been very, very tired. I literally have to fight to stay awake and am severely fatigued. My eyes feel like they burn (like when you stay up too late) even though I get plenty (more than what I should lately) of sleep. I also feel nauseated and get more headaches than usual. I feel kind of depressed. The symptoms started 4-5 days after starting the pills. I’ve also noticed that it gets much worse when I double up. Should I switch to my o/c or give Ortho a bit more time to adjust? How long do these symptoms last? I don’t know how much more I can take. Thanks for your opinion.

Dawn

AskDocWeb: You should definitely talk with your doctor about everything you’ve said here, and ask about changing your birth control pill.

Subj: Switched to Tricyclen Lo
Date: 5/15/2006
I was on Ortho Novum 777 for at least 5 years, and recently switched to Tricyclen Lo because it was less expensive. The lower hormone levels (I assume) have caused me to have heavier periods, more cramping, and some spotting, which I am willing to put up with. Since the change, though, I have also been more irritable and emotional and have put on about 10 pounds. I have also had a few yeast infections, which I never had before. It’s difficult to tell whether this is due to the pill or just to differences in my life. Any advice would be appreciated. (Has anyone switched pills and had the same experience, particularly from Ortho Novum to Tricyclen?)

SC

AskDocWeb: Yes, others have reported problems with Ortho-Lo, and especially the fact that it didn’t help with their acne problems. This is the biggest complaint we hear. But it shouldn’t be causing you to have yeast infections. Better consult with your doctor about that.

Subj: Worried about side effects
Date: 5/16/2006
This is the second time I’ve began taking Ortho Tri-cyclene and both times I’ve noticed a major shift in my attitude, level of apathy, and complete loss of sex drive in the first few days of taking the white tablets. I’m worried. Is this normal? Does it get better when I hit the blue tablets? So far this product is just awful for me – but I don’t know what is causing it or what other product I should consider.

Taylor

AskDocWeb: Talk with your gynecologist on this, they know you and can suggest a better alternative.

Subj: First pack
Date: 5/16/2006
Okay, I’m 16 and I started my first pack on April 30th (Sundays start). My period lasted 10 days instead of 6 like before I started taking ortho, the last 5 of those days were all brown instead of red. Now I should have started my period on the 14th according to the color of the pills, it’s now the 16th and I have brown blood/liquid. I’m confused if this is normal or not or if something else is going on…please help.

Kay601

AskDocWeb: Most likely it’s just your body getting used to the birth control pill. This process could take up to three months. You will notice changes in your mensis during that time, but don’t be concerned, just stick to the schedule of pills as directed. If you have any doubt just call your doctor’s office and talk to a nurse, they’re familiar with this type of problem.

Subj: How long?
Date: 5/17/2006
Once your cycle becomes regular, about how many days will your period last?

Kay

AskDocWeb: 3-5 days is the norm for most people. Read more feedback


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