Raquin Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 My neuro failed to tell me that Tegretol interacts with not just birth control, but specifically the type of birth control I'm on (Microgestin FE) which he KNEW I was on (I told him multiple times). Guess who's had condomless sex with her boyfriend? Luckily I got my period, BUT what the fuck??? My question is: Is there any birth control that Tegretol does NOT decrease the effectiveness of? I'm so upset. Why wouldn't the doctors (PLURAL) tell me this? I could have gotten pregnant! It's not like Lamictal where it decreases the effectiveness of the Lamictal, it decreases the effectiveness of my BIRTH CONTROL! GAH!!!!!!!1!1!!!!!!! So yeah, any birth control I can take that will be safe from Tegretol? It's OK if it reduces the effect of the Tegretol, I'm not as concerned about that right now. Thank you!!!! Condoms and I don't get along so well, and it's not because I just don't like them, trust me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 IUD. Cervical cap. Diaphragm. DepoProvera. ?dose adjustment. NuvaRing bypasses hepatic/first-pass metabolism in theory. However, Tegretol's a hell of an enzyme inducer. There are reports of pregnancies with Norplant and Nuvaring and enzyme-inducing AEDs. Would those pregnancies have occurred anyway? Who knows. Did I mention IUDs? See this page. They discuss using a higher-dose pill with a backup method (spermicides, etc.) That would be worth a good long visit with whoever prescribes your contraception. And this page from the always spiffy Ontario people. And the nonlatex condoms (Avanti) and female condoms; don't know if those are an option for you. Just putting the options out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raquin Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 Thank you so much!!! I was hoping maybe there was another birth control pill I could take? Getting an IUD kind of scares me, but that really does look like the way to go. I really can not mentally, physically or monetarily afford to get pregnant right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 You might go in and talk to neuro specifically about this. I'm kind of surprised he didn't mention it. My neuro apparently had this drilled into his skull. Maybe take the printed out websites? If the higher-dose option with backup til you know it works is really an option, that seems ideal. I'd find it nerve-wracking, personally. IUD insertion: not fun, but then it's over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raquin Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 He didn't mention it to me at all, and I had two neuros, a Resident and the Main Guy, and at times both of them in the same room! Both of them knew I was on bc and NIETHER ONE TOLD ME! What the fuck??? I'm so angry at them. That could have been really, really bad. Yeah, it's mainly the insertion that scares me. I'll definitely talk to my doc about that and the higher dose option. I'm seething right now, I probably shouldn't be, but I am. Thank you for all your help!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 No problem, Tinneas, totally glad I can chat with you about how to drink and, uh, fool around on your Tegretol. I mean, that's what group support is all about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raquin Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 No problem, Tinneas, totally glad I can chat with you about how to drink and, uh, fool around on your Tegretol. I mean, that's what group support is all about. Hahahhahahaha Ohy my, well when you look at it THAT way.... Hahahahhahahahahahhahahahhahahahah You rock =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penny Century Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 do you need the morning after pill? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayteana Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 IUD insertion: not fun, but then it's over. Umm, yes and no. But - one less pill to take every day is nice. ~ May Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 excellent point, May. IUD insertion: generally that's the end of it until removal, but they can be expelled in full or in part, there can be cramping, and, surprise, one can indeed become pregnant on an IUD. The Planned Parenthood page has a good outline on them. As to emergency contraception, the dose has to be adjusted for enzyme inducers like Tegretol; neuro specifically told me that Plan B standard dose wouldn't do, and that I'd need to use OCPs/ multiple pills, and sent a rx on file with the not-usual instructions in to my pharmacy. Even though I have an IUD. This is why I think they're kind of making a big deal about this these days... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raquin Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 Luckily I don't need Plan B because I got my period (and it was the normal, full period). I also last had sex weeks before I found out that Tegretol and BC don't mix, so unfortunately that would not have helped. But again, yay for periods! I use Lambskin condoms which don't affect me as much as Latex and the others, but they still can, so I'd like to go condom free if possible. Even with the side effects, the IUD sounds like it might be my best bet, unless I can somehow double up on BC or something. I see a holistic doctor for the first time on Wednesday, should I ask him about it? Or should I wait until I see my normal doc or neuro? I'm still seething about this. The next time I see my neuro, I hope I will have calmed down by then. Again, thank you so much for all of your help and advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 I don't know what your holistic provider's credentials are. However, I think that unproven therapies probably aren't what you're wanting for your contraception. I'd talk to your normal doc/GYN/whoever does this stuff and neuro about this. JMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raquin Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 I think he's a holistic doctor who also does western medicine. I would never go the 'natural' route for contraception. That would be really, really stupid in my opinion. I'm going to this doctor as a favor to my mother who says he's really good and is going to spend two hours with me, etc. I don't know when I'm going to see my other docs, so I thought maybe I'd get his opinion on it? I didn't even think though that he might try to say some all natural contraception or something. That would not be cool. My mom mainly wants me to go to this guy because she thinks I have a thyroid problem, even though my bloodwork has been normal. How long do IUDs usually last? I'm getting mixed answers online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 Paragard (copper): replace after 10 years per manufacturer. (It probably remains effective 12 years. 12 years is the number that gets cited most often by fly-by-night orgs such as the WHO.) Mirena (contains progestin): replace after 5 years per mfctr. The handy-dandy Planned Parenthood chart lists the methods, including the ones that I suppose would be considered 'natural.' Side note: in general, your thyroid function should be pretty easy to evaluate with a TSH and perhaps the rest of the thyroid panel, but I'm going to shut up about that now. Anyway, I hope you find your visit of interest. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayteana Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 How long do IUDs usually last? I'm getting mixed answers online. Silver already answered that one... but one random note IUD's are usually recommended for women who have already given birth. I have no children and have an IUD, but it was a fight to get it. Some doc's won't do it (around here at least). ~ May Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raquin Posted June 29, 2009 Author Share Posted June 29, 2009 Yeah, I've gotten my TSH levels tested before. They seem fine. My mom is still absolutely convinced that I have a thyroid problem, so she wants me to see this doctor, AND she's coming, as if I were, you know, 5 again. ARRRGH! But that's a whole different post. Didn't there used to be something that went into your arm? Maybe it's illegal now. Yeah, I've seen on commercials that it's mostly for women who have been pregnant. Thank you for letting me know that you have one and are NOT pregnant. I wonder why they prefer to give them to women who have already given birth? Thank you for all of this information, it's been SUPER helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 Norplant - not around anymore. Implanon - still around. There are case reports of women becoming pregnant on the implantable contraceptives (at least Norplant, I didn't look up Implanon) with Tegretol. Again... would they have become pregnant anyway? Possible, but really, really unlikely. But you can't adjust the dosage with the implantables - they work on a fixed dosage/time-release system, which isn't the case with Depo-Provera (where the timing can be changed easily, by just inching up the date a little bit.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raquin Posted June 29, 2009 Author Share Posted June 29, 2009 Ah, thank you! I want to do as much research as I can before seeing my real doctor because obviously they weren't so helpful before. Maybe they assumed I already knew? That's a seriously dangerous thing to assume though. UGH. Do you know why they prefer giving women who've already had children and are over the age of 30 IUDs? I find that really weird. ETA: I'm 27 and have never been pregnant, that's why the above worries me and i haven't found a real explanation for that yet. It's almost like there isn't an explanation, it's just wholly a cultural/morals thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daenerys Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 Do you know why they prefer giving women who've already had children and are over the age of 30 IUDs? I find that really weird. IIRC, there used to be a school of thought that IUDs could slightly reduce fertility, but that's been discredited now; however, some family physicians (actually quite a lot, according to - I think - Stubbs, last year) are still working on outdated recommendations despite new guidance being available. I think the main factor in why nulliparous women are less likely to get an IUD is because the insertion can be more painful, as the cervix hasn't been stretched, and also I think there may be an increased risk of expulsion from the uterus. Edit: I need to type more quickly- beaten to it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witchywoman Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 I heard that the Mirena IUD should be given to women who have already had children because it's thicker and easier to insert if the cervix has been stretched from childbirth. I haven't heard that about the Paraguard. I have the Mirena and would recommend it if you can. Im actually on my second one because my 5 years were up. After this one, Im not getting another one. I'll admit, it's not the most fun thing to have inserted. But it's an easy form of birth control. I don't even think about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raquin Posted June 29, 2009 Author Share Posted June 29, 2009 Very interesting. Thank you all so much!!! I was getting conflicting answers online, but I see now the ones saying it lowers your fertility and that's why, are outdated. You guys have all been so, so helpful. It's ridiculous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Faye Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Hi, just thought Id say that I have had the implanon (rod in arm) for contraception with no problems for just over a year. I had read all the articles saying that the implanon should be fine with tegretol as it is metabolized differently from the oral contraceptive so I was happily started on tegretol 3 months ago and, surprise surprise, my implanon has 'failed' (normal monthly cycle resumed etc). Hormone & liver checks have confirmed that it is the tegretol and implanon affecting each other so now Im looking for a different form of contaception as well! Faye x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Is the sponge available around where you live? I really liked it. It came off the market briefly, not because of medical issues, and was picked up by another drug company in the mid-90s. My husband is snipped, so I don't have to worry about this anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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