Ortho Evra 2

Top 65. Feb 27, 2003 5:41 PM

» ttcweb - Re: red spots that look like bites

In response to message posted by nickel0901:

Are you wearing the patch on your buttocks? A skin reaction with the adhesive of the patch could cause irritation, but I would not think that it would look like bug bites. Besides, I doubt that it is any kind of bug bite, as if it were, your husband would have them too.

My best guess is that it is some kind of reaction, possibly alergic, to the adhesive of the patch (especially if you wear the patch on your buttocks).

I would suggest that if you are wearing the patch on your buttocks, that you try wearing it on your upper outer arms, or upper back (between the shoulder blades) and see if that improves or stops the bumps from happening.

If you are not wearing the patch on your buttocks, I would strongly suggest that you contact your health care provider and make sure that the bumps are 'patch' related. If they are, you do have other birth control options.

You should probably start doing some research now on the different methods currently available. By finding out everything you can about the different menthods now, you can walk into your doctor's office and know which methods would work best for your lifestyle.

The course, Birth Control: Your Options! will be able to teach you which methods are currently available in the US, the effectiveness of each method, their pros and cons, and the possible side effects of each method. The next interactive course is starting on March 3rd, and there are two other interactive courses you can enroll in as well, or if you just want to take the course on your own, enrollment is always open.

-- posted by ttcweb

Top 66. Feb 27, 2003 5:56 PM

» ttcweb - Re: Patch Removal/Skin Irritation Suggestion & Nuva Ring Questio

In response to message posted by rnyanya:

The 'checker-board' pattern left by the patch (probably a combination of skin oils and the adhesive) seems to happen to quite a few users.

I would suggest that when you get out of the shower that you try 're-cleaning' the area that you removed the patch from with rubbing alcohol as that should break down and remove any adhesive residue that is still on your skin.

If the checker-board look is from skin oils and adhesive, the rubbing alcohol should remove it and the 'pattern' should go away.

If this does not work, you can try the Cocoa Butter, but be very careful not to get it any where near your new patch as this could cause it to fall off.

As far as NuvaRing is concerned, I have not heard any reports of the man being able to 'feel' it or of it comming out during or after intercourse. You might want to try doing a web search for "Nuva Ring"+"experiences" on a good search engine like Google and see if you can find anyone that has posted to a message board or has a web site about their experiences with Nuva Ring.

-- posted by ttcweb

Top 67. Feb 28, 2003 6:25 AM

» TSK4137 - Month One Patch Three Spotting

Changed my patch yesterday at about 7am (I'm a Thursday changer). By 10am I was spotting and have continued to spot today. Anyone else have this? Will it continue until I get my period next week or will my period be early this month because of the adjustment?

-- posted by TSK4137

Top 68. Feb 28, 2003 3:37 PM

» Joot96 - Qs: crud, URI?

I started the patch about a week ago. So far, despite the advertisement that you have to think about the patch less than the pill, I find that I kind of OBSESS about whether it's still sticking. Is the 2-3 mm rim of crud around the edge normal, or does that count as "partially lifting" that could compromise its effectiveness? If it's normal why didn't they warn me about it??? How much does it have to peel off before I would ovulate? What if it came off as I walked around, then stuck itself back on when I sat down, and I never knew? At least with the pill, I knew when I was doing it right, and had control over it. I'm not sure I like the patch in this respect, but my hope is I won't have severe PMS-like mood problems like I did with various pills.

I've had a phlegmmy cough the last couple days, and sore breasts. I'm not concerned about the sore breasts - that's supposed to go away, and I had it with pills previously. But also on the package insert, "upper respiratory infection" is listed as one of the most common side effects, among a list of those occuring in 9-22% of patch users. What I'm wondering is this: how the heck do synthetic gonadal hormones cause an URI? Does it weaken immunity in general, or what? URIs are common, but I assume by them listing it as a side effect that in their tests it occurred more frequently than normal. Is this something I should expect to go away soon? Has anyone else experienced URI as a side effect?

Joot

-- posted by Joot96

Top 69. Mar 1, 2003 4:13 PM

» doda32 - Re: Re: Period stopped after first patch application

In response to message posted by TSK4137:

I am having the same thing, but backwards. I stopped using the patch for a month (since Feb)but I haven't gotten my period. I called my doctor and receptionis told me that my period should be comming back in 6 weeks. I took a pregnancy test and it came out negative. I want to know how true this is. During the month of february I had intemate moments with my boyfriend. I am really in the air about this and would like to know if this happened to someone.

-- posted by doda32

Top 70. Mar 1, 2003 10:15 PM

» lea46 - 2 periods in one month!

ok, i got my period feb. 7 and started using the patch. well, i decided to stop using it because of the terrible side effects it caused. i stopped it on feb. 17. then i got my period again on the 21st! i dont know of anyone having this or not. should i contact my doctor or is it nothing to worry about since i stopped the patch?

-- posted by lea46

Top 71. Mar 2, 2003 10:27 AM

» Joot96 - Re: 2 periods in one month!

In response to message posted by lea46:

Hi Lea. Even when it's used normally, taking it off causes you to get a period. It's called "withdrawal bleeding" and happens from the drop of hormone levels when you stop taking it. So I think it's normal and expected for that to happen even if you took it off mid-cycle. Sorry to hear the side effects were so intolerable, and good luck finding a better method for you.

Joot

-- posted by Joot96

Top 72. Mar 3, 2003 11:55 AM

» CurliQ66 - Re: Qs: crud, URI?

In response to message posted by Joot96:

Me too! I started the patch about 2 wks ago and have had a nasty URI (now including a cold sore!) for about 4-5 days. I didn't even consider it to be related to the patch until I read your post. Bizarre. I talked to my pharmacist and she was puzzled too, but figured that it had something to do with a compromised immune system as well.

I really don't want to take antibiotics because of the side effects of those - yeast infection, interference with birth control effectiveness, etc. I also don't want to go off the patch just yet. I am hoping that it all fixes itself soon and I don't get into some vicious cycle!

-- posted by CurliQ66

Top 73. Mar 4, 2003 2:18 PM

» Mugirl - Tanning & The Patch

Hi all,
I was just wondering since it is getting to be near tanning season if tanning beds are harmful and/or affect the patch. I wear mine on my butt and was wondering if I need to put down a towel or something or if I don't need to worry about it, or (god forbid) if I can't tan at all.

Also, if anyone has any alcohol related issues with the patch, I'd love to hear about that. I am still getting sick on alcohol with the patch. Other than that I love it.

Thanks!

-- posted by Mugirl