North Dakota Nesties
Dear Community,

Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.

If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.

Thank you.

Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.

Anyone have problems with generic bc?

I've been on orthotricyclen lo for 7 years.  A couple of months ago they came out with a generic version.  When I went to pick up my 3 month supply from the pharmacy 5 months ago the pharmacist says we have the generic now I'm just going to give you that b/c it's a lot cheaper.  I say ok cool b/c I'll be saving money.

Well about 3 months ago I started noticing that now my cramps are wicked, I used to rarely get cramps and when I did they were nothing.  Headaches now too.  Luckily I have my yearly on Monday so I'll make sure to tell my dr. that I don't want the generic and have the script written for the real stuff.

Anyone else have this experience with generic?

Re: Anyone have problems with generic bc?

  • i take generic.  the only thing i notice is that it has a yukie taste.  i don't chew it, but if i don't get water in my month fast enough it really grosses me out.  sorry that i am no help.  good luck.
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • I've been on so many different types of pills based on what's cheapest over the past 7 years!  What I've found is that I often experience symptoms for awhile on a new pill that eventually go away.  I haven't had severe cramping though, and that would be reason enough to switch :-)
  • Nope.  I take the generic for Orthotryclen reg.  My understanding is that generic prescription medicine has to be exactly the same as the brand name. 

    However, I've been on BC for 13 years and have become immune to many over the years.  Every few years my AF simptoms get really bad again and I have my prescription switched to a different kind.  I've been on Orthotryclen Lo before and it made me a raging lunatic! 

  • imagehawaiianbride08:
    I haven't had severe cramping though, and that would be reason enough to switch :-)

    I'll gladly pay the $30 extra every 3 months so it doesn't feel like I need my uterus taken out like I do now.  Sorry that was dramatic :)

  • imageFutureMrs.McC:

    However, I've been on BC for 13 years and have become immune to many over the years.  Every few years my AF simptoms get really bad again and I have my prescription switched to a different kind.  I've been on Orthotryclen Lo before and it made me a raging lunatic! 

    I changed BC 3 times over my 15 years.  I's taken generics and never had a problem other than that I became immune eventually.

  • imagenatalee215:
    imageFutureMrs.McC:

    However, I've been on BC for 13 years and have become immune to many over the years.  Every few years my AF simptoms get really bad again and I have my prescription switched to a different kind.  I've been on Orthotryclen Lo before and it made me a raging lunatic! 

    I changed BC 3 times over my 15 years.  I's taken generics and never had a problem other than that I became immune eventually.

    What do you mean by immune? Immune to the side effects?

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • imagenatalie115:
    imagenatalee215:
    imageFutureMrs.McC:

    However, I've been on BC for 13 years and have become immune to many over the years.  Every few years my AF simptoms get really bad again and I have my prescription switched to a different kind.  I've been on Orthotryclen Lo before and it made me a raging lunatic! 

    I changed BC 3 times over my 15 years.  I's taken generics and never had a problem other than that I became immune eventually.

    What do you mean by immune? Immune to the side effects?

    I used to have really bad AF symptoms.  ie. mind numbing cramps, VERY heavy flow, migranes, etc.  I've been on the pill since I was 14 because of it.  After awhile on a pill they start coming back.  I didn't mean immune to effectness against getting PG.

  • I didn't mean immune to it preventing pregnancy either.  My issue was that I would start to bleed through my cycle.  Once my doctor would confirm that I was really taking my pills the same time every day, he changed my script.  I was on 3 different kinds over the years.
  • I had major issues when I tried a generic bcp. I switched brands after feeling depressed, and down all the time etc. I switched to a generic of Yasmin after that and it lasted for all of 1 month in which I gained 6 pounds. That is ultimately what made me quit taking bcps and start charting.
    Anniversary
  • imagenataliejp519:

    I've been on orthotricyclen lo for 7 years.  A couple of months ago they came out with a generic version.  When I went to pick up my 3 month supply from the pharmacy 5 months ago the pharmacist says we have the generic now I'm just going to give you that b/c it's a lot cheaper.  I say ok cool b/c I'll be saving money.

    Well about 3 months ago I started noticing that now my cramps are wicked, I used to rarely get cramps and when I did they were nothing.  Headaches now too.  Luckily I have my yearly on Monday so I'll make sure to tell my dr. that I don't want the generic and have the script written for the real stuff.

    Anyone else have this experience with generic?

    I've been on 4 different BCP, 3 of which were generic and only had problems if I was on them for a long time.  You might check to see if your health insurance offers a mail order Rx program.  Usually for a three month's supply it is half a copay cheaper than getting it at the store and it gets delivered to your door.

  • My doctor told me once that the generics don't always have equal amounts of medicine in the tablet. I was spotting a lot and she said this could cause it. I suppose it is the probably similar with cramps, etc.
  • generics are the exact same as brand names, the only difference w/ generics vs. brand names, is that they can't look the same as the brand name, thats why they sometimes taste diferent. a lot of generics are actually made by he same company that makes the brand name drug. Your dr should confirm this for you. Some women do "get used" to certain drugs, like some of the girls are talking about. The drug may no longer work for your body for various reasons, and the reason that you have started feeling new side effects could be for various reasons ie. you need a stronger dosage, you've started taking a new medication (or increases the dose or frequency of a medication you already take), stress, weight gain or loss,diet/ exercise changes, a new medical condition, etc.

    You also need to be very descriptve about they types of headaches you are having- there is a potential risk w/ migraines and the use of bc. let your doctor know how the onset of these headaches happen, frequency, and length. If you can remember what day of your cycle your headache occurs on, if its the same day for the last 3mo, that will be helpful for your dr too, as well as what you usually eat before and during your period.

    image

    K+S 9.18.9 | DD #1 age 2 | PG # 5 EDD 9.17.12

  • Yep...can't take the generic either.  I've been on Yasmin for a million years it seems.  Last year they finally came out with a generic so my pharmacist started giving it to me.  It upped my migraines to once or twice a month to once or twice a week.  I also had more cramps and just generally didn't like it.  I switched back to the name brand simply because of the cramps, not even putting 2 and 2 together with the migraines, but as soon as I went back on the original, headaches stopped and cramps went away.  Make sure you tell your pharmacist that you want name brand only, not just your dr.  A lot of pharmacies have the right to give you generic w/o permission.
  • imageFutureMrs.McC:

    Nope.  I take the generic for Orthotryclen reg.  My understanding is that generic prescription medicine has to be exactly the same as the brand name. 

    Absolutely not true!  By law they are only required to have the same exact ACTIVE ingredients.  Any fillers can vary and don't have to be the same...which is why some pills are different shapes and colors.  I got info that right from my pharmacist.  For example, I can take zpack no problem (it's an antibiotic for those who don't know).  However, I'm very allergic to the generic...blew up like a balloon with itchy hives. 

  • imageMrs.S_0909:
    I had major issues when I tried a generic bcp. I switched brands after feeling depressed, and down all the time etc. I switched to a generic of Yasmin after that and it lasted for all of 1 month in which I gained 6 pounds. That is ultimately what made me quit taking bcps and start charting.

     

    I had this same problem.  From then on I gladly paid the extra to get what I knew worked for me.

Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards