Birth control

I was just wondering if ortho trycyclen 28 day birth control pill is available there, as I have been on this forever and it seems to work well for me.

Hi cad

Try calling Ortho directly-there is usually a phone number included on the insert that comes with the pills.  It is usually for information on the product, but see if they can transfer you to the Regulatory affairs department and ask if they can tell you if it is registered in the UK.  I have a feeling it isn't as Ortho-McNeil is a US pharma.  Although it could be registered and marketed under a different company name in the UK.

I used Othro Novem in the US.  No such animal here.  Unless you have specific need for something different, they will probably give you 'normal' birth control pills.

Ive asked for ortho trycychlen in the UK and either my doc doesnt understand me and just shakes his head or it isnt available.

btw, has anyone had migraines with Noriday or any of the other brands? My god I have. My doc is such an incompetent twat.

Ive asked for ortho trycychlen in the UK and either my doc doesnt understand me and just shakes his head or it isnt available.

btw, has anyone had migraines with Noriday or any of the other brands? My god I have. My doc is such an incompetent twat.

I usually go to the NHS Walk In Centre as I don't really think my GP really cares that much. I trust the 'specialists' much more to know what they're talking about. Perhaps you should go there instead.

I'm surprised your doc lets you continue with such migraines. I used to take the combined pill back in the US but of course they didn't have the same one here so they gave me the most popular one.  When I went back to get a refill, they always go through a checklist and one of the questions was about migraines. They completely freaked out when I said I get them which seemed strange to me. I tried to explain that I've had them on occasion since I was like 14 or so and it was no big deal.

They immediately switched me over to a progesterone only pill and only later found out from the nurse that it's their national policy or something that they never give combined pill to people who prone to migraines because it drastically increases the chances of stroke...which freaked ME out!   Makes me wonder why the US doesn't do that.  

I used Othro Novem in the US.  No such animal here.  Unless you have specific need for something different, they will probably give you 'normal' birth control pills.

same deal with me.  i was on the ortho novum 777's, but now they gave me Microgynon 30's...  the "basic" pill here, and lowest dosage.

i was also happy to find out that a pelvic exam is only needed every 3 years, instead of annually, like in the states.   eew, i hate those things!

... Makes me wonder why the US doesn't do that.  

Because the FDA doesn't require it probably. I think they leave that up to the ob/gyn. Their point of view is that the adverse reactions are in the labeling and the doctors should be aware of them and adjust your prescription accordingly.

PS. If you smoke and take OCs-you can increase your risk of cardiovascular problems.  Just FYI

For the time being Ive decided just to come off the pill because of the headaches. I'll go to the NHS walk in center, as suggested, and see if they can give any better advice/perscriptions. Thanks for the tip!!

Not sure this helps but in Spain and at the Chemists in the UK (Plymouth) they were able to pull out this mondo huge book that had drug names and their corresponding Global names.  In Spain they were specifically cross referenced with US and UK names though many UK names like paracetamol are the same as in Spain.

Try a place that gets lots of tourists.  

Then maybe you can go to your GP and ask for the specific brand.

Also maybe an email tot he pharmaceutical company to see if they market the BC's under a different name.

You can pick up most BC's over the counter in Spain...just an FYI in case someone goes there and needs them.  

i was on ortho tri-cyclen in the states, and when i had to get the prescription transferred in the UK, it was a mess--i had the same experience--they looked in the book and couldn't figure out what was needed...apparently Ortho just doesn't exist here!

they put me on celeste, and i haven't had any side effects at all....maybe it'll work for you as well...ask your doctor... :-)

If you dont mind me asking, is celeste a progesterone only pill?

When I was on Ortho-Tri Cyclen, my doctor said that TriNovum was something very similar to it.

For the time being Ive decided just to come off the pill because of the headaches. I'll go to the NHS walk in center, as suggested, and see if they can give any better advice/perscriptions. Thanks for the tip!!  

I have to agree with this suggestion.  For a couple of years I'd been having various problems.  Because we moved about so much I'd hardly had a chance to go to the same doctor twice.  Finally about a year ago I went to my current doctor who listened to all my symptoms (the main one being constant headaches) and he immediately took me off the pill.  

I have no regrets.  I've hardly had a headache in the last year other than for tension,  :-/  And all my other symptoms cleared up.  The doctor said that the chances of anything serious actually happening were very slim, but the chance wasn't worth the risk.  

I was on ortho tricyclen in the states.  It is not yet available here.  Celeste is the closest option.  However, it has higher hormone levels than ortho tricyclen that can cause problems in many women.

I was on Celeste first when I came here and suffered heart palpatations on it.  I was then switched to Femodene (progesterone only) and my bllod pressure went through the roof.

I was on Desogen for about 3 years, and then because of my insurance (I'm still in the States), I couldn't go to the pharmacy, all has to be sent in to be refilled unless I want to pay $32 a month....don't think so.  I hate the insurance in the US, I get screwed over all the time, but that's a whole other matter.  I just switched to Yasmin (which has almost the exact same dosages as Desogen) and have had no problems with it.  I checked their website just out of curiosity when I first started it, and they have a section for the UK there.  So they must have it there.  It's a combination pill.  Maybe you could try that one...I'm fairly pleased with it.