Switching From Loestrin 24 Fe To Minastrin 24 Fe (Page 9)

Hey Guys!
So I went to the pharmacy to pick up my monthly pack of LoEstrin 24 Fe two weeks ago, only to find out that the makers of LoEstrin 24 Fe discontinued the pills and are replacing it with Minastrin 24 Fe. (I am VERY disappointed to report that I was NEVER notified of the discontinuation, as my reproductive health care is apparently not a priority of my pharmacy or my doctor). My pharmacist says it's the same pill as it is made by the same company and contains the same amount of hormones in it, the only difference is that this pill is chewable. The pharmacist then proceeded to tell me that she would be happy to fill in the prescription for me expect that since she could not get a hold of my doctor to approve the Minastrin, I could not purchase it which caused me to start my pack late. I was supposed start the new pack on a Sunday at 9pm but did not start it until Monday morning at 10:40am when the pharmacist finally got a hold of my doctor (this would put me at taking the pill roughly 13 hours late). I then proceeded to take my normal dosage for Monday night at 9pm. When my boyfriend and I are sexually active we always use condoms and pull out, in addition to taking the pills but since I started my pack late, I'm very worried that my birth control pills aren't effective. I haven't been sexually active at all this month because I'm too nervous about an unplanned pregnancy. The pharmacist told me that as long as I double up on taking two pills on Monday (which is what I did) I should be fine and no additional contraceptive is needed but the nurse at my gyno's office says that the pills won't be effective for two weeks and that during that time I need to use another form of contraception. I don't know who to believe! Does anyone have any insight on this, or has anyone been through something like this while making the switch from LoEstrin 24 Fe to Minastrin 24 Fe? Is there a high possiblity that a pregnancy could occur if I decide to become sexually active this month, as I started the new pill pack late? Thanks for your help!

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REPORT

I have PCOS and my doctor prescribed Loestrin for me to regulate my periods ( I was getting maybe 2 a year). I was on Loestrin 24 Fe for about 3 years until they discontinued it. I didn't hear anything about it being discontinued so when i picked up my new pack and saw that it said Minasterin 24 i did my research. I figured out what happened and heard that it was pretty much the same thing so i started taking it thinking "why not?". It most definitely is NOT the same thing. I had no problems with Loestrin and virtually no side effects. It even did what it was supposed to and forced me to have my period once a month. I tried taking nuva ring once (i was having trouble taking the pill everyday so i tried the switch) and it made me a nightmare of a person to be around so i switched back to Loestrin and the transition was so easy! I feel like Loestrin is the only birth control that works for me because its a low hormone birth control. Ever since taking the Minasterin i have been miserable. I used to be the kind of person that never, ever cried over anything. Now I'm the kind of person that literally cries over spilled milk. It would not be an exaggeration to say i cry every day. I even cried in a job interview! I have no sex drive and its ruining my almost two year relationship with my boyfriend. He even has mentioned how horrible my mood swings have been. It seems like i don't laugh anymore. I have never had anxiety in my life and all of a sudden I'm having panic attacks over the smallest things. The other day i had a panic attack over how messy my apartment is. I just can't do this anymore! I have half a mind to just go off birth control but i can't because of the fact that I'm on it for medical reasons. Im so confused and frustrated and i just don't know what to do anymore. I'm scared to try Lomedia because quite a few people are saying they are having problems with it as well. Im thinking of maybe switching to the copper IUD because it doesn't have any hormones but since I've never had kids before I'm afraid of what it could do to me (like getting lost in my uterus or poking a hole in my uterus). Im also afraid to try the shot or the implant because of how the hormones in the nuvaring affected me.

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I went straight from loestrin to lomedia and it's working the same for me. I'm on my second pack. Still no period just like when I was in loestrin.

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Just wanted to give an update to my previous posts for anyone who comes across this. I finished the last pack of Minastrin earl last week and as soon as I stopped taking it, I stopped bleeding. Had a regular, normal period come down about 2 days later that lasted about 2-3 days. I also noticed my mood was incredibly different, my anxiety level dropped drastically and some of the water weight came right off.

I started Lomedia this past Sunday and my body feels back to normal. I think I can safely say as of now, that this is the closest to Loestrin that we can get, ladies. Going off the Minastrin has me seeing life through a completely different set of eyes. I did not realize just how bad that pill was affecting my mood, my hormones and contributing to fatigue, depression, and just an overall feeling of misery. I am so happy to be off that pill. Even my boyfriend has acknowledged that I seem to be different. My sex drive/libido was stifled while on that pill and now it's in overdrive, so he's happy. The Lomedia has so far been nothing but a positive experience and mostly I'm happy b/c there is no more bleeding!

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I am so glad I found this! I thought that I was going crazy. I was on loestrin 24 for about 4 years before it was discontinued and I had no issues while taking it. Then I started minastrin 24 in October. I have had one period since then and always have mild cramps, bloating, and acne. The physical symptoms I can handle, but the emotional side effects have been out of control. I cry at everything which I've never done before. I have also experienced EXTREME mood swings and anger so much so that my boyfriend had to sit me down and ask what was up with me because he was worried which led to an uncontrollable crying jag. I've also had vivid nightmares (when I can sleep) which leads to irrational thinking while I'm awake. As of today I have stopped taking minastrin and I hope to feel like myself again soon. I have also made an appointment with my doctor to discuss other options.

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Holy Smokes! PLEASE let us know what is recommended. THERE HAS GOT to be an answer for all of us who are suffering these HORRIBLE side effects! It's just NOT RIGHT!

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Update from Feb 4th. Lomedia is working great. I didn't get a period this month, which I love. No side effects and the terrible acne I developed while on minastrin has completely cleared up. My face is back to normal. I am so glad I switched to lomedia.

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Working great for me to! 2 months now!

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Did you start feeling better pretty quickly after stopping it? I am worried about how long it will take to get out of my system. I have been suffering from anxiety, panic attacks and dizziness since October. I have been to a ton of doctors and through all kinds of tests. Nothing was found. I am so hopeful that stopping this will help and that it will happen quickly. I have a week left in my pack, but I am just going to stop it as of now.

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Kristin, yes. As soon as I stopped taking the Minastrin, I felt better immediately. With each day, I felt better and better. The water weight I gained has slipped off pretty quickly too. I say finish your pack out, have those 4 days without and let your body readjust. Lomedia was a Godsend for me. Almost finished with my first pack and I feel great.

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I've been taking loestrin since last year. My periods haven't been regular since. And a few months ago I have been experiencing cramping and bloating but no flow. Just spotting.
Ughhhh
Anyone else?

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I do not chew mine and I have had no problems.

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Yes. Absolutely horrible and took me forever to figure out that could be the cause as I hadn't even considered it as a "change in my medications" since we were all being told it was the same, didn't need a new prescription, etc. Which I suspect caused many of us to suffer too long with confusing and upsetting emotional effects on ourselves and our loved ones. I am so angry about this swap all being pulled off in the name of bigger money for rich investors and pharmaceutical conglomerate giants. I have to wonder if they could have gotten away with it, if it impacted an equal number of men (not women). Birth control being different for each person and tricky to find what works well for you, makes you feel most yourself with least side effects; and then suddenly the thing that had finally helped you feel so much better is yanked away for no real reason.
I believe our government should obligate pharmaceutical manufactures to continue to produce the same product for "x" number of additional years after expiration of patent as part of their granting of that patent which allows that company to make it's money for their brand product (in this case Loestrin FE). That would guarantee to consumers at least the availability (affordability being a separate issue) of the same exact product they have come to depend upon.
LoMedia is better than Minastrin for me so far, about 2 months into switch. I take it without placebo pills for continual birth control to prevent menstrual migraine, so I can't comment on it's impact on periods. But mood is much more stable, not crying or picking fights. I am no longer having sleepless nights where I am tired but just can't go to sleep yet don't feel at all anxious (another weird thing for me on Minastrin). I don't think for me it is quite as smooth as I was on the LoEstrin FE brand which I was on for several years.
For me the LoEstrin FE brand product was the best. Actually I found that out by accident, as I had always been given Junel at the pharmacy (I guess considered equivalent enough to substitute for brand if prescription was not stipulating only the brand to be dispensed). Well at some point there was a shortage of Junel and another similar product considered an equivalent dispensing option, so they told me I could see if another pharmacy had any or pay to get the brand that month, so I paid for the brand which was $36. After 2 weeks on the brand LoEstrin FE, there was no way I was going back to Junel, the difference was that dramatic. I'd pawn something to come up with $36 if need be.
So when I finally figured out that the Minastrin could be the reason I was so messed up, I started frantically looking for either the brand product LoEstrinFE from a foreign pharmacy, or news about the production of an actual approved generic. I found that late last year one was approved and was scheduled to be available sometime in January, LoMedia. I went on the hunt. My pharmacy didn't have it or have it in their system but said if I got it prescribed they would order it for me. So I had my OBGYN office call it in to them for refillable and also found that a Walgreens had it in stock and had the office call in a one month prescription there (though they don't take my insurance) and bought it with their in house prescription discount card for about $40. Now Rite Aid has it, and takes my insurance, so I think it is now free.
Long story short, Minastrin was a disaster, LoEstrin FE was my godsend and I still miss it, and LoMedia while not quite as good is so so so much better than Minastrin that I am much relieved and able to deal with my other health and life issues now that this piece of the puzzle is sorted out.
Unfortunately for the 99%, the story behind the story continues to be all about the Benjamins, as they say.

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LOESTRINE Fe saved me a few years back. It was an absolute God send. It stabakized my extreme and heavy bleeding, severe cramping, moods, hormonal imbalances, etc. it took me unti age 27 to find what worked.

Minastrine almost killed me. I was a huge violent mess, hysterical crying fits, isolation in my room, barely showered or ate, had my mom call the cops on me, body aches, a threat to society. Really, if I had a weapon and someone pissed me off, I woulda whacked them.
The rage was THAT bad. I was scared of it myself. I had to quit work as a Dental Hygienist. My psychiatrist said "stop that Minastrin pill immediately!"

I had been wwwwwaiting and waiting and waiting for Lomedia and pray to god it works. Finally got it and I'm on the first pack. So far, so good. I am sorry for what this whole situation has done to is women. Please stay on this thread to help others.

Thank you

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This board has been so helpful....I have tried birthcontrol in my early 20s but would stop because it would make me so nauseous and of course gain weight. This time the only reason why i wanted to try it again was because of my acne. My dr. put me on this low dose horrible pill which i have only been taking for 13 days and has been hell. I started with my first pill the first day i started spotting and i spotted and spotted for a whole 10 days. It is so uncomfortable having to wear a panty liner 24/7, I have been on my "actual" period for 3 days and it seems to be heavier. I'm gonna stop this pill right away just because i dont plan on going on any type of birthcontrol. This horrible pill turned me into a monster...yes it did help with my acne but i get angry over every little thing. And its not just mad its ANGRY. I feel so bad for my kids because i snap at them over the smallest thing :( I also have a constant head ache, diarreah, stomach pain and dizziness. I have gained 7 lbs in the last 13 days and feel so tired. Bottom line, WTH was i thinking. Good luck ladies and thanks for all your input :)

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How is your daughter doing now that she has been off minastrin a few weeks? I've been on it for 6 months and have been experiencing the same side effects as her.. the anxiety, heart palpitations, and headaches being the worst. I stopped taking it about 6 days ago but I'm still experiencing the anxiety and heart palpitations. Wondering how long it will take to leave my system.

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My daughter seemed to get back to normal pretty quick . . . but she was only on generic ministrin for about 2 1/2 - 3 weeks. WE KNEW it was bad news as the side effects were terrible. Unfortinately, the whole scenario repeated itself with the "new" Lomedia which is SUPPOSEDLY the same thing as LoEstrin Fe. IT.IS.NOT. Once again, we threw it out after a couple weeks. The Doctor said to CONTINUE on and "give it a chance" for 2 or 3 more paks. Um, No we were NOT going to do that! And so, we have NOTHING now and are fearful the ovarian cysts will return. The pain of that is WORSE than passing a kidney stone.

Very upset at the greedy *&^%$ who took LoEstrin Fe away from us.

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I am so relieved to find this site. I thought I was seriously losing my mind. I started taking Lomedia FE two weeks ago after being on Loestrin FE for three years to control heavy periods. I didn't even notice I had been given a new different RX until today. I thought the packaging had just changed. I have been an emotional wreak (anxiety, severe rage, insomnia and depression/suicidal thoughts) for the last week. Needless to say I am stopping the pill immediately and calling my doctor ASAP. The emotional turmoil I have caused my family, friends and poor co-workers this week has been significant. The insomnia has been severe. I have only slept two hours a night for the last week. I guess I should be thankful for the insomnia tonight because I had the time to research this drug and came across this and many other sites where women are voicing the exact same concerns and side effects I have been experiencing. Nothing positive I could get from this drug could ever be worth the hugely negative side effects.

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Haha well it would be awfully hard to swallow and then chew wouldn't it?

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Hello Days Mother.
Have you ever suggested for your daughters Doctor to give her an abdominal ultrasound.?
I had the same symptoms and had to finally DEMAND and ultrasound.
They found a 4cm Teratoma(removable) & a moderate amount of Endometriosis(incurable). Please let me know what you decide to do. Sometimes, you have to just be pushy with the Doctors. Big time.

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Hi! This board has been really helpful but am still lost on what to do. I started taking Minastrin 24 FE after taking Ortho-Tri-Cyclin Lo for the month of February, which was great but way to expensive. The first made me gain about 4 pounds which was okay because I was exercising and felt awesome. But after taking Minastrin, I gained another 6 pounds, I'm so lethargic all the time and don't want to exercise at all. I'm bloated, having bad breakouts, mood swings, having bad cramps and headaches, the whole nine yards, but no period. Not sure if I should stop the pills or not. Wish I could go back to Ortho-Tri-Cyclin. F%$# these pharmaceutical companies.

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