Switching From Loestrin 24 Fe To Minastrin 24 Fe (Page 15) (Top voted first)

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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I've been on this pill for almost 2 months and I haven't had a period at all! I've also taken pregnancy tests and they've both come up negative! Somethings wrong!

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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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I wasn't happy when I found out that Loestrin changed, but I tried it anyway. I do not chew mine, just swallow them like normal. I thought that it didn't really affect me but after reading some comments, I do realize that I always feel bloated, I've gained weight, I get VERY emotional, and I've been getting headaches. Just went to the hospital recently because of blurry vision and numb/tingly hand, arm, and tongue. I was told that this could be caused by my birth control so now I have to switch to an estrogen free contraceptive, which sure doesn't include anything I want to do. I really wish Loestrin had not been changed, I had never had a problem with it and was always happy of having NO side effects. Anyone else experience headaches, blurred vision, or anything?

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So, color me clueless: Why was it necessary for the Boneheads to discontinue LoEstrin . . . but NOT Lo LoEstrin? I don't get it.

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You claim that your doctor and pharmacist have no regard for YOUR reproductive health??? What about personal responsibility? YOU are responsible for your own health. Do you think you are the only patient they care for? Who waits until the last minute they are supposed to start a new pack to refill there prescription ...

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I'm curious if anyone who was on Loestrin 24 Fe has taken the generic version (Lomedia) yet. I've only seen a couple of posts about that. Seems like it would be the first thing to try before LoLoestrin. No?

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I'm sorry this happened to you but you're fine :) It has the same kinds and amounts of hormones in it as Loestrin, plus you used back up. Don't listen to MinastrinSux...they don't even know how to answer a question to a thread posted on a website lol.

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Ummm wow! Talk about ignorant! Not quite sure how that answers this person's question an ANY kind of way...maybe you need to reread the post in order to ACTUALLY answer the question and instead of trolling lol. BUT thanks for your reply! :)

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