Prescriptions of the 'Ladies Only' kind... ifyouknowwhatimean

[ashenflowers 5]

So... normally I wouldn't write on the interwebs about something like this, but I'm really kind of concerned about it. Of course, I never would be in Canada.

I'm running out of birth control. I brought a few months worth from Canada, thinking it would hold me over and I'd have time to figure out how to get more here. Well, that was before my husband lost his job and health insurance coverage (thanks Sam for the other thread that reminded me I've been meaning to ask about this... lol) and still haven't been able to find either 3 months later. Now, I'm almost out.

I know, from the recent post here, that Canadian prescriptions can't be transferred to the U.S. I always just went to the clinic in London, and got them directly there anyway. My prescription is now up, so I don't even know if I can get them to send me more (or if they even would), since a) they're not technically a 'pharmacy' in the same way that, say, Shoppers Drug Mart is... and b) I'm due for an exam, and they probably won't take 'I'm in the U.S. with no insurance' as an excuse, cause they'd have to write me a new prescription. lol I didn't have a family doctor anymore in Canada either.

So, bottom line, anyone have any good ideas on how I could get more? And if not, has anyone tried the 'natural family planning'?

Further Bottom Line. I DON'T WANT KIDS right now. I'd seriously be devastated if I found out I was pregnant. Like... worse than a 16 yr old finding out after prom night.

I'm not kidding. I don't want this to turn into a 'oh kids aren't that bad'... lol... I just had to say that. I need to know how to find birth control here.

(sorry... after a smidge more looking I found out it's somewhat being discussed in the baby thread? I haven't really been following that thread, since I don't find it relevant to childless-me, but I will have a look there )

Edited April 16, 2010 by ashenflowers

[ashenflowers 5]

Sorry for the double post, but I've passed the allotted 'editing available' time.

Anyhoo, I think I will visit the local 'planned parenthood' clinic and see what they have to say. I'll update the thread for anyone else curious about this topic.

[Travelbugs 3]

Sorry for the double post, but I've passed the allotted 'editing available' time.

Anyhoo, I think I will visit the local 'planned parenthood' clinic and see what they have to say. I'll update the thread for anyone else curious about this topic.

Have you ever thought about going to Planned Parenthood? You don't need insurance to get birth control there.

Check out their website. It is a really great place! I've only had good experiences with them, and they're all over the country.

If you're unemployed and not insured, you just give a voluntary donation. I don't know how it works when you're employed and married, but the website should give you mroe info on that.

Sorry for the double post, but I've passed the allotted 'editing available' time.

Anyhoo, I think I will visit the local 'planned parenthood' clinic and see what they have to say. I'll update the thread for anyone else curious about this topic.

Sorry, just noticed your planned parenthood trip... My bad.

[that_girl 9]

I second the Planned Parenthood. They're rad.

[JohnAnwesha 4]

Hi Ladies,

I am just curios.What exactly is planned parenthood?And why are they free?Like is there a catch that I am missing.I really would like to know their concept.

I had bad experience on 'that' kind of prescriptions when I ran out of my student insurance and was too poor to buy another exorbitant insurance.

So I had to end up paying $75 every month for that purchase and they stung so bad(and my brand did not even have a generic!!) .I would not like that to repeat again,hence the curiosity.

Please do keep this thread updated when you do find out ladies.

Edited April 16, 2010 by JohnAnwesha

[Peachey 10]

You could also just do condoms with spermicide for a while. Not sure how much you would pay for your pills down here, but that might be cheaper.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

You can also go into an OBGYN in the US and make an apt. You can ask them to prescribe you some more oral contraceptives in order to get you through until your next refil. A lot of times they have samples so you can get them for free.

JohnAnwesha - here is what planned parenthood does

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/who-we-are-4648.htm

Good luck

[Udella&Wiz 325]

With regard to the 'Natural family planning'...I assume you're referring to taking your basal temperature in order to predict (or in your case avoid) ovulation? As well it involves checking the consistency of mucus/ secretions...if you're comfortable and haven't cringed yet...keep reading

It does work....you have to be regimented about it. Despite the fact that they scare teens into believing you can get pregnant anytime...you cannot. Ovulation occurs, the egg is only 'good' for 72 hours or so (don;t quote me...it's been a while). There's a window of opprotunity for the evil empire (sperm) on either side of ovulation (before and after) that you avoid sex because sperm too has a shelf life in 'there'.

I find it pretty fascinating myself.....I took this approach back in college...I didn't want my parents to find out so I figured there had to be some natural way and I came upon a book of natural family planning and reversed the thinking. It worked for my boyfriend and I for 2 years...we never had any 'oops' moments

What I would say is it's never for sure...your body can decide to ovulate early, late...temperature readings might be off etc....a back-up method is probably best.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Hi Ladies,

I am just curios.What exactly is planned parenthood?And why are they free?Like is there a catch that I am missing.I really would like to know their concept.

I had bad experience on 'that' kind of prescriptions when I ran out of my student insurance and was too poor to buy another exorbitant insurance.

So I had to end up paying $75 every month for that purchase and they stung so bad(and my brand did not even have a generic!!) .I would not like that to repeat again,hence the curiosity.

Please do keep this thread updated when you do find out ladies.

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/ read up on it...it's somewhere, especially for teens, where they can get information and help relating to sexuality. Information on birth control, abortion options, 'the mornign after pill' and STDs

[SapphireDreams 71]

I'd also try planned parenthood if you are set on the pill... otherwise, I might just use condoms for awhile until I got insurance.

I do know people who are into the whole natural planning method but at the back of their minds, if they did get pregnant it would be okay, so unless you have mindset, I wouldn't go that route.

Good luck!

[lilacvioletiris 11]

Local health departments usually hand out free condoms, for the asking. They may be able to do a female exam and give you a prescription for the birth control pills (or put you in contact with someone who would do it based on a sliding income scale like Planned Parenthood does).

[frenzyheart 2]

Further Bottom Line. I DON'T WANT KIDS right now. I'd seriously be devastated if I found out I was pregnant. Like... worse than a 16 yr old finding out after prom night.

I'm not kidding. I don't want this to turn into a 'oh kids aren't that bad'... lol... I just had to say that.

Looks like you have the answers you need. I just want you to know that you aren't the only one that feels this way. I echo your statement COMPLETELY!!!!! *hug*

[Sam and Ben 2]

Nothing to add here, really, as far as advice goes. I'll just say I was surprised a GP couldn't prescribe me the pill when I inquired here. Had to go to an OB/GYN for the works. (Yay!)

[darkchilde794 5]

Sam, are you sure the GP couldnt prescribe you BCPs? Mine did -- but I also had my old ones from Canada and brought them to him and told him, I need more!!!

I called Planned Parenthood shortly after I came here as I was worried I wont get to see a doctor in time to get refills and they will prescribe pills for a reasonable cost. But you have to get a physical with them first (which you have to pay for), and at least the Baltimore one can only give you the pills they carry.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

My GP prescribed me birth control, but I had to get a physical first. I was due for one anyways, so I expected it.

I actually miss the BC I was on in Canada. Apparently that particular brand isn't available with my insurance plan, so I'm using this other stuff, which is basically the same, but the pills are bigger and they taste funny...