Question:
Birth Control price 4X increase....Good alternatives?

My insurance just revamped their policy on my birth control pills and I almost had sticker shock when the cashier rung it up. I told them to keep it. I've heard about the shots in the arm...3 month and 1 month. I was wondering if these affect weight loss, how much they cost and some of the pros and cons in general...and what are they called? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Another drug affected by these changes was my antacid(sp)...Prevacid...worked great... left those behind too because of the price...I can't take Zantac (side affects worse than the condition) Any other good ideas for antacids that come in generic? Thanks all!!! -Kim open RNY 7/17 -103    — KimBo36 (posted on April 19, 2002)

April 19, 2002
The shot that you're referring to is Depro-provera (aka Depo shot). I had that shot after the birth of my daughter, 4 years ago. It was effective birth control...although I did gain a lot of weight in a short period of time. Dr's said I wouldn't gain weight. I did (probably with the help of bad eating habits), but many others did to. Also, the shot usually stops your period, which is a nice plus!
   — Kristin R.

April 19, 2002
The depo provera shot does work but, like the other ladies said, it does make you gain weight. It also does cause depression (or worsens it if you already suffer from it) and I suffered from migraine headaches for several weeks. All this only after one shot. Needless to say, I will not be taking anymore! haha! I have scheduled an appointment for an iud. The last time I lost a bunch of weight I got pregnant. I'm now 41 years old and my son is 14 - I have no desire, at this point, for more children. Sharon Robinson
   — Sharon R.

April 19, 2002
I used an IUD for many years with no problems. I have never had children and my OB/GYN said that didn't matter. I loved it. I never had to remember to take a pill, or get a shot, or stop in the middle of things to use some barrier method.
   — garw

April 19, 2002
Kim, as a nurse I can tell you there are few women out there that can handle the Depo shot. It does cause mood swings and depression in most. Also, it is usually more expensive than the pill, and most insurance companies don't cover birth control of any kind. However, talk to your Doctor(s) about the money problem. They almost always have enough samples on hand that they can give you several month worth of any medicine at a time, including some for your heartburn/reflux. A good medicine for this that your Dr. should have samples of is Nexium.
   — DJeffrey

April 19, 2002
I USED TO BE ON "THE PILL" AND THEN MY INS. CHANGED AND IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED, I CHECKED OUT A LOCAL WOMENS CLINIC AND THEY GAVE ME BIRTH CONTROLL FOR JUST A FEW DOLLARS A MONTH, I REALLY CANT REMEMBER HOW MUCH IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME AGO, BUT ITS WORTH CHECKING INTO , ESPECIALLY IF YOU DONT WANT ALL THOSE SIDE EFFECTS OF OTHER FORMS, HAVE A GREAT DAY!!! BECKY
   — rebecca N.

April 19, 2002
The Depo shot is reliable but NOT fool proof. I know of one girl personally who became pregnant with the depo shot and know of 2 more who also became pregnant while on it. All in the last 3-4 years in a limited population. (Kind of scarey, huh!) I was on depo too and had no problems and enjoyed not having a period. HOWEVER its been close to a year now since I went off of it and although blood tests show my hormone levels as normal I still have no periods. My sister also had similiar results following going off the shot. Plus she was unable to conceive for over 2 years following the return of her periods. Just something to consider.
   — Shelly S.

April 19, 2002
Not to dismiss the previous poster, but people should NOT be getting pregnant that often on Depo. It is actually 99.98% effective, which is better than any other birth control on the current market. I did a lot of research on it because I took it, and if you take Depo, you have the same chances of getting pregnant as you do after you get your tubes tied. I think those are pretty good odds. It is likely that the women who got pregnant did not wait long enough for it to be effective, or possibly did not get it immediately when their 3 month shot was due.
   — Jennifer Y.

April 21, 2002
I personally had a horrible time with the depo shot. I felt awful, and gained weight. I had an IUD put in 2 1/2 years ago and have had no problems. I love the fact that there are no hormones. My insurance covered the IUD. I have one son, which I became pregnant with while on the pill but so far the IUD is working fine.
   — Cory F.