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Trouble Remembering to Take the Pill...

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December 24th, 2007
So, I'm a little worried.

The following paragraph is just some background information I wanted to put here in case I get asked a million questions about it. Skip it if you want.

I'm 19, and a little over a week ago I got on my first ever prescription of birth control pills. My doctor put me on the Aviane brand pills. I took them just how she said--I actually started on Thursday (the day I got them) instead of Sunday because she said they have a "quick start program" at that clinic that's for women who want to get started on birth control right away. I was confused at first, because I was expecting my period about a week after I was to start taking it. But I called a nurse and she told me about the program, and said your period should adjust to the pill's cycle. And it seems to have done that--I should be on my period right now, but I haven't even had any spotting as far as I can see. I was told I may have another period when I start taking my "reminder pills"... the ones with nothing in them.

This is all fine and good, and I've been fine taking my pills on time until I came home. I live at a dorm, and since it's Christmas break I came home. My parents do NOT and CANNOT know I'm on birth control and that I'm having sex. They've told me all my life to save it for marriage, and I tell them I'm cool with that, and I used to be. But I'm not anymore. It's what they want, but it's not what I want.

So, I absolutely HAVE to be inconspicuous about taking my pills. Up until I came home, I've been right on time with taking the pill. Not a minute too late. I'd been setting my phone to go off at the same time every night so I'll remember. But doing that here would be suspicious. Even if I had my phone on vibrate, that's very risky. If I'm in the company of others, they can still hear it vibrate. If I'm a room away from my purse (which is where I keep my cell), I won't hear it. yesterday, I was just ten minutes late to take the pill. I think that's fine, don't you? I'm very glad I remembered. But today, I was a full hour late. I really hope that's not too much, and I do NOT want to forget again.

So, any suggestions for a way to remember are appreciated. Please keep in mind during this stay at home we're going to be visiting relatives a lot, including my parents. And my parents have off work the entire time I'm here. My sister is also home all the time because she has the baby to take care of.

Please help if you can! And I apologize for such a long post.
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Tylanas
replied December 24th, 2007
Especially eHealthy
You can be up to six HOURS late and not worry, so relax!! Just take it during your bathroom routine before you go to bed, that way you can even lock the door. Smile Then too it will be done during a specific activity and you'll remember because you'll go "oh, brushing my teeth, time for my pill".

My parents told me to wait for marriage too, but once I was in college and had a steady BF my mom actually took me out for my first pap and to get pills. I have no idea how strict your parents are.
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jinkazama
replied December 24th, 2007
Thanks for the ideas, I appreciate it.

It' mostly my mom that's strict... but I know they'd be very pissed, and very, very disappointed. They still think I'm all for waiting for marriage, and that's how it's gonna stay.
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PixieKat
replied December 25th, 2007
Experienced User
Im in the same spot you are, ive been hiding my pills from my parents since aug and i live with them. It is really hard! Keep with it, you've taken a good step in taking the pill w/o your par wanthing you to, not many people would do it.

I do the same thing you do, set my phone so the alarm goes off, I have to take my pill at 11pm so that hopefuly its less likely to get caught. And having to take it before i go to bed helps me remember also. I always keep a back up pill in my purse, because you never know when you wont be home to take one, i hid it in my chapstick case.

Good luck! I hope i helped a little
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jinkazama
replied December 25th, 2007
Yeah, I should've started taking my pill more around 11 or midnight like you. My parents usually go to bed before then. Is it possible to start taking it later and later so I start taking it more around those times while still being safe?
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Tylanas
replied December 25th, 2007
Especially eHealthy
You'll be perfectly fine. You can switch taking times and no problem. Even if you change the time by more than six hours (making the pill be considered "late") it's just one pill and it's safe to do so with one pill. However, DON'T do this with the first week of pills; those you need to take on time.
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womaninpain
replied December 28th, 2007
Experienced User
I don't have a problem with having to hide the pills but I have a tendency to just forget. I used to be really good about it but for some reason I am just not anymore. You are actually fine as long as you take the within the same day and if you miss a day you can double up the next day so don't worry about it. Honestly I think that if your mother knew you were on birth control you could tell her it was just to regulate your periods...not everyone is on it to not get pregnant some people take it to regulate. I do it for both reasons. I actually abstained from sex for over a year but kept on the pills to regulate.
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Happiness03
replied December 29th, 2007
Experienced User
I know you said you were hiding the pills from you parents. I had to do the same thing for 3 years! It was hard sometimes. Anyway, you are very smart to actually take the initiative to do this. Good for you!
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jinkazama
replied December 29th, 2007
Thanks to Happiness03 =). I guess if she found out, I could tell her I was regulating my period like womaninpain said, but... she's always suspicious. She really doesn't trust me. I guess she shouldn't since I'm lying to her in doing this, but this is the one thing I've hidden from her and she doesn't know it. So I don't know why she doesn't trust me then. Oh well, what can you do, right?
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womaninpain
replied December 29th, 2007
Experienced User
Jink...parents being overprotective and not trusting from the get go is why people lie or hide things...it's not uncommon my parents were the same way, it just taught me to be more open and understanding with mine. What you could do is once you get back to school while talking to her one day say to her that you want to go to the gyno because your period is irregular and sometimes heavy or too light and sometimes very painful. Then after you could update her and tell her that they gae you birth control to regulate it and you feel better, then at least she will know you are on it and you won't have to hide it and you will feel better next time you visit. You are a woman and at some point your mom will have to understand some of these things.
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jinkazama
replied January 2nd, 2008
That sounds like a very reasonable explanation for having birth control, but I still don't think she'd buy it. She's extremely suspicious and I think she'd assume I was lying... but thank you. If she for some reason ever finds out I'm on birth control, I'll give her a reason like that. But if she never finds out, then I'll probably tell her in my thirties or so after I've been married a while and had a kid or two that I had sex before I was married. That should soften the blow.
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