Have you ever had to take Plan B?

Contributor: bluekaren bluekaren
It would have been nice if this would have been for private voting!
I have taken it and it caused my period to be a little bit heavier than "normal" but the alternative was NOT an option.
04/25/2011
Contributor: deletedacct deletedacct
This is why i've always been on birth control and didn't rely 100% on a condom. I'm glad that everything worked out.
04/25/2011
Contributor: v23 v23
I took it once, because the condom broke and we both knew we didn't want a baby at that time. He's my ex now and this was about 2 years ago. It made me kind of sick for a while and my period was off for the next 2 months. It worked though! No baby and everything is back to normal. Glad everything worked out for you!
07/24/2011
Contributor: AncoraImparo AncoraImparo
Quote:
Originally posted by kinky girlfriend
Just curious because this is the first time I have to take it..the condom broke last night I probly won't get the plan b until 3 or 4 pm today don't have a ride,too far to walk and I'm sick to my stomach,ibs bad.
Yep, broken condom. Didnt want babies.
07/25/2011
Contributor: bayosgirl bayosgirl
I haven't, and wouldn't. It's too close to abortion for my comfort zone.
07/25/2011
Contributor: Ms. Spice Ms. Spice
no i haven't but i would not be against using it if i did have an accident.
07/25/2011
Contributor: Owl Identified Owl Identified
Just throwing in my geographic info on price and everything, for the purposes of this neat little drug price map we've got going here . Plan B is $55 in New York, the generic is around $40. Seems to be the same in New Jersey from what Tori said. I just bought the generic this morning, and as of January 2012 it does still come in two pills to be taken 12 hours apart. Plan B might be different, but I wouldn't know because I opted for Next Choice. (Great fucking name, right? "Too broke for Plan B? We're your next choice!")

It's been three hours since I took and I feel okay, just nervous. I'm just reviving this thread to see if anyone wants to pet my head gently through the internet and tell me this pill isn't going to destroy my general health for like, a month. I've heard stories that run the gamut from friends and family, so I don't know what to expect.

I'm lucky my partner is great, though. I'm still the more dominant one in the relationship (let's just be honest,) so I was still the one more comfortable going in, asking for the pill, asking how to take it and if it can interact with medications I'm taking, etc. Being able to do those things actually makes me feel better, more in control. I also chose to pay for it myself, but not because he didn't try his best to pay! Again, just makes me feel a little more in control of a situation that makes me feel very out of control. But, he did drive me and held my hand at the counter and has been sitting with me, snuggling me, and asking me how I feel periodically to monitor my reaction. I'm extraordinarily sensitive to drugs; it's truly remarkable. I've had some of the most rare allergic reactions, side effects, etc. when it comes to meds. Just horrible luck. If there's something bizarre that a drug can do, it happens to me. So, we're both nervous about this. Still, all told, it's better than the alternative for me. I do not want a child at this time, maybe ever.

If anyone wants to share their experience (I've already read some, like P'Gell's and it helped me) that would help me. Even if your story is not as positive as hers, it would still make me feel less alone right now! When did people start to notice side effects? For those that took the two pill generic, did they get side effects after the first pill, or after the second? Thank you all. This thread is a great resource!
01/01/2012
Contributor: Missmarc Missmarc
I've taken it once. I didn't experience any side effects. It was expensive though.
01/01/2012
Contributor: Owl Identified Owl Identified
Quote:
Originally posted by Missmarc
I've taken it once. I didn't experience any side effects. It was expensive though.
Thank you for sharing your experience! So far I feel nothing, but it's only been a few hours. I'm kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop so to speak...
01/01/2012
Contributor: voenne voenne
I have once. Condom broke for me too (we were wondering why things suddenly felt better but too busy to realize it!). I was fine taking it after 24 hours, and thankfully it was free with my insurance.
01/01/2012
Contributor: Miss Anonymous Miss Anonymous
I've personally only taken it once. I only paid 20$ for it.
01/01/2012
Contributor: Owl Identified Owl Identified
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
I have IBS and Plan B caused NO nausea in me. (I've used it twice.)

It only cost me about $18.00 in Illinois. Have you taken it yourself? In some states they HAVE TO sell it to you, "personal preference" or not.

The new ... more
Okay, I wanted to return to this, because I've spoken to my doctor and pharmacist AND done a lot of research today to get the facts straight. Here's the most current information that I have found.

Sunshine's data isn't actually outdated. I feel the need to note this because having ACCURATE information on this is extremely important! I've been researching all day, and every reputable source (including the Plan B site itself) stated that in clinical trials about 23% of women that took Plan B experienced nausea, and about 6% experienced vomiting. So that's one in four women experiencing nausea, making it a fairly common side effect. Also, I realize you probably just misread it at first, but Sunshine actually said that Next Choice is two pills. It is, as of today when I took it, two pills. You are obviously correct though when saying that both Plan B and Next Choice are progestin, and that progestin pills decrease the likelihood and severity of side effects when compared to estrogen or estrogen/progestin pills. Thank God for that! This review has current and clear information all EC pills available, for anyone that wants to check it out.
01/02/2012
Contributor: Owl Identified Owl Identified
Quote:
Originally posted by voenne
I have once. Condom broke for me too (we were wondering why things suddenly felt better but too busy to realize it!). I was fine taking it after 24 hours, and thankfully it was free with my insurance.
Great to know! I'm keeping myself awake so I can take my second dose in a couple of hours. So far I haven't experienced any side effects, though I suppose it's very possible that I might after the second pill. All I can say is this experience has been extremely hard on me emotionally and mentally, and I do not want to repeat it. After this, I think I'm going to start budgeting to get a regular copper IUD. I've wanted one for a while, but even at Planned Parenthood it's not financially possible for me. But, after spending $40 on EC for one incident? I'm going to find some way to slowly work toward this.
01/02/2012
Contributor: LAndJ LAndJ
In the three years we've been together, we've thankfully never had an accident before. We only used condoms for the first 3 weeks of our relationship, before I got on the pill.
01/02/2012
Contributor: deltalima deltalima
I was with a guy who used the "pull out" method. I wasn't sure if he ejaculated in me but the next morning I kept having heavy clear discharge and I was freaking panicking so I ran to the doctors after work and took the pill exactly 12 hours after. JUST IN CASE!
01/02/2012
Contributor: Owl Identified Owl Identified
Quote:
Originally posted by deltalima
I was with a guy who used the "pull out" method. I wasn't sure if he ejaculated in me but the next morning I kept having heavy clear discharge and I was freaking panicking so I ran to the doctors after work and took the pill exactly 12 ... more
Heavy clear discharge can actually be very normal after exercise, and sex could be considered a form of exercise, right? But, if the discharge is clear and stretchy and elastic (as opposed to the watery kind that wipes away easily and doesn't "cling") then you are likely ovulating. So, you did right to play it safe with the pill!
01/02/2012
Contributor: voenne voenne
Quote:
Originally posted by Owl Identified
Great to know! I'm keeping myself awake so I can take my second dose in a couple of hours. So far I haven't experienced any side effects, though I suppose it's very possible that I might after the second pill. All I can say is this ... more
Yeah, it is expensive if you don't have insurance! I have an IUD, and it's great. Not too sure about the copper ones, but I've heard there are more undesirable side effects than Mirena (which I have), though it does last longer. It's always great to have that extra peace of mind.

I didn't really have side effects with taking Plan B, so I hope you don't either (but it sounds like you're taking a different type than I did -- I think I only had to take one pill.) Good luck.
01/02/2012
Contributor: Beck Beck
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
$50.00 is a lot of freaking money. Plan B is still only one pill now.

Here's a link to Plan B. link
It is 50 here in Ohio. I have not taken it before but I have known people who have.
01/02/2012
Contributor: Owl Identified Owl Identified
Quote:
Originally posted by voenne
Yeah, it is expensive if you don't have insurance! I have an IUD, and it's great. Not too sure about the copper ones, but I've heard there are more undesirable side effects than Mirena (which I have), though it does last longer. It's ... more
Thank you! Next Choice is the same thing as Plan B, insofar as they both use progestin to prevent the pregnancy. The rationale behind the two pills is that spreading them out a bit will decrease the likelihood, or at least the severity, of side effects. There is currently conflicting data about the veracity of this theory, though. Plan B switched to one pill based predominantly on the findings of one study in particular that said there was no difference between the two doses; Next Choice has not switched. It seems like the 1.5 dose is as safe as the two .75 doses, but some studies say otherwise. So far I just feel tired, but that could also just be from the emotional stress!

I think the copper one is for me. Mirena is actually linked to more adverse effects because it uses hormones, namely ovarian cysts. It actually releases progestin in a lose dose. I'm also very sensitive to hormone therapy, particularly regarding mood changes. I'm surprised that my experience with Next Choice has been uneventful so far. Mirena is a great option for those that are less sensitive, and the copper IUD has its own side effects, but I think Mirena is not for me.
01/02/2012
Contributor: Eva Schwaltz Eva Schwaltz
Same thing happened to me, and my friend who was nice enough to come with me got dirty looks from the pharmacist even though he wasn't the guy I had sex with. It's amazing how quickly people will jump to conclusions. Now I'm on birth control as an added protection so I don't have to go through that again.
01/02/2012
Contributor: voenne voenne
Quote:
Originally posted by Owl Identified
Thank you! Next Choice is the same thing as Plan B, insofar as they both use progestin to prevent the pregnancy. The rationale behind the two pills is that spreading them out a bit will decrease the likelihood, or at least the severity, of side ... more
Ah, that's interesting. From my talking to others about IUD's, the consensus has been quite the opposite. I've been on Mirena for 2 years with zero side effects from the get-go, and I get checked up on by the OBGYN every year, with no complications whatsoever. I do hope the copper works for you, then. Either way, it just hurts like hell to have it put in. Not looking forward to that again, but at the same time, I don't think I'll ever go back to any other form of birth control because I am extremely sensitive to the hormones.
01/02/2012
Contributor: Owl Identified Owl Identified
Quote:
Originally posted by voenne
Ah, that's interesting. From my talking to others about IUD's, the consensus has been quite the opposite. I've been on Mirena for 2 years with zero side effects from the get-go, and I get checked up on by the OBGYN every year, with no ... more
Ahhh, noooo! Not what I wanted to hear! Bad abdominal cramps?
01/02/2012
Contributor: voenne voenne
Quote:
Originally posted by Owl Identified
Ahhh, noooo! Not what I wanted to hear! Bad abdominal cramps?
First they have to open you up with the tongs thingy, inject the local anesthesia into the uterus, feels like it's going to burst, then pop that sucker in. For me it still hurt after the shots, and the shots were what hurt the most! After it was all over, I didn't even know if it would have made any difference! And yes, the cramps afterwords are the most miserable thing you'll experience.

Sorry to say. Just preparing you -- you might need someone's hand to squeeze. I cried the entire time.
01/02/2012
Contributor: Owl Identified Owl Identified
Quote:
Originally posted by voenne
First they have to open you up with the tongs thingy, inject the local anesthesia into the uterus, feels like it's going to burst, then pop that sucker in. For me it still hurt after the shots, and the shots were what hurt the most! After it was ... more
No, I would rather be prepared! It may sound odd, but I have a high tolerance for sharp pain. Blunt, diffuse blows (like, a punch in the eye, for example) hurt me a lot more than a needle would. I've had needles all kinds of places over the years, that may be relevant. So the needles would probably hurt, but not bother me nearly as much as the tongs and the cramps. Cramps feel more blunt and diffuse, and I'd rather a needle than that. I'm not sure why, but that's how my body registers pain.

I'm glad to know what to expect, thank you for sharing your story. I'm sorry your experience was so terrible - the whole process sounds pretty horrifying! At least they last a decently long time, so it's not a monthly or even annual ordeal.
01/02/2012
Contributor: WhoopieDoo WhoopieDoo
I lost my virginity on my honeymoon and I didn't want to use protection the first time, so we used Plan B afterward. It didn't make me sick when I took it, but when I got my period that month.....MOST INTENSE CRAMPS EVA!
01/02/2012
Contributor: Teacookie Teacookie
Quote:
Originally posted by kinky girlfriend
Just curious because this is the first time I have to take it..the condom broke last night I probly won't get the plan b until 3 or 4 pm today don't have a ride,too far to walk and I'm sick to my stomach,ibs bad.
Plan B is good for when you are with a new person. Relives the stress of what if. Cheaper as well. Due to time restraint it is not for procrasenators.
01/03/2012
Contributor: shcoo shcoo
I took it once because I had started antibiotics and we didn't think about them offsetting my birth control pills, and I had frustratedly pulled the condom off during sex, lol. Everything turned out fine though.
01/03/2012
Contributor: TheSlyFox TheSlyFox
I've never used plan B, nor would i ever, since me and my partner both want a child.
01/03/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Owl Identified
Just throwing in my geographic info on price and everything, for the purposes of this neat little drug price map we've got going here . Plan B is $55 in New York, the generic is around $40. Seems to be the same in New Jersey from what Tori said. ... more
(Pats Owl's head gently.)

It's going to be OK. I have bad reactions to a lot of drugs, and as you've read, I was absolutely fine with Plan B.

Take some time today to distract yourself, get some rest (just in case you don't feel well, but don't think about it too much) and know that the percentages are that things will be OK and you won't end up pregnant.

I know the fear. It's going to be well.

(Pats Owl's head again and rubs her back.)
01/03/2012
Contributor: Owl Identified Owl Identified
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
(Pats Owl's head gently.)

It's going to be OK. I have bad reactions to a lot of drugs, and as you've read, I was absolutely fine with Plan B.

Take some time today to distract yourself, get some rest (just in case you ... more
Aw, thank you so much!!! I actually did make it a point to distract myself because I was afraid I would develop psychosomatic symptoms. It's been a couple of days now, and still no side effects except some mild abdominal cramps. I was absolutely astounded that this was so easy. I have bad reactions to virtually EVERYTHING except aspirin, and this was remarkably painless. I will probably take a pregnancy test in a few days just to be sure, but I feel very relieved. Maybe nothing would have happened if I had done nothing, but I feel infinitely better knowing that I made certain that nothing happened. I am very adamantly pro-choice, but I know in my heart that actually terminating a pregnancy would be a very painful for me. I believe I would choose to terminate it, but I also know that it would probably hurt me for a very long time, maybe forever.

Having to use EC has definitely made me reevaluate my current birth control methods; I don't ever want to end up here again! But, it also has made me think of how long women have suffered - and continue to suffer in places where there is a lack of access, even here in the United States - because they have not been able to control their fertility and plan their pregnancies. Birth control, condoms, trained abortion providers, these things have so completely improved the quality of women's lives. I can't express how grateful I am to have the options available to me to make choices about having a family.

All I can say is I'm very glad that the progestin ECPs are the more commonly available/administered option these days. Just from reading this thread, researching, and my own personal experience, Plan B and Next Choice seem to be safe and relatively painless options. Obviously some do have bad experiences, but at least the progestin pills have decreased the likelihood of these experiences. For anyone in the future that stumbles onto this thread, I really do recommend Plan B or Next Choice. The worst possible side effects seem to be cramps, nausea and, in a small proportion (only 6%) of women, vomiting. The only downside is the cost. If you have Planned Parenthood nearby - as well as the luxury of time to make an appointment or wait for walk-in hours - then definitely go there!
01/04/2012