Still just lurking.. do you need to talk to your dr. before stopping the pill?

I have been on the pill for 12 years. For the past 1.5, it has been almost worthless to me. Breakthrough bleeding, AF coming a few days up to a week and a half early. I have discussed this with my dr. who said it was normal and tried different Rx's with no luck. We have always used back-up BC because I just don't trust it.

We dont plan on TTC until at least later in the year, but I'm wondering if I should even bother to continue to take the pill? What's the point?

Do I need to tell my dr? Can I just stop? I'd rather not go in just to tell her I'm not going to take my pill anymore.

Any thoughts, TTC experts?

Re: Still just lurking.. do you need to talk to your dr. before stopping the pill?

IMO - no, you don't need to talk to your dr. After a cycle ends and AF shows, just don't take it anymore.
It may take a while for your cycles to be regular, but it seems as if BC wasn't helping you to be regular anyway?

And especially if you were using back-up protection anyway, I would think it would help you to stop BCP now, learn more about how your body works naturally, so you will be ready when you want to TTC.

Re: Still just lurking.. do you need to talk to your dr. before stopping the pill?

Re: Still just lurking.. do you need to talk to your dr. before stopping the pill?

i didn't bother saying anyting to my doc when i stopped taking the pill. we were using back up and it seemed like it wasn't working anyway as my cycles were NEVER regular.

Re: Still just lurking.. do you need to talk to your dr. before stopping the pill?

i did,, but it was only bc i had an appt scheduled for my yearly appt

Re: Still just lurking.. do you need to talk to your dr. before stopping the pill?

Thanks girls.

I had a feeling everyone would say "I'd talk to your dr. first" since that seems to be one of the most popular LIF responses I'm so glad you agree that I can save my co-pay and some sick leave.

Thanks again!

Re: Still just lurking.. do you need to talk to your dr. before stopping the pill?

I didn't i just stopped.

Re: Still just lurking.. do you need to talk to your dr. before stopping the pill?

Re: Still just lurking.. do you need to talk to your dr. before stopping the pill?

i went through the same thing my last few months on the pill and i figured since it wasn't working the way it should and we would be TTC soon i stopped. it really helped me to get to know my body and cycles so when it is time to TTC i will have a better idea of when i'm going to O.
I stopped the pill in october and right now we're practicing "pull and pray" (most of the time) . then come this spring/summer we'll just let nature take its course.

ETA: no i didn't tell my dr i was going to stop before i did. i just waited for AF to come and i just didn't start a new pack after that.

Message edited 2/20/2009 8:26:34 AM.