Ranting and Raving

[geminigirl]

With new insurance means new doctors. Especially since I've switched to an HMO. So I was quite pleased when they managed to get me an appointment quickly with a nurse practioner for an anual exam. And I'm quite vocal about having a latex allergy; I've learned in the past that I need to remind the doctors about it. So I mention it to the receptionist who's putting together my chart, the nurse who does my vital stats, and the doctor when I'm talking to her. There's even a big box of nitrile gloves...bright purple ones, right there. So after we go through the basic questions and information, she writes me a new script for my birth control pills BEFORE the exam. She also explains to me that my old pill isn't on the formulary, so she wants to switch me to a different pill. Then, she procedes to begin the exam and pulls on the latex gloves. It's now noted in my chart, and I've told her point blank, up front that I'm allergic. Thank goodness I was sitting up and looking, or I'd have been in quite a bit of trouble. I'm glad I had enough voice to speak up and say to her "Are those latex?"

It would be one thing if it hadn't been written in my chart, or if I hadn't made a point of reminding her...but I did what I was supposed to...say it. In the 5 minutes or so between when I mentioned it and when she put the gloves on it seemed to have disappeared from her mind. *sigh*



Next question...anyone ever switched between lo-ovral and levlen? I was very happy with lo-ovral, but it's not on the formulary, so she said to try levlen. According to the NP, the progestin in levlen is a more pure form, and the dose is a bit lower. The estrogens are the same. I'm wondering if anyone's noticed a difference?

Thanks.

Comments

[daonnan.livejournal.com]

I like Levlen but don't buy the generic bracd. i don't like that. I had break through bleeding for ten days on the generic pack.
The brand name was fine.

[geminigirl]

My plan currently fills the script with the brand; I got two orangey (gag!) packs of pills yesterday.

Why is it that birth control pill packs always come in hideous colors? Why can't the come in bold shades of red, sultry deep purples, and fertility greens?

[krasota.livejournal.com]

i've *never* had a medical professional manage to remember my latex allergy. even when i was in the hospital, with LATEX ALLERGY and NO LATEX signs on my door and in my room, folks would still come in and pull latex off the phleb cart of whatever... ugh. i'm sure new doctors all think i'm crazy for reminding them CONSTANTLY, but after they themselves slip a few times, they realize why i'm so persistent.

and be very careful--there are bright purple natural rubber latex gloves now, so purple doesn't always = nitrile these days. :(

[geminigirl]

It's funny; even the nurse who did my vitals and stuff said "Oh, don't worry, the doctor will ask you." The doctor never did-perhaps because I mentioned it before she asked.

But I did see that the box of purple gloves was labelled nitrile.

Do you wear a medic alert charm or anything? In the state I live in, all the ambulances and ERs (I think) are latex free...but my EMT friends are still encouraging me to get one. I still haven't convinced myself to go through with it yet.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

i really should get a medic-alert type charm, i suppose. i've recently had anaphylactic reactions to food prepared with latex. *sigh*

medic alert finally told me they DO have silver (the element) charms. i'm horribly allergic to chrome and nickel and can't wear any kind of stainless steel--even surgical steel makes me break out. i'll probably get a charm one of these days, but i'm not sure what kind.