Samples, A Perk and A Review

I am sure there are more perks to being a doctors wife than just knowing the best doctors for every procedure known to man. But, one of the best perks may be samples of prescription drugs. I am not talking the hard stuff, I am talking primarily about children's Tylenol and Advil.

Our programs GME office is also located in the family clinic that interns and family practice residents run. It seems as though every time my DrH steps through those doors for something the nurse is handing him samples of children's medications. They probably have ample supplies because I don't think they see children on a regular basis, or they feel sorry for the resident with ALL those kids:-)

We have used many of these samples ourselves. I can't remember the last time we had to buy any. In fact I have two bottles in my suitcase right now that have come in handy lately. Darn teething!

We have used many more of these samples as "gifts" to our friends with children, or in baby shower gifts. Yes, I regift and no one seems to mind getting free drugs.

But the sample that perhaps has been the most useful has been the birth control pills. Yes I use the birth control pill. I am scared to death of having a foreign object in my body, but love the idea of a IUD. Maybe I will get past it.

So this is how I came to receive a rather large sampling of birth control pills from my OB/GYN.

I had been fretting about having to find an OB/GYN as soon as we move just to get a Rx for the pill. Come on, I married a doctor - can't you just write one for me? I would rather put off having the annual "peek and a poke" until we move for a real job and I can establish a doctor/patient relationship for the last time. I don't need someone to look at my lady parts just once. I don't take pleasure in having as many people as possible perform the inspection.

I needed to find a way to get enough birth control pills to last me through fellowship. I already had a prescription for the pill, but it needed to be refilled, and my refills would run out before the fellowship did.

Then came the phone call to my house. It was my OB/GYN! She wanted my recipe for chocolate chip cookies. I make them for the office after I have a baby, and they are that good. So I gladly shared my recipe and sent my DrH into the office to deliver it. Since she had asked for something, I didn't mind asking for something in return.

We had already talked about asking for samples but I don't like asking for things. This is the one time that I didn't do something to save money (although it is doing that).  I am perfectly happy to pay for my birth control - having 4 kids will do that to a person. I should let Sandra Fluk know (off topic). Yet again, I made my husband do the begging. I kind of feel bad about it now, but he was happy to do it (you know he was). How awkward is that, a man asking for samples of birth control pills for his wife? Hey, I don't care. He brought me some pills!

So this new pill that I am taking is called Generess FE. It is a chewable pill that tastes of mint! What a great idea. I have taken allergy tablets that were chewable and loved them. But a birth control pill that was chewable. That seems weird.

I am pleased to report I have been taking them for a month and I am not pregnant, and I am fertile (or at least I have been in the past) so I am pretty confident that they are doing their job. Well, and the fact that I am not living with my husband so relations are non-existent might have something to do with it. We will find out in a few weeks how well it really works.

The only downside to this particular pill: I have been spotting. I don't spot. My cycle comes and then goes, regular like clock work (especially when I have been on a combination pill). According to the reviews I have read online, many people experience light spotting. Just enough to be annoying but not enough to require intervention. They should go away in a few months. I am not exactly happy with that, but I just scored some free birth control pills and will be saved from having to locate an OB/GYN for a few extra months.  I will try to keep my complaints to a minimum.

If you are in the need for a birth control pill, try the yummy tasting Generess FE. I should totally do commercials.