Is Anyone Still on Dianette??

Maddy · 04-18-2005, 04:45 PM

Hello!

Well Dianette is now a bit of an "old fashioned" medication for PCOS - but after receiving no medical help at all for the last two years (namely because I am not ttc or obese) I have been prescribed three months worth of Dianette.

I had never been keen on BCPs before but after thinking about it - I am taking Saw Palmetto and licorice as anti-androgens and Dianette should work better as an anti androgen shouldn't it?

I used to be able to maintain my weight when on BCPs but each time I have not taken them my weight has spiralled. I am just about managing it with diet and exercise but I would like to lose my last 20-30lbs and, maybe I'm clutching at straws, but I'm hoping Dianette will help.

Another reason I'm considering it is that my periods are often late - resulting in long spells of PMT and PMT related deep depression and that is also when my head hair sheds and my weight spirals. I also get very weepy and sometimes I feel my life revolves around my AF cycle. So I'm also hoping Dianette will help with this.

Is anyone still taking it? Have you been able to lose weight whilst on it?

alex · 04-19-2005, 07:03 AM

I'm taking it. I didn't know it was an 'old-fashioned' medication either? I realise that many people say that the BCP is not ideal for PCOS, but it seems to work well for me because 1) I use it as contraception also 2) its anti-antrogenic properties have reduced my body hair which is what sent me to the Dr in the first place and 3) I've had no unpleasant side-effects. My Dr says that Dianette is a higher dose pill than she would recommend in the normal way of things, but that this is outweighed by the benefits in the case of PCOS.

As for losing weight, I can't say as I haven't tried. My weight hasn't altered on Dianette, it has always been in the normal range. I got sore, swollen breasts for about the first 6-8 weeks, but that has gone now.
GL,
Alex

Maddy · 04-19-2005, 02:52 PM

Thank you for your response Alex. I know quite a few people on the board were taking it in 2002 but I hadn't seen any posts about it recently!

I suppose the only thing I'm concerned about is if it causes me to gain weight but I'm giving it a go and I'll just have to see

Nolly · 05-04-2005, 12:11 PM

Hey, I've been off and on Dianette since I was diagnosed over 2 years ago. I'm now 21 and I'm thinking I'll stay on in for at least another year without breaks as I'm travelling abroad. I have been having laser hair removal treatments, which have been fantastic I have to say and I feel that with Dianette the hair regrowth is definitely stunted. Luckily I have never been a PMT sufferer and I don't find any unwanted symptoms with Dianette, thankfully! It is certainly nice to have regular periods and I don't think it's affecting my weight either. I am about 12 stone and a broad enough build, my height is 5'8 or 5'9. If anyone knows anything about whether or not I need to work on my weight I'd appreciate that but weight has not been a real issue for me with my PCOS. I hope Dianette continues to work for you!

Nolly.

evenstar · 05-10-2005, 09:31 PM

I'm on Diane.35, I think it's the same. And since my doctor told me I was a skinny girl, and I'm desperate NOT to get pregnant, she gave me the pill...
I don't like it much. It makes me moody..

blue_dragon · 05-10-2005, 10:24 PM

I've been on Diane 35/Dianette for over 4 years now, and it hasn't caused me to gain any weight. I haven't really had any problems with it.

Limey · 05-15-2005, 04:21 PM

[quote=Nolly]I'm thinking I'll stay on in for at least another year without breaks as I'm travelling abroad. [/QUOTE]

Are you able to take Dianette for that long without a break? I've only just been prescribed that but I thought you could only run two packs together at a time. If I can do that for longer it would be great.

Nolly · 05-16-2005, 08:24 AM

Hey Limey,

Sorry if I confused you there. No, I don't ever run packets together. I just meant that for the year I will stay on Dianette without taking a break from it, like for a few months to see how my natural cycle is. Before I would go on and off it but now I am going to to continue taking it for at least another year. Good luck with everything!

Maddy · 05-18-2005, 02:13 PM

I'm a bit leery about the side effect of depression to be honest. I had terrible suicidal PMT last year and one of the reasons I have been prescribed BCPs is to give my body a rest of the horrors of PMT and fast PMT weight gain. But I did notice that one of the side effects can be depression. I have had to stop taking St Johns Wort because of the BCP and that was helping me; has anyone had any problems with depression whilst on Dianette/Diane35?

Nenner · 09-25-2005, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nolly

Hey Limey,

Sorry if I confused you there. No, I don't ever run packets together. I just meant that for the year I will stay on Dianette without taking a break from it, like for a few months to see how my natural cycle is. Before I would go on and off it but now I am going to to continue taking it for at least another year. Good luck with everything!

I'm confused ...my gp has prescribed dianette for me and I take it non-stop (well, except for the 7 days off between packs)- is this wrong?

Also..has anyone else had pregnancy symptoms on Dianette?

*tinks* · 09-26-2005, 08:44 AM

Hi maddy, i had terrible trouble with severe depression which i'm pretty sure was caused by dianette - not sure if u've read any of my previous posts (prob will be from about june/july) but i started taking dianette last summer when i was first diagnosed with PCOS, but by May of this year i was a state - first i thought it was the stress of uni, but after having to miss my exams, being diagnosed with severe depression by my uni doc and after 2months of being on prozac not feeling any better i did some research and found dianette could have been the cause, so went back to my gyn in july and she told me to stop the dianette straight away cos ive never had any problems with depression before. n it has taken time but i'm finally starting to feel better - it was awful coming off the dianette, but then the prozac started to work and i continued with my exercise and healthy eating. managed to pass my 2nd year uni exams in august and go back to uni now next week to start my 3rd year - i'm still not 100% better but i'm convinced dianette was the main problem cos i'm so much better off it.
but altho i was depressed it did help to reduce hair growth and my PMT while i was on the dianette was minimal - no cramping etc but obv my mood swings were awful, i put on nearly a stone in weight - mainly on my boobs (they were constantly swollen), belly and arms despite doing loads of exercise and trying to watch what i ate and i did get depressed.
Nenner - when i first went on dianette i constantly felt sick (lasted for about 3months) though ive never being pregnant - it was like having morning sickness i think! how long have you been on dianette? its recommended that u only take it for two years and then stop - though i've heard of many women who have taken it for a lot longer, without any problems, but i'm not really sure.
that's right - u take the pill for 21days then have 7days break then start the next pack.
hope it works for u, but do be careful and watch for signs of depression.
good luck xxxxxx

JenStoutNumber2 · 10-02-2005, 02:24 PM

I just finished my second packet of Dianette today. I have to say that I was worried about some of the side effects listed (particularly migrains), but have been presently supprised that I have nothing noticable. My first AF was horrendous and heavy with lots of cramping the first two days. I expect AF some time this week so I will see if it changes at all. I have a feeling that the last one was because I hadn't had AF in almost 2 years (was on Depo for a year of it). I have not been on Dianette long enough to see the benefits of reduced body hair or acne, but I have lost 7lbs since August with no extra exercise. Hope that helps.

Jen