diane-35

mellymel · 02-20-2003, 07:08 AM

My doc has perscribed diane-35 i just want to know if it is effective for pcos and if there is any nasty side effects

jannie_b · 02-20-2003, 10:45 AM

I was on it for about 2 years and it worked pretty well. But then I moved to the US and cannot get it here.

I didn't have any side effects although I got headachy on my week off. But that happens for me with most pills. It worked pretty well for my acne (although not completely) and helped a little bit with the hair, but adding spironolactone to the mix really did the job.

You should be aware that Health Canada has just put out an advisory saying that women should NOT be on it for more than 4 months or something, which I think is ludicrous. Any effect you experience from the med will go away once you stop. There is a higher risk of blood clots with this drug. You may wish to talk to your doc about this.

Health Canada warning

mellymel · 02-21-2003, 06:11 AM

Thanks Jannie for the info it helped alot

mellymel · 02-23-2003, 08:29 PM

Ive been doing research on diane-35 and found lots of warnings http://cbc.ca/disclosure/archives/030114_diane/main.htm

simone · 03-05-2003, 07:41 PM

Mellymel,

Please be careful if you decide to take Diane-35. If you have ANY mood or psychiatric disorders, or susceptibility to them, Diane35 will most likely make you worse.

I was sure I'd heard it could induce/increase depression and a really ignorant and irresponsible endo put me on it after I specifically told her I was worried about these effects (Ihad severe persistent depression).

Also, in Canada, Diane35 is considered a "cosmeceutical" -- it's only official recognized use is for controlling acne. So, it may not be covered on your drug insurance plan.

I found this site helpful:

http://www.wdxcyber.com/ncontr13.htm

There is a chart that shows which bcps are best for certain symptoms (eg acne, facial hair, heavy bleeding, etc.), so you can pretty much get something that is custom tailored to your needs. You may have to try a few brands anyways (I went though 8 months of bcp purgatory this past year), but don't give up. Also, since the site is US, some brands may not be available in Canada (like Yasmin). If you're not sure, go to the drugcheck link at:
Http://www.medbroadcast.com
This is a Canadian site so it only lists drugs available here. If something doens't show up, we can't get get. Wierd, though, when I went on Diane in Aug/Sept, I couldn't find it listed. I guess they were still trying to figure out how to word all the warnings so they wouldn't be too scary for us girls.

Good luck,
Simone

simone · 03-05-2003, 07:50 PM

BTW and/or FYI:

I went on Demulen a few months ago because I've always had severe bleeding and cramps without bcp. It works really well for me, but took about 4 months to make a measurable difference in my acne (but I also lost weight in that time, which I think helped my skin). On the plus side, my periods are tiny trickles compared to my former torrential floods. Yay!

Simone

mellymel · 03-06-2003, 03:07 AM

Thanks Simone for the info
It really funny that my doc would give me diane anyways i have not one pimple on my face lol
im not taking diane it has too many risks for my liking im going to try ortho

ukleder · 04-09-2003, 08:44 PM

I've been on Diane 35 for about eight months and don't like the effects at all. I was previously on Demulen while living in the US but now I live in the UK and it's not available here so I'm on Diannete/Diane-35.

I have severe vaginal dryness, bad cramps before and during my period, major bloat, weight gain, irritability, decreased sex drive, and I seem to be hungry all the time.

Unfortunately I think my only options while living in England are Diannete or Yasmin and I've not heard rave reviews about either.

I was wondering if anyone has tried going off of the bcps and starting anything 'alternative' instead....like progesterone creams, or saw palmetto, etc in lieu of bcps.

Are we supposed to be on the bcps for life? It seems a bit ridiculous and expensive. And I wonder what happens when we go through menopause...what hrt are we supposed to take then if we're already higher in androgens now? It's all very confusing and unfortunately my last RE in Washington, DC said they don't have any answers as research hasn't been done until recently...and they've not followed anyone with PCO into menopause. I'm certainly curious as to what to expect, but I imagine that if I'm on bcps for too much longer that I'll die of a blood clot!

LOL!

-Bobbi

Daniani · 04-09-2003, 08:47 PM

hi,

I was put on Diane 35 when I found out i had pcos. I was an emotional wreck, crying about everything and extremely tired. I ended up having my period for 16 days on them and eventually tossed them because I couldn't handle them. Mind you I cannot handle any bcp's very well. I even tried Elysse ( a low doseage bcp) and it did the same. I'm now on met.

Danielle

Asusundevilgirl · 04-09-2003, 08:51 PM

I have been on Dianne-35 for a year now. Unfortunately I was given the med when I was out of the country so now I have to go to Mexico to get it. But it isn't a problem because I live in AZ and mexico is only 2 and half hours away. As for side effects I don't have any. I never did. I guess I am one of the few. I would just like to know what those side effects are. Well anyways my ance went away with Accutane and not dianne-35 and my hair well laser hair removal is working and as for my weight tons of excercise.