I recently learned some disturbing information regarding Diane35 from a program called "Disclosure" on cbc.ca called "Two-for One". They did some research into possible deaths and adverse side effects of this medication. Apparantly, our risk of deep vein thrombosis ( blood clots) increases to 4 times more than that of patients on "regular" low dose pills! Furthermore, the Diane35 has not been approved by Health Canada as solely to be used for birth control purposes.
I don't know what experiences any of you have had with your own Doctors, but when I asked mine about Diane35, because I'd heard it was supposed to be good for people with PCOS , he thought it was a viable alternative to "regular" pills for me, because of my age (35), and the fact that it was "low-dose", which would presumably be better for my blood pressure, plus it had the added bonus of the antiandrogen in it to help with male pattern hair growth. I thought this was my perfect solution.....birth control and reduced hair!! Great! As of last night though, after hearing that report, I've decided to take myself off Diane35 ( after calling a few pharmacies to make sure I could quit 3 days into a package) and go see my Doctor regarding other options to treat my PCOS symptoms. As for my DH.....he's going to get snipped ....soon!! Obviously, everyone has to decide what's best for themselves, based on info they can research and get from their Doctors. This is just my two cents worth..... thanks.
"The Smallest Feline is a Masterpiece"
Leonardo da Vinci
__________________ 35 yrs.
DH 34, married 2000.
DX 1986
bcp's only med.
~*The Smallest Feline is a Masterpiece*~
leonardo da vinci
I was on Diane 35 when I got my blood clot in my leg. My leg will never be the same again.
Makes me angry......
__________________ Me 35, DH 52. DSS 22, DD 15
150mg of Effexor
Hysterectomy on Jan 17, 2006
Going back on Meds June 1st to treat PCOS symptoms though ovaries are gone. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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I was on diane35 for almost 2 years. I was reading some where that you should be monitored while on it (and my doctor wasn't!). It slows hair growth which I liked, but I guess when it slows hair growth, it slows ALL hair growth. I started losing handfuls of hair from my scalp That's when I decided that was enough. I went to another gyn and she switched me to ortho cyclen b/c she said cutting diane35 cold turkey might hurt my system since I was on it for so long.
You are correct about the increasing risks associated with Diane35. BUT, for young women at least, the risk of death is STILL less than the risk of dying during childbirth, for example, or dying in a car accident, or many other risks we expose ourselves to daily.
Also, note that risks associated with bcp increase with age. The risks of death related to use of bcp (non-smokers) at ages 15-19 is 0.3 deaths per 100,000 non-sterile women using birth control, ages 20-24 it's 0.5, ages 25-29 it's 0.9, ages 30-34 it's 1.9, ages 35-39 it's 13.8, ages 40-44 it's 31.6. For the same age groups, the deaths associated with childbirth are 7.0, 7.4,. 7.9, 9.1 14.8, 25.7, 28.2. (These numbers are from the Yasmin package insert, but they apply to bcps in general.) So for young women, even if you quadruple the average risk to estimate the risk for Diane, you are STILL at lower risk than that associated with childbirth. And frankly, not very many women worry about dying in childbirth anymore, even though it clearly happens a tiny amount of the time.
It's important to look at risks relative to other risks. Just because you have four times the risk, if it's a tiny risk to start with, it's still very small!
__________________ Janet
DS#1 1991 after losing weight, DS#2 1995 after 1 cycle of Humegon (injectible)
Yasmin (previously Diane-35), Synthroid 0.15 mg, Spiro 100 mg
Regardless of what the chances are all I know is that I was fine on other BCP's and once I was perscribed Diane 35, the blood clot arrived in 6 weeks.
I am angry that I was not informed of the higher risk involved. 4 times is 4 times higher. Aparently it was enough to set me off.
__________________ Me 35, DH 52. DSS 22, DD 15
150mg of Effexor
Hysterectomy on Jan 17, 2006
Going back on Meds June 1st to treat PCOS symptoms though ovaries are gone. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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That pill is a complete nightmare. In my opinion it should be taken off the market, there are other pill which are anti androgen without all the horrible side effects!!!!!!!!!
__________________ A soulcyster member since 2001. Former alternative remedies moderator. Back into the community again!
Santa's Baby,
How did you know that you had a blood clot?? I have been taking Yasmin for about a year and I have terrible leg pain on it. I call my doctor and he tell me something like "your probley dehydrated, blood clots are very rare" I know what to look for, like a reddned area, hot to the touch and extreme pain in a localized area. Anyway, I quit taking the pill this month. It is really stressful for me wondering if I have a blood clot or not. It is my worst fear. My grandmother had a stroke 2 years ago when she was 58 and now she is paralyzed and has lost her speech. My fear is valid and I am tired of it being minimized. Last time I went off of them I had 2 cycles that were 35 and 29 days. I am not sure what is going to happen to my body. Whats a girl to do??
__________________ Rosie~34
Happily Married with 2 Children
Dx PCOS, Hashi's
1500 mg Met ER
112 mg levoxyl
Yaz
Counting the days until my husband comes home from Afghanistan, December 4th at 8:33pm, but hey who's counting?!
OK for me the foot and ankle on my right leg began to swell and ache. It never went really red but the bottom half of my calf did discolour. It finally took me not being able to stand on my leg and the pain was unbearable before they found anything. Even then I had to point to the exact spot on my leg so that they would find it. Until that moment I was at the hospital for a doppler 3 times and was misdiagnosed everytime. They kept looking at the wrong vain in my leg.
I would not stop until you are satisfied. Blood clots are dangerous things. Do not let your doctor fool around with that.
Good Luck.
__________________ Me 35, DH 52. DSS 22, DD 15
150mg of Effexor
Hysterectomy on Jan 17, 2006
Going back on Meds June 1st to treat PCOS symptoms though ovaries are gone. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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Just been to GP and have been prescribed Yasmin, so when I finish this pack on Diane-35 I can start taking it! They are much bigger pills!!
__________________ Adriana
-----------------------
Age 27
Diagnosed - Jan 2001
Med- Natural Prostegone Cream 2000- 2002
Dianette Jan 2002 - Feb 2002
Yasmin Feb 2002 - April 2005
Mini Pill - April 2005 - May 2005
Back on the Yasmin - October 2005 - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
April,
I wanted to thank you for you reply. My leg pain became worse and it got to the point where it was painful to stand and it throbbed horribly. I called the doctor and went in. They sent me immediatley to the hospital for an ultrasound and doppler. They started in my groin and looked at all of the veins in my leg. They didn't find anything. My doctor said they think I have an irritated vessel and to stretch more and elevate it. It is so much better. I have decided to quit taking bc pills. I was talking to the radiologist that read my images. He said that bloodclots happen more than people think and that I should be concerned with them while being on bc pills.
__________________ Rosie~34
Happily Married with 2 Children
Dx PCOS, Hashi's
1500 mg Met ER
112 mg levoxyl
Yaz
Counting the days until my husband comes home from Afghanistan, December 4th at 8:33pm, but hey who's counting?!
for about one year, oh my god, it was horrible. my blood pressure went way up (ive never had high blood pressure before this) and my moods were unbearable. my blood pressure returned to normal after i was off of it, but i was very scared
I have been on diane 35 for 4 years and have had no problems. Regular excercise should reduce the risk of thrombosis; if you are at risk of blood clotting than perhaps bps aren´t the best option to begin with. In Germany diane 35 is prescribed as a contraceptive, as well as long term therapy. I doubt anyone on it for less than 6 months will notice benefits straight away; cessation after it starts working will just bring symptoms right back. Health Canada´s rec seems a little odd to me. For the first 3 months i was on it i was a complete ***** - i credit my husband for putting up with me. The only negative side effects are that i sometimes have water retention (spiro helps that) and my periods have dwindled down to nothing (which i think is caused by the spiro). After 10 years of chronic acne, 2 rounds of accutane (which is one of the most horrible drugs out there) this treatment allows me to leave my flat witthout makeup and not feel ashamed or embarrassed. It won´t work for everyone.. but it works for me.
25 yrs
married 5 yrs
NOT ttc
not diabetic or overweight
diane 35
androcur 10 mg
spiro 50 mg
looking and feeling good
I would suggest that all of you stop taking 'the pill'. The reason I think so is that I used to be on the pill for about 8 years, then in 2001 I had a stroke!!!!
I was taking Marvelon (one of the "safest" ones out there).
Read this if you take Diane 35!!!!!!! 
It is what gave me mine. 
That's when I decided that was enough. I went to another gyn and she switched me to ortho cyclen b/c she said cutting diane35 cold turkey might hurt my system since I was on it for so long.
