/Re: birth control pills?

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I totally agree with Kerry on this. Your doc must believe for some reason that you are at risk for blood clots or maybe his reasoning really is that Lupus and birth control don't mix. I do know that blood clots are nothing to mess with. They are deadly.

I also agree that you should see you GYN doc because he really would be the one to help you more with this. I know that you suffer terribly before, during, and after you period because you have written when you have been quite ill. I do hope you can get some answers, . I believe the right doc will take you seriously and give you the help you need. With you just having started school and a new job, you are already under lots of stress. Try to hang in there.

I hope better days are ahead for you. Take care and please let me know how things are going with you job, school, and health. Love, Donna

Re: birth control pills?

Hi , The fact that you mentioned that your doctor thinks that you are at risk for forming a blood clot should deter you completely from wanting to go on birth control pills. I am assuming that you have too much of a coagulant in your blood, as a small majority of lupus patients do, & you should NEVER take the pill. I am amazed at the callousness of your doctor & suggest you see your gynecologist for these "problems" you've mentioned, as the gyne can probably prescribe something much better than Aleve for the monthly pains. Have you ever been tested for fibroids or ovarian cysts? I know where you are coming from with the not feeling well for a while before & having a lot of pain during your periods. I have something called polycystic ovarian syndrome & my periods are a living hell. Luckily, I don't get them too often, usually every 2 to 3 months, so, I just do what I have to, to get by. I will imbibe a large dose of ibuprofen & use those therma care heat patches, if my regular pain meds can't help. I am not supposed to take ibuprofen because I am on Coumadin to prevent anymore blood clots, but sometimes, we have to do something to relieve "that" pain. I am assuming your doctor is a man. Men have NO IDEA what it's like to suffer with period pain, unless that's their area of expertise. I'm surprised your doc didn't push Sarafem on you, which is just a cute name for Prozac, that's supposed to help with those "blah" & moody feelings. What gets my goat is that a period is not supposed to be FUN, & we are expected to be moody around that time. For Pete's sake, our hormones are going nuts & we are BLEEDING! I am in awe of how fast Lilly saw to cash in on the mentstrual cycle. Now premenstrual syndrome is called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder & LOOKY HERE, take this Proza..., er, uh, Sarafem, & you'll no longer have the gall to bitch about blowing up to the size of a swollen tick on a lazy dog, & those cramps will all of a sudden become a delight! HOGWASH! Let me tell you that NO antidepressant is going to make our periods easier to handle! . Our pain is very real & if it's as bad as it sounds , you should be tested for problems that may be causing it & be given pain medicines that will work. I would not suggest you go on the pill, because although it may help with some things, blood clots are no picnic & CAN KILL YOU! The pill is not always the route to go, as I was on them for a few years & they made my mood gloomy & downright depressed. I was whacked out with mood swings & after a while, they weren't helping with the pain & I can recall that "out of control" feeling all too well, even 10 years later. Taking hormones to control hormones is not always the answer to menstrual problems, especially when you are risking blood clot formation. Call your gyne, or find a new one, who will take you seriously, as it seems the doctor you saw for this has no clue of what you deal with. I wish you the best of luck & hope to hear how things turn ! out for you. I know what you are going through & if I can ever be of any help to you, just drop me an email...

Hugs & Stuff,Kerry"The LUPIES Store" Come check out our store...http://www.cafepress.com/thelupies"The LUPIES Web Page"http://www.itzarion.com/lupusgroup.html"The LUPIES online photo albums!" Check out what your fellow Lupies look like...http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=lupies