HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Birth Control Pills and Lupus

Support Forums
>
Lupus
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/28/2008 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

i am a new member. I am 25 and have had lupus since i was 19. i was put on Birth Control Pills (BCP) when i was 17 to help acne and regulate my cycle. ever since my diagnosis (at 19) we have asked about the effect of the BCP and all my practitioners have ignored my concerns saying the studies do not say one way or another. so i have continued to take my BCP until now. I am in a flare with low platelets (ITP) and i am not getting good results with medications (prednisone and imuran). I am ready to stop all medications and see what my body does without any influences of medications especially the BCP.

what are some thoughts about BCP and lupus. i know hormones can trigger them but it seems like lots of people take BCP with lupus even though it is a possible trigger.

Thanks for any feedback and i really like this site. i think i will be commenting lots in the near future (while going through this flare).
Posted 2/28/2008 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
Skibabe
I was never on bcp, docs. wouln'd allow it due to clots I have had in on my lungs. Just want to welcome you the forum. Somebody can I'm sure somebody will come along soon and answer your question..
Posted 2/28/2008 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Syibabe!

You pose a very good question. I received my diagnosis after I had a complete hysterectomy so I might not be much help. However, my rhuemy believes I have had lupus since my late teens and I always took birth control pills. I am currently 46 so the BCP I took then were stronger than the ones they prescribe now. I do not recall any problems but I also had a few nice, long remissions, too. At this time, all I can share is my own experience on this topic. I hope it gives you some insight.

Welcome to HW, too! We are happy to have you join us. The others will be along soon to share more experiences and advice.
Posted 2/29/2008 5:08 AM (GMT 0)

Hi SKibabe,

I am also 25. I have been on BC since I was 18 to regulate my cylcles as well. I have spoken with my gynecologist about this too. He kind of blew me off at first being that I dont have an official "lupus" diagnosis. After I was a little more persistant, and said if you had a patient with lupus what would you suggest? He said the pill I am on is fine. So not sure if he was just saying that to get me off his back or what! I did some research and found it is best if you have to be on a pill to be on a low dose pill. I am on Kariva (generic for Mircette I think) which is supposed to be low dose. I also stopped taking it for about 6 months before I sought treatment thinking maybe thats why I was tired, and I was achey because I was tired and not wanting to be active.... Anyhow I did not notice any difference not being on it. Maybe your gyne would have suggestion.                                                                                                         What trying you on different meds? A side effect of Imuran is Thrombocytopenia (low platlets) so maybe the med is causing/making your ITP worse. I am not sure how long you have been on prednisone but it has some horrible long term side effects I am sure you know. If it isnt helping maybe they can try something that will.

Good Luck!

Melissa

Posted 2/29/2008 5:14 AM (GMT 0)
Skibabe,
Welcome to the forum. I understand you desire to try it without the meds for a while. Take the advice from a fool. I tried taking myself off of prednisone because of the horrible side effects and specifically weight gain; anyway, it was a horrible mistake. It's probably doing more than you think. I would highly recommened you follow the advice of your doc. If you feel like he/she is "blowing" you off, find one you feel more comfortable with. I took birth control for a while to regulate my cycles and I did not notice a problem. God Bless you, Judy
Posted 2/29/2008 11:33 AM (GMT 0)
Skibabe here -

as for the imuran and ITP... i had ITP before imuran and we are waiting for the imuran to "kick in" (4-6wks) until we see a rise in the platelets.... in the mean time we are using the prednisone to get the platelets elevated now (however they are not responding probably because of the imuran) DOUBLE EDGE SWORD!!

Thanks MJLD, snickerdoodle, audrey, and joinery - very sound advice and i thank you for the time to write and help me out - It is really nice to know others are having similar questions regarding the BCP. I have left an email with my rheumy and hopefully will here back soon.

As of now, i am tapering my prednisone and am excited to be off that monster of a drug. hopefully the imuran kicks in soon -

Take care
Angie
Posted 2/29/2008 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Angie,

i was diagnosed when i was 15 before i need BCP but when i did need to go on them, i actually had the doctor that followed my lupus, prescribe me my birth control pills. I did that, because he already knew what meds i was on and he was able to give me something that didnt interfere with my meds but didnt mess with my lupus either. good luck.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply