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Pregnancy

Dianette/pregnancy - any advice?

21 replies

wikkidstepmum · 26/09/2006 11:06

Can anyone help me? I have PCOS and have been on dianette & cipramil for 4 years. Was told my chances of natural conception were low but I've now missed my last 2 AFs. I have assorted other pregnancy-type symtoms - weight gain, nausea, backache, headache, tiredness .. Can't see my GP till thurs and I'm going out of my mind! Any help gratefully received x

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marthamoo · 26/09/2006 11:12

I don't really want to be the person to tell you this but Dianette can cause birth defects. If you've been talking it properly though the chances of you being pregnant are very, very slim. Have you missed any pills - do you have any other reason to think you may be pregnant? I think you need to do a test and then speak to your GP asap. I really hope you are not pregnant and I hope I haven't worried you further.

marthamoo · 26/09/2006 11:15

Sorry, taking, not talking.

marthamoo · 26/09/2006 11:21

It also might be wise to stop taking the Dianette until you know for sure whether you are pregnant. Can you do a test today? I've got to go out now, but will check back later.

doghouse · 26/09/2006 11:23

interested in where I can read about dianette and birth defects. i was taking it until v recently and am now 14 weeks pg (scan on mon) and am worried now. not once did gp mention birth defects either when i was on the pill or when i was coming off ttc?

wikkidstepmum · 26/09/2006 11:30

I stopped taking it as soon as it occurred to me I might be pregnant. I did a home test - negative - but a friend who's a nurse said the dianette might cause that. She didn't mention the birth defects though. Now I feel even more sick. I've missed a few pills recently and have to admit I don't always take it on time.

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marthamoo · 26/09/2006 11:45

I'm back now. Can you ring your GP now and see if you can get an emergency appointment today? I don't know anything about Dianette causing a false negative - but, even if you've missed the odd one, I still think the chances of you being pregnant are pretty slim. I'm sorry that I've worried you even more - I really think you should try and see a GP today and get some expert advice. If a urine test is not going to be reliable then maybe you'll need a blood test. Best of luck.

marthamoo · 26/09/2006 11:47

That's appalling, doghouse - I've been on Dianette twice and my GP stressed to me each time that I must not get pregnant while taking it. I think once you stop taking it it clears from your system quite quickly, if that's at all reassuring.

I feel awful for worrying you both now - but I can't believe GPs are prescribing this pill without telling people of the potential side-effects.

wikkidstepmum · 26/09/2006 11:55

I've had 3 different GPs whilst on Dianette, none of them mentioned it. God I'm worried now. I phoned the docs but apparently I'm not an emergency.

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doghouse · 26/09/2006 11:58

marthamoo - i think i panicked a bit ... when i re-read your post i realised you were talking to the person who may have got pg whilst on dianette... i got pg about 6 weeks after coming off it so hopefully i will be ok. don't feel bad - i just am that the link between dianette and birth defects was brought to my attention by you rather than any gp.

marthamoo · 26/09/2006 11:58

I find that really shocking

You've got an appointment on Thursday though? You'll just have to sit tight til then, I guess - I really hope you aren't pregnant (and I know I've said it twice but I think the chance that you are is pretty remote). Take care.

wikkidstepmum · 26/09/2006 12:05

Thank you. I was trying not to be excited about it, but failing miserably. Now I guess I'll just have to try to be relieved if - when - I find out I'm not!

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marthamoo · 26/09/2006 12:06

I found the following on Net Doctor, doghouse..

"Once you have stopped taking Dianette, the drug will clear quickly from your system, although it can take up to three months for some of the metabolic effects of the pill to return to normal. Some dispute still remains about whether it is preferable to wait for one or two periods once a woman has stopped taking the pill, before trying to conceive.

It would certainly do no harm to wait, and it allows the pregnancy to be dated accurately. However there is no evidence of any adverse effects on the fetus of Pill use prior to conception [my itals].

So no need to worry - good luck with your scan on Monday.

I'm going now before I make anyone else panic...why aren't doctors telling women about these things ?

marthamoo · 26/09/2006 12:08

I know, wikkidstepmum - mixed feelings

incy · 26/09/2006 14:39

Don't know if this helps but I got pregnant whilst on the pill (used to control PCOS) and as I was so used to missing my AF I kept taking the pill for some time before I realised (yes I am very stupid!). mass panic - so referred to see a consultant in the EPU (midwidfe/gp not really sure !) who said 'no problem at all, l think nothing of it.' Was definitely on either cilest or dianette. Ds is perfect. Perhaps ask to see/speak to a consultant if you are worried. big hug.

sweetkitty · 26/09/2006 14:51

My GP told me that it was imperative I didn't get pregnant whilst taking Dianette as it's an anti-angrogen pill (blocks male hormone) and if you were pregnant with a boy it could stop his boy bits developing and it had been proven in male rats. This was years ago though.

WSM - I would get a pregnancy test from the chemist/supermarket today to put you mind at rest (I'm the most impatient person ever though)!

wikkidstepmum · 26/09/2006 14:52

Thank you so much incy, that makes me feel a lot better

Did your pregnancy have any effect on your PCOS? When diagnosed, my GP told me I'd have trouble conceiving but that it might "sort it all out"

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AmieR · 26/09/2006 14:53

I suffer from PCOS too, I'm now 18 weeks pregnant, all done naturally.. I'm a lucky gal.

My doctor didn't mention any medication for it when I was diagnosed. Just mumbled something about if I wanted children there "may be something we could do about it'. Helpful eh?

incy · 26/09/2006 14:56

Personally I did find that occasional spots I used to get went completely during pregnancy and never came back (could be age though !). Also have just conceived second child with no intervention but again, could be luck. In my experience preganancy seemed to get my hormones under control. With regard to other issue I would find out if you are pregnant and if you are demand to see a consultant as they will reassure you. hug.

wikkidstepmum · 30/09/2006 11:11

False alarm. Kind of a relief after being so stressed about it but also a bit sad - even Mr "I don't want any more kids" shed a tear or 2.

Off to the gynae on monday morning as all my GP can say is "there might be something wrong"

Just want to say thanks to you all for help & support with this

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incy · 30/09/2006 11:39

Perhaps you could change to another pill just in case it happened again (it does, believe me !) I think I used cilest to control PCOS which is similar to Dianette but without potential probs if you do conceive. I am happy it all worked out for you. big hug.

marthamoo · 30/09/2006 12:10

I'm relieved for you, wikkidstepmum - but sorry you feel sad too. I hope it goes well on Monday.

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