So worried- Dianette

[dianettey]

I may be U to get health information from the DM. But this is about my pill www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2338072/Dianette-My-beautiful-cheerleader-daughter-died-agony-took-acne-drug.html and I am now very worried!

I really don't want to stop taking it, it's a miracle drug for me...

Your prescriber should have explained the risks very carefully to you, it is a risky drug and I guess you're really going to have to weigh up and pros and cons. I was prescribed it by a gynae for PCOS and the GP went bonkers saying it was inappropriate given my medical history. I went to my GP very cross (because it eradicated my PCOS symptoms) and they say they will not prescribe it for more than 6 months and explained the risks. I chose to come off it. How long have you been on it? If you don't mind me being nosy, why are you on it?

Yes yes, I've been on it too, for about ten years. Have been thinking about consulting a dermatologist with a view to coming off but whenever I've done that in the past the acne has returned. I am encouraged though, by the 85% success rate of contraceptive pill + Spironolactone for hormonal acne. I would want to try that I think.

We should come off it as it isn't 100% safe. Hard though because when it works you feel amazing!

I was on dianette for over ten years for acne, but came off of it on advice of doctor. Tried a few different alternatives without success, until doctor put me on Yasmin and my skin cleared up again immediately - it was just as good as dianette without the potential health risks. Although I'm 39 weeks pregnant now so obviously can't take the yasmin - can't wait to go back on it to clear up my skin again once baby arrives!

I was on dianette from the age of 14 until I was 23 due to my skin. I remember at 14 when I started taking it, it was like a miracle as nothing else had worked for my skin and gp had suggested either dianette or dermatologist and I was scared to go to the derm.

I came off it at 23 once I had got married to start ttc but then after dd1 when to speak to gp about going back on it and it was then that gp said no and that I should never have been on it for so long, which I had no idea about.

I still have skin problems now at 33 but have accepted I won't have perfect skin. I saw a derm last year but don't want to be taking antibiotics long term so have come off them.

I've been on dianette since end of February. Prior to that, I had been on it for about 3 years in my late teens and early 20s. It worked like magic for my acne when I was younger, but GP switched me onto Yasmin, which didn't really work at all for acne. Dianette has been slower to work this time around but I can really see the improvements kicking in now.

I will be coming off it in August. It's just not safe although I am so gutted at the thought of my skin going right back to square 1. I'm just not destined to have good skin I guess. I don't want to be on long term anti-bs either. :(

Tried Spironolactone?

Yes, it has long been known to be dangerous. As have some other combined oral contraceptive pills.

however, it is a miracle worker re acne and greasy skin. I used to be prescribed it by the gp until it was discovered that I had a blood condition increasing my chances of clotting. And had a DVT.

Nothing else has improved my skin ever as much as Dianette. Even though I am now 45 I still have coarse oily skin, bit spotty still. The dianette gives me fine pored, perfect textured skin. Sigh..

msrisotto

Are you in the UK?

I once asked a dermatologist in NHS hospital about it to treat acne - and he was astounded. I explained what I had read - and he still pooh-poohed the idea that it would have an effect on women's skin.

I am, I haven't discussed it with doctors yet, just been reading research online :(

I was on it from 16 to 27! For hairiness rather than acne - and I'm a migraine sufferer!
I can;t remember having had any risks explained but this was 1990 so some time ago....

A lot of the posters on online forums who have used Spiro - are in the US.

but it may be that things have changed over here since - my discussion was about 8 years ago.

I currently am on long term Trimethoprim. A (different) NHS consultant said I could take it for acne. It is what they prescribe before the final step of offering Roaccutane.

Interesting thanks, I would consider Roaccutane but would definitely try everything else first!