2nd period

[amy_simcott]

Hey, last week I had my pill changed from Dianette (yeah not many people have heard of it, I have been on that since I was 13 for help with acne) to Cilest, my doctor told me to start the new pack after I finish my period - which luckily enough was last week anyway.
Well im on this new pack, have been taking them everyday - but for some reason I am having another period - it's not as heavy as I normally am, but is this normal?
I completely stopped last week...then yesterday I started again - even been getting the normal stomach cramps - just seems really weird.

[sera300]

Yes, it can be normal. Often it takes a month or so until your body re-adjusts to the new pill. What you are getting is breakthrough bleeding.

[Brandye]

I do not know what these two pills are called in the rest of the world but they are standards in the UK. I also do not know why your doctor switched you. There have been recent reports of depression after long term use of Dianette. Cilest is a natural alternative. The Cilest is also a combination drug (artificial progestin as well as synthetic estrogen). The doses of each are different.

Sera points out that women need to adjust to new pills. In your case, you are going to a lower dose rate and the "second period" is confusion within your body over the lack of so much hormone as it is accustomed to. Most women adjust in a couple months. In the longer term, theCilest may not control the acne as well. Hopefully, you are over the acute stage and that will make no difference.

[amy_simcott]

Yeah im over the acne part, but I have been on Dianette for 6 years now and have been told that its a really bad pill to be on for long term effects - that is why I asked my doctor to change my pill, he just never mentioned anything like this.
I guess I just worried a bit since I had a perfectly normal period the other week.

[sera300]

Amy;

Brandye is most suited to provide you the best information; however, these are some of my concerns & sorry for the long links! However, some do provide you with a forum & support as a consumer. Perhaps this is what was bugging you w/the boyfriend when you wondered about the ups and downs in your mood?

I have to ask; is this any part of the HX of RA (I do know you mentioned being on MTX & I wonder if this BCP was selected to help reduce some symptoms related similarly to the MTX? Do you have Poly cystic Ovarian Disease? Any chance you have Premature ovarian Failure?

Acne is a treatment using this medication...and given there are many other methods for treating Acne, I would ask why [from your doc] as why this was the selected BCP.

Having seen the chemical compounds of the medications; they are not used in the US rather are a UK based medication. I would expect the symptoms you are having are very normal given the BCP change. Use a back up method for the next few months to ensure no pregnancy.

http://www.verdicts.co.uk/womens_int...view-4577.html

http://dailystrength.org/people/143860/journal/1239413

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Womens...ages/7828.html

http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/30002330/


"According to a recent study, women who use the contraceptive pill, dianette, for a prolonged period of time are at risk of developing depression//.

Adverse Psychiatric Reactions Information Link, a charity, studied 100 women who used dianette, an effective contraceptive licensed as a hormone treatment for acne, reported the online edition of the Daily Mail.

The women said they experienced serious depression while on the drug.

Schering UK, which manufactures the drug, said it should only be prescribed for severe acne or excessive hair growth that had not responded to antibiotics.

"It is an effective contraceptive, but it should not be used solely for contraception," it said in a statement.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) is reviewing the drug after worries about its side effects.

A spokeswoman for the MHRA said depression is a known adverse reaction of dianette, which is stated on its labelling. A review was being done to see if the advice needed updating or changing, she said, adding that an expert advisory group would study the effects. "

--Edited IANS
'"/>

[amy_simcott]

I dont have either of those diseases, and I wasnt put on any specific pill to stop any symptoms from my Methotrexate as I have never had any and from what I have been told it does not have many effects.
I guess being on the dianette could be the cause of why I have been feeling low, just makes it another reason why it was goood to change.
I will have a look at them sites, thanks for the help.

[Brandye]

Sera provides much good and additional information. Ask your doctor why the switch and discuss all this with the doctor. Some of my colleagues are better at rote treatment than having the patient involvde in the cure.

[amy_simcott]

Ok, now im worried.
After reading some of them reviews I found this one:
Bad Points
Bouts of depression.
Sometimes moody and snappy, especially at the end of each pack.
Being far too emotional.
Irrational thoughts.
Crying and flipping out at the slightest thing.
Always feeling vunerable.
Negative thoughts and feelings, just couldnt look on the bright side!
Bad period pains and heavier periods (which i never used to suffer with)
It would take about 5 days for my period to start.

That is me to a T.
Im going to make an appointment with the doctor again.
It was me who asked to chage my pill, I had heard it had bad long term effects - I want to know why I wasnt warned about this at all or why no one suggested for me to come off these, it explains soo much.
I feel really awful now - I could have possible damaged my health even further from being on Dianette for 6 years.
I really really thankyou for your help, in some ways it helps knowing there is a reason why I have been like this lately - but it's also not a nice thought, I mean, now I gotta wait whille im on this new pill for me to get back to normal happy me.

[sera300]

Amy:

As Brandye points out; patients who are informed are the best consumers. Often Physicians or other Practitioners do not like to answer or do not have good methodology explaining "whys". However, she knows what is available in the UK v. here in the US...I am not a Physician, just a Nurse Practitioner. If you were in the US & in my care, I would change a patients BCP ASAP [if she had your symptoms] to a different pill until she could see her regular Gyn...or I would contact the Gyn myself & discuss the change right then & there...writing a new RX for the patient & have her follow up with the Gyn in a few weeks & you would be checking in w/me by phone.

I asked about the Pill since one of the meds in higher doses is similar to MTX. However, if that's not the reason [or any of the other's I asked you] I do not see why a better choice is not provided to you.

The key is asking; you see for yourself the side effects...you wondered what was getting to you a few weeks ago, perhaps much has to do with the BCP? I would really grill anyone who prescribes the "WHY" and all risks...be informed. Never fear asking questions and if you do not have sufficient answers change to another.

Some of the info sources I linked are good, some are patient or question forums, other's are just "okay"... but enough to get you some background as to what is happening...I have followed what you have wrote for some time now here & I question the pills.

Get a hold of the prescriber ASAP...there are more pills than you can imagine to try...I would think in the UK 20-30 (generally about three main types). One will work & it's working with your doctor to find the correct one. You do know you can stop them if you don't get an appointment, & use condoms with an added spermicide for BC options until you can get in to be seen. I do not know how long the average appointment time is for you in the UK. Here it's about a week [or under] for an established patient.

Let us know how you do...Please.

[Brandye]

Amy,

Do not freak out. You were looking at sites that either were the drug companies covering themselves or consumers who were dissatisfied. You can find dimilar comments about almost every medication on the market. Including aspirin.

The switch from Dianette was indicated. Maybe sooner, maybe not. I am not your physician.You have been switched to a logical and good alternative. Your initial question was over an episode of breakthrough bleeding. Many, perhaps most, women who change pills have similar. In a month or two your body will have adapted.

Yes, talk to your doctor. But do not get yourself all worked up.