The pill and other medication

[Suze]

Hello everyone. Yet to ask my doc this but wont be seeing her for a couple months yet. Is it okay to take the pill along with steroids (pred), plaquenil and azathorprine (cant spell!!!) I presume its absolutely fine - just like to check! :rolleyes: And on another point is it true the pill makes you fat?! :wacko:

[Clare.T]

I am not sure that we can say yea or nay here, because it's for your doctor/s to decide with you

You can look up the meds on rxlist and check for drug interactions or google them ( name drug interactions) but the main thing is if *you* should be on the pill or not which depends on your medical condition.

As far as I know there's no reason the pill is contraindicated with those meds but I could be wrong and it still might be inadvisable for you.

Do take the utmost care not to get pregnant or risk disease - contraception should be a joint responsibility. Hormones are powerful medications and a couple of months isn't that long. (I know you didn't ask ! :) )

Take great care

Clare

[chantal]

i really wouldnt ive heard that the pill for people with lupus in general is a big no no for most of them anyways :blink:

[Clare.T]

It certainly is not recommended for people with clotting problems and some doctors are leery for their patients regardless.

And some women do react badly to any hormonal intake despite the most recent findings that it's not as bad as was thought.

That's why it is an individual matter and has to be discussed with your doctors who know your case and who are responsible for your wellbeing.

Take great care

Clare

[raggedyann1]

Hello all,

I learned myself last year that "the pill being a big no-no" is a myth. probably came into being before researchers were able to detect that it is those with APS/hughes syndrome should be wary of BC. However Raglet posted in the last few months that there may be certain kinds of bc that are ok with APS.

There are of course other health conditions that can't handle bc as well.

The important thing is to talk with your doctor. I have all my meds cleared by my rheumy, usually my other docs just have to make a quick phone call.

Take care,
Karen

[Mrs H]

I thought that Oestrogen could cause a flare up in Lupus. I have the progestin only injection every 3 months. Very easy. The mini pill is also progestin only. The normal pill contains both oestrogen and progestin, so should be avoided.

I was on the combined pill 8 years ago when my Lupus started. Stopped straight away and have Progestin only and have not had any problems with it.

Anyway - a tiny injection every 3 months must be better than a pill every day?? and fewer side effects than the combined aparrantly!!

Hope this helps.

Mrs H

[here]

Can you leave a message with a service for someone other than your normal doctor to answer?

I don't know if taking the pill is a no-no or not, but personally for me it caused a whole lot of problems and the OBGYN at the time said she thought I should never take any kind of birth control. Years (many, many lol ) I have found lots of people with lupus that share similar problems. Whether it is lupie related or not I guess is for the researchers to decide.

Anyway, I would not go back through all the *&$#@ that pill put me through for anything..... lupus or no lupus...

Hope you find some answers,

Jamie :flowers:

[Lily]

Hi,

I'd be inclined to contact the doctor who looks after your Lupus and let them make the decision based on your personal circumstances.

Are you having regular blood and liver tests with the Azathioprine - that may be their only concern - to keep an eye on liver function when introducing the pill . So it's best to check. Unless you have clotting problems then it's usually ok to take, but since you are on other meds check with the Rheumy.

love
Lily

[Noosa1978]

I have lupus and I am on the BCP and I have not had a problem yet.

[puss]

Hi Suze,
I am on the same med's as you are (no prednison at the moment though) but apparently it's not good to have the combined pill (the most regular kind) if you have lupus. However, back in my homecountry, Holland, they did prescribe me the 'normal' pill, but they won't give me the same one over here, in the UK. The alternative is the one that you take every day, on the same time, which doesnt work for me at all, because im c*#p at taking meds in the first place. You might also want to look at having put that tiny tube in your arm (don't remember what it's called). This seems to have some strong side effects, according to my GP. One of them is gaining weight :(
Good luck in finding something that works for you!!

[KatieKat]

I have been on the pill for almost a year, diagnosed 2 years ago. I take plaquenil, methotrexate,nexium, neurontin, ambien, folic acid, lodine, and prednisone for flares. The only contraindiction I've heard is that prednisone can INCREASE the effects of the Pill...but it shouldn't be dangerous or anything. Of course, talk to your doc about this. There are two reasons people with lupus should NOT go on the pill, however. One is that changes in hormones, or extra hormones, can cause flares. Another is that if you have the lupus anticoagulant (sp?) or other clotting problems, the pill may exacerbate them and can cause stroke or clotting.
The pill hasn't made me fat, but prednisone can make you gain weight, as I"m sure you know!
Hope this helps,