Another Gyne questions - DM related
Hi!
Am I making this up, or is the latest word on birth control pills and
DM that a low-dose pill is ok, barring high blood pressure or heart
disease? I have fibroids that make bleeding really heavy, and my gyne
said that if I WASN’T diabetic, he would put me on the pill in a
heartbeat, but that with DM the risks of stroke or heart attack are
too high already, and he isn’t willing to add it into the mix. Of
course, being on the pill would also solve my difficulty with going on
methotrexate for arthritis, as pregnancy is CONTRAINDICATED in that
case! Anyhow, I appreciate your input! And I thought that the
recommendations had been changed recently…..any comments?
Thanks
Joan the (usually) lurker
May 29th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
My sister who is diabetic and has had bypass surgery is on a b/c pill called
Micronor. It is the lowest dose available and she’s doing fine. You might
want to ask your doctor about this specific pill. HTH, Jeana Ü
May 29th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
I don’t know about the recommendations, but I am on a low dose b/c pill for
my perimenapause symptoms. The name is Alese and it really helps. I have
had DM for 45 yrs.
Gail
May 30th, 2007 at 5:50 am
yes, i’m courious too… as I’ve been on birth contol pills for years. I have
type I does that make a differnce??
Faith
May 30th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Joan (the "lurker"),
That’s odd that your Gyn won’t put you on a bc pill. Do you have other risk
factors like smoking that the doc is taking into consideration? I’m on
Ortho-Cyclen (not Tricyclen) and also have moderate high blood pressure. The
Accupril is taking care of my bp, so I’m not concerned about the bc pill. In
my opinion (and my situation), a surprise/unexpected pregnancy is a higher
risk. Check with your endo about it. My endo is aware of my taking the bc
pill and hasn’t said anything negative about it. One other side effect of
the bc pill is that it can make you a little more insulin resistant. During
my "off" week of the month, my BGs are lower and I usually have to lower my
basal to keep from going low.
Connie
June 1st, 2007 at 3:35 am
<< Am I making this up, or is the latest word on birth control pills and
DM that a low-dose pill is ok, barring high blood pressure or heart
disease? I have fibroids that make bleeding really heavy, and my gyne
said that if I WASN’T diabetic, he would put me on the pill in a
heartbeat, but that with DM the risks of stroke or heart attack are
too high already, and he isn’t willing to add it into the mix. Of
course, being on the pill would also solve my difficulty with going on
methotrexate for arthritis, as pregnancy is CONTRAINDICATED in that
case! Anyhow, I appreciate your input! And I thought that the
recommendations had been changed recently…..any comments?
Thanks
Joan the (usually) lurker >>
Hi Joan the usually lurker: this is Joan the nurse….nice to meet you.
Yes, some of the recommendations have changed. However, there are much lower
doses of oral contraceptives available on the market now than in the past.
And, the concern is the risk of stroke related to blood clot formation and
heart attack as well. We know that there is still controversy regarding use
of ERT estrogen replacement therapy as well. If you have a good
endocrinologist, and no history of hypertension or phlebitis or past heart
attack, then the topic should be discussed with endocrine to weigh options,
and then make a decision. Hormones can affect our ability to maintain a
lower blood glucose, so all has to be weighed carefully before starting
anything. Work together with both of them…gyn & endo to come up with a
reasonable solution….Joan
June 1st, 2007 at 11:43 am
<< Micronor. It is the lowest dose available and she’s doing fine. You might
want to ask your doctor about this specific pill. HTH, Jeana Ü
>>
June 1st, 2007 at 7:50 pm
<< Micronor. It is the lowest dose available and she’s doing fine. You might
want to ask your doctor about this specific pill. HTH, Jeana Ü
>>
woops! touchpad again…..micronor is a one type type of
hormone….progesterone…which basically makes your body think it’s
pregnant. It isn’t the lowest pill on the market now….go to medscape.com
then link with medline for oral contraceptives…..Joan:)
June 2nd, 2007 at 3:58 am
<< Do you have other risk
factors like smoking that the doc is taking into consideration? I’m on
Ortho-Cyclen (not Tricyclen) and also have moderate high blood pressure. The
Accupril is taking care of my bp, so I’m not concerned about the bc pill. In
my opinion (and my situation), a surprise/unexpected pregnancy is a higher
risk. Check with your endo about it. My endo is aware of my taking the bc
pill and hasn’t said anything negative about it. One other side effect of
the bc pill is that it can make you a little more insulin resistant. >>
True Connie….remember that certain drugs/medications can also affect the
effectiveness of the contraceptive…especially antibiotics. I teach my
patients to either refrain from intercourse while on antibiotic therapy or
use another form like condoms as a back-up. I’ve gotten a number of ladies
in OB clinic - diabetic and very much pregnant….Joan:)
June 2nd, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Thanks for the clarification. I only stated what my sister has told
e. –Jeana Ü
—– Original Message —–
It isn’t the lowest pill on the market now