Dr's Response to YAZ... | Arthritis Information

So I posted a topic about Yaz a few days ago... The brochure for YAZ said to talk to your dr. before taking it if you're taking NSAIDS or have a inflammatory disease.

When I showed it to him, He said he doesnt know much about B/C pills , but he's thinks that people with inflammatory diseases may have a higher risk taking birth control pills for blood clots. Has anyone heard of this? I tried looking it up online but can't find anything on it. He said to check with my OBGYN.

I think there's a higher risk with any BC pills; not just this one. Definately talk to your OB about it. It's been my experience that RD's (or at least mine) don't know much about these type of female issues.

I went into early menopause and when I tried to talk to my RD about it it seemed like his eyes sort of glassed over and his mind went blank. Sort of a clueless like look. He seems so smart the rest of the time.

I believe inflammation itself raises the risk of blood clots, but many of our meds, such as NSAID's, thin the blood and then counteract the risk to some extent. I've been on BCP for 20 years...no clots yet.

I agree that most docs, not just RD's, don't seem to know much about female issues.

Lovie:

LOL! That's funny you said that , "when I tried to talk to my RD about it it seemed like his eyes sort of glassed over and his mind went blank. Sort of a clueless like look"

That's exactly what my RA doctor did. He said to talk to my obgyn. When I asked my OBGYN, she didn't really know either. It says right on the YAZ brochure, if you have inflammatory disease to talk to your doctor. I think it's funny they both don't know or have any answers. But as you said about your RD...mine is very smart otherwise and has helped me tremendously!

I know with any b/c pill there's a blood clot risk, but wondered if there's a higher risk with RA and the meds I'm taking. Oh well...who knows.

Inngerglow:

You know , that's what i was thinking, "NSAID's, thin the blood and then counteract the risk to some extent"..

They give you blood thinners when you have a clot in order for it to pass, so I always thought It would be even better, that we are on NSAIDS, with B/C pills...

I had posted about this earlier. I was worried about this as well. NSAIDS and birth control have cardiovascular risk, and I want my doctor to explain more (I have an appointment with RD tomorrow) but so far no one has clarified. I think I asked him about it before, and, since I'm on MTX, his CYA response was YES go on birth control. I have avoided it since I had a partial molar pregnancy a while back, and BC can slightly increase risk of recurrance (not a worry for anyone who has never had a molar pregnancy). I'm thinking IUD soon. I just have too many doubts about BC that no doctor has been able to answer.

SO frustrating that I know there is a risk but neither doctor can explain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had two PE's (pulmonary embolisms-blood clots in lungs) and three DVT's (deep vein thrombosis-blood clots in my calves) this past fall. I was on bc pills at the time and they said that was my only risk factor for blood clots. At that time, they didn't know what was wrong with me, my rheumy had been treating me for sero-negative ra but the rheumys in the hospital said no. A cat scan and a lung biopsy done while I was in the hospital revealed that I have sarcoidosis, which is considered an auto immune disease. None of the MANY docs I saw while in the hospital linked the two although I never really thought to ask at the time. I am now banned from taking any sort of hormones.

I have seen the YAZ commercial and wondered the same thing. I did take the YAZ brand but only for 6 months because my girlfriend gave me some free samples but otherwise, they were too expensive so I just took a generic one, can't think of the name now, stupid brain fog!
I had a pulmonary embolism and spent several days in ICU. I had been inactive due to a flare that left me housebound and a blood clot was the result of inactivity. I also was on NSAIDs but I still developed a life threatening clot that was misdiagnosed twice as congestive heart failure.

If I were child bearing age and had RA and on RA meds, I don't think I add birth control pills to the mix of meds. I'd find another form of birth control. This isn't science, just my own personal opinion. We take so many drugs that have serious side effects for RA and it's complications. I think I'd ask my doctor to please research the question that you asked and to get back to you. I hate those glassed over, blank looks that you sometimes get from your doctors. Lindy

Well... I told my GYNO when I was preggo with my son I had RA, and then after I had my son he suggested I get an IUD, because of having RA and having to start meds up again.

Good thing too, because I would forget to take the pills. I tried BCP's one time before for about 3 months and I NEVER completed a whole dial ALWAYS a few left. Micheleb / Linn B: OH my gosh...that is so scary! I'm sorry you had to go through that. How frustrating.

Joonie: I was thinking an IUD myself, but then came across this article:
"IUDs are not recommended for women who are at risk for PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease), have lower immune response, abnormal pap smear, heart disease, anemia, a history of severe menstrual cramping and heavy flow, a history of ectopic pregnancy, or previous problems with an IUD. "

It's really hard to figure out just exactly what to do. I always look to my dr. with answers and just trust him/her, but now with them both not really having answers...not sure really what to do except possibly get my tubes tied!

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