Problems due to Dianette?

12

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced problems with taking Dianette? I went on it 5 months ago, for my skin. I've never had really bad acne, but my skin seemed to be worse than it had usually been, so my doctor suggested Dianette.
I can't really say just how much my skin has improved, but it's definitely less annoying now than it had been, which is why I'm not sure I want to go off the pill, because I'm scared my skin will get really bad...

However, I am experiencing massive problems, which I think are probably due to Dianette. I've always had a problem with migraines, even pretty bad ones sometimes, but I am 100% sure that they have gotten worse this past semester, which is precisely the period I've been taking the pill for. My migraines have become absolutely unbearable at times and they are a lot more frequent than they were, say last semester, when I wasn't on Dianette.

I've also had a massive nervous breakdown/depressive phase a few weeks ago. I was under a lot of stress, but I also think it might be linked to the pill.. I've had a really bad long term depression before, but I got better, whereas now, I feel like I get mood swings and phases when I'm really sad and down for no apparent reason.

On top of that, I feel like I have put on weight, although I haven't, my weight has stayed the same, but I definitely feel more.. fatty or something.

However, the biggest issue are the migraines, which are REALLY bad. Seriously, they make me not wanna live anymore at times because they hurt so bad.

Before I went on Dianette, I've tried antibiotics for my skin, but they always only help while you're on them and then, after a few weeks, my skin is all the same. I've heard such good things about the effects the pill has on your skin, so I'm not too excited about the idea to go off it, plus, I'm not sure all my problems are actually linked to it.. It seems like so many issues for such a small pill :frown:

But then again, if they are, and if they could all be gone simply by not taking it anymore, I should probably do it?!
I mean, I've always had a problem with migraines, even a bad one, just not THIS bad--- :frown:

Reply 1

321beep

In the little booklet that came with my Dianette, it said really bad migraines and long depressive periods are both reasons to stop taking Dianette immediately, so I think you should do that and see your doctor. If s/he says it's okay, you can always start back up again.

I really think you're health is more important than you're skin, and the Summer's usually less stressful, as well, so you could see improvements that way. :smile:

Reply 2

Angel_Cake

2

Agree with above poster. I've been on Dianette for about the same time as you and I've noticed a few negative side-effects too...mainly that I've put on quite a lot of weight. It also hasn't been quite the miracle cure I'd hoped for - I read loads of stuff about how your skin is perfect after a couple of months (admittedly I got this from the internet, not the doctor), whereas mine is alrightish but still not great. Your side-effects sound terrible though, so stop immediately! There must be something better.

Reply 3

hubba_bubba_nightmare

Yeh i bin taking it for medical reasons since i was about 15 cuz i got PCOS which means u put on weight easily r a bit hairier and a lil bit spotty. Its gud its done da job its suppose 2 4 me i dont think i put on any extra weight i aint got 2 many spots. I'm still a lil bit hairy tho lol hehe i think u shud cum off if u'r gettin migranes or see ya doctor or sumtin nxt time.

Reply 4

Llamaaa

15

please, use proper english, it's so hard to understand text speak.

Reply 5

notsoperfect

1

you can change pill perhaps, or there are definitely medications for your skin which you can take instead. i had bad acne for years but took antibiotics for about 6 months and my skin has been perfect since.

i wouldn't stay on the pill if it is affecting your life and health this severely.

Reply 6

~Sam~

15

I'd talk to your doctor about changing pills. There's other things that will help your skin, there's no point on staying on it if it's making you miserable. I've been on it about nine months now, and haven't had any problems, but everyone's different.

Reply 7

xxbutterbeanxx

I first went on Dianette when I was 15 and it did really help my spots, but I went from a size 8 to a large 10 and I was really depressed when I was on it, like unbelievably depressed. I went to the doctors and told them and the new doctor said I shouldn't even be on Dianette anymore since my spots had cleared up as it is a high risk pill. I went on a different pill and my spots didn't come back which was good, but that pill didn't suit me, made me feel weird and I used to come on twice a month! I came off that and now on Yasmin which is perfect for me, you just have to try different brands to see which suits you best. But definitely speak to your GP about it x x

Reply 8

Another_Girl

Dianette has helped my skin a lot but I've suffered pretty terrible bouts of depression on it and I've put on at least half a stone. Despite this I'm still terrified about coming off it in a few months time(under doctors orders). Its got to the point where I'd rather endure almost anything than have terrible skin again. :frown:

Reply 9

Freckles

OP

12

I guess you're all right saying I should stop taking it.. I only have a one month supply left anyway, so next time I got to my doctor, I will ask for something else.. So you all think it must be due to Dianette, too, eh?

@notsoperfect: what kind of antibiotics can you take for 6 months? I've always been told I shouldn't stay on them for longer than two and then they would stop working anyway because your body gets immune to them or something :/?

Reply 10

ladykk

started 1 month on it!!

Reply 11

Freckles

OP

12

Angel_Cake

Agree with above poster. I've been on Dianette for about the same time as you and I've noticed a few negative side-effects too...mainly that I've put on quite a lot of weight. It also hasn't been quite the miracle cure I'd hoped for - I read loads of stuff about how your skin is perfect after a couple of months (admittedly I got this from the internet, not the doctor), whereas mine is alrightish but still not great. Your side-effects sound terrible though, so stop immediately! There must be something better.

Yeah, I agree, I wouldn't call it a miracle cure either, but I'm still not sure what else to try as it seemed like my best bet :frown:

Do you think your weight will go back to normal once you stop taking the pill? Like I said in my first post, I haven't actually gained any weight, but I definitely feel like I have :frown:

Reply 12

Freckles

OP

12

Sorry to keep bringing this back up, I just think there may be more people with comments and threads move down so quickly in this forum..

Once you stop taking the pill, do you think your weight will go back to normal? How long does it take until the hormones in your body are at their normal level again and the side effects will pass? Any experience?

Reply 13

Llamaaa

15

No, the weight doesn't just drop off. You have to lose it and many people find it hard to shift. If it's just that you are bloated, which can happen, then it will go back to normal. I think it takes about a week for the hormones to leave, but I am not entirely sure.

Reply 14

Freckles

OP

12

Well, I guess I'll just see what happens.. I definitely think it might just be retained water, not fat.. I'll see. It's depressing though :frown:

Reply 15

ladykk

Has everyone had a bit of blood at the beginning-ive had nothing so far unusual? Just wondering-i think this is a case for all contraceptions

Reply 16

Llamaaa

15

well, I can't say for dianette, but on microgynon I didn't have any blood at all, except withdrawal bleeds in the breaks. It differs from person to person.

Reply 17

Freckles

OP

12

Nope, no blood.

Reply 18

Rainygal

4

me neither

Reply 19

LooCee

12

From what I've read about Dianette over the years from other people's experiences, a lot of people seem to have trouble with a depressive state while on it. I've always got on quite well with it luckily and probably feel more depressed when I'm not on it due to horrendous skin and feeling generally crap about myself! Go and talk to your doctor, there are other pills that can clear your skin but without the side effects - Yasmin is very popular but apparently more expensive, hence why dianette is tried first.

As for weight - the only weight I put on while on Dianette was all my own doing, but I will say that I think it increases your appetite and it's something I've had to learn to control. But so far I've lost 21lbs while on it through calorie counting and exercise so it's not impossible to lose weight while on it either.

Problems due to Dianette?

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