Two new studies have revealed information about the use of birth control pills by women with lupus which disputes what doctors have thought for decades. The new studies, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggest that oral contraceptives containing estrogen do not increase symptoms in women with lupus whose disease is stable or moderate. The news is significant because lupus often develops during the child-bearing years. Read more from the Lupus Foundation of America.
Yet on the pill is when I have gotten major flair up’s both times.
I started on the pill and withing a matter of weeks had serious unexplained pains starting in my fingers and moving to other larger joints.
My G. P. did not believe me and when I asked could it be the pill causing the pains I was told definately not.
After a matter of months I collapsed at home, unable to do anything for myself, in intense pain, depressed, extreme fatigue, blinding headaches and mouth ulcers. i was then admitted to hospital where eventually they thought I had drug induced Lupus due to the pill. They said stop taking it immediately and they symptoms should subside.
Here I am 16 years later still with Lupus, having one flare up after another, 4 stone heavier thanks to all the steroids and not responding to any other treatment so far.
There is now a note on my medical records stating that I should not be given either the pill or hormone replacement therapy.