3 Years ago today my sister had a stroke that was caused by using the Ortho Evra Patch. I take this awful anniversary date to try to warn every women out there of the dangers of some birth control methods.
It is not just the patch that is dangerous. A family friend also had a stroke while on the pill. I have had numerous friends tell me of their struggles caused by various forms of birth control.
My hope today is that every Women who reads my blog will look carefully at ALL of her birth control options. Know what risks are involved.
If you family has ANY history of stroke or blood clots, there is a blood test that can be done to see if your blood is more pron to clot. Please have the test done. This test could save your life.
Please, Please, be careful when selecting a birth control option for yourself.
13 comments:
That is so scary. I used to use that patch but i was allergic to it so i stopped
Oh my gosh Camille. I'm still so sorry about that. I was ON the Ortho Evra Patch but because of YOU I stopped! You could have saved my life! Thanks for warning everyone. You are so great.
My family also has problems with this. My great aunt, grandma and 3 cousins have all had strokes- luckily none of them fatal. I'm sorry you had to suffer a loss. It is so true- get the test- it's worth it! I tested negative luckily. What a great post!
i think sometimes in a day and age of hurry-up and rush around, we tend to want things that are convenient for our lifestyle. I know for me, that is why I initially went on the Depo-Provera Shot. Come to find out, the Depo shot triggered a hormone in my body that produced Endometriosis as well as Adenomyosis. I suffered with pain and multiple other symptoms (too gruesome to mention) and finally had a hysterectomy. *AFTER* the fact is when I found out that the Depo Shot triggers these diseases in most women who are already prone to it. After the Depo, but before the surgery, I went on the patch. Again, because it "fit" into my lifestyle. Apply it and forget it. Y'know, I don't know if my family is prone to blood clots or not. But I do know one thing... How many of us REALLY READ the small print??? Thanks for spreading the word. I have kept detailed notes about my ordeal for my own daughter to read when she is older, so that she really understands the history of women's health in my family. I wish my mother and grandmothers had done similar. As it turned out we have some sort of history of something, because almost all of them had hysterectomies, but back then, they just didn't fully understand what caused the issues. I believe it was exactly what I had. Anyway, it's sad to think that perhaps I couldhave prevented all of this, because even though I have 3 beautiful children, I will never be able to have other children conventionally again.
Anyway - sorry this is so long. I appreciate you sharing your loss to educate others. I am sending otehrs this way to read this very important post!
emmap sent me. i think you are spot on. my dr prescriped the patch for me and i used it for three months. i was always so worried that something was going to happen to me because i do read the fine print. i don't use it now, i got a tubal ligation. no side effects, but irreversible. it's good for me because i just can't go through pregnancy and childbirth again.
Emmap sent me. I'm glad I read this. I will be a first time birth control user this June after my pregnancy. I have no idea what's out there and I rarely read the fine print. I know now to do plenty of research before I choose anything. Thanks for posting this.
I'm so glad you're spreading the word. I'll never forget Natalia's beauty, strength and spirit.
I don't even know what to say about this anniversary. It's still very tender for all of us I think. I haven't had the test done yet but it is first on my list of things to do when birth control comes on my radar. It's safe to say that I'm prone to blood clots as well.
Love you and I'm thinking of you and the fam this week!
PS I can't believe how big Logan and Mason are! Not to mention Boston. Wow!
Thanks for sharing through your hurt Camille. We will think of Natalia tomorrow and smile about her kindness, love, thoughtfulness and goodness. Thanks and you are in our prayers!
P.S. My word verification is impower...i thought that was very appropriate:)
I had heard about the patch causing strokes I am so sorry about your sister and thanks for sharing that. Oh Emma sent me!
So Camille--is this on the Garner side or the Armitage side? I've never been tested but I haven't used birth control since before Lucas. Do you take aspirin everyday like Phil?
Lynne, I wrote a post it is on the Garner side. You need to be tested for it even if you don't take birth control.
Love and miss Natalia! Thanks for the reminder.
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