Blood clots due to Yasmin birth control!

[Husband32]

Hi everyone, yesterday I brought my wife home from the hospital (7 days) after she was admitted for having blood clots.  She has a blood clot in her upper arm/shoulder area, and a blood clot in each lung.  The ONLY risk factor she has towards blood clots is that she is on birth control.  She has been on Yasmin for around 4-5 months now (she was previously on orthotricyclin).  My wife is 25 and a non-smoker.  The doctors have told us that getting blood clots for someone my wife's age, with no other factors, is very rare.  Has anyone else ever had this problem, or even heard of it?  The doctors said that typically someone who gets blood clots from birth control bills are 35 years old or over and a smoker.  My wife is still in pain and her blood levels are still not very close to the normal range.  I've been doing some research and haven't found anything about someone getting blood clots from Yasmin without any other factors involved (smoking, history of clotting, long plain/car ride, etc).  After seven days in the hospital and watching my wife deal with a lot of pain, I'm just trying to find some answers.  Thanks!

[Kate987]

Hey,
My friend is 20 and took Yasmin for a short period of time, not sure how long, less than a year I believe.  She ended up having a blood clot in her lung, and now has to give herself a shot and take special blood thinners.  I also know she goes to get her blood looked at very frequently.  She also is a non-smoker, otherwise very healthy, active female.   I know they are still looking for answers for her and the only thing they have told her is that she's just one of the very few people to have blood clots from taking it.  Sorry I can't be much more help than that.  

[ShawnP]

Your wife needs her doctor to run specific blood tests for clotting disorders.  She might have a protien c deffiancy and that could raise her risk for devloping blood clots no matter what the situation is and of course birth control would definitely increase her risks.  Did they mention if she would have to take blood thinners permanently?

[alarmbell]

I am a cardiovascular sonographer. I do venous doppler to rule out blood clots .I am seeing an alearming number of yourng ladies with blood clots in extremities that have led to life threatening pulmonay embolisms' ( Blood clots in the lungs. FEEL free to contact me .I have been scanning for years and have never seen such an alarming connection , or blood clits in young ladies.  Yasmin needs taken off the market ,it is a dangerous drug !

***@****

[alarmbell]

That email above -

mary tate xxx  @ yahoo com -- please note the site didn;t allow me to post the email so merge all that together and email me.

[CAsahm2007]

So sorry to hear about your wife. I too had a PE last July. It started out as pain in my left arm. I thought I had pulled a muscle lifting my son and holding him. Over the course of 5 days is traveled up my arm and (I assume now) into my lung where it stopped. On the fifth day I began to wonder if I was having a heart attack and decided to go to ER where it was found that I had 2-3 small clots in my left lung. The only factor for me was that I was on Yasmin. I had to be on cumadin (coumadin) treatment for 6 months after leaving the hospital. Then I went off of it for 2 months before they ran tests to rule out any genetic factor. (Tests proved that there was no genetic cause).  I was 31 at the time, non-smoker and pretty active. I've been told no more birth control pills and no estrogen therapy when I go through menopause.

I hope your wife is doing much better now.

[WeLlS182]

I was just scrolling threw and happened to stop here. A 21 year old girl from where I live had a blod clot in her lung, and brain they revived her twice at the little hospital in our town. They ended up airlifting her to the city. From there she went to a better place.  She was getting married in four weeks and started taking birth control. A good girl, healthy, and active also. The only thing I dont know for sure is the type of birth control that she was on. Six other women from our little town has came forward of there experience with the birth control pill!!!!! How many women have to die or  suffer before someone realizes something just isn't right???????!!!!!!!!!!!?????????? I know that this was not helpful at all. Im sorry. I just saw this post and had a lot on my shoulders. This is the kind of stuff that is bothersome.

[cefan99]

I am a 22-year old (non-smoker) female who had been on Yasmin for 6 months. I was recently hospitalized for multiple blood clots in both lungs that the doctor believes to be linked to my birth control. I am currently on oxygen because my lungs may never heal completely and I may be on blood thinners for the rest of my life. I wish someone had told me this would have happened 6 months ago when I was put on Yasmin. I would have refused the pill and taken my chances with condoms. My six months on Yasmin has effected the rest of my life.

[itinerant5]

I too suffered due to Yasmin.  I spent three days in the hospital and had an acute bilateral pulmonary embolism (severe clotting in both lungs).  I even had clots in my pulmonary arteries, which lead to one's heart.  I was told that I would have to be on medication for 6 months- 1 year, and full recovery would take one full year.  However, the doctors attributed my lifestyle (healthy & active - I run approx 15 miles a week) the reason that I survived and the reason I recovered quickly (less than 6 months).  Approximately one month after my pulmonary embolism, I began running again.  Four months after my pulmonary embolism, I ran my first 5k event.  Although, it was difficult exercising at first, I learned that exercising helps to keep blood coagulation at healthy levels, either before or after a PE.  I'm sure there is other compelling reasons to exercise, but I now say that running saved my life.  And I have made it my mission to tell everyone I know that birth control pills CAN KILL YOU.  No one ever mentioned it to me before and I think doctors should make a point of it.  It should be an imperative.

[LuciaO]

I was recently hospitalised after developing blood clots in both lungs. I had been taking Yasmin for 4 months. I am 37 and very fit and healthy - I don't generally get sick. I have no known hereditary history but will be tested later.

Lucia (New Zealand)

[lilangelmd]

I was in the emergency room last week for a pulmonary embolism due to a few small blood clots in my lung.  I have been on Yasmin for 4.5 years and am now off the pill and taking blood thinners and having to give myself injections.  Like many of you say above, I could be taking them for the rest of my life.  This is one of the scariest things I have had happen to me.  Like many others, I am a 27 year old healthy female who has not smoked ever.  It is very scary to know that something as simple as taking a birth control pill can potentially kill you.  Seems to me from the comments I've found on the internet that Yasmin especially seems to cause clots.  There needs to be something done to help prevent this in the future!!!

[helzbellz]

This is really scary! I'm so sorry to hear of what you have all been through. My doc put me on Yasmin two days ago as she said this pill has a low number of side effects...??!!  After reading this tho you have all completely put me off taking it.  And I realise everyone is different but after googling "Yasmin" it sure seems like there is a lot of out people having similar problems. Thanks guys for the info I would probably have kept taking it if I hadn't come across this.

[whehew]

I just want to say that I too was told that my condition was rare.  After reading these posts, I'm not so sure.  I was put on Yasmin after having an ovarian cyst and dysfunctional bleeding-not for birth control.  I was a healthy 40 year old non-smoker/non-drinker.  After 2 months and 1 week on Yasmin, I suffered a stroke due to a blood clot in my brain caused by this drug.  I will be on Warfarin possibly for the rest of my life and will be at an increased risk for stroke and heart attack for the rest of my life.  If you know anyone taking this drug, please warn them.  I thought that this couldn't happen to me as well!!

[BrookieR]

Hi All,  I have had two cases of severe Thrombosis in the legs and multiple pulmonary embollism in the lungs.  I too am on Yasmin.  The first time this happened, I was 25, healthy, with no history of clots in my family, and no known cause of the condition...except now I realise I had been taking Yasmin for only 4 weeks.  After 18 months I was taken off warfarin (but was left with permanent damage to my leg from the severity of the clot).  I stayed on Yasmin though as my specialists did not see it as a problem and I did not know about these experiences people are having with Yasmin.  In March this year at 28 years old, the same thing happened again! - Clots in the other leg and multiple large PE in the lungs.  Still I am on Yasmin as my specialists and Doctors have said nothing about coming off it.  The doctors and specilasts have been baffled why I should have this re-occuring condition when I have none of the known factors that contribute to clots and PE.  The more I read on the internet the more I believe that YASMIN is the cause of my condition.  I feel cheated that I almost died twice, all because of a contraceptive pill.  Thank you all for sharing your pain and experiences - it has made me realise that I am not the only healthy young woman to be suffering from something that I thought I had no control over...but now I am thinking that I do.  

[suzy02]

I was just released from the hospital this afternoon after they found a clot in my right calf yesterday morning. I am 25, nonsmoker, semi-active and have been on yasmine for 3 years. I have to give myself shots in the stomach for the next 8 days and I'll be on coumadin for at least 3 months, when they will do another ultrasound on my leg and see what the clot looks like. I'll have to have regular blood level checks, but my doc luckily has a finger ***** mechanism so I won't look like a heroine addict when my husband and I go to the beach next month ;)
Oh, and yesterday was our 2 year wedding anniversary and I got to spend it in the hospital. How romantic!

[judyre]

I too just got out of the hospital with bllod clots in my left arm and Pulmonary embolis in both sides of my lungs. I had been on yasmin for more than 2 years- not for birth control, but to control symptoms of peri-menopause.  I downplayed my symptoms- NEVER thinking a blood clot would be the cause of pain in my arm and shortness of breath. Thanks goodnes for my husband who insisted I see the Dr.  I was taken off the Yaz immediately, but like you all am now dealing with shots, blood draws and coumadin for at least 6 months.  I am a nurse but still wasn't aware of the problems with this o.c.  I am very lucky, but disgusted by the disruption to my life and the stress to my family.

[dvgrl]

I spent a week in the hospital due to having a blood clot in my brain.  Very close to a stroke.   I had been on Yasmin.  Blood tests show that I do not have a clotting disorder.  I was 34 years old at the time - 2 years ago.

[savjesmom]

I like everyone else have been diagnosised with a PE! I was diagnosed in Febuary when I went to the ER because i thought I was having a heart attack. At first they thought it was my gallbladder and took it out. When the pain continued and became worse my Dr sent me to a Cardiologist who found a large blood clot in my upper right lung. Ever since, I have been on the Coumadin having to go bi-weekly for a protime test to regulate my blood levels. i am a very active 28 year old and never expected something like this to happen. I was on Yasmin for 3 years, and it almost cost me my life.

[coley811]

I was 24 when I was diagnosed with 2 blood clots in my lung. I had been on Yasmin for about 2 weeks. This is insane that there are so many of you out there! All the doctors I saw told me that this was very rare! Also I just had a baby two months ago and had to be on lovenox the entire time and any other time I get pregnant! This is CRAZY! Something more needs to be done about this!

Nicole, 26

[LaLocks62]

I just found out my sister is in the hospital with blood clots in both her lungs and legs after taking Yasmin, she could have died had she not gone in when she did, she's only 27 and doesn't smoke or drink and has had no history of blood clots.  After reading this page I know I will never take Yasmin and I absolutley think that it should be taken off the market and those who have had blood clots should be able to sue the company for not researching it enough before putting it on the market!

LaLocks62

[nicweir]

I am also 25, non smoker, healthy (aside from allergies, migraines, other minor health items). I have been on Yasmin for several years, mainly as a way to control severe period cramps.

Mine started one night, waking me up with leg cramps in the middle of the night. Next day my muscle was sore but I figured it was due to the cramps the night before, so did not worry about it. Over the next few days, the pain grew progressively worse. By the By the 4th day, I could barely walk, and the 5th day I went in to the doctor. I ended up being transferred into the urgent care for more testing. They ran blood work and found that my d-dimer was over 4000 (normal level is 500). This prompted them to do an ultrasound. They found that the clot ran from above my hip all the way down to my ankle. It was diagnosed as a DVT (deep vein thrombosis). I was immediately ordered to stop taking my birth control (Yasmin) and had to go on the shots and warfarin (generic for coumadin). I will likely have to continue the warfarin for 3 months, possibly up to six. When that is complete and the clot is under control, they can do the genetic testing to determine if it is a hereditary issue or not. I do not really have any other risk factors though. The only "long trip" I had taken was a 3 hour drive, in which I stopped several times to take my dog out. All signs point to the pill.

All of this happened 9/10/09 (the diagnosis). I have been regularly going in to have my INR/Protyme tested. I am still experiencing extreme pain in my leg and walking with a bit of a limp. I cannot walk for prolonged periods of time, and if I am still for too long, that causes pain as well. This has ABSOLUTELY affected my life, in an extreme way. I am sorry to hear that so many others are going through the same. It is not easy.

I keep having people tell me that I am lucky that they caught it when they did - lucky is not something I feel. I have also been told that I'm not old enough to be going through this - that doesn't seem to be the case either. Good luck to all...

[casey714]

I am worried. I've began to hear things about yas, yasmin, and ocella as of late, but never thought it was this bad.

I have been taking yasmin for5 years, until the past year when it was unknowingly switched to generic ocella. I have suffered for 6-7 years with UTI's bladder kidney infections. I also have HPV and am at high risk for cervical cancer. I am currently being treated for bacterial cystitis on top of all of that. And if ocella is causing all of this, I need to know. I just wnat to have a normal functioning and comfortable digestive/urinal health...

In regards to blood clots, as I said i've been on this OC for 6 years, my only real notices were lighter periods (no complaints there) and trouble sleeping or sleeping too much. Then all the UTI's and such began. in the past few weeks, I have passed menstrual tissue over 5" long. Knowing that these are usually just blood clots from the menstrual cycle, I'm still concerned of the size of this one.
What are the symptoms of blood clots, those specifically linked to yas?

[mayjay123]

I  started taking Yasmin as directed by my family doctor for low bone density I'm 28. I have been healthy otherwise. I hadn't taken the pill before.
After the second week I got very bad leg cramps. Numbness and pain in my arm, Mostly the left side, chest pains. Difficulty breathing. I was very dizzy, head pain, jaw pain, neck pain.
I've been to two emergency rooms. The first Doctor  (performed no tests)Said he didn't know what could be wrong and referred me to a birth control center.

I visited the second emerge days later when my symptoms got worse.
The Second doctor (no tests) sent me away with ativan. (My jaw was visibly asymmetrical my chart reads "TMJ." and "denies anxiety") I insisted this is not anxiety, but I was dismissed. This was a month ago, the same day I finished my 21 days on the pill. Along with these symptoms I was very depressed and worn out.

I have been coughing up blood for three days. Now My body goes numb from head to toe,I feel like I'm blacking out. I have vertigo & bad headaches daily. (my head pain feels metallic strangest feeling.)
I was only taking Yasmin for a month, and have been off it for a month (I will never take birth control pills again) But it stills feels like something is wrong.
I have an appointment with my family doctor next week(who I'm reluctant to trust) is there anything I might be able to say to the doctor, to get him to listen to me? Perhaps even just to run some standard tests? any suggestions welcome.
Thanks.

[sjh593]

I have been taking Yazmin for 5-6 years and have always felt confident that it was the best birth control as far as having very minimal periods, very little cramping etc.  However I was watching tv last night and saw a commercial for one of those law firms advertising "if you have had blood clots from YAZ or YAZMIN call our office"  I had never heard anything prior to this about this pill.  I switched to Ocella about a year ago and the only difference has been more cramping.  My biggest concern is not about myself but for my daughter - she is 16 and takes YAZ not for birth control but for extreme cramping, heavy periods etc. I do not have a clue what symptoms to look for - I called my pharmicist and she said that "all birth control can cause clots, not to be alarmed" but I am.  And how do I know that another pill won't be the same or worse.  My daughter has horrible periods and she has been so much better on this pill.  I am just totally at a loss.
Thanks

[bewareofdanger]

My teenage daughter is in the hospital with a blood clot in her arm, she was perscribed a birth control pill to control acne.