question for women who have taken BRAF +/- MEK

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    • January 7, 2014 at 1:39 pm
    ecc26
    Participant

      Ok ladies, kind of an akward question here and it may be that no one has any answers or ideas, but here goes:

      I started the BRAF/MEK combo about a month ago and have been on birth control pills for over a decade. Before starting I was told (by about 6 different doctors, nurses and pharmacists) that the new medications would make my birth control less effective and it was imperative that I use a barrier method as backup. OK. Fine.

      I started the new meds about the same time as I started a new pack of birth control. I had some minor spotting mid way through the pack which I attributed to the "less effectiveness" but no other issues. Anyone who's ever been on birth control knows one of the perks is very predictable reliable menstuations. I was supposed to have my menstual period this past week and… nada. I've had nothing. I started a new pack this weekend, but I've never not had a period in the almost 20 years I've been on these pills. For those of you thinking I might be pregnant- unless it's an immaculate conception I'm not… trust me. I know exactly how long it's been and if I'm pregnant it's either because some magical baby fairy managed to outsmart biology, or the government is doing more than reading people's e-mails. 

      Not sure if anyone out there has had any kind of experience with these drugs and birth control pills, but I thought I'd put it out there just in case.

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        • January 9, 2014 at 1:49 pm
        Tina D
        Participant

          I am sorry, I have no experience with that. The side effects can be mystifying, though. While I was on Zelboraf, I had a pregnancy test done in the ER with a positive result… been in menopause for years now. Just messed with hormones somehow. I would still follow up with your Dr about it, but even then, sometimes with these newer drugs, they just don't have ll the answers. 

          Tina

          • January 9, 2014 at 1:49 pm
          Tina D
          Participant

            I am sorry, I have no experience with that. The side effects can be mystifying, though. While I was on Zelboraf, I had a pregnancy test done in the ER with a positive result… been in menopause for years now. Just messed with hormones somehow. I would still follow up with your Dr about it, but even then, sometimes with these newer drugs, they just don't have ll the answers. 

            Tina

            • January 9, 2014 at 1:49 pm
            Tina D
            Participant

              I am sorry, I have no experience with that. The side effects can be mystifying, though. While I was on Zelboraf, I had a pregnancy test done in the ER with a positive result… been in menopause for years now. Just messed with hormones somehow. I would still follow up with your Dr about it, but even then, sometimes with these newer drugs, they just don't have ll the answers. 

              Tina

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