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Question: SPLENECTOMY AND ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES
| BBCITA
- Wed Dec 13, 2006 5:15 pm |
Hello I am a 24 year old female. I had a recent (2 months ago) pancreatic benign cystadenoma resection and also had a splenectomy because the cyst was too close to the spleen. I was on birth control pills (Yasmin) for two years but had to stop because of the surgery. I am now ready to go back on birth control but since after the splenectomy my platelet count is a little higher than normal (493.
000) and it has been stable for the whole month. I understand that combined birth control pills have a risk of producing clots and plus my elevated platelet count I'm scared of taking the pill. My doctor said that since the platelet count is not that far from normal, I might be able to take my regular BC pill and at the same time taking a child's Aspirin every other day just to reduce the risk of clots and for my tranquility. However, my doctor is not a hematologist and I'm not sure if this will work. If this doesn't work then is there a certain pill brand that I can take that won't put me on risk for blood clots? I know I'm not the only female in the world without a spleen that needs birth control ;o) !!! ( I wouldn't like to have to use barrier methods if possible) Thanks!!!
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| Dr. Tamer Fouad
- Wed Dec 13, 2006 8:41 pm |
 Hello,
I think the drug you are looking for is Aspirin. Its called an anti-platelet drug and is given to those at risk of thrombosis, ischemic Stroke, Myocardial infarction.
Best regards,
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| BBCITA
- Wed Dec 13, 2006 9:10 pm |
Hello, I know that Aspirin will do this but that wasn't my question. I just want to know if since I'm a little at risk for blood clots because I don't have a spleen and my platelet count is slightly high, and I want to take birth control pills, if I can I take the birth control pill together with Aspirin to reduce the risk of blood clots.
I just want to know if this has been donde before and if it works.
Thanks!
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| Dr. Tamer Fouad
- Wed Dec 13, 2006 9:19 pm |
Hello,
Yes. Thats what I answered. It would work when given with BC pills. It would reduce the risk you are at because of BCPs and the high platelet count.
Sorry, am I still not getting the question?
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| BBCITA
- Thu Dec 14, 2006 2:45 am |
Thank you Dr. for answering my question and I'm sorry if I was rude before, I was at work and really didn't pay a lot of attention to what I was writing. So, this means that I can take BC pills and Aspirin at the same time and this shouldn't let me produce any clots right? Now, I was wondering if you know , is taking Aspirin at the same time than BC pills a common practice for people that are at higher risk of forming clots ???
Thanks!!!
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| Dr. Tamer Fouad
- Sat Dec 16, 2006 7:44 pm |
Hello,
Please do not apologize, I fully understand. I want to put your worries at ease.
Here's a link from the National Women's Health Information Center website about the various risk factors for Stroke and thrombosis in women:
Click here!
There's even a phone number that you can call!
Best regards,
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