D.E.S. Daughter with an Autoimmune Disorder! Anyone else???

Posted by beesmom @beesmom, Oct 23 9:47am

Recently I read an article about offspring of Mothers who were prescribed D.E.S. while pregnant were more prone to develop autoimmune disorders. Personally, I am a D.E.S. daughter with Anticardiophospholipid Syndrome. Was curious whether there were others in a similar situation.

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My grandmother received DES after a still birth and multiple miscarriages in the 40s and 50s. My Mom was her first successful pregnancy. My Mom does not have any diagnosed AI disorders; however, she does have Factor V Liten. The interesting thing is that I (granddaughter of DES recipient) have multiple AI conditions including - Lupus, Lichen Plano Pilaris, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, etc. My Mom and I have often wondered if DES could be at play in my health journey.

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@snugglebugs

What is D.E.S.? Thanks Shirley

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@snugglebugs "Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a synthetic form of the female hormone estrogen. It was prescribed to pregnant women between 1940 and 1971 to prevent miscarriage, premature labor, and related complications of pregnancy. The use of DES declined after studies in the 1950s showed that it was not effective in preventing these problems, although it continued to be used to stop lactation, for emergency contraception, and to treat menopausal symptoms in women."
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/hormones/des-fact-sheet

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@my44

@snugglebugs "Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a synthetic form of the female hormone estrogen. It was prescribed to pregnant women between 1940 and 1971 to prevent miscarriage, premature labor, and related complications of pregnancy. The use of DES declined after studies in the 1950s showed that it was not effective in preventing these problems, although it continued to be used to stop lactation, for emergency contraception, and to treat menopausal symptoms in women."
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/hormones/des-fact-sheet

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This DES info is very helpful. I am a DES daughter whose mother was given the medication for most of her pregnancy. She died of breast cancer at age 58. I had 5 miscarriages and 1 live birth. I had autoimmune onset at age 62-sjogren’s, rheumatoid arthritis, and one year later primary immunodeficiency.
My daughter, who I now understand is a DES granddaughter, had post viral dysautonomia at age 14 and Sjogren’s and Ehlers Danlos diagnosed at age 29.
All three of us have definitely struggled.
if anyone else becomes aware of information for DES daughters and granddaughters and autoimmune conditions, please share.
This is invaluable. Thank you!

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@esgsf

This DES info is very helpful. I am a DES daughter whose mother was given the medication for most of her pregnancy. She died of breast cancer at age 58. I had 5 miscarriages and 1 live birth. I had autoimmune onset at age 62-sjogren’s, rheumatoid arthritis, and one year later primary immunodeficiency.
My daughter, who I now understand is a DES granddaughter, had post viral dysautonomia at age 14 and Sjogren’s and Ehlers Danlos diagnosed at age 29.
All three of us have definitely struggled.
if anyone else becomes aware of information for DES daughters and granddaughters and autoimmune conditions, please share.
This is invaluable. Thank you!

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@esgsf I am so sorry for all that you, your mother, and your daughter have been going through and struggling with because of this drug whose effects have been passed down from generation to generation. It saddens and maddens me that we, as patients, take prescribed drugs in good faith, and they end up having such devastating effects on us sometimes. I am glad that it is no longer being prescribed and pray that you and all other ladies who have been negatively affected by it will be able find some relief from its various effects. From what I am reading in these posts on Connect, the drug didn't even do what it was prescribed for. Are there any doctors that specialize in treating D.E.S. daughters and granddaughters?

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@my44

@esgsf I am so sorry for all that you, your mother, and your daughter have been going through and struggling with because of this drug whose effects have been passed down from generation to generation. It saddens and maddens me that we, as patients, take prescribed drugs in good faith, and they end up having such devastating effects on us sometimes. I am glad that it is no longer being prescribed and pray that you and all other ladies who have been negatively affected by it will be able find some relief from its various effects. From what I am reading in these posts on Connect, the drug didn't even do what it was prescribed for. Are there any doctors that specialize in treating D.E.S. daughters and granddaughters?

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Thank you for your empathy and understanding. It has been heartbreaking that a prescribed drug could have such a devastating family impact. Many of the Drs who treated me that had DES experience have retired so I am grateful for an ongoing info or studies for my daughter’s care. Thank you!

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@esgsf

Thank you for your empathy and understanding. It has been heartbreaking that a prescribed drug could have such a devastating family impact. Many of the Drs who treated me that had DES experience have retired so I am grateful for an ongoing info or studies for my daughter’s care. Thank you!

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@esgsf You're welcome. You and your daughter are in my thoughts and prayers, and I hold out hope for answers and some measure of resolution...or better yet, total resolution, for both of you. ❤️

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