Migraine sufferers...do you take oral contraceptives?

[luvwinnie]

Just doing some research and found this:

Women with migraines who are on “the pill” appear to be increasing their risk of stroke. That’s the word according to the British Medical Journal, which says the risk may be as much as twice as high for migraine sufferers in general and eight times as high for migraine sufferers on oral contraceptives. The risk factor may be due to reduced blood flow to the brain during a migraine.

Didn't realize the risk was THAT much higher. It's a Catch 22 for me. I'm on the pill to control endometriosis pain. Seeing neuro next month. I'll see what he says.

 

[Brianne]

No. Mine seem to be directly related to hormonal & hereditary issues, but I haven't been on the pill for over 12 years now.

I wonder if different types or dosages of the pill might help or cause more problems for women? It'd be nice if they'd look deeper into all the connections.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I get migraines pretty bad at times and I am on the pill. Very interesting and scary.

 

[ntburns22]

I have been on the pill off and on for 5 years. I just in the past 3 months started to get migraines.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

The hormones in the pill cause me to have migraines. I have adenomyosis (sp?) and would benefit from the regulated cycle provided by the pills but the daily migraines I get when on them make it not worth it.

I have to choose the lesser of the 2 evils.

 

[Martha7]

I've been on the pill for years, and get migraines with each menstrual cycle. I'm considering changing over to the pill that you take for three months between periods, but I don't know if the insurance will cover it. Right now, my pills cost $20 with my prescription coverage. Thanks for posting the information. I'll ask my doctor about it at the next visit!

 

[stinkerbelle]

Nope...

My doc wouldn't write me a perscript for it actually.
He said the shot or patch would be fine...but to stay away from the BC pill.

Some of my friends are shocked that i'm nearly 29 and never been on the pill...but, oh well...I rather NOT deal with the hormonal migraines.

 

[lulugirl]

That is the reason I stopped taking the pill. Finding an alternate method of birth control has been tricky though.

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

I haven't been on the pill in the last five years but I get a migrain every (and I do mean EVERY) month during "that time of the month"

My DR put me on an estrogen patch that I am to put on a couple days before it starts. The patch really works wonders. But I ran out and haven't been able to get to the drug store. The migraine lasts for five days and is unbearable. I got "Aunt Flo" this morning and my head is already hurting. So I know what's coming if I don't get that Rx.

The headaches are so bad, I swear every time that I'm dying. I'm useless for the entire week. I wonder if I got a hysterectomoy (sp????) if that would take care of everything. I'm sick of depending on those stupid patches.

 

[lulugirl]

I haven't been on the pill in the last five years but I get a migrain every (and I do mean EVERY) month during "that time of the month"

My DR put me on an estrogen patch that I am to put on a couple days before it starts. The patch really works wonders. But I ran out and haven't been able to get to the drug store. The migraine lasts for five days and is unbearable. I got "Aunt Flo" this morning and my head is already hurting. So I know what's coming if I don't get that Rx.

The headaches are so bad, I swear every time that I'm dying. I'm useless for the entire week. I wonder if I got a hysterectomoy (sp????) if that would take care of everything. I'm sick of depending on those stupid patches.

Have you tried any other migraine medication? I use imitrix, it works really well for me.

 

[Shugardrawers]

Years ago I took the pill. Suddenly I developed migraines but no one ever connected the two. When I finally had a hyst for endometriosis I stopped taking them. Funny, my migraines nearly disappeared. I went from 2 or 3 a week to 2 or 3 a year.

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

Have you tried any other migraine medication? I use imitrix, it works really well for me.

No. Do you use imitrix for hormone migraines??? I may have to give my DR a call for a prescription.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

luvwinne, I hope you don't smoke. http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/901289862.html

 

[FourFlans]

There are so many different migraine meds out there now. Zomig is the one that works for me.

I've had chronic migraines for 20 years. I went off the pill about 3 years ago and opted for a diaphragm (good for 5 years), but that's not an option for everyone.

 

[luvwinnie]

No. Do you use imitrix for hormone migraines??? I may have to give my DR a call for a prescription.

He has NEVER given you any of the "triptans" to try? Amerge? Frova? Maxalt? Please do ask him why. They could save you MUCH suffering.

 

[luvwinnie]

luvwinne, I hope you don't smoke. http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/901289862.html

No way!

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

Nope, once I told him they came within hours of my period, he gave me this estrogen patch. I have never tried anything else.

I'm really sorry for vearing off the original topic of this thread. I just saw migraines and birth control (which is a pill that controlls hormones) and saw a connection.

edited to add...Yes, I am willing to try something better.

 

[lulugirl]

No. Do you use imitrix for hormone migraines??? I may have to give my DR a call for a prescription.

Yes, I've been using it for about five years now (except when I was pregnant)
As another poster stated, there are many, many medications available. Do a little research, then discuss your options w/ your Dr.
I suffered for years before I finally found a Dr. who was knowledgable about migraines.

 

[FourFlans]

There are also new drug therapies using non-migraine meds that work for many folks. Anti-depressants, for example, taken daily, can help reduce the frequency and severity of chronic migraines. I'm not sure that's the answer for someone with hormone related migraines or other sufferers who have specific triggers that can be avoided. But for someone with chronic migraines (no specific triggers) this therapy might be perfect.

 

[Chris2597]

I have gotten migraines for years, usually when under stress..I have never tried any of the new meds, as I only get a couple a year and Midrin or Fiorecet works fine...However, my dd27 and ds both get complicated migraines....which are a severe form...DD's ob/gyn and neurologist have said no way to bc pills because of the stroke connection....they said it is even riskier with complicated migraines. My ds is taking Elavil as a daily preventive and it has worked great and uses the Imitrex injection if he gets one..
DD is in a real quandry about bc....she has had two babies in 2 years....She would like to take something that is more reliable than the bc they have been using....but according to her docs bc pills are not an option.
For those of you only taking estrogen be sure that you are not running the risk of uterine cancer....If estrogen is un-opposed it can lead to UC. If you have had a hysterectomy....obviously that is not an issue....but be very careful of taking estrogen only....