Migraine sufferers...do you take oral contraceptives?

[RUDisney]

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!

I never had a migraine until I started taking Seasonale, the 3 month pill pack. I also never had age spots on my face until I started taking them. I'm back on OrthoTryCycline Lo now to see if we can stop the migraines that came every 3 months, during the white pill week.

 

[jel0511]

I was on BC pills when I had my first stroke. I say first, because I've had 2. They incorrectly blamed the first stroke on the pill. But since the first I was off them and had another stroke 4 months later. I never suffered from migraines, though when younger I got migraines while on the pill. My OB told me that the problem is the estrogen in pills, and if I wanted to continue with that type of birth control I could take the mini-pill(Progesterone only). That pill isn't as effective as the regular pills, but doesn't have the same dangers. Of course, now with the second stroke, I'm off pills forever.

 

[diswedwish]

I'm on Mercette - that's supposed to be better for migraine sufferers since there are really only 2 placebo pills in the dummy pill week - the rest of the week has a lower dosage of hormone. It's the best of the 4 I've tried so far. I would say that it does make them worse, but I'm willing to put up with the extra headaches for the pill.

My ob/gyn suggested trying an IUD - she said she felt more comfortable with that since they can just remove it if you have increased migraines. I didn't feel comfortable once I'd read that if you hadn't had a child yet when they insert it it could pierce your uterus Sure it only happens .00005 percent of the time, but that's enough for me... So instead I'm taking Mercette for 2 months without the dummy pills - kind of my own version of Seasonale.

I also see a neurologist and take beta-blockers daily which help a lot. I tried anti-depressants daily with no effect and epilepsy meds which had awful side effects for me. So sometimes you just have to try a bunch of things until you find what works. Zomig and Immitrex are my drugs of choice when I actually get one (but not taken at the same time!).

Geez, I sound like a druggie - I'm really not, I've just aquired some edumacation from all of this

 

[Pollito916]

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.

I'm in the same situation, and I get some horrible migraines. That's really scary.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I only get headaches the week that I'm off of the pill. I've always attributed it to the hormone change.

I just took my last one (forever, thank goodness) two days ago and I keep waiting for them to hit. So far, so good!

 

[jenniferma]

Migraines are the worst! I took the pill for EIGHT years, thinking that my Doctor was correct when he said they would help me. I got migraines once or twice a month the entire time-- some so bad that my hands and lips would go numb and I would interchange words like "vein" and "vine" (sound like a stroke or what?!?!)
Well, I got married in 2000 and went off the pill to get pregnant. I was scared to death they would get worse. I didn't get a migraine and got pregnant within about 2 months... I have had two babies and nursed both, never to take the pill again. I have had maybe five migraines since then! I don't know if the pill was causing the migraine, or maybe the pregnancies changed my hormones-- but I wish I would have known back then what I have read since then!

I think now the worst thing about getting a migraine is the fear that they are back and I am going to get them again. My DH and I joke that when that happens it is time to have baby #3!

Have any of you tried Aleve for your headaches. I used to work U.S Senator and he gets them too-- (Goodness knows they get to see the best Doctors!) he went to one of the best hosptitals in the country and the head of their Headache Clinic told him to use Aleve because it is not a blocker.. but fights to stop the headache itself. I am not sure, but it really works for me.

good luck to all-- it amazes me how many people suffer from these horrible headaches, yet very few Doctors discuss the connection between hormonal changes and the headaches.
jen

 

[Poohnatic]

No, had a more permanent bc option done. Strange thing is that all the years I was on the pill, I only had a few migraines. Went off them and that's when they started up again.

Suzanne

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

I only get headaches the week that I'm off of the pill. I've always attributed it to the hormone change.

I just took my last one (forever, thank goodness) two days ago and I keep waiting for them to hit. So far, so good!

This was me. As soon as I was on the "fake pill" week, the migraines would start. I was done having kids and wanted to get off the pill so bad, I had my tubes tied. It improved the migraines but every month I noticed them getting worse and worse. Until I got to the point where I was barely functioning and could only lay on the couch with the shades pulled and needed total silence. For days at a time. No easy task with two girls. It was no way to live.

Sooo, that's when I was put on an estrogen patch. They do work, sometimes I call them the "miracle sticker" but my copay is so high, I just dread having to get that prescription filled.

Aleve is a great drug. Once, when I ran out of patches I took one Aleve every 12 hours for four days. It worked, but I didn't like taking that much medication either.

It's kind of weird though....for the last 24 hours, I've been waiting for the bomb to drop and get another migraine, since I'm out of patches but I've been fine with just Tylenol. Maybe I'm going through the "change" haha!!

 

[Dax]

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

I suffer from Hormonal migranes...They get worse during that time...I am also on the pill...I was on the patch...Dr pulled me off it saying I was getting WAY to much estrogen and that was making my headaches worse. I am also on Topomax to help control the headaches. I also take an herbal supplement to try and asissit as they are just way to much for me sometimes

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I also see a neurologist and take beta-blockers daily which help a lot. I tried anti-depressants daily with no effect and epilepsy meds which had awful side effects for me. So sometimes you just have to try a bunch of things until you find what works. Zomig and Immitrex are my drugs of choice when I actually get one (but not taken at the same time!).

Geez, I sound like a druggie - I'm really not, I've just aquired some edumacation from all of this

I'm currently taking a calcium channel blocker for migraine prevention. Too early to tell if it's working, but no side effects for me. Tried a beta blocker, but I felt dizzy, anti-depressant (I figured that would be wonderful ), but I was moody and crying all the time, and Topamax, but I got cold sores (neuro dr doesn't think it's related, but I had 4 cold sores in 3 weeks, and I'm not so sure).

And nope, I've never been on the BC pill.

I believe that my headaches are hormone related since they go worse at about age 39-40 years old. Hopefully menopause will put an end to them. I still get 1-2 headaches a week (that are severe enough for Maxalt, I get more mild ones, too, but hold off on the meds), but that is much better than most every day like I was getting them.