migraines & the pill - Birth Control Message Board

wifey06 · 05-04-2007, 08:58 AM

My question is about migraine sufferers taking oral contraceptives. I have had migraines since I was 12 but they have been much worse since being on the pill. I read that women who have migraines with Focal Neurologic Symptoms (visual disturbances before a migraine) should not take any oral contraceptive due to the risk of stroke, that the benefit does not outweigh the risk. I have always had problems with my vision before a migraine starts, I'll see squiggly lines and can't focus and once lost vision completely for about 5 minutes before a migraine. I am considering going off of the pill entirely. I have also possibly had blood clots in my legs in the past from the pill - my dr made me switch brands immediately when I started having symptoms. That makes me especially nervous to continue taking it. Am I overreacting or should I stop taking the pill? Please help! Thanks

liloulou · 05-04-2007, 11:42 AM

You should get off the pill. This is why I'm now trying an IUD. I too get migraines and was on the pill. The pill made them worse, however they were at there best when I was on Mircette.
On one occasion though I went to the ER because of stroke symptoms. I didn't know that if you are on the pill and have the migraine symptoms you mentionned have you too, that you are at an increased risk of having a stroke. After that experience my Dr. took me off the pill immediately.
I'd talk to your Dr. about this start thinking of alternative BC methods.

FromSqueaky · 05-04-2007, 11:55 AM

I've had migraines since 94 when I pulled a tendon in my back Eventually it led to acting my the whole right side of my body. I was put on another form of BCP and never knew that BCP could cause migraines. The first 3 years I didn't have migraines until my sciatic nerve would act up. Then I started getting them constantly. Bed ridden for 2-3 days a couple of times a month.

Finally 8 months ago my OGBY asked why I was on so many kinds of pain medicine and I told him migraines. He said lets switch them I bet that's your problem. I didn't think so I told him that the pain was in my leg and back with each migraine.

My OBGYN told me that if you have any type of significant injury no matter how old estrogen can cause it to inflame and become painful. I thought he was crazy but I changed anyway. In 2 weeks my leg stopped throbbing daily. That was a huge relief. By the end of the month my migraines a stopped an I only would get headaches. The second month I did have any. The 3rd month 1 migraine and the 4-6 month no migraine. Now this is my 7 month and the last month on this kind of BCP cause I gained 22 lbs in the first 2 months. I had my hormone's testes and my progesterone test results show I am -0.02 I didn't even make the chart. So this is definitely not the pill for me.

My estrogen is 3 points lower than the normal so I have been trying to research a BCP that has little estrogen and lots of progesterone. My doc wanted to put me on a progesterone only pill. I told him I'm not for that since the pregnancy rate is much higher with them.

Maybe a lower kind of BCP would help? Have you ever had your hormones checked. The levels of hormones change per week. They are at their lowest the first week after you period and rise as the month goes on.

Mircette is the pill that pepople that suffer from migraines are given.
It has a reduced hormone free interval. It was approved in 1998 to help women with migraines, dysmenorrhea.

I will never switch to another pill until I have my hormones levels checked. How else will I know how to fix the levels in my body if I don't know what the levels are to begin with.

I have to many problems in my uterus to even consider an IUD. I'm 38yr

Good luck !

Reyne · 05-04-2007, 12:26 PM

I just got off the pill...after 25yrs being on the pill. For some reason about 6 months ago I started getting migranes?? I had switched pill thoughout the years,but for some reason just started getting migraines???

I have been off for 2 months and feel so much better. Not sure why they started to effect me??? Maybe age?? I am 36yrs old???

BorderGirl · 05-05-2007, 08:44 AM

My neurologist is very hesitant to have me on hormones since I have migraines (no aura). He mentioned that if I ever do experience aura I must stop taking them. Basically the only reason he is not taking me off is because I have amenorrhea without them. He said migraines + the pill increases the risk of stroke. Migraines with aura + pill increases the risk like 10 times. And smoking + migraines + the pill makes the risk super high.