Migraine

I have been taking Portia birth control for over 15 years. Started to get migraines about two years ago during my period. Got migraines at other times also, but mainly was during my period. So, I stopped the pill and Voila!, no migraines. But, because I have endometriosis, I had an awful painful period and decided to go back on the pill. However, since restarting the pill, I've had a severe migraine for almost two and a half weeks. I don't understand why restarting the pill would cause this. The doctor said it "should" go away after a cycle or so, but I can't even force myself to take another pill, because of the migraines. The doc also said to try non-stop pills, not taking a break for a period, but again, I can't get through even two and a half weeks, so I stopped the pill again. Does anyone have any advice -- please help. This stinks!

First off, hello and welcome to the forum. We're glad you found us and decided to post.

I don't know a lot about birth control pills and migraines, other than some people trigger from them, and others don't. Different ones are preferred by different people. I have very limited experience with them, and what I did have was pre-Migraines 'R Us. But it's a popular topic here lately, it seems, so I'm sure people who are in the trenches now will be along to offer some imput. You can also do a search using the find button above the posting window to find some of the discussions.

Birth control is tricky. Sometimes you have to try several different pills before you find one that is satisfactory for you.

Even if one pill helped before, because of hormonal changes due to aging, it might cease to be effective, so you may have to try something else. Different pills have differing levels of estrogen in them, and then there are the progestin-only pills that some women have a lot of success with...While others have none. Everyone is different.

Unfortunately you have to deal with it through trial and error...Trust me, I've been there only too recently. It takes some patience, so don't give up yet!

Hello, Jackie O, welcome to the forum. We're glad you found us.

I am concerned about that long-lasting migraine. If you have had a migraine for that long without a substantial break in the pain, you have a potentially serious situation called status migrainous, and you need to seek immediate medical attention. Contact your doctor on an emergency basis, or go to the emergency room.

See this article for more information:

Status Migrainous - The Basics

Status migrainous, like migraine disease itself, is a serious neurological condition, and should not be taken lightly.

Hi Jackie O

Welcome to MyMigraineConnection.

Any time we have Migraine pain that lasts longer than 72 hours without a four-hour pain-free break while awake, may need medical attention. This could be a condition called Status Migrainous and puts us at an increased risk of stroke. We have lots of information on this site we hope you find helpful, I see nutcracker gave you the link on Status.

Hormones can play a big role in Migraines, as you know. We do have some questions from Expert Dr. Krusz, who does our "Ask the Clincian," you can find that HERE

Thanks very much!!! I will look into that. I actually stopped the pill yesterday and have been migraine free for almost 24 hours.

Jackie 0.

Excellent!

Hi Jackie O! I'm glad that you are now migraine free. I can only give you my experience with the pill. My doctor is very helpful when it comes to that area and she put me on a low estrogen pill which has been helpful. I was still getting a whopper during the placebo week so she put me on continuous pills and it stopped the whopper one during that time. I still get migraines from other things but at least not the hormonal ones. Hope that helps.

Amy :-)

Jackie: That is AWESOME. I hope that, as of this post, you are still migraine free.

I have to tell you... several weeks ago I made MANY changes, and quitting my birth control (Alesse) was one of them. I honestly think that may be the biggest reason I've gone from 6 migraines a week down to 1 migraine a week. That AND the fact that I've not taken Lortab or Percocet or any other narcotic in over a month. I KNOW part of my problem was medication overuse headaches. I had originally started taking the bc pill last October when I was at my wit's end due to severe mood swings associated with my pre-menstrual week. It seemed to help in that area SO much, and I was SO ecstatic, that I didn't realize my migraines were getting worse. I can deal better with mood swings one week out of the month as opposed to having migraines almost every day. My GYN told me that some of his patients have had reduced migraines after beginning the pill. So I took a chance. Now I know... <<<<<< that my good fortune holds up.

Blessings,

Sandi

Thank you everyone for your responses. I got my gyn doctor to prescribe progesterone-only birth control pills. I am going to give it a shot and hope it doesn't cause any migraines and that it also alleviates the endometriosis pain/menstrual pain. I don't know what my options will be if the progesterone-only pill brings back the migraines. I think I'd rather deal with another endometriosis surgery than be put on any pill that gives me migraines.

Will keep you all posted.

Jackie O.

Good luck Jackie.

Jackie,

Please let me know how the progesterone only pill works for you. Maybe I will have another option if I continue having menstrual related problems.

Sandi

Sandi: Just wanted to pass on to you that I have been on the progesterone only pill for about two weeks now and I have been migraine free. The one they prescribed is called Errin. I will have to go through one menstrual cycle to see how the cramping/endometriosis pain is, but so far, no migraines. So, this is great news.

Also, I don't know if I mentioned before, but my doctor had prescribed a migraine medication called Midrin. It worked pretty well, but when I saw my neurologist (my primary care doc recommended I see one), he said they had discontinued making it. I thought this sounded strange, especially since my PCP had just prescribed it, but when I talked to my pharmacist the other day, he said that they did indeed stop making it. So, I will probably have to try a triptan once the Midrin runs out (if I get migraines down the road). My neurologist said Topomax was a good one.

Anybody have any experience with Topomax? I heard it is safe, but makes you feel a tightness in your chest.

Good news--Midrin is still being made. If your pharmacist says he/she can't get it, keep looking. For some of our members, Midrin is the only thing that really works for them. See this article:

Availability of Midrin for Tension-Type Headaches & Migraines

Hi Jackie!

You may find this Topamax Profile helpful. Topamax is a preventative not an abortive.

It can all get a bit confusing sometimes. Here is a link that helps explain the difference between Preventive, Abortive and Rescue Medications.

Hope this helps