Migraine

I suffer from chronic weekly migraines, not entirely sure of the cause, but im considering in starting birth control. Can birth control pills make migraines better or worse? I do sometimes get migraines on the first day of my period, so perhaps their is some type of hormone related thing with the migraines. Should taking birth control pills help with hormonal migraines then? Im kinda scaresd though because I dont want them becoming worse or anything like that :/

Ally everyone is different. I have hormonal related migraines and cannot take BCP. Yet there are others on the forums that can or can take certain ones. Hopefully they will post as to the ones they take.
Take care,
Cindy

I wouldnt doubt that. So im guessing its probably based on a trial and error style of figuring out which one is best for you. Eh. Its worth a try if it might help, right?! O_O

My migs aren't related to hormonal levels, so my BCP doesn't effect them either way. I have been on Seasonale for the last year and a half.

If you notice you get them around your time of the month though, a BCP might be helpful. It keeps the hormone levels stable so it can often prevent menstural migraines.

It sounds like it isn't your only trigger, but if you can get rid of one, it's a start.

Hi Ally,

The best thing we can do for ourselves is get a real diagnosis, from a Migraine specialist, who can then help us with a preventive plan. "Chronic weekly migraines" is not listed in the International Headache Society's International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd Edition. But lots of other types of Migraines and headaches are.

As far as the birth control pill goes, some women do well on it in regards to Migraine reduction, while for others it doesn't help at all. This LINK shows just how many different Migraine/headaches there are.

Thanks guys.

Ive been wanting to see a specialist for a while now, but not sure where to start, so when I speak to my doctor today im going to ask her how I can find one, unless she thinks she can do the job for me :P But shes not a head ache specialist though. I was thinking about seeing a neurologist perhaps. Which ever one will help me the best i guess.

But I guess im not going to find out about the BCPs unless I try them first huh :P

Hi Ally,

First, have you checked out our list of HA specialists? It can be found HERE.

As Nancy said, it's very important that you get an accurate diagnosis from a doctor who knows his stuff! Then you can proceed with migraine/HA treatment AND with other issues like BC.

As far as BCP's go, we have some members here who simply cannot take them. We also have some who find great help in taking the pills that have only one placebo week every 3 months (so they have only 1 period every 3 months). Your gynecologist and HA specialist will have to work together to help you decide what to do in this case...This is certainly something a doctor should decide!!!

So take a little time to check out our list and find yourself a good doctor!!!

Keep us posted--and be sure to ask any other questions along the way!!!

jenny

Ally,

I don't know if the migraine diary was suggested to you, if not, here is the link for it: Migraine Diary. One of the best ways to start looking at what are your personal patterns and triggers are through a migraine diary. Sleep, food, menstral cycle, weather, etc are all things that can be triggers Triggers.

I'm sorry if you have been given these links already, better twice than none at all.

Take care,

Cindy

Thanks Jenny Well my doctor said that she wants me to try them for a while and see how it goes, if things get better or worse, and im crossing my fingers that it does improve. She gave me a 2 month supply of loestrin 24 fe and told me to skip the iron pills entirely and go on to the next packet if I want to avoid having my period all together, since I get 7 day long periods with horrible cramps on the first and second day. Is taking the iron pills every 3 months supposed to help?

And thanks Cindy. I am indeed getting ready to start my migraine diary, because now im getting serious about it and I really want to get this thing under control. I cant afford to be getting these things once a week like this :/ Im also going to start trying to have a regular sleep schedule in which I go to bed around 10:30pm and wake at 7 or 8 am preferably, because I am currently not and I notice that getting good sleep helps me with the migraines.

I just hope these BCPs can have some affect, because if they can reduce the amount of migraines I get a month I will love that! <3

Good for you, Ally, for getting serious about your health! That is the first step - and a big one! - to getting your head under control. Good for you!!

Ahh, birth control is tricky sometimes!

I was on loestrin but did not take it back to back like you will be doing. I did like it, however. I also did Seasonale, which was a godsend in terms of migraine. No hormonal migraines for 3 months? Sign me up! I had an easier period and I could predict my migraines like clockwork.

Unfortunately that has come to an end with the PFO discovery and my OB will not have me on combo pills since I have aura.

I went on progestin-only pill and it has treated me horribly. I am at my wits' end almost with 14-day periods and a migraine for every day of it, some of them very severe or non-stop.

This week I am getting an IUD, finally! Hopefully this will be an answer to my prayers and it will cease my periods for a few years so that I can find some relief!

I wish you the best of luck...All women are different and sometimes it can take some time to find the right BC pill but once you do it's awesome! Please keep us posted!

Ally,

I am actually doing the same thing you are and using the same pill. I was having a migraine every 4th day of my period, consistently. Between my regular doctor and my gynecologist, they decided to have me take the loestrin continuously and skip the placebo pills. I did have a good amount of success with that for awhile, although I have developed migraines with other triggers now.

You will just have to see how it works for you. I now see a neurologist too, and she agrees with keeping me on the continuous birth control because at least that eliminates my regular migraines. Now we just try to control the others.

Good luck, I hope it helps!