Bleeding /BC/ Migraines

L., I would definitely attribute the migraines to the pill. I too went through this many years ago. Unfortunately it took over a year for the migraines to stop after I stopped taking the pill. This all happened in 1989. I still bleed heavily and my doctor is again trying to put me on a low dose pill. I declined because of the migraines. He said the dosage of hormones in the pills are so low these days that migraines should not be an issue. I don't believe him and am not taking the chance of having to deal with constant migraines again. Good luck.

Hi, my husband also had a vasectomy. The DR put me on a low dose pill too because I was having a lot of problems and they wanted to try that first. I had a horrible migraine the second day (I am prone to them). The Dr took me off of them right away- it screwed with my hormones too much. I still get a migraine right before my period every month so I now rub some hormone gel into my leg when I start to get a headache- around 2 days before my period. For me, it was the pill.

The Migraines may just be a result of your hormonal changes after your pregnancies. My sister gets migraines every month with her cycle. It has taken almost 4 years to come back to my normal after my last daughter was born, but some things never return to normal. Talk to your doctor to find out if migraines is a side affect to the pill, or even read the info given to you with your prescription because it will list EVERY side effect, even the very rare ( my family tends to get the very rare 1 % of the population effects! ) If the headaches continue I would speak to your doctor. In the meantime, over the counter I buy Excedrin for my migraines, it is the only thing that works, there is caffeine in it so if you are out, feel it starting, have some caffeine to stave it off until you can get some medicine.

Good Luck, L.

L.,

I definitely think it is from the pill because when I was discussing different birth control methods with my midwife and I told her I had migraines in the past she told me there were certain pills I could NOT take.

Did you tell your OB you had migraines in the past? Please call soon and make a new appointment and tell them of your migraines (2) and vision problems. Ther are other BCpills you can take with a history of migraines that are non interactive.

Good luck!

A.

I get them when i have my peroid every month and i take imetrex. Jade

I suffer from migraines. I know that since the birth of my last child I have had a difficult time with birth control because the hormones in different pills and IUD's trigger awful migraines. It is very possible the pill could be causing the migraine. Definitely call your NP since she recommended the pill and let her know what happened. Even stopping the pill - it probably takes awhile to get your body free of the hormones (I don't know). If the migraines keep coming you may want to see a neurologist. I have been seeing one for a few years to help get mine under control. They are scary and really hurt. Good Luck.

I would call my OB/GYN right away. The vision part scares me..could be part of your migraine though, I guess. See your MD, not the NP!

If you have had migraines in the past following hormone swings, like the birth of a child, then it is possible that the pills triggered the migraine, but somewhat unlikely if it was a low-dose pill. Either way, let your doctor know and get his/her recommendation. Since you don't need the pills for bc, maybe there is something else that can be done about your heavy periods. Meanwhile, ask for a migraine pill like Imitrex or Zomig. Better to have something on hand just in case it happens again.
I too have Mirena, the 5-yr. IUD and am loving it. It is low-dose directly at the uterus, so may help with your bleeding, but is not systemic, so may help you avoid the side effects of pills if that is what your migraine was. I'm lucky - since having kids I have had way fewer migraines than I did when I was younger but I know how much they hurt! Best of luck!

You should go see your doctor as soon as possible. My sister was young and took birth control for a very short period of time when she started having the same issues...turned out she was having mini-strokes. Don't take any more pills and go see your doctor just to be sure...it may be nothing but it's better to be safe than sorry. I hope this helps.

Dear L.,
Since your husband has had a vasectomy I am assuming that you are not having any more children. Have they mentioned having a uterine ablation to you? They basically burn the walls of your uterus and then you do not have anywhere near the bleeding for your period-I am talking panty liner at the worst day. I had horrible bleeding and clotting from fibroids and my gyn recommended it since I had bad luck also with b/c pills. It is outpatient surgery and you are crampy for a few weeks but the end result is awesome. You get to keep your ovaries and don't have the problems of having to take the drugs that you have to take with a hysterectomy. Good luck. G.

It's hard to tell why you get the migraines (there can be several factors), but if they started after you took the pill, then it may be the pill. I suffer from migraines and after I started the pill, my migraines got worse. I had to stop the pill so that the migraines remain at their usual schedule and level. It is a well knonw side effect of the pill (get migraines or for those who already have them, have them worse and more often). Talk to your doctor to see what other alternatives you can try for your heavy period. Good luck!

Talk to your primary doctor. Migraines could be caused from many things. You could be out of linement. You could be holding all your stress in your neck area. Or it could be something more seriouse. Talk to the family doctor. Best of luck.

Hi L.,

Find you an OB/GYN Doc and have some blood work on your hormone levels.

Good luck. D.

Good Morning. While i can't speak to exactly what is causing your migraines i can tell you what caused mine and other similar issues you are currently having. After my first daughter i had very heavy clotty bleeding.. at first i wasn't concerned figuring hey i had none of this for nine months so wow. But after a few months of that mixed with migraines i went back to the Gyne and he did some tests and discovered i had Endometriosis... Once i got my endometriosis taken care of i was healthy enough to have another baby. And knock on wood i have had none of the same issues. As far as a birth control method try the Mirena. I have had one for 8+ months now and my periods are very light and pain free. Good Luck and Take Care.

If you don't want to have anymore children, I would definately recommend uterine ablation. I didn't have any problems after the surgery, no cramping or anything. But, it works differently for everyone. Some women get no period at all, some get very light flow, and for some like me, it just helped get the flow down to a manageable amount. Basically for me, I get the same result (maybe alittle better) than if I were taking birth control pills. I am going to have a hysterectomy in January though, because I still have pain and I am not totally satisfied with the ablation results. I think I am in the minority though, most women experience even better results than me. And, you don't need hormones after a hysterectomy, unless they take out your ovaries, and they won't do that unless it's absolutely necessary.

Call your doc and ask to speak to him or his nurse. My doc says that when my husband gets his surgery, he will prescribe a progesterone pill that I will take for 10 days before my period to lighten the flow. I have the same problems that you have had. Don't worry about visual floaters, they are part of the migraine. Still, call your doctor and chances are you should get off of that pill! Ask about the progesterone, it isn't for birth control, just for lightening your flow. Only a 10 day med.