Migraines And Contraceptive Pill

[buffymad]

I've taken the combined pill for years and years with no problems although I would sometimes get a bad headache on my pill free week.

All of a sudden this year I've started getting migraines. Don't get any warning signs, it just appears out of nowhere (so no aura etc). Bad enough to make me go home from work.

I've found something that works (Imigran Recovery) so that's good but would like to stop getting them at all! Saw the doc today and wasn't really sure why I might be getting them but thought it may possibly be hormonal, ie to do with the drop in oestrogen on the pill free week. I did mention I get them when I'm not on my period too by the way!

He's suggested stopping the pill for 4 weeks and see what happens. So does that mean if I get a migraine it's nothing to do with the pill or the other way around? And how will he be able to tell anyway seeing as I don't necessarily get them every month (May, September and October this year).

Any clues, advice etc please?

[Sqad]

I think that it is unlikely that after years of taking the pill, migraine has developed as a side effect.

Because you are taking the pill, doesn't "immunise" you from developing migraine. To me you are a patient, on the pill for many years who have developed migraine.

Imigran is an ideal treatment for migraine.

However..........follow your Gp's instructions.

[buffymad]

Yep, I didn't see the connection and the doc half said that himself! But will give it a go and keep Imigran on me at all times from now on!

[Sqad]

That sounds good sense.

[holly74]

it sounds to me like its a reaction to somethin your eating and drinking whilst taking the pill, like certain e numbers

[buffymad]

Holly - Well I haven't changed my diet or anything and probably eat what I've been eating for years - so why would they start up now? Diet is fairly healthy in any case, I tend to avoid chocolate and cakes!

[icemaiden]

I took microgynon for years with no problem. Once I reached 30, I suffered from horrendous migraines. Had a particularly bad one with paralysis down one side. Rang the doctors next day and he immediately told me to stop the pill. I was then put on thd mini pill. Still get migraines but not like that one. It scared me a lot. Doctor told me I was close to having a stroke due to the pill and hormonal changes as I got older. Hence why he changed my pill. Not sure how true it is but havent had one like that since.