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Suzy	Apr-02-01, 03:15 PM (CMT)
"Birth Control and Migraines"
Hi I'm a 19 yearold freshman in college. I used to get daily migraines, but now I take Amitriptolene nightly and use Imatrex injections or pills for every migraine. Since December I've also been on birth control (Ovcon35) to try and counter my menstrual migraines. But I'm having some side effects from the birth control (spotting) and I was wondering if anyone knew of another kind of birth control pill that would be good for migraines? Thanks! Suzy
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RE: Birth Control and Migraines, VickiG, Apr-02-01, (1) RE: Birth Control and Migraines, Suzy, Apr-02-01, (2) RE: Birth Control and Migraines, VickiG, Apr-02-01, (3) RE: Birth Control and Migraines, Kiraaa, Apr-10-01, (4) RE: Birth Control and Migraines, VickiG, Apr-10-01, (5) RE: Birth Control and Migraines, Kiraaa, Apr-30-01, (6) RE: Birth Control and Migraines, jeri, Apr-30-01, (7)

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Messages in this topic

VickiG	Apr-02-01, 04:14 PM (CMT)
1. "RE: Birth Control and Migraines"
Suzy, I'm also on ovcom 35 to control the hormones that lead to migraines. I take the active pills every day and discard the inactive pills. How long have you been on this? My gynecologist told me that it could take a while to regulate the spotting because I take it this way. Even though I've been on it since November, I still have some spotting, but not enough to make me feel like finding something else. The gynecologist originally had me on loestrin, which is a lower dosage of estrogen and hence less likely to cause migraines, but that one can lead to more spotting. My problem was insomnia. That's why she tried me on ovcom 35. I hope you find some answers. Has it helped the migraines any? I find that I at least don't get the bad migraine that would come at the start of every period. The other migraines are just as bad, but at least I have the menstrually related one more under control.
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	Suzy	Apr-02-01, 09:47 PM (CMT)
	2. "RE: Birth Control and Migraines"
	Thanks for the quick response! I'm on my 4th pack of Ovcon35... I also skip the inactive pills. My migraines in general have been a lot better. I now only get them for storms, or if I miss a meal or oversleep. I guess I'll just wait longer and see if the spotting goes away. The headaches are the most important part of the equation anyways. Suzy
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	VickiG	Apr-02-01, 11:27 PM (CMT)
	3. "RE: Birth Control and Migraines"
	Suzy, the gynecologist told me that she usually tells patients to give it three months for the spotting to get regulated, but if she's having them skip the inactive pills, to give it six months before trying to change. I have found that sometimes I'll go a couple weeks without any spotting and don't have to wear a pantiliner or anything, but then I'll go another couple weeks with regular spotting. I'm glad that it's helping your migraines. I don't think that it's doing a whole lot for me, but since I don't get that massive one at the beginning of each month, and since I enjoy not having to deal with the other problems (such as bad cramps) that come with periods, it's kind of nice.
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Kiraaa	Apr-10-01, 07:37 AM (CMT)
4. "RE: Birth Control and Migraines"
I'm so glad to read this post. I started on Mircette (sp?) three months ago for menstrual migraines, and I got my period--twice. The doctor told me this shouldn't happen--I'm taking only active pills. She switched me to Loestrin, but now I'm having serious insomnia. Since sleep really affects my migraines, I'm at a complete loss as to what to do next. I THINK the birthcontrol pill is helping me a little. But I'm so tired! Does Ovcom35 help migraines without too much hormonal change--and does it allow sleep??? Thank you!
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	VickiG	Apr-10-01, 02:27 PM (CMT)
	5. "RE: Birth Control and Migraines"
	Kiraa, the gynecologist was a little suspicious when I said that I got insomnia from loestrin, but I was able to point to a direct correlation between when I started the loestrin and when the insomnia hit, so she switched me. She said that ovcom-35 is similar to loestrin, just a little higher dosage of estrogen. I've been able to sleep with ovcom-35, so it did seem to do the trick. It also supposedly doesn't have quite as much spotting as loestrin because of the higher estrogen. It's just that you take the risk of the estrogen leading to more migraines with the higher dosage, but I think this is still a bit smaller dose than a lot.
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	Kiraaa	Apr-30-01, 12:21 PM (CMT)
	6. "RE: Birth Control and Migraines"
	Thanks so much, Vicki. I'll bring up Ovcom-35 next time I see my doctor. One other question--any idea how long (basically) before the hormones level out and positively affect migraines--i.e., get rid of them? I seem to be a test case with my particular MD. Thank you again, Kira
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	jeri	Apr-30-01, 03:13 PM (CMT)
	7. "RE: Birth Control and Migraines"
	I take Ortho 1/35 - Is that the same thing? I also take only the active pill - I've been on it for over two years now with no spotting and no ill effects. It did get rid of my menstrual migraines (which were absolute 4-day killers), but I still get migraines at any random time of the month now - just not as bad. Jeri
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