migrain treatment with birth control

[mnorgrove]

I've suffered with migrains for the past 10 years. I've been treated with all kinds of seizure meds to prevent them, and nothing works. Every thing I took seemed to make it worse. I figured out that it was my hormones. They started at the age of 16 when I hit puberty, and durring each pregnancy I was migrain free, and after each pregnancy, the frequency and pain level of the migrains was different than before. I've found the best relief from my migrains by taking birth control pills. I don't take any other pain management pills. Recently, I've noticed them comming on more often than before. They use to only show up durring the week of my period, now its more like once a week again. My question is, could my body be adjusting for the hormones in the birthcontrol pills and causing my migrains to come back? If so, should I talk to my doctor about switching to a different pill?  Thanks for your time.

[utahmomma]

I have had migraines every now and then in the past.  In January I had my remaining ovary removed due to PCOS (hemorrhagic and huge cysts).  I had non-stop migraines for three months straight despite Excedrin and Imitrex (usually the caffeine and Rx combo worked great for me).  It too until my hormone replacement stabilized (nearly 4 months later) until the migraines disappeared.  My Ob/Gyn said some migraines are DEFINATELY hormone-related.  Talk to your Ob/Gyn about adjusting your levels.

[mnorgrove]

Thanks for the feedback, knowing other people have had this problem, and hearing their stories helps.:)

[samismom22]

Don't know if you are still checking this thread or not, but I have the same story as you.  I was migraine free during my pregnancies,I usually get a migraine before the start of my period, also 7-8 days after my period and during ovulation.  So it is definately hormonal.  I would check with your Dr. about adjusting the birth control, hormones can fluctuate so much!
I feel your pain!! :)
My gyn. recently told me about a new medication for hormonal headaches called Frova (sp.) I haven't tried it yet, but is sounds interesting.

[mnorgrove]

Thank you for your info. I have a doc apt today w/my gyn. So I'll ask about that drug Frova. Thanks again.:)