Migraines and BCP...and depression
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| Thu, 08-05-2004 - 1:06pm |
I've been to the doctor once since to ask about some other options for dealing with the period pain, but the doctor said that since all the pills contain hormones, all would be likely to trigger migraines in me. Fortunately I've been able to deal with the physical pain with lots of Advil before and during my period...
But I have a bigger problem...I've been depressed pretty much constantly for years, and I've been on many different antidepressants and spent a lot of time in therapy. Since going off the pill, though, I've noticed that I seem to become very severely depressed in the week before my period. I do take low doses of two antidepressants, and I raised the dose of one as the doctor suggested, but nothing has seemed to help.
So I'm considering asking again about trying the pill...I definitely don't want migraines again, but I'm getting desperate. I guess I was just wondering if anyone has had experience with migraines and BCP, and which kinds are least likely to cause migraines. Also, has anyone had experience with PMDD (pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder), and if so, did going on the pill help?
Thanks so much,
Rose

It's a hard decision, I know! It's hard to suggest where you should go without knowing what you were taking before, but if I had to wing it I'd probably try to start with as low of doses of both hormones as I could get away with. Nuvaring is the lowest currently available on the US market, particularly the estrogen dose. You could also try Alesse if the other member hasn't scared you away from it, and Mircette is a very low estrogen pill but it's got a decent amount of progestin in it as well.
As far as PMDD, I can refer you to the PMS and PMDD board: http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhpms , but I would think that getting back on hormones would probably help there too.
Good luck, please feel free to keep us posted!
Co-cl for Birth Control
I had the exact problem that you guys had. I had migraines as a child but took medication for a while to prevent them. I hadn't had one for three years when I started BCP last year. It was a lower estrogen pill but it didn't make a difference. The minute I stopped taking the pills, the migraines went away. My doctor put me on the nuvaring and I have had no problems for going on four months now. Try it, not only is it low estrogen but its also extremely easy: No pill everyday. I love it.
Abby