Placebos and Migraines??

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2004
Placebos and Migraines??
9
Sat, 11-13-2004 - 9:17am
Hi again...

I have another question.... I have been taking my pill for 8 months now and all has been well except... I just realized this morning that I hadn't taken my placebo pills in 3 days. I set my alarm and got up to take it but for the life of me I don't know why I didn't end up doing it and for three days in a row no less. Anyhow, I know it's not a problem because they are the placebos (and I'm also not doing anything at all and haven't for 5 months so no worries there) but I was wondering if not taking them could be causing me severe headaches. I realized this morning that I have had nauseating headaches for three days every morning. I have been taking advil headache and sinus which works great for me but again wondering why all of a suddent the headaches and could the fact that I haven't taken my placebos be a problem. The placebos I take are brown and someone on this board once mentioned that they might contain iron. Would this do it? Just curious. The last time I had these migraine like headaches was during the third month of my pills for the entire month and hope this isn't another month of repeat performance. Any advise or suggestions would be very greatly appreciated. thanks. Lucy

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sat, 11-13-2004 - 10:08am
Hi Lucy,

Look at the patient information that comes with your pills and see if your placebos contain any estrogen. One or two brands of pills have a tiny bit of estrogen in some of the placebos to help reduce the possibility of estrogen withdrawal which can cause headaches. I don't know if the absence of iron can cause headaches or not. Now that you have begun your placebos again, are you feeling better? Remember not to go more than 7 24-hour days without taking active pills or you will loose your protection. I hope you're feeling better soon. Let us know how you're doing, ok

Take care,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2004
Sun, 11-14-2004 - 1:44pm
Hi Jill,

Per your suggestion, I read the patient information that came with my pill packet and my brown pills contain 75 mg ferrous fumarate. I looked it up on the internet and it is a form of mineral iron. I took the last one in the pack yesterday morning and started my new pack with the actives this morning. Yesterday I still had a headache in the morning but it subsided in the afternoon, something that hadn't happened when I had forgotten to take my brown pills altogether. I am going to have to attribute that to my taking the brown pill. I have to believe my failing to take my brown pills caused the severe headaches, so I will try very hard not to forget to take any of the pills in the pack, the light yellow active nor the brown placebos. Thanks again for suggesting I check my patient information, I wouldn't have thought of that on my own...I'm such a doof. Lucy

Avatar for rvrcitygrl
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-15-2004
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 2:40pm
Hi, Lucy-

I took pills for a few years before I started having headaches- I would begin having them about 2 days into the week of the brown (placebo) pills, whether I took them or not. For me it was just what Jill suggested, estrogen withdrawl. Once I began the new pack they would go away, again after about 2 days. For me, it was disruptive enough to cause vomiting and visual disturbances.

Anyway, it could just be that your body has become sensitive to the abscence of the hormone. Like I said, I took the pill for years b/f this began happening to me. Hope you get it worked out.

Gini

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2004
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 2:59pm
Hi Gini,

Thanks for responding. I have been a bit nauseous lately and I was surprised you mentioned, I have also had problems with my vision. I don't wear glasses or contact lenses and was wondering if maybe at my age I might start needing them but the crazy thing is that my vision blurs only when I am eating. Is this wierd or what?? After I finish eating it will take a good 30 minutes for my sight to get back to normal. This happens when I eat anything, even a candy bar. I start munching on it and half way into the bar my sight becomes distorted. It has become such an issue that I no longer eat anything when I am driving. Anyhow, I will be careful not to miss taking any of my pills, even if they are only the placebos because headaches are not fun. Thanks again for responding. Lucy

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 8:05pm
Hi Lucy,

If you are having problems with your vision you should tell your doctor about it and get it checked out right away. Please do that hon, and let us know how you're doing, ok?

Hugs,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2004
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 8:44pm
Are vision problems possible side effects to taking birth control pills? I am worried now. Do I see an eye doctor or my GYN. Jill, please advise, I'm concerned now. Lucy
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 9:23pm
I think some types of vision problems can be a side effect of BCPs. Your patient information leaflet that comes with your pills will tell you what the mfg. found in the pill trials. Even if it's not, It doesn't sound good to me if you are having vision changes every time you eat something. I think you should get it checked out. Keep us posted hon.

Hugs,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 11-16-2004 - 7:32am
The vision problems that are associated with birth control pills typically only affect contact lens wearers. For this, I'd talk to an opthalmologist or a medical doctor, it's definitely not normal for your vision to change after eating!

The common vision-related side effects are either increased dryness of the eyes or steepening corneal curvature, which means that the part of the eye that the contact covers would become more curved and that can change how well lenses fit and maybe some blurriness, but that would be all of the time and not intermittent.

Get it checked out! And good luck...

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2004
Tue, 11-16-2004 - 8:14am
Hi Judie,

Well, I am in my early 40's so maybe it's just that I need glasses. I don't wear anything right now and haven't had trouble with my eyesight until lately so maybe it has nothing to do with the pill and just my age and my eyes are getting tired??? SMILE.. Anyhow, as Jill suggested, I will make an appointment with my doctor... better safe than sorry. Thanks and take care. Lucy