hbc and migraines

[softlyy.livejournal.com]

 

dear VP, i'm hoping you can help me with a problem i'm having with my birthcontrol, Microgynon.

see, since age 11 i've suffered from chronic migraines (without aura), and over the past 8 years i've learned how to read the signs of an oncoming migrain, avoid my near 20 triggers as best as possible and how to tackle them as best as possible. the frequency and severity of my migraines has changed a lot over the years - but in the past two weeks, since i began taking Microgynon, i've been having them almost every single day.

my doctor, when giving me my prescription, told me migraines were a fairly common side effect of Microgynon and i asked him (seeing as he knows my medical history) if there wasn't another HBC i could take. he told me, "this is the HBC we prescribe to everyone."

i was a bit stumped by this. surely there must be an HBC that won't affect my migraines?
VPers, do you have any personal experience with this topic and any suggestions?
i'm about to have my final exams in high school, so i really want to avoid more of the migraines - while at the same time i just entered an amazing relationship with my first boyfriend, and want to be stay safe.

thank you!

EDIT: thank you all for your incredibly helpful responses. i have to admit, everything i've been reading has made me worry, but i'm glad i'm finding out about this so early! and i'm going to go see a new doctor first thing monday morning so we can get this all sorted. again thank you!

Comments

[sinnamongirl.livejournal.com]

Oh, yikes. Yes! That's the only reason I'm not on it, besides the lack of hormonal fluctuations has cut down on my migraines quite a bit. I got really worried that people would be on 2 medications that can mess with their blood pressure that much; and, of course, it's all how your body reacts, but it seems ridiculous to take the chance unless you really have to.

[cheeseydreams.livejournal.com]

I never had a problem with my blood pressure until I switched to Seasonale. I guess my body reacted badly to the HBC and taking so much imitrex on top of it didn't help at all. My PCP put me on Propranolol (a beta blocker) both to prevent my migraines and to get my blood pressure back down and I switched to an IUD as my contraceptive. I've been migraine free for 5 months, it's fantastic!