Re: Birth Control and Migraines
From: William F. von Almen, II, MD, FACOG (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 16 Mar 2003 15:52:10 -0600 (CST)
Beth
Some clinicians worry more about atypical migraines than others as far
as taking the oc goes. she was not wrong and was just being cautious.
Your history sounds migraine specific enough that I would not be afraid
to prescribe the pill to you.
At Sun, 16 Mar 2003, Beth wrote:
>
>I recently went to the local Planned Parenthood for my annual Pap Exam
>and also to discuss a new form of birth control. I have been on birth
>control for 4 years now and I have been on Depo-Provara, Lunelle and the
>pill (ortho tricyclen). A couple of months ago Lunelle was pulled of
>the market due to a batch that was released without the anti-conception
>compound. I went back to the pill after that. I hate the pill b/c I am
>horrible at remembering to take it. Anyway, I was in with the clinician
>when she started to go over my migraine history. I explained to her
>that I haven't had a migraine for about 3 years. She then asked what
>kinds of things happen when I get one. I explained the streaks of
>light, clouded sight in my left eye, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. She
>then told me that I cannot be on Estrogen. This was the first time in
>my 4 years of birth control that I had been told something like this.
>She explained 3 options: a pill that is pure progesterone that was
>critical to remember(missing one pill by as little as an hour could make
>pregnancy happen within the month) and this was only about 70%
>effective, Depo-Provera (which I have been on and had horrible side
>effects) , or she said with confidenciality, I could visit my family
>doctor because they are more willing to break the rules. This came as a
>total shock to me. I have never been refused estrogen, and she
>neglected to tell me what would happen if it was given to me with my
>migraine history. Should I be worried of health risks; also should I
>take legal action against the clinic?
--
William F. von Almen, II, MD, FACOG
Chairman, Editorial Advisory Board
Pregnancy and Birth Section
Private Practice
New Orleans, La.
*Please understand I can not respond to private emails.
*These comments are for educational purposes only. They are
not meant to take the place of an examination by a qualified
health care provider. They are not intended to be the start
of a physician-patient relationship.
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