STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Sandy · Kate Spade

Is there anything that can help me?

Shello · Kenneth Cole

I'm fortunate to never have had *really* bad cramps, but my birth control (Ortho Tricyclen Lo) has made them all but disappear, so you might want to look into that.

As for migraines, those I do have (and tension headaches). Do you know if anyone else in your family has them? For me, it's partly genetic, and partly stress. Right now I have two medications for them, one to prevent and one to treat them, but I've only been on them for a couple weeks, so I don't know the effects yet.

However, for preventing them, my doctor said there are two kinds of medications that work: blood pressure medications and anti-depressants. I have low blood pressure, so I'm on a very low dose of an anti-depressant. One of the side effects is dizzyness though, so that probably wouldn't be good for you, but maybe the blood pressure ones would be fine?

Hth!

ILoveChoo · Hermes

BC helps tremendously with my cramps, but also turns me into a raving psychobitch so I'm not sure it's worth the trade off...might be a better option for you though.

member · Hermes

I've been on BC for years and I don't have cramps ever anymore. It really helps w/that. I take Ortho-Tri Cyclen.

My FMIL used to get terrible, terrible migraines, but now whenever she feels one coming on, she takes Imitrex, which helps her out a lot - I think it's her lifesave. Maybe ask your doctor about a perscription for that. I know that her migraines got so awful, she actually ended up having to have surgery on her sinuses or something...she went to an ear, nose, and throat specialist...you may want to consider that. Maybe there's a problem causing these migraines you don't even know about. HTH!

sfclinevandy · Coach

I've been on the pill since I was 14 for migraines and it has helped SO much with cramping, heavy flow, and general uncomfortableness. I take a strong muscle relaxer for my migraines and maybe your gyno could recommend something similar for your pain.
-- Edited by sfclinevandy at 10:08, 2006-01-20

-- Edited by sfclinevandy at 10:09, 2006-01-20

Elle · Hermes

Hmmm, since they sound like hormonal migraines my first suggestion would be to go on BC (though I would start on one with continuous hormones levels, as opposed to ortho tri - it sounds like your body doesn't like the hormone changes that might be associated with ortho tri). I'd start out normally (having a period each month) and see if that helped. If not, then I'd try continuous and only have a period every 3 months or so. Also, check out this site to see if you recongize any of these symptoms. If so you need to talk to your doctor for recommendations on things that might be able to help.

-- Edited by Elle at 10:37, 2006-01-20

Sandy · Kate Spade

Thanks for the info, everyone. I'll definitely be calling the doc in the near future. I think I'll give it another cycle, just so I can journal everything I'm feeling so I can better describe it to her (learned to do that from Cosmo today )

Elle- thanks for that link... I may have more to talk to her about than I thought.

lollipop · Nine West

I have the same migraine issues as you during my periods. I spoke to my gyno about it last year and she perscribed me to Seasonale. The reason being... you only get your period every three months. It is fabulous! My headaches are still terrible when I get my period, but they only happen 4 times a year rather than every month. Hope this helps. It def helped me. Just don't take BC if you smoke cause that could be bad!!