Monday, December 26, 2011

Auras and Migraines

Okay, someone help me. I have suffered from migraines in the past, but never terribly. Basically I would get maybe 2 a year, pop a couple Excedrin Migraine, take a nap, and within a few hours my headache was tolerable. I say that in the world of migraines, mine are the kind to get! Each time I have gotten a migraine I have known it was coming because I get the visual auras 20 minutes before the headache sets in.

Two weeks before I had Evie I had two migraines. Since having her I have two more, plus 5 silent migraines this week! I have just learned that a silent migraine is when I have the visual aura, but no headache to follow. I usually take an 800mg ibuprofen when I get the aura as precaution. Either way, the whole thing is annoying.

I went to my doctor last week and was given a script for Imitrex. Great, right? Well, not so great as a nursing mom. If I take an Imitrex then I have to pump and dump for 24 hours. I HATE pumping, let alone throwing out the milk! I would almost rather deal with the headache.

My assumption is that it may be the combo of birth control + breastfeeding that has set my hormones wacky. I started taking birth control this week, and this week I have had the most trouble. I might make another call to the doc because I am fairly certain that this many episodes in a week is something they want to know about. I guess I might want to try to come up with what may be the cause, rather than trying to just treat the headaches and auras after they come.

Has anyone else had this postpartum? Has anyone ever just had the auras? Has anyone taken a migraine med while nursing that is safe for baby too? Being home with two little girls means I need to be able to take care of them without blurry vision or wanting to chop my head off. I never had this with Belle, so I'm surprised with how my body is reacting right now. Such a drama!

3 comments:

Jenni said...

My best friend had that same exact thing happen. She went off her birth control pills and started to feel better. Imitrex made my migraines worse and pumping and dumping is no fun. When I feel one of those headaches coming on, I take 800 mg Ibprophen with a shot of espresso and then sit quietly and drink a glass or two of water.

DesertHermeneutics said...

Birth Control is your culprit. My mom struggled with migraines for YEARS, went off bc and has been fine since. My cousin, since starting the pill, had a migraine every week. BC is nasty stuff. I took it before I had a hormonal cancer, did a lot of research, and now won't touch it. I realize people have opinions about BC, but once it messes with you, you usually change your mind : ).

Rachel said...

I didn't take birth control after I had Railyn because I knew the breast feeding would slow down or stop my ovulation completely. With extra protection (but who really wants to have sex just after having a baby? I don't! haha)
I'd mention to your doctor that you would like something else for the migraines that is nursing friendly. There are lots of options out there!
I found that I clenched my jaw alot when I was breast feeding because I was looking at her the entire time! :) I started seeing a massage therapist and it helped a TON!
I hope for your sake they go away fast!