Nursing student with migraines, HELP!

December716 · May 13, 2005

If it's related to your monthly cycles, have you talked to the doctor about being on birth control to stop your periods? Someone I know who suffers from migraines during her periods takes active birth control to eliminate her periods and only allows herself to have a period twice a year, as prescribed by her doctor. I don't know if this would work for you. I know some people have problems taking birth control because it causes migraines or headaches for them, but it's something to look into!

Congratulations on passing with such great grades! :)

fotografe · May 13, 2005

I have those hormonal headaches too. I had one last night and was sure my brains were trying to escape out the back of my head. It would have sent me to the ER for sure if I hadn't had medication for an unrelated injury that I was taking anyway. I really have to watch what I eat leading up to my period, and if I could, I would go for the birth control pills. Ask your GYN about that. I know your pain, and I only get them once a month. You might consider accupunture too. I haven't done it for migraines, but have for other things, and it worked for those issues. Good luck.

If it's related to your monthly cycles, have you talked to the doctor about being on birth control to stop your periods? Someone I know who suffers from migraines during her periods takes active birth control to eliminate her periods and only allows herself to have a period twice a year, as prescribed by her doctor. I don't know if this would work for you. I know some people have problems taking birth control because it causes migraines or headaches for them, but it's something to look into!
Congratulations on passing with such great grades! :)

z's playa · May 13, 2005

There are many migraineurs who are in nursing and their employers seem to understand. I too suffer from migraines so bad I need to go to the ER every once in a while.

Of course employers like to have their employees healthy and never absent but not realistic. Keep working on controling your migraines and maybe by the time you graduate, they could be under control a little more than they are now. Throw away your dream because of migraines? Please don't :)

Z

Hopeful in Ohio · May 13, 2005

If it's related to your monthly cycles, have you talked to the doctor about being on birth control to stop your periods? Someone I know who suffers from migraines during her periods takes active birth control to eliminate her periods and only allows herself to have a period twice a year, as prescribed by her doctor. I don't know if this would work for you. I know some people have problems taking birth control because it causes migraines or headaches for them, but it's something to look into!
I used to suffer from terrible migraines. I still get them, but not nearly as often, or as severe as I used to. I talked to my doctor, and he put me on continuous birth control. After my body adjusted, the migraines began to go away. I was concerned about not having a period, but my doctor reassured me that I would be fine and not to worry. It's been almost 3 years now and so far, so good.
I hope this helps you,
Kelly :)

Psychaprn · May 13, 2005

Hi. I would see a neurologist . There are effective, safe meds to prevent migraines but a thorough work-up should be done. It could be food allergies,etc. Oh-and unless your husband is a nurse-tell him you're going to be a great nurse and seek treatment for the headaches. Good luck-? maybe your husband is causing the migraines? LOL

Hoosiernurse, ADN, RN · May 13, 2005

Thank you so much for all the good advice!

I can't take birth control pills, or hormone replacement, because my blood clots too much and it raises my risk of blood clots to elevate my levels of estrogen. I've been told by my endocrinologist not to ever take birth control pills or anything that would raise my estrogen. Even during pregnancy, to help protect me and the baby, I had to take twice-daily shots of heparin!

I think I will talk to my GP first and ask him if he could refer me to a neurologist for a good work up. Maybe I will be able to control them easier than I think!

THANKS! :)

Cara

Jolie, BSN · May 13, 2005

Thank you so much for all the good advice!
I can't take birth control pills, or hormone replacement, because my blood clots too much and it raises my risk of blood clots to elevate my levels of estrogen. I've been told by my endocrinologist not to ever take birth control pills or anything that would raise my estrogen. Even during pregnancy, to help protect me and the baby, I had to take twice-daily shots of heparin!
I think I will talk to my GP first and ask him if he could refer me to a neurologist for a good work up. Maybe I will be able to control them easier than I think!
THANKS! :)
Cara

Please consult your doctor. There are many ways to prevent and control migraine pain so that you can function in your chosen profession, whether it be nursing or something else.

I used to suffer from wicked migraines 2-3 times per month, and also have a medical condition that prevents me from taking any estrogen-containing medications. I use Depo-Provera for contraception (progesterone-only), and have found that the frequency and severity of my migraines has diminished quite a bit. I don't know that it is due to the Depo, but it might be worth checking into. I still get migraines occasionally, but now find that a combination of Motrin and Tylenol is usually sufficient to take care of them, rather than the narcotics I used to require.

Good luck to you!

mednurse · May 13, 2005

I have suffered with migranes for 15 years. I have tried every script med there is and nothing has worked as well as Excedrin Migraine. I swear just try it, I always keep it in my bag at work!! Just make sure you eat some crackers with it so it dosen't make you sick. Yes, you can be a great nurse and have migranes. Even before I had them under control I was able to work, the schedule of 3 12's a week is very helpful, chances are you'll be off the days you have migranes. Also don't work on days in your cycle that you'll most likely get 'em. Best Wishes!!

Hoosiernurse, ADN, RN · May 14, 2005

I have suffered with migranes for 15 years. I have tried every script med there is and nothing has worked as well as Excedrin Migraine. I swear just try it, I always keep it in my bag at work!! Just make sure you eat some crackers with it so it dosen't make you sick. Yes, you can be a great nurse and have migranes. Even before I had them under control I was able to work, the schedule of 3 12's a week is very helpful, chances are you'll be off the days you have migranes. Also don't work on days in your cycle that you'll most likely get 'em. Best Wishes!!

You're all so helpful! I can't take Excedrin Migraine because its key component is caffeine, which is one of my migraine triggers. I would like to work 3/ 12's actually...I think that would be an ideal schedule for me. I'll check with my doctor and see if we can find the answers.

Cara

ERNurse752, RN · May 14, 2005

I second the vote for a neurology consult.

Indy, LPN, LVN · May 15, 2005

Prior to a neurology consult, do the common sense thing and have your blood pressure checked. The last guy I saw who was complaining of a migraine had bloodshot eyes and a blood pressure of 191/93. For myself, I'm newly discovering that I have prehypertension aggravated by caffeine (NOT good for a coffee addict) and so I'm afraid of a migraine. I've taught my fiance to take blood pressure in case of a migraine so we'll know whether to take tylenol or go to the ER.

The neuro consult is good though, as one poster stated he/she felt like their brains were trying to escape out the back of their head. Well, they can herniate, and that can give you some whopping migraines, among other really nasty things.

-Indy