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Author Topic: Mirena & Migraines  (Read 14341 times)

elsie001

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Mirena & Migraines
« on: April 09, 2016, 04:22:02 PM »

Had my coil fitted 7 months ago.  Apart from having more bleeding than I'd hoped, it's been problem-free.  However, this past month I've been getting lots of headaches and occasional migraines.  Have made an appt to see my GP on Monday to discuss it but just wondered if anyone else had had a similar experience?
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Lizab

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Re: Mirena & Migraines
« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2016, 04:36:34 PM »

Absolutely! I had Mirena after the birth of my first child. For about a year I loved it! It was great. No worrying about bc, my body felt good, extremely light periods, etc etc. Then I started having very subtle problems. I don't know which came forst, the pregnancy-like morning sickness, the migraines with aura, sometimes ocular migraines, sometimes real head pounding migraines, new allergies and sinus troubles, oh, and my thyroid went wonky. No one could figure out what was wrong with me. My mother was actually the one to suggest it was the Mirena. I insisted, against my gyne's advice, to have it removed. The next day my nausea was gone. The migraines became less frequent over about 3 months and within 6 months to a year disappeared completely. The sinus and allergy problems cleared within about 3 months. My thyroid unfortunately was ruined forever. My new gyne is the only doctor I've seen that believes the thyroid and Mirena issues are not coincidental.

My point is, yes, it could be related. Note any subtle changes. I would have never put it together had my mother not suggested it. Personally, I would give it a little more observation time before removing, because it really is fantastic if it's not causing problems. But do be aware.
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elsie001

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Re: Mirena & Migraines
« Reply #2 on: April 09, 2016, 05:03:38 PM »

Thanks Lizab - I definitely think there's a connection too.  About a year or so ago (pre-mirena), every month I'd have a hormone headache just before a period which would last days.  That phase passed, but it feels exactly like that, so I think it's progesterone-linked.  Drat - it's been a miracle cure for my insomnia so I hope there's something I can do other than whipping it out!
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Lizab

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Re: Mirena & Migraines
« Reply #3 on: April 09, 2016, 05:18:03 PM »

I think unless side effects start stacking up or become debilitating, I would stick with it, because it really does do wondrrs for some things. I didn't feel "bad" postpartum, but when I got the Mirena I felt like my old pre-baby self again within weeks. I did lose some baby weight after having it removed though, which never bothered me, and I never exactly gained weight on it. But after removal 15 pounds fell off, so I imagine it could cause weight gain too? All its effects on me were so so subtle, and each on its own wasn't necessarily a problem. I think as long as you stay aware that's the key.
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elsie001

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Re: Mirena & Migraines
« Reply #4 on: April 09, 2016, 06:37:54 PM »

Have to say, my appetite has definitely increased & I'm sure I crave sweet stuff much more than I used to!
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Mary G

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Re: Mirena & Migraines
« Reply #5 on: April 09, 2016, 07:10:10 PM »

I have had two Mirena coils (first one fitted in 1998) for contraception purposes and never felt great with it but generally it was OK.  I had the same problems with birth control as I have had with HRT because of synthetic progesterone.  It wasn't until my own levels of hormones dropped significantly that I really had problems with it and I suddenly developed silent migraines (migraine aura without headache).  During my reproductive years, my own hormones dominated the synthetic ones from the pill and the Mirena but once I stopped producing enough oestrogen, the synthetic progesterone in the coil became dominant and triggered silent migraines.  I never had migraines during my reproductive years.

Once I found out I was menopausal, I kept the coil and used oestrogen patches but I still had migraines - I now know that I wasn't getting enough oestrogen from the patches to surpress the progesterone in the coil. 

Looking back, I always had swollen, painful breasts and low mood with the Mirena but I needed birth control so I had to live with it but the migraines were the tipping point for me and by that time, I no longer needed birth control. 

I now use Oestrogel and Utrogestan and feel better than I ever did with the Mirena despite being a lot older.


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Lizab

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Re: Mirena & Migraines
« Reply #6 on: April 09, 2016, 07:45:29 PM »

I completely forgot about the breast issues I had with Mirena. Goodness, that was so long ago. I varied bras by 2 or 3 cup sizes with any month. And they always hurt. Actually had to have some tests to look into that and everything came up clear. I also developed ovarian cysts on it, which were only found by chance when I was in for a boob check and they were training an ultrasound tech and offered a free pelvic u/s for her training.

Ha! I'm probably not the best person to ask about Mirena. It clearly wasn't for me, as much as I wanted to love it.
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elsie001

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Re: Mirena & Migraines
« Reply #7 on: April 10, 2016, 12:22:18 PM »

Mary G - I'm glad to hear you're doing ok on the utro & oestrogel.  These daily headaches are grinding me down so much that ditching the mirena and taking those instead sounds more and more appealing.

Which leads on to my next question - was the removal reasonably straight-forward?  I had no problems with it being fitted....other than the embarrassment of 2 work colleagues doing that job (I work in Reception at my local GP Surgery!).
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Kate50

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Re: Mirena & Migraines
« Reply #8 on: April 10, 2016, 02:41:46 PM »

Interesting observations on use of progesterone long term  Mary G as I had noticed problems with one of my daughters . She is 30 been on progesterone only pill for quite a few years and she was developing symptoms that were like  menopause.  Weeing all the time and migraines. I told her to try and see what she would be like now without it as I said maybe her oestrogen is starting to drop.  Within days of coming off pill her headaches went.  She also hadn't been able to tolerate any alcohol in recent years and she accidentally found out that was better too.
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Lizab

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Re: Mirena & Migraines
« Reply #9 on: April 10, 2016, 03:17:06 PM »

I don't remember any details of the removal, so I guess it was uneventful. That was all 10 years ago. It was done in office same as insertion. I know I drove myself there and I don't recall taking any pain reducers. I really can't remember. :-\
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Mary G

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Re: Mirena & Migraines
« Reply #10 on: April 10, 2016, 07:14:05 PM »

elsie001, having the Mirena removed was no problem at all, I didn't even notice it being done.  Having it fitted was another matter though, despite having a local anaesthetic, it was very, very painful but that might be because I have never had children. 
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elsie001

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Re: Mirena & Migraines
« Reply #11 on: April 10, 2016, 07:19:03 PM »

Ok thanks girls.  I've had 3 kids (none by c-section) so should be fine! ;D
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elsie001

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Re: Mirena & Migraines
« Reply #12 on: April 11, 2016, 11:15:25 AM »

Suddenly struck me this morning that if these migraines are in any way hormone-related, then oestrogel might help?  Have rubbed 1 pump on my shins.  These migraines have been coming every 2 weeks which would be unusual hormonally but then again, peri throws up all sorts of unusual stuff!!!

I had tried the gel once before but it left me wired - didn't need added oestrogen then but that doesn't mean I might not need it now....! :)

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Mary G

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Re: Mirena & Migraines
« Reply #13 on: April 11, 2016, 12:41:07 PM »

elsie001, most female hormone related migraines are caused by a drop in oestrogen and this is usually just before a period while reproductive.  This is definitely the cause in my case which is why I need a high dose of oestrogen and why I must always make sure the Utrogestan does not become too dominant.  That is why the Mirena was out for me once I hit the menopause - I didn't have migraines during my reproductive years.

I once had an attack of silent migraine (visual disturbance aura without ensuing headache) and immediately took some Oestrogel.  It made a real difference, the attack subsided more quickly than usual and I felt normal straight afterwards.  It was after that that I started splitting my gel dose to 1 pump every 12 hours - the key is to pump in a constant dose of oestrogen and never allowing it to go too low.
« Last Edit: April 11, 2016, 01:44:03 PM by Mary G »
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elsie001

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Re: Mirena & Migraines
« Reply #14 on: April 11, 2016, 01:27:48 PM »

Funnily enough Mary, I feel so much better since that one pump 4 hours ago.  It's worked where Migraleve, Naproxen, 4head & Ibuprofen failed!

I'll carry on with the oestrogel for now I think.  If I get jittery or can't sleep, I'll stop.
« Last Edit: April 11, 2016, 01:29:37 PM by elsie001 »
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