Question:
Has anyone experienced classic migranes after WLS

I am 4 months post-op and have recently started having classic migranes almost daily. I haven't had them in years. They started suddenly about 6 years ago and the dr said he thought they were caused by the birth control pills that I had recently been taking - something to do with the estrogen levels. They stopped a few months after I stopped the pills and never came back until now. I haven't taken any estrogen related pill in these past six years so am wondering if my recent 37 lb wgt loss has something to do with this. Has anyone else experienced this?    — Sandy T. (posted on June 12, 2003)

June 12, 2003
I don't know if they are migrains, but I am 4 weeks post op and had an episode of dumping (on some liquid vitamins, go figure). After the episode, I slept for an hour, and woke up with a terrible headach that is still with me today (episode happened yesterday). It's not as bad, but still there. I'm wondering myself if it had anything to do with the dumping, or if it is just coincidence... and WHY?
   — Happy I.

June 12, 2003
Migraines can be caused by many factors in our lives such as stress, eye strain, allergies, etc. My husband has killer migraines but only on the weekends. A friend commented that he wondered if they were caffeine headaches as my hubby didn't drink coffee on the weekends. Sure enough that was the problem. Finally got him off coffee completely (except for decaf) and no more headaches. My migraines disappeared when I started using my CPAP machine for sleep apnea. I have a friend whose migraines are food related (chocolate, cheese). I highly recommend keeping a diary of food, activities and see if there is any correlation between what you do/eat and the migraines. Also have you had your eyes checked recently? Eye strain can cause migraines too. Hope you find a solution and are feeling better soon.
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 12, 2003
I also suffered from classic migraines (visual aura, followed by intense pain in the left side of my head, photophobia, nausea and vomiting, the whole nine yards) - all work up with CT scans, etc., were negative. It is known that for some people, migraines are influenced by hormones. For example, many women who get migraines don't get them when they're pregnant, and don't get them after menapause. Interestingly, the birth control pill worked for me to STOP the migraines (this was about 17 years ago, when this was an experimental approach - usually, birth control pills are contraindicated if you have migraines - but as the pill tricks your body into thinking it's pregnant, and lots of women don't get migraines when they're pregnant,we went on that premis). Although I still got minor headaches in the same area that I had experienced the migraines, I never had another full-blown migraine after going on the pill. My doctor and I joked that I'd be on the pill until menapause. Unfortunately, I had to go OFF the pill for my RNY, which was a little over four months ago. I was very concerned about a resurgence of the migraines, however, I have had none (I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but if I DO get migraines again, I'll go on the birth control patch). Also, my cycle has seemed to be much more regular than it was previously. So if the migraines are hormonally based (as we have every reason to believe mine were), maybe my system is straightening itself out. It's very possible with your weight loss that your estrogen levels are fluctuating, and that is what is contributing to your migraines. You might want to talk to your physician about going back ON the pill, or a different prescription, and see if that helps. I sure do sympathise with you, though; I wouldn't wish migraines on my worst enemy.
   — johanniter

June 12, 2003
Have you increased your use of sugar free sweeteners? I have found that nutrasweet can give me headaches. So diet soda, crystal light, sweetened ice tea, have to be in my diet in moderation. I'm 5 months out and my migraines have been back for a month. Some of it could be the change in weather too, as we move towards summer. Start keeping a headache log (date, time, length & severity-how intense is the pain) along with a food log (what you eat at what time of day) for the next month so you can see if you have any patterns and then take it to your doctor to discuss. The headache/diet log is classic for a migraine sufferer to figure out what is going on. There is also more information at www.headache.org with a different charting tool. want to chat more, email me. Best of luck! Crystal - 298/222/175 OpenRNY - 1/27/03
   — CrystalBroj

June 15, 2003
Hi Sandy, actually I have a comment and not an answer. Before my RNY I had been on prescription migraine medication for 7 yrs because I got 2-3 a wk. Since my surgery I haven't had 1 migraine. And when I do get a regular headache I take the dissolving Excederin, and it works really well. I've also had a hysterectomy and am on Premarin, so I think my migraines were directly related to what I was eating.
   — Kendell C.