Are severe migraines a known side effect after the endovenous laser ablation procedure?

Right after having endovenous laser ablation, and after the pain medication wore off, I had severe migraines. I suffered from migraines before procedure but now one year after I have severe migraines. I am now on Nortriptyline and MaxAlt to help control this. Is there any chance that the two relate?

Answers from doctors (7)


Metro Vein Centers

Published on Dec 21, 2017

There is no correlation between endovenous ablation and migraine headaches.

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Answered by Metro Vein Centers

There is no correlation between endovenous ablation and migraine headaches.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Jul 28, 2014

No, this is coincidental. Migraines can be triggered by stress and if a procedure is stressful, it is possible that a migraine could be triggered. However, this is not a known or common side effect. As your migraines were already present before and are a part of a pre-existing condition, they are not likely related to the procedure.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

No, this is coincidental. Migraines can be triggered by stress and if a procedure is stressful, it is possible that a migraine could be triggered. However, this is not a known or common side effect. As your migraines were already present before and are a part of a pre-existing condition, they are not likely related to the procedure.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Jul 28, 2014

I would say due to the time span, your migraines are not likely related to the procedure. It could simply just be that your migraines are coming back.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

I would say due to the time span, your migraines are not likely related to the procedure. It could simply just be that your migraines are coming back.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on Jul 28, 2014

In all the years that I have performed endovenous laser ablation procedures, I have never found an association between the procedure and a migraine headache. Now, this can not be said for foam sclerotherapy treaments. In the event that you have a patent foramen ovale (PFO), you can allow some of the foamed drug to pass thru to the left side of the heart and up into your brain. This can result in a vascular spasm or migraine headache. Fortunately, these headaches can easily be treated with the typical medication that an individual normally uses to counter their headaches.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

In all the years that I have performed endovenous laser ablation procedures, I have never found an association between the procedure and a migraine headache. Now, this can not be said for foam sclerotherapy treaments. In the event that you have a patent foramen ovale (PFO), you can allow some of the foamed drug to pass thru to the left side of the heart and up into your brain. This can result in a vascular spasm or migraine headache. Fortunately, these headaches can easily be treated with the typical medication that an individual normally uses to counter their headaches.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Jul 28, 2014

EVLA by itself is not known to cause migraines. However, if you had simultaneous sclerotherapy at the same time, it may trigger a migraine immediately but not additional migraines at later dates.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

EVLA by itself is not known to cause migraines. However, if you had simultaneous sclerotherapy at the same time, it may trigger a migraine immediately but not additional migraines at later dates.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Jul 27, 2014

No, migraine headaches are not a common side effect and are not effects reported by the laser manufactures. However, it is possible their could be a relation.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

No, migraine headaches are not a common side effect and are not effects reported by the laser manufactures. However, it is possible their could be a relation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jul 25, 2014

There is no relationship between migraines and endovenous ablation. There is, however, a relationship between migraines and foam sclerotherapy.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

There is no relationship between migraines and endovenous ablation. There is, however, a relationship between migraines and foam sclerotherapy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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