HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Menstrual migrains. Miracle cure??

Support Forums
>
Fibromyalgia
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/5/2013 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
I get BAD menstrual migraines. They last anywhere from 5 to 10 days (no joke). I've tried triptans. Magnesium (750mg/day), Vitamin B2, Midrin, vicodin, Oxy, pain patches on the forhead, ice, moist heat. If it's an inbetween headache, migraine, one of the above will work and fairly well. When it's a menstrual migraine, NOTHING WORKS!!

I'm on a low does birth control pill. I've tried other pills (they reek havoc on me).

Has anyone had less headaches as a result of going OFF birth control pills? I just read that tonight that sometimes helps. I was due to have a hysterectomy in Jan but GI problems ruined that for me. I haven't had any GYN pain since then so I haven't gone back to schedule it. Now I am seriously reconsidering it since my headaches have been SO BAD!! If it ain't 1 thing, it's 6 others!!! I SWEAR!!!

Posted 3/5/2013 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
For my mentsrual migraines, I have to go to e.r. and get a cocktail of shots, toradol, demerol, and morpheine. I get 2 of those about an hour apart, and that takes the pain away just enough for me to function.
Good luck!
Posted 3/5/2013 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I have. I currently take the low-hormone pills, too, and the headaches have lessened. But when I was single, I was off them for a few years and no headaches.

SO plans a vasectomy this fall. We had talked about it for years, and he lost weight enough to make it, and now his bp is in good shape. Now that I am in my middle forties, it's really time to stop the madness.
Posted 3/5/2013 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
I get horrible menstrual migraines, too. I get regular migraines and my neurologist put me on anti seizure medications and that really helps.
Some people use oxygen and speak proudly about the results. Instead a gynecologist maybe you should see what a neurologist can do for you.
Posted 3/5/2013 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
I've never taken any contraceptives, but I believe they are high in estrogen, and from what I have read, too much estrogen can cause migraines.

I used to have occasional headaches premenstrually, then read Dr. John Lee's book "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Premenopause." He addresses cyclic headaches, and promotes natural progesterone cream. I decided to buy some (Puritan's Pride, once again!) and it stopped most of those headaches! If you're interested, here is a link to the book. It's probably in most libraries, too:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-your-doctor-may-not-tell-you-about-john-r-lee/1101952282

Check with your doc, too, obviously.  Dr. Lee also has a book with a similar title about menopause.

Posted 3/5/2013 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
I'm so glad I'm post menopausal. I use to get very bad migraines during that time of the month too.

What helped me to deal with it was staying away from foods that are migraine triggers:

http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/guide/triggers-specific-foods

I watched a segment on Dr. Oz yesterday about birth control pills. The doctor who was speaking about them mentioned women should stay away from them and use an IUD instead. She said birth control pills wreak havoc with the hormones.

http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/guide/hormones-headaches

Here's another link to foods to help migraines:

http://www.joybauer.com/migraines/magnesium-to-prevent-migraines.aspx

Posted 3/5/2013 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
NFP (Natural Family Planning) can be used to space children, too. Many people think it's the old 'Rhythm' method, but it's not. I know people of various beliefs who have used it.

The Sympto-Thermal method is commonly used and there are generally classes in most larger towns/cities. It's easy to learn and helpful to learn about fertility.  Good for marriages, too, since both spouses are involved in its use.

http://ccli.org/nfp/stm-method/ccl-stm-method.php

Posted 3/5/2013 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
almost medfree: Thanks for the info about migraine triggers!! I think MSG negatively affects me.
Posted 3/6/2013 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
I see my neurologist I swear 1x a month or more. I've been down the road with anti seizure meds too. BAD reactions to those. I'm not planning on having any more kids. With my fibro, that's like glutten for punishment!! Lol! And I'm TERRIFFIED of getting an IUD. I get HORRIBLE menatrual cramps. Heard IUD's can make that worse. Plus had a friend have a TERRIBLE experience with it. It did just occur to me that I could get another diaphragm until the hysterectomy. Hope to reschedule that for right after vacation. I'm such a winer, I know :-)! I am not afraid to admit, I can't WAIT for menopause!!! :-)! We can't really have much sex now now... No worries there. Yoi!! TMI on here for me tonight!! :-)!
Posted 3/6/2013 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
I had menstrual migraines for about 35 years and I tried everything out there to help.  Depakote did work as a preventive but I gained 30 lbs. on it.  One time I had a migraine for 17 days in a row and my husband was tired of watching me suffer so he called a chiropractor and took me right in.  He cracked my neck and the headache went away immediately.  Towards the end of my period before menopause came, I started using magnesium every day about 400 mgs and progesterone cream and it helped alot.  But once a headachhe started, the only drug that would knock out a migraine was fiorinal with codeine and except having energy when taking it, I never had any side effects.  Imitrex and meds of that nature gave me severe side effects like my throat closing up.  So my drug of choice for migraines was fiorinal with codeine but it can be addictive so I didn't use it much.  At 52 I went thru menopause and the menstrual migraines stopped.  I still get a migraine if I eat anything with msg in it or sometimes when a strong weather front is coming thru. 
Posted 3/6/2013 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
A friendd of mine gets them and takes something called furicette (or maybe fericette). I don't know how to spell it. But you might want to ask your doctor about it. Now I don't think it is menstrual migraines, just migraines.

I hope that you feel better soon. Keep us posted...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/6/2013 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
I've done the magnesium bit. Doesn't help at all. I take 750 mg during menstrual times. I'm definitely going to have to ask about the above meds, fiorinal and fericette. The latter of the two I've heard of but like you, I've never seen it written down. Have no idea how to spell it :-)! I've had depakote during headache treatments. They didn't work.
Posted 3/6/2013 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
I'd strongly urge you to have a neurologist evaluate your migraines. I took maxalt for almost 2 years and when my neurologist went over my migraine type he told me that drugs like maxalt and imitrex capfuls have caused a stroke and ultimately my death.
Migraines can raise your risk of strokes. The neurologist really has made me feel more safe about my migraines.
Posted 3/6/2013 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
I kind of wish I had gone IUD backthen in the late eighties, when I got started with controlling birth. I wish I had not started down the hormone path, especially since I knew I wouldn't have kids.

I have been on some form of hormonal control since 1989.

Ex-hubby refused to talk about vascetomy. He didn't Want kids either, just refused to hve a knife near his testicles. Current SO (12 years) is fine with it, just a matter of scheduling the thing.
Posted 3/6/2013 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi smartredfox:

I may have some helpful information regarding your symptoms and concerns. To the left of this comment if you click on my name, you will find my email address, where you can reach me.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply