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Posted 5/1/2011 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone, I'm new here.
I've had a look thru earlier posts but haven't and about migraines like mine. My problem is a bit embarrassing but I'm hoping to hear from others who have the same condition. Ok, here goes. I get sudden and severe migraines every single time I have an orgasm. Seriously. Sometimes even becoming aroused can set one off. My neurologist says this is quite common in males but I'm female and it's far less common in women in fact he said he's never treated another woman for it. He put me on Topamax 25mg daily and increased that to twice daily after 2 weeks. This did nothing for my headaches but worked wonders for the pinched nerve in my back. After 2 months he increased my dose to 50mg Topamax at night and I stayed on 25 in the morning for a month and now I'm on 50mg both night and morning. I still get the migraines but they are not as severe and not every single time but l live in constant fear of them and cannot really relax.
My face is bright red now! Am so embarrassed now but there it is out in the open.

Post Edited (wantmylifeback) : 6/18/2011 9:23:27 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/3/2011 5:14 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, these really suck. I get the same and the following is what I have read and been told:

1. try taking the passive role during intercourse.

2. Meds that are commonly used for orgasmic cephalgia:

a. Imitrex prior (say 45ish min) to sex.
b. propranolol (take either before sex or regularly/prophylactically).
c. indocin/indomethacin take prior to sex

Experiment a bit with dosages and see if any of these works for you. I've found that I need to take an injection of imitrex and .5 mg of klonopin before sex and then take 50 mg of imitrex several hours after sex.
Posted 5/3/2011 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi evil, thanks for your reply. Do you find some people who don't get these headaches think they are funny? I confided in somebody I thought was a friend only to be laughed at and to be called a liar which really upset me.
I have tried the propranolol but it didn't work for me. Topomax is the second drug I've tried and as it's has some success the dr is reluctant to try another. My dose has now been increased to 75mg morning and night as of yesterday and my hands have started tingling again like they did when I first started on the 25mg (but never happened on the 50mg dosage, how funny) but I can live with that. I'm going away on Monday for 2 weeks, second honeymoon, must admit I am nervous about how well the drug will work.
Posted 5/3/2011 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I think I have told a grand total of four people (2 doctors, my GF and a family member), so I haven't run into the issue of people not believing me. That's unfortunate that someone so close to you would react that way. I could not think why someone would make something like this up.

The beauty of imitrex and indocin, is you can take them in addition to the topamax... so nothing to lose and only to gain. Just take it an 45 min or so before sex (maybe give the indocin a bit more time). It's worth talking about with your doctor (certain people shouldn't take one or the other drug).

Yeah, I know what you mean by the tingling hands with topamax. I've found that it's something that eventually goes away. There are some tricks if it gets really annoying (drink coconut juice --> i.e. potassium), try taking selenium, zinc and/or B12 (things that topamax seems to "deplete") and lastly drinking sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) mixed in liquid. The last one works pretty darn well, but it overcomes one of the mechanism of the drug, so not too sure what this would do to the migraine preventative effect.
Posted 5/4/2011 9:59 AM (GMT 0)
Did you guys tell your doctor how you got your headache? I was having sex with my husband last Sunday and got the worst headache of my life and it still hasn't gone away. It hurts so bad and nothing I take is helping (Excedrine, Tyenol, etc...). I'm considering going to the ER if it doesn't go away today. It's hard to turn my head or bend over. =(
Posted 5/4/2011 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Yes my dr knows when I get the headaches. I'm lucky in that they don't last long, just a few minutes but while I have them they are so severe I feel like I am going to die. It feels like my head is in a vice and my eyes feel like they are going to fall out and I can't see. It really is horrendous. And during sex is the only time this happens, but as I'm only 26 I'm not ready to become celibate yet, I want a family one day. I haven't tried those other drugs you mentioned Evil, I'm not sure if they are available here as I haven't heard of them (I'm in Australia) but I sure am interested in trying them. My dr wants to see me when I get back from Queensland later this month so I will as her about it then.
Deb I think you should go seek help for headache, it's gone on far too long. Let us know how you get on
Posted 5/4/2011 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
I find there's definitely a link between total body release(orgasm) and headache. I'm Male btw. Sometimes if I already have a headache and orgasm(self or with a partner) CURES my headache, sometimes it makes it 10000% worse. Haven't figured out a pattern yet. Definitely a mental aspect to it, if I tell myself it'll get worse, it will.

food for thought: few years ago right after college I was living with my then girlfriend, all through my life till then I would get devastating headaches, only "cure" was to lie down away from people/noise/light. One particular night I got a headache, went to lie down away from everyone. She surprised me with fellatio, at first I resisted thinking it would get worse, but I relaxed, let it happen, and just like that I was cured. I felt as if I had slept deeply for 10 hours, was ready to take on the world. This happened two more times but never since. I wish I had the answer, it's there.

I've never been able to duplicate those 3 days, but know it's possible, hope this helps someone with headaches....
Posted 5/5/2011 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Guys,

If any of you are able to see a Neurologist who is a 'Headache Specialist' you will find that headache brought on by sexual activity is well known but rare! Sadly it is difficult to treat but not impossible!!

Find yourselves an expert in the form of a 'Headache Specialist', you won't regret it!!!

take care

Ann
Posted 5/6/2011 5:40 AM (GMT 0)
Is it really all that "rare"?  Isn't there a common thing called "exertional headache"?

I don't exactly suffer from a diagnosed migraine--the sensation I have is more like 24/7 head pressure.  But I notice that any kind of strenuous activity will eventually lead to much worse head pressure, as well as other symptoms like numbness.  Obviously, sexual activity tends to be strenuous for the cardio, and this will cause a worsening of "headache" for me as well.  It's gotten to the point where it isn't even worth it, really.

Anyone else have any ideas on why exertion causes worsening of headache symptoms?

Posted 5/6/2011 5:42 AM (GMT 0)
fwiw, sex doesn't have to be strenuous, for both. Could be passive for one and more strenuous for the other. May make a difference in causing headaches....
Posted 5/6/2011 6:55 AM (GMT 0)
I went to the ER yesterday 'cuz I couldn't stand the pain anymore. They gave me an IV and pumped full of drugs. They did some blood and urine work and told me the reason I have this painful headache is 'cuz I have high blood pressure! Yikes! I had no idea.

My pain isn't as bad as it was Sun-Wed but I still have one and if I move my head a certain way, I get a sharp pain. Ugh!

I was prescribed Mobic. Has anyone ever heard of that drug before?
Posted 5/6/2011 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Deb, yes I have had Mobic before. It's an anti-inflammatory/pain kiiller that was prescribed when I had a really nasty muscle spasm in my back a while ago. It worked really well for me. I'm glad you went to get help for your headache.
Posted 5/6/2011 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi wantmylife back. I was reading over your post again and noticed that a neurosurgeon is doing the prescribing. Did you have neck or back surgery? If so when did that happen and when did these sex headaches start up?
Posted 5/6/2011 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
To clarify things here a little, Batman is right that there is a more common form of Migraine that comes under 'exertional' headache, but the more rare sexual headache is triggered by orgasm!! Therefore it is more of a challenge to treat!!

Hope this helps.
Posted 5/7/2011 12:22 PM (GMT 0)
No I've never had neck or back surgery or any kind of injury and apart from these headaches my health is fantastic. I don't smoke, drink or do drugs of any kind. I'm boring lol. I go to the gym and keep fit, I jog and swim and play netball, my job involves heavy physical work but none of that brings on those headaches. The headaches started about 5 years ago, they started gradually and worked up to what they are now which is unbearable without the Topamax, just bearable with it. At first they didn't happen with every orgasm, now they are guarenteed and when they are going to be really bad they start during arousal and that's when it gets so bad I think it's going to kill me. I know that sounds dramatic but that's how it is. Yes I see a neurologist for this and hes told me this problem is rare in women in fact I'm the first one he's treated
Posted 5/8/2011 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
No, it doesn't sound dramatic. Mine used to be that bad until I found my current preventative cocktail (i'd say they're about 50% better). I'm working with a physical therapist who specializes in trigger points right now. It's too soon to tell if it will make a lasting difference, but I have had some very interesting results so far. Food for thought...
Posted 5/8/2011 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
I guess in my case, to clarify things, anything that increases heart rate considerably will make my headaches worse--it doesn't matter what the trigger is.  I'm wondering if this sounds unusual, or not...
Posted 5/8/2011 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Batman,

That does not sound unusual to me, it is quite common in migraine. When I have a migraine the slightest thing I do, i.e.just get up for the bathroom, makes it worse, or indeed physical work can trigger it . This can also be a trigger for my HC.

take care

Ann
Posted 5/24/2011 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, I'm back from my holiday with an update on my migraine problem as promised. I was hoping the time away would help things but it didn't in fact it's the opposite, I'm now seeing flashing lights and want to throw up when the migraines happen so even though the pain only lasts a few minutes I'm going to try and see the neurologist again. I'm so over this.
Posted 6/17/2011 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
My dr has just switched me from Topamax to Replax and I'm wondering if anyone here has tried this drug?
Posted 6/18/2011 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for this thread! I had started my own earlier asking about 'orgasm induced migraines' and felt like such a twit! Its embarrassing i guess cause of the sex angle. I am now wondering if this is high blood pressure related. I have never experienced anything like this in my life, until the last couple of years when I went to a doctor who said I had high blood pressure.
I have just spent most of the year sitting bedside with my child while he received a BMT, to say im stressed is an under statement.

But the splitting headache right at the finish line?! It feels like some weird curse.

Now its a whole day later and my head is still softly pounding. Eyes dont wanna see light and im very irritable. My whole family is avoiding me as I sit out here in the dark garage and type this. Wish I knew what to do....
Posted 6/18/2011 6:26 AM (GMT 0)
One of the more effective meds they prescribe to try to prevent orgasmic cephalgia is propranolol, an old school blood pressure med. It may be worth getting a script.
Posted 6/18/2011 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
Goatbut I sympathize with you and I do understand you embarrassment. Making my first post about this subject was not easy believe me. This is a common problem esp for men so do seek help, if you do nothing it might get worse over time like it did with me.
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