Menstrual Migraine

Hi Janet,
Sorry to hear you have to put up with this every month. I can't speak much to the migraine issue, but I know what it's like to have pain every month, and to know that there was nothing I could do about it, and that it would continue every month until menopause. It was menstrual pain, not a migraine, but it was 10 on the 10 point scale, every month, for 3 to 5 days. I can't tell you how destructive that was to my life. I was by some great grace, granted menopause at the age of 45, but it was far too late to try to build a life at that point. (I'm 47 now.) By having such uncontrolled pain, for so long, my body became unable to handle any pain of any kind. Now, even though the monthly pains are over, I have constant pain throughout my entire body. So you can see that I really, really, know how badly you want some relief. I'm just glad that you can prevent the full blown migraine. And, based on my experience, I would say that you will definitely stop having them when you reach menopause. Do you ever have them when you're not in your moon? If they are caused by the shifting hormone levels, there must be some types of birth control pills that will prevent the fluctuations. You know that birth control pills don't all work the same way, don't you? Well, I don't remember the details, but some of them prevent pregnancy by preventing the drop in hormone levels that follow ovulation. Some of them work by preventing the rise in hormones to begin with, (thus preventing pregnancy--no egg, no preg!!) and others have other ways of working. I imagine they each come with their own risk factors, but you would have to discuss that with a Dr. Have you ever consulted a pain management specialist? Some of them specialize in headaches. I could post links to some websites of organizations that support patients, and research, etc. of headaches of all kinds. Also, I would think that a knowledgeable gyno could offer an opinion on whether birth control pills might help. They have some really low dose ones these days. It's not like it was when you and I were coming of age, the pills had such an outrageous dose that you probably remember the early stories of how they were thought to cause cancer? It's not like that any more. They work with much lower doses now. And you never hear the cancer-causing stories any more. Anyway, I guess that's about all I can say. I think you have a good chance with the pills, though. Let me know if you want me to post those links. Good luck.

Hey Brooke.  Don't post much here, usually in anxiety/panic forum.

I feel for you, I too have experienced horrible m's with p cycle.  I would take Zomig and it would help.  My m's are alot better now, not on the pill anymore and basically I learned to deal with the pain.  Alot of my m's were rebound from taking so many advil/tylenols.  Even now I am careful how much I take.  Before my m even hits me just before my p, I take an advil.  my therapist says as long as you stay ahead of the pain it is easier to manage.  I do find taking one advil, drinking lots of water and doing Yoga really helps.  Sleep too and try not to worry and stress about things.  I don't know if I have helped you, but just wanted to let you know I understand what you are feeling! It's tough to be a woman eh?  Wonder how well men (sorry men, don't mean to offend! lol just kidding around!) would handle menstralcycles eh?

Red09

Janet

Your experience is almost exactly like mine.  I've been getting these dibilitating migraines since I was 12 years old.  I've tried just about every drug available including some that are under clinical trial. 

My boss happens to be a Neurosurgeon at Stanford and am therefore fortunate to have a clinical advisor, of sorts.  Unfortunately, he can't eliminate them for good.  My GYN recommended wearing a Nuvaring to eliminate my monthly menstrual cycle hoping to minimize the spike and severe drop in estrogen which is believed to be the trigger of our type of migraines.  We'll see if that works.  So far, no luck this month but I'm holding out hope that my body just needs a few months to adjust to having no periods.  I'll report back in another month or two.

Also, my current drug of choice is Imitrex 100mg but I'm wary of the side effects and long term effects this drug may have on my heart and/or liver.  I try not take the drug unless I'm in so much pain even an ice pick buried in my skull sounds like it'd bring relief...then and only then will I take the Imitrex.  I sure would like to find something natural and even holistic so if anyone knows of anything, I'm willing to try.

KHG

Last Edited : 2/4/2004 1:47:55 AM GMT

Hi Janet,

I don't think Dr. Adler would be much of an authority on this one...however, my GYN Dr. Katherine Sutherland has been terrific.  She also faces the dreaded monthly monster and together we've been comparing notes and trying various options.  One of which is similar to the coil you describe.  I wear a NuvaRing (vaginal) which releases estrogen constantly in effort to stablize the estrogen level in my body.  Dr. S is hoping by leaving the ring in for 4 weeks and replacing it with a new ring for 4 more weeks and once again for a total of 3 months without a period will help alleviate my migraines, if not eliminate them.  So far, this is the 1st month I've kept the ring in and not had a period. My migraine (Sun - Tue) was not nearly as severe as typical...so, I am hopeful.  I really won't have an opinion for another 2 cycles.  I'll keep you posted.

Hi Janet,

I'm in the United States.  Northern California to be more precise.  Ever been?

Take care and good luck with the coil.  We'll stay in touch...it'll be another few weeks before I have any update.  Keep your fingers crossed.

KHG

Hi Janet,

Sorry it took me so long to get back and post these links. Meanwhile, it looks like you have gotten some more helpful, maybe even better info, from others. Anyway, here are the links. These would be for headaches and women's issues. I moderate the Chronic Pain message board, here at HealingWell, and have posted on that board, a message topic called "How to Find a Good Dr". It's mostly just ideas about finding a new Dr that have worked for me, that I just want to share. But towards the end, there are a whole bunch of links to various websites which offer physician-locator features, where one can search for specific physician specialties. So you might glance through that list, for other websites that might be helpful. And the headache and women's issues below:


National Headache Foundation

American Council for Headache Education (ACHE)

about Women's Health



Good luck. I hope you can find some direction, and soon some relief. Take good care.

Hi Wendy,

Nice to here from someone so close.  Thanks for the poetry!

Your not the Wendy I went to uni with are you?  1999-2003.  Now I think that is a long shot!

Take care Janet

Dear Janet (Brooke),

I told you I'd get back to you in a few weeks' time.  Well, there's good news and not so good news.  The not so good news is I did experience a migraine attack on March 9th weekend (as expected), however, the good news is - it wasn't nearly as severe and dibilitating as typical.  The NuvaRing seems to be doing something to minimize the agony. 

Example:  Typically, I'd feel the migraine coming on a couple of days in advance - then it strikes with a vengeance.  I'd have at least a half dozen vomitting episodes, excruciating pain for a full day/night - during which time I'd do my best not to overmedicate with Imitrex - sometimes using injections.  Then, I'd experience a day or two of "hang-over" migraine.

This time - I felt the migraine coming the evening before (Fri), Saturday I experienced sharp pain but not enough to keep me down.  I held off taking any meds as I'd heard that sometimes it actually makes the pain and nausea worse - I even took a 3 hour hike to "ignore" the pain.  I got home, only vomitted twice - took an Imitrex tablet, slept until the next morning - felt a slight "hang-over" headache all day on Sunday.  By Monday - I was feeling great.

I'm going to continue wearing this NuvaRing for another few months and see if the migraines continue to abate.  I'll post another update after April 10th.

KHG

Hi everyone,

Just thought I would write a little bit about Mirena (the intrauterine device that contains a progesterone-type hormone).  It is supposed to makes one's periods lighter, but can make them heavier at first.  I had one for a while and found this to be true.  The headaches associated with menses have to do with the drop in estrogen levels just before one's period starts, so you would not really expect a device with progesterone in it to be helpful for such headaches -- and in fact one of the side effects of the device is headache (also swelling, breast tenderness, acne.)  I found this to be true as well.  In fact I had to have the Mirena removed due to its exacerbation of my migraines.  My GYN tried giving me an estrogen patch right before my period (to avoid that drop in estrogen levels) but my cycles were not regular enough to do that effectively.  Also, there is some literature to suggest that Maxalt may be a little more effective for menstrual migraines than Imitrex or Zomig.  The Nuva Ring sounds like it may be the best approach to menstrual migraines (in a person who needs birth control) because it provides a constant level of estrogen, avoiding the big drop before the onset of menses (or at least blunting it).  Of course it might not be right for everyone -- e.g., someone with endometriosis, fibroids, or a stong family history of breast cancer.  Maybe this helps a little. (P.S.  The Mirena device is not really a coil it is more T-shaped).

Laura L.

Hi cre8tiv1,
Sorry to hear you also have menstrual migraines. Your right eye tears during the attacks because the migraine inflames nerves and that includes the nerve that goes to the conjunctiva (loose covering) of your right eye (also lining of nose -- that's why some people confuse migraines with sinus headaches). As far as the bleeding, excessive doses of vitamin E can cause that -- I don;t know how much you are taking, but it is something to consider. Do you know the other ingredients of the natural supplements you are taking? It is possible to get rebound headaches with some "natural" ingredients as well as over the counter (and prescription) pain killers (and triptans for that matter.) Do you get the really bad headache if you stop the natural supplement? Axert is almotriptan. It is another of the "triptans" like Imitrex (sumatriptan) and Maxalt (rizatiptan) but I believe it has a higher bioavailability (you get more of the active drug into your system -- 70% -- when you take it by mouth) than other triptans. It has a little longer half life (time it takes for half of it to be gone from your body) than Imitrex (3-4 hours vs. 2.5 hours). As far as migraine diets go triggers are additive -- so especially around the time of your period it would be good to avoid food triggers. These vary from person to person, so if you are really serious about it you have to start with a diet totally free from (known) triggers and slowly add one at a time until you know which foods affect you -- keep a diary, etc. Don't know if this has helped. (I am a physician, but am not trying to practice over the internet, just hoping to help out a bit!).
Laura L.

Laura-

email me, please.

Click on envelope under my name...

Thanks,

Sara

Wow, so many people with menstral migraines. I had them since I started my period, but we always said they were sinus headaches. I did not find out until my 40's that they were related to my period, and sure enough they are. I was put on Inderal for Blood pressure and it lessens the severity, but not always, so Imitrex 50mg usually takes care of it. I'm sure even My Grandmother had them, we called them her sick headaches and no one knew what to do, even called her a hypochondriac. Glad we dont have it so bad. I would also find it interesting to know the food triggers, I know that red wine will get me. Toni