Menstrual migraine

[Floroo]

Looking for some advice from any ladies who may be able to help? I started with migraines about 10 years ago when I was 4 months pregnant with my first child. I had never had one before and I had aura followed by headache. They continued a few more times in the pregnancy and afterwards. I was pregnant fairly quick after and exactly the same thing happened again in my second pregnancy. Doctor said postpartum migraines, so hormonal, and gave me some tablets that helped (can’t rememenr what it was now). After that it seemed to leave me with them I had them very randomly 3 times a year maybe and treated with ibuprofen. After my second child I had the merina coil fitted and it had been great for me no problems. However I am now nearly 42 and about 8 months ago I started getting very regular migraines (no aura now). It was hard to time it with with my cycle as the coil stops me bleeding so couldn’t track it, also they were bit random initially. However it now is every 27/28 days. Can mostly time it spot on. I was wondering if anyone had this and found any luck removing the coil? Doc not keen saying may send hormones worse if they are menstrual migraines and I just don’t know what to do. Clearly hormonal with me and now I am older something changing. Sorry to waffle and tmi I just would love if anyone had the same or some advice. Thank you very much xx

[jostafford0]

Hello - I get menstrual migraines too and they didn't start until my 40's. I get them during ovulation and before and after my period. I take Imigran 50 (Sumatriptan) which is on repeat prescription which is a life saver. I've tried medications including propranolol, norytriptyline and a few others but I have hideous side effects from them so had to stop. I've had the depot injection to try and stop my periods which I am hoping will help but hasn't yet (I've been on it nearly 3 months). I am now exploring taking high dose vitamin B2 400mg. I've actually had a migraine today - I always wake up with them and it completely ruins my day and it affects my work massively. If you find anything that works, please let me know Jo xx PS - tried keeping a food diary but the migraines are definitely hormonal and it doesn't seem to matter what I eat or drink.

[Floroo in reply to jostafford0]

Hi

Thanks so much for replying. I only found this last night and posted and found some really useful things.

Sumatriptan didn’t work for me at all, even taking at first signs. I am now taking naproxen with omeprazole beforehand at onset. I get them just before cycle. It has taken ages to work out as don’t have a period and the migraines were a bit more random initially when they started now they seem to be mostly 27/28 days. I have heard vitamin B2 mentioned before. I may look into this also. I have been taking starflower oil for a few months to help with hormones to see if that has any effect and I haven’t noticed anything really as yet. I also have a migraine today which started last night! Tried the food diary thing for months also but like you I think purely hormonal. I am not sure if you have tried acupuncture, as I have started this, which may be useful. My osteopath I was seeing about a bad neck/shoulder said he also does this so have been trying to time it to within 3 days of getting one to try and hold them off. I have to say the very first time he did it I already had a migraine and after a few hours it started to lift. Then second month again it was very mild and then I got a quite a bad one as timed it wrong and missed the acupuncture. However this one already seems to be going and it started yesterday so maybe it is working. All I can do is continue until I get to know either way. Trail and erro

Really hope you find something to help. It is awful and same for me with work. I find it so hard to concentrate on anything or get anything done! Please let me know about the B2 if it works xxx

[headachequeen]

Triptans never helped me with my menstrual migraine (but helped my other migraines). I'm on Aimovig now and menstrual migraine before or after my period is all I have left to deal with. (Aimovig is a miracle for me.) The aimovig has made my menstrual migraine less severe and responsive to my triptan (I take Amerge). Amerge plus Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel 1% on my neck and forehead takes care of it.