Has anything helped your hormonal migraines?

[belimoo]

I get a horrible migraine every month around my period without fail. Sometimes it's at the beginning but more often it starts right at the end. It usually lasts for a few days and although sumatriptan helps a bit it always comes back after a few hours.

I get migraines at other times of the month too but never as bad as the period one. I'd rather not take a tablet every day if I can help it and wondered if anybody has any suggestions? Is there something I can take just during my period which might act as a prophylaxis?

Would be very grateful to hear of anyone's experiences.

The Dr changed my sumatriptan to nasal. Faster acting and I very rarely need a second dose.

Candesartan can be prescribed as a preventative, although I couldn’t take it as it sent my BP so low I couldn’t stand up without collapsing, however that would need to be taken daily rather than just at the time you are due to suffer and does need kidney blood tests after a couple of weeks to check it isn’t causing any issues.

Amitriptyline was also mentioned but I can’t tolerate that either. I’m under neurology for my migraines and they haven’t mentioned anything else I can take as yet.

I got a mirena fitted. That resolved my migraines.

There's a set protocol your GP should follow here: cks.nice.org.uk/topics/migraine/management/adults/#preventive-drugs-for-pure-menstrual-menstrually-related-migraine

Thank you all for the replies. I reacted very badly to the pill when I took it (horrendous mood swings and uncontrollable emotions) and vowed never to take hormonal contraceptives again so I'd be very nervous about the Mirena. I will ask about nasal sumatriptan and that guide is very helpful, thank you @SilverHairedCat I will ask about Frovatriptan too.

My blood pressure is already quite low and I don't have much energy generally so I'm reluctant to try candesartan or propranolol.

Amitriptyline and Topiramate have been mentioned but I'm put off by the side effects of those too. Ideally I just want something I can take for a week rather than the whole month. Wishful thinking probably, roll on post-menopause!

I just wanted to post to tell you that you’re not alone. I suffer too, but started with frovatriptan in November and that has made a huge difference to me. I also got diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and trying to focus on sorting my hormones and vitamin levels. I have been taking vitamin Ed, b12, co enzyme and magnesium. I have also read about (but not yet tried) feverfew. Other things that have helped me are taking time to rest, quiet time, trying to not stress and eating nutritious food.

I hadn’t seen the doctor about it until November but am glad I did - because she offered tips on how I could utilise paracetamol, aspirin etc alongside the frovatriptan should I need to.

I tried acupuncture for mine and they have massively improved to maybe 1 every 3/4 months.. not going to lie tho the 1 I do get is horrific but better than what I was getting had hormonal migraines but used get mild ones in between

I should add that I only need to take frovatriptan for a few days in the month - which works perfectly for me for now as I don’t want to over Medicate unless I need to

I had these for years and they were so debilitating. In the end I got a Mirena coil which stopped my periods, and hence my migraines. Can't recommend it enough!

My doctor prescribed Zomig, a triptan. It transformed my life, I only wish I had it sooner.

I see to take Amitriptyline but my GP has refused to prescribe since last summer saying migraine is off label use for it. Back to 3 days in a darkened room per month.

*used to

I am on topiramate & can't take candesartan due to low blood pressue /fainting. Am also on botox, I get a second type of migraines which apparently mean I'm at increased risk or stroke, I can't take triptans at all.

I've had some success recently with a low tyramine diet, I'm still figuring it out - how strict I need to be with it etc - as some people can get away with being more lax whereas others need to be super strict. I did go vegan a few months ago which helped a lot but a completely low tyramine diet isn't really compatible with veganism as it would be virtually devoid of protein. So I'm exploring organic eggs & dairy again, slowly. It's tricky as I'm also intolerant to wheat (due to IBS).

That’s interesting about the mirena coil! Do you recommend? Did you find they worked immediately or took a while to settle? I’m thinking about this as clearly I’ve got some unsettled hormones throughout the month… it is such a pain (figuratively and literally…)

I sympathise as I also suffer with hormonal migraines - without fail on the first two to three days of my period. However I have recently found they have improved to a dull headache and I think the only difference is that I am trying to remember to take my vitamins/supplements each day. This started from wanting to help my energy levels but it has had the happy side effect (I believe) of helping my migraines. I take a multivitamin (wellwoman) plus 14mg iron, 1000 IU of vit D and 50mg co-q10 daily. Assuming no contraindications for taking any of these, they might be worth trying.

Another here who was prescribed frovatriptan by a neurosurgeon, to be taken on the first day of my period and continue for 7 days.
I went from 3 day migraines, despite taking propranolol daily, to having them very rarely.
He also changed my Sumatriptan from tablet form to nasal spray, that has been a game changer for when I do get a migraine.

I've found these two websites quite informative on the subject of tyramines & migraine. A lot of the foods on the "avoid" list are things I'd previously identified as migraine triggers many years ago - processed meats, aged & blue cheeses, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, MSG, products with excessive amounts of soy in them. I'd no idea there was a common link between many of them.

www.livingwithmigraines.info/biogenic-amines/

headaches.org/2019/10/25/low-tyramine-diet-for-migraine/

@Villagelady

That’s interesting about the mirena coil! Do you recommend? Did you find they worked immediately or took a while to settle? I’m thinking about this as clearly I’ve got some unsettled hormones throughout the month… it is such a pain (figuratively and literally…)

For me it worked pretty much straight away. It transformed my life!!!!

Having a daith piercing has changed my life. Gone from Atleast one a week to having had one in the past 6 months. Well worth it!

The only thing that works for me is over the counter cocodemol. Makes each day of the headache much more bearable.

Mirena. I couldn't use other forms of hormonal contraception as they gave me more migraines. I also can't take triptans and didn't get on with Propranolol, so I was limited in what I could have.

Thanks so much for all the helpful replies, lots to think about and try. And sympathy to everyone else who's suffering. I've bounced from covid to period to extended migraine this month, happy Christmas to me!

@NiceTwin would you mind telling me what dosage of Frovatriptan you take please?

Taking magnesium has reduced mine loads - if I forget for a while I am promptly reminded by a migraine!

@belimoo 5mg a day via two 2.5mg tablets.

Thanks @NiceTwin I am going to beg my GP for a trial!

I found, magnesium, evening primrose and feverfew really helpful.