Excruciating period headache

[Tigerteafor3]

I don't often have periods, for this reason. I currently have the most excruciating headache and cramps that feel like labour.

I have slept for as long as I can, mostly interrupted by waking up in pain, having nightmares that I'm giving birth or drenched in sweat. Paracetamol hadn't touched the pain and it'll be a while and a trip to the chemist to get co codamol.

Light hurts my eyes, sounds are exaggerated. I want to curl up and cry. Is there anything I can do right now?

Also I'm allergic to NSAIDS so ibuprofen and the like are a no go.

Migraine. Especially with the light sensitivity. Very common for them to be hormonal. Your pharmacy can sell you sumatriptan over the counter, but I'm not sure if you have to have had migraine diagnosed by a GP first - maybe phone them?

migrainetrust.org/understand-migraine/types-of-migraine/menstrual-migraine/

In the interim, ice ice ice ice ice. On your neck, forehead etc. It helps me no end. Get in the shower, it helps me too.

Migraine is possible but raises extra problems of its own! The light sensitivity is minor but definitely there. I've got the curtains closed - it's a lovely day outside but there's no way I'm going out.

I've got an ice pack on my neck now, see how that goes.

Do you have any full sugar coke? For me this works better than painkillers (inc triptans) for hormonal migraines.

How odd. Would full sugar sprite work? I hate coke!

Are you on the pill and on a week long pill break?

Does full sugar sprite have caffeine in it? I think it’s a combination of the sugar and caffeine helps.

I find a full sugar coke and a couple of aspirin help me.

Why would migraine raise problems of its own?

Sugar, caffeine and cold water is essentially what's in coke and which helps the pain. I use it a LOT so any sugary drink, not one with sweetners, will help.

I had a sweet coffee. It wasn't cold but got 2/3.

I'm on the pill but essentially get bad PMS/PNDD so I don't take breaks. I have to have one or two periods a year when my body demands it but these headaches are getting worse. Migraines would mean no more pill and so more problems with my mental health, and still having the headache problem.

Migraines with aura stop the combined pill. If you're not having visual aura, you're ok. And argue with any GP that tells you otherwise. You can still have the POP, implant, coils etc. I've had two coils because I do get aura and am fat plus now over 40 so they won't let me have the combined pill anymore.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/migraine/complications/

No aura, just mild light sensitivity. I sat outside for a bit but happier in a dark room. Ice on my neck was OK but on my forehead was awful, definitely made things worse.

Sumatriptan is the only things that helps my menstrual migraines. I get strong ones from the doctor on prescription, and they work about 60% of the time.

I used to suffer horrendous pms/PNDD and still do but not as much as can't have dairy now or gluten and if I eat healthier b4 my period migraines not as bad. Also find with my period or before my sinus pain gets really bad along with the migraine. Cut out sweet things b4 your period as does help. Migraine the worst and people do not understand how bad it is and how you cannot function when have it if they never had migraine. It is like every movement is excruciating and I also get the shakes. If you can drag yourself into the shower it does help to have a quick shower and the water on your neck but know that is not always possible if you feel so bad. Solpadeine always helps my migraine the only thing and got doctor to put on prescription for me as the migraine tablets he had given me made me feel worse. Hope you feel better soon. I have just started hrt as 53 in perimeno but still having regular periods. I also hate the gloom and doom feeling b4 get period and it just feels like have a massive hangover for days and an effort to do anything, I look like I am drunk as hard to walk straight. Rest up and hopefully you be ok soon, usually when get period feel better.