To think there must be something that will work on my headache

[TwoleftUggs]

I get these headaches every cycle. Not quite migraine level but persistent, throbbing and a bit more than a normal headache. Assume it’s hormonal as it comes a day or so before my period.
The problem is nothing shifts it, and it lasts up to 5 days each time. I’ve tried (not simultaneously) paracetemol, ibruprofen, codeine, migralieve, syndol, I’ve tried using essential oil headache balms, neck rub, white tiger balm, red tiger balm (not doing that one again), eye masks, drinking lots of water, cutting caffeine, going to bed early, you name it ive tried it.
It’s a pain - literally. Why won’t it go away?! My cycles are down to about 21 days now (perimenopause) so it feel like there’s not many days when I’m not either bleeding or have a banging head.
There must be something surely? Any suggestions not listed above that people swear by?

Huge sympathies, OP. The only other things on my list, not on yours:

Electrolyte drinks: www.amazon.co.uk/Science-Sport-Hydro-Hydration-Tablets/dp/B008AGN01C/?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Methocarbamol: It's a muscle relaxant. It's sold as over the counter pain medication in the US, usually combined with ibuprofen, but you'd need a prescription for it here, I think.

I had hormonal migraines for 20 years until I had my Daith piercings done.

When I get headaches like that I take paracetamol plus (the one with caffeine) and ibuprofen at the same time and try and lie down somewhere for a little while in the dark.

Also sounds silly but tapping your head hard for a while around where it hurts seems to help me as well.

You may not be taking enough, also take ibuprofen and codeine together. I occasionally get horrendous migraines, I'd take two neurofen plus and two solpadine as soon as I feel them come on and take two as often as the packet says.

Fellow migraine sufferer here!

I am on pronanalol for them but want to become less dependent on it.

There is a study proving that ginger is effective as a particular drug at stopping migraines in their tracks (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23657930/)

I buy ginger tablets off amazon (they're 500mg or something) and take them if i feel one coming on. I would say they work.

I have heard also that feverfew works (can also get that on amazon).

ps, if you know you get these headaches every cycle, you might want to take the ginger every morning / eve as a prophylactic type thing

I also get regular headaches/migraines. Very cold water on the back of my neck & head has stopped them when painkillers failed. Something about reducing the dilation of blood vessels?

Double up. You can take up to 3 x 200mg ibuprofen with 2 x 500mg paracetamol at once as long as there is no underlying problem with taking them and you eat with them. I take that dose pretty regularly and its always worked.

Oh yes, tapping, I’ve tried that. And also one of those pressure point clips that you attach between your thumb and finger.
Thanks for suggestions, am taking them all on board and will try as many as I can. Some interesting ones I haven’t considered. Thank you.

Agree with taking the paracetamol and Ibuprofen simultaneously. Even just one of each if you worry, but it seems to help me with hormonal headaches when one drug alone doesn't.

Strangely enough Alka seltzer seem to work wonders on my hormone migraine/headaches. Also 4head helps. Hope you feel better soon

I get migraines. They used to be just hormonal, now more regular. Only thing that works is Sumatriptan. You can get a couple of them over the counter without a prescription, otherwise by prescription.

Hi OP I've been battling this for 5 years and it's the persistence of the headaches that is such a bugger. Mine aren't as long but I can guarantee 36-48 hours of pounding, relentless headache twice per month.

My GP initially tackled them with HRT patches, as it's likely a dip in oestrogen kicks them off. This was super successful at first (like witchcraft, TBH) but the efficacy decreased as I got older.

Plan B - I went back on the Pill (progesterone) to try and halt ovulation/bleeding and therefore dispatch the cyclical headaches. No joy.

We've given up trying to treat the "cause" and we're now dealing with the symptoms. All hormonal treatment has stopped and I've been prescribed some triptans. The aim is to get one down me the very second I feel the first twinge.... I'll report back!

It's worth discussing hormonal intervention with your GP, as I did initially have a very positive response to it.

Good luck!

Hormonal migraine - speak to your GP who will probably prescribe a triptan. I found they made a huge difference to me as they actually get rid of the headache. Anything else just seems to put them off though aspirin and caffeine can help. You can also be prescribed the pill - the one where you don't have a period at all if it's hormone related.

Fellow migraine sufferer here too! After years of trying every kind of painkiller, the only thing that helps is Novalgin. I live in Germany though, but I looked up the english equivalent which should be Metamizole.

Also, double dose of aspirin (4 x 300 m) and a can of full fat coke..... (disclaimer, not to be done regularly and not for those with tummy troubles)

@Thisismynewname123

I get migraines. They used to be just hormonal, now more regular. Only thing that works is Sumatriptan. You can get a couple of them over the counter without a prescription, otherwise by prescription.

A pharmacist won't normal dispense these OTC unless you have had them prescribed in the past and you'll need to fill out a form first time they sell them to you, which is fun with a banging head. Migraitan and Boots Migraine Relief are both 50mg sumatriptan.

Metamizole is banned in the UK, US and most of Europe.

I have had similar and found having a physio therapist do some work on my neck and shoulders worked really well, a couple of 10 minute treatments left me head ache fre for nearly a year.

Sumatriptan. Prescription only but the only thing that bins off my hormonal migraines.

I have just spoken to my GP this week about exactly the same and she's prescribed me some migraine tablets - not collected yet so don't know effect they will have. But please speak to GP

@wowfudge

Metamizole is banned in the UK, US and most of Europe.

Oh, ok, I didn`t know. Failing that, I second Sumatriptan.

I've recently started treatment with a chiropractor for carpal tunnel syndrome. Since seeing him, (about 6 sessions so far), the headaches I regularly get have gone. I can't say the headaches were hormonal, as I was prone to them through tiredness, but I'm so glad they've disappeared. Maybe try something other than medication? Not easy during lockdown, I know.

I get the exact same thing! Anadin extra is the ONLY thing that works for me!

kyssedbyfyre - I'd never heard of it so looked it up on the basis it's always good to have an arsenal of painkillers for migraine.