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?

There a few things that help - don't go too long without eating and drinking you must keep on too if this.

Aspirin not paracetamol.

Caffiene and sugar but not on an empty stomach.

If you are craving salty food that's dehydration. As pp said electrolyte sachets help. I use plain dioralyte. Sometimes that can stop it developing.

I took 400mg of riboflavin daily for months and that's broken the migraine cycle I'm astonished.

Op are you on the combined pill? I was on it for years with no issues, then suddenly started to get these sorts of headaches just before a 'period' which would last several days. I came off that pill and started in cerezette and I don't have them anymore. Just a thought if you are

Aspirin and cold full fat coke helps me loads. As much as you can drink.

You can also take aspirin and paracetamol together if needed. Don't take it with ibuprofen though.

After years of hormonal migraines my dr prescribed me even more pills and then said almost as a parting thought ‘oh if you try taking 3 dispersible aspirin when you feel a migraine coming on it might help‘.

I genuinely have not had a full on migraine for 6 weeks and that two lots of totm to get through.

I also a no longer drugged up on triptans and my whole general well being has improved

Three fizzy asprin in a coke.

Clearly above the recommended does so do so at your own risk.

@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.

Yep same here

Solpadeine plus, lots of water and a shit load of carbs works for me.

Also a soft ice pack directly on the part of your head that hurts for a minute at a time can take the edge off.

I get this and very recently I've worked out that it's where I tense my jaw/shoulders. I've started using a gua sha stone on my face and it's worked wonders! I even sit in my home office doing it when I'm on calls etc. I find it makes me relax the muscles

Dispersible aspirin the minute you feel it coming.

My dr recommended 3 dispersible aspirin as well.
Getting a daith piercing help me get rid of them.

Magnesium is your friend.
I used to get monthly hormonal migraines. Then a nurse friend of mine recommended magnesium. I haven't had a migraine since I started taking it

Sympathies OP, I’m a migraine sufferer and have been since I was 7. It’s balls.

Things I’ve found variously work depending on the type of migraine: aspirin taken in huge quantities.... like 300mg for moderate headbangers that haven’t quite tipped over into migraine. Anti sickness drugs like cyclizine if taken early enough in the headache cycle. Sometimes this works on its own for me. Sumatriptan when things are otherwise hopeless. I take these things depending on how far into the headache I think I am, and it’s hard to describe how I know which one to go for.

Non pharmaceutical things that I’ve found help: Ice pack alternated with a hot water bottle, one on forehead, one on back of neck for ten minutes and then switch. Hottest shower you can stand on top of your head. Hanging head upside down off the bed for ten minutes and then laying flat for ten minutes. Rinse and repeat.

Sumitryptan for when I've got a headache.
Propranolol modified release daily to stop them in the first place - doesn't always work but the Sumitryptan is effective.

Yy forgot it MUST be soluble aspirin.

Omeprazole is also quite helpful for the nausea

I get these. They are miserable. Soluble aspirin or aspirin with coke helps if I’m quick enough. The mini pill hasn’t done anything really. Neither did propranolol. Sumatriptan sometimes helps if I’m quick enough. Interesting about the HRT patches helping.

I hope you find something that works OP.

Triptans are the gold standard migraine treatment (and migraine doesn't necessarily have to be the worst pain ever to actually be a migraine - it's just generally described as a one sided headache with one of nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light/sound, dizziness)

Of the triptans, frovatriptan is recommended for menstrual migraine as it has a longer effect than the others, and is honestly a godsend! Highly recommend you check out the National Migraine Centre- their doctors are excellent and doing online appointments.

I have chronic migraine so feel free to ask anything or PM :)

And here's their info page on menstrual migraine :)

www.nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk/migraine-and-headaches/migraine-and-headache-factsheets/menstrual-migraine/

@TwoleftUggs I would recommend going to a neurologist. It is better to be insured.

I take Propanolol too, for two weeks before period is due. I used to get bad headaches and vomiting every month but this seems to be working, so worth seeing your doctor.

I've recently been put on zolmitriptan and I find that along with 3 X aspirin, 2 x paracetamol and 2 x dihydrocodeine 30mg (prescription) plus white tiger balm usually takes the edge off enough for me to sleep it off.

Sumatriptan is brilliant stuff! You can buy it over the counter, but you have to have an interview with the pharmacist. Boots gave me this questionnaire that I can show every time I need one.

I get awful hormonal headaches like you and the dr put me back on the pill.

I cut out caffeine, chocolate, red wine and cheese too. Honestly, that was the worst part!

Sumatriptan works like a miracle for me if I catch the migraine before the headache sets in. I won’t use it on more than 6 days per month though, as it can lead to medication overuse headaches. I also have this ice cap which is surprisingly effective, but only if used at the aura stage and needs to be kept on for an hour or so which is not always possible!

I also take Pitozifen as a daily preventative. I’m getting around 6-10 per month at the moment so I’m having a review of that soon.

I hope you (and my other fellow sufferers) find something that works

Oh wow lots of ideas for me. Thank you everyone who has taken the time to offer some solutions. Going to try as many as I can.

Aspirin was a God send to me when I have awful awful migraines. I swear by it.