Someone talk to me about menstrual migraines please!

[TotoGum]

Sorry I'm shamelessly posting for traffic but does anyone else get these?

I gave birth to my first child 10 months ago and my periods have been loopy every since. They are just settling now but are very different to how they were before my son was born.

They were pretty mild before, not that heavy, no real cramping and lasted about 4 days on average.

Now they stop and start for a week going heavy one day to nothing the next, I am SO MOODY, even depressed I'd say when they start, I honestly can't stand anyone and everyone, it's the only time I genuinely consider divorce!

And now the past few times I've been getting horrid migraines the entire week, every day. I get migraines anyway but usually only once a month or so. I get them with aura too so I honestly can't see sometimes for up to an hour before the headache starts, every day, for the whole period.

I am so miserable. Has anyone found anything that works? General pain killers are useless.

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/migraine/management/adults/#preventive-drugs-for-pure-menstrual-menstrually-related-migraine

There is specifically treatment available for this. Please have a read then contact your GP. Painkillers won't work on 99% of migraine, you need triptans.

I found that going on the pill stopped the monthly migraines entirely.

Aargh typos and pressed send too soon!

I have chronic migraine with visual aura so totally understand. The treatment for hormonal migraine is set out by NICE in that link. Don't let any GP fob you off. I find telling them you've read the guidance helps focus the mind....

I find taking hormones made my aura much worse. Zolmitriptan is the only one that works for me at that's only if I catch it right. I have to make sure blood sugar remains stable and I sleep as steadily as possible, peaks and troughs in either are not good.

Sympathies, they are awful

Thank you so much @SilverHairedCat I will have a read. Thank you!

I've never found that any hormonal contraception really does me any good, the implant and injection were both awful, the mini pill was okay but I realised when I came off it when TTC how I did feel better without it. I'm well passed putting more hormones in my body now, I really don't want to anymore. We are just using condoms at the moment instead.

I'll speak to the GP, thank you!

I've just been staying inside most the week, just opening my curtains and the bright sun outside sets them off nearly immediately!

@SilverHairedCat Thank you for that link! I’m taking it straight to my GP.

OP in the meantime, try Migraleve. Otherwise
It’s exactly as you say: nothing helps but the dark and staying still. Then eating a mountain of carbs afterwards.

I’ve suffered with migraines from starting my periods 28 years ago. How have I not known there’s specific treatment for it?!

I’ll add that to my list with HRT.

I hope they help op. It’s rubbish.

Then have a look at Migralens sunglasses - they are a lifesaver for me. I wear them all the time outdoors unless it's really overcast. Lots of interesting studies about them and how they work. I can now go outdoors on the sunniest of days, and it's like a cold compress over my eyes.

You can buy them on Amazon etc, but I get mine from the RNIB as they benefit from the sale.

shop.rnib.org.uk/health-and-mobility/eyewear/green-tint

@SilverHairedCat thank you! That's so helpful, I had no idea they even existed!

You have my sympathy OP and PP. I took beta blockers for a while that cut my migraines from at least 1-2 a week to every 3 months or so, including menstrual migraines. That said, the doctors didn’t know exactly why this works for some people and not others. Triptan meds I took for a while didn’t work very well for me.

OP I get really bad migraines.

I also used to have really bad period pains before having my first baby.

Now I get no period pains at all, but I get a migraine instead.

Have you ever tried taking 600 mg of ibobrofen, as soon as you feel a headache / migraine coming on ?

This has really helped me. The key is to stop it in its tracks before the pain escalates.

Oh bless you - fellow hormone driven migraine sufferer here. Mine started approx 7 months after the birth of my DC. 13 years later they are still here. I have at least 3 episodes a week, but can sometimes have what you experience - a full week of it. It is soul destroying. I have tried many, many prophylaxis types of treatments but nothing has worked as well as a triptan. I have used Rizatriptan melts (they go in your mouth and dissolve against your gum) but am currently on Sumatriptan 50mg. Taken as soon as you feel it coming, along with Anadin Extra, and I am 'human' again within the hour. All I can say is that is does get better at some point. I feel for you lovely!

Neurofen Plus as soon as I feel the warning signs, and a bottle of full fat coke.
Hate them. And I think my daughter might have started getting them too, which I’m gutted about.

I suffer with them too, I never used to. I get a week of them getting progressively worse on the run up to my period.
The only thing that touches them is Solpadeine dissolvable tablets (the normal capsule ones are rubbish) you can also get Max strength ones that contain codeine if you need something stronger and can tolerate codeine. Also co codamol is good, although again not suitable for everyone. You don't say if you're breastfeeding but obviously watch what you take if you are. Cutting back on sugar also helps.

I'm surprised at the recommendations for the pill as I thought migraines and headaches were a contraindication for prescribing it, but I could be wrong.

@Blossomandbee the combined pill is contraindicated for migraine with visual aura. The progesterone only pill is not. I have the Mirena coil, but most other options are also available to migraineurs.

Avoid codeine if you can - it's not recommended for migraine at all. Have a look at that guidance link I posted but go back to the top of the page and read down for the full guidance.

I'm generally not one for natural medicine etc, but after speaking to my GP regarding suspected (by me) of PMDD and the horrible migraines that go along with it, I've started taking Agnus castus and it's genuinely really helped settle everything down for me and my mood is soooo much better as a result. I'd tried different pain meds, different contraception and then no hormonal contraception for over a year before this. I picked it up in boots.

@SilverHairedCat thank you, I wasn't sure about the progesterone only pill, they wouldn't prescribe me the combined pill anymore due to headaches/migraine

I have found a very strong dose of caffeine just as migraine symptoms are starting can make the world of difference. I also found that eating at least two portions of leafy green veg a day made an overall improvement to my menstrual highs and lows- from what I understand they help reduce the inflammation in the body which can be the root cause of hormonal migraines and mood swings.
I had an awful doctor a few years ago who simply told me to ‘drink more water’ and dismissed me more than once with that line.

Mine started for me after pregnancy too. Unfortunately the triptans I tried gave me terrible nausea, so now I manage them by taking painkillers and classic Coca Cola at the first hint of a headache during my period. (Discovering Coca Cola stopped my migraines was a very welcome revalation.)

Frovatriptan together with an anti nausea pill - I don’t get nausea but gp says the combination helps and it works so I am not questioning it too much! It’s a blessed relief. I also do a cup of coffee and a couple of ibuprofen or Voltarol on my neck as I get a really painful/ achy neck for the duration- the pain starts at the base of my head and goes from there up through the eye. Anyway- god bless the triptans.

@Sewannoying ah - I guess that’s why my quack gives me the anti nausea pills too!

[quote AtillatheHun]@Sewannoying ah - I guess that’s why my quack gives me the anti nausea pills too![/quote]
Interestingly, anti-nausea pills make me nauseous! Which is why I gave up on the triptans…

Anti nausea pills are because our digestive systems basically shut down during an attack. I get very sick indeed but always found if I could deal with the vomiting or the nausea early, the attack could be stopped sooner.

By helping the stomach actually process your medication, your triptan gets into the system more effectively and more quickly.

If anyone struggles to get a triptan to work, always asks for a non-pill version. I've had nasal sprays for many years because I can't keep pills down. There's also the wafer version of one (although the taste is such artificial mint it makes me sick 😂) and even injections (usually sumatriptan and prescribed for cluster headache).