Has anyone actually managed to stop menstrual migraines?

[BeagleEagle]

I get two menstrual migraines per month- like clockwork.. one on ovulation day and one on PMS day. I've gone through topiramate (DO NOT RECOMMEND), paramax, propanalol, aspirin, co-codamol, ibuprofen, magnesium supplements COQ-something and another supplement I can't recall. I don't drink alcohol any more and I try to sleep 8 hours. My diet isn't perfect but it's fine. My BMI is 20. Nothing shifts them. Has anyone had non-stop menstrual migraines and had a treatment plan which has actually stopped them? Please save me!!

Not personally but very interested in following as I too suffer from terrible hormonal migraines

I got them last week.
Well I think, I don’t know - initially thought that it was sinusitis, but no other symptoms.
I eventually (!) did take Sudafed and the nasal spray and that sorted it.
This is my first year getting it (or so strongly) though so as you can see am confused as to what it was.

The menopause seems to have cured mine. Sorry, but nothing else worked. However, I eventually found that if I took to my bed for a few hours or a day if I could it greatly reduced the length of the migraine. Mine used to be about 4 days.

@Bonheurdupasse

I got them last week. Well I think, I don’t know - initially thought that it was sinusitis, but no other symptoms. I eventually (!) did take Sudafed and the nasal spray and that sorted it. This is my first year getting it (or so strongly) though so as you can see am confused as to what it was.

Yes so I get classic migraine and menstrual migraine. Menstrual migraine for me starts in my face and spreads. It feels like i have a rope from behind my eye, behind my nose, down my neck and across the shoulder and that rope is being tightened on a rack. My nose also gets blocked and i go a bit 'funny' I'm 29 and I've had it for 3-4ish years now. Women ALWAYS say that they think they have sinusitis or a sinus problem but the majority of the time unless you have literal goo coming out of your nose, it's probably a migraine.

@ProperVexed

The menopause seems to have cured mine. Sorry, but nothing else worked. However, I eventually found that if I took to my bed for a few hours or a day if I could it greatly reduced the length of the migraine. Mine used to be about 4 days.

I'm getting a bit worried because my last one was a 5-day-er. They seem to be getting worse not better

I went on the pill and it totally eliminated my menstrual migraines (and a whole bunch of other symptoms). In my mid-fifties, an OBGYN switched me to a lower hormone dose HRT and the migraines (and all the other symptoms) came back, so I switched back to a birth control pill and they went away again. I'm 57 and hope to stay on the pill forever!

I'm the opposite...
I'm 48
Mine were caused by oral hormones (pill/hrt)
Finally, gave up all hormone treatments and haven't had one since (a year and counting...)

The coil and venlafaxine stopped mine. Similar to you had tried lots of things via the GP and over the counter but pushed for referral to neurology/migraine clinic as they were getting so bad. The neurologist I saw was fantastic and suggested the above combo along with 3 litres of water/fluid per day, magnesium and riboflavin supplements and high intensity exercise 3 times per week. I went 2.5 years migraine free on this combo had the coil out and came off meds to have DD. Around 6 months PP migraines kicked in again and also between points in the cycle-coil back in back on venlafaxine and things have settled down again! Interestingly I also did elimination/food diary and all the usual alcohol/chocolate/caffeine things weren’t triggers it was very much cyclical and worse when stressed.

I got rid of them by completely cutting out caffeine. It made a huge difference and I haven't had one for 2 years. Just be aware of you do decide to cut it, the side affects for the first few days are mean.

@Buttercupcup

The coil and venlafaxine stopped mine. Similar to you had tried lots of things via the GP and over the counter but pushed for referral to neurology/migraine clinic as they were getting so bad. The neurologist I saw was fantastic and suggested the above combo along with 3 litres of water/fluid per day, magnesium and riboflavin supplements and high intensity exercise 3 times per week. I went 2.5 years migraine free on this combo had the coil out and came off meds to have DD. Around 6 months PP migraines kicked in again and also between points in the cycle-coil back in back on venlafaxine and things have settled down again! Interestingly I also did elimination/food diary and all the usual alcohol/chocolate/caffeine things weren’t triggers it was very much cyclical and worse when stressed.

We're going to start trying in around a years time. Does the coil have a period of infertility after it's been removed or is it straight away?

Not a cure but I use frovatriptan at the onset of my migraines it's definitely the best one I've tried. It can also be used for menstrual migraine prophylaxis. You didn't mention if you use a Triptan at the moment.

Mine started during pregnancy and stopped when I had a hysterectomy but that's a bit drastic.

I’m the same used to get horrific ones ovulation and period but now mid 40s and last few years have reduced hugely. Not sure if that helps you! Still get the odd hormonal headache but nothing compared to a migraine.

I also find cold/flu meds like Sudafed do help hit the spot that painkillers don’t. Not sure exactly why. But worth trying anything.

@xmaselves

Not a cure but I use frovatriptan at the onset of my migraines it's definitely the best one I've tried. It can also be used for menstrual migraine prophylaxis. You didn't mention if you use a Triptan at the moment.

I've actually just been prescribed zolmitriptan but i haven't had a period yet to test it out. If it works I'm happy with a long term treatment. the main issue is time off work, I'm sick of calling in and having to explain myself over and over again and explaining yet another single day absence in the return to work interview :|

I have suffered with this as one of the many peri menopausal symptoms. Sometimes taking sumatriptan would help but often it wouldn't and they would usually last 3 days. I too feel congested as other posters report but sinus treatments don't help.
Well, I decided to have my daith pierced after hearing from others that it had helped. It's improved things considerable and I have only had a milder headache since which responds to medication. If anyone goes down this route... carefully research the piercer. I used a qualified body piercer, someone who had been properly trained by an accupunterist and had years of experience.
I was even more pleased for my teenage daughter who after weekly migraines for about 9 years has not had one since before Christmas! Life changing for her really.

@BeagleEagle I got my coil out mid October and a positive pregnancy test mid November! I realise I was extremely lucky to fall pregnant so quick after it was removed. The GP who removed mine said it would be possible to fall pregnant straight away which was the case for me but that’s just my experience.

@CaptainMyCaptain

Mine started during pregnancy and stopped when I had a hysterectomy but that's a bit drastic.

haha maybe after I have kids, im glad it helped you

[quote Buttercupcup]@BeagleEagle I got my coil out mid October and a positive pregnancy test mid November! I realise I was extremely lucky to fall pregnant so quick after it was removed. The GP who removed mine said it would be possible to fall pregnant straight away which was the case for me but that’s just my experience.[/quote]
thanks

I hope it helps, like you I've tried many treatments until I found what's working for me now.
I've tried most of the Triptans , this is the only one I've had longer term success with. Headaches would ease but linger for days on some treatments.So don't be put off asking for another one if you don't find this works.

Zolmotriptan works wonders for me!

OP have you not tried a triptan before? They were like a miracle cure for me for the first few years.

Sadly they do seem to stop being as effective the longer you take them. I'm currently in bed with a menstrual migraine after taking sumatriptan which has only partly helped.

Please could I ask why you wouldn't recommend Topiramate? I've got some sitting in my cupboard which I haven't dated to try yet but I'm running out of alternatives.

*dared to try yet!

I had my daith pierced and haven't had a period migraine since!

Used to get them like clockwork before

I was about to recommend acupuncture for all things western medicine can’t fix. I see someone else has had a piercing by an acupuncturist that’s done the same.

Acupuncture is also very good for getting pregnant and staying pregnant. Or for any menopausal or periody things.

There’s only one professional body for it and you can search for a registered therapist near you and phone them for a chat prior to see what their success with such issues has been. I don’t know if it’s still on during covid times or not but they will advise.

Many gps and physios etc now do acupuncture. They are seeing its potential. However I’d still go to an acupuncturist who does it full time rather than a gp that only does a couple of needles a week, as the experience of years of practice is helpful.

Expect to pay £60 upwards per session.

@newname2021

OP have you not tried a triptan before? They were like a miracle cure for me for the first few years.

Sadly they do seem to stop being as effective the longer you take them. I'm currently in bed with a menstrual migraine after taking sumatriptan which has only partly helped.

Please could I ask why you wouldn't recommend Topiramate? I've got some sitting in my cupboard which I haven't dated to try yet but I'm running out of alternatives.

One of the side effects is aphasia, which is when you can't summon words in your head. You know that feeling of "god it's so obvious but I just can't think of the word for it!" it's like that on steroids. It made me mentally slow :/ it really impacted me and I had to come off it ASAP, i don't know if it's severe like that for other people but I would proceed with caution.