I’m writing this as I’m beginning to feel a bit desperate!
I have always suffered from migraine with aura - on and off since I was 11. They would be fairly sporadic but have since seemed to happen each month (mid cycle). Since February, I have been suffering from what I think are menstrual migraines. They come on roughly 2 days before my period but last for 10 or 11 days! They are so much more than just a headache. Headache on and off accompanied by the most debilitating fatigue, nausea and brain fog. I’ve just been relying on ibuprofen to get by. The doctor put through a neurologist referral for me but I’ve heard nothing.
I tried taking magnesium glycinate to see if that would help at all but I didn’t get on with it. It gave me awful diarrhoea and I didn’t see an improvement worth persevering for. I have also been taking a b12 spray and Vitamin D spray. After a blood test at the beginning of the year, my iron stores were a bit low at 45 (they were 15 4 years ago so since then I’ve tried hard to increase iron through diet) so I thought I’d try and take a supplement to boost them a bit. I had the most dreadful constipation as a result which took a couple of months to resolve total. During this time I had an abdominal scan and a FIT test and a Calprotectin test. All thankfully normal and GP concluded I had iron induced IBS.
I have been keeping a diary and during this couple of months time my hideous monthly migraines didn’t seem to be as bad. I don’t know if this could have been because of the iron levels being raised with the supplements I bought but stopped because of the side effects.
Last month the debilitating migraine was back.. it really renders me useless and it’s all I can do to perform basic tasks 😢
I bought some iron bisglycinate 40mg so begin taking, as I believe this is a more gentle form. I don’t know if it was the effect of the tablets or whether the migraine was running its course anyway, but after a few days I felt better. I also began taking some magnesium oxide as I believe there is some evidence of migraine prevention. However the constipation from the iron is back! We went on holiday for a week during which time I felt great. I didn’t take iron during this time as the thought of constipation particularly on holiday put me off. I had a lot of energy and generally felt well.
Our holiday however wasn’t smooth - we received some bad news about a family friend followed by my son falling and cutting his head open and then passing out (checked thoroughly by paramedics and is well). This was one of the most stressful times of my life though! I am saying this because we have been back from holiday for about 5 days now and I have been feeling the worst I’ve felt in ages and wondering if it could also be a delayed stress response. Bone tired, nauseous, some palpitations. I had tingling for a couple of days in my left foot and hand. It’s awful and I feel so bad for my children. When this began I was probably over a week from my period so if this is the usual monthly ‘migraine’ it’s earlier than normal. Any headache has been minimal- it’s the tiredness that’s crippling me now! I’ve been getting breathless walking up stairs.
Some points it may be worth mentioning. I had 2 clear eye tests earlier this year. I am 37 and my mum was entirely through menopause at 45. I know hormones can fluctuate so much in peri so it has crossed my mind.
I have researched and questioned and I’m not sure what’s going on. I do know I need to go back to the GP and hope they can do something as well as chase my referral. Any advice, expertise, anything, welcome in the meantime. 🙏