Menstrual Migraine prevention

[CarrieBsWardrobe]

Hi all,

I hope this is the right place to start a thread like this apologise if not. Every month without fail I suffer the most debilitating migraine on day one of my period. For the past two months it has been worse than ever leading to me vomiting each time, unable to speak with pain and lying on the bathroom floor. After about 24 hours they usually subside and I noticed that the past two months being bad may be linked to alcohol as I'd just celebrated a very merry Christmas then been on a boozy holiday in January. With this in mind I've been taking Magnesium Glycinate and a multi vitamin everyday, had no alcohol and generally I'm very healthy. I rarely come down with anything, have no health conditions etc and take no medications currently. My diet is good and I exercise. My question is, I am going to see friends this weekend and on day one of my period the weekend away begins. I am absolutely terrified of getting a migraine. The only cause is my period and I can't see a GP until after to get it looked at long term as I've recently moved and had to find a new one. Does anyone else suffer with this and if so what advice is there to prevent one please? I know prevention is better than cure but I am absolutely desperate.

Thank you!

I’m not a doctor so can’t say if your case is similar to mine but i used to get terrible migraines a couple of days before my periods (not every month but 4-5 times a year). Eventually discovered I had low iron and the additional drop in iron reserves at that time of my cycle triggered the migraines. Sorted out my iron levels a couple of years ago, take floradix supplements now, and haven’t had a migraine since…really hope you find whatever is causing yours as I know how awful they can be.

Hello, I sometimes get something very similar. Comes on very suddenly and just lie in the bath crippled. Feel nausea, with lots of retching and intense tingling in hands and feet. The migraine is something else as well, sometimes I get these two both together, sometimes just one of them if I am lucky.

I also linked it to alcohol, especially red wine, which I ditch a week before. Also ensure I get a good nights sleep and stay hydrated. I also take iron tablets, magnesium supplements and Star Powa's hormone gummies. Between them they appear to keep most of the symptoms under control.

Good luck with the GP. Tried mine and got a lovely woman doctor who said they could not help as not much was know about female hormones 🙄but she did prescribe me some anti sickness tablets.

Thank you so much! I will definitely look into this, I'm certain I don't get enough iron! Thank you

Hello! So sorry I didn't see this earlier. Great advice aswell thank you. Interesting to hear about the red wine! I had spent a ten days in Spain drinking absolutely tons of it and had the worst migraine in my migraine history after so sounds like it's definitely a culprit. I have en easy going week ahead so will double down on the supplements and try to have the most iron rich diet I can. I'll come back and report back on how it goes incase anyone else ever desperately finds themselves on this thread too!

I listened to a very interesting podcast on how fasting and keto can prevent or stop migraines. I think the guy actually wrote a book about it.
Have a google and see if you think it might help you.

I went on Betablockers to prevent menstrual migraine which largely worked. When I did get a migraine I used Triptans. Now thankfully through the menopause I no longer have to worry!

I have been going to a migraine clinic with a physio who said it’s caused by the vertebrae being out of alignment. Been really helpful but I find I need to go in the day before I get the migraine which isn’t easy to time

You don't say how old you are, but I've started HRT (I'm 42) and found my menstrual migraines got much better. Its gone from crippling migraines, to bad headaches and occasional milder migraine, also less frequent.

Not sure if it's the mirena coil for progesterone or the estrogen gel part of the HRT that's making the difference.

I’ve always had menstrual migraines which have got worse in the past couple of years. Like you I’m on the bathroom floor for hours, but recently up to 12 times a month. Currently sorting it out with GP (hopefully) but the only thing that really helps mine is Zolmitriptan and Prochlorperazine (anti-vom but also seem to help with the actual migraine). I’ve been instructed to get some magnesium as well. Newest GP is focusing on the self care element of it (granted I am shit at that) but she’s recommending meditation apps and CBT - I feel sceptical. I don’t know if that’s worth looking at for you? I haven’t yet(!) She seems convinced that stress is a factor.

I’ve read that you can get prochlorperazine OTC if you ask nicely (not sure if true) and Newest GP has also told me that if I suspect one might be imminent take one Prochlorperazine with 2 x Ibuprofen as a preventer. Might be worth asking pharmacist if you can get hold of some? I’d buy some sumatriptan OTC as well just in case.

In terms of non medical stuff that I’ve found helps keep them at bay or help survive one - electrolyte drinks, white tiger balm (helps me with nausea), weapons grade peppermints (again nausea).

Keep fed and watered and well slept all week in the run up if you can. I hate the way migraines can ruin things, even just the worry about getting one!

I've always had them too. You can buy sumatriptan from online pharmacies or over the counter if you've been diagnosed with migraines.

I found 2 things - firstly it's really important that you keep hydrated because dehydration is terrible for migraines. Secondly, I found I needed to keep my blood sugar stable (ie not skip meals).

Also if you are on the pill, just keep taking it so your period doesn't come which is the best way to stop them!

I get anxious around period time as I travel for my job and I live in fear that I get a migraine while I'm on a 24 hour trip. I carry sumatriptan with my everywhere though it also makes me sick.

Best preventer I've found is a full fat coke plus 2 painkillers the minute I feel it coming.