new here. Hormonal migraines, treatment choices...

Hello,

Can't believe I've had migraines for most of my 40 years and have only just got onto a network such as this! Well, suppose I can believe it, as when I'm suffering I'm not about to get on the computer & when I'm not, well, I just don't want to think about it!

Anyway, while in the past I was never able to pin down the cause of my migraines, since having kids 8 years ago, it's definitely hormonal. Starting with my second pregnancy, 6 years ago, which was virtually one long migraine with a few days off. Ever after that, I get one just before my period usually (sometimes 2 weeks later too) that just doesn't respond to any painkillers at all. I generally take Panadeine Forte (30mg coedine).

Bad migraines have always been the same for me - usually only one day, usually I wake up with one around 3-4am & if it's not too bad & I take painkillers immediately, it may lessen at least, but rarely go away. If I don't get it in time - or for these last monthly ones - there is virtually no point in taking tablets. I wake up already in bad pain & often feeling sick & unable to eat or drink. Generally by 8-9am I'm throwing up. If I did take tabs at 3am, they and last night's dinner come up completely undigested - like my stomach also goes on strike. I'm sick often over the course of the day, sometimes every 15 minutes and whenever I roll over or sit up or drink a sip of anything - can only lie on my back & sip water, so there's something to chuck. Finally, usually around 9pm or so, it's not so bad and I can often keep a little milk and some tabs down & then I can sleep & start getting better.

Oh, they're the 'simple' kind, without any aura, and they often swap sides on me, half way through the day. Probably most often start on the right & end on the left side - which is interesting, because when I googled this(after people scoffing at asking them to believe me when I say this ), it seems that it's far more common for people to start out with one on the right side.

So anyway, that's my story & I'm interested to hear of anyone who has a similar type & manages them differently, or any other possibilities I could try...

Definitely sounds hormonal, which is quite common although most people get a break during pregnancy due to high levels of progesterone. Mine came on during peri menopause.

Not sure where you are, but I recommend finding a doctor in your area who specializes in natural hormones. Artificial hormones in birth control pills and such can make it worse.

I get migraines all through the month, but the hormonal ones are the worst. They've very hard to treat and very stubborn. I normally get one that lasts from 1-5 days (normally 3) right before a period. I almost always get another one at or near the end. It too, can last 1-5 days and be very stubborn and hard to treat. I'm very fortunate that my doctor is a cluster sufferer so he "gets" what's it's like to be in that kind of pain. He's told me several times he doesn't know how I manage as well as I do. He prescribes Sumatriptan and Nalbuphin (Nubain) both in injectable form for me....because like you, my stomach goes into stasis and doesn't digest anything during an attack. He also prescribes Phergan suppositories which sometimes can help with the nausea. Although, sometimes it doesn't work, and sometimes one of my migraine symptoms can be diarrhea so they won't work during those times.

Mine started in peri menopause, and despite them telling me they would abate, having never had them before. Sadly, they have not. Actually they have continued to worsen and now they are daily.

I do wonder if more could have been done when they began, but they were so intent on telling me they would go away again, and I foolishly believed them...

Mine can start on either side, and I didnt realise that people say they are usually on the right...
I dont have any management, wish I did. I live on Triptans, wish I didnt...
I dont have aura, or nausea, nor any family connection found.

Dont have any advice except, dont believe them if they tell you they will abate after menopause.
Take MGs advice, find some natural hormones, I think they use bio identical a lot in the USA.
Yes the articifical ones made me even worse, so her advice is good.

Good luck, hope you find something.

Ugh Pen. You're stealing my hope LOL. The aunt that I inherited these beasts from said hers got much better after menopause. I'm hoping that mine do as well. She still gets the odd migraine, but it's only a couple of times a year now instead of being nearly constant. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Aw Brenda, sorry, dont loose hope. Some do get rid of the demons.
I just hate that they lie to us, the medics, they have no idea if they will go or get worse.
I wish I hadnt listened to them.

I am sure you will be luckier than me....sorry.

I have learned that my migraines are definitely hormonal too. I went off of the pill a few months ago, after being on it for years. I used to get migraines constantly, now the intense ones seem to be centered around my period.

I had Botox in August. I'm disappointed because I wanted it to magically "fix" me. I'm keeping a migraine journal and finding that I'm getting them on weekends, when I finally slow down, but the really bad ones are hormonal. I take 150 mg of Topamax, and I use Relpax and Sumavel injections as rescue meds. Like you, they don't do much when I'm having a migraine during my period. I pretty much have to suffer through it.

I also have my regular, "baby" headaches every day. I don't know what a day without a headache is like, LOL.

I get insanely nauseaus. Sometimes that's worse than the head pain. I got a rx for Zofran and it really helps.

I'm 37 and looking forward to menopause too! I'm firmly believing that it is going to cure me of my migraines and I won't let anyone tell me different!

nook wrote:Hello,

Can't believe I've had migraines for most of my 40 years and have only just got onto a network such as this! Well, suppose I can believe it, as when I'm suffering I'm not about to get on the computer & when I'm not, well, I just don't want to think about it!

Anyway, while in the past I was never able to pin down the cause of my migraines, since having kids 8 years ago, it's definitely hormonal. Starting with my second pregnancy, 6 years ago, which was virtually one long migraine with a few days off. Ever after that, I get one just before my period usually (sometimes 2 weeks later too) that just doesn't respond to any painkillers at all. I generally take Panadeine Forte (30mg coedine).

Bad migraines have always been the same for me - usually only one day, usually I wake up with one around 3-4am & if it's not too bad & I take painkillers immediately, it may lessen at least, but rarely go away. If I don't get it in time - or for these last monthly ones - there is virtually no point in taking tablets. I wake up already in bad pain & often feeling sick & unable to eat or drink. Generally by 8-9am I'm throwing up. If I did take tabs at 3am, they and last night's dinner come up completely undigested - like my stomach also goes on strike. I'm sick often over the course of the day, sometimes every 15 minutes and whenever I roll over or sit up or drink a sip of anything - can only lie on my back & sip water, so there's something to chuck. Finally, usually around 9pm or so, it's not so bad and I can often keep a little milk and some tabs down & then I can sleep & start getting better.

Oh, they're the 'simple' kind, without any aura, and they often swap sides on me, half way through the day. Probably most often start on the right & end on the left side - which is interesting, because when I googled this(after people scoffing at asking them to believe me when I say this ), it seems that it's far more common for people to start out with one on the right side.

So anyway, that's my story & I'm interested to hear of anyone who has a similar type & manages them differently, or any other possibilities I could try...

I have very interested to know about the migraine treatment. when the people are suffering from migraine disease then that has been directly appointment as any homeopathy doctor.

Hi Nook, welcome. I also struggle with nausea that can be so severe even a sip of water comes back up. My doctor recommended gravol suppositories, what a life saver. Gross, but who cares? It calms down the nausea so I can take other painkillers and most important, sleep.

Ha ha, I just looked at when this was originally posted. Sorry, wasn't paying attention. It was funny because Nook, I thought I'd heard from you before.