Migraine Headaches Support Group
Migraine is a neurological disease, of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head and are often accompanied by photophobia (hypersensitivity to light), phonophobia (hypersensitivity to sound) and nausea.
Hi everyone. My name is Rachel. I have been a member on DS for a while in a different group for Ulcerative Colitis and am just now looking for help in this group for my Migraines.
I have had migraines since I was a pre-teen. Pretty much since I started getting my period I started getting migraines. For a while they responded to Excedrine, but that no longer works. I am not taking a daily preventative and have Imetrex for when the migraine hits.
I have isolated that my migraines are mostly related to my period. This has been life long, but seems worse now. EVERY month I have a migraine that is one to three days long. Sometimes the Imetrex works ok and sometimes it hardly works at all. I really wish there was some way to avoid the monthly hormone shift. I have talked to my Dr. about a couple things, but they have not worked out for one reason or another. Part of the problem is that I am on a number of medications for my Ulcerative Colitis.
I have also found that I have storm or barometric migraines. Spring tends to be a rough time of year for me. As well as fall a little bit with storms coming in and out. Though it seems that Thunder storms seem to be the worst storms for my migraines trigger. Does anyone know of any solution for this kind of migraine?
I tend to take showers, use heat and ice, rolled towels, etc. Sometimes the only thing that works is laying in bed with my eyes covered and sort of waiting it out.
I have tried acupuncture (that never seemed to work for me), yoga, and chiropractic. The chiropractic and yoga worked fairly well. Still, neither helped a lot with the ones I am dealing with now (hormonal and storm).
Thanks and look forward to getting to know people here,
Rachel A.
I have had migraines since I was a pre-teen. Pretty much since I started getting my period I started getting migraines. For a while they responded to Excedrine, but that no longer works. I am not taking a daily preventative and have Imetrex for when the migraine hits.
I have isolated that my migraines are mostly related to my period. This has been life long, but seems worse now. EVERY month I have a migraine that is one to three days long. Sometimes the Imetrex works ok and sometimes it hardly works at all. I really wish there was some way to avoid the monthly hormone shift. I have talked to my Dr. about a couple things, but they have not worked out for one reason or another. Part of the problem is that I am on a number of medications for my Ulcerative Colitis.
I have also found that I have storm or barometric migraines. Spring tends to be a rough time of year for me. As well as fall a little bit with storms coming in and out. Though it seems that Thunder storms seem to be the worst storms for my migraines trigger. Does anyone know of any solution for this kind of migraine?
I tend to take showers, use heat and ice, rolled towels, etc. Sometimes the only thing that works is laying in bed with my eyes covered and sort of waiting it out.
I have tried acupuncture (that never seemed to work for me), yoga, and chiropractic. The chiropractic and yoga worked fairly well. Still, neither helped a lot with the ones I am dealing with now (hormonal and storm).
Thanks and look forward to getting to know people here,
Rachel A.
As for your hormonal migraines, what have your tried? Can you go on BC pills? or does that mess you up? Here is the only thing I can personally tell me. My hormonal migraines were so,so, so bad. I would lay down and cry for 2 out of every 4 weeks. My obgyn convinced me to try the DepoProvera shot, because it would eventually stop my period. No period, no hormonal flux., no hormonal migraine. I've been on that shot for over 10 years now.
I'm not suggesting you get the shot, but maybe their is a BC out there that will level you out and reduce the migraines. It might be worth talking to your ob/gyn about it.
I really hope you find some relief. Good luck.
Rachel A.
1. Depo Provera- It's a hormonal shot that you must get every 12 weeks. It did take a long time before my period stopped. I know one of the big draw backs of this method is weight gain. I think it comes on pretty quickly, and I know some people it just messes them up.
2. Merania IUD- It's an IUD that has progesterone only. It should make your periods lighter, and can eventually make them stop. I don't have one, so I can't give you much information. I just know that when I hear women talk about having it, they love it. And it can stay in for I think 3 years.
3. An implant in the arm called inplanon or it could be explanon. It looks like a little straw, they put it under your skin on your upper arm, it's progesterone only, and will also stop your period. I believe that also stays in your arm about 5 years.
Just so you know, ANYTHING that will stop your period is going to be progesterone only. If it has estrogen in it, that won't do it. So do some research, and talk to your doctor. I do hope you come up with something that helps.