Migraines
Anon_55896 posted:
I get a migraine every month when I start my period. I am on tri sprintec birth control. I have had migraines ever since I was a kid. I used to take a beta blocker to prevent them since I had a migraine almost every week for a while. I quit the beta blocker when it stopped working after a few years and found that when I started running I got a lot less headaches, but it never fails that I get one every month. Is there anything I can do to prevent this?
5 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:MigrainesI get a migraine every month when I start my period. I am on tri sprintec birth control. I have had migraines ever since I was a kid. I used to take a beta blocker to prevent them since I had a migraine almost every week for a while. I quit the beta blocker when it stopped working after a few years and found that when I started running I got a lot less headaches, but it never fails that I get one every month. Is there anything I can do to prevent this?
StephItBe responded:
For ongoing migraine support, I use Topamax (or if you don't have prescription coverage since Topamax can run up to $700 a MONTH!) the generic Topiramate works good too. You take this daily. It has worked a miracle for my migraines!
I too suffer from even worse migraines around my period and even though some feel that the Depo Provera Injection (given every 12 weeks) adds to their headaches, it is a life saver for me! I no longer have periods which I think has solved part of the issue. I have been on the injection for over 10 years, stopping about 3 years ago to see if it was still effective, and YES it was! Hope this helps!
I too suffer from even worse migraines around my period and even though some feel that the Depo Provera Injection (given every 12 weeks) adds to their headaches, it is a life saver for me! I no longer have periods which I think has solved part of the issue. I have been on the injection for over 10 years, stopping about 3 years ago to see if it was still effective, and YES it was! Hope this helps!
Report This| Share this:MigrainesFor ongoing migraine support, I use Topamax (or if you don't have prescription coverage since Topamax can run up to $700 a MONTH!) the generic Topiramate works good too. You take this daily. It has worked a miracle for my migraines!<br />I too suffer from even worse migraines around my period and even though some feel that the Depo Provera Injection (given every 12 weeks) adds to their headaches, it is a life saver for me! I no longer have periods which I think has solved part of the issue. I have been on the injection for over 10 years, stopping about 3 years ago to see if it was still effective, and YES it was! Hope this helps!
oklewis responded:
First, I am so sorry you have terrible migraines. I was lucky to be spared the agony as a child unlike my sister. As I've gotten older, the migraines have steadily gotten worse. Always at the same time. At first it was a day before my period, then it became the week before my period. They were so bad at times, I would be dizzy to the point of almost passing out and I would gag because I was so nauseous. I went on birth control pills (Loestrin Fe) and that helped but I was still getting a migraine but only the day before and day of my period. On the pill I knew when that would happen. My gyn suggested I take 6 weeks of the active pill and then take the placebo week. This doesn't get rid of the hormonal migraine but it reduces the frequency. I have been happy enough with the six week break from a period migraine. It has made quality of life better. I wish you the best of luck in finding a solution.
Report This| Share this:MigrainesFirst, I am so sorry you have terrible migraines. I was lucky to be spared the agony as a child unlike my sister. As I've gotten older, the migraines have steadily gotten worse. Always at the same time. At first it was a day before my period, then it became the week before my period. They were so bad at times, I would be dizzy to the point of almost passing out and I would gag because I was so nauseous. I went on birth control pills (Loestrin Fe) and that helped but I was still getting a migraine but only the day before and day of my period. On the pill I knew when that would happen. My gyn suggested I take 6 weeks of the active pill and then take the placebo week. This doesn't get rid of the hormonal migraine but it reduces the frequency. I have been happy enough with the six week break from a period migraine. It has made quality of life better. I wish you the best of luck in finding a solution.
Marynj responded:
I had exactly the same problem while on birth control pills. I never had a migraine until I started taking the pill (I'm sorry, I don't remember which one because I stopped it a while ago). But the migraines began coming a few times a year, then once a month, then several times a month! It was awful, and I tried cutting out all sorts of things from my diet. I'm also a big runner/exerciser, by the way. Finally, when it deteriorated to constant headaches, I stopped taking the pill (switched to an iud) and it was like magic -- the migraines stopped completely, and I haven't had one since (over 10 years now). I was on the pill for probably 10 years, and that was 10 years' worth of unnecessary headaches. The iud was a great alternative to the pill. And I now live a pain-free life. I hope you find what works for you, but please consider switching your birth control method.
Report This| Share this:MigrainesI had exactly the same problem while on birth control pills. I never had a migraine until I started taking the pill (I'm sorry, I don't remember which one because I stopped it a while ago). But the migraines began coming a few times a year, then once a month, then several times a month! It was awful, and I tried cutting out all sorts of things from my diet. I'm also a big runner/exerciser, by the way. Finally, when it deteriorated to constant headaches, I stopped taking the pill (switched to an iud) and it was like magic -- the migraines stopped completely, and I haven't had one since (over 10 years now). I was on the pill for probably 10 years, and that was 10 years' worth of unnecessary headaches. The iud was a great alternative to the pill. And I now live a pain-free life. I hope you find what works for you, but please consider switching your birth control method.
TamMarieT responded:
Hi,
I had the same problem every month until somebody told me to try magnesium. Taken every day for a few days before your period, magnesium helps dilate blood vessels (quite often, restricted blood flow is responsible for our migraines AND painful menstrual cramps). Everyone requires different amounts of vitamins and minerals depending on their diet and genetics but it's sure worth it to try a good magnesium supplement if you can find some relief.
Good luck!
T
I had the same problem every month until somebody told me to try magnesium. Taken every day for a few days before your period, magnesium helps dilate blood vessels (quite often, restricted blood flow is responsible for our migraines AND painful menstrual cramps). Everyone requires different amounts of vitamins and minerals depending on their diet and genetics but it's sure worth it to try a good magnesium supplement if you can find some relief.
Good luck!
T
Report This| Share this:MigrainesHi, <br />I had the same problem every month until somebody told me to try magnesium. Taken every day for a few days before your period, magnesium helps dilate blood vessels (quite often, restricted blood flow is responsible for our migraines AND painful menstrual cramps). Everyone requires different amounts of vitamins and minerals depending on their diet and genetics but it's sure worth it to try a good magnesium supplement if you can find some relief.<br />Good luck!<br />T
CL2228 responded:
I have the same problem too. I had them as a kid, but now it's been only related to my period and this started after I had my daughter. What works for me is simply keep taking the pill and throwing out the placebo week and start a new pack. No more migraines and you don't get your period at all. Its the change in hormones that trigger the migraine. My doc says it's perfectly safe. Take the pill same time every day and you should be good.
Report This| Share this:MigrainesI have the same problem too. I had them as a kid, but now it's been only related to my period and this started after I had my daughter. What works for me is simply keep taking the pill and throwing out the placebo week and start a new pack. No more migraines and you don't get your period at all. Its the change in hormones that trigger the migraine. My doc says it's perfectly safe. Take the pill same time every day and you should be good.
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