Migraines & Headaches Community

I am asking for help with a sensitivity to certain fragrances that trigger migraines. I was able to identify and eliminate all of my other triggers - foods I was eating and hormonal migraines tied to my monthly cycle. I am left with this one final trigger, and am looking for any solutions that may have helped others.

First, my migraine history...My mother has suffered with migraines from her mid-teens. Her migraines are gone, but unfortunately she now has Alzheimers. I am 47, and have had migraines for about 15 years. At first it was only 2-3 per year, so at that time I didn't seek help. Approx a year and a half ago they increased to 3-4 per month, always lasting 3 days, sometimes with aura, sometimes without, and sometimes just an aura, but not followed by migraine pain. I have been seeing a neurologist, who originally prescribed Topamax, which I could not take due to the severe side effects. My mother had success with propanalol, so I tried that as well. It really didn't help - only when I was able to identify and elminate triggers did the migraines begin to lessen in frequency. I actually stopped taking the propanalol and have not noticed any difference. I am still getting fragrance migraines, the same as I was before the propanalol, and while on it. I take Relpax when I feel a migraine coming on.

I have positively identified certain women's perfumes and certain plug-in-the-wall air fresheners as triggers. I don't know all of the perfumes, but do know for certain that anything by Avon will trigger an almost instant migraine, like within 5 minutes. Mens' colognes have not (yet?) triggered, but some of them make me feel kind of nauseous. I should note also that I have a super-sensitive sense of smell, always have, ever since I can remember.

My preference is to not use prescribed meds as a preventative, esp since I have narrowed my trigger down to just the fragrances. I have been doing alot of research on alternative preventatives, and have been using (daily) niacin, CoQ10, magnesium and just started B12. These have no effect on the fragrance migraines.

I saw my neuro this past Wed for a scheduled follow up, and after a long discussion with him about where I am with the migraines (basically everything I have described above), his answer was I could either wear a mask, or he could put me on Lamictal as a daily preventive. It is mostly used to treat bi-polar and prevent seizures. After reading up on the drug, there is no way I am taking that, yikes! It has some very serious side effects, and you have to wean yourself off of it or risk even worse side effects. Also, I am not sure that it would really help with the whole fragrance thing. I am also in the market for a new neuro, thank you very much!

I work in the admin dept (a seperate bldg) of a hospital-like facility. I have requested special accomodation thru the HR and Risk Mgmt Depts that our company go with a fragrance-free environment, but have had no success there. I am not the only one with fragrance sensitivity, however, I am the only one who gets migraines from it. The others suffer more of what I consider classic allergic reactions; sneezing, watery eyes, burning nose/throat, etc.

Someone I work with suggested an allergist - does anyone have any experience with that?

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thank you all