How many of you get migraines during 'that time of the month'?
I usually get one for the first 2-3 days... Along with cramps! Until I started my birth control, I would have the migraines, but cramps that felt like I was in labor... Thank goodness it's not that bad anymore, but what happens when I stop the birth control (when my hubby decides to have his vasectomy)?
The only thing that ever makes me feel better is laying in my bed with an icepack on my noggin and eyes closed. I can't do that 2-3 days a month... I'm sure my boss would understand (note the sarcasm).
What do you do to make yourself feel better?
I was simply wondering if I was the only one and what you do to help yours. Thank you for all of your responses.
Migraine is gone and tomorrow so will be my ugly menstral cycle.
As far as foods... I eat the same things all month. Birth control has nothing to do with it. I've had migraines since I started having periods at 10. No money to see a chiropractor.
I have Excedrin... Mine says it contains Caffeine, Aspirin, and Acetaminophen. Aspirin makes my belly sicky so drinking a cup of coffee and taking Tylanol would do the same in theory. I have it for anyone that may be able to take it at work and they ask me for headache medicine.
I don't eat/drink hardly any sugars (compared to the 'norm'). I don't drink pop. I drink one cup of coffee in the morning then it's water or maybe an unsweetened iced tea... Usually water. I don't add sweetener to anything. I've been told I eat like a diabetic and I'm not diabetic. My body tends to crave protein and fiber (natural fiber). And the funny thing about MSG and regular sodium... I ate tacos (made with the taco packet) for lunch and right after lunch, my headache went away.
I see a chiropractor for my migraines and cramps and it helps 100%. I go about once a month because it is under control now but I used to go every other week.
I usually get very bad migraines as well and the only thing that works is taking 3 advil's (200mg each) and laying down in a quiet and dark room...half hour later I'm as good as new! One of my friends tried my method 3 years ago and it also works for her every time. Hope that helps!
I'm the same way. Go to the doctor and tell them about your migraines. I got put on Imitrex, I turned out to be allergic, but it worked great. Right now I've been getting headaches everyday, not migraines, but severe headaches and I've been using Target brand Tension Headache medicine. It is really working for me right now. Your doctor will probably tell you to cut back on sugar and caffeine as they are migraine inducers, but who can really do that.
Laurie A. is right about the BC possibly having a side effect. When I told my Dr. I was getting severe migraines, she took me off birth control until I could figure out the cause.
She referred me to a neurologist and nutritionist.
I was given medication by the neurologist which I never took, and a "diet" plan from the nutritionist.
The cause of my migraines turned out to be triggered by certain foods I ate. She gave me a list of foods that can trigger migraines and of course most were foods I ate everyday. It was the tyramine in some of the soy foods I ate I had to keep a journal, but eventually figured out the cause.
Amazingly enough I haven’t had a migraine in about 3 years.
By the way I never got back on BC because my husband got a vasectomy.
My cramps were caused by endometriosis.
I know what you are going through and I hope you find the cause!
Yes, I do usually get migraines just before having my period or on the first day. It is due to hormone fluctuations and may get worse (or better?) with birth control as it is extra hormones you are getting. Read this:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/headaches/HE00003
For me, it helps to take Tylenol (or Advil) as soon as I realize that the headache is coming. Once the bad headache starts, it is more difficult to get rid of it and I would need more pills then!
I talked with my doctor about this and they were not worried as OTC pain killers are enough.
About the cramps, if they are as bad as you describe, it may be a good idea to get checked for endometriosis or other conditions that may be causing it. It is not fair to have to go through that every month! They may at least do an ultrasound and see if everything looks OK.
I have had both migraines and cramps since my teens (inherited from my moms side of the family). I once had migraines so bad for 3 days straight, finally went to the hospital and found out I actually had Spinal Meningitis! That is how bad my migraines are.. I did not know the difference.. .
The only time I did not have migraines was the 9 months I was pregnant. I now take a daily beta blocker.. It has saved and changed my life. I very rarely actually feel them, but still know when I having on since I have the aura and become weak..
My cramps have been so bad, that while in labor, I did not feel my contractions till 7 hours after my water broke and even then they told me I was having very hard contractions and they were only slightly crampy.. I shocked myself by not having any meds for the delivery, even though I had said I was prepared to have anything and everything to avoid pain..
I suggest you see an endocrinologist and see if you have migraines or are having a side effect from birth control.. There is no reason for you to suffer.
I used to get those when I neglect to eat healthy. Assuming you're basically healthy -- Try a bowl of salad every day for a whole month. Essentially, dark green leafy vegetables. Iceberg lettuce does not count. You'll find your period is lighter and without any symptoms. I sprinkle mine with a tablespoon of toasted sliced almonds or sunflower seeds and a tablespoon of vinaigrette dressing. Creamy dressing has too many calories.
I've had them since I was a child, but once I got older they settled in around my menstral cycle too. I do have an rx for them when I get a bad one but I've found a few supplements that have helped me. OTC pain killers do nothing for my headaches.
One is Migrelief:
http://www.vitacost.com/Quantum-Migrelief/?pd_section=pr#...
It has really helped the severity of them. I hardly get any where I need to go into a dark room and lay down.
I've also found this to help (but I only take one per day)
http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-20323-vita-logic-womens-for...
I get really run down feeling during my time and I've also started taking a stress B complex that has helped me have more energy.
Do also think about what you are eating. I know sugar really affects mine and anything with that red dye 40 (which is in soooo many things, even chocolate pudding!). I try to lay off sugar the week before (of course that's when I want it most).
I go to a chiropractor and get an adjustment one time a month at the start of my period. It help with the headaches tremendously. If you find a great Chiropractor they can help you with nutrition/supplements. There are natural supplements that help balance hormones.
Hope you find out what works for you!
I used to get migraines just before my period started also. When my hubby and I started trying to get pregnant years ago with our daughter,who is now 20, I went off caffeine totally. The migraines went away. I take Excedrin or a store brand of it for my migraines I get and it works for me. I also get migraines from certain foods. Read your labels for MSG,sodium nitrates and some other food additives. Keep a food diary too, that can help you find your triggers if you get them from foods.
Good luck.
It sounds to me like you have estrogen withdrawal migraines. Even though some say they are triggered by caffeine, I found that an Exedrin Migraine in the morning when I started feeling migraine twinges helps get through most of the day.....then ibuprofen around mid-afternoon.....(being pain relievers this will also help with the cramps).
The other option I've heard of is going back on hormones to regulate the hormones.
Good luck!
I used to have them before during and after my montly visitor. I started using Arbonne's Natural Balancing cream which I heard about on Oprah. I had them so bad that when I started keeping track I had one every single day for 3 years. I lived on Tylenol. Once I started using the cream I had one more really bad migraine headache then they went away and I haven't had one since. That was in July of 2002. If you want more info about this life changing cream please private message me your email address with migraine in the subject area and I will email you. I feel for you I know exactly how it is to try to function and have terrible migraines and heavy cramping. Once off the pill you will feel so much better the cream will help all of that and also help your body detox itself of the BAD estrogen we get from RX's and food etc.
Kay
