Headaches and TTOM

spyrosmom

spyrosmom

Cathlete
Hey ladies! I turned 30 last May, and for the past 3 or 4 months, I have been getting raging headaches starting about 2 days prior and 1 day into TTOM. It starts in the front between my eye, like someone has punched me in the forehead, then moves to the base of the back of my head where it feels like a gremlin is trying to crawl out of my skull, along with sparkly wavy vision, and then goes back to the front for another skull punch. Moving my head makes me a little queasy and makes it hurt worse. All I want to do is close my eyes and put my head on a cool, soft pillow. Ain't gonna happen, I can't miss 2 or 3 days of work every month. Excedrin migraine brings it down to a tolerable pain, but it still hurts, especially when I move. I can only assume is hormone related. I can't take BC pills because they make my head hurt. Is there a way to make it stop before it starts? I'm not sure this is worth a trip to the Dr. "Um, Doc, my head hurts, no not now, last week:p" And if I go to the Dr do I go to my regular Dr or my GYN? Yes it is related to GYN issues, but it's my head. Anyone know of any better OTC meds to make it stop?

Nan
 
spyrosmom said:
Hey ladies! I turned 30 last May, and for the past 3 or 4 months, I have been getting raging headaches starting about 2 days prior and 1 day into TTOM. It starts in the front between my eye, like someone has punched me in the forehead, then moves to the base of the back of my head where it feels like a gremlin is trying to crawl out of my skull, along with sparkly wavy vision, and then goes back to the front for another skull punch. Moving my head makes me a little queasy and makes it hurt worse. All I want to do is close my eyes and put my head on a cool, soft pillow. Ain't gonna happen, I can't miss 2 or 3 days of work every month. Excedrin migraine brings it down to a tolerable pain, but it still hurts, especially when I move. I can only assume is hormone related. I can't take BC pills because they make my head hurt. Is there a way to make it stop before it starts? I'm not sure this is worth a trip to the Dr. "Um, Doc, my head hurts, no not now, last week:p" And if I go to the Dr do I go to my regular Dr or my GYN? Yes it is related to GYN issues, but it's my head. Anyone know of any better OTC meds to make it stop?

Nan
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I usually get a *killer* headache right before my period. KILLER, as you describe yours. I take Excedrin Migraine the second I feel it, then crawl into bed or onto the couch for a few. Works every time! I am not a big medication person but I keep Excedrin Migraine in the house at all times! HTH!
 
Nan,

You just described my hormonal migraines. I was getting them twice a month during TTOM, and ovulation.:(
I went to several doctors trying to resolve the problem. I finally found a migraine specialist who helped me.
Hormonal migraines are difficult to manage because our hormones change by the hour. I'm lucky because a low dose BC pill eliminated the migraine I get with ovulation. My TTOM is not as intense as a result of the pill. Unfortunately, the BC is hit or miss when it comes to treating hormonal migraines. The only thing I can do to control that migraine is take a triptan.
I tried several and Imitrex is the only one that works for me.

I would highly recommend finding a doctor who specializes in migraines. There are several ways to treat hormonal migraines, as specialist will help you find the what works best for you. Unfortunately, there isn't a magic pill. Everyone responds different to certain treatments. It's through trial and error I found mine.
 
I have to second the Excedrin Migraine. That is the only medication that will touch my headaches. Regular Excedrin does not cut it either.
 
I combine the Excedrin Migraine with Midol -- the acetaminophen works with the Excedrin and the diuretic seems to help with the hormonal stuff a bit.

Tobermory
 
Excedrin worked for me for a while, but I developed rebound headaches from long term use. I ended up having migraines and then headaches.
My doctor said it was very common in his practice.

I forgot to mention, he is trying botox on my trigger points. I was suppose to get them yesterday but rescheduled.
Botox is another option depending on where your trigger points are located.
 
Nan, that was me yesterday. I was at work and didn't have access to Excedrin. I was wishing I was a man or a dog and didn't have to deal with all this hormone crap:D

The Dr's prefer me to take Tylenol (because of heavy periods), I try that but it almost never gets my headache to go away. I do find regular Excedrin to work but if that doesn't Excedrin Migraine always works.
 
I don't get them every month, but I do get them several times a year. For me, it is really important that I take the Excedrin Migraine at the very first sign of a headache. Once it's gotten a foothold, it won't go away and I have to sleep it off.
 
DebD said:
Nan, that was me yesterday. I was at work and didn't have access to Excedrin. I was wishing I was a man or a dog and didn't have to deal with all this hormone crap:D

.
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He-he, that's funny. On my way home last night I was wishing to grow and extra appendage and become a man!

Nan
 
Take ibuprofen for three days before you start.

That should help. Also, you may be low on calcium, magnesium and zinc. A deficiency in any of those can cause this problem. Its very common. I usually have a nasty headache for exactly tweleve hours before I start and I've been on bc for 12 years so I don't think that bc would help anyway.

Try taking some zinc and drinking two glasses (16 ounces ) of water if you need to eat a cracker to keep your stomach settled.
 
I've had exactly what you describe for YEARS. Mine used to last the entire week before my period. My OB moved me to a low dose pill, which made a huge difference in duration, but I'd still get them every month. (They just last 2 days instead of 7).

Finally my regular doctor put me on migraine meds. OTC stuff never worked at all. Excedrin migraine produced the equivalent of chewing a handful of Flintstones vitamins. :) It took several tries before we found one that worked for me. Hormonal headaches are tough until you can find the right point to take your meds to stop them. I take Maxalt MLT for mine, now. I've learned that whenever it starts to feel "tight" around the base of my skull - like I keep trying to stretch the back of my neck - it's time to take my meds.
It's taken 10 yrs to find that out.

Oddly, since having my son, I haven't had a migraine since. They stopped with prenancy and never came back. So I guess my hormones shifted again!
 
melimcn said:
I've had exactly what you describe for YEARS. Mine used to last the entire week before my period. My OB moved me to a low dose pill, which made a huge difference in duration, but I'd still get them every month. (They just last 2 days instead of 7).

Finally my regular doctor put me on migraine meds. OTC stuff never worked at all. Excedrin migraine produced the equivalent of chewing a handful of Flintstones vitamins. :) It took several tries before we found one that worked for me. Hormonal headaches are tough until you can find the right point to take your meds to stop them. I take Maxalt MLT for mine, now. I've learned that whenever it starts to feel "tight" around the base of my skull - like I keep trying to stretch the back of my neck - it's time to take my meds.
It's taken 10 yrs to find that out.

Oddly, since having my son, I haven't had a migraine since. They stopped with prenancy and never came back. So I guess my hormones shifted again!
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I agree with everything you wrote!
Maxalt didn't work for me. My migraine doc told me that we all have a different nervous system and that is why one triptan may work for one and not another. It's good they have several to choose from. :)My husband's assistant has not found one that has worked for her. She has to take off days from work because of them.

I generally see the "aura" before mine hit. I also got very sick to my stomach when my migraines hit(throw up from the pain). Doc says that has to do with the stress level of a migraine. It puts so much stress on the body, your body's defense is to shut down certain functions. Digestion is one.


It's odd your hormonal migraines let up after giving birth. Mine developed after and apparently I was a late bloomer.They are often hereditary and begin after puberty.
My mother's stopped after menopause, so I'm holding out hope mine will too. I have two sisters who suffer the same too.
 
I've had hormonal headaches for years and nothing I've taken works. I've just suffered through them. I am going to try RapidBreath's suggestion. Now that I'm 40, however, the intensity and duration of the whole TTOM is lessening, thank goodness!!
 
sorry,but what that means TTOM? Some times, after I workout I get some kind of headache,I just want to close my eyes,light head,go to sleep,I don't know,I never pay that much attention really,it doesn't happen that often but when it does is for 2 days in the road,what I do is drink water and it goes away eventually....
 
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