Hi, i've been reading most of the messages posted and i can't help getting a bittersweet feeling: so many people with my problem, so many have gotten better, but so many haven't!
I've been getting migraines for almost 12 years now (i'm 29) and i've come to a point where i really can´t stand it anymore. At first they just started as headaches that would go away during the night, once a week. Little by little they got worst and wouldn't go away after a good night sleep so i had to start taking meds. When i got pregnant 2 years ago they went away IMMEDIATELY, more so, i suspected i was pregnant because i didn't get a migraine for a couple of weeks! i knew then that something was going on. Well, it didn't last much, 2 weeks after giving birth they came back full force. Now í'm really desperate because i have to take care of my 20 month old daughter, no easy task with a migraine...
Anyway, i'm now getting acupuncture and have my hopes on that since i know someone who got rid of migraines that way, but i'm starting to lose faith. I keep wondering about those 9 months without migraines, i'm sure my solution lies there somewhere(hormones, vitamins, etc), but i still can't find it. So i really want to know if someone has an idea about it.
Latelly i've been getting headaches every day, sometimes they go away, most of the times they turn into migraines. Sometimes i wake up with some pain that later disapears, other times they start in the afternoon, all of this with or without nausea, it depends.
So if anyone has an idea that could help, please let me know. At times i feel like a lousy mother for i don't have much patience with my daughter! I really need to get on with my life and i know that sometimes the solution is as simple as taking vitamins.
Thank you all.

I've heard of a few things that might help (from various headache related websites and my mother is currently trying it and it helps, but it does take some time 2-4 weeks). The regimen her doctor suggested (after she brought up the subject) was a regular multivitamin (1 per day), Vitamin E (400 I.U. 1 per day), Caltrate Plus or generic equivalent (1 per day to start, she increased to 2 after a week), Magnesium (50 mg, 1 per day to start, increased to 2 after a week), Feverfew (herbal, 150 mg, 1 per day), St. John's Wart (herbal, 1 tablet at bedtime). My mother reports very few side effects, and a gradual easing of severity of pain. Now, I would suggest to take this information to a doctor, nutritionist or pharmacist before going out and trying it. She suggests starting the multivitamin first, then a week apart, start the Calcium, then Magnesium, then Vitamin E. I'm not sure what the significance is for that order. If you search the web for calcium, magnesium and headache, you may come across websites confirming these have been found to help.

I understand exactly what you are going through, at the time when my worst headache period started, I had a small child at home as well, and to this day I feel badly that I couldn't give him the time he deserved. Unfortunately, he was old enough that he still remembers this quite clearly. Consider these options, ask a professional, and I wish you all the best! Good luck and God bless.

Darianya

Hi Darianya,
Thank you very much for your reply and interest, it's nice to know that there's still people out there who take their time to help others!
For the moment I'm taking a multi-vitamin (I started a couple of days ago), but I'll ask my doctor about the rest and I'll start on that as soon as possible. I really need to do something about it because I'm starting to get depressed over all this and I'm sure that won't help!!! For the moment I depend on Zomig and take it when the migraine starts early in the day and I still have to get through the rest of the day with my daughter, and thank God that works for me. Usually in less than an hour the pain is gone.
I'm sorry to insist but you seem to know a lot about this. Have you ever heard of a similar case with the pregnancy, someone who stopped having migraines through the pregnancy? I ask because doctors and books often tell you that while pregnant you may suffer from headaches, and for me it was the opposite. And, since for obvious reasons I can't depend on that, I keep thinking that maybe the solution to my problem lies somewhere in that pregnancy (the hormones maybe?).
Again, thank you very much for your time.

I think some of the other postings on the board dealt with headache and/or migraine during pregnancy. I do know from several sources that hormone changes can have an affect on that type of pain, and during my first pregnancy, a nurse I talked to quite a bit told me that conditions you had before the pregnancy could disappear during that time (acne, and others I don't recall, it was 14 years ago!). So, I'm not surprised to find that you are that way, too. A doctor I had up until a few years ago thought that getting pregnant again may help with the headache problem, because it does change your body chemistry. If you have something that does help, then you are very lucky, indeed. If you ever need support, my ICQ number is in my profile. Please, feel free to use it! Exercise can also help, so maybe going for walks with your daughter (especially helpful is if she handles a stroller well. She'll be happy looking at scenery, and you'll get a good walk) or I find Taebo relaxing (although, I've been letting it slide, and my headaches are coming back!).

Also, perhaps finding a reasonably priced daycare center that will accept the occasional child. Even at once a month, you may find the stress easier to take when you know you have a regular break. Even though she isn't directly responsible for your stress, kids invariably add to whatever stress you're already under, it's the nature of the situation. Regular breaks are essential to mental health! It is natural and normal for you to get depressed over such a traumatic time in your life, as long as the depression doesn't start controlling your life, I wouldn't get stressed too much over it. It is normal, and it's okay. I know that sounds like a silly thing for me to say, but if someone had told me that when I was having my headaches, it would've been easier to deal with, sometimes. Just knowing that my feelings weren't abnormal, and that it was okay to feel that way has helped in other instances, but I felt like such a freak about it during the headaches!

Just know, that you're never alone in your situation, or your feelings. Most of us on here understand in some way or another. *hug!* Oh, and get lots of those, too.. hugs I mean, if you can. They help! Laughter helps too, so maybe finding a good jokes website or two somewhere is an option as well. Best of luck to you and your daughter!

Darianya

Hi Gabb, I also suffer from migraines.... about 2-3 per month, or maybe it's just one that lasts for 2-3 days! I am 44 now, but I started getting them after I had my last child (age 34). I definitely think they are caused from some hormonal imbalance. I was on the pill for most of my 20's in between both my kids, so I didn't suffer from migraines then. When I was pregnant, I did get some headaches in my 4th month, which my doctor told me was expected... and then they went away. I felt great for the most part when I was pregnant! So now I have been dealing with doctors to talk them into putting me on an estrogen patch. A girl I work with (she's about 30 years old) also suffers from headaches, and her Gyn suggested she put on this Estrodial patch a few days before her period (since she gets the headaches during her cycle), and she says it has been working... she hasn't had a headache in over a month now! My doctor finally wrote me a prescription for the same thing, but I'm afraid to try it. My Chiropractor (female) said that she thinks only wearing the patch for a week defeats the purpose... that we probably need the estrogen throughout the month. So right now I'm trying something over the counter called Estroven... it's supposed to be natural and risk-free. I know you are pretty young, but they say we can start peri-menopause in our late 20's and lasts until we actually have a full-blown menopause. Good luck to you. BBMom

------------------

Hi Gabb,

I am also 29 and suffer from migranes and I agree about the whole hormonal/ nutrional / vitamen thing.I don't have children yet but I can still sympathise at how much harder it would be with migranes. I have been having accupunture for 3 weeks and have not had a migrane which I am over the moon about. I have found it to be amazing for pain!

Hey check out the messages from Rara671: "i had migraines everyday I discovered this" about B-complex vitamins. Maybe this is what you're looking for?

I hope you read this:

When you were pregnant your hormones changed and you didn't have the migraines. You can have a "pseudo-pregnancy" by taking continuous birth control pills - not stopping to have a period. I do this for endometriosis control and I no longer get the MASSIVE monthly migraine that used to last almost two weeks. If I did not have the endometriosis, I'd still take these continuous birth control pills.

You will have to do this with your gyn. THey may have to try several different brands or strengths on you to get you to where you don't have a breakthrough period. Contrary to what most gyns thing, it is NOT dangerous to not have a period. Some are so skittish, they will make you have one every three or every six months. So be it. Mine lets me go indefinitely. BTW, the final combination we ended up with that kept my very light, actually, periods from breaking through was Micronor pills combined with the BRAND name "Climara 1.0 mg Patch". The generic ones do NOT stay stuck on your skin and you end up getting refunded ones from the pharmacist, but those will fall off before the week is up too. Take it from one who knows. I hate paying for brand name drugs, but Climara is a must.

Hi, i've been reading most of the messages posted and i can't help getting a bittersweet feeling: so many people with my problem, so many have gotten better, but so many haven't!
I've been getting migraines for almost 12 years now (i'm 29) and i've come to a point where i really can´t stand it anymore. At first they just started as headaches that would go away during the night, once a week. Little by little they got worst and wouldn't go away after a good night sleep so i had to start taking meds. When i got pregnant 2 years ago they went away IMMEDIATELY, more so, i suspected i was pregnant because i didn't get a migraine for a couple of weeks! i knew then that something was going on. Well, it didn't last much, 2 weeks after giving birth they came back full force. Now í'm really desperate because i have to take care of my 20 month old daughter, no easy task with a migraine...
Anyway, i'm now getting acupuncture and have my hopes on that since i know someone who got rid of migraines that way, but i'm starting to lose faith. I keep wondering about those 9 months without migraines, i'm sure my solution lies there somewhere(hormones, vitamins, etc), but i still can't find it. So i really want to know if someone has an idea about it.
Latelly i've been getting headaches every day, sometimes they go away, most of the times they turn into migraines. Sometimes i wake up with some pain that later disapears, other times they start in the afternoon, all of this with or without nausea, it depends.
So if anyone has an idea that could help, please let me know. At times i feel like a lousy mother for i don't have much patience with my daughter! I really need to get on with my life and i know that sometimes the solution is as simple as taking vitamins.
Thank you all.
Hi, IM 38 and have been having migranes for years I have 2 kids one 7 and one 11 and while pregnant all migranes went away not one single headache they returned right away and like you it was very hard caring for my kids. I wish someone could help so far its just meds for depression and a lot of immitrex which causes heart plapetations I just don't know what to do

I get them also, THANK GOD FOR IMITREX

Gabb ~ Like it says above I get them also but then I take an Imitrex and it takes it away but I also have nausea with my migranies alot but anyways talk to your doctor about Imitrex Im telling you it works. Now I know that everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for another one but its worth a try.

My nero suggested B complex vitamins, Cq10, and magnesium. It did nothing for my migraines but I tried it anyhow, figured it wouldn't hurt.

Lori