Menstrual migraines?

[Bell99]

Originally Posted by vonniejean

I started having mensrual migraines also. My obgyn told me I was in peri-menopause and the fluctuations of estrogen cause them. I was placed on Effexor xr and bcp, which stopped all the tension and the bloated painful breasts, but still have the migraines mid cycle (when I now have my period). I can take imitrex, but it causes such cardio contriction, that I can't do my usual runs and have coldness in my face, dizziness, and extreme sleepiness with it. so I can't take it till bed time. I have tried fioricet, no help there. Anyone else have this problem. Also extreme sensitivity to light and noise. I want my life back!

I went off the pill all together and that helped me. I still get migraines but not near as bad. One real bad side effect for me from going off the pill is the painful breast, it's horrible. I feel like I am engored with milk for about two weeks a month! I am afraid to schedule a mamogram because they hurt so bad and It is unpredictable. Usually it is two weeks before my period.
I too have the light and noise thing and terrible tension in my upper back and neck. It's a terrible way to live. You start to feel like everyone around you is just sick to death of your mood swings and headaches (which I'm sure they are).
I feel like I am I normal about two weeks a month, the other two are spent with sore breast, migraines, mood swings and my period!

[mlgable]

If you are taking birth control pills this is a common side effect of them. The headaches the original poster described are migraines and you need to see the doc again to consider trying some preventative medicine since you seem to get them often. If you take birth control pill it would be wise to consider a different form of birth control pills or at least let your doc know that you are having migraine side effects from them. Many women get them even when they are not on birth control but if birth control is part of the problem then it would be wise to work with your doc to find other birth control options or solutions.

[Jackruns]

Reading the posts on this website has been such an encouragement. I have had menstrual migraines for years. They were always relatively low grade and were only diagnosed and treated as such in the past year. I am currently using Relpax with a great result. The problem I'm having is that Relpax is dispensed in a package of 6 tablets. My insurance company will only pay for one package per month. I often need more than 6 tablets. I'm 48 and the headaches are quickly getting worse, lasting longer. This month I also had a two day headache when I ovulated. Since it appears that as I move closer to menopause this may get worse, I am researching. I got a lot of ideas from your posts. Thank-you!

[dagmarharris]

What happened to you all when you went off birth control? I have been on it since '98. I has helped my severe anemia, from heavy periods. I no longer even have a period from this miracle birth control.
I am planning to go off BC next Sept. as I will turn 50. But I wondered when you go off, does it effect your moods? I mean I have been on it for quite a few years. I don't seem to get pms like i use to, either. But I am worried I might feel a strange hormonal shift that might effect my moods. Any feedback? I hope my period won't come back too strong, either. I assume since I am not menopausal. My mom also didn't go into menopause till her mid 50's. I think I will be similar.
I also get the headache on the birth control but did when I wasn't on it, too.
I have one today, and I am not sure why. I do use the ice stick ons that you put on your forehead and go in a dark room.
~dagmar

[Jackruns]

From my experience, I think it's really hard to predict how you will react when you stop BC. After I had my children, I had horrendous PMS. I only felt normal for one week a month. It was then that I started having the menstrual migraines. After trying many different pills, I tried Depo-provera and for two years did not have a period or a migraine. I finally went off Depo when I realized that my moods were so flat. My migraines came back but I have never had any significant PMS since then. Each of us are so different and these hormone treatments effect us differently, even effect us differently at different times of our lives.