Are migraines during my period normal?

I am right now going through the second day of my period. I have been fighting off a migraine headache. I am totally exhausted, I have had a hot bath, and been laying on my couch all day. I have always had easy periods, but over the last 8 months have been getting headaches just before, and during my cycle. I fear every month. I am very fortunate that I do not work, my husband supports us. I could not work at a job, and go through this every month. I have gone to the doctor and told her about this, she has recommended that I try taking Evening Primrose. But, I have been doing this for a few months, and it is not working. She has told me to come back and see her, if this is not working. Guess I will be making a trip back to the doctor. It gives me some comfort to know that there is others out there are going through the same thing. My heart goes out to all!

me too , i am 35 and have terrible migrans just before my period

I get migraines every month, like clockwork, near the end of my period. It's almost a guarantee. There have been a few odd months that I am able to elude the horrible experience but rarely and I have not figured out how to stop it, prevent it, or control it. I take Yaz as my regular birth control. I wish I knew of some kind of way to do something about this. It's negatively affecting my job and life.

well my mom has her period and she has migraines as well at the same time she has been throwing up and she has nausea i dont know whats wrong do you?

Shelley,

It has been a long time since you wrote, and I thought I'd check in with you. How are you doing? How are the migraines? Have you tried any new therapies for them or gotten any relief?

Hi,
I was a chronic migraine sufferer after having my children. I researched a lot of information, and after over a year of searching, I discovered that hormones are the big cause of our migraines. After trying many prevention medications, I decided to give bio identical progesterone a try. They claim that after 2 months I would notice a big reduction in my migraine headaches.. I started on the lowest dose, and after 2 months noticed my headaches had almost gone, I was just getting an odd ache, not a migraine. Then, I increased the dose to the next level and within 3-4 months I was migraine FREE!! That's right not one migraine, and I also had a regular cycle again, I went from being 30-35 day cycle to an exact 28 day cycle every month! The other positive I noticed was that I had NO pain or cramping during my period and no migraines or headaches, no light headed feeling, no dizziness, no nausea, nothing...
After being on the cure for over a year, I became confident and reduced my dose, but unfortunately after 2 months of doing so, my headaches returned and I had painfull periods again, my cycle stayed as 28 days, however, the day I got my period and for the entire 5 day cycle I had migraines! So, all I could do at that point was take panadene forte, which didnt help, and just ride it out. I started taking the original dose of progesterone again, and I hope next month I am feeling better. I will keep you all posted and let you know if my condition improves next month! :)

You need to see a women's health clinic or a doctor who specialises in female health and natural medicines, the bio identical progesterone is made by compounding pharmacies. Best way to find a doc who supports this method is to contact the compounding pharmacies and ask them which doctors refer patients for natural hormone replacement therapy.. This is not HRT, and does not cause cancer or any other negative side affects.

Good luck :)
Kel

I have a good friend who has struggled with migraines since she began perimenopause. She is now in menopause but still has them. She keeps a migraine journal given to her by her doctor, which is very detailed in what it asks and records. It has helped both she and her doctor zero in on possible causes and treatments (including acupuncture, which didn't help, different medications, some of which do and some of which don't help, and botox injections in the forehead and back of the neck, which so far seem to be doing some good). I would recommend, from watching her over these years, that anyone with continual migraines ask their general doctor to refer them to a neurologist, who can possibly help get to the bottom of it all, even getting you into clinical trials when appropriate.

Here is a link that shows how to keep a migraine journal:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2319602_keep-migraine-journal.html

And here's a planner/journal page you can print out (click on the pdfs):

http://www.diyplanner.com/node/2401

Actually I guess mine are considered hevier than normal, because my clots alone in the first two days are more than the "tablespoons" measurement above. Also in those first two or three days of my period, I not only have frequent headaches that sometimes lead to bad migraines with light sensativity and tunnel vision, but they include extreme dizziness and cold sweat, and occasionally a metallic taste under my tongue. It doesn't happen any other time of month to this extreme... strange.