Migraine

The last 2 1/2 years I've noticed that my migraines have become more intense. I'm 35 years old, going to be 36 this summer. I'm wondering if my age has something to do with it or maybe it has something to do with hormones. Has anyone had their hormone levels checked out? I'm wondering if I should have mine checked out. My cycles haven't been normal for several years. I'm wondering if this might be an issue that can be fixed somehow. If so, how can it be fixed?

I haven't been able to pinpoint if I get a migraine right before I start but I suspect I get them during ovulation. I mentioned this to my neurologist and he asked me what my OBGYN had to say. I told him I hadn't really discussed my migraines with my OBGYN but had discussed my cycles not being regular. My OBGYN did give me a prescription to help me "start" if I'm more than two weeks late. So far, I haven't been more than two weeks late. Go figure!

As your cycles have been out for a while I feel it's worthwhile having your hormones checked. Also have your irregular cycles looked into. Hormone imbalances can cause all sorts of symptoms and who knows your migraines may respond well to hormone treatment that regulate the cycle. It may also be only a short period you need to take hormones anyhow.
When I was in my 20's I had acne and heavier periods and went on the pill for a while. The pill selected was good for acne and when I eventually went off it the acne didn't return and the periods were lighter and I read later that the earlier stuff can be due to a mild hormonal imbalance.
Good luck with it all and take care DJ

Hi Heather,

I noticed my migraines started getting worse after I hit 35 or so and they became more frequent and more intense. I'm not sure if it is harmones or not because I haven't had them checked yet. Thankfully, they are getting better with my new treatment plan

You mentioned you can't pinpoint if you get your migraines right before your period. Have you tried using a migraine diary to track when you get your migraines? I use mine for everything and then print it out and bring it with me to my doctor's appointments.

quote:

I haven't been able to pinpoint if I get a migraine right before I start but I suspect I get them during ovulation.

I've started to use a migraine diary to track my migraines. I don't seem to get a migraine right before I start. I get migraines 2-4 times a week. I've decided to cut caffiene totatlly out of my diet. I've been off of sodas since last August when I start Topamax. (Topamax made sodas taste really bad to me.) I've cut out coffee and iced tea.

I just started the migraine diary back in February. I'll see how it goes. I record things like what time of day the migraine starts, the medication I take and how much. I also will record if I'm on my period.

My migraines only went out of control when I became perimenopausal. Prior to that, I had them only the day before my period, or the day it started, and they controlled down to 0 with ibuprofen.

My migraines went out of control at 38. I saw a graph somewhere (and I really wish I had bookmarked it!) that showed migraine peaking for women around 38. Of course, then is showed migraine decreasing, which we know for many isn't the case without treatment, but I found the graph interesting since I was 38 when this joyride started.

Ha, I'm completely the odd ball out - I'm 24, my migraines have been at their worst the past 4 years, and my migraines are completely unrelated to my cycle, as far as I've been able to tell.

I think I mentioned this before, but I am 34, had a hysterectomy at 30 and it didn't affect my migraines at all. My hormones are checked regularly to keep an eye on Menopause.

My migraines and headaches have changed patterns for unknown reasons, which I belive I just read in Teri's "Ask the Clinician" article and found this to be interesting and once again proved I am not going crazeeee

Lori

Thanks, Lori.

Is this the question you were talking about? Migraine pattern changing. Perimenopause? Preventives?

I don't believe there is any data showing that Migraines peak for woman at a certain age. But, our hormones do change as we age, and for some women, may play a role in triggering Migraine attacks.

Hi Heather
had this conversation about hormones with my neurologist a few weeks ago.
my migraines have been the worst they have ever been and im having more frequent attacks of basilar migraine over the last 6-8 months.
I asked him why this could be and he says it could be due to my age i,m 49. The menopause and fluctuating estrogen levels could influence vascular activity.
I also asked about hormone replacement, thinking this would help but for some people this could make things worse apparently. Same as oral contraceptives.
Dont know if he was advising caution -relating this only to basilar migraine?
I had heard that premenstural migraine may respond to diuretics, so it may be worth talking to your neurologist about this, since your diary has identified you get your migraine right before you start.
Hope things settle down and you get a solution

Jan

Well, I'm like MJ. My "headaches" all started when I was in high school, but really worsened and I know I was definitely having migraines when I got to be 24/25 y/o. My mom started having migraines around 50. So, in my family, age hasn't shown to be a factor.

I haven't had my hormones tested. But, the last five months, I've had migraines during my menstration. Two months I had migraines that were around my ovulation time as well. And now currently, I'm having pre-menstrual migraines. My headache specialist thinks I have a definite hormonal component.

As far as treating them is concerned, for the migraines around my period, I take Frova.
I use it for 5 days around my period.
HERE is an article on "Menstrual Migraines: the Hormonal Impact". It has some interesting information.

Also HERE here is a link to the study on Frova for Menstrual Migraines. At the bottom it has some good links too. I believe Amerge has been studied in relation to menstural migraines as well.

Kelly

I never had headaches until I was pregnant at 32 yrs old. Way better than morning sickness since my HA weren't migraines at the time. Definitely a hormonal jump start for me. But they continued after delivery and have gradually gotten worse. When the boys were in kindy I started out of the blue with terrible daily HA that hit me like a sack of rocks after getting moderate migraines every couple months or so. So all during mid-late 30's- gotta say hmmmm to that. But my periods were never regular even in my early 20's so hard to say anything about when I'll become TRULY menopausal.

They peaked in intensity back in Dec/Jan and when I went off BCP altogether after changing brands and taking a 2 month break over the past 2 years with no results, for some reason this time it worked. Of course I'm also on preventive meds, plus I'm doing massage therapy, chiro, accupuncture - you name it, I'm pretty much trying it right now. And something is working to keep the daily HA to a dull roar.

So if it's hormonal, planet alignment, med management, alternative therapy, whatever. I've been much happier in the past 2 months than the past year. Unfortunately, had a doozy last night and 2 days of ick in general, but nothing I can't live thru. But it's been a whole week of happy head in the meantime!

So there is hope. Talk to your OB/GYN and whoever manages your headache meds. My OB was very understanding b/c she suffers also. She said try w/o BCP, I could always go back on them. She did do some blood work, but honestly, I don't know exactly what. The nurse just said it was "normal".

Good luck. I'm hoping for my "remission" to last more than a few months this time. But I can tell you that finding that relief is so wonderful!!! I never get tired of telling my hubby how NICE it is to feel human again!

Diane