Any way to prevent a migraine?

[Purple*Lotus]

If you know one is coming?

Basically, I normally get them two days before my period starts. If I catch them early enough that day, they don't last too long. Mainly I am curious if there is a way to avoid them altogether? The only problem is that I don't get one every month. I have no idea what I do differently on the months that I don't have one? I can't find a pattern relating to what I do one month that I don't do the next. But they are always period related.

Any suggestions?

[greenbeanmama]

I don't really have a way to prevent them, but for myself, it's just a matter of catching it early. I don't like taking drugs for headaches, either over-the-counter or prescription, but if I know that I'm in the typical migraine time period, I don't hesitate to take over-the-counter drugs so I don't have to take the prescription stuff. It doesn't always work, but with me, I either take the drugs or am out of commission for two or three days.

Maybe try to minimize stress during those days, as well as avoid spicy foods, bright lights (wear sunglasses!), loud noises; anything that might make a migraine worse can be a trigger. And, it could be more hormonal than you think and even avoiding triggers might not help.

Migraines are tough, but be thankful for drugs for them - I have memories of my mom's migraines growing up, and life in our house stopped for two days every single month - we kids were completely on our own while my mom stayed in bed.

[CCJWGM]

I do not believe in over the counter (allopathic) medicine for most situations. Migraines is an exception. I have suffered from migraines for years. If I catch it early and take OTC migraine meds or Aleve than it isn't that bad. I still have one but it lasts shorter and it doesn't put me out of total commission.

If I feel one coming on I immediately drink coffee and lots of water. The coffee is because lack of caffeine gives me migraines ( ) so I drink some just to make sure that's not the reason. Caffeine is also found in some OTC migraine meds fyi.

HUGS!!!! Migraines suck.

[treeoflife3]

I only know how to prevent certain migraines. I get them from being over tired or dehydrated so sleep and water keep them from coming.. I wouldn't know for period migraines.

I've heard of period symptoms disappearing switching from disposable tampons and pads or changing diets. I wouldn't have any guesses on what else. Well, does something specific help get rid of them... like a lavender bath or something? Could you do whatever that is leading up to when you get the migraines? If catching it early helps perhaps catching it before it comes will solve it?

[Aubergine68]

I am prone to 3-day migraines if my period is due, if the wind changes (air pressure), if I haven't been eating/sleeping properly, if I am under stress, or if it is a Thursday (so I can be sick on the weekend, I guess).

If any two or more of these conditions prevail, I am almost certain to get one.

Taking magnesium supplements, avoiding stressful confrontations, and making sure I get enough sleep have really helped reduce the frequency.

if I feel one coming on, I take a double dose of magnesium, drink hot sweet tea, eat salty food (seriously, I think it does something to my blood pressure that helps).

Tylenol sinus can also head off the symptoms, sometimes. Or migraine meds.

[greenbeanmama]

Originally Posted by treeoflife3

I've heard of period symptoms disappearing switching from disposable tampons and pads or changing diets.

Ooh, yeah! I did read something about switching to reusable pads or the Diva Cup or whatnot might help. I'm still waiting postpartum to start menstruating again, but I've got my new stash already - maybe it will help this time around!

[Nicole730]

I've heard that b-vitamins can help too. Just taking extra of them all the time though (I think that's because they help deal with stress)

I wish I had a better answer, I haven't had one in years and then had two in the past month. I took some OTC tylonel (2) both times and it definitely helped a lot. For me, it's the beginning blocked vision, tingly body, nausea that is the worst. The headache I can handle (probably because it is dulled)

[Purple*Lotus]

I am lucky that I don't get them now nearly as often as before. I identified MSG as a trigger, and as long as I avoid that, I am okay. Except for right before my period.

I had one today and caught it super early, so I took some Excedrin Migraine and slept for 5 hours- this is after having a full night's sleep last night! I feel a lot better now. If I don't catch them in time, I can be sick for two or three days. The last one I had was August, so I have had a bit of a break from them.

I am so sensitive to light and sound. And I get sick to my stomach. The pain though, it is horrible. I almost cried today in front of my students before I left work. That was how much it hurt. I was lucky that I was able to leave ASAP and get home to bed.

I already use cloth pads mostly, I do use a disposable pad once in a while. But mainly just cloth.

I was taking B vitamins daily until a month or so ago. I will start them up again tonight! Perhaps that was a help in preventing them.

I have been under a lot of stress this month, as I am going to court to divorce my abusive husband on Friday. So that could be a big factor right there.

At any rate, I am thankful this one was short lived, although I am still groggy and feeling achy from it. I am going back to bed. Thanks for the tips, everyone!

[Oubliette8]

I take Ibuprofen at the first hint of a migraine, its the only drug thats ever worked for me, including prescription migraine meds. Also, I've recently discovered that ginger helps my migraines. I was using ginger tea for nausea for another reason and happened to try it when I got nauseous from a migraine one day and noticed my headache improved. So, now I take ginger capsules too, not at the first sign, but if my head starts to hurt,
I take one. It does give me heartburn if I take it on an empty stomach though, so I try to eat something beforehand, or immediately follow it with some tums. So far it seems to be working, I haven't had a migraine really progress in awhile.