Menstrual migraines and endometriosis
20 Jan 2007
This month we hear from Aileen who suffers from severe menstrual migraine headaches and endometriosis.
I’ve just turned 40 less than a month ago and suffer from severe migraines. Before having my child four years ago the migraines were limited to once a year. Having kept a diary the pattern showed the migraine was at its worse on the 1st, 5th and 15/16th day of every monthly cycle. My headaches seemed to be related to ovulation and menstruation. I was prescribed the combined pill to try and balance out the hormones which made my headaches last longer. The mini PIL was then prescribed which gave the same effect.
Following this, in the summer of 2006 I was referred to a neurologist who prescribed Topamax, which made the situation even worse. The side effects were too crippling on top of the migraines. I have now stopped taking this medication and the migraines have gone back to normal on the days mentioned above.
Having read the book - Women, Hormones and the Mentrual Cycle by Ruth Trickey, I learned about Endometriosis, which seemed to sum up my problems. I have included a quote from a particular chapter which explains what I was experiencing.
“Chapter - Endometriosis and Adenomyosis
Hormonal Imbalance
Most woman with endometriosis have symptoms of PMS including anxiety, mood swings, bloating, breast soreness, constipation, food cravings and headaches. These symptoms are believed to be related to an imbalance between oestrogen and progesterone. Symptoms may occur from a few days premenstrually or start just after or at ovulation and last for up to two weeks.”
However, suggesting this to my doctor fell on deaf ears. She told me that diagnosis for endometriosis was too risky and the treatment would be again taking hormone supplements which would probably make the headaches worse. So even if I have endometriosis my doctor isn’t willing to investigate any further or prescribe painkillers to alleviate the symptoms.
My periods were very regular but in past year it has been a day or two early to up to a week late. The pain I suffer at the beginning of my period is unbearable. Painkillers such as Paracetamol just won’t shift it. My usual painkiller is Syndol which has a muscle relaxant. I will go through a pack of ten Syndol in two to three days in order to cope with the pain. Should I refrain from painkillers the pain would be so severe I’d probably pass out. Having a four year old and being a single mum I am not prepared to test this out. I have however, tried to prolong the taking of the pain killer for as long as I can bear and can usually only wait four hours before taking another, the pain is so unbearable.
A normal period for me is heavy, severe abdominal pain and lots of clots (probably as big as a pound coin for example) including migraine, pain down my legs and lower back. My breasts ache and I crave sugar. The same symptoms occur at ovulation, however, not as nearly as bad as when my period arrives. However the migraine seems to stay at the same level perhaps slightly more painful at ovulation.
To cure a migraine attack I take Imogram which usually diminishes the migraine by the end of the day except at ovulation - the Imogram doesn’t seem to work as well as when I am actually menstruating. My doctor advises me not to take the Imogram unless absolutely necessary. She doesn’t realise the severity of the migraine and being a single mother it isn’t easy.
As the pattern of migraines are severe at period and ovulation time, I am in no doubt that the connection is definitely associated with my menstrual cycle. This and also the fact that last year I was admitted to hospital on the first day of my period having had a migraine attack. No painkiller, morphine or anti sickness drug would diminish the migraine. It simply took its time to run its course when I was eventually given Imogram.
The way forward
I have discussed with my GP the possibility of having a hysterectomy in order to have some sort of respite for these symptoms but was advised my problems would be much worse.
After working for 20 years before having my child I would dearly love to go back to work but cannot possibly burden my employers with time off due to migraines and PMS.
After the birth of my child I was prescribed Prozac to help with depression. Having stopped taking this after three years I noticed my PMS symptoms were dramatically worse and knew that the migraine attacks were definitely not part of my daily routine in my sons’ early years. I have asked the doctor to prescribe Prozac again in order to find out if this does have any effect on my next period which isn’t for another two weeks. I live in hope as this disability affects my relationship with my son who needs a stable mum to give him the best start in life instead of one who is ill during menstruation and ovulation.
Ailean Campbell
Ayrshire, Scotland
