_{Women and IIH
My headaches get worse during my periods is this a high pressure headache?
Headache worsens with my period}

My symptoms definitely worsen just before my time of the month and during.

Hi Ally

Me too, and it is that time for me so I completely sympathise with you! Lol x



:flower:

Yes, definitely ... in fact, sometimes now I will become aware that my cycle is on its way just by the change in my IH symptoms, rather than by typical PMS-type symptoms. If that makes any sense. Good poll topic!

For a change it pays to be old!!! I am post menopausal. No changes during the month for me. PHEW!

Wylee wrote:

For a change it pays to be old!!! I am post menopausal. No changes during the month for me. PHEW!

:lol: One less thing to worry about, right!

My period has been getting irregular this past year and theonly way I know it's about to start, is when my IH symptoms skyrocket.

Well I'm a month on from my NovaSure^® Endometrial Ablation, and so far I'm menstrual free. Still having some bloating and breast tenderness, but I suppose that will happen until my body gets used to being a period free zone. It has improved my headaches from menstruation completely because as I'm not, there are no headaches.

For anyone wanting to know about this procedure here is the link NovaSure® Endometrial Ablation

Menstrual Migraine
This kind of headache is caused by oestrogen whose main function is to regulate the menstrual cycle. Women will be more vulnerable to headaches when the levels of oestrogen and progesterone change. Birth control influences oestrogen levels so menstrual migraine is more likely to occur more often.

This headache is probably more likely to be the cause of our headaches during our time of the month. Go to Menstrual Migraine - National Headache Foundation

I had a total hysterectomy this pastNovember before my IIH diagnosis in March. I think that my hormones may be a factor. I don't know know if the dosing of my hormone replacement therapy and all of the other medications are making me feel so awful. I plan to discuss with my doctors. Have a grew day all.

My head hurts all the time, but it seems increased around that time of the month. I also seem a bit more off balance then. Not sure if it is actually because of the IIH but that is what happens to me.

I'm finding not only do my IIH symptoms get worse but my side effects on topamax get much much worse. Hysterical crying and massive mood swings that are unbearable. They settle down again to a level I can cope with as soon as my period finishes.

I'm glad I'm not the only one! Its almost unbearable during period time..... nasty headache! !!!!

I too have this. Diamox helped, and prednisone helped, and getting an LP right before my period helped too.
I am convinced it has to do with fluid retention and more brain edema at that time of the month. progesterone levels are lowest then, and progesterone plays a role in reducing brain edema, among other things.

I don't understand why endometrial ablation would do anything for this, as this is a localized effect on the uterus and would not affect the hormones or cycling or anything else.

Deb, did you have any weird side effects when you first started the diamox? It made me super crabby and made my limbs tingle constantly like they were asleep and then waking up kind of feeling. They put me on hydrochlorothiazide a few days ago, and already the crabbiness is gone, and the tingly feeling is gone too. So this one seems to be working better. I have my period right now so I have not really noticed a change at all yet. I am thinking maybe next month when I have had the medication in my system a bit longer I might not feel so blah. But today is really icky feeling :-(

the diamox was really sedating, so I am on a very low dose that doesn't have any side effects but probably isn't working as well either.

I am on 2000 mg of Diamox daily and the side effects are awful I must say, I was also on Hydrochlorothiazide but that had to be removed as my potassium fell to a critical low since I was also on Lasix. I will have to go back in for another drain soon. I feel it.

I still have pain daily and my quality of life has been nowhere near what it once was. First attempt for disability has been denied. They figure you have a headache so what, never mind you are too fatigued to drive and to tired to to much of anything else.

Sorry all, just whining a bit today. I'm tired of feeling this way.

Don't be sorry, that is totally understandable. When you say your potassium fell low, how did you feel? I just started the Hydrochlorothiazide and I am not crabby like I was with the diamox, but I am also really sleepy, and shaky, and just all around weak feeling. I go to the neuro on Friday to check my potassium, but was wondering if that is about how you felt too?
I hope your day starts to look up! :-)
Elizabeth

Relli;
do appeal the decision, I'm assuming Social Security? on your appeal, just go into excessive detail about your functioning and how you can't do anything. write up a sample letter for your doctor to sign off on their letterhead or use as a template, so you can get your doc's signature in the file. the more documentation you have to support your case, the better. in some ways they deny you hoping you'll give up. I didn't and I got my SS on appeal. if you don't get it on appeal, then get a lawyer to help you. by the time you finally get it, you'll have the money to pay the lawyer as they will have to give you a big lump sum.

@ Elizabeth, I was sleepy and shaky. I also felt very weak and off balance. I had no energy at all and literally felt the need to hold on to things to keep from falling over. It was a result the Diamox, Lasix and Hydrochlorothiazide draining all of my potassium. I was unable to make up the potassium needed with foods and I used the list. I had to be put on a potassium supplement. It's working but can mess with your stomach. I hope this was helpful.

@Sophiasmom, I am working with an attorney right now on the appeal. I am trying to be a thorough as possible. their assumption is that I have a headache so I should be able to take Tylenol and function normally. However, this is not the case as we all know. I will keep you all posted as the battle for pain relief and sanity continue in addition to fighting for social security
.
Relli