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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Female CH sufferers and hormones
        
(Message started by: henzey on Jan 9^th, 2004, 12:38pm)

Title: Female CH sufferers and hormones
Post by henzey on Jan 9^th, 2004, 12:38pm

I am one of those rare female CH sufferers, age 48. I used to get my clusters during the fall or occasionally during spring, but have just had a major episode during winter. This immediately followed having three menstrual periods over a 6-week period, which is very odd for me since I have previously had periods every 22-24 days. This CH episode also has been harder to predict...with headaches coming at odder times. This new episode clearly seems to be more related to hormonal fluctuations than in the past. Topamax at 25 to 50 mg per day has helped so far (three days into it) but Melatonin actually has seemed to have a negative effective. On days that I took the Melatonin, I had a severe shadow headache when I woke up and continued to have several minor CHs throughout the morning hours. If I didn't take the Melatonin at night, I only had a couple of minor shadows throughout the next day. I would LOVE to hear from any other female CH victims, especially those who have been through episodes during their pre-menepausal or menepausal years.

Title: Re: Female CH sufferers and hormones
Post by 9erfan on Jan 9^th, 2004, 1:00pm

Hi Henzy, welcome to the board.

I'm 37 and haven't had a normal period in about 3 years. I'm not pre-menapausal, the Dr's don't know what's wrong with me. But I also turned chronic about 3 years but I don't believe there is any correlation. Normally, there is not any connection between clusters & hormones. Headaches that are directly related to changing hormonal cycles tend to be migraines.

As far as the melatonin, I also did not get relief from it and I felt that my sleep pattern was severly disturbed. I just stopped taking it last night and got more sleep than i have in a week.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help....Good luck.
Virginia

Title: Re: Female CH sufferers and hormones
Post by henzey on Jan 9^th, 2004, 1:07pm

Well, I am glad that I am not the only one who had a negative reaction to melatonin.

Title: Re: Female CH sufferers and hormones
Post by Paigelle on Jan 9^th, 2004, 4:04pm

on 01/09/04 at 13:00:11, 9erfan wrote:

I am 35 and have the same problem as above with not having a normal period, but I am episodic. I still get my CH cycle 99% of the time in the middle of November. I tried the melatonin and it didn't help me.

Title: Re: Female CH sufferers and hormones
Post by ave on Jan 9^th, 2004, 4:44pm

Hi, I am postmenopausal. In fact I only ever had migraines all my fertile life, then when I hadd the change of life, migraines disappeared and clusters took the stage.

If you are getting irregular periods, odds are it is menopause doing its thing.

I have not yet seen clear evidence for a correlation between the cycle and cluster episodes, at least not inthe posts I have read her the last 3 years.

Title: Re: Female CH sufferers and hormones
Post by henzey on Jan 9^th, 2004, 5:07pm

Ave: I am stuck at home with snow so getting to really read alot today and you have been a real help. I have appointment for annual physical on Monday and will tell my doctor about new developments with irregular periods. My neurodoc said that she has had two female patients with clusters who DID see an increase in episodes during various parts of their pre-menopausal cycles...but that they got better once they actually entered menopause. However, she said that others have been the opposite. So, I will just have to see what happens. I am most grateful that, thus far, low dosage of Topamax is working, but drinking a LOT of water so have to go to the bathroom alot ;;Dand fighting some bouts of drowsiness during various parts of the day.

Title: Re: Female CH sufferers and hormones
Post by Paigelle on Jan 9^th, 2004, 7:27pm

on 01/09/04 at 16:44:30, ave wrote:

My periods have always been irregular, since I started them. My mother quit having clusters after hysterectomy. I think it was just a coincidence, so does she. Because I started having clusters before I had a period. I have clusters since I was 10. I do know that I absolutely cannot take the pill because if I do, it will send me straight into a cycle within 3 days.

Title: Re: Female CH sufferers and hormones
Post by ave on Jan 9^th, 2004, 8:18pm

That's what I meant - for your mom clusters went when the cyce went. For me that's when they arrived. All informaton on this female hormone combo is inconclusive and anecdotal at best.

I have read here about cluster staying away during pregnancy and coming back as soon as the baby was born, and also about clusters going right on during pregnancy.

It sometimes seems that ANY upheaval of the body (even the removal of a gall bladder f'r instance) will cause clusters either to stay away or to come on in force.

The cluster is a wiley beast!

Title: Re: Female CH sufferers and hormones
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jan 9^th, 2004, 8:51pm

You might find these artricles interesting. Your local library can obtain them.

Re. special needs of women. Both of these in HEADACHE QUARTERLY, Vol X, #2, 1991: "Women and headaches:a comprehensive approach", p. 31-36. "Special considerations in the management of headache in women", p. 37-43. The last one focuses on role of hormones in headache and how medications must be altered.

Title: Re: Female CH sufferers and hormones
Post by henzey on Jan 9^th, 2004, 8:53pm

Thanks so much...I'll look these up at the university library.

Title: Re: Female CH sufferers and hormones
Post by jadedgazer on Jan 10^th, 2004, 12:42pm

henzey,

The only hormonal effect I have seen is that during my cycle I get a small break from my otherwise chronic clusters, they don't completely stop but disipate in intensity for two days while I have migraines on the opposite side of my head. Strange as it may seem these two days are quite a relief in that the migraines in no way compare to the pain of a CH. A blast of Naproxen w/ a caffiene pill twice a day keeps the migraine at bay for the most part and these two days a month I feel almost normal.

Just thought I would throw in my experience.

Title: Re: Female CH sufferers and hormones
Post by henzey on Jan 10^th, 2004, 1:52pm

That's certainly interesting effect....shows that hormones do have some impact on some iof us Cheads!

Title: Re: Female CH sufferers and hormones
Post by taraann on Jan 10^th, 2004, 3:15pm

Just wanted to add that I have ALWAYS had an irregular period (btw I'm not hear menapause, Im 26) but I have only noticed a correlation between my period and my migraines and not with the CH's. I still haven't even noticed a pattern with my CH"s except in the past when I get a cycle it lasted only bout 3 months, but that has been blown outta the water with this cycle (started in June and still in full swing)

Well anyways welcome to the boat. Stick around this is a great group of ppl and there is a ton of info here. All the buttons on your left are great (esp check out the OUCH site)

Title: Re: Female CH sufferers and hormones
Post by Melissa on Jan 11^th, 2004, 9:08am

My ch cycles are usually in Sept. every other year. Last year, I had a baby in June, and about 2 1/2 weeks later, my cluster cycle hit me like a mack truck. I think that hormones do play some sort of part as to how bad or not we get hit. I don't know why though. Wish I did.

take care,
:)mel

Title: Re: Female CH sufferers and hormones
Post by Paigelle on Jan 11^th, 2004, 9:20am

on 01/09/04 at 20:18:27, ave wrote:

Ave, I didn't even have a migraine when I was pregnant. No clusters, no nothing! Thank God!!!!

Maybe I should just stay pregnant! ::)

Title: Re: Female CH sufferers and hormones
Post by henzey on Jan 13^th, 2004, 10:42pm

I started out this topic and gonna close out my part with an update. Turns out that an annual physical has identified an unexpected issue that likely triggered both my unexpected CH episode and my very irregular and frequent periods even though my estrogen levels are okay. The trouble was that I had way too much iron in my body....which can make your melatonin levels be wacky in both directions. It also explains why taking the melatonin supplements actually made me worse since my body was unable to handle it. So....just wanted to give everyone an update since I started all this stuff. I am now off the multi-vitamins and drinking more tea/coffee.