PMS headaches and sinus problems

Hi Jadineva and everyone else who suffers~ I too have found that taking a lose dose of pseudoephedrine and Exedrin Migraine (I take it instead of the Aleve). I only take 30mg of pseudoephedrine every 4 hours since anything more makes me jittery. This is like a magic concoction! If you haven't tried it, do. It might work for you too. I am happy to see that I am not the only one suffering from this sinus and menstrual cycle problem. It drives me crazy. It is so bad this month that I feel I might actually have a sinus infection instead of just the usual pain and headache. I just googled to see if I was the only one suffering from this weird sinus thing. Glad but also sorry to hear that I am not.

I don't trust doctors anymore.  I read all your articles and I wish I knew how I could forward it to the Medical Research Team.

I have told numerous doctors about my migraines and sinus problems with and after my period and all they do is give you antibiotics.

It does not work, it only damages our immune system.

Sometimes I feel doctors don't want to investigate and sometimes they love seeing us come back because they make the money!

I have only met one doctor in my entire life who will listen, investigate and admit he needs to send me for scans etc. 

Come on docs, stop making lots of money whilst the patients is not getting healed!

It sounds as if there is a shortage of progesterone during the second half
of your monthly cycle ie.14- 28 days [average 28 day cycle].
Ask your doctor to prescribe progesterone to make up for this deficit.
Please let me know how you get on.
Stephen.

It sounds as if there is a shortage of progesterone during the second half of your monthly cycle ie.14-28 days [average 28 day cycle].

Ask your doctor to prescribe progesterone to make up for this deficit.

Please let me know how you get on.

Stephen

It sounds as if there is a shortage of progesterone during the second half of your monthly cycle ie. 14-28 days [average 28 day cycle].

ask your doctor to prescribe progesterone to make up for this deficit.

Please let me know how you get on.

Stephen

It sounds as if there is a shortage of progesterone during the second half

of your monthly cycle ie. 14-28 days [average 28 day cycle].

Ask your doctor to prescribe progesterone to make up for this deficit.

Please let me know how you get on.

Stephen

md1967 wrote:

It sounds as if there is a shortage of progesterone during the second half

of your monthly cycle ie. 14-28 days [average 28 day cycle]

Ask your doctor to prescribe progesterone to make up for this deficit.

Please let me know how you get on.

Stephen.

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I too have the cold from hell every month the day I start my period. Nothing helps, sinus meds, allergy meds, asprin. I have just had to ride it out, Normally 3-5 days. Anyone out there have a good remedy?

My doc thinks that I'm over reacting or making connections that aren't there. Thanks for showing me I'm not alone.

Wow, I've just made the connection between my recurring sinus headaches and my period.  I thought I was crazy.  It starts with a sore throat a few days before my period and then one morning I wake up with the headache.  It lasts 1 to 4 days and is all in the front of my head (behind the eyes and through the temples).  The sore throat and drainage lasts throughout the duration of the headache.  I also get the endless hunger.  I think it has to do with the mild cramps that I "mistake" for hunger. Also, food soothes the sore throat.  I just wish there were a definite cure!

Hello everyone,  I would like to commiserate with you all on this monthly nightmare!  I am 44 years old with two children, ever since my periods started at the age of 11 I have had terrible migraines.  Somehow I didn't make the connection with my menstrual cycle.  My parents sent me to our family doctor who prescribed the pill, I took it for 10 years and was scared to stop taking it as my periods were so debilitating.  With regard to my headaches my parents sent me to an optician who had me in her office once a week for ages doing eye exercises as my eyesight was perfect.  I didn't mind as I was excused from school but now I realise the eye pain was due to my sinuses.  I didn't even know my 'migraine' headaches were also sinus related until on a holiday to Jamaica in 1994.  The flight from London was not good, my husband had a nose bleed and I was left with incredible pain behind my eyes and excruciating toothache on my upper molars.  I visited the local dentist who told me nothing was wrong with my teeth and the pain was in fact sinus related.  It didn't even know what that was!  After much research I told my doctor in London who then prescribed steriod nasal sprays, anti biotics and pain killers.  It took two years of regular (desperate) visits for my GP to send me for a scan.  Scan revealed FESS surgery was necessary - this didn't happen for a further two years (don't ask)!!!  My immune system was severely compromised by the time I had surgery so recovery was not easy - infections etc. 

Before the surgery I decided to see a Harley Street Doctor who had a conventional medical background but also specialised in Nutrition, Homeopathy and Acupuncture.  She told me I would have problems with my sinuses during pregnancy and suggested I have the surgery before any children as we know medication and pregnancy don't mix.

I had my first child in 2004, second in 2007 both pregnancies were fraught with sinus problems but otherwise fine.  In fact I had both babies at home, the sinus pain is much worse than childbirth so I had no fear there.  I had regular acupuncture sessions during both pregnancies to help with the congestion and pain.  I also had regular appointments with a Cranial Osteopath for pain relief.  They were both very effective - I definitely preferred the Osteopath as non-invasive and very relaxing.  I wish I could afford to go regularly but have become a stay at home Mum so not in our budget.  To be honest how many sessions would I need anyway?  What do I need to do to completely eradicate this problem?

I agree with all of you.  This sinus problem is definitely hormonal - particularly with pregnancy and menstrual cycle.  I am experiencing it all over again now after having no period for five years due to pregnancies and breast feeding. I know what foods are mucus forming and avoid them like the plague - dairy, citrus etc  It is difficult though and hope that someone will post something really useful soon.

All I can offer is: avoid medication unless acute; steam nasal passages; avoid all mucus forming foods; drink lots of water; get exercise; get enough sleep; don't get too stressed; try acupuncture and Cranial Osteopathy.....

Good luck to you all and I hope we don't have to suffer much longer.

I've been suffering from chronic sinus headaches and congestion since my period returned after giving birth to my son nearly two years ago.  It all started when I was about 7 months postpartum, and I have never been to so many doctors in my entire life trying to get clarity about what is happening to my body.  No one could give me an answer.  No allergies, mri's came back just fine(I've had two), ct scan of my sinuses was clear.  I have been suffering from regular menstrual migraines since I was about 16 years old, and now at 37 years old they have been replaced by these sinus issues that I wish with all of my heart would go away.  It wasn't until about a month or two ago that I realized the correlation with pms, and after reading all of these posts I am so relieved to know that it is most likely just a hormonal issue.  I had started taking a B complex vitamin a few months ago and noticed that it seemed to alleviate the sinus problems a bit when they started to occur, but this month I've been lazy about taking it and am truly suffering right now two days into pms.  My sinuses are really inflamed and when I took an antihistamine it didn't do a thing.  I've been using my saline rinse religiously which helps keep my sinuses free, but it doesn't help the congestion which is just so bad.  I've seen a chiropractor regularly which helped with muscle tension in my neck, but that was about it.  Acupuncture didn't work(although to be fair I only did it a few times).  I am not a fan of western medicine unless it's a true emergency, and would rather go the natural route in healing my body(or helping it to get in balance).  If anyone has any suggestions or has had success with something I haven't tried, I would love to hear about it.  So glad to know I am not crazy, and I am not alone in my suffering.  I hope everyone who has posted is able to get permanent relief someway, somehow, and very soon!!  

Hi

I might have an answer for you .

My wife had a similar problem and she suffered from it for several years. I did some research on the topic after doctors could not help us, a process that took us a very long time.

Allergy to wheat , Dairy or both.

So the answer is to stop consuming all things made of flour and dairy products.

A naturopath alerted me to this possibility, I double checked with an old book that I had about natural medicine, and by talking to some people who suffered from the same symptoms, it was time to give it a try.

And it worked,  during the last 7 weeks now, my wife had a headache only once, it was around period time and it was mild comparing to the severe ones she used to get before.

Her sinus issue also improved significantly. and she generally healthier.

This is a major break through and our life is starting  to change for the better, she could not imagine her life without her coffee or bread before, but now she won't touch them, soy coffee is the go.

One another benefit is controlling weight issues, flour is the number one culprit when it comes to weight gain.

I would encourage suffers from these symptoms to try this solution, give it a go for a couple of months and it might wok for you too, there is nothing to lose.
Stay well

Greetings Adam,

Thank you so much for your post. I appreciate that you have been looking after your wife in that way too : )



I am in fact allergic to dairy and don't touch it, wheat now is another story, I can't confirm an allergy but since you mention it I am sure it is affecting me and not in a good way!



I will remove wheat from my diet as of now (I have tried this in the past but not in isolation) and let you know how I get on.



Actually there is something to lose - hopefully 5-10 pounds! : )



Many thanks

I too suffer from severe migranes. It seems to come a couple days before my period. I get this severe pain and swelling behind my nose and eyes. The worst pain I have ever felt in my life. I recently had a bout of severe nausea for over 2 months and lost 25 lbs. I notice i start to feel loopy and have a increase in anxiety at the same time. The only thing doctors could figure out is I may be getting what they call estrogene dominance. (To much estrogen) so the doctor gave me progesterone. I took it for a couple days but i seemed real tierd. I'm also affraid to take it because of the increased risk of blood clots. I have heard about a natural progesterone cream made from yams. I have not tried it yet. I'm so misrable. Theses migranes are rueining my life. I'm only 37 and not sure i'm comfortable in taking progesterone. Right now i take maxalt which is a triptan, but worry about those side effects too.

looks like Im not the only one who suffers with the pms sinus issue. Ive tried lots of different things to eleviate my headaches but had on luck. suggestions, anyone?