pelvic congestion syndrome & migraines

[seanymph]

Has anyone heard anything about any correlation between pelvic congestion syndrome and migraines? I was in the ED yesterday with a migraine and one of the RNs was telling me about an article he had read about this and that it is fairly new and controversial. That one physicain had put a shunt in and helped relieved this patients' migraines totally. I have been unable to find anything on it. Thank you for any help you can provide.

[SusanJean]

I have not heard of this correlation, nor was I able to find any literature on it.

As a long time sufferer of migraines, I have heard more antedotes as to what causes them and what should relieve them... Mostly from people who have never had one.

Finding what triggers my migraines and trying to avoid them is one step that has worked for me.

This type of headache is very individualized, so what triggers one may not another.

SJ

[gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP]

I have done a LOT - and I mean a LOT!!!! of reading and research about migraines - I have them, they have varied in frequency from every 6 mos to 4 a week at times.

This "pelvic congestions syndrome" is not something I have heard of - sounds like what an old doc in the victorian days used to tell women they had and that the cure was orgasm LOL

I agree that the biggest trick is avoiding triggers - for me it is staying up late, napping during the day, not sleeping enough, or drinking alcohol. So much for late nights out partyin eh?

I also am on a nasal steroid spray which has no side effects, and has them cut down to about 2 to 4 times a month - for those I take an imitrex. I know topamx is a popular new propho for migraines but it made me dizzy enough to walk into walls and made me stoopid. I need all my IQ points! The doc told me "That will wear off after 2 weeks or so" And I was like - I don't have two weeks!!!!

[Jolie, BSN]

What type of shunt would be placed to relieve pelvic congestion? This sounds awfully far out!

[seanymph]

I'm not sure what type of shunt they would, thats one of the reasons I was looking for an article. I was wondering if it was down in the pelvis somewhere.

I, too, am on the Topamax and have been for 2 yrs. Once you get through the intial sleepy stage, for me it was the first month, it has been a wonderful medication. My neurologist added Elavil to the medication regime and I don't feel sleepy at all.

That being said I just spent the last 3 weeks with varying levels of a headache and tried everything from Relpax, Zomig, Frova, Ibuprofen, Naprosen, Benadryl, a new medication that started with an "M", my Tylenol #3's, to nothing at all. Went to get a shot of Morphone with companzine. Went back to my doctor and she prescribed Firocet w/ codiene and that finally knocked it out.

I have had migraines since age 18 and have learned my triggers are lack of sleep (been told to quit working night shift, like that is going to happen anytim soon), to stress to my cycles. Unfortuantely I was lucky enough to inherit them from both my MOm's side of the family and my Dad's.

Have also found people who don't live with them or live with a person who does is very non-sympathic and doesn't understand the impact they can have on your life.