Hi, Yaffa Stark and others in the migraine discussion.  I came in late but
wanted to introduce myself as the author of the article in JHL, "Migraine
Headaches and Breastfeeding."  I believe that it is a very rare but very
definite entity--not just stress-induced.  There are several theories,
(hormonal, vascular, neurotransmitter), but no complete picture yet--the
migraine researchers themselves don't know yet.  It is true that the
incidence of headaches increases in the postpartum period, whether the
mother is breastfeeding or not, but the phenomenon of migraines
exacerbated during lactation (and abating when lactation is suppressed) is
rare but real.

Propranolol was tried without success in the case I reported in JHL.

I agree with Kathy Auerbach that it is important to do research on this
subject (even if that just means documenting cases as you see them).  I
wish I could convey the great relief women have expressed when hear that
I've seen similar cases.

Since the publication of that article, a small number of women have
contacted me from around the US, so I have a nice little collection of
cases.  I'd love to answer any other questions.  Ginna Wall, MN, RN, IBCLC