One of the Breastfeeding Peer Counselors I work with has been
struggling with migraines.  I asked her to write a response.
    I am a 29-year-old mother of four ,currently nursing my 2-year-
old, and I am in perfect physical health EXCEPT that I suffer from
migraines.  And I do mean suffer!
   With my first child, I had an onslaught of migraines in the first
trimester.  I reported this to a nurse practitioner who recommended
watching my diet: NO MSG, no aged cheeses or wine.  I was then
practically migraine-free until right after the birth.  Then, for about
four days post-partum, I had them one right after another.
Following those first few days, I had virtually no problem until he
weaned at 13 months and return of menses two months later.
   The same thing happened with my second birth -twins- who
weaned at 16 months.
   With my last child, I tried the "minipill".  Boy, was that a mistake!

I took those about two months PP and my periods and headdaches
started right away.
   I began Doctor's care for my migraines following that episode,
and am doing well now after about 1 1/2 years of experimenting.
   I tried an anti-depressant as a preventive, AMITRYPTYLINE,
(50 mg/day) which worked well until I started passing out.  Then
they switched me to a beta-blocker called TIMOLOL (40 mg/d) but
that dose was too high and my heart rate dropped to 45. So,
currently, I am on a 30 mg/d dose of TIMOLOL and I also take a
continuous dose of PROVERA tablets (10mg/d) to help regulate
the flux of hormones at "that time of the month".  I also have a
standing RX of Tylenol 3 in case I do get a headache
   In spite of being on these preventive meds, I really feel the most
impact is made by my diet.  As long as I avoid MSG, and adhere to
a "Tyramine-free diet" I seem to be blessedly free of headaches.
(Tyramine is apparantly an amino acid that has been linked to
migraines for years)  Sometimes I feel like my life is run by my
meds and diet but it really beats the alternative.  This poor woman
being told to wean--.  If she does wean, she'll lose the benefit of
being able to curl up in bed with a quiet, nursing baby when the
headaches do hit!!  GOOD LUCK
Jeanne