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