My head is splitting

Over the last few months I have had terrible headaches, I've always been a headachy person but this feels different, the type of headache you get just before your period is due but every day. I know its hormonal and my body adjusting to the changes, but that doesn't help the effects that it has on me.

I know that the lack of sleep doesn't help, I would love to have a full 8 hours, this would help immensely (or booking in to a health spa every day, oh how nice that would be!) but seeing as both of these are not possible, I'm going to have to find a way to manage my symptoms.

I would describe my headaches mainly as tension headaches, with some migraines thrown in for good luck, but mainly I feel it in my head neck and shoulders. The type where you just want to lay your head down in a dark room and shut the world out, but you know you can't as you have to be a responsible person with a life and a job.

I'm probably taking over the counter medication daily, which I know can't be good for me, so I did some research on what supplements could help. Magnesium kept coming up for quite a few symptoms of the menopause including headaches so I decided to give it a try.

Research on magnesium has found it to be a potentially well-tolerated, safe and inexpensive option for migraine prevention, while it may also be effective as an acute treatment option for headaches including migraines, tension-type headaches and cluster headaches, particularly in certain patients.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) (.gov)

I really have high hopes for these supplements, I would love to be headache free so keeping everything crossed that these are my magic cure. I know my dreaded hormones are to blame and probably lack of sleep thrown in for good luck isn't helping, but watch this space for further updates. In the mean time if you are suffering from more headaches there are steps you can take to try and help.

• Drink lots of water

• Try and rest when you can, take time to relax and have some you time, as we all know stress can make headaches worse.

• If need be take time off work.

• Use migraine caps ( I love these kept in the freezer, they really help)

• Take over the counter medication as needed.

• See the Gp if you feel that things are getting worse or you are getting no relief.

• Have a massage ( ask your partner if you cant go to a salon) even 5 minutes can help.

So ladies the dreaded hormones yet again are responsible for more disruption and impact on our daily lives. Hopefully I find taking magnesium helpful and I start to feel a little more human again, only time will tell. Well tomorrow is Mothers Day so my plan is to get a massage of all 3 of my little (not so little) darlings and be spoilt rotten all day. Happy Mothers Day to all you Mothers out there hope you have a relaxing day and manage to relax and enjoy. xx