Bad periods and migraines - does anyone know where I can get support?

My periods have always been really painful since they started when I was 13 (I'm now 38). Over the years this hasn't eased up and if anything they have got worse. I often get migraines around my period which provides an extra level of pain - I started getting them when I was about 24. I've recently had to take days off work - something I never used to do - I would always just power through it and try to deal with it. The week before my period I get really energetic, don't need as much sleep and I'm really productive... then when it arrives I get really down, I'm exhausted and just feel gross and uncomfortable. I'm so fed up with the up and down of it all and I don't know what to do.

I went to the doctor and she was pretty unhelpful. She was saying about the pill (which I would rather avoid as some are bad for migraines - I've tried one before and didn't like it), and how these things are 'normal'. She recommended I take B6 - I ended up taking the wrong dose (too much) so I changed that, tried for a couple of months, but it didn't help. In fact it made my period start earlier than usual so my cycle was shorter. I still had a migraine, and awful pains. My mood was maybe a tiny bit better but not massively different.

I just don't know what to do. I really hoped that my doctor would be able to give me some good advice but I didn't really feel like she was listening or taking me seriously. She seemed to want me to come up with the solution!

Personally I think my hormones are fluctuating a lot during my cycle and I would like to be able to regulate it but I don't know if that's even an option or whether there are any tests to measure and track that. The doctor dismissed that when I suggested it. Also I don't know if this is perimenopause because I'm late 30s? Also, in case it's useful - I haven't had children and don't plan to either.

Does anyone have any similar experiences or know any organisations who I can approach for advice? I'm not sure how well-used this forum is but any support would be so welcome, if someone sees this and can help. Thanks!

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