The Dr Louise Newson Podcast 37 - Chronic migraine and PMDD: Jessica’s story
Dec 9, 2025
A mother-daughter duo shares a heartfelt exploration of living with chronic migraine and PMDD. Jessica candidly discusses her debilitating symptoms and the struggle for proper care. Hormonal treatments, particularly HRT, play a crucial role in her journey to stabilization. They delve into the importance of listening healthcare providers and how holistic management can improve outcomes. Jessica emphasizes the necessity for better recognition of young women's health issues and shares empowering takeaways for others facing similar challenges.
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From Bed-Bound To Rebuilding Life
- Jessica became bed-bound with severe migraines during lockdown and lost memory and musical ability.
- Intensive neurologic treatments, cranial nerve blocks and lifestyle rewiring slowly restored her quality of life.
Use Small Gains To Recover
- Make many small lifestyle and therapeutic changes and expect gradual benefit over months.
- Combine specialist care with techniques like Alexander Technique and mental rewiring for cumulative gains.
Hormones Drove Migraines And Mood
- Hormonal fluctuations were a major driver of Jessica's migraines and mood dips.
- Hormone replacement therapy (oestrogen, then added testosterone and progesterone) stabilised her symptoms and was life-changing.