Migraines and (peri)menopause

[BottleBlondeMachiavelli]

I’m being led a merry dance by the GP surgery. They don’t do HRT “in house” and I’ve been referred to the gynaecologist. It’s a long wait though.

My migraines are now chronic, I’m experiencing symptoms four or five days in a row. Probably half the days since Christmas I’ve been affected. Sleep pattern is going to shit.

This is new. Until the end of last year, my migraines were very occasional. They haven’t been frequent since my early twenties, and even in puberty they weren’t this bad. I am now nearly 50.

I am taking OTC triptans and am struggling to buy enough (they are very cautious about selling them) but conversely worried about lack of medical oversight. I have other regular repeat meds and a MedEx.

My menstrual cycle has always been very regular but began to disintegrate last summer. So I’ve assumed this is a hormonal change triggering the chronic migraines.

I’ve now had to take time off work to regroup a bit and try to catch up on sleep. I’ve spoken to the surgery this morning who won’t see me until I’ve seen the gynaecologist. Is that weird?

Is the assumption that this is hormonal a fairly safe one? Should I be checked on the interim or continue to assume? Anything else I can be doing for relief?

Any insights, thoughts, pointers welcome.

Thank you. I might well go to them. Self referral sounds good.

I won’t qualify for subsidy. Unless I end up off work. I’m just having such an expensive year. I’ve recently shelled out £££s for private dentistry because the amitriptyline rotted four teeth, and no NHS dentists are available. No point whinging but I feel like whinging , and maybe demanding some income tax back!

There is lots of research if you google it. It was actually a physio who mentioned it to me.

I was skeptical but willing to try anything. It’s been life changing for me, no more pain medication.

But, you know, mention it and you get told it’s some conspiracy therory. It’s completely harmless (nicotine isn’t harmful, smoking/vaping is), and worth a go. As in everything, it works for some and not for others.

Tbh i`ll give anything ago im so fed up with pain i live in sunshades.
Thank you i will go and have a google now.

No probs. You are supposed to start off with a small dose, 3.5mg as some people can get side effects with higher doses, as in feeling a bit light headed, but that did fuck all for me and I now use a 7mg patch. Just beware you can only cut the clear, flat patches in half (I use nicotinell, it already has the half line on it for you).

Good luck, it’s worth a try, it won’t harm you and it might help.

My migraines have all but disappeared during perimenopause. I tried HRT but the progesterone element made my migraines come back with a vengeance so despite being only 46 I’ve decided to just do without. The perimenopause has many shit symptoms but not getting migraines anymore has actually improved my life significantly. This probably isn’t too helpful OP but I guess it really just depends on what the underlying cause of the migraine is for you and which hormones are involved- it’s definitely worth a try.

@Justfreedom here is a bit of research which I found interesting www.researchgate.net/publication/374372870_Transdermal_Nicotine_patch_21mg_24_h_provides_dramatic_prolonged_and_consistent_relief_of_low-_back_pain_First_2-Year_Long_N-of-1_Trial_Evidencing_Advanced_Antinociception_in_3_refractory_cases_Origin