Migraines and menopause

[NanaPorsche]

Do any of you lovely ladies have HRT despite experiencing migraines?

I experienced the mother of all migraines once when I was put on Norethisterone to make my periods more regular when I was much younger. This episode was recorded as an adverse reaction to that drug.

So I guess I am 'sensitive' to hormone treatments. (Never been on the pill.)

I am not sure that I would be a suitable candidate for HRT but I am frequently gripped by 'The Rage' and various other symptoms which make me feel extremely old.

Having been unable to discuss this with GP because my schedule is very difficult and availability of appointments are like hen's teeth, I am considering consulting a specialist privately.

Having said that - I won't bother if HRT is incompatible with migraine sufferers.

I have had migraine since I was 12.

I've used HRT for over 12 years and it's not been a problem with migraines.

I did use Norethisterone as part of hrt for some years but it only gave me a headache during the withdrawal days before a bleed.

The Migraine Trust says HRT is fine for women with migraine

Many thanks for that @JinglingHellsBells

I've not had a period for almost 2 years, but I get migraines that seem to be following a pattern of where my periods would be so I still think there's still some hormonal activity.
My doctor was reluctant to prescribe hrt as he says they can make migraine worse but I never suffered until I started peri four years ago.
I've been on Conti patches for 3 months. I have still had a couple of migraines but the stuffing has been knocked out of them and instead of having a continuous 3 day thumping head, I have woken up with one that responds well to a single triptan and disappears before I leave for work, so far so good.

@Sarahlou252

This is my concern - I'll pay for an expensive consultation to be told I can't have HRT.

I've had migraines as long as I can remember and they have sometimes really disrupted my day to day life. (I had two yesterday but could only take the one triptan as they were close together.)

I can go months without one but they can be as frequent as every day.

[quote NanaPorsche]@Sarahlou252

This is my concern - I'll pay for an expensive consultation to be told I can't have HRT.

I've had migraines as long as I can remember and they have sometimes really disrupted my day to day life. (I had two yesterday but could only take the one triptan as they were close together.)

I can go months without one but they can be as frequent as every day.

[/quote]
But if you pay for an 'expensive consultation' that will be with a menopause expert. They should know that HRT and migraine are not an issue.

I wasn't even asked about migraines when I was given hrt and my dr is a world expert on menopause.

The only thing to be aware of is that you would be better off on transdermal- so patches or gel (with a separate progesterone) rather than tablets.

Ah - looking like there is a combination for me.

I've listened to a few people who've said that they can't take it because of migraines - and I know I react badly to progesterone.

I've booked a spire hospital appointment for December.

Botox in the forehead has really helped my menopause migraines.

I worried also about starting hrt as my migraines were horrendous enough without them getting worse because of it. I'm on it 4 months now (transdermal) and similar to Sarahlou, they are so much better. I still get them but they're so much lighter and are gone in a few hours. A godsend. Mine are cyclical and due to hormone fluctuations so responded well to it.

#Grassynoel yes thats exactly like me. I did have to do a bit of persuading for the doctor to let me try it. But then I went nine weeks without any trace of a headache. The longest I've gone for four years.

HRT actually helped my migraines. Since becoming peri menopausal I was getting hormone migraines quite often which meant at least a day in bed if not longer. I'm now on patches and was prescribed sumatriptan at the same time as the HRT. I've had to take the sumatriptan twice since Feb - it's been really helpful for me.