Migraines

[Newusername21]

HI. For many years I've had migraines just 2 days before my period. Now approaching menopause - and I guess because my hormones are all over the place I'm getting more frequent and longer lasting migraines. It's becoming life impacting and I'm fed up of being pain so frequently and also fed up of taking so many drugs.
I'm now on a prescription for a nasal spray triptan and I'm to take full does of aspirin and paracetamol at the first sign of a headache. Sometimes this is effective if I catch it early enough - but like I said I'm fed up of taking all these pills.
Tried HRT that just made them worse.
GP has recommended Vitamin b2 high strength (400mg) Has anyone tried this specifically for headaches and did they have any success. Keen to get some feedback as don't want to spend out on these as well unless i feel they would actually work!

I did get migraines but post meno they have gone, even when using hrt.

Like you I'd get them as progesterone fell each month- a day or two before period.

Which hrt did you try and for how long?

It might be worth trying a few types to see if it's any better.

I’ve had migraines for decades, when I first went on hrt, I was given tablets despite asking for estrogen gel. The tablets made my migraines worse so the doctor switched to a different brand, migraines got worse but the doctor increased hrt. I was a mess, saw a different doctor who reduced the dose and I stopped taking it after another three months.
It took me about 18 months before I considered trying hrt again, this time a saw a nurse who immediately started me on gel and tablets. I’m way better on these, migraines are far less frequent and I’m much happier.

The neurologist I saw a few months back recommended b2 and magnesium for my migraines (also largely menstrual cycle related). I’ve just run out and decided not to replace as I don’t think they’ve helped at all. Nothing seems to have got worse since stopping them. I was also persuaded to try propranolol and progressively increasing dose until it’s effective. Am now up to 160mg per day and starting to believe this could work - frequency of migraines has definitely reduced. Good luck, migraines are horrible.

I had migraines with aura a lot. I think they were hormonal - had them all my life.

HRT oestrogel helped. And actually on the odd occasion I got a migraine, if I was at home and able to give myself an extra squirt, it seemed to really help.

In some places I read that keeping progesterone steady helps. This is what happens with continual HRT. Usually this is given to women who’ve not had a period for a year or are over 54 or been on HRT for a full year. However, it can sometimes be given continuously to peri women too.

Just things to consider and perhaps discuss with GP…although to be honest, I’m not sure most would be able to give a clear view on nuancing specific HRT regimes to help migraine.

I get menstrual migraines, though now I am in perimeno they seem to be less severe and less predictable but more frequent. It's the progesterone fluctuations that cause it I believe.

I have tried many preventers and relievers and absolutely nothing works, and neither does HRT. I tried a multi vitamin that included B2 and other B vits for a while at my GP's suggestion and it made no difference to me, but that doesn't mean it won't work for you. I've been on a magnesium complex for a couple of months but am not sure if it's making a difference.

I have an appointment with the National Migraine Centre in a couple of months so am hoping they might come up with something new to try. I think the migraines will just naturally fade as menopause progresses, this was the case with my mum, I hope so anyway. I really hope you find relief too, migraines are so miserable.

Thanks all for your responses,
The HRT I tried was the patches plus tablets of progesterone - I was offered having the coil fitted as an alternative but I chose not to have that as didn't like the idea. I'm still having bleeds (although irregular) so would have to take some form of progesterone.
I will see how I get on with the nasal Almotriptan for a few months and see if that makes them more manageable at least. I'm hoping that once my periods actually stop - post menopause then my headaches will ease naturally.