Perimenopause and migraine (chronic)

[popsickle555]

Has anyone developed chronic migraine during perimenopause? I had what I would describe as mild migraines as a teenager but what I’m experiencing now is off the charts. 10-15 days a month of ‘actual migraine’ and then the rest of the time unable to look at screens drive at night or do anything sometimes that takes any kind of focused concentration. Even TV is not possible quite a lot.

Just wondering if anyone else is living with this as well and And has found any way to help? I’m of course being treated on the NHS (slowly) but even with Gepant tablets taken for acute attacks, I am struggling.

When I say unable to look at screens - I mean laptop. I can use my phone for occasional messages etc but only maybe 2-5 mins a few times a day without horrid symptoms coming on. It’s awful.

Ive had Hormonal migraines since 30 I’m now 47 nearly 48. I take samatrapan but HRT has definitely helped them. My mum had them to the point the doctor met my Dad at the surgery at night to give her meds to knock her out till it passed. She didn’t use HRT she was thought it would make things worse. My comfort is that as I get closer to menopause they get less often. Have you explored HRT? I would say though the gel made mine worse because it gradually gets less till you next apply it where patches release a constant dose.

I've also had hormonal migraines for many years. HRT made a massive difference, so it's definitely worth looking into that if you haven't already (sadly, after a few years I was told I needed to stop the HRT so now mine are back again and I really need to see the GP again for an alternative solution).

Hi, came back to update for anyone else that is struggling and finds this.

so yes I am on HRT, very low dose of oestrogen as I found higher made my migraines much worse but too low obviously leads to other issues…been on that for 9 months and tweaking dose etc. And I am pretty sure beginning on it did not help my migraine because I’d never had one before I went on it but now it’s seemingly more stable maybe it is helpful . Hard to know of course. It has helped other things eg sleep (the progesterone).

But the game changer has been Gepants. My GP put me on a daily tablet 3.5 weeks ago, after failing three other meds. And I am feeling much better. Not ‘normal’ but my goodness, gone from 20% functional to around 75% in 3 weeks. I am beyond grateful they recommended this medication for me because I know it’s very hard to get and I can’t take Triptans due to a heart issue. So far it’s helping hugely. I’m back at work, driving etc. I can watch TV and do all normal things again except be in very bright lighting/drive at night. Hopefully that will come but for now there’s some hope and progress.