Migraine

I NEVER had a migraine until peri-menopuase. Lately I have realized that they co-incided with hormone replacement therapy. I had first been using phytoestrogens then switched to using bio-identicals. I thought I was having sinus headaches. They were still manageable with ibuprophen. Then I was put on Prempro and my headaches exploded and I was diagnosed with migraines and put on Topamax. I went off all hormones 9 days ago and I feel like my old self again. I have my energy back and my head feels "normal" again. It's hard to explain.

Has anyone else sensitivity to hormones?

A few years ago, I tried midlife hormones. I only took them for 2 months. They gave me menstrual migraines. I'd never had them before. I decided I'd just deal with the menopause symptoms, which were very mild for me.

Gretchen

Thank you for replying to my post Gretchen. So I take it that as soon as you stopped the HRT your menstrual migraines stopped?

Thank you for sharing that with us Bella.

The entire menopause issues can be very tricky. I hope you continue to feel better.

This is a question from our Ask the Clinican section of the site.Hormone question and menopause

Thank you very much for the link Nancy. That was very helpful for me. This community has been a godsend for me! I am forever grateful!

That's what we're here for!

Bella, omigosh, yes!!!
I'm currently in migraine hell because of only two days, just 48 hours, of a low dose estrogen patch. My fibromyalgia caused an extreme reaction to it and I still haven't recovered. I am also perimenopausal which jumpstarted my migraines. I get down on my knees everyday and pray for my last period.
Thanks for sharing this, makes me feel better to know I'm not alone.
LauraSue

I have had migraines for years, but now that I am perimenopausal, they are much much worse and very difficult to treat because they are so frequent. When I only got one or two a month, I could handle the pain a little better because it was not as frequent.

I also could handle the interuption in my life, the time missed from work and since I only used to have to take care of myself, I could handle laying on the couch not getting anything done all day.

I am only 39, but definitely have hormonal issues and they can trigger migraines. I do transdermal progesterone, bio-identical, and I still don't know if it is helping or not. Since I don't have a regular period, I can't tell when my migraines are menstural, or otherwise.

After childbirth, I had retained placenta & post partum hemorrahage which basically destroyed my uterus. Long story here, but in the end, most of my endometrium was destroyed due to surgery to save my life (stop the bleeding). My son is 8 and since his birth, nothing has been normal for me because this changed hormonal situation.

If we could figure out a way to hurry up and get to a stable level of hormones it would really change the world. We can always dream, can't we?

Nancy W

It actually took several months for the menstrual migraines to go away. Menopause has helped some. Any improvement is welcome. I'm glad you're feeling better.

Gretchen

Welcome Millsy.

That's interesting what you discovered about tamoxifen. I wonder how many people/doctors know about this or figure it out?

I'm glad to see that there have been new replies to this question. I am still off all hormones and it's really not so bad at all. I haven't had a period since September so I may be on my way to menopause and I only get occasional hot flashes. I also went off Topomax in December because of the side effects and I wasn't having enough migraines to warrant taking this med. I am still getting migraines, but they are much milder and easier to handle with what works for me, and that is Frova.

On no, I take Frova only when I have a migraine. My insurance covers 9 pills a month which is enough to get me through the month and then some. One tablet usually does the trick but sometimes I need to take two. You can only take two within 24 hours. I also have Vicodin or Fioricet as a rescue med. I usually take a Lorezepam with the Frova to go to sleep as I get panicky when I get a migraine. When I wake up the migraine is usually gone! The other trick that a friend of mine told me about is drinking a diet Coke with a lot of ice. She is a lifelong migraineur and has frequent attacks. I tried it and it really does help with the nausea and the pain. Maybe because there's caffeine in it. I really don't know exactly why, but it helps. I never drink sodas, but I do drink a couple of cups of coffee each morning. I hope this helps.

Hi - Just seeing this thread. I have not tried the pharmaceutical HRT, but have been on bio-identical hormone replacement for 7 months and it has definitely impacted my migraines for the better. I am on The Wiley Protocol which is bio-identical estrogen and progesterone, and is dosed so that it replicates your natural cycle. I have no more hot flashes, no more night sweats, anxiety reduced significantly and migraines much less severe.

I also had few migraines before peri-menopause, what this hormone regimen does is give you the hormonal profile of a 20 year-old woman. What I understand from reading and from my doctor is that the HRT like Prempro & other pharmaceutically created estrogens are similar to your own hormones but not identical, and the body doesn't recognize them which leads to various side effects, but the bio-identicals are the same as what your body makes and they have had no reported side-effects with them if they are dosed properly. Anyway, they've been fabulous for me!

- Megs

Megs,
Hi, I was quite interested in this forum exchange with the Wiley Protocol, how complicated is that? I am convinced that my recent run of migraine (since Dec 17th) is due to menopausal issues, but my Dr keeps telling me I am too young, 45, my Aunt started hers at 43yoa, and my Mom did relatively young. Also the graphs on Wileys website show 45ish to be the time, anyway, how difficult is this anyway? Looks like it could get complicated.
My migraines are directly affected by my period, so if this could help the hormone thing, woohoo would I be a happy camper!
Which Doc from the list do you use, if you don't mind me asking.

Hi Rocky -

I see Barbara Winter who is a nurse-practitioner at Stockton Family Practice in NJ - but the mds there prescribe the Wiley Protocol too. It is not too complicated because the hormones come in pre-measured syringes and you just squeeze out the right amount of hormone for that day and rub it in. You do have to follow a chart to know what the amount is for the day and that took a little time for me to get in the habit. It also took about 2 months before I noticed a difference.

In Wiley's book Sex Lies and Menopause she says that our hormone levels start dropping off in our mid-thirties so even if we don't go into menopause until 50, we aren't making the same level of hormones any more and that can affect migraines, among other things. the book is kind of a stiff read, but I slogged thru it - it made a lot of sense to me.

Anyway, there are some chapters near the beginning that might help an MD understand more about it - most of them don't learn much about endocrinology in med school. (Kind of like migraines, too!) Of course some doctors will be more open to it than others - I think Wiley suggests some things yu could say (if I remember right).

It has definitely not made my migraines go away but they are usually much less severe since I started. And all my other menopausal ick is gone completely. haven't had a hot flash in about 5 months!

- Megs