1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Menopause

HRT and aura migraines peri

Posted , 8 users are following.

lou-lou
lou-lou

Hey guys, I thought I had read somewhere than you shouldn't take HRT if you suffer with aura migraines, I have these occasionally and have been perscribed Elleste duet 1mg from the doctor, does anyone else take HRT even tho they have suffered with these migraines, I'm fed up of feeling so terrible and want to feel like me again but worried about taking HRT I'm only 36 so feeling like I shouldn't really be going through this yet but obviously Mother Nature has decided it's my time, the brain fog is driving me crazy now I just want to be able to remember words again, also suffering really bad with anxiety and complete negativity (convinced I'm going to die in my sleep every night) and a whole list of other horrible symptoms! I'm also on medication for overactive thyroid so it makes it all so much better lol

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Why0why
    Why0why lou-lou

    Posted

    It's interesting how perimenopause and thyroid symptoms can be so similar. Try to do some research on healing yourself with food as that can definitely help! Cut out all caffeine, soda and drink tons of water. Exercise will help too. Feel better!
    • kathyLA
      kathyLA Why0why

      Posted

      Hi Why0Why I dont know why our previous discussion was deleted but I have a question for you.  I started to take L-theanine and was wondering how much you take?  I feel that it is helping me but I am not sure how much to take.  Thank you for your reply.
  • maria101
    maria101 lou-lou

    Posted

    Lou Lou Anxiety I hate I tell my self I'm going to die from it but it's all negative thoughts I guess makes you feel that way, I'm on HRT but it has done alot I don't want to stay on it although it's low dose I'm still worried as I heard it can give you blood clots too. Do confusing at this time of life we all looking for quick fix but there's nothing like that I'm afraid either HRT or ride out Roller coaster ride to end .
  • looloo43
    looloo43 lou-lou

    Posted

    Hi lou lou. from another loo loo!!! I take it you told your doc that you get the odd migraine when she prescribed you hrt?? If your doc knows this I doubt they would prescribe anything they think is going to be dangerous to you. However, I would definately monitor your symptoms/poss side effects. If you start getting more headaches then stop your hrt immediately & go back to your doc. I take it elleste are combined patches? If your doc is unaware you get occasional migraines you should perhaps give her a call & ask the question regarding your hrt. I'm 45, been on hrt for peri since 1/4/16. I'm on the estrogen gel nightly & progesterone tablets days 15-26 of my 28 day cycle, & started to see improvement 2-3wks in on this regimen/dose particularly with the mental symptoms of erratic low mood, panic/anxiety, anger, brain fog & sleep which were the worst symptoms for me. they do say give it 3mths to begin with & review with doc if dose/benefits/any side effects ok, so a bit of patience (often lacking in peri I know!!!) is required. Stick in there hun. xx
    • CCinCal
      CCinCal looloo43

      Posted

      Looloo, were you still having monthly periods before starting on HRT?

      Doc's I've seen keep pushing OC pill since I'm still having monthly bleeds saying I'll have too much estrogen when my natural estrogen spikes if I go on HRT.

    • looloo43
      looloo43 CCinCal

      Posted

      Hi CCinCal, did you mean lou-lou who started this discussion or me - loo loo who's been replying? !!
    • CCinCal
      CCinCal looloo43

      Posted

      I meant loo loo you :-)

      Your symptoms are similar to mine and I'm 47. But Drs here say I will have too much hormones if I do HRT since I'm still bleeding monthly. But desperate to try HRT as symptoms are very debilitating.

    • looloo43
      looloo43 CCinCal

      Posted

      Hi CCinCal. just wanted to make sure you meant me to avoid confusing this discussion!!!:-) I have been on the depo shot every 3mths for contraception since dec 12 this time round(was on it for 7.5yrs 1st time round before having a break). when starting dep you sometimes get irreg bleeding for 6-9mths then it stops your periods. i no problem since starting this time around until about 18mths ago i started getting lots of light random irreg bleeding with no pattern whatsoever, which is not a characterisic of depo shot as any irregularities are the start of using it. the irreg bleeding would often be accomanied with pain in uterus/ovary area and/or intense longlasting headaches. i had a transvaginal ultrasound in sept 15 which just showed more thickened womb lining than usual but not super thick. then approx 4mths ago peri symptoms developed & became very noticeable & started to cause me real problems. my gp is fab & is a meno specialist & at 45 along with all the symptoms that had come on, decided I was in peri. after a couple of 20min appointments, we decided i would try hrt for 3mths & see how i got on. i started hrt 1/4/16. i am on 1 pump of estrogen gel nightly, & days 15-26 of cycle which i had to create(as i had no cycle!!) i take 200mg of micronised progesterone tablets. so far i have had no irreg bleeding except for 2 days on the day i had my last depo shot in mid april (which i kept getting before hrt). although the depo is just progesterone, it is not licensed to be the progesterone part of hrt, so i still have to take the additional tablets days 15-26. my gp said blood tests for hormones were not reliable as hormones fluctuate so much, even from 1hour to the next. hope this helps, any more questions , just ask. xx
    • CCinCal
      CCinCal looloo43

      Posted

      Thanks. I guess Drs in UK are more ok to give HRT while still menstruating.

      I found out I have fibroids. The biggest one being size of baseball and another a golf ball. So another reason I may not be prescribed HRT anytime soon. But I'm so debilitated. Can't work, barely getting food shopping. This is miserable thing peri.

  • JanieMac
    JanieMac lou-lou

    Posted

    Hi Lou Lou

    ​I am on Elleste Duet 2mg and have had aura migraines in the past.  Interestingly, at least as far as I can recall, I have only had 2 since starting on HRT 4-5 years ago.  Much less than I used to have.  I had never discussed migraines with my GP, as they were relatively infrequent, and I managed them with Migraleve, but you've now got me wondering whether I should mention them.

    • looloo43
      looloo43 JanieMac

      Posted

      you know what, I had the odd migraine but only at times of extreme stress, but approaching/startin peri last 4mths or longer I got terrible hormonal headaches that could last all day ; like 4 or 5 a week sometimes. I knew they were hormonal as they coincided with either dive in mood, slight bleeding or period pain. 2mths in to hrt, I hardly get them at all now.
  • lou-lou
    lou-lou

    Posted

    I'm going to call the doctor tomorrow then if she says it's ok I'll start taking them, I'm not sure the doctor knows about my aura migraines, she originally didn't want me to take it but my thyroid consultant said I need to xx I'm glad you are feeling better on it loo loo and I hope when I start I will notice the difference too, if I had my way I'd sit and home on the sofa all day and not move xx
    • looloo43
      looloo43 lou-lou

      Posted

      Hi Lou-lou, good to hear from you hun. when you talk to your doc, if she is reluctant to try you on hrt because of previous migraines, maybe tell her what you've read on here, as some ladies migraines/severe headaches (like me) were obviously hormone related alot of the time. the hrt has definately virtually eliminated mine, so they must have been hormonal. you can always start off on a low dose/low risk hrt regimen, & monitor your symptoms carefully like a before & after hrt. if your headaches worsen then obviously you would probably have to stop; but ultimately discuss it with your doc who will have your safety in mind anyway. my gp said the combo of estrogen gel & micronised progesterone tablets were a low risk regimen of hrt for a woman who still has her uterus. The hrt formula's/regimens are different for women who no longer have a uterus. (Sorry lou-lou, I can't remember if you said previously if you still have your uterus or not.) hope this helps hun, keep your chin up & hope you are able to try some hrt in consultation with your doc. xxxx
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.