HRT stopped my migraines almost overnight (in case it helps anyone else on here)

[CrushingPain]

Having basically lost my career over the last 10 years due to the intense destruction of chronic migraines in my life, and struggling to get through each day (and I mean every day) due to the constant crushing pain of migraines, I am posting this in case it can help anyone else. I know it won't be a solution for everyone, and there are many root causes, but HRT has transformed my life. (I'm 52).

Everytime I called my local medical centre over the years, I would get rotated between GPs, and get a different prescription - and after a few moments conversation, was diagnosed with everything from depression, anxiety, etc. and even prescribed anti-epilpsy tablets, and anti-psychotic drugs!

I felt my life was in ruins, was on the verge of losing my job as I couldn't function any more and was literally hanging on day-by-day for my daughter.

Enter "Davina's series on menopause". As mad as it sounds, no GP had EVER mentioned that my symptoms may be related to menopause. Yes, I knew they were related to my hormones, but I never made the connection as I couldn't join the dots due to the constant haze of pain that I was in.

So, 4 months ago I called my GP to simply say that I wanted to go on HRT. OMG!!! It has been like somebody flipped a switch. Only had one mild migraine which lasted 1 day in the last 4 months (I used to be bed ridden for 3-4days at a time), which I think was when I 'over-caffeinated'.

Anyway - sorry for the long post. But wanted to post this in case it can help anyone else out there. It has literally changed my life, and saved my family life. No exaggeration.

Wishing you all a pain free day...

[Cara71]

I have chronic migraine, not able to work etc. Tried HRT but didn't help at all and just gave me other side effects. I'm almost 52. My neurologist said she doesn't know of any patients that it's helped. Interesting to hear a different perspective, you're lucky it gave you such a dramatic improvement. Did the HRT help you immediately? Are you on any other migraine prevention drugs?

[CrushingPain in reply to Cara71]

Hi @Cara71 - sorry for the delay in replying. I realise it's not a solution for everyone, but it was like a light switch for me, and has helped me 'function' through the day and work. No, I'm not on any migraine meds. Only take a 'normal' over the counter ibuprofen on the 2 occassions I've had a 'mild' migraine since starting the HRT. I felt a difference within a week.

[Blearyeyed]

So glad you finally got the relief you deserve.It's just such a shame that the doctors didn't think about the link with your hormones earlier and try treatments that might have helped.

But at least you can enjoy your new lease of life now , Bee

[CrushingPain in reply to Blearyeyed]

Hi @Blearyeyed - I know, part of me is RAGING that it was never considered or discussed over all these years. It could have saved my career...maybe...But, I can't change that now. Have to look forward...Even if they don't rid me of migraines completely, I am just so happy to get relief from the constant pain that I had been suffering. Fingers crossed moving forward that they don't come back with a vengeance....

[Wales99]

ah you have just described me! I’ve tried so many different prevention meds for chronic migraine. Currently on my 5th injection of Ajovy & still getting daily attacks. I have been on HRT for over a year now. I am still convinced that my migraine disease is menopause related, migraine attacks didn’t start until age 51. When I first went on HRT i went on 50mg combination patches & didn’t get an attack for 2 weeks. I thought I’d cracked it but alas, they came back! I’ve had my patch make changed a few times & tried different doses. I think I need an increase in dose. I’m still convinced that if I could get the dose right it would defo help with the migraine attacks.

[CrushingPain in reply to Wales99]

Hi Wales99 - sorry, for taking so long to reply. Interesting to hear your story. I have had a couple of 'mild' migraines (in comparison to what I used to suffer) since starting the HRT. So, I hope they don't come back as bad as before over time 😱...Will try to give an update on here in about 6 months time, to let people know whether I've just gotten over excited too early 🙄. Oh no, I hope not...🤞🤞🤞

[Wales99 in reply to CrushingPain]

I really hope not too! Keeping fingers crossed for you. 🤞🙏

[PurpleTranmere]

That’s brilliant that you have found that HRT has had such a great effect on your migraines. I bet you must really feel you have your life back. I have tried two types of HRT but found that it made my migraines worse I ended up with a continual migraine until I stopped taking it.

[CrushingPain in reply to PurpleTranmere]

PurpleTranmere hi, - So sorry to hear that. FYI, because I'm older (52) I was given Evorel Conti 50mg. And the reason I decided to go on it was actually because I was getting really painful hipjoints, not becuae of the migraine. Oh, it's such a nightmare trying to find what works for each of us. It's so hard to know what to try next isn't it? I hope you find something that helps. Soon.

[Cat00]

My neurologist said there is a chance my migraines would reduce after menopause. I've had migraines since I was 5 years old but they didn't become chronic until puberty, so maybe I guess there is a chance I could get rid of them when I loose my fertility? I will have to start HRT in the next 3 years anyway bc of my bones, so I'll be given HRT before menopause, swings and roundabouts I guess!

[CrushingPain in reply to Cat00]

Hi @Cat00. Sorry to hear you've been suffering with your migraines for so long. Hope they ease up sooner rather than having to wait post menopause 🤞

[Cat00 in reply to CrushingPain]

Ahh they ebb and flow, this week has been a good week migraine wise!

[Morning_gl0ry]

thank you for sharing your good news! So pleased for you. I know just how debilitating migraine can be having suffered for 15 years now i too take hrt . It was like coming awake after a coma, I feel like myself again. I have been migraine free for several months now so it took a while for things to settle. Patience and commitment is the thing whatever you try.

[CrushingPain in reply to Morning_gl0ry]

Hi Morning_gl0ry - 'It was like coming awake after a coma, I feel like myself again.' That's how I feel too. So p-d off at having literally lost a huge chunk of my best years of life in a coma, and in 'reverse gear', but relieved I found something that makes me (almost) back to my full self again.

[Brychni]

Hi there - Fingers crossed it lasts. I was put on HRT too for migraines even though my migraines have never been linked to my menstrual cycle and I didn't have any signs of perimenopause. But I was desperate. Did nothing for my head bu it did improve my mood quite a bit and the GP and hrt specialist both said that it could have been my one symptom of peri: being truly down in the dumps. I'm not sure, at the time I was in a lot of pain with Inflammatory Arthritis, adhesive capsulitis in shoulder and the bl**** migraines and that's enough to get anyone down.

So I stayed on it for a few months, tweeked it a bit to avoid some side effects namely pmt which I have NEVER had n my life and a regular cycle - also never had a text book cycle (with it came text book pmt). Then after about 8 month (I've tried so much stuff I am sketchy on details) of Evorel Sequi I was bloated (never had that in my life) and my t*** were so heavy and sore and massive I couldn't take my bra off at night. So I changed to oestrogel and the round progesterone tablets vaginally, nothing changed so I just stopped and everything went back to normal.

Also my mood didn't plummet so I wonder if that improvement in mood was something else.

I've been on Ajovy for about 8 months and it's been brilliant until last month and I have a feeling things are about to return to normal: a living hell.

The realisation that this is it for the rest of my life (I'm also 52) and that things will not improve and I will always feel like this is crushing. Knowing that here is nothing to look forward to but more pain is sh**. The effort to appear 'normal' for my children is overwhelming. Because I can't work, we have to be very careful with money which means it's really hard to do anything nice with the kids.

I wake up pretty much every morning with a varying degree of headache. It makes my thinking really muddled and I've noticed that I struggle to remember what day it is because it's like being on another planet when my head is bad. Time stands still or races past and you never know where you are.

[Theafleur in reply to Brychni]

someone I know who used to have beaches every day from a child is on Topiromate which she said stopped them. An anti-epilepsy drug. Side effects a bit grim but presumably better than what you are experiencing now.

[Brychni in reply to Theafleur]

Hi yes , tried Topiramate. I'm on Ajovy now which has helped a lot but it's not perfect.

[CrushingPain in reply to Brychni]

Hi Brychni - Sorry for the delay in replying. Geez, you really sound like you have been through it all. The pain really is hellish.

I totally get it when you say 'The realisation that this is it for the rest of my life (..) things will not improve and I will always feel like this is crushing. Knowing that here is nothing to look forward to but more pain is sh**. The effort to appear 'normal' for my children is overwhelming.' - This is exactly what was going through my head about a year ago. I was in so much constant, overwhelming pain, vomiting, etc. and just felt I was letting my daughter down as I couldn't 'do' anything fun with her etc. Couldn't even make a cup of tea, or drink it.

That's where this forum is priceless - It's the only place where I found others who actually get how bad the migraines can be.

And your last paragraph basically describes my last ten years...Don't give up. I know the pain is desperate, but keep engaging with this forum on the days where you feel up to it, and hopefully someone can suggest something that will finally help you.

Wishing you all the best.

[Mavary]

Hi! I was the opposite of you. I was on HRT and was in agony from migraines. My Dr thought it was the HRT. It took me a little while but I was so bad I was desperate. I came off the HRT but it was a little while before it stopped. I then had headaches every day for quite a while. But now I very rarely even get a headache. I had a hysterectomy in my early thirties and went into the most awful hot flushes. I was given HRT and was on it for about twenty four years. I never even connected the migraines with HRT because I had migraines from a very young life. But in my old age I can actually say I’m free of migraines. I still keep Naramig tablets in just in case but I can’t remember the last time I took them. I do get hot flushes still. If I’m run down I can get several a day. I can put up with that but I can’t put up with 5he pain of a migraine. It’s strange how we react differently.

[CrushingPain in reply to Mavary]

Hi @Mavary - Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience with the HRT prescribed. Glad to hear your migraines have finally eased and you rarely get even a headache now, and are free of migraines. 🙌 It's so great to hear of someone who is actully free of them! 🤸‍♂️Gives us all hope. Thanks!

[Mavary in reply to CrushingPain]

I was always told where there’s life there is hope. One big lesson I did learn on my journey was you must drink plenty. Water rather than fizzy or squashes.