migraine and hormones link?

[Discodog]

Hi

I haven’t posted on here for ages but wanted to put my experience so far out there to help any other people struggling with migraine - especially linked to perimenopause and possible links to hormone levels as a cause rather than traditional triggers.

I’ve had migraines ever since puberty and I’m now 48. Since 40 it’s been worse and traditional meds stopped working-

it’s been a case of 15 plus migraines a month for 5 years now……,,,debilitating and depressing and tricky working full time but somehow managing. I’ve tried most things-

These meds don’t work for me-

Paracetamol

Ibrufen

Codrine based meds

Migraleve

Panadol

Anadin extra

Naproxen

Or these- Preventatives-

amytriptaline

Propananol

Topiramate

Bedranol

Aimovig injection

Botox

Atogepant

Rimegepant

Even the above combined with triptans as an abortive have stopped being as useful

Sumatriptan

Rizatriptan

Frovatriptan

However these tend to lead to overuse headaches so need to limit use ideally no more than 6 a month

Also tried sugar free diet, very low carb diet. High levels of magnesium, dairy free diet. Tried never going hungry or missing meals but this is not a trigger. Have tested this in fact think fasting can help it did help for for weeks when I tried fasting for the first time then they returned

Really think it’s related to menstrual cycle and changes in hormone levels. I Use an HRT patch that has worked on perimenopause symptoms but not helped with migraines. Looking at trying other HRT treatment.

Nurse prescribed new injectable last week - last med to try. I’m currently waiting for the injectable Emgality - I’ve not had a migraine for 6 days now on no meds just lots of magnesium and omega supplements- 🤞

Aimovig injections were the most successful for me but when they appeared to be less successful I was taken off them. I’m hoping this new injectable will work. Always ever hopeful!

Looking at bio resonance and thinking about supplements to try. I’m looking into the Dutch test.

I’m really trying to work out the link with hormones but not sure what’s the best approach. The hrt patch doesn’t deliver enough estrogen maybe? I’m waiting for GP to prescribe a different hrt to try possibly the bio identical type.

Has anyone else explored the link between migraine and estrogen levels?

Sorry for the long post but I’d be happy to answer any questions.

Thank you ☺️

[Hanabe]

hello I’m in a very similar situation to you and I would like to explore estrogen levels as I’m certain that is my cause of my migraines. I get them before period and again at ovulation and then in between that I have a constant neck/base of head pain that I just can’t seem to shift. I have not had much luck with drs as they just want to give me drugs that either do not work or I just can’t tolerate. I need to go back to the dr but I feel like there is not much point as they don’t understand my problem. I would love to hear how you continue to get on.

I currently take high dose of b2 and magnesium I feel the b2 does help but obviously not enough to be pain free, also find paracetamol with caffeine takes the edge off

[Discodog in reply to Hanabe]

That’s so interesting- we are definitely at a similar point. I’m currently on day 6 of no migraine - having recently increased magnesium and b12, omega 3 but this is historically the only time I get clear days if I do- before days leading to my period. In the last week I’ve eaten all possible trigger foods, experienced stress and even drank some alcohol and still no migraine. Got to be hormones?

Although scary not to be using a preventative right now, it’s good to see how my body is really doing. I’m continuing with the diary and plan to try applying extra oestrogen on my predicted low days, if the GP will prescribe.

I’m also ready to add in extra magnesium if needed.

Can I ask how much magnesium and other supplements you take? I’ve found some guidance about max dosage to take but there’s little info out there to help.

Thanks for your reply- and good luck with it all.

[Hanabe in reply to Discodog]

I take 400mg of B2 Riboflavin daily then 500mg of magnesium oxide (as I read that was the best one for migraines tho not 100% sure that’s correct) but I forget to take that one daily. I use to take Pizotifen as a preventative, I felt it did help to prevent pain on my in between days but I still got migraines at my usual times. I came off that due to the side effects of weight gain and lethargy.

I’m 44 this year and definitely getting perimenopause symptoms and felt my pain has been getting worse and more frequent. I see a deep tissue massage therapist and chiropractor for alignment but doesn’t seem to help with prevention just ease of pain at the time. I am keen to seek help about the hormone levels dropping etc as I believe that is the root cause and think if I can somehow reduce that fluctuating hormones that should prevent the severity of the pain. My migraines always last 3 days minimum but can go on longer some months too

I saw a private neurologist but he was not interested in the slightest and couldn’t get me out of his room quick enough as this to him was a gp matter, even tho I had explained I had been back and forth to many gps with no success.

I hope things work out for you and when I get the motivation to try my gp again I can keep you posted on how things go my end too x

[Discodog]

This is so helpful thanks

I know what you mean about motivation.

thank you - you too

[Badknee]

My mother had bad migraines for decades. She nearly had to miss my sister’s wedding. She had to have a hysterectomy. Her headaches vanished. Not suggesting this for you, but it gives support for what you said. Couldn’t get one for me… I’m male.

BUT, my brother-in-law physician suggested Candesartan. It WORKS!!! I started it on 1-14-20… and I’ve had 3 bad headaches since. Might want to get your physician to try this. Good luck. 👍🏻

[Discodog]

hi

Thanks for replying

I’ve thought about whether that would work! Seems drastic but it is a big deal when the migraines rule your life. Definitely a link for some women.

Pleased you’ve found candestartan successful

I did try it but felt terrible on it - as I seem to on most pills. I’ve a friend that is also finding it helps her too.

Cheers

[dagmarafairley]

Hi. To be honest I always sort of felt that there is a link between migraine and hormones but my doctor explained to me that migraine is triggered not by low or high level of specific hormone but by a CHANGE of hormone level alone. My PMS was unbearable so I've been taking evening primrose oil daily to relieve symptoms and balance my hormones a bit. Since then I've noticed my migraine is less severe, not a massive difference but better then nothing

[Discodog]

Ah - that is a different way of thinking about it. I suppose in perimenapuse there may be more change overall and therefore more migraine.

Thank you and I hope it keeps helping you.

[Pinkcatfairy]

I agree it is related to hormones,I never suffered with migraines but at fifty going into menopause I suddenly got migraine auras (averaging six a month) so definitely hormone related in my case , thankfully after time they are few and far between

[katiewalsh]

I’ve known a number of women whose migraines stopped when they went through menopause. Unfortunately, I didn’t have that luck. But it sure supports the idea that hormones, or hormone fluctuations, play a role in migraines.

[Pompom6]

I have been talking to my GP about menopause symptoms but she wants to try a few things to try and reduce migraine frequency before trying HRT as she says it is tricky to get the dose right and sometimes can make migraines worse. I am wondering if she should be concentrating on the menopause stuff because that might solve everything (all the things we all brush off as just getting old or blaming it on something else). I've just found articles about histamines and menopause symptoms that can also affect migraines. For some people certain foods are triggering things. I think everything is linked to hormones!

[Discodog in reply to Pompom6]

Thanks for replying

I agree about hormones!

HRT patches were great for alleviating the perimenopause symptoms for me but didn’t change the migraines.

I’m looking into the histamine idea too along with increasing magnesium levels. Have you tried histamines when treating a migraine? Might be worth a try?!

Good luck

[Pompom6 in reply to Discodog]

I read that foods high in histamines are bad, which is why antihistamine tablets (allergy tablets specifically ones with cetrizine in them) can stop itching and I get very itchy at night because of hormones. They do relieve it! Apparently olive oil is really good for a load of symptoms (itchiness, sleeplessness) so I am trying to have some that every day. It works as ingesting or applying yo skin instead of moisturiser.

[Discodog]

Yes - I read that antihistamine can help relieve a migraine rather than prevent but it’s worth a try. 🙂

[designer111]

Im 49 and similar to you in that Ive tried all the meds you list and after terrible bout of migraines last year I went sugar free, came off meds and increased vits. Did nothing. Now on Rimegepant. Kinda worked, kinda hasn't. What else is there to do? I want to try holistic therapies, not meds all the time. Ive seen one of the best women migraine/hormone doctors and I knew just as much about migraines as she did. Several hundred pounds down the drain. But I am always up for learning more, changing diet, drinking more water, but is that fruitless? Am I just going to get them anyway? Its a mindfield.

[Discodog in reply to designer111]

Thanks for replying.

I feel your pain completely.

I’m focusing on magnesium and calming hormone fluctuation with evening primrose and b12 with other vitamins. It’s a try it and see game as usual! Got a feeling the high magnesium dose might be helping dull the pain a little though. Will keep going with this and hope for the best.

This forum is the most helpful place I e found over the years! Also there’s advice around supplements coming from Australian websites regarding perimenopause and migraine.

[designer111]

Red clover is supposed to be good for menopause symptoms. Yes tried B2 and mag but unfortunately did nothing for me.

[Pompom6]

Wow that is A LOT of medicine that doesn't work! I really do feel for you. Interesting you mention omega supplements, what brand do you use? I feel that is missing from my life and I half-heartedly bought some that were all over social media but I never persevered.

[Kerrymaher]

Hi my story is very similar to yours , I have always suffered migraines since I first got my period, the migraines could last 3 to 7 days , when I turned 40 and I suppose perimenopausal they got worse and more severe, I have been on every medication there is including emgality, some will work and then eventually they stop working. I was always told they would stop when u reach menapause they haven't. I have chronic migraines more than 15 a month and have often ended up in hospital, they have diagnosed me with status migraines lasting longer than 72 hours and hard to break . Steroids do not work , I attend a neurologist and a pain specialist. I have many neurologist they are not introduced in listening when I tell them it's my hormones as they do not have the knowledge and it's too much trouble , they just want to throw tablets at me and antidepressants. I have felt suicidal because of the constant pain and missing so many days of my life because I can't get out of bed .I have tried accupuncture and many holistic treatments too but nothing works , I have done much research on the subject and our hormones are still fluctuating 10 years after menopause. The only time I was ever migraine free was when I was pregnant and would u believe as soon as I went into labor I had a massive migraine. A hysterectomy will not work, they will have to take your ovaries as well and if u read up on it , it can actually make migraines worse . I am on biodentical hormones right now and trying to see if I can balance out my hormones myself. I wish I had something good to tell you . Just remember every woman is different. The emagality did work for a whole year for me which was amazing and I hope it works even longer for you 🙏

[Discodog]

thank you for replying

Sorry you have been battling for so long - it’s so exhausting and so difficult to stay positive at times.

I’m not finding the magnesium or evening promise oil and other supplements helpful but will continue with them.

Looking to see a menopause specialist to try different HRT but who knows?! I’m hoping they have the knowledge and the right treatment to balance things out. GP appointment today told me that I’ve been on an HRT patch for people whose periods have stopped when mine haven’t! That can’t be helping the situation!

Fingers crossed for some success with Emgality- it arrives on Tuesday.

Have you considered bio resonance to help work out the imbalances? I can’t seem to get hold of a practitioner in my area but not sure about it either.

Take care