Hi Mazza27,
I'm really sorry you're struggling with all of this. I'm really no expert but have plenty of experience trying to manage this type of peri nightmare.
Like you I suffered with terrible period pains but had a very switched on mother who demanded I was given Ponstan by my 'oh dear suck it up GP' when I was thirteen. I did exactly the same with my daughter when she was also struggling. The active ingredient is Mefenamic Acid and it is regularly used in Gynae depts for treating pelvic pain, especially period pain. Sometimes it needs the second dose for it to start working but it has always done the trick and got me through many a tricky situation, presentations etc when I would normally have been doubled up weeping in a corner. It's an NSAID like Naproxen, but seems better able to manage this type of pain. Interestingly, Naproxen was tried as a prophylactic in an attempt to treat my pure menstrual migraine (seems to be done commonly) though it was unsuccessful for me. Mefenamic is only available on prescription.
As far as migraine and HRT are concerned, it can successfully help to manage the problem. However, it can also create a bigger problem especially for particularly hormone sensitive women. I was completely unable to take HRT: it was tried to treat my pure menstrual migraine and very carefully managed by specialists but the side effects were horrendous and it had to be stopped. I would say the only way of knowing whether something will work for you is if you try it. We women are all unique, our experiences differ and we seem to react differently to everything tried.
I have recently developed VA and have been forced to reevaluate HRT and decided to try Vagifem. I am hugely sensitive to hormone change and will react almost instantaneously often to the point of it being ridiculous but I am managing Vagifem. In the first 2 week daily load, I experienced a bit of spotting and pelvic aching and I also had a couple of days with visual aura which I have only experienced a handful of times in my life, so I have to say I was apprehensive. However, my GP is really switched on, is watching everything very carefully and I now have to use it every other day. I do have side effects, it has made me gain weight the GP acknowledges this, I get a faint nipple awareness the day after application and it has diminished the intensity and frequency of my hot flushes (absolute bonus!). This is a mixed bag but nothing impossible to manage and a comfortable vaginal area is worth fighting for. I would definitely recommend you give the Vagifem a go, the vast majority of women seem not to experience negative side effects. You can't know if you don't try it!!
If you suffer with regular unmanageable migraine I'd see a specialist if I were you, they are too debilitating to ignore or try to just manage. Far better to have your emergency meds ready and waiting. If they don't strike often and too ferociously, I was told by specialists that the best first port of call is 3 aspirin and a fizzy glucose drink, the glucose drink allows the med to be absorbed when the stomach is in stasis. I'm not a doc though and you may not be able to take aspirin. I haven't tried this route but both of my children have.
I wish you well, sometimes it feels like life is one huge juggling act! x
