Hello Hurdity
Thank you so much for your comments, I'll try and answer the questions in order so it's easier to keep track!
I have not really been investigated for the headaches with my own GP - I've gone down the normal route of eyes testing, osteopathy, to try and get to the bottom of the problem. I did need a change of glasses, along with a flipping glaucoma prevention procedure, which was news to me although a lot of money lighter (I went private to get it done quickly) it didn't solve the issue with the pain.
Before I started HRT I didn't really keep a log, but the headaches and nausea (separate and together) seemed to be with me a lot more through the cycle. I perhaps got one good week a month. I do think you're right, that my own hormones are having a bit of a last hurrah as it were, before I cross "the line". I live in hope that it won't be too many more overenthusiastic cycles before they finish now. The extra headaches have been going on since Christmas time. I'm not 100% sure whether it's the dydrogesterone that's causing it particularly, as I seem to react to every single progesterone there is. Never had an issue on Microgynon for 20 years when I was younger though! levernogestrel. But there's nothing sequi that has that hormone in which is available at the moment that I or my GP know of, apart from the Mirena. I'm scared to have that put in, in case having progesterone full time send me la-la. Utrogestan was horrible, although I did only take it orally, I couldn't get the dosage right on the Estraderm patch.
I spoke to my GP last week and this was before the latest round of headaches, told him things were ok. He seemed relieved that I didn't want to rock the boat, due to the availability of both drugs and appointments!
I will ask him about Sumatriptan or another preventative. I am noticing the normal pattern of them appearing in the withdrawal bleed week. They wipe me out for a couple of days, I tend to be more tired after than before, but I've got Migraine Buddy on my phone and I'm logging things all the time now. They are definitely triggered by late meals/dehydration, bright light.
I wonder whether I should ask about the oestrogel and try the utrogestan vaginally instead. I think it's my only other option than either remaining as is on Femoston or coming off altogether. I did not suffer from any hot flushes at all before I started it. My mum started HRT in her mid 40s due to incredibly heavy periods, not flushes. Her GP was old skool, only allowed it for 10 years, so when she came off mid 50s she had all the hot flushes etc.
Oh and period arrived 2 days before it normally would - still got 2 days left of progesterone to take??
Thank you and well done if you're still awake haha x