Hello everyone, I'm new here and hoping I can tap into your expertise to get some help with what direction to take with my care. I'm 48, migraine sufferer since childhood (aura migraines). In my forties my migraines have gone crazy - vestibular, abdominal, some aura ones, lots of non-aura, neck migraines, all manner of long crazy prodromes, postdromes. Prolonged intense migraines lasting 4 days up to 2 weeks. It's a misery! Other peri issues quite mild, periods regular, had a couple of mild hot flushes last week, insomnia, joint pain, dry hair etc. Nothing unmanageable apart from these migraines.
Impossible to get any care via NHS practice, they're understaffed and the online service is never on etc (same story everywhere, I know). I've had one phone call with the nurse practitioner who recommended HRT but can't treat me because of my family history of breast cancer. So she would need to refer me to a menopause specialist and we all know what the waiting lists are like for any NHS services so it will be months and months. I can't go on having migraines at this crazy rate, it's so debilitating so I'm going to have to go private for my care. Arrgh how do I decide who is going to be the right specialist for migraine as the top issue? I've done lots of research and it seems like it's a minefield getting the right HRT and the right dose and a very glacial process making changes to an already unstable brain chemistry. Any advice? Has anyone used a private menopause specialist who was experienced with migraine management? Do you have to continue with their services or can you get prescriptions via NHS - and/or return to your local GP for care? Just thinking about dwindling finances here. Thanks all!