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[lisaharwoos]

Happy new year,
Is there a link of postmenapausal migraines with aura..
been suffering with dibliating headaches daily for over a year which have gotten worse with having seizure type symptoms lasting between 30 to a hour long then a massive headache.. which doesnt ease up on medication but just takes edge off.. 53 yrs young

[Hurdity]

Hi lisaharwoos

 

So sorry to hear about your daily migraines.

Unfortunately the menopause is often a time for women either to develop migraines for the first time or for them to worsen - which is related to homronal changes.  I started to get them -  though not with aura - just the classic type, and not severely, after I started HRT - in the progesterone phase and withdrawal from them - but I get them at other times too now, not just in connection with HRT.

I hope you have been referred to a specialist to investigate other causes?

How long have you been post-menopausal ie since last natural period, and are you on any other medication?

Sorry I can't help further

Hurdity x

[Mary G]

Yes there is a definite link according to my hormonal migraine specialist.

Migraines with and without aura often start with the hormonal upheaval of perimenopause but they don't always stop post menopause when hormones are rock bottom and more stable.  The reason for this is lack of serotonin which is caused by lack of oestrogen.   So there is a lot going on and it's effectively a vicious circle.   

Things to avoid are spiking oestrogen, hormone instability and cycles.  You need to aim for a low dose, continuous combined HRT regime and if you still have persistent migraine aura, you need to look at migraine preventatives like amitriptyline or venlafaxine which are antidepressants but don't actually work as an AD at a low dose.   

This is what I do and it works well.  Having said that, migraine and depression are closely linked and the migraine aura you experience is cortical spreading depression which is caused by lack of serotonin hence the need for a TCA.

I hope that helps.

[VanillaLover]

Hiya, I’m sure there will be a hormonal link tbh.

What has your GP said about the migraines? Have you been referred to a neurologist?

Did you have migraines before menopause at all?

Are you taking painkillers daily for the headaches….if you take any painkillers more than 2-3 times a week for headaches you are at risk of getting caught in a cycle of  painkiller induced headaches (can’t remember proper name). GPs will not prescribe prophylactics for migraines if there is any chance you have this problem.

I would recommend reading a book on migraines if they are new for you. There are things that may help while you are waiting for referral etc….things like going to bed and waking up same time every day, eating at the same time every day, reducing stress, no alcohol, all very boring but the migraine brain likes routine.

I have had some success with a Cefaly device which I use as a preventative every day. This may be worth looking into. I don’t use a prophylactic but use Cefaly and take prochlorperazine and ibuprofen if I feel a migraine coming on.

I rarely get aura migraines but can have 4-10 normal migraines a month. Luckily I don’t get a very bad headache but suffer with nausea, dizziness etc.

Sorry for all the questions !

[Ayesha]

I would say definitely hormone related. As a teenager I suffered migraines with aura for years, they stopped mid life but out of the blue they returned in my early fifties. It was like a phase I was going through and I don’t suffer now in my early 70’s.

If you have never suffered from them before it's worth getting checked out.