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[Mazza27]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend advice for daily headaches/migraines affecting my neck.
I am taking aspirin and have been given triptans but bit scared to take them.
I am 43 with all number of peri symptoms over last 2 years and gp and gyne don't want to give me hrt.
I stopped caffeine just before Xmas and was on the pop pill which I came off as thought that may be contributing but been clear of that for 2 weeks now

I go on holiday Friday and worried that this is going to ruin my holiday

To top it off constantly constipated

Any advice on the headaches and buzzing in head

Thanks

[Dancinggirl]

Headaches in the peri stage are very common.
Try taking paracetamol regularly (4 times a day )instead if aspirin or ibuprofen- I find NSAIDs can upset the stomach and make things worse. Try applying Voltarol  or Ibuleve to your neck. Also if you think the pain is sinus related use  Beconase twice daily for at least 2 weeks to see if that helps.
Stretching and relaxation techniques are also essential. Get out for brisk walks and eat small meals often to stop drops in blood sugar levels.
It's a range of strategies that will Usually help. DG x

[Elizabethrose]

Hi Mazza,

I'm really so very sorry you're having such an awful time. I do hope I can help in some way.

I started suffering with pure menstrual migraine at the beginning of peri which became chronic with time. They are a horror to deal with and I fully appreciate your struggle.

One of the biggest difficulties is recognising and understanding what is happening to you and WHY it's happening. I've seen some outstanding consultants across a number of disciplines and tried many many things to try to help or resolve the problems, but the thing recommended by each and every one is to start keeping a detailed daily record of your cycle and your headaches and other symptoms. Patterns very quickly emerge. If the docs can identify relationships between the migraine and other symptoms with your cycle, then it's often a perfect tool with which to find a solution.

Don't waste loads of time on this, a few minutes each day, plotting your periods, any ovulation cramping, cervical mucus, especially the stretchy egg white type mucus which is a sign of high oestrogen levels, migraine, breast tenderness, anxiety etc etc. If you draw out a chart you can tick the columns daily or keep a record on any diary. The gynaes, endos, and neuros all demanded these records from me but aside from that it helped me to recognise what was going on. We feel much more in control if we can understand what is happening to us.

Please have a read through Machair's thread with this link.   https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,31902.0.html  It is a conversation between a few ladies all experiencing peri with migraines, period pains, ovulation cramps and many of the other symptoms you are experiencing. (I've just read through your previous posts). We are not all the same but have remarkable similarities and this thread details our journeys over the past year). Please do read it because there seem to be parallels with your experience. If you have any questions, ask on the thread we'd love to have you join us, or here or anywhere else you'd like to. Equally PM me if you'd prefer.

I'm not a medic and therefore can't advise you re what you should take but I can tell you what has been most beneficial to me as far as the migraines are concerned. I've tried so many drugs for the migraines over many years, some with horrific side effects but the only thing that has worked for me is the combination of Frovatriptan, Diclofenac suppositories and no longer available, Motillium suppositories which were anti sickness. At one stage my vomiting was so violent, nothing would stay in my stomach. Taking meds anally allowed the stomach, which is in stasis in migraine, to be avoided. Interestingly the Frovatriptan never upset the stomach.

I tried all of the other triptans in many forms without any success. Frovatriptan seems to be the most successful drug at treating menstrual related migraine because it has a long half life which helps to prevent rebounds that are very common in menstrual migraine. I have never had any side effects with Frovatriptan, I did with some of the others, especially Sumatriptan which I tried in nasal or throat spray (can't remember) tablet form and injection. The injection made my heart race which was really alarming. Frova was brilliant for me. It didn't work every time, sometimes it might just reduce the intensity of the migraine, sometimes would clear it completely and sometimes not work at all. It very much depended on whether the migraine was one of the very sudden ones flying in like a bat out of hell, a slow builder or the most common ones you wake with.

I was told by two of my specialists that morphine derived drugs should be avoided with Migraine as they further irritate the gut that is in stasis. They certainly used to leave my body faster than they entered! The diclofenac taken  in suppository form is inconvenient but worked more efficiently that anything else did. That combined with the Frovatriptan was my life saver, and I'm really not exaggerating.

Whilst not officially through, I'd say I am post meno now and after years of daily struggle my migs have very suddenly disappeared. It is miraculous but something that every specialist I ever saw said would happen. It would seem the best way to treat menstrual migraine is to go into a natural menopause and that is what I've been striving for. Incidentally, there is a strong belief amongst migraine specialists that hysterectomy should not be used to treat migraine as if migraine are hormonally driven it could exacerbate the condition. Little research has been done on this but I could probably produce some papers on studies carried out that substantiated this belief. They'll probably be in a very heavy desktop pile!!

Please read Machair's thread and I'm going to post here a couple of migraine threads for you to peruse which may also be helpful. If you can understand what is happening to your body you will be better able to cope with it and find a solution. I can't find a particular thread I was seeking so I'll post this response now and carry on searching for it.

https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,32318.msg514732.html#msg514732
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,33983.0.html

HRT is not contraindicated with migraine though the reality is that some migraineurs are helped and others find that HRT exacerbates the migraine still further. You can't know unless you try though. The current school of thought re contraceptive pill is that migraineurs with aura can't be prescribed it. My daughter suffers with aura and docs won't even give her the progesterone only pill. She's also seen specialists re this.

I really hope that once you've done some research, kept a diary, that you'll find a solution to it all. Migraine is a terribly misunderstood and isolating condition and a horror to deal with.

I send you love and my very best wishes x

[Elizabethrose]

Sorry Mazza, hadn't remembered we'd talked before! More links below.

https://menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,34816.0.html

https://menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,34847.0.html

[Mazza27]

Thanks dancinggirl and Elizabeth rose.
I have felt dizzy today thought I was going to pass out in my meeting, pain has now started in my right side abdo so feel like the period is on it's way or ovulating. Very snappy as no patience. I recognise the signs now but I still think something is being missed and go in to panic mode with anxiety.
I am so emotional as want it to all end
My ibs kicks in terrible and then mybowels go in to spasm which I know is the hormonal fluctuations causing it.

Do you get buzzing in your head?
That drives me bonkers at night it goes so loud and feel my body temperature rises which is like hot sweats.

This site does help me realise I'm not alone

Xx

[Elizabethrose]

Mazza it wasn't a regular symptom with me but I certainly have had buzzing with migraine. Dizziness with migraine is often an aura or prodrome symptom, I've had that many times.

If you have a chance do read those threads I posted, one of them lists the symptoms of silent migraine which are also prevalent in peri/meno. The symptoms can be very strange but will appear without a headache and therefore can be quite frightening if you don't realise what is happening.

I honestly think if you can recognise/understand your symptoms, you'll be better able to cope with it all and that will make you less anxious. Have a read through and mentally tick off everything you've experienced. As I said too, Machair's thread will prove you're not alone!

[Dancinggirl]

Mazza 27 - in your original post you mention that you are constantly constipated? Constipation can cause headaches. I assume you have had advice from a dietician?
Increase your fibre intake, eat small meals often and make sure you drink enough water.
Linsseds are very good for the guy so try putting some on your cereal in the morning.
I bet you would feel much better if you were opening your bowels daily.
Have you had any bloods done to look at your hormone levels?
As elisabethrise has suggested, I would keep a simple diary that can give you an idea for how and when these headaches appear.
Just one more thought - you also said the headaches affected your neck? Why not see an osteopath to see if your back is out and get advice about posture and exercises ?
DG x

[Mazza27]

Dancinggirl,
My bowels are very sensitive and have struggled with ibs hence the constipation. I eat a good diet and fibre sometimes makes me worse, I am having lap in 4 weeks and they will check for endo around bowel. This could be the problem as it's when due and ovulation.
I take movicol and drink lots of water.
I exercise 3-4 times a week when not feeling crap but seem to have been ill now for about 3 weeks.
I have thought about osteopath for my neck as think it's a lot of tension build as well, seen cranial osteopathy supposed to help migraines.

I had blood done in December and think they going to do again to check everything.
Going to ent to check on the buzzing but I know all will be fine as been begore over vertigo migraine around 18 months ago!

At least they do all the checks just wish there was a magic pill that they could give to wash away everything.
They don't tell you about your forties when your younger Jeso can't wait to be fabulous and 50 😂👏
Mazza x

[Dancinggirl]

Maxza27 - it is so easy to tie yourself in knots over all this. I quite understand as Im currently going through similar issues. I developed IBS type symptoms after using PPIs. I had colonoscopy which showed Diverticula disease (reason for nasty cramps). Constipation is rare for me but I can open my bowels up to 3 times a day!!!!
I am 61 and very post meno as I had a premature meno. Been on and off HRT for 25 years but finally stopped HRT a year ago. My headaches have gotten worse as hip and neck joints now hurt so much and my sinuses are either runny or very dry, so I know my headaches are down to the tension of coping with these discomforts. I'm sure the deterioration is down to the lack of oestrogen. I am seeing various specialists to find out the best strategies going forward. I am sure the amount of aspirin and ibuprifen (which resulted in my having to take the PPIs ) has caused my gut problems. Being in pain makes one tense and then a headache will build.
In your case, I believe your headaches may well be down to the fluctuation in hormones ( I definitely got this when I was peri) and this is difficult to control even with HRT. If you do try HRT then do start on a low dose as I found too much oestrogen in my peri stage gave me more headaches.
It'll be interesting to find out if you do have endometriosis - a Mirena may help this??
 DG x

[CLKD]

It is known that headaches can be caused by the body beeing dehydrated.  Make notes of what you eat and drink as food stuffs expel liquids into the kidneys and the trick is not to over-load.  A trapped nerve in the neck or sleeping badly can cause neck problems which can radatie and cause 'dizziness', I had this most of yesterday  - having sat over a very good book and then a crossword for a couple of hours as I raised my head it went woozy  I never learn  ........

Have a chat with a Pharmacist or see an Optician for advice?

[Hurdity]

Hi Mazza27

You mention you've been peri-menopausal for two years and I wonder what your cycle has been doing during this time. Are your periods regular or does your cycle vary, and have your periods changed at all? Apologies if you've said this and I've missed it! I am not sure why your doc doesn't want to give you HRT if your symptoms and cycle suggest this might help? Maybe this is because of your endometriosis? Do you get migraines with aura? I have never had these but started to get migraines for the first time just before I was peri-menopausal (I didn't know i was, nor did I know they were migraines) - a part of generally worsening pms symptoms that often happens even while periods are still regular. Also are you getting flushes and sweats at all ( maybe you take other medication that suppresses these?)? For those who get headaches or migraines then transdermal HRT is recommended (patch or gel) and this is what I have always used quite happily.

I do agree about the water and keeping hydrated etc. Have you also had your thyroid function checked - and do you have other symptoms suggestive of possible underactive thyroid ( feeling cold, fatigue, weight gain)?

Hurdity x

[Mazza27]

Hi hurdity,

My cycle had been all over the place mid bleeds then went on pop but just come off pop so don't know yet what will happen
Due to the migraines they won't give me hrt, my gp believes it can cause strokes. As for aura don't know really as my migraines just seem to be daily every evening.
My dad has vascular dementia so they have concerns

My thyroid was checked back December/Jan due to issues but normal.
I thought could it be thyroid but would it change that quickly from check in Dec?
Does it cause neck pain in the back of neck?

Yes get night sweats and evening flushes which seem to sort bring on the migraines I have started to notice.

Keep getting anxiety about how I'm feeling but don't know whether that is the hormonal fluctuations.

The day just seems to be pain in right side ovary with constipation with the night sweats and migraines in the evening as im going to bed.

I am getting so worried as go away Friday to France and if something bad is wrong with me!
Is that being silly?

Mazza x

[Elizabethrose]

Mazza, your doc is incorrect, HRT is not contraindicated with migraine but there may well be another reason he is unwilling to prescribe it for you, I don't know your medical history. Three Consultants I've seen have tried treating my migs with HRT; Prof Peter Goadsby, Prof Anne MacGregor and Nick Panay.

I'm wildly tied up at the moment and don't have the time to search out med papers which confirm this but I've posted two links below that detail that HRT is indeed used to try to treat migraine if you want to produce proof to your GP. On the first link scroll down to section 3 which discusses HRT and migraine and the second link is an excerpt from literature which shows possible treatment routes.

As I said previously, HRT can help some but can exacerbate the problem in others. No-one knows unless they try. Incidentally. each of the above suggested a number of natural treatments which many women find helpful, sadly they didn't work for me. Think I was a bit of a lost cause!

https://www.migrainetrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2010Mar-APPGPHD_REPORT_Headache_Disorders-NotRespNotReso.pdf

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=JUEhT8JS44cC&pg=PA121&lpg=PA121&dq=peter+goadsby+migraine+and+hrt&source=bl&ots=QisZhHY6Pv&sig=hyzwEsimXp5n7eVyp1VZd8U9PEk&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjDmqytjovUAhXpD8AKHbIQBK8Q6AEIPzAE#v=onepage&q=peter%20goadsby%20migraine%20and%20hrt&f=false

[WCR123]

I have vestibular migraines which started 4 months ago. Obviously one of my main triggers is hormone imbalance as this came in in peri. I have done tons of research on the condition.

Things to try: migraine diet ( read the book heal your headache), avoid all triptans and painkillers or at least no more than ten per month as these cause rebound headaches, magnesium and b2 supplements, stress release ( meditation and yoga), neck exersizes and hydration. The idea is you try to eliminate as many triggers as you can to bring you under the migraine threshold.

[Elizabethrose]

Hi WCR123, so pleased that you finally got a diagnosis, that's one step closer to finding a solution. Did you manage to see a specialist in the end?

I have vestibular migs occasionally and they are very unpleasant so I really feel for you.

Yep the great disadvantage with triptans is that you have to limit them to so many days a month. However they don't have to be avoided and as long as they have been prescribed by a doc who knows your medical history, they should not be something to worry about. I was given special dispensation to use them for 13 days a month but the docs were tracking me very carefully.

The difficulty with any meds treating headache is that too many can trigger Medication Overuse Headache when the headaches become a constant. Any OTC and prescribed meds can do this. In that situation all meds have to be removed for a period of time.

I am desperately careful about monitoring how many meds I take and keep a detailed daily record. I don't take any OTC meds, they've never worked for my migraine so there's no point and I have to eek out my triptan allowance. Have to say there have been many months over the years when I have been desperately pill counting to see me through the month. Horrible feeling! I also got into the habit of planning events and holidays at the beginning of months never at the end, to ensure my med allowance would cover me.

Have you found any release from your migs WCR123 with the methods you are using? I certainly hope you've found success!

All good wishes to all the migraine sufferers out there, it's a horrible condition to try to manage! x