u/Stupidosaurus11

So I’m in late 40s and was perfectly healthy and fit. I started getting chronic migraines out of nowhere . Underwent multiple scans only to find out that most probably this is the start of my perimenopause journey. I’m currently on preventatives and Botox treatment for migraines which do help. I also had dizziness with migraines.
On recommendation of this sub, I recently consulted a menopause specialist and was put on slinda which actually helped me a lot with my headaches. They got much better and my migraines around my periods have stopped.
However I’m now experiencing more heat intolerances, night sweats , vaginal dryness .
I have been told to try out estrogel - one pump daily but to be aware that it can spike back my migraines which are now in control thanks to slinda and other treatments.
For vaginal dryness ( which I forgot to talk to my specialist about :( ) - does topical vaginal estrogen help or will estrogel help ? - this dryness is crazy - like a Sahara desert 😒 and I have started getting cracks and bumps in there which is crazy and sometimes painful. I’m going to see my doctor but wanted to see if anyone has any suggestions here .
My hygiene is very on point- I clean it with warm water no soaps or irritants and keep it very dry ; only cotton underwear - so I’m surprised why this is happening.

Edit: Thanks all! Met my doctor and she gave me the whole package - progesterone, estrogel , vaginal estrogen ; told me slinda isn’t exactly HRT though it might be helping my migraines and she also guided me how to get started on all of these.
Thank you all for being so helpful! My real life friends never speak about these and it’s only this sub which helps me with these peri symptoms! I told my doctor that my friends told me about HRT and vaginal estrogen etc - I was referring to you all 🤗
The appointment was so quick - with the right doc , it is seriously all so quick and easy. Before this, I have been to 4 docs and turned down that I don’t need these meds as even if I’m almost 47, I need to be menopausal to get HRt.

I have been overweight all my life though I’m someone who has been extremely active and eats sensibly.

Currently I’m 46f, 94kgs and 152cms and yes that sounds crazy.
I do 10k steps daily and strength training intensely 4 days a week.
Until last year I was 75kgs and had the same routine, however I started getting horrible migraines out of nowhere a year back . Didn’t exercise for good 8-10 months and gained almost 20kgs. Now I am unable to loose that weight easily though I’m tracking my calories etc. I have always been someone who tracks their calories and macros. The only time I stopped was when I was sick during those 8-10 months .

My GP has suggested to start with mounjaro to aid with weight loss as she feels I’m perimenopausal and loosing weight at this stage wont be easy.

I’m wondering how will that work since I’m already controlling a lot of calorie intake, exercising well.

I’m also wary how this will impact my migraines as I have a lingering headache daily inspite of Botox treatment, preventatives, physiotherapy etc , my GP told me to drink more water - I already drink close to 3.5 litres!

I’m also wary of giving up eating out completely. I eat out once in a month and I feel even that will be gone with being on a GLP1.

I’m not diabetic or have any issues other than mild level of non alcoholic fatty liver.
I’m off alcohol etc and have a low carb , high protein diet

I’m 46 and was doing great in life, hiking, walking long distances, endless energy , always happy and really thought I would be unaffected by perimenopause symptoms and would sail through it. Until 8 months back , when I woke up with extreme dizziness and headaches and then kept waking up with it everyday. Had to go into ER and turns out I’m perimenopausal these are hormonal migraines. Tried different migraine meds and eventually preventatives and Botox work for me.
To add to this, work has become extremely demanding and I’m the sole carer for my agein parent who lives with me so life feels lot more demanding.
With Botox treatment, I was able to get back to gym but my energy levels are nowhere near to what I was!
I realised I get tired easily now. I also get leg cramps though I do enough hydration and I am on magnesium glycinate. I also started creatine 3-5 mg which does help. Most days are now headache free but I am now also experiencing night sweats especially on days when I ovulate .. rare hot flushes.

Looks like I’m in thick of perimenopause! I’m now looking to book an appointment with a GP who looks into women’s health 🤞hoping it helps! My other GP who did had left my clinic sadly.

On top of this, I have a crazy micro manager boss who drives me insane with work demands.

TLDR: was doing great in life until I got hit with hormonal migraines, dizziness, fatigue, leg cramps , night sweats, very rare hot flushes. Add to this, a very demanding boss and life feels like hell. I’m trying to stay positive but it looks so tough.