Questions about HRT, Post Op, and Migraines...

Hi!
I am four weeks out of my hysterectomy. (I went in for a vaginal total hysterectomy with removal of Ovaries and tubes, and wound up with abdominal surgery due to an artery bursting at the very end.) But everything is gone now, including ovaries.
Anyway, I immediately went into surgical menopause. I was given a Vivelle dot patch... .1 mg in the hospital but they forgot to give me a replacement patch at discharge from the hospital (3 day stay), so I went several days past the time I was supposed to get my new patch. I was very emotional and had night sweats...it was horrible! Anyway, I finally got my patches and now I am on a regular schedule with them and fine. I don't notice any real menopause symptoms... although I still have an occasional night sweat, but it is not really bothersome and I am fine with where I am HRT wise.

My questions are these:

So far my migraines seem to be gone! I am thrilled about this, but don't know if it is only temporary since it has only been one month since surgery. Before surgery I had frequent migraines, especially before, during and after my period. Occasionally now I get a headache in the same spot I used to get migraines, but it doesn't go into a migraine and is relieved by an ibuprophen. (Something that NEVER happened in my migraine days. Back then if I started with a headache, it nearly always turned into a real migraine.)

So, I don't know if this is due my surgery or the HRT??? I don't particularly like keeping up with a patch every 3.5 days and would prefer taking a pill, but I worry that the difference in the hormone levels would start migraines again. (The doc said the patch delivers more steady hormones than the pill). Anyone notice any difference regarding migraines with patch or pill? Should I risk trying the pill???

Another question is if I one day stopped HRT altogether, will migraines likely start up again? Is there a magic number of weeks or months to stay on HRT to make it easier to let your body go into menopause, or is it just something you have to go through once you stop HRT after surgery? (In other words is it harder to go through surgical menopause right after surgery or after a few months of taking HRT?)

If I seem to be "healed" of migraines now, is it likely more based on the surgery or the hormones? I am wondering about the experience of those who had migraines and are now free of them after surgery.

TIA

Susu

Hi (((SusuMichelle)))

How great that you have decided to join us!

That is terrific news about your migraines. It sounds like the Vivelle dot is a good solution for you. It is difficult to say just what would happen if you were to go off of this particular dosage. You will find out down the road since everyone is different. It sounds like your doctor got your dosage correct right off the bat though. You seem to be using just the right amount. I would enjoy that for as long as possible if I were you!

All the best to you!