Discussion Board

Hi all,

I am hoping you can help me. I'm 33 and have been a migraine sufferer for about half of my life now, though they have become more frequent as the years go by. I usually get between 2 and 4 a month, but have had a few months where I've had 2 a week. They usually last about 24 hours.

I have been on a vegan diet for about 3 months, and have been following McD for the last week (so I've cut out oils and nuts, and other processed vegan foods, and soy). I haven't had caffeine or artificial sweeteners for about 6 months. I rarely drink alcohol, don't smoke.

I haven't been able to identify any triggers, other than not eating frequently, but that rarely happens.

Last week I had an MRI for some parasthesia I've been experiencing, which came up completely normal, but the neurologist suggested I take Topamax for my migraines. I'm very cautious as I don't like taking medication, and when I checked out their website, the most commom side effect was parasthesia!

I really don't want to take the drugs, but I also can't imagine having these migraines for the rest of my life. It's quite depressing. Is there anything I haven't eliminated that anyone might suggest? I don't seem to have a problem with lights or sounds, and I've been seeing a chiropractor for 10 years, every month for maintenance, so I don't believe it's my spine causing the issue.

All feedback is greatly appreciated!!!

Melia

p.s. I should mention I'm at the beginning stages of a migraine as I type, so nothing has helped to this point

Perhaps try the elimination diet? It should be pretty easy to find on these boards.

thanks, I'll have a look now!

I hope you figure out what is triggering your migraines. I haven't had one since the 3rd week of being on the McDougall program.

thanks for the tips!

Hi - are these migraines with aura? Any problems with your neck - old injuries or your posture? I was experiencing severe tension headaches which were like a migraine due to lots of stress at work, where my neck muscles felt like rocks. This in turn caused other problems with neck and back posture, along with my existing mild scoliosis in 2 places in my back, and a tilted pelvis. Only a professional or someone who was very observant would have noticed these variations in my posture. I have nearly resolved all of this with the help of a really good physiotherapist, who practices with an osteopahthic (trained ) focus. My osteopath believes a lot of headache is caused by problems such as mine which often start in childhood from sports injuries or falls etc. In my case, I had many falls off horses. I don't know how common osteopaths are in the US - There are only 5 in my province of BC. There is so much info about migraine out there which just repeats the old stuff - food allergies, etc. etc. I have no doubt that that causes some people's migraines, but it wasn't my cause. I should add that I have read that the current thinking is that migraine without aura has a lot more in common with severe tension headache than previously thought. Hope this is helpful!

Thanks Melinda! I've been seeing a chiropractor for about 10 years now, every month, and my spine is as well as it can be. I had a full head and spine MRI a few weeks ago which came up perfect, so I don't believe it's related to posture. Definitely no aura. I have been okay for the last 2 weeks, so I'm hoping against hope that I might be improving with diet alone. Whether they go away all together, or just reduce will be an improvement. I have decided not to take the medication prescribed as the research I've done indicates that the results are only a slight improvement, and not worth the long list of possible side effects! Thanks for your input, I'll keep you updated!

For the past five months, I have been getting regular acupuncture treatments for degenerative disc disease, sciatica and migraines. I have had only one migraine in that time -- a record for me, considering I get them at least every two weeks. I'd highly recommend giving acupuncture a try.

Over the years, especially after I gave up artificial sweetener, my migraines evolved to being hormally driven. I'd get one for 3-4 days in a row once a month, if you know what I mean. The only thing that ever helped was Treximet (or is it Trexemet?), and that works like magic with no side effects whatsoever. Perhaps you don't want to take any medication, and I understand that, but nothing I ate or didn't eat ever seemed to help (though truthfully, I'd sometimes get non-hormonally related migraines when I was eating too much sugar).

Birth control pills used to cause me terrible and frequent migraines, especially as I got older and hormone levels began to change. When I finally tried everything else, I finally went off the pill and didn't have a single headache for 6 months. All that changed again with pregnancy/menopause, so hormones were definitely a factor for me.

Unfortunately my migraines are continuing I am not any medication (including the pill). I gave up artificial sweeteners months ago. They seem to be random as far as hormonal timing goes. I think perhaps acupuncture is something I need to try. I'm at such a loss. I really don't want to take the drugs, but I'm running out of other options!

I empathize completely! Do you have a feel for what your triggers are? I know if I eat a heavy meal and then go to sleep soon after, that pretty much guarantees that I'll get a migraine.

You could try growing the herb feverfew, which is a migraine preventative (they say it doesn't help much when you're in a full-blown attack, though). You eat 2-3 leaves daily. But don't take it if you're pregnant, nursing or trying to conceive.

Some other things you can try: I was reading Rodale’s Encyclopedia of Natural Home Remedies last night. It had a section on headaches/migraines. It mentioned vitamin B6. Brewer’s yeast, lecithan, B complex vitamins, and dolomite (calcium) tablets help some people. Also, herbal tea made from 1/2 teaspoon each skullcap and peppermint was said to help. For chronic sinus headaches, niacin was recommended (don't be surprised if you get a tingly/itchy feeling all over with niacin).

They also suggested putting your hands into hot-as-you-can-stand water, which can help draw the blood away from the head for relief (sort of like biofeedback). Another possibility is taking a hot shower, but letting the water mostly hit you torso and legs. After, wrap the head with a cold, wet compress. (But I personally find letting the hot shower stream on my neck and head can usually lessen a migraine.)

Also mentioned was having someone lay their hands gently on your head for a few minutes. The warmth from their hands is said to help. Also, kneading bread-- I'm guessing kneading gives your circulation a boost.

I hope you find something that helps you. McDougall's section on Allergies and his recommended elimination diet might help you pinpoint triggers, if they are dietary.

Wow! That's a lot of information, thanks! I really haven't pinpointed any triggers, and I've tried so hard! It's completely random. Sometimes I wake up with them, sometimes it's after a long day at work, and other times it's when I'm tired - but nothing that's consistent. I also find that when I have a migraine that letting hot water in the shower hit my head and neck brings some relief. I don't think it's long-lasting but it feels good at the time. I've found my way to cope when I have the attacks - for me it's panadol, hot shower and sleep upright in the recliner (for some reason it's worse if I lay flat in bed), but I'd really like to find a way to avoid them

I have to remain upright during a migraine, too. It hurts too much to lay down during one.

You're the first person I've known to have the same problem laying down! Makes it hard when I just want to sleep in my own bed, but the recliner is not a bad option. I just don't sleep very well