Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Migraines - Giving Gluten Free A Try

Zook

Recommended Posts

Zook Newbie
Zook
Posted

Hi all. I'm hoping you'll share your insights with me. I don't have concerns that I have celiacs, but I was thinking about giving a gluten free diet a try. My main complaint is migraines and chronic daily headaches. I know that going gluten free will be a challenge, but I've tried everything else and am desperate. I do have abdominal pain, fatigue, and a consistent blah feeling, but generally not any other symptoms of celiac.

One of the reasons I'm targeting gluten is that I can't take vitamins without getting a severe migraine, and I know that gluten is in most vitamins. I'm also zeroing in on certain breads/pizza as possible triggers.

Think it's worth a shot?

Also, I have a stupid question(s) (I know, no stupid questions, only stupid people ;0). Are whole cut oats considered gluten free? And I see that whey protein is in yogurt. That's bad, right? Oy this is hard and I haven't really started yet. What other ingredients might include gluten?

What do you all eat if you can't have bread, dairy, and soy? I don't think dairy and soy are a problem for me, but I'll have to test that out too. I found a website where I can order gluten free food and vitamins, so that should help.

Thanks!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted
Hi all. I'm hoping you'll share your insights with me. I don't have concerns that I have celiacs, but I was thinking about giving a gluten free diet a try. My main complaint is migraines and chronic daily headaches. I know that going gluten free will be a challenge, but I've tried everything else and am desperate. I do have abdominal pain, fatigue, and a consistent blah feeling, but generally not any other symptoms of celiac.

One of the reasons I'm targeting gluten is that I can't take vitamins without getting a severe migraine, and I know that gluten is in most vitamins. I'm also zeroing in on certain breads/pizza as possible triggers.

Think it's worth a shot?

Also, I have a stupid question(s) (I know, no stupid questions, only stupid people ;0). Are whole cut oats considered gluten free? And I see that whey protein is in yogurt. That's bad, right? Oy this is hard and I haven't really started yet. What other ingredients might include gluten?

What do you all eat if you can't have bread, dairy, and soy? I don't think dairy and soy are a problem for me, but I'll have to test that out too. I found a website where I can order gluten free food and vitamins, so that should help.

Thanks!

Hi and welcome, Zook,

You may very well find that a gluten-free diet helps out with your migraines. Migraines are a symptom for some people with Celiac. Your abdominal pain, fatigue and "blahs" are also things that may improve. I think it's definately worth a shot. The diet is healthy and won't hurt you.

When you go gluten-free, go all the way and try to be as close to 100% as possible to see if this is an issue for you. (You didn't mention this, but if you think you ever want to be tested for Celiac, don't begin the diet untill after the test--doing so will skew the results. Just an FYI.)

The problem with oats is that most that you find in the regular grocery stores are cross contaminated during harvesting, storing, and/or shipping. There are specialty brands that you could use. Many here on the board have had success with them and can steer you to the best ones. Some people who are intolerant to gluten will also be intolerant to the protein in oats. Not everyone, though.

Whey protein is from dairy--it's not a gluten issue.

Some of us buy or make breads made with rice or other "safe" grains. Most Celiacs can still enjoy dairy and soy if they choose--it's an individual thing. I, for instance, developed additional food intolerances after going gluten-free, so I have to avoid soy, dairy, and a few others.

On this site, there are lists of safe and forbidden foods.

There's no such thing as a stupid question here! Ask away--we're more than happy to help :)

Zook Newbie
Zook
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for the response, it was very encouraging. I've been looking at other posts and I see some references to migraine relief with this diet. I'm totally psyched! Someone mentioned a hung-over feeling after eating wheat... and I've had that feeling but never associated the two. The gluten-free diet will be hard, but if I start feeling better, it'll be worth it.

Jestgar Rising Star
Jestgar
Posted

Hi Zook

My friend got rid of 90% of her migraines by stopping gluten and she's currently working on which other foods are triggers.

It's totally worth a shot.

Zook Newbie
Zook
Posted
  • Author

Wuhoo!!!!!!! That's really great to hear. :D:D:D

It's beyond me why not one of the zillion doctors I've seen have ever mentioned this.

Ursa Major Collaborator
Ursa Major
Posted

While gluten may well be your problem, I just want to mention that all of your symptoms could also be caused by nightshade vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant). With me, potatoes will cause gastrointestinal distress, and tomatoes cause the migraines. Plus, of course, gluten is a huge problem as well.

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

Many people here found their migraines eased a little, a lot, or went away entirely when gluten free.

Some of us did not, however. I'm on daily preventatives (topamax), and found that seeing a chiropractor to correct a significant forward head posture and loss of curvature in the cervical spine almost entirely got rid of the non-migraine frequent headaches. Being dairy free is also important for me to maintain in order to stay as free of headaches as possible; it's a more potent trigger for me than gluten, in that regard.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Idiote Savante Goddess Rookie
Idiote Savante Goddess
Posted

Has anyone else been Rx'd Elavil for migraines? I can't take Topamax bc of family hx of kidney stones -- but the Elavil is making me extremely emotional. I got a ticking off at work yesterday for being short tempered AND reading the Heifer International brochure I got in the mail made me cry. My daughter thinks it's made me very unstable and that I should quit taking it.

I do see the neuro on Monday -- will ask him to order the gene test --- and I think after that (the appointment, not the gene test), I'm just going to break down and go gluten-free rather than just wheat-free (FYI, wheat allergy, rice allergy, negative blood test - but haven't eaten much wheat in over a year) and see if my brain fog (Hey, I've coined a new disorder -- Adult Onset ADD) improves.

Zook Newbie
Zook
Posted
  • Author

I've tried a lot of meds for the migraines, but not Elavil. I found that I can't tolerate the side effects of them so I stopped. I will say, however, that had they been effective, I likely would have stuck with it. Is it working for you and have you been on it long enough to adjust to the side effects? Maybe there is a similar drug that might not affect you as badly. I've gotten to the point where most of the time I just suffer. I can't take most abortives because of a heart condition, and the one I can take is addictive and will cause wicked rebounds. I usually save that for when I just can't take it anymore. I hope you find an answer soon. I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much about a gluten free diet, because after this, I don't know what to try.

Aligray Apprentice
Aligray
Posted

Zook! Welcome!

I used to have DAILY headaches before going gluten free. Some were dull and others I could not open my eyes. But now, the headaches are completely gone. They only come back if i have been cc'd or glutened accidentally.

Good luck to u!

If u do the diet, u need to go at it 100%. I think it would probably be great for u. It takes patience and time but u can do it!

-Ali :)

oldsalt19 Newbie
oldsalt19
Posted
Hi all. I'm hoping you'll share your insights with me. I don't have concerns that I have celiacs, but I was thinking about giving a gluten free diet a try. My main complaint is migraines and chronic daily headaches. I know that going gluten free will be a challenge, but I've tried everything else and am desperate. I do have abdominal pain, fatigue, and a consistent blah feeling, but generally not any other symptoms of celiac.

One of the reasons I'm targeting gluten is that I can't take vitamins without getting a severe migraine, and I know that gluten is in most vitamins. I'm also zeroing in on certain breads/pizza as possible triggers.

Think it's worth a shot?

Also, I have a stupid question(s) (I know, no stupid questions, only stupid people ;0). Are whole cut oats considered gluten free? And I see that whey protein is in yogurt. That's bad, right? Oy this is hard and I haven't really started yet. What other ingredients might include gluten?

What do you all eat if you can't have bread, dairy, and soy? I don't think dairy and soy are a problem for me, but I'll have to test that out too. I found a website where I can order gluten free food and vitamins, so that should help.

Thanks!

I went gluten free just yesterday and I'm already feeling better.

As my (probable) gluten intolerance has become worse over the years, so have my headaches. Some were helped by migraine meds and some were not. We'll see.

CMCM Rising Star
CMCM
Posted

I spent over 12 years suffering mightily from recurrent migraines that could last for days. When Imitrex first came out it helped, but I lived in mortal fear of running out of them.

After going gluten free and ALSO cutting back on dairy and all sugar in a major way, my migraines miraculously disappeared. I haven't had one in a year and a half, not one. So I can say that for me, gluten and perhaps the other things I mentioned (in larger amounts) were all responsible for my migraines. I suspect that it was mainly if not entirely gluten, since I now have small amounts of dairy and occasional sugar without problems. :rolleyes:

Zook Newbie
Zook
Posted
  • Author

Thanks so much for the feedback. It's encouraging to see such positive results. I'm definitely on board with going 100%, but when I saw there was gluten in ice cream I about had a fit :blink: . Sounds like it's worth it to limit dairy and sugar as well. Thanks again!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Lotte18
      - Lotte18 commented on Scott Adams's article in Diagnosis, Testing & Treatment
      9

      A Future Beyond the Gluten-Free Diet? Scientists Test a New Cell Therapy for Celiac Disease (+Video)

      I feel the same way. Looks like the research is being done in Switzerland. Thank you Scott for keeping us updated on the research!
    2. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to McKinleyWY's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Accuracy of testing concerns

      Welcome to the forum, @McKinleyWY, For a genetic test, you don't have to eat gluten, but this will only show if you have the genes necessary for the development of Celiac disease. It will not show if you have active Celiac disease. Eating gluten stimulates the production of antibodies against gluten which mistakenly attack our own bodies. The...
    3. trents
      - trents replied to McKinleyWY's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Accuracy of testing concerns

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @McKinleyWY! There currently is no testing for celiac disease that does not require you to have been consuming generous amounts of gluten (at least 10g daily, about the amount in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for at least two weeks and, to be certain of accurate testing, longer than that. This applies to both phases...
    4. McKinleyWY
      - McKinleyWY posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Accuracy of testing concerns

      Hello all, I was diagnosed at the age of 2 as being allergic to yeast. All my life I have avoided bread and most products containing enriched flour as they contain yeast (when making the man made vitamins to add back in to the flour). Within the last year or so, we discovered that even whole wheat products bother me but strangely enough I can eat...
    5. trents
      - trents replied to Teaganwhowantsanexpltion's topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      4

      A little about me and my celiac disease

      I know what you mean. When I get glutened I have severe gut cramps and throw up for 2-3 hr. and then have diarrhea for another several hours. Avoid eating out if at all possible. It is the number one source of gluten contamination for us celiacs. When you are forced to eat out at a new restaurant that you are not sure is safe, try to order things that you...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,241
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Lectinfreetxn
    Newest Member
    Lectinfreetxn
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @McKinleyWY, For a genetic test, you don't have to eat gluten, but this will only show if you have the genes necessary for the development of Celiac disease.  It will not show if you have active Celiac disease.   Eating gluten stimulates the production of antibodies against gluten which mistakenly attack our own bodies.  The antibodies are produced in the small intestines.  Three grams of gluten are enough to make you feel sick and ramp up anti-gluten antibody production and inflammation for two years afterwards.  However, TEN grams of gluten or more per day for two weeks is required to stimulate anti-gluten antibodies' production enough so that the anti-gluten antibodies move out of the intestines and into the bloodstream where they can be measured in blood tests.  This level of anti-gluten antibodies also causes measurable damage to the lining of the intestines as seen on biopsy samples taken during an endoscopy (the "gold standard" of Celiac diagnosis).   Since you have been experimenting with whole wheat bread in the past year or so, possibly getting cross contaminated in a mixed household, and your immune system is still so sensitized to gluten consumption, you may want to go ahead with the gluten challenge.   It can take two years absolutely gluten free for the immune system to quit reacting to gluten exposure.   Avoiding gluten most if the time, but then experimenting with whole wheat bread is a great way to keep your body in a state of inflammation and illness.  A diagnosis would help you stop playing Russian roulette with your and your children's health.      
    • trents
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @McKinleyWY! There currently is no testing for celiac disease that does not require you to have been consuming generous amounts of gluten (at least 10g daily, about the amount in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for at least two weeks and, to be certain of accurate testing, longer than that. This applies to both phases of testing, the blood antibody tests and the endoscopy with biopsy.  There is the option of genetic testing to see if you have one or both of the two genes known to provide the potential to develop celiac disease. It is not really a diagnostic measure, however, as 30-40% of the general population has one or both of these genes whereas only about 1% of the general population actually develops celiac disease. But genetic testing is valuable as a rule out measure. If you don't have either of the genes, it is highly unlikely that you can have celiac disease. Having said all that, even if you don't have celiac disease you can have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) which shares many of the same symptoms as celiac disease but does not involve and autoimmune reaction that damages the lining of the small bowel as does celiac disease. Both conditions call for the complete elimination of gluten from the diet. I hope this brings some clarity to your questions.
    • McKinleyWY
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By McKinleyWY · Posted

      Hello all, I was diagnosed at the age of 2 as being allergic to yeast.  All my life I have avoided bread and most products containing enriched flour as they  contain yeast (when making the man made vitamins to add back in to the flour).  Within the last year or so, we discovered that even whole wheat products bother me but strangely enough I can eat gluten free bread with yeast and have no reactions.  Obviously, we have come to believe the issue is gluten not yeast.  Times continues to reinforce this as we are transitioning to a gluten free home and family.  I become quite ill when I consume even the smallest amount of gluten. How will my not having consumed breads/yeast/gluten for the better part of decades impact a biopsy or blood work?  I would love to know if it is a gluten intolerance or a genetic issue for family members but unsure of the results given my history of limited gluten intake.   I appreciate the input from those who have gone before me in experience and knowledge. Thank you all!
    • trents
      A little about me and my celiac disease

      By trents · Posted

      I know what you mean. When I get glutened I have severe gut cramps and throw up for 2-3 hr. and then have diarrhea for another several hours. Avoid eating out if at all possible. It is the number one source of gluten contamination for us celiacs. When you are forced to eat out at a new restaurant that you are not sure is safe, try to order things that you can be sure will not get cross contaminated like a boiled egg, baked potatos, steamed vegies, fresh fruit. Yes, I know that doesn't sound as appetizing as pizza or a burger and fries but your health is at stake. I also realize that as a 14 year old you don't have a lot of control over where you eat out because you are tagging along with others or adults are paying for it. Do you have support from your parents concerning your need to eat gluten free? Do you believe they have a good understanding of the many places gluten can show up in the food supply?
    • Peace lily
      Gluten Free Coffee

      By Peace lily · Posted

      Okay went online to check green mountain k cups .It was said that the regular coffees are fine but they couldn’t guarantee cross contamination.with the flavors. im trying to figure out since I eliminated the suyrup so far so good. I’m hoping. thanks it feels good to listen to other people there views.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.