Chronic Daily Migraines

[Waiting]

Hi everyone! I'm new here and new to Celiac. I have only been gluten-free since the very end of May (2009). My question is if anyone else suffers (or has suffered) from migraines, daily or otherwise. If so, has the gluten-free diet helped with the frequency or with the intensity? If so, how long was it before you noticed a difference? I'm so ready to say good-bye to this chronic pain!

[eringopaint]

I had chronic migraines for 35 yrs - during that time I tried EVERYTHING! or so I thought.

I went totally gluten-free in April 08 after greatly reducing my gluten intake for a few years. I guess it was about 4 months into being completely gluten-free that I saw a real drop in frequency - and duration - of my migraines.

After 6-7 months I saw a radical change --- I started to go weeks and then months without any migraines. This was unheard of in my 35 yrs I had migraines!

What I have learned is that even a small trace of gluten (like cross-contamination or gluten-free food made on shared equipment) can trigger my migraines. If I stay vigilant, my migraines remain a thing of the past.

It is well worth the effort!!!

Make sure you are not getting traces of gluten in something.

Good luck!

erin

[ang1e0251]

I do not have migraines but my daughter, my assistant's son and other friends do. I helped my daughter when I read about the benefits of feverfew for migraines. I already had her on B6.

This helped her but not as much as another herbal combination called Migraliev. It has feverfew, magnesium and roboflavin. These give her great relief. Much fewer migraines and shorter in duration.

Others we have told about this product have found relief from it. But my assistant's 13 YO son missed most of 2 years of school from migraines. He really had an ongoing headache all the time. She had him to all kinds of specialists with really no relief. I had read "The Miracle of Magnesium" in the meantime. Dr. Dean said of migraines that many suffer very low magnesium. Her recommendations were to eliminate any allergies or food sensitivities, add feverfew, B vitamins and feverfew. He went on the Migraliev, increased magnesium and the other vitamins mentioned. He still had problems on rainy days. He tends to have sinus issues so we found online a nasal spray with capscacian (hot peppers) and feverfew. This has been the final puzzle piece for him. He uses this at the start of a headache and it melts away. Along with the supplements, he has had the migraines under control and looks forward to starting high school.

[tarnalberry]

I developed chronic migraines years after going gluten (and dairy) free. I took topamax (daily preventative) for a long time. Supplements helped, but didn't fix the problem, which I think is related to stress and poor neck alignment.

[RideAllWays]

I get migraines after being glutened

[lsolatka]

Tiffany-I noticed your "aka" comment on chocolate and that you continue to have migraines. Have you ever considered chocolate as a cause of migraines? My husband will get a migraine if he eats even one M&M! Just a thought. Lisa

[Fiddle-Faddle]

My neurologist actually recommended butterbur (similar effect as feverfew) as well as riboflavin and magnesium.

[tarnalberry]

Tiffany-I noticed your "aka" comment on chocolate and that you continue to have migraines. Have you ever considered chocolate as a cause of migraines? My husband will get a migraine if he eats even one M&M! Just a thought. Lisa

Yup - I tried dietary tests for all common food triggers (and food allergens) before I went on the daily meds. None of them triggered a migraine for me. Addressing the neck issue has definitely helped (I'm off my meds, for the past 6 weeks), though I can't do anything about the weather affect. (Some people appear to be triggered by sudden day-to-day changes in temperature (possibly due to barometric pressure). I'm pretty sure I'm one of them.)

[Waiting]

Thanks to all! I initially noticed a difference, but the migraines have returned. Tiffany -- what are you doing for your neck? Daily preventatives (Topomax, sectral, etc.) and migraine meds (imitrex, treximet, etc.) do not work on me; in fact, they all make mine worse. Magnesium has not helped either. So discouraging!

[tarnalberry]

besides the magnesium, I also take calcium, a vitB, and (rather a lot of) omega-3's. my neck - I'm working with a chiropractor to reduce the forward head posture and regain curve in the cervical spine. (so, posture exercises, posture awareness during the day, some adjustments (not manual ones, I do *not* like having my neck cracked), and traction (which helps the most, but I hate the most - still do it though, because it really does help)).

[ang1e0251]

Thanks to all! I initially noticed a difference, but the migraines have returned. Tiffany -- what are you doing for your neck? Daily preventatives (Topomax, sectral, etc.) and migraine meds (imitrex, treximet, etc.) do not work on me; in fact, they all make mine worse. Magnesium has not helped either. So discouraging!

How much magnesium are you taking? Dr. Carolyn Dean who wrote the book I mentioned recommends around 600 mgs for normal adult patients. I notice I tend to need higher than average amounts of supplements to do the trick. I've built up to 660 mgs right now. That's the point where my bm's are soft. I don't want D so if I think I need more, I'll try the topical oil. It has helped a lot with my neck stiffness and I'm sleeping better as well.

[Waiting]

Hmmm...will try the higher magnesium. Also, I just found out that I glutened myself on Saturday, which is when my daily migraines (and joint aches) started again . DUH!! I guess it will take some time to get used to this .

[nasalady]

Hi everyone! I'm new here and new to Celiac. I have only been gluten-free since the very end of May (2009). My question is if anyone else suffers (or has suffered) from migraines, daily or otherwise. If so, has the gluten-free diet helped with the frequency or with the intensity? If so, how long was it before you noticed a difference? I'm so ready to say good-bye to this chronic pain!

I had major daily migraines until I went gluten free in November. Now I only have them when I've been glutened.

For me, it's been a long process to become completely gluten free. For example, yesterday I just realized that I may be glutening myself and my family (we all have gluten issues) by using my old Crockpot because the stoneware is porous. One more thing to replace.....

[Waiting]

I had major daily migraines until I went gluten free in November. Now I only have them when I've been glutened.

For me, it's been a long process to become completely gluten free. For example, yesterday I just realized that I may be glutening myself and my family (we all have gluten issues) by using my old Crockpot because the stoneware is porous. One more thing to replace.....

Oh, I know!! I just learned last night that I need different cookware. I bought I separate toaster for me today and replaced all of my cosmetics, lotions, soaps, shampoos, gels, and hairspray. Too bad I can't get back all of the money I spent on doctors!!! Oh geez, hadn't thought of the Crockpot...or the wok...or the....