More Headaches, Not Less.

[lucky97]

Hi,

The past couple weeks I've been getting several headaches per week...not intense, just mild.

The only change in my diet really was I've been eating this Choeceur chocolate from Aldi's labeled "gluten free" or "naturally gluten free." It's made in Austria for Aldi's does not contain anything about any "wheat" in it's allergen statement. Chocolate is just one food I'd like to have back.

It's odd because I rarely get headaches.

I've been eating gluten free for almost a year and a half. I know a lot of celiacs seem to report their headache symptoms lessen after going gluten free.

Anyone have that experience?

[IrishHeart]

Chocolate can trigger migraines. Could that be it?

[lindamb296]

Chocolate can trigger migraines. Could that be it?

footnote (nothing personal IrishHeart...) Sorry, but first, Migraines are not just "not intense" but are definitely NOT mild by any definition. Second, I've never heard of chocolate being a cause of them. I've had severe migraines all my adult life until I was finally put on medication (Topamax)to prevent them. And believe it or not, Excedrin for Migraines actually works if I catch the migraine early enough (the combination of aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine is the magic apparently--even though the so called experts claim caffeine can cause the migraines. many now admit they could be wrong).

But back to CELIAC! WHEAT FREE is not the only signifier of GLUTEN FREE. Many spices can be stabilized with flour, food ingredients such as malt, soy sauce, even BBQ sauce, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), vitamins, medications, etc. You have to read all labels and learn the ins and outs. I used to use an app on my old Iphone called "Is That Gluten Free" It was awesome. Over time, I learned what to look for and now I can buy off the shelf, I just have to be careful. For example, I love Lindt Milk Chocolate. But it has Malt Barley in the ingredients, which is a no no.

As for the headaches, are you eating a lot of sugar free or diet sodas? I started drinking diet Pepsi (Yuck!) and began having moderately bad headaches daily. When I Googled it, guess what! Artificial sweeteners can cause headaches! Oh, and eating a lot of sugar free candy can (and does) cause diarrhea!

Good luck to you. I feel for you in your struggles. Been there, and there is a light at the proverbial end.

[kareng]

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Some possible triggers for migraines. Chocolate is listed. That doesn't mean it triggers migraines in all migraine suffers. Also, not all migraines have to be " intense". Everyone I know who was put on daily migraine medication was first instructed to try to avoid the common triggers.

The combo of Exederin does help me. The last I checked, it was gluten-free.

If wheat is added to spices or soy sauce or any other food in the US and Canada , it must be listed clearly in the ingredients.

[dilettantesteph]

I would try eliminating the chocolate to see if the headaches go away. Maybe a different brand would work better. Have you checked to see if it is made in a gluten-free facility?

[IrishHeart]

footnote (nothing personal IrishHeart...) Sorry, but first, Migraines are not just "not intense" but are definitely NOT mild by any definition. Second, I've never heard of chocolate being a cause of them.

Having suffered migraines myself, I have had them be more mild than usual--as it is not about the intensity, but the pattern of them that qualifies them as migraines--and I have had them be so bad, that I asked my husband to just please shoot me with the .22 we keep by the door for rabid animals.

Whether you agree or disagree with the word I used, a known common trigger for headaches and migraines is chocolate. Karen has provided one source, but a quick google search will give you others.

Dr. David Dodick, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic, states:

Migraine attacks may be associated with headache that is mild or moderate, or severe and incapacitating. As with asthma, individuals can have some attacks that are very mild and short-lasting, and others that lead to hospitalization. The underlying biology we believe is similar, as is the response to anti-migraine medications.

If these milder attacks can be effectively and rapidly relieved with simple over-the-counter analgesics, then that is a reasonable approach. Two caveats. First, because migraine often begins with a mild headache that escalates over minutes to hours, it is difficult for some patients to distinguish between those that will progress and those that won’t. If you can distinguish between the two types, then treating them at onset with different types of so-called acute medications — either simple analgesics and triptans — is reasonable. If you can’t distinguish between the two types of attacks, and the mild headache is prone to progress to a full-blown attack with severe pain, then it is best to treat such attacks early with the most effective medication.

Second, if these mini-migraine attacks occur frequently — more than once a week — on top of several major migraine attacks per month, then preventive strategies, including preventive medications taken daily, are recommended. Preventive medications will prevent both the mini- and major attacks and prevent the overuse of acute medications, including analgesics and triptans, which in and of themselves can perpetuate the problem by inducing more headaches."

Kind regards,

IH

[Bubba's Mom]

Hi,

The past couple weeks I've been getting several headaches per week...not intense, just mild.

The only change in my diet really was I've been eating this Choeceur chocolate from Aldi's labeled "gluten free" or "naturally gluten free." It's made in Austria for Aldi's does not contain anything about any "wheat" in it's allergen statement. Chocolate is just one food I'd like to have back.

It's odd because I rarely get headaches.

I've been eating gluten free for almost a year and a half. I know a lot of celiacs seem to report their headache symptoms lessen after going gluten free.

Anyone have that experience?

Just a thought...the pollen levels the past 6 weeks or so, have been sky high in some areas of the country. Could it be that pollen is "getting" you..and the chocolate is not the cause?

I'm just hoping you don't have to give up the chocolate. I had to..and it drives me crazy seeing my hubby eat it!