migraine headaches/weight loss

stacylperry

Ive been having extreme crippling migraine headaches off and on for years.
But, in the last year and a half the migrajnes have been soooo bad I have had to go to urgent care for pain shots a few times a week.
I went to a neurologist and had all the standard tests run, No NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEMS !
It was suggested that maybe I have toxins in my fat causing the migraines......
I took the suggestion seriously,and lost 100 pounds!
I still have migraines every month Horrible migraines, EVERY MONTH !
Does any one else experience migraine headaches beyond any pain medication?
I lost 100 pounds.... now what does any one suggest??????

Mokey41

Have you kept a headache diary? I used to have horrible migraines that would last for 3 days. They had me keep a diary of what I ate, drank, did, weather conditions, stress level, pretty much every moment of the day. We finally determined that my headaches are weather related. When the barometer falls my head starts pounding. It's not anything I can control but at least I can watch the weather and take my meds at the first sign of a headache starting.

You may be able to figure out if you have a trigger by keeping a diary and if you're lucky it's something you can control!

aprilslusher

I have them alot and they are weather related.

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

I have cluster headaches so I definitely feel your pain. Look up cluster headaches, maybe that's what you have. They typically happen around the same time of day every time and they happen in "clusters" (you might have them several times a day for a week/month/whatever and then they go away for a week/month/sometimes even years). I always get them on my left temple but many people feel it right behind their eye. In most cases, the headache is limited to one side.

mbk830

Toxins in your fat? Interesting, I've never heard of that one.

I second the question on whether you keep a migraine diary. It has helped me understand many of my triggers. Sometimes, that alone makes life a little easier even if they are not things I can control. I can also often predict when my headaches are going to be at their worst and try to make arrangements to have low key days.

I've taught myself biofeedback to help me get through the work day (not perfect, but definitely helpful). Truthfully, finding a neurologist/headache specialist that is willing to work with you is my number one suggestion. My second suggestion is to stay on top of the pain with your medications. (I don't like taking them either....and pay the piper for it sometimes)

forever_polish

I get migraines regularly, but mine are related to hormone levels about a week or two before my period starts. Are you using birth control? If so, you might want to consider changing it to a progestin-only pill and see if less estrogen helps control the severity of your migraines (it helped me). Best of luck!

amberpitz

I used to have mind splitting migraines and be an evil witch for a long time....found out my neck had reversed the natural curve and my spine had bent against the natural curve at the chiros...it took more than six months of regular..like twice a week adjustments to reverse the curve so it was normal again and it was 6 months of pain and migraines still but after that I havent had any problems...fixed it..Thats my only experience with them besides an occasional one here and there so that is one thing that causes it. If you run out of ideas the chiropracter just needs an exray to see if you have military curve or reversed curve. Just a thought

kungfujen

You might want to do a trial of a gluten free diet. I am gluten sensitive and I get more migraines if I "fall off the wagon". My brother has regular migraines as well, but he decided to try a gluten free diet, and it got rid of most of his migraines. As much as you suffer, it wouldn't hurt to do a week trial and see if it helps. Good luck.

iampanda

Chiropractor- that's my suggestion. I have frequent migraines, and having my neck/back adjusted is the ONLY thing that helps. Pain meds do next to nothing for me. I would look into that.

rml_16

What the hell kind if neurologist told you toxins in fat caused your migraines???

Did the doctor not have you keep a headache diary? Talk to you about possible triggers? Migraines are very complicated. They have nothing to do with fat.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

I have chronic migraine. Imitrex helps them but I can only have 9 of them per month and I usually have 15 or so migraine days. I'm on the list for botox, which is supposed to help with the frequency, but it's expensive so I'm not holding my breath on getting approval. In the meantime I've learned what helps. Hot baths, heating pads, hot tea, and sleeping in a dark quiet room are the only things that really seem to help.

TrailRunner61

The only thing that helps me is to avoid triggers.

Stress
Smoke
Perfume
Citrus juice
Bright light
Noise
Lack of sleep
Too much sleep
Tylenol, yep, too much tylenol can cause rebound headaches/migraines.
Extreme changes in weather. Can't avoid it but I can be aware and try to avoid other triggers then.

What helps me:

Dark, quiet rooms.
Oxygen for cluster migraines.
Butalbitol for meds
Sunglasses
Removing toxic people/drama from my life.
Any kind of stress relief.
Oddly, chocolate.
Cold air, as in ICE cold.
Sometimes, caffeine.

What doesn't help me.

Preventative meds. I have taken every drug that's out there and nothing worked or it turned me into a zombie/slug.
Exercise, losing weight. I've had migraines since I was 18 years old and my weight has never made a difference.

I am now in peri-menopause and they are not as severe and not as often as they used to be, so hopefully it's just been hormone fluctuations and someday when these damn hotflashes are gone, maybe the migraines will be too. I can only hope!

Good luck, I'll say a prayer for you, that yours go away!

ETA: The 'toxins' that you were told were in your fat are probably estrogen. Hormones DO cause migraines and fat holds hormones, so if you have more fat, you naturally have more hormones. Weight loss probably does help some people, but it didn't help me. I've lost 40lbs so far and want to lose another 15-20.

meggyannpt

If you have any history of neck injury or pain (such as whiplash), you could try physical therapy. There are certain types of headaches that originate in the neck, usually at the base of the head, which can be treated with physical therapy. Chiropractors treat the joints only, where physical therapy will address all the muscles around the neck in addition to the joints. If it is a true migraine, however, it is likely that there is something else going on.

Otherwise, I definitely agree with the headache diary. That way if you decide to seek other opinions from other doctors (such as neurologists) you can give them more information as to what may be causing these migraines.

vashnic

What the hell kind if neurologist told you toxins in fat caused your migraines???

Did the doctor not have you keep a headache diary? Talk to you about possible triggers? Migraines are very complicated. They have nothing to do with fat.

Many chemicals (such as lead, many pesticides) are lipophilic--easily absorbed by fat, not so much by water. This mean that they can get stored in your fat cells for quite a long time and without too many bad effects. Fat is pretty good at keeping itself stable and out of the blood stream. However, if a person starts to quickly lose weight (like on a crash diet), the fat is used up for energy and all the lipophilic compounds are released into the body. This is when bad things start to pop up. Did you have a blood test done?

Not saying that this is the case here, but there is a precedent for poisoning associated with rapid weight loss. There was also a House, MD episode on this. XD

MelissR75

I have suffered from migraines since I was a teenager. They were worse before my TOM but Id get them at other times as well. A few years ago I was put on a beta~blocker and what a relief!! I now go months without a migraine! Now if/when I get them I try stop it with Immetrex. That is hit or miss, though depening on when I catch the headache. Hope it gets better for you.

KirstenTheFamilyCoach

.... now what does any one suggest??????

Lots of great suggestions here. I'll add that cutting out all HFCS may help. What really truly made the biggest difference for me was accupuncture.

3foldchord

I just have chronic migraines. I have had them since I was about 4 years old. Eating more protein, drinking more water, getting exercise, cutting back on grains, avoiding artificial sweeteners...all seem to help a little. Acupuncture helps a little bit, too, for me. But even still,I have bed-ridden migraines a few times a month.

And I wear sunglasses everywhere! All the time! Rain or shine! In building or out! That has helped a lot, too.

Good luck.

diver71_au

**I am not a doctor**

You say that he sent you for Neuro checks .....but I dont suppose he sent you for a contrast ECG to check for a PFO.

PFO is a small hole in the wall of the heart that 1 in 4 people have (we all have it when born but it closes over in most people). There have been studies to suggest that the people who do have this condition also seem to get migraines (particularly migraines with aura).

If the migraines are caused by PFO it is possible to have a surgery to repair the PFO and thereby reduce the migraines. Google PFO and Migraine

cmriverside

You have gotten all the great responses!

1. Migraine Diary
2. Elimination diet (gluten seems to be a biggie, as are cheese, caffeine, nuts (or rather, peanuts), chocolate, citrus.)
3. Barometric pressure changes
4. Hormonal (female cycle)
5. Stress
6. Spinal problems

Try any and all of these to learn about your headaches. I got (diagnosed) migraines for 20 years, and ended up in the ER myself, so I literally feel your pain. There are good treatments available, keep looking.

Mine were 1. Hormonal and 2. Barometrically induced.

Most of them went away when I went through menopause, but they were really bad throughout my late 30s, all of my 40s and into my early 50s. But I've known other people to get relief through elimination diets and spinal manipulation. Best advice? Take the meds as soon as you feel one coming on. They don't go away by waiting.

One more thing: You can be checked for a heart condition called PFO...Patent foramen ovale..it is a small hole in the heart that causes migraines in some people.

Good luck.

rml_16

What the hell kind if neurologist told you toxins in fat caused your migraines???

Did the doctor not have you keep a headache diary? Talk to you about possible triggers? Migraines are very complicated. They have nothing to do with fat.

Many chemicals (such as lead, many pesticides) are lipophilic--easily absorbed by fat, not so much by water. This mean that they can get stored in your fat cells for quite a long time and without too many bad effects. Fat is pretty good at keeping itself stable and out of the blood stream. However, if a person starts to quickly lose weight (like on a crash diet), the fat is used up for energy and all the lipophilic compounds are released into the body. This is when bad things start to pop up. Did you have a blood test done?

Not saying that this is the case here, but there is a precedent for poisoning associated with rapid weight loss. There was also a House, MD episode on this. XD

She had the headaches before the weight loss.

dsjohndrow

This may sound a little crazy, but my wife had severe headaches almost daily. Finally we switched dentists and she suggested orthodontics. Completely gone. Worth looking into.

PikaKnight

Migraines run in my family and I definitely inherited them. A few years ago, I'd get them more and more often and they could last up to 2-3 days. But since losing weight and getting more regular with exercise - I have found my migraines are rare.

cmriverside

This may sound a little crazy, but my wife had severe headaches almost daily. Finally we switched dentists and she suggested orthodontics. Completely gone. Worth looking into.

Teeth grinding and extreme anxiety can bring about stress or cluster headaches...migraines are a bit different...they are mostly about vascular constriction/dilation, in my research....I had a dentist insist it was ortho, but in my case, it wasn't.

PikaKnight

You have gotten all the great responses!

1. Migraine Diary
2. Elimination diet (gluten seems to be a biggie, as are cheese, caffeine, nuts (or rather, peanuts), chocolate, citrus.)
3. Barometric pressure changes
4. Hormonal (female cycle)
5. Stress
6. Spinal problems

Try any and all of these to learn about your headaches. I got (diagnosed) migraines for 20 years, and ended up in the ER myself, so I literally feel your pain. There are good treatments available, keep looking.

Mine were 1. Hormonal and 2. Barometrically induced.

Most of them went away when I went through menopause, but they were really bad throughout my late 30s, all of my 40s and into my early 50s. But I've known other people to get relief through elimination diets and spinal manipulation. Best advice? Take the meds as soon as you feel one coming on. They don't go away by waiting.

One more thing: You can be checked for a heart condition called PFO...Patent foramen ovale..it is a small hole in the heart that causes migraines in some people.

Good luck.

Mine can be triggered by nuts and too much caffeine as well as stress. Once in awhile, I noticed that a small migraine would start with barometric pressure changes.

The last really bad one I had about 4-5 years ago lasted almost 4 days and I ended up getting a severe case of vertigo, which still hasn't completely gone away

kelly_rick

My gp suggested trialling beta blockers as migraine prevention after chronic suffering for years! I've been on them 18 months and I've had 2 in that whole time. Both of those occurred in the same week as I forgot a tablet.
I take one tablet every night. Its the best thing I could of ever done!
Google it.... Beta blockers for migraine!

stacylperry

Thank you, ALL of YOU ! THANK YOU EVERYONE !!!!!
I kept my history very brief not to bore any of you. But I left out information, important information...
Im so sorry!
Ive tried the migraine medications (imitrex, maxolt ect.) and found I was allergic to them , my throat closes and I cant breath.
Ive tried chiropractors, and acupuntorists for years at a time with all the hope in the world. But no lasting relief.
Ive tried massage therapists, electric stimulation.
Ive BEGGED my primary physician to take blood tests at different times of the month to try to rule out possible hormone imbalance connection, (supposedly Im fine).

Thats how I got the referral to the nerologist. Thats how all of the neurological tests were taken... and I was tested further for psuedo tumor ceribri, and meningitis. More blood work, and BOTOX SHOTS . PAIN SHOTS in the head, pain medication to keep the worst pain under control...
SUNGLASSES, EARPLUGGS, COLDPACKS, EYES CHECKED, contacts,
MENSTRUAL DIARIES, SLEEP DIARIES, MEDICATION DIARIES, change in diet, nutrition classes, weight loss.....
And the migraines keep on coming EVERYMONTH EVERY MONTH ... and the doctors tell me my blood work is within "normal"
range.
So I thought Id ask all of YOU smart people about weight loss and migraines
:flowerforyou:
I really need some answers....

3foldchord

My gp suggested trialling beta blockers as migraine prevention after chronic suffering for years! I've been on them 18 months and I've had 2 in that whole time. Both of those occurred in the same week as I forgot a tablet.
I take one tablet every night. Its the best thing I could of ever done!
Google it.... Beta blockers for migraine!

I may have to talk to my dr about that! I get tachycardia occasionally, and the beta blockers would help that too.

MoreBean13

Have you ever tried supplementing Magnesium?

Also, mine get triggered if my carbs are too low.

TrailRunner61

Oops! I can't believe I forgot this. Everytime I was in the ER with a migraine, my blood pressure was sky high.. They would say that it was high because of the headache. Well I mentioned that to my neurologist and he had me monitor my blood pressure. Come to find out, half the time it was normal 120/60ish, and sometimes it went as high as 190/110!! He put me on verapamil for high blood pressure and it has helped some. I have no side effects, the blood pressure is now completely normal. Weight loss, by the way, did not allow me to go off the Verapamil. I'm assuming I'll have to take it for life.
Anyway, make sure that your blood pressure isn't going up and down without your knowledge because every time it's up, it causes damage to your blood vessels and internal organs. You can buy an automatic blood pressure monitor that is very easy to use. Check it a few times a day and log it so you know if it's fluctuating.
I hope this helps and I pray you get relief soon. It's very hard to work out with migraines.

xiofett

When you say you've tried massage therapists, do you know what modalities they used on you? The one that seems to give the best results (at least in my experience) is craniosacral, but a combination of neuromuscular and trigger point therapy might also help.

EmilyJackCO

I get them really bad, and I have since I was 7 years old. I get the numbness, paralysis, auras, severe pain, etc. My problem is that they appear to be completely random. The ONLY thing I've ever been able to attribute them to is when I undergo a period of prolonged stress, and when that stress ligtens up and things return to normal? Three or four days later - SLAM.

The past few months have been *really* hard, and I've had them about every 7-10 days since October. However, the one that hit me three weeks ago, so severe that it landed me in the ER and lasted for 6 days... I haven't had one since. It's only a matter of time for me though. No medication has ever stopped or prevented them, including betablockers or ergotamines. And they magically got a magnitude worse when I turned 35.

the only thing that I have found that regular massage therapy helps keep them at bay a little bit. But that's not always doable, and I end up regretting it. But I think that's more to do with my stress levels than anything physical. I've had them so much of my life, I just plod on through for the most part, unless I get to the point where I can't keep water down. I will modify activities, but I still work and participate as best I can. I wouldn't have a life at all if I didn't.

Migraines are one of the biggest mysteries in medicine. They ended up eventually tying my mom's to her seizure disorder, of all things. The last year of her life, they found that if she took 3 Benadryl and 2 Excedrin Migraine and one of her pain pills at the onset (at the very beginning of her auras), they could be prevented. So I'm going to try that... sort of. My cocktail will be 2 benadryls and 3 Advil Migraine.... I can't take Tylenol. We'll see how it goes...