Migraines from losing weight?
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cashidy
Posts: 152 Member
Hello!
I have been doing super good this week and bam I got a migraine. It meant I had to take my medicine and eat food that put me way over my healthy calorie goals. Does anyone else suffer from migraines and find they get them more as they try to eat healthier? Any tips?
A little background: my migraines are like miniature strokes. I go numb, lose vision, get confused, slurred speech, and when it all goes away unbearable pain and light and sound sensitivity, so getting them really throws off my workout groove.
I have been doing super good this week and bam I got a migraine. It meant I had to take my medicine and eat food that put me way over my healthy calorie goals. Does anyone else suffer from migraines and find they get them more as they try to eat healthier? Any tips?
A little background: my migraines are like miniature strokes. I go numb, lose vision, get confused, slurred speech, and when it all goes away unbearable pain and light and sound sensitivity, so getting them really throws off my workout groove.
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Replies
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I have these which are only managed by injections. Losing weight doesn't trigger mine but not drinking enough does. I have to make a real effort to get enough fluids or I can have a full attack which lasts a few days0
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How big is your deficit and did you radically change anything in what you eat?
I get migraine attacks when I cut carbs from one day to the next or when I drop my calories too low.1 -
I suffer with migraines and find I get them if I cut calories too much, so I'd go for a moderate deficit. Too much sugar does it for me as well. Have you started eating low fat versions of things? They tend to be full of sugar.0
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I have a friend that suffers from something similar (she has migraines with aura) and she sees a specialist for that, are you doing so? I suggest that you check with your doctor or with a specialist what triggers your episodes, so that you can find a way to avoid them if possible!
Also you can try to isolate what you have done different this week that may have caused the migraine.
Best of luck and get well soon
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I get the bad migraines too, infrequent but very intense.
I agree with terricherry2, too agressive with the deficit may be the problem. Eating healthier shouldn't be a problem, but anything that disrupts your body may trigger one, sadly.
Do they come when you are sleeping? You wake up with one? Or during the day? It may be worth trying to manage when you eat, to try to minimize the effect of the dieting. Or have you introduced specific new foods, or perhaps are eating too much sugar, if you've cut fats?
You know your own body better than anyone else. Do what you think will keep it on an even keel, that is the best preventative. Some caffeine, but not too much, some exercise every day, but not too intense, going to bed at the right time and maybe having a small snack with protein before bed, whatever helps you sleep well. Plenty of triggers you can't control, but paying attention to easy lifestyle management stuff can go a long way.
I do understand and you have my sympathy, migraine SUCKS.0 -
Mine used to be exactly like that until I started getting treatment with my current neurologist.
Are you going too long without eating?
Are you drinking enough?
Are you getting consistent regular sleep? (But as robininfl said, not too much)
Have you identified any possible food triggers? Perhaps a new food you've introduced? Is your deficit too aggressive?
It is very important to be consistent with habits when you have migraines. You have to treat yourself like a child in that regard in many ways because disruptions in routine often bring migraines on. I've found exercise programs require slow build up in progression, for example.1 -
Hello!
I have been doing super good this week and bam I got a migraine. It meant I had to take my medicine and eat food that put me way over my healthy calorie goals. Does anyone else suffer from migraines and find they get them more as they try to eat healthier? Any tips?
A little background: my migraines are like miniature strokes. I go numb, lose vision, get confused, slurred speech, and when it all goes away unbearable pain and light and sound sensitivity, so getting them really throws off my workout groove.
What does 'super good' mean to you? To me it is a red flag that you have reduced calories too much. I see you are 22 and female - what are the rest of your stats?- Height?
- Current Weight (CW)?
- Goal Weight (GW)?
- Weekly weight loss goal?
- Net calories per day?
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Did you happen to give up caffeine (soda, coffee, tea) as part of your diet change? Sometimes that triggers withdrawal symptoms, including migraines.
I found that if I worked out too hard (e.g., 60 minutes of a killer spin class) while eating a reduced calorie diet, I often ended up with migraines, too (I drank ~60 oz of water during these workouts as well). I found that by replacing some of the water with Gatorade (a 20 oz bottle of the full sugar stuff) I could avoid the headache--so they might have been caused by an electrolyte imbalance or low blood sugar.0 -
Height? 5 ft 3 inches
Current Weight (CW)? 150
Goal Weight (GW)? 125
Weekly weight loss goal? 1 to 2
Net calories per day? 1200 (plus exercise calories)
Triggers: definitely light, too much sugar after not a lot of sugar, stress, not drinking water
I get auras. First I get confused or feel "weird". Then I lose vision in one eye or get an aura. Then half my body goes numb and weak. I get slurred or confused speech. Then it all goes away and I have a massive headache in place.
I didn't drink a lot of caffeine before. I am giving up alcohol (only drank on weekends anyways). I am drinking more water.
I was prescribed maxalt, which works immediately on headaches but I found out not at all on migraines. I can never get my doctor to listen and prescribe me anything else.
I get them at random times, but most often around lights. My last one I got in the middle of a workout at the gym.
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Did you happen to give up caffeine (soda, coffee, tea) as part of your diet change? Sometimes that triggers withdrawal symptoms, including migraines.
I found that if I worked out too hard (e.g., 60 minutes of a killer spin class) while eating a reduced calorie diet, I often ended up with migraines, too (I drank ~60 oz of water during these workouts as well). I found that by replacing some of the water with Gatorade (a 20 oz bottle of the full sugar stuff) I could avoid the headache--so they might have been caused by an electrolyte imbalance or low blood sugar.
I didn't think of that! I do have blood sugar problems with my sugar bottoming out (I sometimes wonder if it is why I crave it ALL the freaking time). Maybe I work out and it bottoms out and the lights in the gym make it worse and I get a migraine? I wonder if I could try eating a small snack halfway between my workout.0 -
Height? 5 ft 3 inches
Current Weight (CW)? 150
Goal Weight (GW)? 125
Weekly weight loss goal? 1 to 2
Net calories per day? 1200 (plus exercise calories)
Triggers: definitely light, too much sugar after not a lot of sugar, stress, not drinking water
I get auras. First I get confused or feel "weird". Then I lose vision in one eye or get an aura. Then half my body goes numb and weak. I get slurred or confused speech. Then it all goes away and I have a massive headache in place.
I didn't drink a lot of caffeine before. I am giving up alcohol (only drank on weekends anyways). I am drinking more water.
I was prescribed maxalt, which works immediately on headaches but I found out not at all on migraines. I can never get my doctor to listen and prescribe me anything else.
I get them at random times, but most often around lights. My last one I got in the middle of a workout at the gym.
With only 25 pounds to lose, a weekly weight loss goal of 1-2 pounds per week is too aggressive. Try dialing back to a half pound per week which will have other benefits in addition to possibly decreasing the frequencies of your migraines. Under-eating stresses the body.0 -
You need a new doctor. If your migraines are so debilitating I would think you'd want to talk about preventative medication, and your doctor should not be disregarding your symptoms like that. The first time I had a migraine where half my body went numb, I thought I was having a stroke and went to the ER, followed up with a neurologist, and went on Imitrex daily (and took this for several years). I haven't had a migraine with an aura or numbness in many years now, not sure why they stopped.
My grandma found that when air blows on her face, especially her forehead, she often gets migraines (she already gets them at least monthly or semi-monthly anyway). To counteract this she wears stocking caps to bed (or a bandanna tied around her upper face/head in the summer) and often also covers her face when riding in cars for long periods of time, since the air vents tend to set her off (yes this is a funny sight, but it works for her). Does it help at all to wear sunglasses or maybe a visor/hat to block some of the overhead lights? I hate overheads and tend to get pounding headaches or ice-pick migraines (my norm these days, SO MUCH FUN...not...) when I spend too much time under them. Not sure why.
You could maybe try slowing your weight loss a bit so you have more calories. With 25 pounds to lose I'm not sure I'd be aiming for 1-2 pounds per week...personally I'd aim more towards .5-1. I'm getting closer to that range myself right now and planning on continuing at 1 pound a week until the calories get below 1300, then going to .5. I just don't do well with restricting too much and tend to get headachy and cranky if I do.0 -
@cashidy I have suffered from migraines for 10+ years.
Not knowing much about you personally here are a few things that affected me - and lead to migraines while losing weight and making a lifestyle change.
Hormones - as I lost weight me body adjusted to new needs and body composition. I track my monthlies like a hawk to make sure I know if its a triggered migraine or a hormonal migraine. This also affects for I 'treat' that migraine.
Water intake - to little gets me hard and fast, to much gives me a slow building super intense 3-4 day ringer. My doctor had me add electrolytes (like Gatorade) and sea salt (small amounts) to my eating habits to replace essential nutrients I was peeing out. I also take a multivitamin at night when I don't go to the restroom as much to let things absorb.
"diet" food - When I am in a bind I get tempted to grab a Luna bar or Cliff bar, a Weight watchers frozen meal or a pre-made sandwich from the gas station. Turns out me and Aspartame, Splenda, and most commercial preservatives do not get along. I will now head for a Perfect bar (refrigerated whole food bar) or even a salad from the deli case to avoid these food triggered migraines.
One more thing - I get really bad stomach aches from my Meds (previously maxalt and now Imatrex) and have found that I cant beat myself up for eating foods to 'coat' my stomach for the meds. I have found though that healthy foods can help! a whole wheat bread slice, 20 almonds or even a green shake and protein powder have all helped me get good nutrition while taking care of the migraine.
I hope my experiences can help you get some relief! I don't wish a migraine on anyone and particularly not as a perceived punishment for making better choices!0 -
I often get migraines often and am working with a neurologist, dietician, and my general practitioner to control them. Sometimes I have symptoms you describe. If your doctor won't help you find a new one. Many general practitioners don't understand migraines and treat them as a simple headache and that doesn't work you need a neurologist.
Like others have said get enough sleep. Don't eat trigger foods if you have any. If you have problems with blood sugar dropping that can cause migraines. I have to monitor mine daily because of this.
When you have migraines can you feel the expanded blood vessels when you touch your temples? There is one type of migraine where blood vessels constrict and cause the pain and another type where the blood vessels expand. My doctor told me to decrease caffeine because the most common type of migraines are the ones where blood vessels constrict. After an increase in migraines she said to increase caffeine consumption and it helped.
Most importantly if you feel your doctor doesn't listen get a new doctor your life could depend on it.0 -
Height? 5 ft 3 inches
Current Weight (CW)? 150
Goal Weight (GW)? 125
Weekly weight loss goal? 1 to 2
Net calories per day? 1200 (plus exercise calories)
Triggers: definitely light, too much sugar after not a lot of sugar, stress, not drinking water
I get auras. First I get confused or feel "weird". Then I lose vision in one eye or get an aura. Then half my body goes numb and weak. I get slurred or confused speech. Then it all goes away and I have a massive headache in place.
I didn't drink a lot of caffeine before. I am giving up alcohol (only drank on weekends anyways). I am drinking more water.
I was prescribed maxalt, which works immediately on headaches but I found out not at all on migraines. I can never get my doctor to listen and prescribe me anything else.
I get them at random times, but most often around lights. My last one I got in the middle of a workout at the gym.
Try slowing down your rate of loss.
Are you seeing a neurologist?
Maxalt isn't even a last line along the drug continuum for migraine. Are you seeing a neurologist or a GP? At least go to a neurologist. If this is a neurologist, go to a different one. Is your doctor at least trying to determine what the difference is between the headaches Maxalt does and does not work on?0 -
Thank you all for your feedback. I have never seen a neurologist, but now that I have insurance I will try to get a referral.0
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