Diet and migraine

jon2412 · November 2017

I’ve recently had a few migraines in short succession. Normally I have maybe one every 6 months or less but I’ve had three in about 2 weeks. I’m sure I had migraines before when I was trying to lose weight but I didn’t write anything down so can’t be sure.

I know I’ve stayed hydrated, my caffeine intake has stayed about the same, sleep is much the same, exercise is the same, %age of carbs/fat/protein is the same so in short - aside from reduced calories through smaller portions, weighing and measuring I haven’t found anything else that might be a trigger.

I really hate the migraine, if I don’t get painkillers straight away, I get loads of squiggly lines and flashes in my vision, then feel a bit sick and thumping sore head. End up feeling run down and low mood and craving eating carbs and sweets for days after..:-(

I’ve heard of headaches from dieting and thought this was mostly due to dehydration. I’m curious if anyone else experienced a change in migraines when losing weight? Or any sufferers got a better way of coping with the crash and post migraine sluggishness?? Thanks!!

girlinahat · November 2017

I worked out that if I am dehydrated AND eat a banana then I'll trigger a migraine. I can eat bananas mixed with other stuff quite happily, but not on their own. That sucks at running races.

I've not really had a migraine for a good few months now (since figuring out triggers). I suffer from 'silent' migraines - so it actually begins with IBS-type stomach cramps, then leads to nausea, dizziness, the eye wobbling thing and a feeling of slurred speech, but doesn't often include a headache. Still leaves me washed out and can last up to four days.

The last time I had beginning symptoms I took a pill to prevent stomach spasms. That appeared to nip it in the bud and it didn't develop.

I hope you find a way to deal with what's happening now - it may be that the lower calories means you have increased proportionally the caffeine? Or try increasing your calories back to maintenance for a week to see if that changes things and then gradually reduce again?

AprilRN10 · November 2017

Now that I've lost a significant amount, I rarely ever get one at all. I used to get them frequently. Mostly, I get one if I work super hard at a workout. Mind you, I mean I'm gonna puke or faint hard, not just sweaty! I do think most of the time it is related to dehydration for most people. I hope you figure it out. Migraines suck.

NadNight · November 2017

I got them more frequently at a higher weight when I ate a load of high GI foods and sugary snacks (and LOTS of chocolate). My migraines cause me to partially lose my vision, become super sensitive to light and sound, lose all language and numerical ability (can't read/write/speak/understand when people talk), lose all feeling in my hands and feet and temporary loss of limb movement. They don't always come with a headache which is the only upside! Since losing weight (albeit not actually that much weight, I think it's more down to dietary changes) I've had fewer migraines

sijomial · November 2017

My change was in a positive direction - as I lost weight and got fitter my frequency of migraines dropped to the lowest point in the last 40 years. But it could just be age related as changes as "life" don't happen in isolation.

My cravings are also different too. I crave savoury and salty food. A weird post migraine pick me up is cheese and onion crisps and blue Powerade (must be the blue one!).
Avoidance of using screens post migraine also helps as I get visual disturbance too.

One of my big triggers was/is stress so wonder as a long shot if the stress of dieting may be a factor for you?

kommodevaran · November 2017

It may be due to dehydration, but not the way you think. To be hydrated, we need enough water, and salt binds water. Excessive water intake has a dehydrating effect, as it flushes out sodium. When you eat less, you'll probably get in less salt by default, and maybe you're reducing salt intake even more by eating less salty food overall. Try to add salt to your food, or just lick some table salt when you take a glass of water. I know my headaches (which have never been diagnosed, but have many similarities with migraine) are a lot more manageable when I make sure to get enough salt; I used to suffer whenever I was hot (exercise or weather), but just more salt, in addition to more water, takes care of a lot of that. Salt tablets are a little bit more expensive, but a better solution when I'm out and about.

kommodevaran · November 2017

I just realized that eating salt can alleviate headache even when I don't feel hot

Thanks, jon

FitGamerSmoak · November 2017

Could be that your body is used to a certain amount and is recalibrating. Plus if you are maintaining the amount of caffeine you had before you might not need as much as you lose weight.

I have had migraines for the last 31 years of my life (oh just gave away my age lol). But I did find that less I weighed and the healthier I ate, the better my head was. And I used to have headaches that would last days, and then I would get another one a few days later. Depending on where you live could be the heat, could be stress (that does it to me as well). I know that it's cold here now and when I put my heat on, it's like instant migraine due to the dry air.

I would recommend watch the salt intake and water intake, plus caffeine. And if you are working out more be careful with form, too much tension could also be a cause as well. Good luck figuring it out. I would also recommend keeping a journal or take notes regarding your headaches, then maybe you can attribute them to something you are eating differently.

pinuplove · November 2017

Aspartame is a trigger for me (not that I think it is inherently evil - just FOR ME; it doesn't play well with my chemistry). Also hormonal shifts (probably not such an issue for you

) and stress/tension in general. I'm 38 now and get far fewer migraines than I had in my 20s and early 30s.

I'm very interested in the salt/sodium link. Might have to try that next time I do have one!

ETA I hate the migraine hangover

Only thing that seems to help is getting plenty of extra sleep, if possible.

FitGamerSmoak · November 2017

pinuplove wrote: »

Aspartame is a trigger for me .

Yes this one as well. I didn't mention that. I noticed that once I cut out all foods with artificial sugars I was okay (but couldn't figure it out at first until I did elimination and then added it all back in again.

Barry7879 · November 2017

My girlfriend suffered really badly with migraines and she is allergic to all painkillers except Triptos. We recently went on the ketogenic diet and her migraines have cleared up completely except for when she has her period.

Her brother suffers from epilepsy. Interestingly, the keto diet was created for epileptic children before there were any drugs for it and it is still used today. There's a movie about it with Meryl Streep called First Do No Harm. One Phd neuroscience researcher I saw interviewed said there is evidence to suggest that people who get migraines may have been undiagnosed with epilepsy when they were children but they 'grew out of it'.

https://www.migrainekey.com/blog/why-ketones-kill-migraines/

https://www.dietdoctor.com/?s=migraine

Unknown · November 2017

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brig220 · November 2017

Don't get too hungry and add salt.

I was afraid to cut calories in order to loose a few pounds because I get migraines from hunger (mine last a few days but I can still function), however, since I started cutting down on sugar and also working out more regularly, I haven't had any.

I am VERY careful of not to get too hungry during the day, especially, I don't workout on an empty stomach, that is the key for me. I'll have a small amount of cottage cheese or yogurt with berries, it is worth the calories if you're going to workout to keep the migraines away. I still have a pretty big deficit and loosing weight despite avoiding hunger.

I heard that the Keto diet can help with migraines but I don't believe in that way of eating for long term health.

pogiguy05 · November 2017

Go to the doctor and have a blood work done. See if you have any deficiencies like potassium or sodium. My wife just seen her doctor today and found out she has low sodium and low blood pressure, which are probably related.

theabsentmindednurse · November 2017

As a migraine sufferer, I found initially I had more episodes.
Definitely check hydration levels. 2-3 litres daily (10 to 12 standard glasses).
If your diet has removed specific foods ie: Keto or Atkins or Vegetarian than your body could be reacting to it.
I found my migraines settled after a few months.
Your body is going through a major change.
Perhaps making those changes slowly, will reduce the episodes of your migraines.

And I definitely do agree.
If you are concerned, see your doctor.
Any migraine or headache that is abnormal for you, should be investigated by your doctor.

All the best.

jon2412 · November 2017

Thanks for all the replies. It’s good to be able to learn and hear from your experiences.

The salt connection sounds interesting, my water intake is higher than it used to be as I now make sure I drink lots during the day (which is fine apart from bathroom break every 20/30mins!) at the same time I’m also making sure I am not adding salt to my diet ( salt causes me great water retention and/or upset tummy), so it could very well be low sodium is a trigger.

I’ve never been too careful about artificial sweeteners or any particular form of diet but I’m thinking I might need to do a bit of a longer term elimination type diet just to see.

If I do keep getting them I’ll go to the DRs as noted. So far, fingers crossed, I’ve not had another one and So I’m hoping whatever it was that caused them has now passed...! Thanks

sijomial · November 2017

jon2412 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. It’s good to be able to learn and hear from your experiences.

The salt connection sounds interesting, my water intake is higher than it used to be as I now make sure I drink lots during the day (which is fine apart from bathroom break every 20/30mins!) at the same time I’m also making sure I am not adding salt to my diet ( salt causes me great water retention and/or upset tummy), so it could very well be low sodium is a trigger.

I’ve never been too careful about artificial sweeteners or any particular form of diet but I’m thinking I might need to do a bit of a longer term elimination type diet just to see.

If I do keep getting them I’ll go to the DRs as noted. So far, fingers crossed, I’ve not had another one and So I’m hoping whatever it was that caused them has now passed...! Thanks

Re. the bold.... Then you are massively over drinking.
It doesn't make you lose weight, is unnecessary, and can be harmful by upsetting your electrolyte balance.

jon2412 · November 2017

sijomial wrote: »

Re. the bold.... Then you are massively over drinking.
It doesn't make you lose weight, is unnecessary, and can be harmful by upsetting your electrolyte balance.

Well, for me I find that if I have the recommended. 2.5l per day (as advised by hydration council in the UK that advises on these matters), and if I am spreading that intake out over the working day (less at night or I’d be up during the night) then it works out I’m having a bathroom visit roughly 30mins apart. Having also looked at the colour (there’s plenty colour charts on line) then I’m hitting the ‘hydrated’ colour bang on. Having had kidney stones I’m also incredibly aware of not holding on so some visit are fairly short (sorry folks if this is getting TMI). I accept however, that lots of water will flush out electrolytes and could cause an imbalance so will have this checked out. Thanks

Diet and migraine

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