<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
On these summaries I'm including all headache suggestions received. They may seem too detailed, but if it helps only one person find a clue for their headaches, it will be worth it. So for those of you who don't have headaches, feel free to skip over this and count your blessings!
I have noticed a decline in frequency and severity in migraines since being GF. Before then even imitrex didn't help.
I do notice that if I have an accidental gluten ingestion I will get a headace/migraine before the diarrhea starts
My migraines seemed to increase after going GF, so that I was suffering at
least one week out of a month (my headaches are hormonally
related) I tried full-time birth control
pills--(I'm 46)--and this has really helped a lot. I now have my migraine
for half a day each month.
It took me about 6 months GF before I was totally rid of my almost daily
migraines. I was diagnosed at 24--6 years ago. In the past 6 years, I have
had less than 5 migraines--always tied to gluten. Give your body a chance to
rid itself of the antibodies and look forward a headache-free existence
Migraines-- I never had one in my life until I was diagnosed and gluten-free!
Now I'm healthy, but have a zillion
headaches!! After several years of suffering, I found relief with the Rx
Zomig (which is GF). I cut my 5mg tablets in 4 and take a 1/4 a dose...it lasts about 12 hours
It has made a world of difference in my life..I was getting 7 day migraines 2-3 times /month!!!
(My sister uses Amerge and likes it, but I don't know if it is GF).
I carry general headache tablets (In Australia these are
called Panadol) which are over the counter medicines. Also two prescription tablets - Lomotil (Diphenoxylate
hydrochloride and atropine sulfate) for diarrhoea, and Panadeine Forte
(Paracetamol and codeine phosphate) for migraines.
Both of these symptoms I have found happen 6-7
hours after I have accidentally eaten anything containing gluten.
BUT, the migraines only appear to happen if I have eaten a reasonably large
amount of gluten. The migraines didn't start until about 4-5 years ago I was
originally diagnosed CD in 1987 - so, as the dietician I was
originally referred to exlained - the longer I am off gluten, the more
susceptible I will become to increasingly small amounts that set off a
reaciton.
I still get severe migraines after being GF for 10+ years. I've been to the ER for migraines three times already this year! My neurologist blames some of my migraines on taking too many pain killers (Excedrin Migraine, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Aleve, and some prescriptions). He said you can get 'rebound' headaches from them. I'm to the point where a double dose of Demerol doesn't work anymore. The herb feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) has been through double-blind tests in the UK and gave outstanding results at preventing migraines. Feverfew is readily available in healthfood stores, the major drugstore chains and the big discount stores. It is naturally GF. You have to take it daily (follow dosage on bottle) but it does help. Check this website: www.bestdoctors.com/en/conditions/h/headaches/headaches_060200_p.htm , Also go to http://www.mayoclinic.com/ and in the Search Box in the upper left corner, type 'migraine'. This will take you to a page with links to articles on migraines. Be sure to scroll down the page and read the article on rebound headaches.
Like you, I am sensitive to many things beyond gluten. My migraines got lots
less severe once I got good at being GF and found, mostly through trial and
error, that I am also sensitive to lactose. Once I eliminated that from my
diet, especially from medications, I noted a marked improvement. I
understand that lactose intolerance is pretty common in those who can't
digest gluten.
Other comments:
-Gluten sensitivity: a many headed hydra--see this article.
http://www.bmj.com:80/cgi/content/full/318/7200/1710?eaf
-Sleep regular hours every night, and eat about the same time every day.
-Common triggers are coffee, citrus fruits, chocolate and cheese.
-Being even mildly dehydrated can cause migraine--drink lots of water.
-Try Axert, or Gabitril (anti-seizure med), Maxalt (relative of Imitrex). Also
try other drugs in the 'triptan' family if Imitrex doesn't work and see a
neurologist/headache specialist.
-Take Imitrex with food and eat again one hour later to avoid upset stomachs.
-Take Compazine (prescriptive anti-nausea med) 15 minutes before Excedrin to avoid stomach upset.
-Jaw pain? TMJ can cause migraines.
See a naturopath for a plan of action.
-Try Migranol nasal spray--less disruptive on digestive system than Imitrex and won't
get the same migraine 24 hours later.
-Go to http://forums.delphiforums.com/celia/messages for help too.
-Calcium/magnesium supplements helped headaches (and muscle cramps) be much rarer and less severe.
-Try Aleve. Since being GF her main headaches seem to be weather system changes.
-The SC Diet in BREAKING THE VICIOUS CYCLE cured one person after 50 years of headaches.
-Allergies trigger headaches, which is separate from CD. Take Allegra 180mg--its GF.
-MSG, nitrates, high plant estrogen food like soy flour and milk cause headaches. She uses
alka seltzer AM with baby tylenol drops for migraines which don't cause rebound headaches
like Zomig, Imitrex and over the counter drugs like Excedrin, etc.
-Try accupuncture.
-Being GF has helped a 12 year old but he also takes prescription digestive enzymes. Also uses an ice block or
dunks his head in cold water. Suggested the book WHAT YOUR DOCTOR MAY NOT TELL YOU ABOUT MIGRAINES by Alexander Mauskop, MD which advocates magnesium, riboflavin, and feverfew.
The last person also suggested headaches seem to have the ability to adapt to any remedy. Which is partly why we have so many different treatments suggested! Aren't we wonderfully different human beings! My 'cross' of migraines and CD became much easier to bear just hearing about all the good company I have out there. The best of health possible to all of you.
Jan
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