Migraine Headaches Support Group
Migraine is a neurological disease, of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head and are often accompanied by photophobia (hypersensitivity to light), phonophobia (hypersensitivity to sound) and nausea.
AFter having over 30 years of migraines and much research of trigger foods, hormone issues, stress, and weather fronts I thought at least some times I could keep them under control. Not really, 2 years ago I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis which brings a bunch of stuff to the gut area. Anyway, after much research on that part, the migraines seemed more erratic then ever. I am on the crohns colitis support group on daily strength and noticed people of all ages that never had migraines now are getting them after getting chrohns or colitis or both. Sometimes my gut and head were acting up. I seem more sensitive to some foods then ever after the colitis. It seems gluten keeps coming up. I love those nice fresh so called healthy whole grain breads for toast and sandwiches. But I repeatedly got gut trouble and migraines. I was using a brown rice gluten free bread. Whe I ran out last week pick up some regular wheat bread, Had some toast a few sandwiches. Felt that sick before real migraine hits feeling, the mood swings, irritability, anxiety,dizziness. light issues I think water retention etc/ There was nothing else unusual I ate last week. Found quite a few internet sites about gluten and migraines. Some people when they get off gluten really improve from migraines. I don't recall having a issue before the colitis, but I don't seem to digest the proteins in gluten. There's celiac and gluten sensitivity possible links to migraines. I am still learning.
What I find interesting about food and migraines is, I stay off caffeine almost completely but at times I get hungry for something chocolate. Two days ago I made Betty Crocker brownies (cannot have Ghiradelli brownies or instant migraine) and I am fine. No migraines. It doesn't make sense to me that after having no caffeine in my system for weeks, I have a few brownies and I am still fine.
Chocolate is a trigger due to some type of other chemical. My brain is blocking it now, it might be tyromine or tyrosine.
I get migraine from chocolate ONLY during and in the few days following my period. Otherwise I can eat it.
As for the gluten, I advise everyone to PLEASE see a gastroenterologist about this. As a nurse, I have seen SO MANY illness fads, from "hypoglycemia" to "candida" to "parasites" and now "gluten sensitivity." That DOESN'T mean that NO ONE has these issues, just that the "Alternative Health" people tend to latch on to these things as a cause for EVERYTHING for a while, and then when it is proven to NOT be a cause for every health problem, they move to something else.
For the OP, it could well BE GLUTEN, but I advise her to PLEASE see a competent Board Cert Gastroenterologist to make sure. It could well be something else, and if if IS gluten, or celiac, the doctor will know how to treat it. Also, if it IS due to celiac, the headaches are NOT true migraines, which have no cause in Gluten, so the treatment of the pain will be different.
Good luck.
A gluten sensitivity is simply a matter of a person who doesn't digest gluten well. Perhaps in part due to overindulgence at times.
Having worked in a health food store for some years I do agree that there are illness fads. However from my experience a lot of people turn to alternative health because they are unable to find a doctor who will take the time to listen to their complaints and take some action.
Myself I am a firm believer in medical science but I certainly do supplement with some alternative health products that I have found to be useful as well.
Alternative treatments can be very beneficial for many. Also, using medical science when necessary in conjunction with other therapies, when needed is a good way of getting the best of both worlds.
Also, being aware of the "health fads" and avoiding them is good.
You are so right about the biopsy. Celiac cannot be definitively diagnosed without it. And, in some cases, gluten sensitivity can be temporary. Like after a severe bout with gastroenteritis, and other assaults on the immune system.