Headaches/ Migraines

[LaurieG]

5 years ago or so I went through a period where I was getting intense migraines - complete with nausea, light sensitivity, etc.  Over the past 5 years I've figured out I can't have anything with caffeine in it (even decaf coffee or tea) except maybe a little chocolate - but not too much.  I also can't have red wine.  If I'm good about avoiding these things I don't have full blown migraines anymore.  But I still get headaches with a typical pattern.  It starts with my head feeling pressure (which I actually have been having most of the time lately, but it usually gets worse), then I'll have a kink in my neck, then I'll have insomnia one night.  Usually by evening after the insomnia night (which is tonight in this case) I have a headache, a little queasiness, and the feeling that my head is swimming - I can't move my head around too fast or I'll get really dizzy.  The last 3 months its been during my period, but before that I can't say there was a hormonal pattern that I recognized. 

I'd love to get to the bottom of this.  Which factor do I tackle first?  Fixing my neck issues? (which have plagued me for years), or sinus issues?  or hormones?  And how do you work on the hormones?  Is this a sign of vitamin or mineral imbalance?  is there any way to head off a headache once I notice this signs?  I absolutely can't take excedrine - way too much caffeine for me and it makes me jittery and then causes rebound migraines.  So I usually make due with alternating tylenol and ibuprofen each every 2 hrs.  Is there something better / more natural to try?

And since I'm throwing out questions (I almost feel like this is too much to ask for) is there any chance of being able to drink a cup of coffee or a glass of red wine at some point in my future, or must I swear them off for ever?

[JMJ]

Often, these things can have complex causes, but I would look into Magnesium deficiency.  Here's a very well-researched and cited blog post I recently read on the topic.  What stood out to me from reading your post was this paragraph:

Drinking caffeine, carbonated soft drinks, and alcohol waste magnesium. So does eating sugar. So while cocoa is a good source of magnesium, it is rarely ever eaten without sugar, which wastes magnesium. So, sorry to say, chocolate is not recommended as a source of magnesium. (Sorry, raw cacao is out, too, as it is very high in phytic acid, which binds with minerals and prevents absorption.)

If Magnesium deficiency is your problem, it would make sense that caffeine and alcohol would make your headaches worse, and chocolate wouldn't be quite as bad but still not good for you.

I've also read a little bit recently about a study that successfully used Magnesium supplementation to treat migraines, at least in a significant number of the participants.  I really don't know a lot more on this yet, so maybe somebody else wants to chime in, but hopefully this gives you some ideas for your own research.  Good luck!

Edited by JMJ - 12/1/11 at 2:39pm

[cameragirl]

I think that for many of us, migraines really are a complex issue. There is more than one trigger. My neck issues turned out to be the major issue for me. I have a muscle condition that causes spasms and rigidity. Tight muscles in my neck irritate the occipital nerves, and I get raging migraines on a regular basis. I don't particularly like it, but getting Solumedrol injections in the occipital area really helps. It gives me a couple months of less-frequent headaches. Have you tried chiropractic adjustments? I think that would be a good start if you haven't tried that yet. Give it a few adjustments to see if it helps or not. It can take awhile to fix long term issues.

As far as hormones, it might be worth getting them tested if you think something is off. Usually it is the fluctuation around the time of your period that causes the problems. Some women do better on birth control pills, some don't. Sinus issues can cause problems, too. I would just pick one thing, and start from there. Does one stick out as more of a problem than others? For me, picking that one thing, then moving on to the next was more manageable. Good luck!

[LaurieG]

Thanks for the link, JMJ.  I have suspected Magnesium deficiency before, but thought things were better lately.  But then things crash for a week or 2.  Will have to read more of this blog...

cameragirl - I have been blaming the neck issues for the migraines for awhile.  I went to a chiro one time when I was having a migraine thinking that would help and she said she thought it was more likely hormones triggering things.  Things were better after an adjustment but not gone.  The wierd thing is that my neck pain/ stiffness/ and that feeling of a catch in my neck seems to come as part of a wave of symptoms.  They aren't the first thing to show up though.  As though something else is starting the problem and neck pain is one of many symptoms that come along with it.  I've never heard that fluctuations in hormones can cause joint pains but maybe???

[cameragirl]

I don't know about the hormonal issues causing tense muscles, but nutritional issues definitely. I notice the neck tension first, then the pain. It has always been that way, but it took a long time to put two and two together.Magnesium and potassium are two things to look at, but certainly not the only vitamins/minerals that can cause issues. Maybe start with something else then? Most of the serum level tests are pretty inexpensive if you want to go that route.

[subtlycrunchy]

Headaches and migraines can have many triggers and are still a bit of mystery. I have been reading more on the topic of menstrual migraines and the connection between hormones and headaches. It makes sense, and there may be something that resonates. Caffeine is a trigger, though. For me, it's lack of caffeine. If I accidentally go a morning w/o coffe, I really set myself up for a doozy of a migraine. Yuck!!  

[prone_to_wander]

I am also a migraine sufferer. For me, the biggest improvement is ensuring I get lots of sleep. If I'm tired I am much more likely to react to a trigger. But I also can't drink red wine, (although i still drink coffee). I can't be around strong scents.I can't watch tv during the day. I need to avoid coming from a dark room, into a light room.

I have been taking magnesium and I think that is has been quite helpful. I'm a full time student and I can't get as much sleep as I usually need, so I feel like the magnesium is buffering me from having too many migraines. I also found acupuncture, massage, and homeopathics helped. Good luck!