Migraines - Canton,IL

I am new to this site, but I struggled with migraines for years. I discovered a chiropractic technique called Blair Upper Cervical (when I was in chiropractic school), and now I have only had 1 migraine in several years. I tried other types of chiropractic adjustments and they only made it worse.

BTW - I have several patients whose headaches are affected by blood sugar levels, so that is very common.

some websites:
www.upcspine.com
www.blairchiropractic.com
www.dunndc.com

My best friend used to get headaches all of the time, and she found out that she had a sensetivity to some of the chemicals in everyday household products. She switched to some non-toxic chemical products and hasn't been having the headaches, since. I have information on the toxins in stuff. If you would like more info, let me know and I can email it to you.

My brother suffered from horrible migraines when he was younger, he was always "sick as a dog" with them. He took 100% caffeine pills. So maybe try drinking some soda or coffee when you feel one approaching and maybe it could hinder it from getting so bad. Sorry that I can't give you any advice on eating food with it, but I hope I've helped some.
K.

B.:
Sorry that you have migraines as well. I have been battling them since I was 21. I am now 34. I found out that hormones were the cuprit of my migraines. However, as you add stress or not eating on time, etc. those extra triggers would allow the migraine to appear.

I did wind up seeing a specialist at a headache clinic in St. Louis. He put me on some medication that I would take 2 days before my period and 3 days into my period. This was to stop the migraine before it ever started. Then I had a different medication if I got one out of the blue.

I think what I learned most is that you need to pin point the exact cause of your headache. Then you will find the right medication and timing of medication.

I am more than happy to send you information on where I went.

Good Luck!!

J.

Sounds like a sugar problem to me. I am hypoglycemic and I have to what what I eat and make sure I eat quite often. please keep me posted. ____@____.com

I have had migraines for about 7 years now, yes they can be caused by hypoglycemia (sp?) meaning that you have a low blood sugar level. I get migraines almost dialy now and half of them are called cluster headaches which means a migraine ontop of a migrian X5 they are the most horrible and painful headaches to get! I would suggest asking your dr. or clinic wherever you go to get a migriane medicine there are many out there and they arent really that expensive or if you dont have a dr, ALWAYS carry around something with peanut butter in it, always carry some sort of drink with you the flavored waters are good and I think thats about it if you cant get rid of it after that or eating something with protein and sugar than you either need to go home and sleep it off in a very dark room or go to the ER and then they will give you some meds to help that particular migraine and then give you a RX for you to get more migraine medicine! However they might send you to a neuro. dr. and Im telling you what they did that to me the wanted to I cant think of the term right now but take a picture inside my head brain ect. they never found anything, I have been through so many testings and things it unreal I even kept a journal of things I ate did take as normal medicines ect. And what it boiled down to was my sugar levels so I always carry a sweet tea with me and peanut butter crackers and if that doesnt do the trick then I take one of my meds. Oh and by the way my fmaily to has a long list of diabetes alog with cancer in it so just take care of yourself and eat small snacks throughout the day and see what that does to you for a little while and see if you get a migraine again and if so then go see your dr. but try these little tips people give you first before going to the dr. cause that may be all it is, is your sugar levels are out of whack! lol I hope this help I didnt read the other reponces yet so I hope I didnt just repeat what someone has said if I did im sorry :) Have a great day and godbless

Hi B.!
I have had migraines since I was a teenager. They have gotten worse for me in my late 20's. I have seen several Drs. had MRI's done the food journal...etc. To come to the idea that nothing the same ever triggers them. I think they are stress related and have had some relief with eating. Blood sugar levels could add to the issue. Do you have afamily member with one of those glucometer things? I have one left over from my past pregnancy and we have all used it on occasions in my family. Might be an easy place to start. You could check your blood sugar when you have a migraine that way. Just a idea for you. Another thing, if they come more around your periods, they may be hormonal... The one thing that really seems to help mine, is extremely hot baths...works better than all the prescriptions I have or have tried!
I takes DAYS from my life when I get them. Even if it last for 1 full day that is time away from my family...Not easy with a 2.5 yr old!
take care...your not alone on this one!
S.

B.-
I too suffer from migraines when I am stressed out or hormonal. I don't know if you can take birth control but if you can or do there are certain pills that can sometimes help keep you from getting the migraines. There is also a daily drug called Topomax that you can take to prevent migraines. When I was younger I was put on Elavil to help my migraines. It is an antidepressant by class but is used to treat migraines, irritable bowel and many other things. It has worked very well for me, I've been on it for ten years. The only side effects I've noticed are constipation and drowsiness. I usually just take it before bed and it wears off by morning. As far as the diabetes, I think the headaches that your talking about having are more likely from low blood sugar rather than high. When you are eating a meal you are raising the amount of blood sugar in your body, so if that is getting rid of the headache than you were probably hypoglycemic meaning your blood sugar got too low. It can also cause dizziness and nausea. Try to make sure that you are eating something at least every four hours and avoid sugary foods like candy, soda, and cookies. Anything high in sugar will cause your blood sugar to spike and then drop later, this is what brings on the headaches. Hope this helps.
B.

Have you been to a neurologist? The doctor will probably suggest that you keep a diary for a few months and track when you have a migraine and if you can tell what the cause was. I also get headaches from not eating, but they are different than a migraine headache as they go away by eating not with medication. Like yours, my migraines are worst right before and at the start of my cycle. So, my doctor has prescribed Frova for me to take for the week before my period to prevent the headaches. It works great. If you can get to a neurologist, you really should. You'll get better care than from a general doctor for your headaches.

I went thru similar headaches for years, the headaches would last anywhere from one day to 2 weeks! After journaling everyday and keeping track of arguements, periods, and foods that i ate, my doctor and I figured out my triggers. mine were hormones, low blood sugar, and stress. We did an odd combo of meds. The pill to regulate my hormones, cymbalta for stress, but it also is used in diabetics for limb pain, wonder drug! This killed my migraines off! You may want to ask him about this drug! Good luck!

you might need your eyes checked or if you wear your hair in a ponytail they can cause migraines. i get them alot because i have longhair and wear it up alot.

Hello my name is M.. I have had headaches since I was two years old. Yes your blood sugar can cause headaches. Hormones can cause them. But i have found that if you eat bananas often and when you have a headache that it takes the throb out of the headach and sometimes it goes away. There are so many reasons why and how headaches start and are from but I would have your doctor check you for diabetes. I have a best firend who has diabetes and she gets headaches and very groochy when her blood sugar is low. But I have found that bananas help. I have no idea why but they do. I live with headaches everyday of my life. I have to much fluid on my brain and the surgury is just to riskey so I do feel for you. I have found that a cold wet wash rag helps and induced vomiting something in your stomach fluid will ease a headach. Good luck and let us know what happens

I have suffered through migraines for many years. Mine get so bad, I throw up. If I got one I would have to go to bed. Somtimes Imitrex helped and I take Relpax every day. But I recently was tested for allergies and tested positive for 26/35 things. I think a migraine is my allergic reaction because I don't itch, sneeze or anything else. I spent the night with my cousin who has a dog and ended up in bed from 2:30 pm until 6:30 the next morning. It is something to check into.

I also suffer from migraines. As far as I know, there is no known cause for them but they suck anyway!

In my case, I get them when I have a change in regular sleep patterns, a change in regular eating patterns (skipping a meal), a low pressure system comes in, my period, stress, and certain foods. I didn't like daily preventatives but I have found success with Excedrin Migraine and caffeinated sodas the minute the visuals start. Also, if I exercise I get great relief.

You should, of course, see your doctor.

R.

B.,
Hello and Good Morning. My name is C. Dawson. I have suffered with migraines since I was 13 years old, and yes, they are a life haulting thing.
I too noticed a long time ago, that if I had not taken time out to eat, that the effects of my migraine was always worse. And usually if I had not eaten and I felt one coming one, if I will eat something then, and take an 800mg. Ibuprophin, some times it will go compeletely away.
Yes, your sugar levels, does have alot to do with triggering a migraine. You should really take time out and go see your doctor. Especially if diebeties runs in your family. It could actually save your life.
Thanks,
C.

my husband would get them all the time when he was a supervisor, he had been seen by a couple different doctors and they would tell him all sorts of things that could be the cause, but I can tell you after he changed jobs the problems went away, I know this is not the answer for everyone,

I also worked with a man that had to eat a little bit every couple of hours or he would get them, I forget what they are called.

Sorry I am not much help

B.

I had the exact same problem - Chart exactly when you are getting these migraine "clusters" I discovered that it was premenstrual and during ovulation - The Dr. put me on birth control and they improved drastically - Have your sugar checked though since it runs in your family - good luck

Dear B.,

Unfortunately I too have problems with migrains and yes sugar levels DO have an effect on not only the severity but frequency of this crippling problem. My migrianes were diagnosed when I was about 19 years old. My doctor told me that I should watch my salt and sugar consumption along with take into consideration certain things that I ate on a regular basis. Bacon, Chocolate, any foods containing MSG (monosodium glutomate), Yeast, are also triggers of migrains. Also certain medications can trigger migrains like birth control. If these severe headaches are that troubling to you, I would make a journal of everything you take by mouth for a month. If your migrains do not decrease by watching your diet of the triggers mentioned above, I would take the month journal to your doctor and discuss other options to control the frequency and severity of this condition. I hope this has helped you. lol

Hey Brandy!
Most definately it can be related to sugar levels! I have been hypoglycemic all my life as has my mother and grandmother. When I am not eating properly, a migraine or even the warning signs of a migraine such as losing your center vision, seeing little geometric or squiggly shapes that blur your vision before the actual headache begins or my least favorite: the smell of burned popcorn (Yuck!) hits me. When any or all of these occur, I know it's coming. 8 times out of 10 (my stats!)these intense headaches can be avoided if you try to eat a little something every couple of hours. Nothing huge. Maybe a rolled up piece of turkey or some peanut butter on a slice of wheat bread. If you need to lose some weight (although I used to dance and sing and was in fantastic shape and I could still get these headaches if I didn't pay attention to what and how often I was eating I could get the headaches)eating every couple of hours sensibly helps your body to process food and fat more efficiently. stay away also from caffiene as much as possible. I love my tea and drink different kinds of herbal alot, but when I go out normally I just get the regular caffienated. You don't need to cut it out totally, but just go easy on it. And never discount the importance of SLEEP! I have a business, a 4 yr. old, a 6 yr. old and a husband with a fast metabolism that is always on the go. Sometimes, when I go on everybody else's schedule, and, then, of course, eat in spurts, the old body kicks me in the head (literally) and The Headache sneaks up on me.
Both my parents have Type 2 diabetes, but I don't. Whether you have it yet or not, it might be your body's warning signals telling you to adjust your eating habits b/c the ol' pancreas is having problems adjusting to how often, what,and/or how much your asking it to process.

Hope this helps a little bit!

Good luck and take care of you!

My husband has severe migraines and has tried several things to control them. I've noticed that in general it seems like when he eats regularly he tends to do better, but there's usually several factors for migraines, and we've found that researching more holistic approaches has been very helpful. In particular, he has been able to stop using narcotic painkillers entirely by using peppermint oil when he has a migraine (you can get essential peppermint oil at herbal shops and just put a drop on your tongue for pain). This is not medical advice, it's just home remedies that we've found work for him better than what he's done in the past. However, I would recommend looking at Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno; it's a really good resource for a lot of medical stuff.
Good luck!
T.

Hi, B.!
I'm 23, and my family has a long run of diabetes as well. I can tell you this much, migraines may or may not have something to do with it. I have been tested on multiple occasions, and do not have diabetes, but I do still get frequent, intense migraines. (My situation is very similar to yours) I've found that my triggers are usually time-of-the-month related, weather related, and hunger related. There are a few foods that can also trigger migraines for me, but not much. Foods/drinks high in caffiene and MSG are the worst, but so long as I only eat them in moderation, I'm fine. I've been told too much Vitamin C can cause migraines, as well as (GASP!) too much chocolate! From the sounds of the described evening, that migraine was likely what I call one of my hunger headaches. If I go too long without eating, inevitably I end up with a terrible migraine. I try to snack periodically throughout the day if my meals aren't quite so healthy or big, or just have full, healthy meals.
And in the meantime, I pray for sunshine and warmth. (The cold and moisture REALLY brings 'em on here!)
I hope I've helped.
E.

I'm not sure about sugar levels, but hormones can totally be the culprit. You said you get them around your period?? I have always got migraines before my period but lately they have been really bad ones where my eye lashes even hurt.

I contacted my GYNO and he said my estrogen levels are getting way low and causing the migraines. He called me in an estrogen patch that I supposed to wear a couple days before I start and some migraine medicine that is basically imitrex(sp)? I have yet to use these until I check into them more...BUT just thought I'd let ya know hormones is causing me to have crazy bad migraines, so I'd check into it!!

(btw-I started a pill where I have a period every 3 months which threw me into these migraines of my life and I have since quit the pill...just wondering ifyou're on the pill???)

Hi B.,

I take Topamax 100mg per day. It is a seizure(did I spell that right??) medication. I know a lot of people who take it. I rarely have any migrains now. My dosage is low compared to what some people take. You should ask your doctor about it because you have to have you kidneys checked before taking it.

I have had migraines my whole life. When I was a teen they were looking for the cause and one of the tests they did was for hypoglycemia which is a blood sugar problem. That isn't the cause of my migraines, but I would definately look into it. The test takes several hours because they have to take blood every hour on the hour for 6 hours to test your sugar levels. So you will probably get a migraine or pass out during the test. I did. However, it is good to know what is causing the problem.

Hi B.. I have suffered from migraines since I was 13. I am now 28. I have been on ALL kinds of medicine for them. I have FINALLY found two kinds that I like. One is a preventative called topamx that I take every day, the other is called amerge. Because like you, I also have a few slip through during my period. As for sugar levels, I honestly do not know. But I do know that there have been days where I have been so busy at work where I have worked strait thru lunch or I have been in such a rush that I have skipped breakfast. I will most deffinatly get a migraine. But for me, just eating will not make it go away. So you are lucky in that sense. Any slight change for me will trigger a migraine. Sleep habits, lack of sleep, too much sleep, too much soda, if I do not have a soda at all, etc. Try keeping a migraine journal. Sometimes that will help. I have two daughters one is 10 the other is 2, so I know exactly what you mean about not having time for migraines to put a hault to your life.
K.

B.,i also have migranes.i had one so bad at work i passed out.i am not diabetic but i am hypogycemic and when i have these headaches 9 times out of 10 its my blood sugar.and when its time for mother nature they are unbearable.some times a hot bath helps me also,sometimes not.my doctor also prescribed a disolving pill that you take before full blown onset of a headache.you put in on or under your tongue and let it melt it works but i have not taken it in so long i cant remember what its called but that it starts with a m.i think its mira...something but you have to take it right when you start to feel pain in your head or it doesnt work.sorry i couldnt help more.

Hi B.,
Sometimes when your blood sugar drops low enough you become hypoglycemic. Some symptoms can include headache, sweating, shaking, fatigue, confusion and moodiness. A good way to see if this is your problem is to try drinking a glass of orange juice or apple juice (high sugar) and see if this helps. You will want to follow this with some real food though to level your blood sugar out. I know when I start to get shaky and moody, I should suck on a peppermint or some other sugary candy until I can get some food in me. Several small meals helps with this also. Stress will also cause your blood sugar to get out of whack. Sometimes we will have patients in the hospital that are not diabetic that we have to put on insulin during their stay because the stress has caused problems with their blood sugar.

I'm not an expert about migraines, but I did have them from the time I was 19. They corresponded with every hormonal event in my life, from PMS to pregnancy. I finally went to a woman who was a physician-assistant/nutritionist for something else all together, and she gave me a regimen that had the side-effect of regulating my hormones and ending my migraines forever. If you're interested in contacting her, she's pretty good and has helped many of my friends for one thing or another. I'll be happy to share her info if you email me at ____@____.com. Short of that, try asking your OB to do a hormone panel to see if there's something going on there.

Good luck. Migraines are just debilitating...

S.