Migraines

[MamaLema]

I never connected my son’s migraines with his digestive issues. This thread gives me new hope.

 

[kymom99]

My digestion is “working” again as of today. The migraine is gone, but my stomach is still sensitive. I have been able to eat some easy to digest foods. I think I may need to journal when these things happen.

 

[DLgal]

Me either! And doctors keep wanting to look for the cause in the digestive system itself. Not that I blame them. Who would connect the 2?

It's thought that seratinon dysregulation plays a role in migraines and also digestive issues, since serotonin is actually found in the largest quantities in the gut, not the brain. Certain antidepressants are prescribed to control IBS symptoms, and paradoxically, some antidepressants can aggravate or even cause IBS. Our bodies are a delicate balance of chemicals and when they are off, it can lead to all kinds of things that you wouldn't think are connected.

 

[DLgal]

Oh my goodness, this post could not be more timely. I have been truly suffering with an on and off migraine since mid-November. My life has been miserable. I was in bed in a dark room on thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and plenty of days on between. Working has been extremely challenging and I’ve missed several days.
I’ve tried pretty much every Med and preventative out there. Botox, Emgality, Aimovig, Topomax, etc. Triptans have never helped me. I was in the ER twice in the past month… I feel like such a complainer but it’s wretched.
But to answer your question. YES, the nausea is sometimes worse than the head pain. I take Zofran but it has kind of lost its efficacy. My neurologist told me to double it and take 8 mg (so 2 pills) and that only works some of the time. I’ve got a host of nausea remedies; ginger candy, nausea lozenges from Target, baked Lays help for some reason, ginger ale, Tums, etc.

I have lost 15 pounds since this migraine started. Even when I’m not experiencing crippling nausea, I just have no appetite at all.
i sincerely wish you the best and hope you get some answers!

Have you asked about a steroid course? This is often done for people with an intractable migraine. I'm surprised your neurologist hasn't done this yet.

 

[Cheburashka]

I used to get severe migraines with vomiting, but they're gone now. I now take bioidentical progesterone supplements (prometrium) 3 weeks out of each month, and since then, I haven't had the migraines & almost never throw up. I have to keep the progesterone dosage only moderate (100mg per day), however, because progesterone itself can cause constipation, which I do tend to have.

Given my long history of irregular periods, multiple days of heavy spotting before periods, severe menstrual cramping (before I had my son), and other symptoms, I think it's likely that I've always had low progesterone, and just needed a little more of the hormone. Now my periods are regular and I don't have migraines or nausea, both of which used to occur fairly regularly. I remember how suddenly the nausea used to come on when I had a migraine. I'd have a headache but no obvious nausea, and then suddenly would need to vomit. I drive a lot, and sometimes I would suddenly vomit into my lap while driving, or barely manage to pull over and throw up. More rarely, I would get sudden diarrhea. TMI, but I'm being specific to make it clear what my symptoms used to be like

The only time I get headaches now is when I begin to stop taking progesterone so that I can have my period. When I feel an incipient headache coming on at that time, I drink some caffeine (which I don't normally drink) to keep any potential headaches at bay.

 

[emer95]

Have you asked about a steroid course? This is often done for people with an intractable migraine. I'm surprised your neurologist hasn't done this yet.

Yes, I did that twice. Once with Prednisone and once with Decadron. They gave me temporary relief but this one is a beast and it keeps returning. I had a good day yesterday but it came back. My doctor prescribed DHE which comes in a nasal spray. Just waiting on insurance to approve it and they are really taking their time.

 

[emer95]

I used to get severe migraines with vomiting, but they're gone now. I now take bioidentical progesterone supplements (prometrium) 3 weeks out of each month, and since then, I haven't had the migraines & almost never throw up. I have to keep the progesterone dosage only moderate (100mg per day), however, because progesterone itself can cause constipation, which I do tend to have.

Given my long history of irregular periods, multiple days of heavy spotting before periods, severe menstrual cramping (before I had my son), and other symptoms, I think it's likely that I've always had low progesterone, and just needed a little more of the hormone. Now my periods are regular and I don't have migraines or nausea, both of which used to occur fairly regularly. I remember how suddenly the nausea used to come on when I had a migraine. I'd have a headache but no obvious nausea, and then suddenly would need to vomit. I drive a lot, and sometimes I would suddenly vomit into my lap while driving, or barely manage to pull over and throw up. More rarely, I would get sudden diarrhea. TMI, but I'm being specific to make it clear what my symptoms used to be like

The only time I get headaches now is when I begin to stop taking progesterone so that I can have my period. When I feel an incipient headache coming on at that time, I drink some caffeine (which I don't normally drink) to keep any potential headaches at bay.

Those supplements sound like they could really help me. Are they over the counter?

 

[Cheburashka]

Those supplements sound like they could really help me. Are they over the counter?

No, bioidentical progesterone is a hormone and must be prescribed by a doctor. Usually mainstream doctors will not prescribe bioidentical hormones, so you would have to go to an alternative or naturopathic doctor. Be sure not to take a progestin (the artificial mimic of progesterone that is found in birth control & HRT). Progestins are very unhealthy.

Read Natural Hormone Balance by Uzzi Reiss to get a good introduction to bioidentical hormones.

 

[WDWEPCOT]

Wow so glad I clicked on this so informative
Horrible migraines my whole life - facial migraines - lower face / eye / regular - you name it I have it - stomach bowel issues all my life no Dr can figure out - tons of test / tons of Drs. / I vomit like that gal in the movie The Exorcist!! I now think after reading all this (and I’m not a Dr) that my troubles are related to my never ending migraines
Yes I’m on Allegra
Yes I’m on Topamax
But I have a spinal injury in my neck which doesn’t help as it causes my migraines too so I still get bad headaches frequently
I grind my teeth which also doesn’t help ( yes I have a guard )
Menopause - horrible time for me and migraines - hormones are pesky little devils - that real havoc on you!! Neurologist said can’t help with that glad I’m done with that but still have migraines
Stress - another issue
Massages - I found they help and help a lot - highly recommend
Everyone has to find what works for them - long painful journey - thank you for sharing what is working for you as it may help me or others - as we age things change and how we handle them has to change too / I know I’ve done or am doing several of the things in this thread
Always check make sure you are getting enough minerals - magnesium / calcium / vitamin d / a :/ potassium - they really matter
Cold compress to base of neck works well for me often while I lay in dark room and demand total quiet
I have often lost my vision for small periods of time with them so I always worry about that when I get one
They impact my speech - my head will hear me say a word but my mouth will say something else (not even close ) they impact my comprehension - someone will be talking to me and it’s like they are speaking a foreign language I can’t understand a thing
Migraines are horrible strange things
One weird thing I often do with my migraines that I have not found anyone else have - I run a fever sometimes - not always but frequently - does anyone else experience this ??
I wish you all the best of luck !! I hope you find relief !!!

 

[RogueX]

One thing my current neurologist who specializes in headaches started me on immediately was Riboflavin (Vitamin B2). He explained that people who get migraines actually need a significantly higher amount of B2. I added that to my course of medications and it showed some improvement.

 

[Heffalump2761]

Gastric stasis is a very common issue with chronic migraine sufferers and can often be the cause of abortive treatments such as triptans and also painkillers not working as the body cannot absorb them due to the gastric stasis. I take 10 mg of Domperidone at the start of an attack. This helps to counteract the gastric stasis and means your body can absorb your migraine meds, it also significantly reduces my nausea as well. I am in the Uk and this drug must be prescribed.