I think Nature and Nurture contribute to the Migraine. My maternal grandmother had migraines her whole life.
When the migraines got worse for me, she had already passed away, so that I couldn't question her about them. My mother
and her sister did not have migraines. My kids, as far as I can tell, do not have migraines, for which I am so
very thankful!!
My observations have been that the following contribute to the migraine:
stress
some foods
some vitamins and minerals
some medications (including some hormones)
some alcoholic beverages
some lifestyles
genetics
I will go into detail in the next paragraph.
What makes migraines so complex for me is that there are many precursors. I will think I've figured out all the
causes, and then bang, I'll have a headache, so I will try to figure out, "am I stressed?" "Have I eaten or drunk something
I don't usually eat or drink?". You have to watch and think about your every move...But, it has been worth it, because I have
come up with many foods that I know don't give me headaches, and so I freely eat those, and stay away from those I know I
may get a headache from. Another thing is that sometimes you can get away with eating a food and sometimes not...so
it may be the Amount you eat or it may be that something else you have eaten had counteracted it....It would be nice to know
all of the things that come into play, but I haven't figured all of that out. It could just also mean that you are stressed
and that it isn't the food at all. I'm sure I have eliminated some foods from my list because it seemed as though the
food was causing it, but perhaps it was stress. However, I don't want to chance a headache so I go with the foods with
which I haven't had a reaction.
Stress
When I'm on vacation and completely relaxed, I can go many days without a headache, which is a big indicator to me that
stress is an issue. I taught school for 16 years, and I remember having to teach through a terrible migraine, many,
many days. I have quit teaching and probably won't return, because I need a job that can be more flexible for headaches.
If I had been smarter earlier, I would not have taught school for so long, and suffered so much in silence. That is
a message I hope many of you hear!!!!!!!! Do not work and suffer in silence, but try to find a job that is more flexible...I'm
fortunate that my husband prefers me at home, but who knows what the future will bring.
Some foods
I have put a list to the left, showing foods that seem to give me headaches, and have more than once. I think
that I have figured out that MSG will give me a headache, which is in a lot of canned and packaged soups and gravies as well
as other packaged foods. I also seem to have a problem with soy, however it does seem to be amount related. I
can get away with some breads and cookies that have soy if it is way down on the ingredient list, indicating there
isn't much in it.
If I drink a soy milk or diet drink with soy as one of the top ingredients I get a terrible headache. You have
to experiment with it to see what you can tolerate.
I've also taken bioidentical hormones made from soy...and had a splitting headache. I'm in the process of finding
a doctor that can help me with that.
I know that there are probably other ingredients that give me headaches, but I haven't figured them out yet. It
takes a long time!!
Some vitamins and minerals
I have been having luck eating certain fortified cereals to get some of the vitamins I need. I try to stay away
from those with soy. I can eat Special K and grapenuts. I believe grapenuts has a little soy, but I can eat it.
Lately, I can't seem to take any vitamin and mineral supplements in pill or capsule form. It may be just certain
vitamins and minerals that cause it...but even if I take some that don't have a lot combined, I still seem to get a headache,
and I do try to stay away from added ingredient pills. therefore, it's easier for me to just stick with the cereal.
Medications
I've listed the medications at the left that I can tolerate. If you find that you are getting headaches from medications
you have to take, ask your doctor for a different brand of the same medicine, if there is one. It took me awhile to
find an antibiotic that I can take without headaches or dizziness. (Keflex)
Hormones can also give me headaches. It seems to be those associated with soy...like some of the bioidentical.
One key thing that I have to mention, is that when I was taking premarin for about a year, most of my headaches disappeared!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There must be some link between my estrogen levels and my headaches......BUT, it isn't the only link.(I know that this has
already been proven in some studies) Also, while I was pregnant, I had very few headaches, which would also indicate
estrogen or hormone levels to be a very definite key. UNFORTUNATELY, the premarin brought on many other side effects which
were deal breakers, so I cannot take premarin. Breaks my heart, because it was the longest I've gone feeling that good.
So, I'm in the process of getting some bioidentical hormones that do not have soy. I will let you know how that goes.
Some alcoholic beverages
Almost consistently, even if I drink just 4 oz., I will get a headache with most wines. (red and white)... However,
I have found that I can drink Cook's chamagne without getting a headache. I'm afraid to try very many others.
When I find something that works, I usually stop....You will have to find your own..
If I drink a whole lot of anything, of course, a headache will probably occur, and I just don't do that!
Some Lifestyles
This goes back to stress. If you are living a high energy life, with little time for relaxation and are predisposed
to migraines, you will probably have a bunch! Try to change that lifestyle. It will be worth it.
Genetics
Like I spoke of before, you may come from a line of migraineurs. If so, you just need to find the foods and medications
you can tolerate and find a good migraine medicine to fall back on that works for you. Also, if you can tolerate bioidentical
hormones, you might try that. Try to find a board certified doctor that will test your hormone levels. I live
in the DFW, Texas area, and will be glad to tell you who I'm going to go to in June, if you will write to me.
