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cutting out sugar made a difference

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Migraine Headache
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Posted 7/5/2011 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all, I have never posted to this forum before, but I'm on the ulcerative colitis one. I have been trying to limit sugar to help with my colitis, and I have seen a BIG difference with my migraines!

I should say I am sure I do not have as serious a migraine condition as some on this forum no doubt do. I do, however, get migraines every month with my period and ovulation (I am 44 and have had this problem since my late 30s). They are always helped by Imitrex (or sleep, if they come close to bedtime); usually, though, I get down to my last Imitrex (50 mg-- I cut the 100mg ones in half) every month right before I will need them again, and am made very anxious by this.

This month I used far fewer during and before my period. And I found I only had to take one and that was it (instead of doing repeat dosages after a couple of hours). I now have almost half the pack left!

To be clear: I'm eating almost no sugar, but I did have dessert a couple of times during the month at dinner parties, etc.

For what it may be worth! Oh, and P.S. if you are off sugar and are dying for a sweet carby midafternoon snack, like during PMS, I highly recommend very ripe bananas on top of some peanut butter on bread. Close your eyes and you could almost mistake it for a pastry!
Posted 7/5/2011 3:21 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks for the info :-)

I'm going to give this a try as I often wondered about it.  When I've taken my diet seriously *cough*, for more than a few days I have often noticed that I have less migraines too.  I once joined a slimming club for a 6 month stretch to lose 3 stone, and that diet is very low in sugar and fat and I definately remember feeling better.

I've recently been researching a LOT on the internet about migraines and diet and vitamin/deficiencies  as I'm also taking Imigran (UK name for Imitrex) way more than I like too.  I'm 38 and my migraines are also linked to my monthly cycle.  I'm always worse around my period and ovulation too. 

I'm currently taking magnesium, iron, vitamin b and there has already been a big improvement!

will try cutting out the sugar too, even if it doesn't help my migraines I might shift a few pounds! tongue

Posted 7/22/2011 6:11 PM (GMT 0)

Ilovefood,

 

When you say no sugar, do you mean no added sugar? Most foods have sugar in them, actually, many of the ready-made, pre-packaged foods have lots of sugar. I also have reduced  my sugar in take, but that’s so hard to do since things like milk, yogurt and even breads, are loaded with sugar. I finally decided to give up milk and now I’m drinking coconut milk and almond milk, which have way less sugar. The breads I buy also are lower in sugar and the yogurt I buy is sweetened with fruit juice. I don't do artificial sweetners since they are not natural. I probably eat about 25grams of sugar a day or less, and 75% of that comes from fruit.  

 

Violet Rose,

 

I just posted my story in this forum, as I’m controlling my migraines through nutrition. One of the things that’s working for me is Magnesium Citrate supplements.   

Posted 7/27/2011 10:47 AM (GMT 0)
I thought I reacted to sugar too. When I cut out all sweet items I cut down the migraines, but find sometimes I can eat them and be OK. I seem fine if it is something I have made with sugar but not if brought from a shop therefore I'm thinking maybe more to do with the chemicals in processed foods - really struggling to work it out. Then maybe it is because I'm stressed and tired on certain occasions when I eat the sugary item so it all collides.... I wish there was a definitive test to tell for sure.

I have def reaction to most dairy creams i.e. single/double/fresh, if fact they make me nauseous just to look at them now, but seem fine with 'creme fraiche'.
Posted 7/28/2011 8:25 AM (GMT 0)
Umm, definitly worth a thought.

However that's all I can hold down most days because of nausea. I found chicken nuggets, chicken patty sandwiches and apple sauce to also be okay along with tons of twinkes or other sugery items. I WANT to go back to eating normal but don't know how in the past few months. I've lost over 10 lbs as well.

Anything that is not sugar or unhealthy wld be appreciated for a new migraine sufferer with severe nausea.

My first visit to a neurologist yesterday didn't even show interest in what I ate or how much I lost. Just said sounded like intraction migraines and is ordering an MRI. Give me a med that melts in mouth too. Maxalt something.
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