Any end in sight??!

Hi greenelixer,

I too have suffered with migraines for many years. They started when I was around thirteen and I am now 31, so about 18 years. I have tried many medications as well and honestly the side effects scared me but I had to take them anyway because I couldn't live with the pain of a severe attack. I also suffer from "chronic daily headache" syndrome which means that I would have headaches almost all the time. On average I would maybe be free of a headache a few days a month, most days were tolerable but I would still have a headache, then there would be severe headache days at least once or twice a week and usually a debilitating migraine episode about once or twice a month. A few months ago I started reading about some of the theories about the causes of migraine. In the past I have also suffered from depression and anxiety and have been told that I have fibromyalgia, though I'm not entirely sure that's the case. I read that some doctors now believe that low levels of serotonin are responsible for all these conditions (I knew about the depression of course, but not the link between serotonin and migraine and fibromyalgia). Then I started researching natural ways to boost serotonin levels without drugs. I stumbled upon information on 5HTP - a natural supplement that boosts the body's production of serotonin. I thought it was worth a try. I've been taking 200 mg twice per day since August and am intending to start reducing the amount to see if the beneficial effects can be maintained on a lower dose. I am not exaggerating when I say that this supplement has changed my life. I now get a few mild headaches per month, but no severe ones. I have also not had a migraine attack since August (before I started taking 5HTP). I can do all the things I couldn't do before like have the odd glass of red wine (which always triggered a migraine or at least a bad headache in the past). It is important to note that if you take other medications you should speak with your doctor before starting this supplement. Also, you should not drink alcohol or take any mind altering drugs (the odd drink is okay as long as it's not within hours of taking 5HTP). 5HTP doesn't work for everyone, but it sure did for me, so you might want to give it a try. It generally takes a few weeks to start working, and it needs to be taken diligently, but after 20 years of suffering, what do you have to lose? Good luck!