Migraines and LC

LustfortheMoment · 07-04-2009, 09:10 AM

I've had an intractable struggle with Migraines since adolescence in spite of a host of varied treatments. I still occasionally have to get an injection of Toradol when the symptoms are crushing.

Interestingly, I haven't had a headache now in 7 weeks since starting LC in April. There are anecdotal reports in the literature of decreased migraine frequency with LC. Ketogenic diets were famously used back to the 30s for tx of severe epilepsy in children, though became less fashionable when Dilantin was developed. Nevertheless, there are similarities between seizure disorders and migraine, so many have hypothesized that ketosis may be helpful for headaches sufferers like myself.

Have you noticed any decrease in frequency in your migraines on LC??

Thanks,

Keptewe · 07-04-2009, 12:08 PM

The worst time of my life for migraine was when I was on birth control pills...I could pretty well count on one every month....just in case I wasn't already having enough fun

. I've been off BC for three years now and have had two migraines during that time. One was before I started doing LC, the other was after. I'm pretty sure that my triggers are extreme fatigue mixed with sugar and dairy (like in chocolate ice cream) so that problem has been solved with my new WOE. Unfortunately, I think being exhausted and eating too much artificial sweetner might be my new trigger combination so I still have to watch it!

I'm happy for you that you aren't suffering as much! It can be very freeing not having to deal with a migraine.

Houston Heather · 07-04-2009, 02:47 PM

Definitely.

Thanks to LC, I figured out I am gluten/grain/nut intolerant. As long as I keep those foods out of my life, I'm a lot better.

I still get the occasional migraine, but far fewer than I used to! My body just loves eating this way.

If I'm dumb enough to eat off plan, I pay for it with a 36 hour migraine.

fireflyfaster · 07-04-2009, 03:41 PM

This is a vey interesting thread. I have a friend who had occasional serious migraines for years, then four years ago, after losing weight on Weight Watchers and working out with a personal trainer, she was struck with a migraine that put her in the hospital -which, though mitigated somewhat with medication and a host of diet and lifestyle "don'ts", persists to this day.

She is VERY science-oriented and has heard/tried every homeopathic, folk wisdom and medical science treatment in the book, but I know she has not done low carb.

If anyone finds additional evidence-backed data on LC helping chronic migraines, I'd like to know. And LustfortheMoment, keep us posted.

Houston Heather · 07-04-2009, 03:45 PM

You can look up "elimination diet migraines".

Basically, Atkins Induction is the ultimate elimination diet. It eliminates virtually every trigger, and as you add one food in a week (what I do), you will easily discover your triggers. The "new" thing you ate the day before!

Also, things like dehydration, too much sun, and medication adjustments can get me.

LustfortheMoment · 07-04-2009, 04:06 PM

There's a lot of anecdotal evidence, FireFly, but no controlled studies that I've seen. The following article is an example:

Migraine Headaches – Rethinking an Old Malady | Brain Blogger

LadyPeacock · 07-04-2009, 05:03 PM

The first time I did LC I still had them frequently. But this time around I have been pretty much migraine free. ??

2muttsmom · 07-04-2009, 05:30 PM

DH used to get migraines at least once every two weeks. Since we have been on LC I think he's had one or two over the last year. And, they don't seem to be as debilitating - usually only lasting a day.

fawn · 07-04-2009, 05:34 PM

There is some credible evidence that a Vitamin D deficiency can also contribute to migraines.

Mayberryfan · 07-04-2009, 05:51 PM

Haven't had one in several years because I started taking calcium, magnesium and potassium EVERY DAY.

However...had one this morning because I drank no more than 1/3 cup of brut champagne last night celebrating my parents 50th wedding anniversary. NO MORE champagne for me!!!!!!!

Houston Heather · 07-04-2009, 06:34 PM

Magnesium is another one... a lack has been positively linked to migraines.

In fact, sometimes the ER will put a patient on a magnesium drip. It worked better than the protocol in most cases.

LowCarb Leann · 07-04-2009, 10:41 PM

I had frequent migraines - 2X per WEEK. I have not had a single one since shortly after re-starting low-carb ***however*** I also began taking 500mg daily of magnesium. (Same story the last time I was eating low-carb.)

Truthfully, I'm not sure if the credit should go to low-carb living or the magnesium. Perhaps it is the combination of the two. I can say that prescription medication was never this effective!!!

sugarless4life · 07-05-2009, 04:10 PM

The total elimination of grains cured mine.

Betty

flourchild · 07-05-2009, 04:16 PM

My migraines are history on LC. So are a host of other problems I attributed to getting older.

07-04-2009, 09:10 AM	#1
LustfortheMoment Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Boston Posts: 470 Gallery: LustfortheMoment Stats: 194/167/140..... 5'7" WOE: "Modified" Stillman Start Date: 4-17-09	Migraines and LC I've had an intractable struggle with Migraines since adolescence in spite of a host of varied treatments. I still occasionally have to get an injection of Toradol when the symptoms are crushing. Interestingly, I haven't had a headache now in 7 weeks since starting LC in April. There are anecdotal reports in the literature of decreased migraine frequency with LC. Ketogenic diets were famously used back to the 30s for tx of severe epilepsy in children, though became less fashionable when Dilantin was developed. Nevertheless, there are similarities between seizure disorders and migraine, so many have hypothesized that ketosis may be helpful for headaches sufferers like myself. Have you noticed any decrease in frequency in your migraines on LC?? Thanks,

07-04-2009, 12:08 PM	#2
Keptewe Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 388 Blog Entries: 69 Gallery: Keptewe Stats: 172/139/145 WOE: Low carb Start Date: February 2009	The worst time of my life for migraine was when I was on birth control pills...I could pretty well count on one every month....just in case I wasn't already having enough fun . I've been off BC for three years now and have had two migraines during that time. One was before I started doing LC, the other was after. I'm pretty sure that my triggers are extreme fatigue mixed with sugar and dairy (like in chocolate ice cream) so that problem has been solved with my new WOE. Unfortunately, I think being exhausted and eating too much artificial sweetner might be my new trigger combination so I still have to watch it! I'm happy for you that you aren't suffering as much! It can be very freeing not having to deal with a migraine. __________________ LC

07-04-2009, 03:41 PM	#4
fireflyfaster Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southern CA Posts: 718 Gallery: fireflyfaster Stats: 234/173/150 Bodyfat% 39/27/?? WOE: Atkins Start Date: 4/20/09	This is a vey interesting thread. I have a friend who had occasional serious migraines for years, then four years ago, after losing weight on Weight Watchers and working out with a personal trainer, she was struck with a migraine that put her in the hospital -which, though mitigated somewhat with medication and a host of diet and lifestyle "don'ts", persists to this day. She is VERY science-oriented and has heard/tried every homeopathic, folk wisdom and medical science treatment in the book, but I know she has not done low carb. If anyone finds additional evidence-backed data on LC helping chronic migraines, I'd like to know. And LustfortheMoment, keep us posted. __________________ My before, after and before PICTURES. Current Mini Goals: 1. Fit comfortably into size 12 pants. Done! 2. Weigh less than my husband. Done! 3. Shop for and make ten new low-carb recipes. 7/10 4. Cross into the top of "normal" weight range. DONE! 5. In the 160s by 12/1. Last edited by fireflyfaster; 07-04-2009 at 03:42 PM..

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07-04-2009, 02:47 PM	#3
Houston Heather Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 8,921 Gallery: Houston Heather Stats: 228/169/160 Waist: 42/31/31 WOE: Atkins 2002 Ongoing Weight Loss/pre maintenance Start Date: Feb 26, 2008 (second and last time)	Definitely. Thanks to LC, I figured out I am gluten/grain/nut intolerant. As long as I keep those foods out of my life, I'm a lot better. I still get the occasional migraine, but far fewer than I used to! My body just loves eating this way. If I'm dumb enough to eat off plan, I pay for it with a 36 hour migraine.

07-04-2009, 03:45 PM	#5
Houston Heather Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 8,921 Gallery: Houston Heather Stats: 228/169/160 Waist: 42/31/31 WOE: Atkins 2002 Ongoing Weight Loss/pre maintenance Start Date: Feb 26, 2008 (second and last time)	You can look up "elimination diet migraines". Basically, Atkins Induction is the ultimate elimination diet. It eliminates virtually every trigger, and as you add one food in a week (what I do), you will easily discover your triggers. The "new" thing you ate the day before! Also, things like dehydration, too much sun, and medication adjustments can get me.

07-04-2009, 04:06 PM	#6
LustfortheMoment Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Boston Posts: 470 Gallery: LustfortheMoment Stats: 194/167/140..... 5'7" WOE: "Modified" Stillman Start Date: 4-17-09	There's a lot of anecdotal evidence, FireFly, but no controlled studies that I've seen. The following article is an example: Migraine Headaches – Rethinking an Old Malady \| Brain Blogger

07-04-2009, 05:03 PM	#7
LadyPeacock Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NC Posts: 370 Gallery: LadyPeacock WOE: Atkins Start Date: Febuary 2009	The first time I did LC I still had them frequently. But this time around I have been pretty much migraine free. ??

07-04-2009, 05:30 PM	#8
2muttsmom Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: St. Louis MO Posts: 476 Gallery: 2muttsmom Stats: 212/158/140 WOE: LC my way Start Date: 07/09/08	DH used to get migraines at least once every two weeks. Since we have been on LC I think he's had one or two over the last year. And, they don't seem to be as debilitating - usually only lasting a day.

07-04-2009, 05:34 PM	#9
fawn Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 12,209 Gallery: fawn Stats: sz 18/4 WOE: Whole organic, free range, wild caught, pastured Start Date: February 7, 2000	There is some credible evidence that a Vitamin D deficiency can also contribute to migraines.

07-04-2009, 05:51 PM	#10
Mayberryfan MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,316 Gallery: Mayberryfan Stats: 255/204/150 WOE: PPLP Start Date: June 6, 2007	Haven't had one in several years because I started taking calcium, magnesium and potassium EVERY DAY. However...had one this morning because I drank no more than 1/3 cup of brut champagne last night celebrating my parents 50th wedding anniversary. NO MORE champagne for me!!!!!!!

07-04-2009, 06:34 PM	#11
Houston Heather Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 8,921 Gallery: Houston Heather Stats: 228/169/160 Waist: 42/31/31 WOE: Atkins 2002 Ongoing Weight Loss/pre maintenance Start Date: Feb 26, 2008 (second and last time)	Magnesium is another one... a lack has been positively linked to migraines. In fact, sometimes the ER will put a patient on a magnesium drip. It worked better than the protocol in most cases.

07-04-2009, 10:41 PM	#12
LowCarb Leann MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,468 Gallery: LowCarb Leann Stats: highest: 174 lowest: 123 now:155/147/120 WOE: ketogenic for now Start Date: re-start: 5/18/09	I had frequent migraines - 2X per WEEK. I have not had a single one since shortly after re-starting low-carb *however* I also began taking 500mg daily of magnesium. (Same story the last time I was eating low-carb.) Truthfully, I'm not sure if the credit should go to low-carb living or the magnesium. Perhaps it is the combination of the two. I can say that prescription medication was never this effective!!!

07-05-2009, 04:10 PM	#13
sugarless4life Atkins Ambassador Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 12,545 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: sugarless4life Stats: 5'3 / 100 pounds / 53 yo /maintaining for 7 years WOE: Lost it with Atkins / RUNNING to keep it off! Start Date: January 19, 2002 - NEARLY 8 YEARS ON ATKINS	The total elimination of grains cured mine. Betty

07-05-2009, 04:16 PM	#14
flourchild MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Don't call it Frisco! Posts: 1,733 Gallery: flourchild Stats: Size 28/18/personal best WOE: Atkins - '02 OWL	My migraines are history on LC. So are a host of other problems I attributed to getting older.