The Migraine Diet, Judith Warner blog and 195 comments, 1 sucralose, 1
artificial sweeteners, 3 aspartame, New York Times 2007.10.26: Murray
2007.10.26
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1482

Of 195 comments, remarkably open, experienced, articulate, informed,
good natured, my quick scan found only 1 mentions avoiding artificial
sweeteners, 1 sucralose, and 3 aspartame, while more mention MSG, and
many re tobacco, alcohol, and vehicle fumes -- which all contribute
formaldehyde, which is made copiously by the body from the 11% methanol
component of aspartame, as well as from the similar levels of methanol
impurity in dark wines and liquors -- probably the major cause of
"morning after" hangovers.

Overall, all clients and helpers concerned should note the
extraordinarily complex patterns of diverse causes, symptoms,
treatments, and results.

YMMV = Your mileage may vary...

In mutual service, Rich Murray

"Of course, everyone chooses, as a natural priority,
to actively find, quickly share, and positively act
upon the facts about healthy and safe food, drink,
and environment."

Rich Murray, MA Room For All rmforall@...
505-501-2298 1943 Otowi Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505

http://RMForAll.blogspot.com new primary archive

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/messages
group with 111 members, 1,482 posts in a public,
searchable archive

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/846
aspartame in Merck Maxalt-MLT worsens migraine,
AstraZeneca Zomig, Eli Lilly Zyprexa,
J&J Merck Pepcid AC (Famotidine 10mg) Chewable Tab,
Pfizer Cool Mint Listerine Pocketpaks: Murray 2002.07.16

Migraine MLT-Down: an unusual presentation of migraine
in patients with aspartame-triggered headaches.
Newman LC, Lipton RB Headache 2001 Oct; 41(9): 899-901.
[ Merck 10-mg Maxalt-MLT, for migraine, has 3.75 mg aspartame,
while 12 oz diet soda has 200 mg. ]
Headache Institute, St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital Center,
New York, NY
Department of Neurology newmanache@...
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Innovative Medical Research RLipton@...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/855
Blumenthall & Vance: aspartame chewing gum headaches Nov 1997:
Murray 2002.07.28

Harvey J. Blumenthal, MD, Dwight A Vance, RPh
Chewing Gum Headaches. Headache 1997 Nov-Dec; 37(10): 665-6.
Department of Neurology, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine,
Tulsa, USA. neurotulsa@...
Aspartame, a popular dietetic sweetener, may provoke headache in some
susceptible individuals. Herein, we describe three cases of young women
with migraine who reported their headaches could be provoked by
chewing gum sweetened with aspartame.
[ 6-8 mg aspartame per stick chewing gum ]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1464
13 mainstream research studies in 24 months showing aspartame toxicity,
also 3 relevant studies on methanol and formaldehyde: Murray 2007.10.26

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1472
bias, omissions, incuriosity = opportunity, aspartame safety evaluation,
Magnuson BA, Burdock GA, Williams GM, 7 more, 2007 Sept, Ajinomoto
funded 98 pages html [$ 32 781888262_content.pdf]: Murray 2007.09.15
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


#
14.
October 26th,
2007
1:05 am

In all seriousness and candor, “Heal your Headache” changed my life. My
case may be relatively simple compared to yours, though. Even though I
had regular migraines for 30 years, simply giving up caffeine,
chocolate, and a few other things like Splenda, actually seems to have
worked and I’ve been almost headache-free for four years now. I’d
suggest that you go easy on the chocolate at Halloween just in case.

— Posted by Eugene Gaub


#
56.
October 26th,
2007
6:44 am

You mentioned avoiding caffein, but how about decaf (in both coffee and
soft drinks)? The decaffeination process (at least in coffee) involves
chemicals that may actually be the trigger for you. You also mentioned
aspartame, but how about other artificial sweeteners?

Have any of your doctors recommended daily journaling of everything you
put into your mouth and watching for patterns? Someone in my family who
had suffered ever-increasing frequency and intensity of migraines was
given this assignment and was able to identify a number of culprits.
After omitting all the offending items, she has migraine free for years.
Offending items, in addition to decaffeinated and artificially-sweetened
products (there go the diet sodas!), included all foods containing
culture of any kind. Yes, that includes cheese, sour cream and yogurt,
but it also includes wine. And watch for any of these products hidden in
prepared products. Your journal could reveal items completely different
from these, but watch for patterns. Good luck!

— Posted by Jo Anne S


#
126.
October 26th,
2007
9:17 am

Wow! There are so many of us out there with the same migraine
experiences! Relpax, Topamax, anti-depressants… I’ve been there, done that.

I am 34 years old, I have a 6-year-old and a 9-year-old, I work full
time, and I am happy to say my migraines have decreased significantly in
recent years. I was at a point two years ago where I was taking my
Relpax almost daily (yes, the rebound headaches are a reality).
Desperate, I allowed my neurologist to coax me into trying the Topamax.
For me, a huge mistake. I hated every minute of it. It made me sick, and
it made me feel completely dumb (I couldn’t put a complete thought
together, let alone carry out a simple task without having to think
twice about it). I could not function at home or at work. Well anyway,
after ending up bedridden for two days because the Topamax made me so
sick and dizzy I couldn’t get off the couch, I knew I had to try
something different.

Long story short, here’s what finally worked for me:

Stopped taking birth control pills.
Stopped drinking diet pop, or consuming anything with asparatame or
other artificial sweetners.
Started going to a chiropractor.

Honestly, the chiropractor changed my life. I was ready to try
acupuncture, but I didn’t need to once I started going to the
chiropractor. I now get maybe one headache a month, and it’s nothing
like the ones I used to get. Sometimes, I can even treat it with just Advil!

I still enjoy chocolate and other “trigger” foods. I do think sometimes
that they have an effect on me. I try to watch what I eat and drink
(moderation is key), and I try to drink plenty of water each day. But, I
can honestly say that the key to my migraine management is my monthly
visits to the chiropractor.

I hope this helps someone! In my own opinion, prescription drugs are
definitely NOT the answer, although I know they are sometimes necessary
along the way. We do what we have to in order to keep going. I would
encourage anyone to explore the benefits of diet and lifestyle
management, along with alternative forms of medicine like chiropractic
and acupuncture, prior to beginning a daily preventative medication.
Anything we put into our bodies is bound to have several unwanted, and
sometimes very dangerous, side effects.

— Posted by Jenny


#
128.
October 26th,
2007
9:18 am

Topamax never helped my life-long migraines and has left me with
permanent vision distortion. The sides affects (as mentioned by Janie
Stocher, above) were horrific.

Get off all the triptans and OTC - the rebounds are real, and can be
managed once you get past them. I use magnesium/feverfew/B2 supplement
for preventative, and homeopathy when a migraine pops up - and yes, they
are largely hormone related, even though most conventional MDs will not
admit it. Birth control pills made mine worse.

I also avoid more than a very small amount of caffeine (tea is good),
sulfites in red wine, aspartame (NutraSweet is a nasty trigger). Regular
exercise helps, too. Chiropractic/massage therapy is also good.

Sleep and eat on a regular schedule, exercise moderately, meditate to
deal with stress…yes, I still suffer occassionally - hoping menopause
will take care of that…but it’s better than being drugged up all the time!

Good luck to you - you’re not alone!

— Posted by Cyndi Pauwels


#
135.
October 26th,
2007
9:23 am

Come lurk on the usenet group alt.support.headaches.migraine You’ll see
why most of us call it “Dopamax” for a reason. Everybody’s different but
it seems a preponderance of folks on ASHM who have tried it get The
Stupids, and they don’t go away. I don’t think Dopamax is going to do
wonders for your writing, and your hands might become so numb it’s hard
to type. But it might make you lose a few pounds. Topamax has such a
high side effect profile that many of us who tried it have stopped
taking it. It sent me to the ER with acute muscle spasm. And those who
put up with the side effects found that it stopped working after some
months. I agree with many of the previous posters. Try acupuncture,
yoga, feverfew, butterbur, CoQ10, riboflavin, magnesium, whatever. I
distrust the extreme diets. If you haven’t identified food triggers by
now you probably don’t have them. And it seems that the once maligned
member of the four major food groups, chocolate, is not the culprit it
was once thought. Just stay away from aspartame. Happy Halloween!

— Posted by Martha


http://warner.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/25/the-migraine-diet/?ex=1194062400&en=9\
d698731e3f52136&ei=5070&emc=eta1

New York Times
Friday, October 26, 2007
Opinion
Domestic Disturbances

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About Judith Warner

Judith Warner [ photo ]
Judith Warner's book, "Perfect Madness: Motherhood in the Age of
Anxiety" (excerpt, NPR interview), a New York Times best-seller, was
published in February 2005. She is currently the host of "The Judith
Warner Show" on XM Satellite Radio. "Domestic Disturbances" appears
every Friday.
Photo by: Jean-Louis Atlan

October 25, 2007, 6:42 pm
The Migraine Diet by Judith Warner

195 total comments included

Tags: halloween, migraines

Fortunately, no one seems to have noticed that I wrote last week’s
column with one eye closed. I also had the lights in my office off, the
shades drawn and the thermostat turned up to about 85 degrees.

All this because I had a migraine. In fact, I was on day six of a
migraine that would, by day seven, have me dissolving into tears in
between the taped segments of my radio show. (Think Holly Hunter. Think
“Broadcast News.” The show went on, seamlessly.)

I was suffering like this because I was Taking Control of my life. I’d
recently read “Heal Your Headache,” by the Johns Hopkins University
neurologist David Buchholz. And now I was following his “1-2-3 Program
for Taking Charge of Your Pain.”

In Dr. Buchholz’s view, chronic migraine sufferers like me -- I average
around seven to twelve headaches a month -- are, very often, victims of
their own past treatment successes. Triptans, the new-ish class of drugs
that bind to serotonin receptors and can work wonders when taken early
in migraine attacks, cause rebound headaches, he says, if you take them
more than two days a month. So do over-the-counter painkillers and
stronger stuff like codeine and oxycodone.

Step 1 in his plan, then, involves removing such “quick fix” drugs from
your life. Step 2 is about recognizing your migraine “triggers” and
removing the ones -- like certain foods, alcohol and caffeine -- that
you can do something about. (As opposed to the ones – like changes in
barometric pressure, work deadlines and mothers-in-law -- that you can’t
do anything about.) Step 3 is daily preventive medicine -- but the idea,
in Buchholz’s book, is that if you do well enough at Steps 1 and 2, you
might not have to go to Step 3.

I am already there. And I have been trying to get out.

I’ve had migraine headaches since the age of 8. When I was younger, they
were severe, but infrequent. When I turned 35, they turned chronic. They
were -- at best, when the triptans were working -- fatiguing. At worst,
they sent me to the emergency room. A few years ago, they got much
better for a while when I started taking amitriptyline, a tricyclic
antidepressant (formerly known as Elavil) that is now given, in low
doses, as a migraine preventative.

I didn’t like the amitriptyline. It made me gain weight. It made me
sleepy. It made me think of mental patients shuffling down the corridors
of state hospitals in the 1950s.

I wasn’t willing to take the higher doses of amitriptyline that came to
be needed, over time, to allow the drug to really work. I liked the idea
that, through supreme force of will, I could free myself from the iron
grip of Big Pharma.

So I followed Buchholz’s prescriptions. I stopped taking my Relpax, a
triptan, and put away my Prontalgine, the codeine- and
caffeine-containing, French over-the-counter headache remedy that I use
when the Relpax doesn’t work.

I stopped drinking caffeine and alcohol and stopped eating chocolate,
cheese, M.S.G., nuts, vinegar, citrus fruits, bananas, raspberries,
avocados, onions, fresh bagels and donuts, pizza, yogurt, sour cream,
ice cream, aspartame and all aged, cured, fermented, marinated, smoked,
tenderized or nitrate-preserved meats.

For a couple of weeks, I was ravenously hungry, cranky, spaced out and
vaguely, deprivedly resentful. But I felt, headache-wise, somewhat
improved. I had six or nine migraines, but they were less severe. And,
once I got used to it, I came to almost enjoy being on my diet,
exploring my capacity for hunger and self-abnegation, obsessing over
what foods I could eat, and how, and when. At the very least, the diet
made my friends happy. Renouncing food, renouncing pills, is so often,
in our time, seen as the right and righteous, pure and wholesome thing
to do.

And then the headaches returned, with a vengeance.

Earlier this week, I went to see my neurologist, who for months has been
trying to get me to increase my dosage of amitriptyline or go on
topamax, an anti-seizure drug that also prevents migraines.

“Are you enjoying your suffering?” he asked me.

Eagerly pocketing my topamax script, I asked him if he thought that food
elimination could hold out any last hope.

Maybe, he said, smirking down into his notes; you never know. “You could
always go up to Baltimore and ask Dr. Buchholz.”

Many people who take daily medications come at some point to hate them.
Teenagers with ADHD routinely rebel against their meds. Long-term users
of anti-depressants risk relapse because they can no longer stand the
way the drugs make them feel.

Some people do manage, through diet and exercise, or by protecting
themselves from their worst “triggers,” to free themselves from their
drugs. But many can’t do it. Many find they can’t accept living in the
compromised condition that drug-free existence requires.

A smart high school girl I know switched a few years ago from a
mainstream school, where she was struggling with dyslexia and ADHD, to a
school that specializes in teaching kids with severe learning
disabilities. Being there has permitted her to function without her ADHD
meds. But now she’s bored. She’s dispirited by the lack of academic
challenge and she wants out, because she’s afraid that, without academic
challenges, she won’t be able to get into a mainstream college.

That’s the tradeoff: taking daily drugs, or living a life that feels not
quite worth living.

Halloween is coming, and Emilie and I have a ritual: While trick or
treating, we eat exactly one piece of candy after every house. She gives
me the Snickers bars. She keeps the Hershey’s Kisses and the M&Ms. We
split the caramel creams and the Starbursts and pawn the dark chocolate
off on her sister, Julia.

It’s from routines such as this, I am convinced, that the childhood
roots of adult happiness are formed.

This year she’s anxious. I’m not eating chocolate. Or peanuts. This
week, with her babysitter, she baked me a cake, white with white
frosting, sprinkles, multi-colored flowers and candy corn. But, she
asked me, what will happen on Halloween?

I told her not to worry; I’d eat my Snickers bars.

In fact, I think that I’ll sanctify Halloween by eating every single
forbidden food on the migraine diet, all in the space of a couple of hours.

Somehow, I doubt that I’ll end up in the emergency room.

195 comments so far...

*
1.
October 25th,
2007
11:40 pm

Take the Topamax. It is a good drug. I was on it for a number of
years for epilepsy, which I now [thankfully] seem to have outgrown.

I quit taking it beginning of the year and now I have lots of ….
drumroll…. headaches.

I used to have headaches all the time, and then I started
Topamax. Am seriously considering going back on it for my poor head and
neck.

Hey, on the plus side, it’s supposed to make you lose weight.
[Sadly, I never got that benefit.]

— Posted by lcreekmo
*
2.
October 25th,
2007
11:47 pm

I use acupuncture, from yes, a gifted acupuncturist, and it
sounds like I have way better success that you have. (From my 24 to 36
hours of severe “navy” vomiting, to not vomiting, and if I had
acupuncture available on the weekends, I might miss them all the time.)
Yoga is also supposed to be highly important according to my
acupuncturist. As my life changes into menopause, sounds like I must be
more serious about Yoga. Just more suggestions. I hope, I hope it helps.
(It’s the liver channel, I’m told, which finishes in the eyes. I am not
supposed to hit the computer when it happens.) Just more tricks of the
trade, wish you the more relief.

— Posted by Nelle
*
3.
October 25th,
2007
11:51 pm

For goodness sake, read the work of John Sarno, MD, the
miracle-working NYC physician. He believes that chronic ailments like
migraines are often caused by repressed emotional pain and that
treatments like drugs and food diets can make matters worse. Especially
helpful in his theories is the notion of the symptom imperative…the body
wants a symptom, any may do the trick, to distract from the emotional
pain. This explains why folks with chronic pains find that they
disappear when they have the flu/cold or why pains may shift from one
side of the body to the other. The body demands a physical symptom
rather than have you confront the emotional wound. His latest book is
called “The Divided Mind” and is highly recommended; it outlines a
treatment modality. Here’s hoping you can get rid of the migraines, the
migraine pills and enjoy those wonderful foods again!

— Posted by Frank
*
4.
October 26th,
2007
12:10 am

One word: Acupuncture.

— Posted by Carolyn Mann
*
5.
October 26th,
2007
12:16 am

First, Judith, I feel for you as a fellow sufferer, though no
where near your level. These headaches are just debilitating. I believe
that there incidence is affected by hormonal swings also (which would
jive with your changed frequency at 35, probably). I am trying the
“withdrawal” method and that seems to be working, for now, but who knows
how long.
Daily pharma is an annoying fact for many of us–I take them as a
result of chemo-induced affects on my thyroid and blood pressure. (but
go figure, I had no migraines during chemo). I think most of think that
some combo of better (organic, fresher, whatever??) food or rest or
exercise will solve these chronic conditions. And, maybe that is right
but the research $$ aren’t too generous for studying these solutions.

Hang in there, hope you feel better and get to eat some Snickers!

— Posted by been there
*
6.
October 26th,
2007
12:17 am

I’m a huge fan of your column and also a cronic migraine
sufferer. I encourage you to try Topamax. Years ago my worst migraines
were put under total control by “calcium channel blockers” (Cardizem). I
was migraine free and drug free for about 13 years. But migraines tend
to come back and mine did. This time, calcium channel blockers didn’t do
the trick but Topamax did. You start on a higher dosis and then you
slowly reduce. I was scared when I heard the word “antiseizure”
medication. I thought to myself, “I don’t have epilepsy…” But it’s been
just a miraculous drug. Good luck. Only someone who’s felt the loss of
control that suffering from migraines represents can truly understand
you. Be healthy!

— Posted by Nancy Lisker
*
7.
October 26th,
2007
12:19 am

Not a migraine sufferer, but my heart goes out to you. It sounds
truly awful. I know people who swear by marijuana when they feel one
coming on. These are not people who generally have it on hand - - I am
not trying to be an advocate - - but they assure me it offers real
relief. The only problem is they are not willing to go out and buy it.
We have medical “Cannabis Clubs” in California, but they’re not really
family-friendly. It’s not a realistic option for many parents, who I’m
sure would only use it to treat the headache. Too bad.

— Posted by Steve
*
8.
October 26th,
2007
12:24 am

I have as life went on been reading more history, and thinking of
what people would do on medical advice. How little good much of it did them.

so many more choices now. So much more information. Actual
solutions remain as elusive as unicorns.

— Posted by zar f
*
9.
October 26th,
2007
12:24 am

Wow, you just wrote the story of my own migraine-afflicted life.
We migraineurs are the only ones who believe it’s really like that,
which skepticism can be added to the list of burdens. But what I’m
actually writing to tell you is this: Don’t go near the topomax! You
could easily end up twitchy-faced, crawly-skinned, blurry-visioned, and
dull-witted — and not necessarily migraine free. For that kind of
outcome, I’d opt for the Peanut M&Ms every time. Happy Halloween!

— Posted by Janie Stoehr
*
10.
October 26th,
2007
12:35 am

This is dejavue all over again. Thirty years ago I suffered from
migraine headaches, increasing to 10 or 12 a month. Some days I would
have 2 or 3. I was prescribed efergot…the migraine drug of the day. My
headaches became more intense and more frequent. Then I read the label
and found the tablets were 90% caffine! I stopped the efergot and
started reading and learned about triggers and how to avoid them. Have I
given up chocolate, red wine, cheddar cheese…no, but I moderate my
intake. And I make sure that I am well hydrated if I drink alcohol. I
have added vitamin B complex to my routine.

These days I may get a migraine every couple of months. I take 2
generic 200mg ibuprofen immediately…sometimes before the visual aura
begins. Then after the aura finishes, I take 1 more 200mg. The pain is
completely erased, but enough that I can continue my day.

But the best cure is to moving to a Pacific Island. I spent
several years at or near sea level…and guess what? No migraines!

— Posted by Bill
*
11.
October 26th,
2007
12:36 am

Judith. Do yourself a favor. Try the topamax. I had been in
pretty much the same boat you are in for many years. Got to the point
where I was requiring an imitrex injection at least three or four times
per week just to function. No doubt there is a rebound effect going on
there but trying to wait it out never did work for me. No preventative
ever did squat. The Topamax just flat worked. I won’t pretend that there
weren’t some initial side effects but they did go away. And in
comparison to what I was going through, well honestly it just wasn’t in
the same universe. You’ve got nothing to lose and it could change your life.

— Posted by SW
*
12.
October 26th,
2007
12:44 am

I nearly wept with empathy as I read Judith’s travails. I
recognized the stage she’s at and know that she has at least one more to
go through. That stage is to really recognize that every healthcare
provider she goes to has only one or two arrows in their quiver, when
what she needs is someone with about a dozen.

She will ultimately become the person who has learned enough to
coordinate all the arrows. She’s past the age when there is only one or
two sources for her headaches.

I’ve had to do just that … I’ve had to be the “systems
integrator” for all those specialties.

Here’s the reason: I suffered from “mixed headaches,” which is a
fancy way of saying that the doctors couldn’t untangle or successfully
treat the multiple sources for my pain. Picture a large water tub
sitting on top of a six-burner stove, with all six burners on full
blast, boiling the water. Curing one source of headaches, say,
eliminating MSG from the diet, will not stop the water from boiling;
there are still five burners flaming away.

As I aged, my systems started weakening, and everything got more
intertwined, so much so, that it got impossible to tease out cause and
effect. And, yes, I began to get rebound headaches as well. Talk about
frustration!

Enough background. Here’s what I did that essentially eliminated
migraines (they dropped to maybe one a year after I turned down the heat
on carbohydrates, neck, stress, sleep apnea, etc, etc): I unrelentingly
pursued every avenue I could find … biofeedback, yoga, meditation, diet,
exercise, chiropractic, psychiatry, psychology, pain specialists,
accupuncture, and probably every medication that pharma has dreamed up
over the past 40 years.

I kept looking for the magic bullet that would end my agony. The
bad news is that there was no one magic bullet, because — remember —
there was more than one burner boiling the water! The good news is that
I discovered a lot of small caliber silver bullets that, taken together,
have given me the freedom from pain that I knew all along was my
rightful condition.

Persistence was the key for me.

— Posted by Tom
*
13.
October 26th,
2007
12:58 am

been using topamax for 4 months- good & bad. down to 1 3day
migraine a month(that’s good)lost weight (a common effect,considered
good by most)but have major brain fog & considerable inability to grab
down words-definitely bad. fatigue is bad too. Gonna give it 2 more
months. I have learned this weight loss aspect is well known, and some
even angle for this drug just for this effect. For me, it’s been quite
dramatic,but not worth having no brain, like the scarecrow in oz.
well worth trying chocolate to see-probably isn’t even a trigger-
won’t know until you have some again!
thanks for the tip about the french stuff-hadn’t heard of that,
but i will try to get some for the migraines that make me wish i could
cut off my head.

— Posted by susan
*
14.
October 26th,
2007
1:05 am

In all seriousness and candor, “Heal your Headache” changed my
life. My case may be relatively simple compared to yours, though. Even
though I had regular migraines for 30 years, simply giving up caffeine,
chocolate, and a few other things like Splenda, actually seems to have
worked and I’ve been almost headache-free for four years now. I’d
suggest that you go easy on the chocolate at Halloween just in case.

— Posted by Eugene Gaub
*
15.
October 26th,
2007
1:12 am

I had migraines from the time I was about 5 years old until I
joined the Marines and went to boot camp. 87 days in boot camp under the
most horrific stress I did not have a single migraine. I guess all that
running, physical conditioning, very limited access to cigarettes and
rigidly controlled diet was the cure. After boot camp when I could eat,
smoke and exercise as little as I wanted, I started having migraines
again. After I got out of the Corps I continued to have migraines.

In 2001 I had a heart attack and went on blood pressure
medication as a well as a suite of drugs for heart damage and coronary
artery disease. I’ve had 1 headache in the last six years, not a migraine.

Go figure!

— Posted by Stephen Burnside
*
16.
October 26th,
2007
1:13 am

At 61, I’ve been down this ‘treatment’ withdrawal, back to
natural agenda several times as suggested by various authorities during
over various decades. Before the blessings of tryptans, often weaning
off of ergotamines to do so.

The interesting discovery I made was that the symptoms many of
these authors described as results of ‘rebound’ headaches and
pharamaceutically induced rather then attributes of migraine itself, I
learned once I had purged myself of the drugs, were actually well and
truely active migraine symptoms, because they not only remained with me,
but like your experience, were even more intense in the drugs’ absense.

Thanks to a number of these ‘experts’ I discovered more about the
true nature of my migraine. Maybe they need to discuss their
methodologies with the patients who do not respond to their therapies?
Like us, the true migraneurs?

— Posted by pat klein
*
17.
October 26th,
2007
1:17 am

I am so sorry to hear of your suffering with migraines. I use
Imitrex, although the best cure has been menopause. The only homeopathic
cure that has ever worked for me was eliminating a few food items and
mostly, a great big icebag on the pain, and that sometimes with the Imitrex.

It’s a tough, debilitating pain. I wish you the very best in
seeking treatment.

— Posted by MKR
*
18.
October 26th,
2007
1:20 am

Why haven’t you tried acupuncture in the middle of a migraine?
You need to go down to Mott St and get a REAL Chinese treatment. That’s
what you say: ‘I want Chinese treament’. And dont throw a hissy fit at
the casual decor, or sleazy curtain, or that it’s done behind the store.
It works. And I’m talking about those ones with the vises and throbs so
horrible you dont know if you can stay inside your head.

Find someone who can get you the most highly respected Chinese
acupuncturist in NYC. Your NYT cred ought to help you. You need to do
your homework on this. Try it out ahead of time, and maybe with a bunch
of different people. Keep getting tune-ups. The relief in your head is
even better than sex.

Lay off the refined sugar. One ounce of refined sugar equals a
pound of raw. IT’S YIN !!!! Goes right to your head. Acid. You need to
balance with more salt. Ten grains under your tongue so it doesn’t make
you drink water for 30 minutes afterwards. I’ll bet you have fakakta
sodium levels.

— Posted by MW
*
19.
October 26th,
2007
1:20 am

Judith:

I feel so bad for you having to deal with that. I hope you can
find a solution that works for you with or without drugs.

— Posted by hank
*
20.
October 26th,
2007
1:34 am

“That’s the tradeoff: taking daily drugs, or living a life that
feels not quite worth living.”

i really hate to be a complainer, but once again Ms. Warner has
expertly hit it on the head (so to speak).

As a chronic depressive on a handful of medications, i hate the
way i feel and can’t function in the “real” world for the last 2 years.
But i was so depressed i couldn’t work. (Ever share an office with a
crying, unproductive collegue?) So what’s the lesser of the “evils”?

(Like Judith, I suffer from migraines –spike driven into right
eye– but ironically that’s less of a problem now that i don’t have to
pretend to work when I’m having one.

So i now have a “career” of trying to regulate diet, exercise,
sleep patterns, and heaven knows what else, even WITH the drugs. But
that’s not a life either. If my Disease Management “career” someday
leads to fewer drugs that will be nice, but either way I’m off the
carousel. And frankly, society has no place to mainstream us when we are
up to it.

Please everyone. Try to include us mortals. We’re not happy about
it either.

— Posted by MadAsHell DC
*
21.
October 26th,
2007
1:37 am

Working with a neurologist, I’ve achieved good results with a
medically-supervised empirical method of treatment and follow-up like
you’re using. I was on a regimen of Topamax(tm) and Depakkote ER(tm)
using Relpax(tm) for the occasional breakthrough migraine. After a few
years I was slowly weaned off Topamax(tm) because of side effects,
muscle pain, although I miss its mild antidepressant effects. Dealing
with the side effects of the drugs is a challenge (weight gain,
somnolence, muscle aches, ED for men). I was never able to identify
reliable migraine triggers except caffeine withdrawal, so I have up
caffeine too but now I wrestle with somnolence. After a while, you begin
to believe that the disease may not be as bad as the cure. I wish you
the best of luck for your plan to deal with your pain, and I feel for you.

— Posted by Jeff Atwood
*
22.
October 26th,
2007
1:42 am

Thank you, Ms. Warner, for letting me know I am not alone.

I suffer in bed in painful and nauseating agony for days some
months. The triggers I’ve possibly found are over-eating and
over-exertion, including just being in colder weather. Like you, I’ve
not yet tried the topamax scrip I filled, I guess due to concern for
obvious and longer term subtler side effects. (To quote Bill Maher, a
headache is not a sign of an aspirin deficiency.)

Here’s what I’d really like: Major scientific research on what is
causing the epidemic of migraines among women in America. Pool the
public and private resources of this country for better preventative
health rather than ill-advised wars.

— Posted by mary jo
*
23.
October 26th,
2007
2:49 am

My condolences. Good luck. My sister had migraines starting in
college. Infrequent, then frequent, then crippling. After a million
doctors who helped almost not at all, one finally gave her a list of
things to try not eating. Turns out wheat was one of her major triggers.
Ordinary, ubiquitous wheat. No wheat, no migraines. Instant cure for
her. A few years later I started having my own odd sensitivities, and
again wheat was a culprit, along with soybeans for me.

So on the one hand, after Halloween, you might try un-exploring a
wider range of foods, perhaps including (excluding?) wheat. On the other
hand, you might look around your family tree to see if there are any
interesting food or other sensitivities, and try experimenting with
avoiding those things.

Condolences also for having such a snarky neurologist. Some try
to help their patients in every way possible; some prefer to paint
themselves into narrow little mindsets.

— Posted by Ken_K
*
24.
October 26th,
2007
3:05 am

ultimately, those of us who suffer have to make a decision as to
what makes life worth living.

Personally, i love cheese, wine (though i avoid it if Im feeling
remotely sensitive) and many of the other “bad” foods for migraines.
Furthermore, I haven’t noticed much of a correlation between food and my
migraines, and as it is mostly to do with a variable I can’t control
(barometric pressure) I decided to go on elavil. While I’m not super
happy about the weight gain, I find I function much better this way than
I was before. And I think its worth it for me…especially as the other
preventatives (largely blood pressure meds, which, with really low BP I
cannot take) are not an option for me.

FYI from what I’ve heard about cutting things out of diets, and
suddenly adding them back in, the stuff you will be eating on halloween
very well COULD send you to the ER

— Posted by I love cheese
*
25.
October 26th,
2007
3:17 am

After years of debilitating migraines (with aura)that sent me
several times a year to the emergency room, a neurologist here in
Encinitas (CA) suggested Botox injections. My insurance covers the
treatments and, after the first of four or five of them, I have found
relief that I would not have imagined possible. The pain of the
injections is minimal. The frequency of my headaches has decreased, and
the pain is less severe. Sufferers with certain kinds of migraines are
more likely than others to benefit — a consultation with a neurologist
is well worth it. Mine, Dr. Andrew Blumenfeld, is director of the
Headache Center of Southern California and a pioneer in the use of Botox
to treat migraines. There are no side effects, not even, unfortunately,
in my case at least, the cosmetic benefits with which Botox is associated.

— Posted by andrea bell
*
26.
October 26th,
2007
3:31 am

I am an example of migraine cured without all these drugs and
with very few food habit changes (the only thing I don’t take any more
is coffee). At one point 20 years ago, I used to get migraine every
fortnight. The doctors were honest enough to tell me that the best they
can give me is painkillers. Want to know the secret cure? Homeopathy.
6-12 months of their tiny little doses of medicine, and I have had a
long-term cure. I know that homeopathy may still not be recognized by
the health insurance plans (I lived in the US for several years at one
point), but if you try it you may just get a long-term cure.

— Posted by Benami Indian
*
27.
October 26th,
2007
3:40 am

“Better living through chemistry” seems to have been carried too
far in this NewAge of modern medecine. For all concerned, doctor,
patient, and HMO, it is easier to roll you some pills (and roll you out
the door), than to engage in the expenses and complexities of underlying
conditions and medical basics. Your example is sensible and courageous.
Hope it works. RwB

— Posted by Roger Barton
*
28.
October 26th,
2007
3:45 am

I’m sorry for your migraine problems. I suffer a mild version of
cluster headaches, which fortunately doesn’t trigger very often…have you
tried taking melatonin?

— Posted by Enrique
*
29.
October 26th,
2007
4:19 am

Like ripples in a pond in slow motion, the journey from caustic
disbelief in food allergies to surprise - and later, chagrin - at how
far mine seem to be spreading has been almost twenty years in progress.
The light bulb went on when I realized that a year and a half of what
seemed like a hangover combined with being hit by a truck was really
being caused by sesame crackers. Lesser but similar bodily discomfort
from peanuts and macademia nuts. In time, aspartame, some red wines,
hazelnuts (and my first case of hives at age 54), MSG, et al.

The prospect of prescription-induced disorientation hasn’t
arrived, yet. The best and worst of anticipating it is already knowing
what it will take to recognize and deal with it. And the weariness it
causes.

On the slightly more than obligatory bright side is that I’ve
survived it before. Barely.

— Posted by Michael J.
*
30.
October 26th,
2007
4:25 am

I have been a migraine sufferer until I tried a diet change.
These are the foods I eliminate: all breads etc containing yeast,
chocolate, all alcoholic drinks and especially beer, milk (but not
yogurt and fetta cheese), all processed food including fruit juices.

I prepare everything I eat from scratch. My daily diet contains
at least 5-6 fruits, a very large green salad/boiled spinach, a lot of
yogurt and fetta cheese, and once a week a piece of broiled chicken. If
I need to eat out, which is often, I ask for a salad with olive oil and
lemon. I never eat Chinese/Thai/Japanese food.

As soon as a headache starts, drink loads of cola/coffee, eat
sweets, drink loads of water, and take an aspirin. I also exercise
viciously, until I sweet for at least half an hour. Then I shower with
very hot water and keep my head and shoulders wrapped up warm.

I haven’t had a migraine attack for over 10 years.

My suggestion is: eat raw simple food, exercise especially when
under stress, avoid yeast/fermented/processed food, and keep your head
and shoulders warm at all times.

Good luck and always remember there will be a time when you will
not have migraine attacks.

— Posted by gunes ozdural
*
31.
October 26th,
2007
4:35 am

I’m told that Frovatriptan (brand name Frova) is helping quite a
few Migraine sufferers.

— Posted by N
*
32.
October 26th,
2007
4:36 am

A recognizable story. My migraines started at the age of 9. Got
more frequent when I was in my twenties and peaked during my thirties
and forties. As a journalist and writer it interfered frequently from
dealing with deadlines. Sitting vomiting behind my desk was no
exception. I tried to eliminate all the wellknown triggers. And
medication. At 43 I got severe food poisening from red meat. Almost
paralized in bed. About one week later I got food poisening again, and
again from red meat. This might also have been a physical reaction to
the meat, but the sickness and everything else felt the same. The very
thought of eating meat was so repulsive that I stopped eating that at
all during the next weeks. After a month of feeling feeble and jittery,
I realized I had not experienced any migraine episode. My GP advized me
to give it a try: abstain from meat. After 2 months I got a migraine
attack for just 2 days, which felt -for the first time- perfectly
manageable. And then they stopped, never to return again. In the course
of the years I put back some meat, white mostly, in my diet, and till
this day I have had no more migraines. When I tried red a few times, the
migraines returned, not as severe as they were, but I am convinced they
would be, if I continued. So I stopped totally. Often I have the feeling
I got my life back, thinking of all those lost days. I am almost 57 now
and quite grateful for that first severe food poisening that put me on
the right track. For readers with migraines, it is worth a try. You
never know. Anna van Wittenberghe, Rotterdam, Netherlands

— Posted by anna van wittenberghe
*
33.
October 26th,
2007
4:50 am

I have migraines and over 50% of them are hormone related. One of
the best steps I ever took was to go on nuvaring continuously (well, off
it for a week every 3-4 months). The roller-coaster of the hormones was
greatly diminished except during the one week I was off it.

I may get a less intense migraine from time to time now, but it
generally responds to 2 Aleve, taken as soon as I realize the migraine
is coming (although last Friday, even 2 Aleve every 6 hours didn’t touch
it for 18+ hours - should have gone to my prescription med but I don’t
think so well when I have the migraine either! (for some reason, I
respond faster to Aleve than to prescription Naproxen Sodium - it should
be the other way around).

This isn’t every woman’s cause of migraines but if you think it
may be yours, give it a shot. The benefit of skipping menstrual cycles
is worth it alone!

— Posted by Marie
*
34.
October 26th,
2007
4:52 am

i am sure you have heard it all yet i must share with you that i
suffered greatly from migraines from the time i was 15 until i was 30.

i went to Drs. in SF, LA and NYC. nothing they ever prescribed or
suggested really ever helped or stopped the headaches.

i started practicing hatha yoga (such as ‘power’ yoga and Bikram
yoga, 3-5 times a week) and Vipassana meditation (http://www.dhamma.org)

For the past 9 years, my headaches are gone. I no longer have
anything to complain about and my entire life has transformed.

If you are interested in hearing more please feel free to email me.

best wishes for a headache-free rest of your life as well,
bc

— Posted by bennett cale
*
35.
October 26th,
2007
4:56 am

I found by accident some years ago that a calcium deficiency can
contribute to migraines. It isn’t necessary to be out of the normal
range, just in the low part of it.

So as long as I snarf down about three CItrical Plus D a day, I
have a lot fewer migraines. (This is not a commercial, Citrical is what
my endocrinologist said was the best absorbed.) I can’t recall how long
it took to start working, I suspect a month or so as deficiencies aren’t
corrected overnight. The D helps absorption.

— Posted by trudy
*
36.
October 26th,
2007
5:09 am

I had chronic migraines for many years. Finally, after all kinds
of drugs did nothing, a very open-minded doctor recommended acupuncture.
It’s the only thing that has worked for me - and worked it has. A
3-month course of going once a week, then 2 more months of every other
week (the sessions are about an hour), and then one or two sessions
every few years after if I get a migraine, and I live without the
constant migraine pain.

— Posted by Stefanie
*
37.
October 26th,
2007
5:13 am

Thank you for sharing! You captured my emotional/mental struggles
with taking antidepressant daily for the past 10 years most accurately.
I thought I was the only one not wanting what was ‘good’ for me,
struggling with chemical dependence, etc….I too suffer frequently from
migraines so it is interesting to learn of the new book and your
practical experience with it.

— Posted by Hazel
*
38.
October 26th,
2007
5:26 am

I also suffer from those kind of migraines, although not as
frequent. I rely on double doses of the triptans but have had to get
shots of Demerol as a last resort. Now that I have children I can’t risk
a day of being a zombie, so the triptans are all I have. I’ve gotten to
the point where I’d love to remove the right side of my head to see if
that would help. What a curse these things are.

— Posted by Michelle
*
39.
October 26th,
2007
5:27 am

Kudos for fighting the good fight. Hang in there.

— Posted by Michael
*
40.
October 26th,
2007
5:28 am

My first migraine attack was when I was 13. I was put on
medication that helped a little. When I was 26 I had six attacks in six
days and was suicidal. A medical practitioner of Chinese extraction
treated me with accupuncture every day for a week and also explained how
it works. For the last 26 years I probably get a migraine twice a year.
The only way it works is if the GP is Chinese and he uses the old
method. That is the needles. It hurts like hell when they hit the spot
but no pain, no gain. You must give it a go. I believe it can help most
people. My migraines are usually brought on post very stressful
situations. Best wishes, Dina

— Posted by Dina
*
41.
October 26th,
2007
5:35 am

Judith, I can really sympathize. I’ve been suffering from
migraines for the past 10 years and they’ve completely changed my life.
I’ve been off all caffeine and sugar for some time (of course, that
includes chocolate - arrgghh!) and that has helped, but not eliminated
the problem. It turns out that in my case the headaches are affected by
hormonal fluctuations (although sugar and caffeine can set them off at
any time). Have you looked into that? I’ve been on a daily regimen of
the Agnus Castus herb and it has really helped.
I admire your perseverance in the face of pain and fatigue. It
inspires me to keep at it! I pray you’ll find some kind of relief soon.

— Posted by Laura
*
42.
October 26th,
2007
5:38 am

I feel your pain! My experieces have mirrored yours (add
biofeedback and losts of trial programs at universities. Ithe problem
does lessen after menopause(I’m 79) but for the last ten years, I’ve
gotten tremedous relief from a health store product:MIGRAIDE to be taken
at the first sign of migraine-What’s to loose? Knowing it works seem to
enable me to stop fearing the next onset and they’re less frequent.
Please check it out. I wish you well Alice

— Posted by Alice & Herbert Fischgrund
*
43.
October 26th,
2007
5:39 am

I have found that most of my migraines are triggered by weather
changes. I now use an over-the-counter decongestant at the first sign of
trouble. For me, the results have been excellent.

— Posted by Diane Giacalone
*
44.
October 26th,
2007
5:54 am

Like Ms. Warner, I have had migraines for years and years. Long
ago, after clinics and emergency rooms and neurologists and running
through a range of what seemed primitive therapies, I settled in to the
vexing problems of pain management. Not a cure and not the way I saw
myself as an adult but it worked. I have periodically tried, for reasons
which I suspect have little to do with good health, to go the Buchholz
way. Even used his overly optimistic book once. Not worth one minute of
that sickening, throbbing sensations of migraine as it grabs my head and
stuffs it back into what must be the chemical equivalent of a medieval
Inquisition torture helmet. Thanks for this article. Nice to know that
there are others making their way in the dark, sometimes following false
white lights. PLEASE WRITE MORE ABOUT HOW YOU DEAL WITH THIS.

— Posted by michael bagge
*
45.
October 26th,
2007
5:58 am

I feel your pain! I, too, have had migraines for over 20 years
and have tried the food elimination thing with little success. There are
alternatives to Big Pharma, though. Have you tried amino acids? They
haven’t solved all my problems but it’s way better than anti depressants
and anti seizure meds. You have to look hard to find docs who work with
them, but they’re out there.

There’s also a study going on in Houston that you probably
qualify for where closing a hole in the heart commonly left at birth is
helping a lot of people with migraines. The article is in the Houston
Chronicle called ‘Migraines May Not Start in Your Head.’

Good luck!

— Posted by claire
*
46.
October 26th,
2007
6:03 am

I have been batling with chronic daily headaches for many year. I
also had a bad experience with nortryptilene (similar to amitryptilene),
effective for the headaches, but made me feel like a zombie. One
supplement that I have found to be extremely helpful is l-tryptophan, an
amino acid that appears to reduce the volatility of my veins. I take
2,000 mg per day. I get it from a compounding pharmacist on a
prescription from my doctor. For pain I use cafergot, which is effective
with few side effects.

— Posted by Marilyn
*
47.
October 26th,
2007
6:12 am

I’ve been through it all with migraines - and I even took Topomax
for a time (about 2 years). My migraines started when I was 28 and I’m
now 37.

I, too, got sick of drugs and I, too, changed my eating habits
(the two biggest triggers I have found are alcohol, sugar - eat more
savory foods). My migraines, however, did not go away until I went off
birth control pills.

And now - almost two years later - I am down from having severe
migraines at least 1 time per week (and lasting for two to three days)
to having them about 4 times a year (and they tend to only last one
day). The better news is that now a couple of “Excedrin - Migraine”
cures my headaches and it is rare that I need to take Zomig or another
prescription drug. And I don’t get rebounding headaches because I am not
taking the medication that often.

In addition, I have found that now that my hormones are in their
“natural” balance, I can even have some of the “trigger” foods on
occasion (like bananas, carrots - even alcohol).

And by the way, neither my neurologist nor my gyn (both men) ever
believed that they could be related to my birth control pills, but after
years of watching the patterns of when I would get my most severe
migraines, I couldn’t help but to try out test my hypothesis. And well,
so far so good.

Just thought I’d pass on my experience - on the chance that it
helps another person who suffers with migraines.

— Posted by Brown
*
48.
October 26th,
2007
6:20 am

With respect to worries about being a slave to big pharma, most
drugs on the market beneficial for prophylaxis, like amitryptiline,
propranolol, verapamil, valproic acid, etc, are generic. Which brings me
to my second point. Step 3 of the “Bucholz plan” requires a proactive
physician and patient. For every preventative medication, only 40-60% of
migraneurs will experience benefit. This means you must start a
preventative medicine, then push it to maximum tolerated dose as quickly
as possible. If you are bothered by side effects or the medicine is not
effective within a month or so, switching to another medicine is in
order. Frankly, there are so many different preventative medicines
available that there is no reason a patient should be stuck taking a
daily medication they hate. In my experience, when a patient with
chronic daily headaches or frequent migraines finally encounters a truly
beneficial preventative plan, there is rarely an existential crisis
regarding the decision between altering a lifestyle and suffering pain.

— Posted by Migraine Doc
*
49.
October 26th,
2007
6:21 am

Migraine nation no doubt was immediately sliding over to see what
you had to say. Migraines are a huge hassle (major understatement).
Figuring out which foods trigger your headache is a worthy effort and
helps. When I was 12, “Empirin” was the OTC drug, at 16 they tried
dilantin. I am Excedrin :>) Fiorinal. But, the best cure for a woman is
menopause (decreasing levels of estrogen)and for us all - less daily
stress, right… The blazing hot shower and ice on your forehead/eyes
(some like head massage) is a good trick as you descend into a dark soft
space hoping to wake exhausted but not so fogged-out by the pain.
Watching salt and water helps (less salt, more water). May I wish for
you clear-eyed days full of light that soothes, noise you don’t mind and
pills you don’t need!

— Posted by Ginny
*
50.
October 26th,
2007
6:26 am

The author, perhaps due to legality concerns, has failed to
mention an alternative to the brain-dulling migraine preventatives and
rebound-prone abortives.

To wit: marijuana.

Legal in a few enlightened nations across the pond, marijuana is
taken very seriously as a chronic pain med, and is hybridized with this
in mind. Thanks to high-tech vaporization methods, it can now be
consumed as heated, atomized particles, rather than combusted smoke. The
last health negative surrounding marijuana — tar — has been defeated.

Migraineurs who’ve dipped into marijuana can testify to the
speediness and surety of the drug. Yes, you’ll feel spacey. But the
rebound effect, and noxious addictive properties, are no concerns at all.

— Posted by Gordion Knott
*
51.
October 26th,
2007
6:31 am

Try verapamil, knocked out my chronic migraine headaches, with
little side effects.

— Posted by Kathy Seweryn
*
52.
October 26th,
2007
6:31 am

Please try acupuncture. You have to do it on a regular basis. I
had migraines all my life (both parents suffered from them). I now go
for acupuncture twice a month and I rarely (maybe 6 times a year) have a
migraine. It’s worth a try and much preferable to meds or dietary
restrictions as it fosters good health in other ways too. Good luck!

— Posted by Barbara
*
53.
October 26th,
2007
6:33 am

I am 41 and a working mother of two and have walked the same path
with my migraines. I did the diets, the triptans, the Elavil, the yoga,
and the accupuncture - and after I turned 38 none of none of them worked
anymore. I started on Topamax last June and it changed my life! I no
longer have to take ANY pain medication (or triptans) and have suffered
no ill side effects while getting complete relief for my headaches (at
half the normal dose!). So Judith, lets let Dr. Buchholz have his tofu
and sprouts and righteous attitude. There’s no reason we can’t have our
cake and snickers bars (at least once in awhile) - and live pain free, too.

— Posted by Migraine Suffer2
*
54.
October 26th,
2007
6:42 am

While you didn’t mention fiorinal, a trusty migraine stopper used
frequently by doctors themselves but a medicine doctors will scream at a
patient for using (thanks to the Neanderthals in Albany), I’m happy you
have shared the news about taking topamax daily. In my experience far
less is needed in climates like that of Los Angeles than in places on
the barometric trampoline like New York City. And as for caffeine
causing migraines, every time I hear a neurologist spout that nonsense I
laugh at them. Every migraine sufferer knows caffeine helps stop
migraines. The single most important thing a migraine sufferer in New
York can do is to move to a desert climate.

— Posted by Mine Graine
*
55.
October 26th,
2007
6:43 am

I have been on a migraine diet for years, and it works for me.
From two or three severe headaches per month, I now have two or three
per year, and for those the drugs are effective.

Years ago a sympathetic internist put me on an elimination diet
where I started with rice and applesauce and added foods. Often when I
start headaches again it is because a new food offends. The list has
expanded over the years. At present I avoid chocolate, peanuts, bananas,
avocado, MSG (hidden in many foods), aged cheese, any meats with
nitrites. On the other hand, I can handle some alcohol (no red wine, no
beer) and vinegar.

— Posted by Nancy
*
56.
October 26th,
2007
6:44 am

You mentioned avoiding caffein, but how about decaf (in both
coffee and soft drinks)? The decaffeination process (at least in coffee)
involves chemicals that may actually be the trigger for you. You also
mentioned aspartame, but how about other artificial sweeteners?

Have any of your doctors recommended daily journaling of
everything you put into your mouth and watching for patterns? Someone in
my family who had suffered ever-increasing frequency and intensity of
migraines was given this assignment and was able to identify a number of
culprits. After omitting all the offending items, she has migraine free
for years. Offending items, in addition to decaffeinated and
artificially-sweetened products (there go the diet sodas!), included all
foods containing culture of any kind. Yes, that includes cheese, sour
cream and yogurt, but it also includes wine. And watch for any of these
products hidden in prepared products. Your journal could reveal items
completely different from these, but watch for patterns. Good luck!

— Posted by Jo Anne S
*
57.
October 26th,
2007
6:49 am

Successful migraine surgery awaits in Cleveland OH. Have a
daughter who suffered severely since age 12, was virtually paralyzed by
migraine pain. Went to the best hospitals and migraine clinics, nothing
worked. Then we found American Migraine Center, Beachwood OH.
Neurologists treated her for years then experimental surgery was
recommended. Expensive, very expensive, no medical plan covered but
migraines ended 5 months post-surgery. No side effects except a
pleasurable and successful new life.

A thankful father

— Posted by Mark Fleisher
*
58.
October 26th,
2007
6:51 am

Good for you Judith, keep up the good work. I quit all my
migraine medicine cold turkey 1 1/2 year ago. I have also suffered
migraine since childhood and been on codeine for ever. I never liked the
“new” drug treatments, I didn’t feel they worked and I never wanted to
be on daily preventative medication. I realized that I was only treating
the symptom and not the root of the problem. The medicine allowed me to
keep living a hectic life and never to slow down to ponder why I got
migraine. So I have suffered, medicine free, through my migraines. I am
glad to announce they are getting fewer and fewer and I am slowly slowly
starting to change my life style. Sleep is a huge trigger.. so when
things don’t get done in time, I take a deep breath and say oh well, go
to bed and deal with it the next day. Food is another trigger, I need to
eat something little every 2-3 hours, if my stomach goes empty, I risk a
migraine. I have also cut out Alcohol and caffeine. My last trigger is
stress. I am still working on that one, Yoga and meditation works great,
when I get to do them. My goal is to incorporate more of that into my
life. It feels so good knowing that I am in charge of my life and my
migraines!!

— Posted by Anna Leijon-Guth
*
59.
October 26th,
2007
6:54 am

I have been there with the migraines… While going through a
divorce, it was a daily occurrence and not even Axert could stop them.
All my life I suffered from migraines until 2 years ago when I started
taking blood pressure medication (Atelonol). I call it a miracle cure
and I finally can enjoy a glass of wine (or chocolate galore), or two,
without having to worry about getting a headache that could potentially
turn into a migraine. While I don’t recommend high blood pressure,
perhaps the medication has something that can help migraine sufferers?

— Posted by Natalie from Sudbury
*
60.
October 26th,
2007
6:58 am

I didn’t see any mention of feverfew: natural supplement, no side
effects, works as a preventative, routinely used in the UK and Europe.

— Posted by Judith B
*
61.
October 26th,
2007
6:59 am

have you tried calcium /magnesium and vitamin B2? I take 1200mg
Calcium snd 600 mg Magnesium plus Vitamin B2 400 mg q.d. I split the
dosage into AM and PM. PM dosage before you go to sleep. I also use high
quality fish oil about 4 grams a day, plus avoiding chocolate and
coffee. I can eat avocados and citrus again. Good luck

— Posted by beatrice nordberg
*
62.
October 26th,
2007
7:01 am

Choosing between a cramped life-style and a devil-may-care
attitude comes to everyone in their life at some point or the other.
Prudence and maturity warrants striking a balance between the two
extremes of living the life fully and dying bit by bit by denying the
pleasures of living. I just wish I knew how to do that! I am a medical
practitioner, and a diabetic. I have learned that it is good to advise
someone *else* to monitor their blood sugars, to shun sweets, to
exercise for 30 minutes daily and to switch to a high fiber, low
glycemic-index diet; as to my own self - why, it all boils down to my
own mood at a given point in time: either I may do any or all of these
things, or I may not.

As you point out, nothing in the world is really simple. If we
dig our own grave, well, we should be ready to lie in it.

Thank you for a nice write-up.

— Posted by Taher Y. Kagalwala
*
63.
October 26th,
2007
7:15 am

As a migranuer, I have 2 words for you:

1. acupuncture

2. chiropractor

— Posted by Lin
*
64.
October 26th,
2007
7:16 am

I too suffered from migraines all my life. At first, they were
triggered by eggs, of all things. Later, after I tried the diet you
describe, I found out it was chocolate, scotch, and hormones. So now I
don’t each chocolate, don’t drink scotch, and hormones are fading with
menopause, so the headaches are much less of an annoyance than they once
were. Good luck with your struggles.

— Posted by Jane
*
65.
October 26th,
2007
7:20 am

I had migraines which followed a path exactly like yours; trying
everything but nothing working. Then at the age of 70 when my doctor put
me on Foxomax and 1500mg of calcium for osteoporosis I realized after a
a few weeks that migraines had ceased! I have not had another one since!
I am now 76. I did a search on Google for migraines + calcium and found
there is a familial type of migraine that is associated with calcium. Do
some research on it. it may be helpful.

— Posted by Liz Beceden
*
66.
October 26th,
2007
7:25 am

Wow, good post! Judith, it’s amazing how much your situation
reflects mine. I get “only” two or three migraines monthly, with various
types of headaches (tension, stress) in between. Every so often I’ll go
three weeks without a migraine, which is pretty damn miraculous, and I
never know why.

But I’ve been migrainous since my teens, and, aside from PMS
(though I don’t ALWAYS get migraines with my period), I’ve never been
able to consistently determine my food triggers. Environmental triggers,
like too much light, too much noise, or too much plane or car travel
(particularly on sunny days), are more reliable. But it’s not always
practical or easy to avoid those……

More interesting is your remark on triptan rebounds. I’ve been
taking triptans for about five years now, and they kill 70% to 80% of my
migraines, if I time it right (not too early and not too late). I know
they’re working when I feel the Zomig Zing, as I call it: a cold tingle
down the side of my nose and then a distinct fatigue as the pain
dissipates. I always feel odd afterwards, but it beats the sense of a
pile driver boring into my skull.

I’ve long suspected that Zomig might have a rebound effect,
because after the passing of a three- or four-day bout (about as long as
mine get), I can be fine for a day or so, and then WHAM! it’s back.

Good luck with your food-elimination scheme, but I suspect it’ll
be for nought. In my opinion, we migraine-sufferers have faulty wires,
and the only thing consistent about our unconquerable attacks is their
inconsistency.

PS: There may be hope. A good friend recently revealed that she’d
also been migrainous since her teens, but all attacks disappeared after
she finished menopause at 54; she says she’s never felt better in her
life. I’m 48, so I’ll try to be optimistic that my days of suffering are
also numbered…..!

— Posted by Donna
*
67.
October 26th,
2007
7:25 am

For years I have used a liquid tincture of the Feverfew plant
(also known as Parthenium) to fight my barometric-pressure-change
induced migraines. This plant has been used for headaches since the
middle ages. I put half a dropper-full under my tongue and hold it there
for as long as I can (it’s bitter, and takes some getting used to). So
just like nitro-glycerine, it gets straight to the brain quickly. I
carry a small bottle around with me and if I can use it at first
symptoms, it stops the headache. If I awake with a headache, it tampers
down the symptoms. There is no chance of over-medicating. Best of all -
a 120ml bottle at my local homeopathic pharmacy is about $20 and lasts
me a couple of years. But use the liquid - the pills aren’t strong
enough and they use only the dregs of the plant, so they don’t have the
potency. Hope it helps you or someone else!

— Posted by Leslie
*
68.
October 26th,
2007
7:25 am

I had migraine since I was age 12. I endured it until I was in my
mid-40’s. I never did resort to any specific treatment for migraine
because I was afraid of the side effects of most of the medication. When
I cd not just bear it, I took an aspirin and never more than 2 a day.

Migraine runs in the family, a sister and a brother have it. Mine
seems triggered by lack of sleep for more than 2 or 3 nights in a row,
disagreeable food (I suspect ajinomoto in Chinese food) and other
miscellaneous causes.

Finally, I cured it with some simple breathing exercises and also
yoga postures. On the rare occasion that I do get a head ache,
auto-suggestion seems to work. At times, I keep think of taking an
aspirin, and keep postponing it, until I realize that the headache is gone!!

— Posted by Ranga Nambakam
*
69.
October 26th,
2007
7:26 am

I love your columns and share your pain and used to get severe
monthly three day migraines with auras and all the bells and whistles. I
have eliminated processed sugars, increased salt and fluid intake and
maintain steady blood sugar. I still occasionally get a monthly headache
but not migraines. The point is to find tailored, not draconian, dietary
restrictions and this requires some patience.

— Posted by Kim Salerno
*
70.
October 26th,
2007
7:27 am

FOLLOW UP:
In fact here is a link to the calcium + migrainE connection on
Google:


http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2005\
-08,GGLD:en&q=migraine+%2b+calcium

— Posted by Liz Beceden
*
71.
October 26th,
2007
7:31 am

Migraine is a chronic neurologic disorder that features
occasional attacks (or episodes) alternating with symptom-free periods
of varying duration. So people don’t have “migraines”; they have
migraine. (The parallel is asthma. Know anyone who has asthmas?)
Migraine is also different in every person it affects (aka, its
“heterogeneity”). Managing it successfully means dealing not only with
its chronicity, but also with what are often highly invidividualized
presentations. Thus, what works for one patient (try Topomax!) is not
necessarily right for another (don’t go near Topomax!). The good news is
that, with diligence and a customized therapeutic regimen, nearly every
patient can obtain relief from the more debilitating aspects of this
disease.

— Posted by Chris
*
72.
October 26th,
2007
7:33 am

Migraine runs in every branch of my family. I started seeing only
half of people’s faces at the age of 15. A few years later, I started
getting severe occurrences almost every week. Only someone who has gone
through severe migraine attacks can understand the desperate need to get
rid of the disorienting pain and nausea. Getting through work deadlines
was difficult but deadlines actually helped because they forced me to
function and concentrate on something other than my head. I remember one
time, while working on a marketing plan, being so exhausted and crawling
under the huge table of the board room and taking a nap at the feet of
my associate, who went right on working. By the 3rd day of each attack,
jumping out the window or hurling oneself, head first, at an oncoming
train would become attractive alternatives.

The doctors, one after the other, had me on different pain pills
that didn’t help much. Sometimes they did, most times they didn’t. As a
matter of fact, they made me sick. Until a few years ago, doctors didn’t
really know how to deal with migraines so they kept on quizzing me about
work or being a workoholic. Yes, to the intensity of both, as far as I
was concerned, but some very laid back characters in my family and some
who haven’t even started working, also suffered from the same thing.

After some 20 years the attacks lessened, occurring only with a
sudden rise or drop in air pressure. Maybe the migraine had morphed into
a sinus problem. I don’t know because I have developed a phobia of
doctors, especially those who are prescription-happy. One of them shot
me with a painkiller and I passed out when I got back to my apartment.

Last year, I finally decided to altogether stop taking
painkillers. To my surprise, the headaches practically disappeared and
when they do surface now, they don’t take hold, especially if I take to
the treadmill, garden, or clean the house. I have since been lecturing
migraine sufferers in the family about the rebound effect of
painkillers, urging them to exercise instead.

— Posted by fpb
*
73.
October 26th,
2007
7:33 am

Judith, as a dentist who is trained in neuromuscular dentistry, I
have treated many migraine sufferers like yourself without the need of
drugs. If you have not already done so, consider being examined by a
dentist trained in neuromuscular dentistry. It could be that your
symptoms are due to a misaligned bite causing muscle strain which in
turn could cause recurrent migraines. For more information go to
www.leading dentists.com

— Posted by Daniel R. Melnick, DDS
*
74.
October 26th,
2007
7:37 am

As an Acupuncturist I can vouch for the effectiveness of this
form of treatment for many migraine sufferers. Patients often come to
Chinese medicine as a last resort, but if you’re looking for natural
pain relief, without medications, please give it a try.

— Posted by Joanie S
*
75.
October 26th,
2007
7:40 am

I read your article with much anticipation for some new
information, however as I suspected it drew all the same conclusions
that I have come to learn on my own.

After contracting viral Meningitis 3.5 years ago, it’s left me
with unrelenting chronic head pain that caused me to stop working and go
on disability. At 35 years old, I am lost in the maze of treatments,
medication and a world with no answers to my problems.

I feel like I have tried everything…including Topamax, which I
couldn’t stay on for more than 2 weeks due to this out of skin feeling
and drowsy to the point of numbness mentally and emotionally - surely no
way to live. So, yes it is a tradeoff…attempt to “live” as a zombie on
drugs or live in pain.

I refuse to give up and will not leave any stone unturned. Even
if that includes Botox…but at $1,000 a treatment that lasts only 3-4
months (if it works at all), it’s another gamble.

Good luck with the Topamax. I understand it does work for some
people. For me personally, I could not function on it.

Next stop is another accupuncturist and a group meeting with my
Dr., nurse and phychologist at my headache clinic to try to get some
kind of help so that I can again be a contributing member of society.

It’s good to know I’m not alone. Thanks for your article.

— Posted by Research Required
*
76.
October 26th,
2007
7:41 am

Judith,I was laughing out loud while reading your article and
felt such a sense of relief at the same time that someone in the world
is going through the same pain and struggles with migraines as I am. I
am a working mother of two young children who gets 8-12 migraines a
month and is in the ER about once every two or three months. I have
tried every daily migraine drug out there (including amitriptyline,
which also made me gain weight and made me sleepy) and have had every
side effect from gaining weight to losing weight to having my thoughts
altered. I also tried Dr. Buchholz’s book and had the same results. So,
I am back on the daily drugs and triptans and will enjoy trick or
treating with my kids and eating chocolate, maybe followed by a cup of
coffee. Thank you so much for your article.

— Posted by Kelly
*
77.
October 26th,
2007
7:42 am

At almost 50, I can identify with everything you’ve written.
Having suffered with migraines since teen years, in my mid thirties,
also, was when the chronic migraines began.

I’ve tried almost every prophylactic med known to neurologists,
as well as a bit of botox (not for me.), acupuncture, diet, physical
therapy. Topomax can work miracles for some; I was one of the ones it
caused road rage and brain fuzz. (”dopamax” to us.)

Now, I never take a triptan, believing that rebound was caused by
daily Maxalts. My headaches last longer (I have about 8- 10 a month), I
take NSAIDs in a way not to encourage rebound, and I just say to myself,
this is a disease, I will not let it interfere with my life.

This is a hereditary disease; my mother suffered badly, and my
son gets occasional migraines.

Can anyone out there let us know if all of this gets better at
menopause?

— Posted by Ellen
*
78.
October 26th,
2007
7:44 am

I’m there with you, Judith. My migraines began in force at the
age of 50, with menopause. I am a patient of Dr. Buchholtz and have
suffered the full effect of his tough love. Difficult though it is to
tolerate, I think he is on to something. I am following his diet
strictly and taking 100 mg of Topamax a day, happily without side
effects, except for some eight loss! When I get a headache, I treat it
only with PLAIN aspirin–in his opinion, any other acute pharmaceutical
treatment causes worsening. Of course, other alternatives such as
acupuncture, chirpractic, massage, etc are fine to try. They never
provided much help to me, beyond temporary anoydyne. I think this
approach can work and can release you from the death grip of the
pharmaceutical industry. It takes inner strength though. You will not be
frequenting restaurants as much as you once were, and when you do go,
you will become one of those people who has to interrogate the waiter
about the ingredients in each dish. But would you rather have 10
disabling headaches a month? I wouldn’t.

— Posted by Lynne
*
79.
October 26th,
2007
7:45 am

My story is similar to all the above. My headaches began when I
was a teenager, and my family doctor told my mother that my “sinuses
weren’t completely formed yet” and not to worry. I was 35 before I was
diagnosed correctly, and began taking Fiorinal w/codeine. It made me
feel better and I could sleep, but eventually only masked the pain. For
other reasons, I gave up chocolate and all forms of alcohol, and my
headaches became menstrual. Much easier to deal with. Other triggers
were cigarette smoke and travel. When traveling I’d be off my usual
eating and sleeping schedule, and I learned never ever to leave home
without the Fiorinal. Now I’m post menopausal, and I haven’t had one to
speak of since I started menopause. But my internist says that with
migraines, all bets are off. But now I can have a glass of wine with
dinner, and chocolate for dessert.

— Posted by martha
*
80.
October 26th,
2007
7:45 am

I was a frequent migraine suffer as well until 2 1/2 years ago
when I had surgery on my jaw. I had a slight overbite and my dentist
recommended surgery to move my jaw forward to prevent my migraines. The
theory is that my migraines were caused by the strain of trying to move
my jaw forward (I had no sense that I was doing this). I had the surgery
in March of 2005. I have only had one migraine since. Prior to the
surgery, I had a migraine about once a month. There has been very little
research done on this subject, but for me, it has been a miracle cure.

— Posted by Dara
*
81.
October 26th,
2007
7:51 am

I was a lifelong migraine sufferer. I got rid of them at age 60
(20 years ago). Did I finally outgrow them or was it due to the 2400 mg
of Neurontin and the 300 mg of CoQ10 (spaced over 3 meals a day) that
did it. I still take them as I don’t want to find out.

— Posted by Arnie
*
82.
October 26th,
2007
8:00 am

I tried Topamax and it was an absolute horror. I would rather
have migraines.
Do what helps you. Don’t believe any fad, they are not going to
work. I’ve been on inderal for 25 years, and occasionally use imitrex.
Thank goodness for the triptans!

Best of luck!

— Posted by Dianne Friedman
*
83.
October 26th,
2007
8:01 am

When I was in my late 30’s I began having migraines. That was
back in the days of Fiorinal which worked somewhat but Still I went to
bed for a day at least. Then I received biofeedback training at Duke
Medical Center which helped a great deal. I was able to fend off my
migraines. As I got a little older they faded away completely! Good luck!

— Posted by Nancy Handler
*
84.
October 26th,
2007
8:03 am

I have had migraines for over 50 years. I think that I give them
to myself because anything out of the ordinary in my life triggers one.
I never got addicted to anything because NOTHING worked.You don’t know
what a migraine is until you have to teach a 1st grade class with a
migraine time after time. Finally I asked the doctor to try Imitrex.
When I get an ache in a certain tooth, I know a migraine is coming. I
take 1 Imitrix and it is like a miracle. It has completely changed my
life but I now must have Imitrex with me at all times or I am a basket
case. I would give the discoverer of Imitrex the biggest hug and kiss if
I ever met them. Thanks to them I can live a normal life.

— Posted by Phyllis
*
85.
October 26th,
2007
8:06 am

I have noted a number of comments left which suggested
acupuncture. My daughter is a licensed practitioner of Chinese Medicine
(Acupunture & Chinese Herbology). She has treated a number of women with
long histories of migraines, who could not get relief from other
treatments available. After a couple of months of acupuncture
treatments, the results range from cutting the frequency/severity of the
migraines experienced significantly to complete elimination of them. To
her patients, the relief is no less than a miracle; to my daughter and
her peers in this profession, the relief is expected and normal.

— Posted by Joe R.
*
86.
October 26th,
2007
8:07 am

A reasonable goal is reducing frequency and intensity of
headaches. There is a herbal extract called Petadolex (butterbur
extract) that, in many individuals, may reduce frequency and intensity
of migraine. My own experience has been such a reduction in intensity
and frequency. I do occasionally still get severe migraine and do use a
triptan on such occasions. I have noticed some association between
caffeine, dark chocolate, and headache, however, it is not consistent
and I enjoy my dark chocolate enough to incur the risk of rarely
triggering a headache. Perhaps this will help.

— Posted by Richard
*
87.
October 26th,
2007
8:07 am

I’m another decades-long headache sufferer, though without the
frequency you describe. By total coincidence, when I found your piece, I
was waiting for the codeine to kick in (with five weeks since I last
reached for the painkillers).

Before I share my observations about treatment and prevention, I
wanted to highlight a distinction in types of headaches. I don’t talk
about mine as migraines because I don’t have light-sensitivity,
throbbing, or nausea (except in the worst episodes). That’s because mine
are muscle tension headaches, rather than blood vessel headaches. I can
feel them work their way up from my shoulder / neck muscles (trapezius).
The commenter who talked about exercise and hot showers is probably like me.

I’m not familiar with rebound from antidepressants; I thought it
was mostly from pain killers and pain relievers. I have never had to
increase my Elavil dosage (nightly at bedtime with Flexeril, a muscle
relaxer) above 20mgs. I’m skeptical about the importance of diet, with
the obvious exception of caffeine. As someone with ADD, I’m back on
stimulants after decades following ancient conventional wisdom that you
grow out of it at adolescence. I was tired of forgetting things almost
immediately hearing / thinking them.

Last of all, I wanted to highlight a physical therapy dimension.
When I went to the PT, we learned that I have the upper back muscles of
a 98 lb. weakling. Makes sense that so much extra stress was going to my
trapezius. I’m tall and tend to hunch forward; doing exercises focused
on my rhomboids (between the shoulder blades) is really good for anyone
who recognizes what I’m describing.

— Posted by David S
*
88.
October 26th,
2007
8:09 am

After being treated for 20 years for Crohn’s Disease, I was
suddenly symptom-free when I stopped eating wheat, which seems to be the
one thing missing on your exclusion diet. Please check it out; there’s
lots of literature linking migraines and wheat gluten. Good luck to you;
I can’t imagine living with that issue.

— Posted by Kathy O'Malley
*
89.
October 26th,
2007
8:09 am

Thanks for sharing. I have shared in your quest for a better
medication. I started getting migraines in my 20’s (now in 40’s) and was
put on Ergotamine. First an inhaler, then pills. It worked reasonably
well, but was pulled from the market due to safety, leaving me with
narcotic treatments which I hated. I’ve been using Imitrex for years now
and it has been very effective. MSG (nasty chemical that should be
banned anyway) is probably my single biggest trigger, and I try to keep
my caffeine consumption down. However, the biggest change was when I
went on a low-carb diet a few years ago. Don’t know if was the reduction
in junk food, or the extra protein, but my migraines dropped from about
4-6 a month to 0-2 a month. I’ve kept myself on a fairly low-carb ever
since. I might also note, that I’m one of the semi-rare men that gets
migraines, and there is a long family history on both sides. Wonder if
anyone has researched that?

— Posted by David
*
90.
October 26th,
2007
8:16 am

You end your story with the upbeat statement, “Somehow, I doubt
that I’ll end up in the emergency room.” With only the knowledge about
your migrains from the article that statement is totally foolish and
un-believeable. OK, perhaps you can “tough it out” crying as you did for
the radio show, but why??

Anyway, what I really wanted to ask is AFTER you totally
eliminated all the foods and such from your diet (and got
success/relief) whether you considered adding them back in ONE AT A TIME
to see which one(s) are actually the bad ones specifically for you? This
approach is the basic idea of Mandell’s Five Day Allergy diet. Could you
let us know if you do find long term relief, or go to the ER?

Best of luck with your efforts!

— Posted by Peter A
*
91.
October 26th,
2007
8:19 am

As a neurologist who treats many patients with migraine, I
sympathize with your plight. As you see by the many varied comments,
there is no treatment that works best for everyone, so if the migraine
diet plan (which has no data to back it up, by the way) doesn’t work for
you, try something else!

I would second the positive remarks about the work of John Sarno,
MD, who has made a big difference in my life and the life of many
patients with various pain problems including migraines. Topamax is a
good drug, but there are several others, including nortriptyline,
Effexor XR, zonisamide, and Inderal, among others, and Botox does help
some people with no systemic side effects at all. There are natural
remedies (feverfew, butterbur, riboflavin), acupuncture, and other
behavioral treatments (eg, biofeedback). There are so many treatment
choices you owe it to yourself to find a neurologist who can work with
your lifestyle and personal preferences to find the best option for you.
It often does involve a good bit of trial and error, but there is a
light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, I don’t think this
miserable diet is going to get you there…Good luck!

— Posted by Dario
*
92.
October 26th,
2007
8:21 am

I know what you mean about that Snickers bar. I had a lot of
migraines as a teen and having to eliminate that list of food from my
life was painful in a teen-aged drama way, “Oh my god, what do you mean
I can’t eat pepperoni pizza?”. I never figured out if I had a food
trigger, but about five years ago, I finally figured out that my trigger
was flickering or flashing light - I avoid strobe, candles, sunlight
through trees, and the incidence is lower.

Enjoy Halloween and being “bad”.

And to all the other commenters suffering from migraines: I hope
you find a way to make your migraines stop. I’m amazed at all the
different methods that helped different people, and sad that some people
are still having so much pain and disruption in their lives.

— Posted by sciencegeek
*
93.
October 26th,
2007
8:22 am

All of these comments make one thing clear: each sufferer needs
to find what works for them. I am among the Topamax crowd- it really,
really helped me. Unfortunately I was also among the small percentage
who got kidney stones from it. So I had to stop- but during the time I
was on it, I was truly free from the chronic pain. I also found that my
headaches decreased in number the minute I ceased taking low-dose birth
control pills. And I had been taking them solely for headache relief on
the advice of my doctor! Whatever you end up doing, I wish you all the best!

— Posted by Mary
*
94.
October 26th,
2007
8:26 am

Being a former migraine sufferer, I am convinced by own
experience that information I got about fifteen years ago is accurate:
That two-thirds of all headaches, including migraines, are caused by
insufficient consumption of water. If you suffer from headaches, try
drinking more water. And here is a valuable suggestion: Drink at least
one — and preferably two — tall glasses of water upon getting up in the
morning. By doing that, you’ll be ahead of the game for the rest of the
day. I really do encourage people to try this. For many, it works, and
it’s also beneficial for the skin, the prevention of arthritis, and the
long-term health of the kidneys.

— Posted by Hillel Natanson
*
95.
October 26th,
2007
8:27 am

Get off wheat and processed sugar!
My migraines that I have had for YEARS just went away with a good
cleanse and reduced wheat & sugar. It could also be soy which is in
everything processed.
Don’t give up- just try different things.
Something is bound to work.
Because you have had them for so long it is probably an
undiagnosed food intolerance.

— Posted by RL
*
96.
October 26th,
2007
8:28 am

My daughter also suffers from headaches (she is 8) , but they
have essentially gone away since we have tried to be aware of any food
colorings and food additives in her diet and eliminated them.(most
especially Yellow #5) I have also taught her some relaxation techniques,
including some easy yoga stretches. My husband being a scientist, and
myself being an RN, we are always reading about what chemicals we are
ingesting. Some are very potent and I am a firm believer that they are
causing many problems. (especially Splenda)

Here is my advice (not that you asked): stay away from artificial
sweetners, they cause horrible symptoms in many; deep breath, a lot, and
like everyone else has said, acupuncture. Sounds like you can still go
on with your life, so since they are not debilitating headaches, try to
steer clear of prescription medications for as long as you can.

Have fun eating your snickers and since you mentioned my favorite
book, “The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness” here’s a plug for it’s
author, Dr. Edward Hallowell.

— Posted by Janice
*
97.
October 26th,
2007
8:29 am

I spent quite time when younger trying to figure out which part
of a diet was triggering migraines. My trigger for migraines was
nutrasweet (aspartame). Once I started checking the labels on everything
from gum to everything else, I am down to less than one migraine a
month. It turns out that this is more common than most sufferers realize
(about a million of us), but ferreting out the information on packages
can be difficult. As my wife and I are both scientists, she did a double
blind study on me to validate the result.

— Posted by tom
*
98.
October 26th,
2007
8:31 am

Strange coincidence, your column and my migraine. I had to leave
a rehearsal of “Uncle Vanya” last night because of an instant and
crippling migraine. Suddenly even speaking caused me great pain, not to
mention the stage lights. There are no easy solutions to the problem. No
easy treatments. One thing we can easily lose is any guilt or shame for
taking medicine to stop the headaches. I am only now some 15 hours later
feeling OK. But I was glad I had something to take to help me. Thanks
for this column.

— Posted by Kenny
*
99.
October 26th,
2007
8:33 am

I’m 24 and have been getting migraines since I was 12 years old.
At 18 they got so bad that I started seeing a neurologist, and he had me
taking Topamax. I took it at night for a couple of years before going
off of it, and can honestly say that for two years after taking it I had
reduced migranes down to only once a month and then only around hormonal
spikes. It also caused me to lose a little weight which I didn’t mind in
the least. It won’t hurt to try it. Unfortunately for me, mine are
triggered by things that cant be controlled or avoided all that easily
such as smells and sunlight through a windshield.

— Posted by Ashley
*
100.
October 26th,
2007
8:35 am

Bodies are very complicated and very unique mechanisms, and the
more esoteric the problems that happen with them the more unique the
cause and cure may be. My father had chronic migraines and went through
everything under the sun, and never found true relief. I got the
infrequent but exteneded and severe ones for years, until at 25 (the
same age as my father) a chocolate trigger kicked in the would result in
migraines within minutes of it’s ingestion. Avoiding that, and other
triggers kept them away for awhile, and then they started coming back
and not abating no matter what I did, until I found that all the ER and
regular docs were ignoring my complaints of back and shoulder pain and
muscle spasms, which turned out to be the cause. I had a spasm in my
shoulder/neck area, that pulled a tiny bone out of place and pushed on a
nerve, causing and maintaing the migraine. I had tried many of the
drugs, and found that most of them didn’t agree with me, when all I
really needed was a heat pack to relax the muscle. I guess what I’m
driving at is something works for others and not for you you’re not
incurable, you just have a different body that needs different things,
so keep looking, and keep it simple.

— Posted by Morgan
*
101.
October 26th,
2007
8:40 am

Another voice to add to the mix: I began having migraines when I
was six, and they became daily when I was twenty-three and remained
daily for six years despite Dr. Buchholz’s diet, acupuncture, massage,
talk therapy, yoga, vitamins, liver cleanses, triptans, codeine, a slew
of antidepressants and anticonvulsants (including Topamax, which made me
deeply depressed and caused frightening weight loss), and multiple trips
to the emergency room. I finally went to the Diamond Headache Clinic in
Chicago, where I was put on a heavy daily regimen of preventive
medication, including Nardil and Seroquel, and have been nearly headache
free for the past year. Of course I resent taking pills four times a
day, not to mention the array of accompanying side effects, but that
inconvenience is nothing compared to the non-life I was living with
daily migraines. While submitting myself to the machinations of Western
medicine and pharmaceuticals is rarely a joyful experience, I have to
say that in this case I am so grateful that I didn’t give up on doctors
and pills. I hope you can find something that works equally well for you
(and lets you enjoy Halloween :)

— Posted by Sarah
*
102.
October 26th,
2007
8:42 am

Judith,

I have been experiencing migraines for as long as I can remember
(now 59-years old). As everyone else, I have tried every medication you
can name; I have been to every kind of doctor there is. (I’m male, so
that eliminates one.) I have undergone cranial nerve block injections
and radio frequency neurolysis. Nothing has worked.

Here’s a curious thing: about 3-4 years ago, I began a
weight-loss and execise program. I eliminataed all sources of sugar and
all breads and pasta. Remember, I was going for weight loss. Along the
way, after about eight months, the frequency of my headaches went from
one every day to maybe one or two per month.

I, gradually, drifted away from all the diet and exercise, mostly
due to other life obligations and the headaches returned.

Why did the diet and exercise work? None of my doctors can give
me an answer.

I have tried several times to repeat the diet and exercise
program but, usually, have to give up because, as one might expect,
there is a lot of pain involved in getting into shape. Additionally,
with each year, exercise gets more difficult (old age).

Obviously something in the abovementioned routine worked, but
what? I still don’t know and I can’t get any doctor to help me with an
exercise program by providing pain meds to get me over the “hump.”

I think there’s a huge clue there that should be investigated.

Millions of people suffer migraines and we have all read about
the costs of lost productivity, etc. However, I am not aware of any
large-scale medical study to help find the cause and cure.

HELP!!!!

— Posted by Barry
*
103.
October 26th,
2007
8:44 am

Every migraine sufferer is different, so don’t think any one of
us has the solution for you. Here’s my experience as a migraine patient
who is also a physician. First, re amitriptylene, it’s an old-line drug
that is extensively studied, so many doctors prescribe it for that
reason, but it really isn’t any better than it’s cousin nortriptylene,
which is less sedating and less prone to weight gain. If a tricyclic
antidepressant works, switch to nortriptylene. Second, topamax, many
patients swear by it, but watch your brain closely, i.e. if you start to
feel that you can’t think as well as you thought you could, get off the
topamax and watch your intelligence come back. I was taking half of the
smallest pill and couldn’t prepare for a lecture that I’d given many
times before and had all the notes ready for! Third, natural remedies,
my neurologist put me onto a combination of magnesium, riboflavin
(vitamin B2), and extract of butterbur that has been effective at
preventing or decreasing the severity of attacks. Back to pharma
remedies, ask about verapamil, it’s a blood pressure medication that
doesn’t have the side effects of the others and works well for some of
us. Finally, many migraines are triggered by perfumes, and perfume may
be easier to give up than chocolate if that’s true for you! I don’t
think you have to feel this bad.

— Posted by Jean
*
104.
October 26th,
2007
8:44 am

I suffer from terrible migraines occasionally. I’ve learned a
main trigger for me is when I get dehydrated and don’t eat much and then
have a glass of wine before or with dinner; I have to be careful after
spending a day on the golf course, it’s so tempting to celebrate and
relax with a drink at the 19th hole.

Anyway, it seems wrong that you’d eliminate food; EAT already,
every few hours. Drink water, exercise and try not to have so much
stress in your life. How can you write columns with migraines? Girl, you
need to take better care of yourself.

— Posted by Susan B
*
105.
October 26th,
2007
8:44 am

If you do the whole program it can work. My wife had 3-4 a week
for 25 years and for the last 5 years has been down to less than 5 a
year. She has added back many foods after careful testing, but needed
the whole program at first–there is no rhyme or reason to the individual
foods that get her. It restored a life.

— Posted by Gary Boyd
*
106.
October 26th,
2007
8:50 am

The most frustrating thing about migraines is not being able to
pinpoint the exact cause so we can effectively manage them. If it were
that easy, we would all be migraine-free or at least manage better than
we do now. Your experience mirrors mine with a sudden and unexplained
change in pattern (increased frequency and duration) last year which led
to increased use of Imitrex to the point where my insurance would not
cover additional prescription refills. New neurologist, more tests, a
scare that taking so much Imitrex with my particular symptoms could
increase stroke risk led to no more Imitrex and a try with Topomax. I
was a bit freaked out at the thought of anti-siezure drugs, and I really
didn’t think it would work, but I was willing to try ANYTHING. I also
began a daily meditation practice. Not sure what it was, but from 6-10
headaches a month to a couple every 3 months a year later, I am a very,
very happy woman. I am coming off the Topomax now and so far, so good.
Everyone has different reactions to drugs, so side effects are
unpredictable, but the only ones I suffered were some slight fatigue
(just “took the edge off” my energy level), minor dehydration–easily
combatted by drinking more water, and weight loss-which many people
don’t seem to mind, though if you are thin, it can be a problem. Some
minor word-find problems–but I seemed to be the only person who noticed
that & it was one of the same effects of my migraines, so either way, it
was something I suffered…rather have it without the pain. It feels like
drugs shouldn’t be the answer, but if it is, why suffer? Without being
able to know for sure what the cause is, all the other changes to diet,
etc. are just best guesses at managing your suffering as well. Try
everything…what do you have to lose? You can always stop if it isn’t
working. I wish you well.

— Posted by Erin
*
107.
October 26th,
2007
8:50 am

What a great column! I too suffer with migraines on a regular
basis. I too am on Amitriptyline and it’s caused me to gain weight. I’ve
tried the withdrawal method and it didn’t work for me. After reading all
these comments though, maybe I’ll give acupuncture a try!

— Posted by Caprice
*
108.
October 26th,
2007
8:51 am

I am surprised that no one has mentioned B-2. My son suffers from
migraines and he started taking 400 mg. of B-2 every morning. He went
from several migraines a month to one a year. I learned about it from
someone else standing in line at the pharmacy while I was refilling his
Imitrex prescription. The research on it was all done in Belgium. It is
worth trying.

— Posted by Sarah F.
*
109.
October 26th,
2007
8:52 am

Judith, I suffer from migraines and so do my two sons. Each of
them started having migraines at about age 10. Avoiding certain foods
and tension are great preventative measures, but the BEST advice my
doctor gave me was to keep a strict routine of going to bed at the same
time and getting up at the same time (and aiming for the elusive eight
hours a night). He also said that you don’t have to avoid caffeine, as
long as you have the same amount at the same time every day. This advice
has worked wonders for us. On weekends my friends groan when I leave
parties early, my sons sometimes get angry that they can’t stay up late,
and I have been accused of being rigid about my sleep routine, but it
works and I have saved myself and my sons countless hours of suffering
or being drugged up.

— Posted by Suzanna Engman
*
110.
October 26th,
2007
8:53 am

Although my migaines have decreased in severity and frequency as
I got older, I still get them. One thing that has really helped is to
take magnesium every night. I started with a low dose and increased it
until I got loose stools. For me, caffeine helps to control migraines,
in addition to daily exercise, no sugar and regular sleep habits.

— Posted by Elly
*
111.
October 26th,
2007
8:54 am

I get alot of headaches,but rarely migraines.It’s an all-day
everyday,low grade headache.I was given topamax and they disappeared! I
loved it-until i kept getting urinary tract infections.3 in 2
months!Maybe that’s just me though.
When I used to get migraines,my doctor gave me Cafergot.They’re
basically super strong caffiene pills.They worked pretty well,but
getting a divorce cured my migraines!

— Posted by elizabeth
*
112.
October 26th,
2007
8:56 am

Judith, I feel your pain! I have tried all of the triptans with
no success. I tried Topomax and couldn’t take the side effects; wouldn’t
recommend against trying it as it works for some people, but for me it
was awful. The worst was the loss of cognitive ability; I couldn’t even
think properly! (The weight loss was a bonus though!) Eventually, my
neurologist sent me home with Demerol and Phenergan to inject myself.
You know you have to be in really unbearable pain to give yourself a
shot! Eventually, I stopped narcotics and just took Ibuprofen (800 mgs,
4 pills) and that helped some, especially because you don’t get rebound
headaches from it as with Tylenol or narcotics. I was very sick this
past summer with Pulmonary Emboli, and aside from one migraine in the
hospital, the headaches went away for a while. I thought that maybe it
was from being on a blood thinner, but they are starting to come back
now. My neurologist currently has me on an anti-depressant, beta
blocker, blood pressure med, (although I don’t have high blood pressure)
for the migraines. I don’t think they really help. Next, I think it may
be time to try Botox if they continue to come back and be really
frequent again. I am too busy with my kids (6 total, including 2
step-kids), to be in the bed all the time, and this is not the way I
want them to think about their mother during their childhoods! Very
frustrating-good luck to you, and to me! Judy

— Posted by Judy
*
113.
October 26th,
2007
8:57 am

Believe it or not, I know people who USED to suffer as Judith
does… until they discovered the healing properties of natural, organic
medical marijuana.

— Posted by Tom
*
114.
October 26th,
2007
8:58 am

My migraine history started when I was five or six and lasted
until I was 55, when I found a doctor who practices “functional
medicine.” She said that migraines are a symptom, not a disease, and
started giving me tests to determine the underlying cause. We did a
simple food allergy test and I discovered six foods that I react to:
wheat, eggs, brewer’s yeast, kidney beans, buckwheat and cranberries. I
would never have been able to determine these foods by trial and error.
But eliminating them from my diet has eliminated the migraines. I have
adapted by learning to cook Mexican and Indian cuisine. The only
alchohol I drink is silver tequila (it is distilled, not fermented) and
is not a bad option.

— Posted by Karen
*
115.
October 26th,
2007
8:59 am

Judith, I suffered from migraine headaches most of my life though
not as frequently as you do. Mine started when I was 17. I averaged one
a week, sometimes two and sometimes I would go several weeks without
one. I awoke with them, they lasted 12 hours. I dozed off and on in a
darkened room with no heat and could not stand any smells. When they ran
their course, my head felt like someone had hit it with a hammer. Some
drugs were just starting to come out at that time. I never took them but
did try painkillers which did not help. I read about all the triggers as
soon as this information began to come out and stayed away from as many
triggers as I could. However, I was and continued to be a smoker until
my mid to late 40’s. Migraines ran in my family although my mother did
not have them, her mother and one sister did. My aunt told me when I
went through Menapause, they would stop. My menapause started at age 50
and my migraines stopped. I was on Premarin HRT for 7 years after that
and then had to stop. Before stopping and since I was in a Women’s
Health Initiative Study, however, I was asked by my doctor to combine
progesterone with my Premarin to see if that would be helpful. I
immediately got a migraine. She then suggested a synthetic Progesterin
which I took once and which gave me a severe migraine which lasted three
straight days. I gave up all HRT at that time when I was age 57 and have
not had a migraine since in the last 13 years. I don’t know if this is
helpful but it is my story. Devi

— Posted by Devi Benjamin
*
116.
October 26th,
2007
9:00 am

Thanks for a column that gives those of us who struggle with
chronic illness not to feel like wimps for taking our meds. I grew up
with a mother who gave me whiskey for my asthma instead of the meds
prescribed by our GP (remember when there were GPs?) because of the
then-current theories of the psychogenic nature of asthma. I still
struggle today with taking all the meds I’m supposed to take but, in the
end, I work it out with my physician and pay attention to my body and
how it feels and do what I need to do. I also do alternative therapies,
like psychotherapy, physical therapy, acupuncture; I eat organic and
carefully; etc etc. It’s not an either/or - it’s what do *I* need to do
to feel as good as I can in my body?

PS you’re probably perimenopausal, right? The migraines will
abate post-menopause.

— Posted by Martha
*
117.
October 26th,
2007
9:01 am

Try Coenzyme Q10 150 mg/day. It is safe and has been shown in
studies compared to placebo to be effective in reducing migraine frequency.

— Posted by Dan
*
118.
October 26th,
2007
9:02 am

I was fortunate enough to be treated by Dr. Buchholz almost 15
years ago for my migraines. I went on his diet and remain on it today.
It’s not easy and takes many months but with some diligence you can have
some control over your migraines. I can even indulge in my trigger foods
(alcohol, preservatives) every now and then if I am vigilent on the
intake, frequency, and have extra water. My migraines have not been
completely eliminated - stress, weather, dehydration, can cause one, but
they are dramatically reduced and I feel like I have much more power
over my own body.

— Posted by Kara
*
119.
October 26th,
2007
9:02 am

I’m surprised no one has mentioned beta blockers as a
preventative migraine medicine. I started having migraines in my late
30s and was quickly incapacitated by their frequency and strength
(several times a week and I was usually forced to bed with codeine to
manage the pain). I wasn’t helped by any of the immediate acting drugs.
My migraines were finally controlled by depakote (taken daily) but like
others I hated the side effects, such as gaining weight. Finally I
switched to beta blockers (specifically Inderal LA), which at high doses
controlled the migraines and didn’t give me any appreciable side effects.

After three years on Inderal with no headaches, my neurologist
gave me the go ahead to wean myself off over the course of 4 months. (My
reason for stopping is that I’m planning on getting pregnant - otherwise
I probably would have continued on Inderal.) I’ve had one migraine in
the last few months since completely stopping the Inderal, and I’m
keeping my fingers crossed that they don’t return.

Beta blockers probably aren’t for everyone, but I wanted to at
least voice my story as someone who was immensely helped by having that
in my medication arsenal.

— Posted by Kate
*
120.
October 26th,
2007
9:03 am

Hopefully a preventive medication will help you. First, there is
an inaccuracy in the story. Some migraineurs are susceptible to rebound
headaches, migraines which become more frequent, when they take
symptomatic medications such as triptans (Imitrex, Maxalt, Zomig, Axert,
Relpax, Amerge, Frova), Tylenol, Excedrin, codeine, butalbital, etc.
more than 2 days per week not 2 days per month as Ms. Warner states.

Food avoidance diets are controversial-the scientific literature
does not support avoiding every food and alcoholic beverage which causes
migraine in some people as you tried. If a migraineur notices that a
headache is triggered by a certain food such as chocolate or a hot dog
or red wine within several hours then avoidance is reasonable.

For those with frequent migraines, preventive medications help to
reduce the frequency of migraines by 50% or more in about 50% of those
who try the medicine. The disadvantage is the cost of the medicine and
possible side effects. The most effective preventive medicines are beta
blockers such as Inderal, Elavil (or Effexor which has less side effects
than Elavil), Topamax, and Depakote. As Ms. Warner states, Elavil can
cause some people to gain weight as can Inderal and especially Depakote
(Depakote should be used with extreme caution in women of child bearing
age as it can commonly cause birth defects). Effexor is usually weight
neutral and Topamax may cause weight loss.

30 million people in the United States have migraine per year.
The drugs are far from perfect and we do need better treatments for
migraine. Unfortunately, the NIH is only spending about $13 million per
year on migraine research. If you care about migraine, you might ask
your congressional representative why we’re not spending more money to
understand the cause and to find better treatments for a disease that
can so profoundly impair so many people’s lives as Ms. Warner’s column
and the comments document.

— Posted by Randolph W Evans, MD
*
121.
October 26th,
2007
9:04 am

Migraine triggers vary, I’m sure, but for what it’s worth,
avoiding these foods has ALL BUT ELIMINATED MY MIGRAINES (oh . . . also
semi-retirement helps as does, simply, getting older): All runny cheeses
like brie, chocolate, red wine (but white wine, beer, whiskey in
moderation are OK; alcohol beyond moderation can set them off), anything
with msg, nitrates. I cannot avoid storms coming on (abrupt barometric
pressure changes seem to be the trigger) but for them Sudafed 30 mg and
Aleve or similar NSAID (but not Tylenol) taken early usually work.

— Posted by David Feldman
*
122.
October 26th,
2007
9:05 am

Judith,
Wonderful article. In the early days of my migraines, I bought &
read Dr. Buchhholz’s book. I eliminated most foods from my diet for
several years to little avail, perhaps because I did not stop taking my
meds.
I have to agree with Tom who posted above (especially after
reading all the posts). There is no ONE solution that fits all
migraneurs. I also feel for women (of all ages), our situation is
complicated by our hormones. You demonstrate this clearly by describing
a change in your migraines at age 35. Many other women say after the
birth of their child they get migraines or they go away - they change.
It seems a simple solution would be oral contraception or hormone
replacement therapy. While this works for some women, others it
intensifies their migraines. Again, there is no ONE answer for every
migraine sufferer. To underline what Tom said, it is a journey to figure
out what works for you and (I’ll add) at different times of your life.
I did resent the comment submitted saying my migraines are
“repressed emotional pain”. While I do acknowledge stress, anxiety and
depression affect my migraines, they are not “all in my head”. While it
is true some headache sufferers find relief when they are released from
their emotional pain, most migraneurs will not. Again, no ONE solution…
Lastly, their are something like 80+ preventative agents people
have said have worked for them - approx. 40 pharmaceuticals and equal
number of alternative. That’s a lot. Some are listed here. But all do
not work on all people. It is a lot of trial and error - with your pain.
I too struggle with the quality of life vs. side effects. I
believe all those with chronic conditions do. Even if you find relief
now, it will raise its head in the future as your body and hormones change.
Learning to live with migraines and the changes they have brought
to my life has been one of the greatest challenges, almost greater than
the pain itself.
Thank you for writing such an inspirational article.

— Posted by Peg
*
123.
October 26th,
2007
9:11 am

Judith, I guess there must be some solace in having a lot of
fellow migraine sufferers who make up this community of pain. Aargh!
Fortunately for me, menopause seems to have ended my migraines, but
that’s not much hope to hold out for a younger woman. From reading
comments, it seems each person has an individual path to relief. Imitrex
and butalbital gave me relief for the two or three days a month I
suffered when the hormones dictated. The drugs put me in an
uncomfortable haze—but I was able to function and work. I gave up red
wine for a long time–it didn’t stop the headaches but it seemed to make
them worse if I drank it. I hope you and every other sufferer finds
their path to relief—soon.

— Posted by Judy
*
124.
October 26th,
2007
9:12 am

Judith, after 20 years of migraines I’ve discovered that 80% of
the time mine come from barometric pressure changes. I can predict the
weather better than a meteorologist! I’m on Elavil and Topamax but my
formula for successful treatment when they hit me hard is: a strong cup
of coffee, Relpax, hydrocodone and an ice pack. Usually in 20-30 minutes
it begins to ease up. Good luck and thanks for the article.

— Posted by Holly
*
125.
October 26th,
2007
9:16 am

I was prescribed Topamax to deal with my migraines, but the side
effects ended up making me feel nearly as bad as the migraines. It
affected my sense of taste (everything tasted slightly bitter), but more
importantly, it heightened any anxiety that I had (I never knew that I
had any claustrophic tendencies, but while on Topamax, I could not have
an MRI done without taking Valium). I completely agree with everyone who
has mentioned acupuncture, however. Without it, I don’t know what I
would do.

— Posted by Mike
*
126.
October 26th,
2007
9:17 am

Wow! There are so many of us out there with the same migraine
experiences! Relpax, Topamax, anti-depressants… I’ve been there, done that.

I am 34 years old, I have a 6-year-old and a 9-year-old, I work
full time, and I am happy to say my migraines have decreased
significantly in recent years. I was at a point two years ago where I
was taking my Relpax almost daily (yes, the rebound headaches are a
reality). Desperate, I allowed my neurologist to coax me into trying the
Topamax. For me, a huge mistake. I hated every minute of it. It made me
sick, and it made me feel completely dumb (I couldn’t put a complete
thought together, let alone carry out a simple task without having to
think twice about it). I could not function at home or at work. Well
anyway, after ending up bedridden for two days because the Topamax made
me so sick and dizzy I couldn’t get off the couch, I knew I had to try
something different.

Long story short, here’s what finally worked for me:

Stopped taking birth control pills.
Stopped drinking diet pop, or consuming anything with asparatame
or other artificial sweetners.
Started going to a chiropractor.

Honestly, the chiropractor changed my life. I was ready to try
acupuncture, but I didn’t need to once I started going to the
chiropractor. I now get maybe one headache a month, and it’s nothing
like the ones I used to get. Sometimes, I can even treat it with just Advil!

I still enjoy chocolate and other “trigger” foods. I do think
sometimes that they have an effect on me. I try to watch what I eat and
drink (moderation is key), and I try to drink plenty of water each day.
But, I can honestly say that the key to my migraine management is my
monthly visits to the chiropractor.

I hope this helps someone! In my own opinion, prescription drugs
are definitely NOT the answer, although I know they are sometimes
necessary along the way. We do what we have to in order to keep going. I
would encourage anyone to explore the benefits of diet and lifestyle
management, along with alternative forms of medicine like chiropractic
and acupuncture, prior to beginning a daily preventative medication.
Anything we put into our bodies is bound to have several unwanted, and
sometimes very dangerous, side effects.

— Posted by Jenny
*
127.
October 26th,
2007
9:17 am

Thank you for sharing your migraine story; I, too, am a migraineur.

One thing that is so clear to me from reading the comments and
from listening to friends with migraines: NO one treatment modality
works for EVERY person. Topamax is a miracle drug for some, a disaster
for others. Acupunture works like a charm for some, not at all for
others (me included). Buchholz’s regimen has given some people their
life back, and has made some people’s life worse (migraines and food
deprivation!).

While I wouldn’t want you to write about your migraines too much,
I would definitely love to hear again about how migraines impact your
life and how you are dealing with them.

— Posted by Alison
*
128.
October 26th,
2007
9:18 am

Topamax never helped my life-long migraines and has left me with
permanent vision distortion. The sides affects (as mentioned by Janie
Stocher, above) were horrific.

Get off all the triptans and OTC - the rebounds are real, and can
be managed once you get past them. I use magnesium/feverfew/B2
supplement for preventative, and homeopathy when a migraine pops up -
and yes, they are largely hormone related, even though most conventional
MDs will not admit it. Birth control pills made mine worse.

I also avoid more than a very small amount of caffeine (tea is
good), sulfites in red wine, aspartame (NutraSweet is a nasty trigger).
Regular exercise helps, too. Chiropractic/massage therapy is also good.

Sleep and eat on a regular schedule, exercise moderately,
meditate to deal with stress…yes, I still suffer occassionally - hoping
menopause will take care of that…but it’s better than being drugged up
all the time!

Good luck to you - you’re not alone!

— Posted by Cyndi Pauwels
*
129.
October 26th,
2007
9:18 am

I wonder if you could add this to my comment (I really would like
to share with others how I was helped)
Another IMPORTANT part of my doctor’s advice was to also
implement a strict schedule for eating. That means eating three meals a
day at the same time every day. Again, people criticize me for being
rigid (no late dinners, even on weekends), but I am mostly migraine free
and I still get to eat chocolate and drink red wine.

— Posted by Suzanna
*
130.
October 26th,
2007
9:18 am

please try acupuncture, and just as importantly, chinese herbs.
they are wonderful for a variety of symptoms with next to no side
effects. both have helped me out immensely with both migraines and
insomnia. i now get only about 10 migraines per year, as opposed to one
every other day, and get a full nights sleep every night, without
sleeping pills, which are evil!

— Posted by michelle
*
131.
October 26th,
2007
9:19 am

Judith,

The reason why I love reading your column is because you write
sentences like, “I came to almost enjoy being on my diet, exploring my
capacity for hunger and self-abnegation, obsessing over what foods I
could eat, and how, and when”. This was exactly my state of mind
whenever I quit a bad habit but I could never explain it so precisely.
You continue to put my experiences and other’s experiences into words so
that we can read your column and say yeah, that’s it, exactly. Magnificent.

Good luck with the migranes. My mother dealt wth them for years.
Eliminating fried foods, chocolate and some other things helped her but
I think, as the one gentleman put it, that there are multiple sources
and over time you’ll figure out most of them through trial and error.

— Posted by Dave
*
132.
October 26th,
2007
9:19 am

Judith, my cousin loves her neurologist, Dr. Susan Rubin (who
specializes in treating women), and now my sister has seen her, too. Dr.
Rubin advises against tracking your triggers, because it is impossible
to know how they interact, and you’ll drive yourself nuts trying to
eliminate them all. (And doesn’t it smack of “blame the victim”? I hate
that.) Instead, she prescribes preventive medications: the beta-blocker
Inderal (atenolol in comment #56 is another beta-blocker) for starters,
along with drugs like Topamax or Depakote, which can have more side
effects (my cousin loved Topamax, but she developed kidney stones and
had to give it up). My cousin takes the antidepressant trazodone for her
TMJ, and that, like your Elavil, also may help prevent migraines.

Dr. Rubin doesn’t stint on treating symptoms, either: (1)
Triptans at the first sign of migraine. (2) Pain relievers (e.g.,
Fioricet, Vicodin, Percocet) if the triptan doesn’t do the trick. (3)
Compazine or Zofran for migraine-associated nausea/vomiting. (4) When a
single migraine has lasted more than 48 hours (as yours seem to,
Judith), Dr. Rubin withdraws all painkillers and my cousin takes a 5-day
tapered course of oral steroids. This works to (a) shut down the
headache and (b) reduce the chance of rebound headaches.

Judith, it sounds to me like Dr. Rubin’s approach might be
something to talk over with your neurologist.

— Posted by Amy R. in Chicago
*
133.
October 26th,
2007
9:20 am

In my experience, food elimination worked perfectly — headaches
both severe and mild -are mostly gone. Presently I’m working with an
NAET practitioner, which based on acupuncture principles helps
desensitize you from food and environmental triggers. I’ve been doing it
just a couple of months and have been able to eat small amounts of
yogurt without symptoms. I’m hoping to reintroduce chocolate!

Michelle

— Posted by Michelle
*
134.
October 26th,
2007
9:22 am

Interesting reading. Barometric weather changes began my entry
into the “migraine” world as I approached menopause. I have about 2 per
month. My doctor explained that some migraines are really more sinus
related, but the symptoms are the same. I believe hormone fluctuations
also play a huge role in this illness. More studies need to be done with
women , menopause, and migraine frequency. Maxalt has been my life
saver. Thanks for your article .

— Posted by Val from Chicago
*
135.
October 26th,
2007
9:23 am

Come lurk on the usenet group alt.support.headaches.migraine
You’ll see why most of us call it “Dopamax” for a reason. Everybody’s
different but it seems a preponderance of folks on ASHM who have tried
it get The Stupids, and they don’t go away. I don’t think Dopamax is
going to do wonders for your writing, and your hands might become so
numb it’s hard to type. But it might make you lose a few pounds. Topamax
has such a high sid

(Message over 64k, truncated.)