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I think a Miracle has happened

Posted , 10 users are following.

YorkshireLass1
YorkshireLass1

Just wanted to share a little of my story and hopefully the miracle that seems to have occurred, it's still early days but I'm keeping everything crossed and hopefully can give all you sufferers an alternative.

I'm 51 and have suffered headaches/migraines for about 40 years. I have tried numerous preventative drugs, none of which have worked and various complimentary procedures with the same results.  Have paid privately for the last 4 years to see a neurologist and still no results.  I was getting on average about 10 attacks a month and I think in the end a lot of them were re-bound because of the amount of triptans I was taking, nothing else worked.

At the beginning of the year I just became desperate because there was nothing else I could do, even the triptans have caused permanent side effects by having tinnitus in both ears.  I never knew what triggered them so was always at the mercy of them.

In the end I thought I would look at my diet, I bought a couple of books by migraine specialists and took their advice.  Initially I cut out gluten, chocolate, alcohol and reduced my carbs and sugar.  Within about a month I had halved my attacks, but I still wasn't happy with the result, so I tweaked it a bit more and removed bananas, citrus fruits, cheese and nuts.

My last migraine was 36 days ago and my last headache was 15 days ago.  I actually feel like a different person, as though this big black cloud has lifted from me and given me a new lease of life and of course as a bonus I have lost a bit of weight aswell, around a stone.

I'm not saying this will work for everyone, but even though it's a really drastic diet, isn't it worth it to get your life back??  To be honest the "Free From" choices you have nowadays are so good that you hardly notice any difference, I'm even feeding my husband with some of the alternatives and he hasn't even noticed smile

I think unless you can find a really good doctor or consultant that actually cares, all they want to do is pump you with drugs when there are so many other alternatives out there.  I just wish I had tried this years ago and I wouldn’t' have lost so much of my life.  I don’t think I’m going to be totally free of them, but I can cope with the odd one now and hopefully I have kicked the re-bound effect.

1 like, 35 replies

35 Replies

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  • wendy62425
    wendy62425 YorkshireLass1

    Posted

    Hello YorkshireLass

    how are you doing with change of diet now?   I hope you are continuing to do well.

    thank you!

    Wendy

    • YorkshireLass1
      YorkshireLass1 wendy62425

      Posted

      Hi Wendy

      I'm doing really well thanks and I still haven't had a headache/migraine since April.  This is by far the longest I have ever gone.

      My life has transformed cheesygrin

  • Paula2019
    Paula2019 YorkshireLass1

    Posted

    Hi Yorkshire lass, are you still taking triptans, and do you still suffer with Tinnitus? I am taking citalorapram and amitrytyline and have developed tinnitus amongst what feels like a mass of other symptoms.
    • YorkshireLass1
      YorkshireLass1 Paula2019

      Posted

      Hi Paula

      I haven't taken a triptan for over a month now, BUT I have been on them for about 10 years and I have tinnitus in both ears.  Unfortunately I believe it is permanent and I don't believe there is a cure.

  • joolsb33
    joolsb33 YorkshireLass1

    Posted

    Hi Yorkshire lads, that is amazing news! I too have had really good results by changing my diet. I also discovered The Migraine Miracle by Josh Turknett and reduced my migraines from 20 a month to 2 a month. I had realised that dark chocolate was a massive trigger for me so decided to investigate further. The book is a great starting place, and they have a great Facebook page too. I have realised that foods high in tyramine and histamine are my triggers too. Bananas and tomatoes and avocados are definitely triggers. Low carb and zero sugar and gluten free are essential to cut out. There is a great website for further research called healinghistamine . I was on esomprazole for years and i have now discovered that PPIs can seriously compromise the health of your gut, which leads to inflammation and food intolerance issues (leaky gut etc). Migraine can be a response to this systemic inflammation. So if we heal our guts with the right diet then we are sure to see major improvement  from migraines. I’m now on a keto diet which Josh Turknett advocates on his website, it’s been revolutionary for me. Best of luck to you and hope you continue to become even more migraine free 🙏🏻🌈

    Jools 

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    • YorkshireLass1
      YorkshireLass1 joolsb33

      Posted

      Hi Jools

      Great news that you are on the way to a new life, I am now 41 days without an attack, which is a record for me, I have only ever managed 3 weeks on one occasion.  I personally think it could be the bananas for me, which is a real shame, but so be it.  I'm happy to stay on the gluten free diet etc as it makes me feel better generally.

      I'm hoping I've turned a corner, but I will feel more confident if I can get to a couple of months.  I just wish more GPs and consultants would advocate the diet method rather than filling us all up with unnecessary medication.

      I'll check out that website aswell.

      Good luck to you

    • yayasister
      yayasister joolsb33

      Posted

      Jools, so happy you found something that works for you.  I'll have to get the book you mentioned.  Dark chocolate is a staple for me, don't know how I would do mentally without it.  Yes I'm addicted.  Keep up the good work.

    • joolsb33
      joolsb33 yayasister

      Posted

      Hi yayasister, yes going without chocolate is awful for me as it was the biggest love of my life 😂 I’m hoping once I’ve healed my gut that I will be able to tolerate it again. Giving up wine 8 years ago was tough, but this is worse!!

    • yayasister
      yayasister joolsb33

      Posted

      I get so confused about the whole headache thing.  I have a headache Dr. and he told me every a headache is a migraine.  Just depends where it is.  Can you make any sense out of that statement?

      Now besides the vertigo headaches, I had my gallbladder removed and now have high cholesterol.

      I just love being 68.  Of course, I know some people have it way worse off than I, so I can't complain.

    • joolsb33
      joolsb33 yayasister

      Posted

      That sounds strange Yayasister! A migraine is medically termed a systemic disease. It’s a neurological disorder that also happens in the gut. Not all headaches are migraines, definitely not. Sounds like you’ve been through a tough time of it, the last thing you need is confusion to add to the mix! 
  • joolsb33
    joolsb33 YorkshireLass1

    Posted

    Hi again Yorkshire lass! Please excuse my previous typo calling you Yorkshire ‘lad’! 😂 41 days migraine free is phenomenal! Keeping everything crossed for your continued good health 😀 

    • YorkshireLass1
      YorkshireLass1 joolsb33

      Posted

      Hi Jools, no probs smile

      Things went pear shaped yesterday, I started with a headache yesterday morning, had it all night and still got it, BUT it is NOT a migraine, which is good and I'm trying my hardest not to take any triptans.

      Had a difficult weekend because we were at a "do" on Saturday and the food that was available had no gluten free alternatives, so because I need to eat I had no choice, so maybe this is why I feel as I do now.

    • joolsb33
      joolsb33 YorkshireLass1

      Posted

      Ah sorry to hear that. But yes, still extremely positive that it’s not a migraine and you feel it could well be the party food. Maybe you could go out with your own snack box of safe foods from now on? I’ve started to do that now, and sod what anyone else thinks! 
    • YorkshireLass1
      YorkshireLass1 joolsb33

      Posted

      I had to succumb in the end and take a triptran, I can't get through work feeling as I did and it was gradually getting worse, but hopefully it's because of the weekend food.  You're maybe right though, I'll take my own in future, it's just not worth it.

  • joolsb33
    joolsb33 YorkshireLass1

    Posted

    I also had to take a triptan on Saturday as I was out when the migraine started. But I hate taking them, I feel like it’s giving in. I feel like crap for days after, and it feels like another one is brewing all the time. I’m trying to work out if it’s the nuts I ate, or the eggs. 😢

    • YorkshireLass1
      YorkshireLass1 joolsb33

      Posted

      I had to take another last night, couldn't believe it sad .  But when I trace back my dietary habits over 3 days I did break a few of my self-imposed rules, so I think it's a combination of being a bit blase because I'd gone so long without one.  I had a Chinese on Friday, then quite a few wheat products over Saturday/Sunday and I know I ate too many sweets when I am reducing my sugar intake. 

      Hopefully I'll get back on track this week by being extra good smile.

      As you say the triptans do make you feel rubbish afterwards.

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