It's been exactly 1 year ago that I did the 1-2-3 Heal Your Headache diet.
While overall I'm convinced there's merit and truth to it, the reality is that I'm unwilling to make the life changes necessary to live pain free. I'd have to completely give up nuts, avocado, caffeine, soy, alcohol and chocolate. I honestly think I could eliminate all but chocolate if I had too, and if it guaranteed me no pain. But since I can't control the other factors at all (weather, hormones, etc.) it seems to be pointless to give up so many foods I enjoy so much. So while I've cut back on all of those things (except chocolate, I'll be honest), I still have a lot of headaches.
This winter, like every winter, has been difficult. I'm still having 2-4 headaches a week and it's miserable. The latest thing I'm trying is called Nerve Blocking. It's where my neurologist shoots my head up with Novocain in an attempt to block the pain receptors. My neuro thinks it will take 3-4 cycles to see if this is effective. "Effective" in migraine world means a 50% reduction. So I'm halfway into this new treatment and optimistic.
If this doesn't work I'll try acupuncture next.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Month 4: COMPLETE!
Well, I made it! I can't say I did it perfectly, but I did eliminate nearly all of the foods, most of the time on this diet. And I only had to "cheat" and take a Sumatriptan once. I'd consider that a success. I am adding foods back in, but probably not as strategically as I should be. Here's what I've learned (so far) are triggers for me:
-Caffeine: I've switched to decaf in the morning and decaf iced/hot tea. Decaf soda is the hard one to find when we eat out - I don't drink full sugar soda, such as Sprite, which is often the only decaf soda option. But since my daily caffeine fix is gone I've noticed a big difference - I am not waking up most mornings with a rebound headache.
-Alcohol, especially wine: This is a huge bummer for me since I love, love, love wine. And margaritas. And gin cocktails. And rum drinks. And I could go on, but suffice it to say that the the only alcohol I've found that consistently DOESN'T give me a headache that night or next day is vodka. The good news is... you guessed it... I like vodka drinks too. :)
-Nuts: I've switched to sunflower nut butter, which is delicious, but I sure miss being able to have a handful of trail mix to tide me over in between meals, or as bfast on the go.
Overall, I'm amazed at this. I have had FAR, FAR fewer headaches (maybe 1 a week?), and the ones I have had are usually hormonal or weather related. I have had to take a lot of ibuprofen, but have not yet added back in my preventative meds. This plan really works and I'm glad I read the book.
-Caffeine: I've switched to decaf in the morning and decaf iced/hot tea. Decaf soda is the hard one to find when we eat out - I don't drink full sugar soda, such as Sprite, which is often the only decaf soda option. But since my daily caffeine fix is gone I've noticed a big difference - I am not waking up most mornings with a rebound headache.
-Alcohol, especially wine: This is a huge bummer for me since I love, love, love wine. And margaritas. And gin cocktails. And rum drinks. And I could go on, but suffice it to say that the the only alcohol I've found that consistently DOESN'T give me a headache that night or next day is vodka. The good news is... you guessed it... I like vodka drinks too. :)
-Nuts: I've switched to sunflower nut butter, which is delicious, but I sure miss being able to have a handful of trail mix to tide me over in between meals, or as bfast on the go.
Overall, I'm amazed at this. I have had FAR, FAR fewer headaches (maybe 1 a week?), and the ones I have had are usually hormonal or weather related. I have had to take a lot of ibuprofen, but have not yet added back in my preventative meds. This plan really works and I'm glad I read the book.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Almost halfway there
It's been almost 2 months since I've started this and I've noticed a big improvement in my headaches. Really the only ones I still have are when a storm is coming. As Summer quickly approaches I anticipate improving even more.
Admittedly, there is rarely a day when I stick to the diet 100%. I would guess I go 2-3 days a week completely "on the program" and 2-4 days avoiding 90% of the list. Here's the list. Do you think you could do this 100% for 4 months??
The foods I miss the most are cheese, onions, chocolate and diet coke. Also up there are yogurt and avocados. Oh, and wine. I really, really miss wine. But not more than headaches. If I had to guess what the main improvements have been from I'd say that it's likely a big reduction in rebound headaches from caffeine and prescription migraine treatment meds. I have a hunch that caffeine, nuts, chocolate, and wine are also all probably triggers but it's too soon too tell.
Admittedly, there is rarely a day when I stick to the diet 100%. I would guess I go 2-3 days a week completely "on the program" and 2-4 days avoiding 90% of the list. Here's the list. Do you think you could do this 100% for 4 months??
The foods I miss the most are cheese, onions, chocolate and diet coke. Also up there are yogurt and avocados. Oh, and wine. I really, really miss wine. But not more than headaches. If I had to guess what the main improvements have been from I'd say that it's likely a big reduction in rebound headaches from caffeine and prescription migraine treatment meds. I have a hunch that caffeine, nuts, chocolate, and wine are also all probably triggers but it's too soon too tell.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
2 week update:
I finished reading the book this past weekend, although I've been on "the program" for about 2 weeks now. It's very difficult to stick to, but I haven't had a major migraine yet. As I write this I have a dull ache in my head, most likely from the week long storms we've had. The "program" is all the stuff I gave up (for Lent, sort of) - the long list in my first post. Aside from not taking any of my prescription treatment meds (the rebounding ones - sumitriptan, mainly), I haven't had a fully honest day yet. It's nearly impossible to get through a day without accidentally having caffeine, or a forbidden fruit, or cheese, etc. And it was Jon's birthday last wknd so I cheated. I suspect it will get easier, and I'll be more diligent moving forward. I've printed out THE LIST to help me remember. :)
Overall, I feel optimistic. I've had some minor headaches that I've treated with a handful of ibuprofen (most NAISD's are okay). I think this John Hopkins Neurologist could be right, that migraine is a symptom of all headache, and that it can be controlled. His overall theory is that everyone suffers from headaches and we all have a thresh hold. Some people have lower thresholds than others (i.e., chronic migraine sufferers, like myself, my dad, my Cousin Jeff, my friend Cori, etc., etc.). These people are affected by a LOT of triggers - ones you can't control, like barometric pressure, hormones, stress. And ones you can, diet. So his theory is that if you control your diet, you can control (know) your triggers and stay below your threshold w/o needing so much medicine, and YOU can be in control of your headaches, not the other way around.
Overall, I feel optimistic. I've had some minor headaches that I've treated with a handful of ibuprofen (most NAISD's are okay). I think this John Hopkins Neurologist could be right, that migraine is a symptom of all headache, and that it can be controlled. His overall theory is that everyone suffers from headaches and we all have a thresh hold. Some people have lower thresholds than others (i.e., chronic migraine sufferers, like myself, my dad, my Cousin Jeff, my friend Cori, etc., etc.). These people are affected by a LOT of triggers - ones you can't control, like barometric pressure, hormones, stress. And ones you can, diet. So his theory is that if you control your diet, you can control (know) your triggers and stay below your threshold w/o needing so much medicine, and YOU can be in control of your headaches, not the other way around.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
My headache journey
This is a blog about my journey with migraine headaches and my attempt to be rid of them.
I've had migraines since I was 5 years old. I am 32.
For Lent I was feeling like God has been calling me to give up something... a bigger challenge than usual. But I wasn't exactly sure what. My friend, Keith posted a link to this page and something spoke to me through this article about what Lent is :http://www.sojo.net/blogs/2012/02/21/fat-tuesday-and-skinny-wednesday# Long story short, I started reading a book about healing your migraines (http://www.amazon.com/Heal-Your-Headache-Program-Taking/dp/0761125663/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330321519&sr=1-1) and started reading the book, with the intent of starting this "migraine plan" over Lent. And so it begins.
My "heal your headache" plan has started. And let me just say, IT. SUCKS. This is what I have to give up:
1) All migraine treatment medication with rebound effect (basically anything that actually works when I have a headache, which is currently 2-4x/wk).
2) Chocolate
3) Caffeine. Goodbye coffee. Goodbye Diet Coke. Goodbye Chai Tea Latte.
4) All nuts (adios peanut butter and trail mix)
5) All fresh breads
6) Dried fruits in sulfites, all citrus fruits, avocados, plums, bananas. (odd list, eh?). Onions too,
7) All alcohol. Sigh.
8) Sour cream, yogurt, buttermilk, all aged cheeses.
9) All processed meats.
10) Vinegar.
Can you make a meal out of what's left? All I can figure out is milk, eggs and toast. Yum. =P
I have to try this for 4 months. I'll keep you posted. So far I've had some withdrawal from caffeine, but honestly not that badly since it's impossible to remember what NOT to eat and to eat in a restaurant w/o all those ingredients.
My hope and prayer is that by giving up somethings I will be gaining something much greater... the sacrifice will be worth it for God is in this and He is good. I'm hoping to give up a lot in order to gain something much better - a pain free life.
I've had migraines since I was 5 years old. I am 32.
For Lent I was feeling like God has been calling me to give up something... a bigger challenge than usual. But I wasn't exactly sure what. My friend, Keith posted a link to this page and something spoke to me through this article about what Lent is :http://www.sojo.net/blogs/2012/02/21/fat-tuesday-and-skinny-wednesday# Long story short, I started reading a book about healing your migraines (http://www.amazon.com/Heal-Your-Headache-Program-Taking/dp/0761125663/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330321519&sr=1-1) and started reading the book, with the intent of starting this "migraine plan" over Lent. And so it begins.
My "heal your headache" plan has started. And let me just say, IT. SUCKS. This is what I have to give up:
1) All migraine treatment medication with rebound effect (basically anything that actually works when I have a headache, which is currently 2-4x/wk).
2) Chocolate
3) Caffeine. Goodbye coffee. Goodbye Diet Coke. Goodbye Chai Tea Latte.
4) All nuts (adios peanut butter and trail mix)
5) All fresh breads
6) Dried fruits in sulfites, all citrus fruits, avocados, plums, bananas. (odd list, eh?). Onions too,
7) All alcohol. Sigh.
8) Sour cream, yogurt, buttermilk, all aged cheeses.
9) All processed meats.
10) Vinegar.
Can you make a meal out of what's left? All I can figure out is milk, eggs and toast. Yum. =P
I have to try this for 4 months. I'll keep you posted. So far I've had some withdrawal from caffeine, but honestly not that badly since it's impossible to remember what NOT to eat and to eat in a restaurant w/o all those ingredients.
My hope and prayer is that by giving up somethings I will be gaining something much greater... the sacrifice will be worth it for God is in this and He is good. I'm hoping to give up a lot in order to gain something much better - a pain free life.
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