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.
 






 

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.