Yes, migraines are a very real part of our lives. I get them. My husband gets them. My children are now beginning to get them. They're hereditary for both my husband and I and it looks as if they're also hereditary for our children, but they get a "double whammy" [as my dad always said] since both Mr. G and I get them.
Diet and exercise play a large part in my migraines. I can't say the same for my husband, but for me it does.
I'm finding that the less processed foods I consume, the less migraines I have. This means that when I have carb days and I eat something processed (like a Big Mac), I can get a migraine. How do I know? I had a Big Mac yesterday and it was so delicious....but I'm paying for it this morning. Mind you, it's been about 2 years since I've had a Big Mac, so it's all good. Now this gives me a reason to eat a spinach salad with purple onion, almond slices and sliced chicken breasts instead. Live and learn!
I also take
5HTP which is a plant extract from the
griffonia simplifica bush that grows in Africa. It is a natural way of supplying the brain with serotonin. When first diagnosed with migraines in 1997, I was prescribed all kinds of barbiturates, tricyclics and other antidepressants that, according to my neurologist, would "work for the nervous system to help the migraines." I figured that since I was nursing my daughter at the time, that it was time to do some research and prayer about natural alternatives. The book
5HTP came to my attention, so I bought it and devoured it. It is a very "brainiac" book, so keep that in mind when deciding to purchase it. I enjoyed learning the science behind all of the reasons for migraines insomnia, back problems, obesity and a host of other issues. I learned so much in how the blood-brain barrier works and how serotonin affects our bodies. I also learned about how much our bodies need in vitamins and minerals to keep the brain healthy.
This was not the beginning of my realization about eating healthier. I already made our own breads and so forth. But what I didn't know would gradually load my body up with weight that was unhealthy and no matter what I did, or how much I ate and exercised, it still wasn't going to help. More on that in another post...
I discussed this 5HTP with my doctors and they were fine with me taking it in lieu of the barbiturates. I felt better knowing that it wasn't a drug and the only side effect was that it gave you an upset stomach if you didn't take it with food.
I began taking 5HTP to keep the migraines away, but some would still pop through on their monthly course, which is the same with my aunts and cousins, so I figured I may as well deal with it, understand it and move on. I started taking Excedrin Migraine when I felt any symptoms of the beginning of a migraine. This meant that when I felt pressure in my temples, auras in my eyes, or just woke up with the beginnings of the migraine pains in my head, I took it immediately. It usually took about an hour or so for the symptoms to disappear. Three-quarters of the time, it would work. The full blown migraines that dragged on for days kept me on my back, away from light and my family. Thankfully those only occurred around once every 6 months.
I started going to the chiropractor when my neck was out because when the vertebrae are misaligned, the nerve impulses from the misalignment could be sent to your brain and trigger a migraine. This happens to both my husband and I, so it's important to relax our spines and necks, try to lay some way that will realign everything and give relief.
We use these pillows to help our necks. Sometimes we help one another with back rubs to help relax, laying on hard flat surfaces, basket balls, exercise balls, stretching, laying on tables or anything that might realign the spine. We've considered an inversion table, but they're expensive. The point is that we work to try to make the spine and neck realign itself before it is time for a chiropractor visit.
Disclaimer: This is not intended to replace medical counsel from your doctor. Please seek the advice of a wise physician or naturopath and a chiropractor if you suffer from migraines.
