Migraine

I started seeing an acupuncturist four weeks ago, and just had my sixth treatment tonight. She's been suggesting (um, *strongly* suggesting) that I cut wheat, dairy and sugar out of my diet completely, for the time being. I don't have allergies to any of these, but I do have a sensitivity to them. Growing up Italian (lots of wheat and cheese) means that all of my comfort foods have one or both of those ingredients in them.

In the past few weeks, I've once again cut down my wheat and dairy intake, which has been hard. So now I'm trying to continue cutting it down to get my intake to zero (or close to it). At this point, it seems that almost anything and everything will trigger a migraine, so I'm willing to give this a shot. I know too much of any of those culprits makes me feel sick anyway, so there may be something to it.

Anyway, I'm posting this here to help hold me to it. Any little bit will help.

Good luck with your diet change! If eliminating wheat, dairy and sugar doesn't help, you can probably add it back in.

Would you believe that my dog is allergic to beef, wheat and dairy? He eats a prescription fish-and-potato dog food. Treats are crunchy vegetables and apples.

Maybe potatoes and rice can become comfort food for you. And soy cheese from the whole foods co-op is pretty good. Not like a good Parmesan, but better than nothing.

Gretchen in Mississippi

Thanks, Gretchen! I do like rice and potatoes, so I think they can become my new go-to comfort foods. I've also started eating oatmeal more often. Thanks for the suggestion about soy cheese - I will definitely have to try that out!

My mom used to have a cat with a very sensitive stomach, so she had to buy him prescription food, too! I can't remember what was in it. Strange that your dog has food allergies, but I guess if he can cope, so can I!

I haven't given this new diet enough of an honest try to see if it will help. I'm hoping that if I cut down enough of my stackable triggers (everything seems to trigger me these days), that I can get better control of my head and still enjoy the foods I love on occasion.

Thanks again!

I understnad what you mean - it seems like anything and everything is triggering me right now,too. Even stuff that did not use to. But I really think it is becasue I am not on an effective preventative right now. But when I am, I can enjoy some things that are stackable triggers on occasion, when I am feeling ok, not on my period, and the weather is good. What crazy things we have to deal with, huh?

Good luck. And like Gretchen said, if it does not help, you can add them back later. How are you feeling today? I see it almost time for you appt with the new neuro. I hope the last few days pass really fast!!

Sherry, I think I am like you that much of my problem is because I am not on an effective preventive right now. The only thing that has seemed to help me in the past year is acupuncture, and even that is starting to plateau.

My DBF has been helping me find things to eat without wheat, dairy or sugar. I stopped by the health food store last night to buy some wheat-free pancake mix and pasta, since I love those so much!! We tried the pancakes this morning, and they are delicious!

We had another storm system come in last night, which meant I had an awful migraine yesterday. It still isn't gone, but the pain is a *lot* better. This weekend I'm going to work on a list of questions for my neuro, so I'm prepared for my appointment first thing on Tuesday morning. I'm taking it easy this weekend in the hopes that I'll get past this attack quickly. It's the worst one I've had in the past month, much more like what I used to get before the acu. Plus, I'm flying home to MA on Thursday to see my family for Christmas, and I want to be in decent shape for that.

I see from your ticker that you're still about 3 weeks from your appointment with your new doc. I hope that those few weeks pass by quickly and without too much pain!