Migraine

Hi forum pals,

Do any of you have stomach/digestive issues? During my last visit to the specialist, the nurse talked with me about my belly. She told me that IBS (irritable bowel) and a generally upset stomach are common with people who have migraine disease.

I have always had trouble with acid reflux...But since the migraines have worsened, I am fighting my stomach all the time! Part of me thinks it's the medicines. Part of me thinks it might really be something like IBS. (But I really don't want to believe I've got some other medical issue complicating things!) I also tend to throw up a lot with my migraines! My stomach is really not treating me well!

Most of the time, I feel nauseated and generally queasy. On those icky days, I eat because not eating is a BIG migraine trigger for me! I really don't have much appetite then...I just eat because it's time to eat.

When my stomach DOES feel OK, I find myself wanting to eat everything in sight! Not good. Especially when you're taking a lot of meds that can cause weight gain...

Am I the only one with a wacky stomach????

jenny

Hi Jenny!

I can relate to belly issues!

Let me tell you, I went through the grueling colonoscopy procedure and had many complaints from the belly to the bowels, and I am a big fan of Pepcid AC.

With all the meds that can cause nausea and constipation, or maybe diarhea the belly is constantly upset, I know mine is. It sometimes can be as unpredictable as my head.

Pepcid AC absolutely helps my acid reflux and calms my stomach from being upset ALL the time. It just seems to work for everything.
But i know exactly what you mean. So, no,you are not the only one with a wacky stomach! A nature of the beastie!!

Hang in there, and I hope you can find something to help you feel better!

Lori

I have the functional disorder called nutcracker esophagus (hence my forum name.) It occasionally causes mild nausea, but chest pain and pseudo-heartburn are more common symptoms when it acts up. Fortunately, it's currently under good control. I do NOT have reflux. We know that for certain; I had a 24-hour Ph test to be sure. While I occasionally have nausea, especially during a migraine, vomiting is extremely rare for me. It's been that way all of my life. I tell people my stomach is made of iron.

I definitely have stomach problems, and have had them my entire lief.

My mother couldn't breastfeed as she made no milk, and at the time, the formula I was on lacked an essential nutrient and pretty much wrecked my immune system and wreaked havoc on my digestive system. It nearly killed me because I couldn't keep food in for an extended period of time. Somehow I pulled through. My mom just wouldn't give me up.

After that, I have at least 2 sojourns with the stomach flu every year when it comes into season and have been hospitalized twice with it...Luckily since I went into my 20s I've stopped having chronic problems like that, but every few years I'll get hit anyway. But from before elementary school on up, every year without fail, like clockwork, I'd be ill...Same time every year, too. Come August, and then again in April.

My father had GERD and now I'm struggling to avoid the same thing because he died from cancer caused by the GERD. Being on the Plavix after the PFO procedure really put my stomach through some bad days--I was having diarrhea a couple of times every couple of weeks or so afterwards. And the acid reflux was awful too...And I still have it, which my migraine specialist is actually monitoring for the study too.

You're definitely not alone, though I do not throw up during a migraine, there've been plenty of times I've wanted to. And I've always had motion sickness, and when nervous my intestines are the one body part that seem to make the most ruckus. Out of all the nervous symptoms one can have, I got the horrible bowels.

Oh yes, I definitely have stomach issues. I'm nauseous just about every day - in fact, it wasn't until I was in college (when I was diagnosed with CDH/migraines) and put on Topamax the first time and the Topa started working that I realized how awful and constant my nausea actually is. I've always slept with a garbage can next to my bed, though it's very rare for me to vomit.

I somewhat frequently get diarrhea with my migraines, and sometimes get silent migraines with bad diarrhea. I seem to have a randomly upset stomach sometimes too. My mom and sister are both like this, too. I think my sister's been diagnosed with IBS though my mom and I have not.

My stomach was bad enough in college that, like clockwork, I had to wake up early every morning to leave myself enough time to be slightly ill in the bathroom before going to class. That got a little better after college (and less stress), but I think has only stopped because the nortriptyline I take makes me constipated. Of course, that causes its own problems.

I will say that my digestion is a lot better now that I've cut dairy and gluten out of my diet. I've known since high school that I've had a wheat sensitivity but it may have been affecting me more than I realized.

So, the short answer is, no, you're definitely not alone. I don't know if you've seen this news article here? There is definitely a connection.

Headache common in people with GI trouble

Hi Jenny!

I have diarrhea after my migraines. I used to think it was related to the medicine I take but have noticed that no matter which medicine I take, my stomache is still upset the next day or two. Embarassingly enough, I've had some very close calls while shopping or running errands or whatever and have needed to find the nearest restroom in a frantic rush . I always have Immodium AD in my pocketbook in case of emergency.

I get constipated, all the time. And I just started verapamil, which made me VERY constipated the last time I took it. I'm trying to be faithful with my Metamucil, but you can't take it within 2 hours of a dose of med, so sometimes with my abortives and rescues, I can't fit it in. The last time I did verapamil, I took Senekot. Both the dog and I take docusate stool softener.

And I've got GERD. Prevacid is my best friend. It's a $50 co-pay. Generic Prilosec is $10. I've thought about changing, but I've decided I don't want to mess up a good thing.

I had an upper scope several years ago, and the valve at the bottom of my esophagus malfunctions. It might be because of medication, or it might be because I was morbidly obese at one point. I'm having my screening colonoscopy next month, and they're going to do an upper scope, too, just to be sure everything is still normal.

Laura -- Have you tried Lomotil? [Lomitil?] It's a prescription, and it's GREAT! I heard someone call them "God's little concrete pills." Immodium does a good job for me, though.

I'm lucky that my only problems are the GERD, which is controlled by meds, and the constipation, which is a nuisance, but not painful very often.

Gretchen in Mississippi

Thanks Gretchen! I just added it to my list of growing questions for my next doctor's visit.

quote:

Originally posted by gwp:
Laura -- Have you tried Lomotil? [Lomitil?] It's a prescription, and it's GREAT! I heard someone call them "God's little concrete pills." Immodium does a good job for me, though.

Hi Jenny,

I had to chime in on this one. Stomache issue-A big Oh, yes!!. I get nauseous and diarrhea when I am having migrianes and flourscent lights will do me in everytime I don't know how many parking lots and alleys I have vomiting in LOL. Driving long distances while I have a migraine can cause me to vomit on cue!! I even carry a bag in my car for road trips. (It is something to do with things wizzing by)

I always had a problem with nauseous and diarrhea, which got better when I eliminated dairy products. Then a little better when I went on the elimnation diet and got rid of high sodium foods and aged meats and pickles. But I still get diarrhea predome and during and the nauseous during and after the migraines.
So, rest assured, seems you are not alone on this one LOL.

Dar

You are DEFINITELY not alone! I have IBS and notice that I often get diarrhea with migraines. I keep my IBS-D under control by taking Caltrate (1/2 a chewable tablet with each meal, sometimes only with breakfast and dinner), the calcium carbonate helps bind things up and slow things down.

When I get a migraine though, the diarrhea comes. I definitely have a nervous stomach, when I'm super nervous about something, I get nauseous and my stomach acts up, so I try to help prevent the diarrhea by taking a little extra calcium.

If you're going to try the calcium thing though, talk to your doctor first to make sure it's okay for you to try it and make sure you get Caltrate 600 +D, not Citracal, it's a different type of calcium, so it won't do the same thing. I hope it's okay for me to post this recommendation!

I forgot to mention - fluorescent lights, at least when I'm shopping (and looking at lots of things) have the unpleasant effect of upsetting my stomach, usually within 10-15 minutes of getting into a store.

It's made it quite difficult to go shopping, well, ever.

Thank you for all the replies, guys!

I'm sorry you are all fighting your stomachs along with me...But I'm sorta glad I'm not the only one. (It's lonely being the only one!!)

I think I'm gonna have to go back to my GP about my stomach. I've got reflux and a hiatal hernia. I took prilosec for a while, but then just stopped taking it. I've got so many migraine meds that I hate to take pills for ANYTHING else!!

Also, in the past, I've torn my esophagus while vomiting during migraine. (Threw up LOTS of blood and spend several days in the hospital. Doc did an endoscopy and fixed the tear--but warned me that it could happen again!)

I think my body just doesn't really like being on all of these medicines. My stomach doesn't seem to like any of them! (Except maybe the phenergan. It appreciates the phenergan. )

I do the diarrhea/constipation thing a lot. The nortriptyline I'm taking adds to the constipation.

Ok---I've decided that one of us needs to become a doctor and invent a once-a-month pill that will prevent ALL migraine and HA's!!! My stomach would definitely thank you!!

jenny

Jenny-That's a great idea, a magic pill that prevents everyone's pain...sign me up!!

quote:

Ok---I've decided that one of us needs to become a doctor and invent a once-a-month pill that will prevent ALL migraine and HA's!!! My stomach would definitely thank you!!

I found trying to find triggers of my IBS is the best way to handle it.

Over time I found out that I am lactose intolerant. I've greatly decreased dairy & when I do have it, I take lactaid (which doesn't stop it totally).

I try to not eat too many foods with perservatives, sugar substitutes & MSG because it triggers migraines & IBS. Unfortunately, when I have all day meetings at my job, they order food from places that put lots of stuff that makes me ill. :-(

Raisan bran is a sure way that I'll run to the bathroom with cramps, stomach pain & diarrhea. Bran cereals do a number on me & so does any flax seed or fish oil products- these things have been recommended by my doctor to deal with my constipation & neurological stuff, but I can't seem to tolerate it.

Flourescent lights are another big trigger. When it is cloudy & I am at my job (I work 3 to 4 hours at a time) & especially if we can't go outside for periods of time, I often get a migraine & stomach pain, which is an issue, because I usually am not allowed to use the bathroom (unless someone can cover me) & just hope my stomach can hold out.

Hormones are a very big trigger. PMS, midcycle & before migraines, I often have stomach cramps & pain, especially on the right side of my stomach.

My doctor prescribed phenergan suppositories for me- while they certainly are not pleasant, they have kept me from going to the ER.