Migraine

I couldn't figure out why I'm STILL having so many migraines- especially at work- when I've spent SO much time and energy and $$ redecorating my office so it's migraine-friendly!

I like the smoothies from the place next door. I always get them without bananas (trigger food) and substitute yogurt for the banana- that way it's still a hearty enough meal/lunch, that I can go all day until dinner.

Well.

Today, I asked about a different smoothie than my normal one and wondered if it was sweet enough- since there was no honey and some rather non- sweet fruits with cinnamon, and cloves, and orange peel.

She told me it had sweet yogurt in it, so it should be ok. I tilted my head and asked "sweet yogurt?"

She nodded and said "Yeah, we put a sweetener in it." (I could feel my spidey-senses tingling)
"What kind of sweetener?"
"Splenda."

Jaw on floor. She noticed. Asked me what was wrong. I said that it was a HUGE migraine trigger for me- not as bad as the onions, but still bad... I had been doing the smoothies to stay away from the onions in the prepared foods...

She looked like she was gonna cry- and apologized over and over and over. I was just glad to know, and told her so...

I've been having an average of 2 smoothies per week- all with the yogurt. And when not eating the smoothies, sometimes I get granola...

"Is the same yogurt in the granola?"
"Uh-huh"

Jaw again.

"Oh, Jamie, I'm SO sorry," she said. I'm such a regular there that they all know me by name.

As I'm picking my jaw off the floor, she said that she felt awful that she could have been adding to my pain.

I could have hugged her. I thanked her for letting me know- I mean, it would have gone on and on- 'cause the smoothies are GOOOD... And she looked at me like "are you sure that you're not angry." So, I replied to her visual statement..

"Gosh, thanks for bringing up the fact that the yogurt is sweet... I NEVER would have guessed... and without your info, I'd be in more pain. So, thank you for sparing me." She relaxed, and we both laughed, shaking our respective heads at the situation.

She then said that she could get some regular yogurt for me if I'd want the smoothies still- or the granola- and put it in the staff fridge so that she could break it out for me. (Isn't that sweet?! ) I almost cried when I thanked her.

By this time, there was a line, so we had to stop talking, and she had to make my non- yogurt smoothie. When I left, she said "remind me if I forget- I really will make sure they have some regular for you. I bet there are others affected by the yogurt too, and don't know..."

Success! One more trigger gone from my life! YAY!!

Thank goodness you found out. The lady at the smoothie shop really sounds like a nice person. I can imagine how terrible she must feel about what happened.

Well that sucks ... I don't know why they put them everywhere. Some of those sweeteners are made with nerve gas, used for killing people (no need to panic, FDA approved process).

I am lucky, I can taste them in anything, put a pinch in a glass of something and I will know it is there.

I am glad you found out, must be horrible, trying to stay away from the triggers, thinking hey a good for you smoothie... and bam! splenda.

Wow! At least they knew at that place what was in there! I am always asking - "is there nuts in this?" "What kind?" - no one ever knows....so I go without (I'm allergic to walnuts and hazelnuts) It makes me mad because they should know this stuff if they are serving food!

Anyway - sounds like this woman was very nice! Good for her and for you! At least know you know and the fact she is willing to get special stuff for you - that rocks!!!!!!

Yipee. Any puzzle pieces put together is a beautiful thing.

Now I'd say that's customer service!

I'm glad that they've got a quick, fairly easy fix so that you can still get your smoothies and not have to suffer for the effort. Spiff!

That is some good customer service!! I am glad you found out before you had more. When Splenda first came out, I was excited to try it, since I can't have aspartame, but soon found out it was a trigger as well.

I am sure you are like me and get tired of questioning everyone everywhere you go about what's in the food. When we do gatherings with family or friends, I make sure to take my own food, something I know I can eat. My mom is really good about making things especially for me, though. And my husband's family has gotten to where they clear the menu with me first. It's nice of them, but I feel like a burden when I do that, ya know.

Anyway, I am glad you found and eliminated another trigger!! Yeah for you and I hope today is a great day for you!!

Sherry

It has to be disappointing when you find out you can't eat what you like anymore. I'm glad they are keeping some yogurt in the fridge for you, though! So many places won't accommodate customers or they hem and haw when you ask about ingredients. Where I work, we use MSG for flavoring, and sometimes we have customers who ask about our ingredients. Some of them are allergic; others get migraines; still many more can't digest certain things. I always let them know I'm in the same boat. One gentleman couldn't eat corn products because they triggered migraines, so that eliminated MANY menu items for him (which, I never realized how many things had corn byproducts in them! He taught me a lot). And my company does strive to help people who can't eat what they can't tolerate by offering other options.

My dietary restrictions are easy when it comes to migraines, though--no alcohol anymore. Which made me sad because I do like my wine and I do like my mixed drinks with dinner every once in a while. But I know that just asking if I can have one item or another swapped out because of preferences even confounds the waiters sometimes, so you are very lucky indeed to have a shop that will help you out!

The different triggers are always interesting. I'm glad to see these sugar substitutes haven't caused me grief. However, I suspected a product in the past & confirmed 3 nights ago: Entemmann's chocolate covered donuts (w/ the white cake inside). I had my donut, and my headache within 5 minutes.

Hi Pugster,

Welcome aboard!
Have you tried keeping a Migraine Diary

Triggers has great information regarding trigger and trigger management.

Yes I have thanks. Diligently since August 9 following botox injections.