Migraine

Although I haven't had any debilitating headaches/migraines in the last month, since I switched from procardia to verapamil, I still have a a slight headache every day.

I'm thinking about getting tested for vitamin deficiencies, but I'm not sure where to start. My chiropractor wants to refer me for Spectracell analysis but I've never heard anything about it before and I'm a little dubious. He says it worked for two of his patients though, getting tested and getting on the right vitamins/diet cured their chronic headaches.

Anyone ever gone to a nutritionist or dietitian, or get tested for vitamin deficiencies? Or have any suggestions on what to get tested for?

First off - if they are using the words "cured" and "headaches" then they are either blowing smoke or not talking Migraines. As we've all stated before Migraines are neurological - vitamins can't "cure" them.

On the other hand - they may help them. Taking magnesium, melatonin, butterbur, CoQ10, all that stuff has been proven to help TREAT but not "cure" migraines.

Don't most drs usually check this stuff in routine blood work anyway?

I just had mine done and they said that was standard I just always request my sugar levels since I have diabities on both sides of the family.....

But, yes dear, you can have that checked, it may help you - but don't think this guy will "cure" you because that's not happening!

I *think* my chiropractor was talking about people with frequent headaches, not migraines. I don't know anyone who has been "cured" of migraines either.

Sorry if maybe I'm posting in the wrong folder, I first posted in the introduction folder a couple months ago when I was having more frequent migraines, but since switching blood pressure meds I have been doing a lot better. http://forums.healthcentral.com/discussion/migraine/for...f/1101095/m/92710861

However I still have a slight headache / feeling of pressure every day. I haven't gone to a headache specialist or neurologist, so I don't know what they test for. Other than blood sugar and thyroid, my GP hasn't checked me for anything. (though she is referring me for an MRI).

I have some underlying health issues, so I figured getting things like homocysteine (and maybe folate and B-12), magnesium, and vitamin D levels tested might be a good idea. I've just never heard of "spectracell anylysis" before- it is not a regular serum blood test. And I'm not sure if I should see a specialist or not, or which kind.

I think seeing a neurologist and/or a headache specialist would really help you out. Check out the Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists list on this site.

Also, if you haven't already, there's some great info here as well: Types of Migraines and Headaches

Please keep us posted?

quote:

Originally posted by alanna:
Although I haven't had any debilitating headaches/migraines in the last month, since I switched from procardia to verapamil, I still have a a slight headache every day.

I'm thinking about getting tested for vitamin deficiencies, but I'm not sure where to start. My chiropractor wants to refer me for Spectracell analysis but I've never heard anything about it before and I'm a little dubious. He says it worked for two of his patients though, getting tested and getting on the right vitamins/diet cured their chronic headaches.

Anyone ever gone to a nutritionist or dietitian, or get tested for vitamin deficiencies? Or have any suggestions on what to get tested for?

I did the spectracell test. I was deficient in several vitamins, including digestive enzymes. Knowing what you are deficient in is great. However getting good supplementation that your body can absorb is another matter.
I was lucky to eventually find some i could absorb.

Bev,
After you got on the right supplements- that your body could adsorb- did you notice a difference in the way you felt?

Yes,
I had horrible bruising to the point that people were starting to look at me funny like my DH was hitting me. I discovered a vit c that I could absorb and fixed that bruising. Also the calcium fixed alot of my leg cramps. The Bvitamins help some with my energy.
You really do need to find out what you are deficient in. Also WHY are you deficient. Because these deficiencies can lead to other problems. I was also deficient in an anti oxident called glutathion. They said this is a cruital one that helps prevent Cancer.
It is not easy to figure all this out. however the testing gave me part of the picture. I need to go back and re-test to see if all of the supplements are doing any good. I just have not done it yet. That is the only way to tell if you are wasting money taking supplements. I think Terri told me once that there are prescription supplements for some things.
Here is my theory.I understand that when you have a migraine your digestion slows. I have had food literally stay in my stomache for 12 hours then vomit it up. So the result of this if done on a regular basis is mal-nutrition. On the days that I feel good and do not have migraine I still do not get hungry, I have to force myself to eat.
I also have Candida overgrowth in my gut. The test showed I had no good bacteria. I take super strong pro biotics for this. Pro-biotics are good bacteria.
If you are asking is the test worth the money I will say yes, every penny. If your asking will supplementation cure your headaches.. ??? It certainly could not hurt. If it helps delete 5 per month its worth it to me. I try every thing I can to help my body heal.
My BIG question is how did I get so decrepid at the age of 40. And which Dr. can help me get well. And who the *#! invited FREDRICK over to play in the first place? wasn't me
Anyway I hope this helps, keep me posted with what you do. I can give you resources for vities if you need them.
P.S. you probably already know this but some vitamins like Iron, do not leave your body when you get too much of them. This can make you very sick, so you don't want to take some vitamins unless you know you are deficient.

Thanks for your reply.

I think I'll try just about anything at this point- as long as it can't hurt and might help. I had another migraine yesterday, probably because I forgot to take my verapamil for one day and was low on sleep. Ugh.

Have you ever tried a yeast free diet? My sis has been told she had Candida overgrowth in the past, and she felt better after treatment and going on a yeast free diet. (basically low in refined sugar and flour and other things the yeastie beasties like).

I take probiotics regularly also, and a multivitamin. Of course I don't want to take more than the RDA for vitamins without testing, since too much of some vitamins can be bad for you.

I just found out the place that does the spectracell analysis is an hour away from me, since I have a headache every day at this point I'm not looking forward to the long drive. It sounds like most of the testing may be covered by my insurance so the cost shouldn't be prohibitive.

mini-update:
Well, I haven't gone for the spectracell anlysis yet, but I went back to the GP after having 2 more migraines after switching to Verapamil (on top of daily headache I've had for the past few months).

She asked me to go off caffeine, which is a trigger for many people, and gave me another round of prednisone. However, I also asked for some blood tests (homocysteine, magnesium, vitamin D) since I have been dealing with hypertension since my second bout of pre-eclampsia.

I just found yesterday out my vitamin D levels are low- 19, out of a range of 30 to 60. This in spite of me taking 800 IU vitamin D in my multivitamin and living off the sunny Texas coast, and being as pale as pale can be.

I also found out that I have a positive ANA (1:160, normal is below 1:40). I'm hoping that is soley due to hypothyroidism, which I already know I have.

Anyways, I'm upping my vitamin D intake, I'll report back if it seems to make a difference. I have a referral to see a headache specialist next week, hopefully she will have some good info for me.

Hope the specialist can get you going on a good regimen.

Thanks for the update, alanna. Hopefully your new vitamin regimen will help you!

think the spectracell test is a blood test. If I am remembering right my Dr. got the blood and sent it off to them. Mabey your Dr. could look into this for you.
My chinese dr. told me that a vitamin D deficiency can cause pain. Remember what I tod you about when I had a horrible time finding a C supplement to absorb? Also the calcium and obviouslt all my other vitamins I was taking at the time were not absorbing. You may have to get another brand. I found a liquid calcium that I like. It also has magnesium and vitamin D . It is a little more spendy at $23 a bottle however if you cannot absorb the one you are taking you may as well just put that $ in the toilet. Ok, here is the website to get the liquid calcium. integrativeinc.com Phone # is 1-800-931-1709
I do not know what pre eclampsia is.
What is ANA? I also am hypothyroid.
Yes, I know alot about candida. I had a 3+ on the test which my dr said was very high. I think it only goes to 5. With the diet and mega pro biotics I dropped mine to a 1. All pro biotics are not equal. I get mine from designs for health they are called probiotic synergy 1-800-847-8302. Another tip for you people with candida need to take digestive enzymes.
A great book for the candida overgrowth is The Yeast Connection. I think the authors name is Cook but I am not sure. This book is good for anyone to read.
Well, I hope this helps. I am always willing to share any info that may help. As a matter of fact years ago when I first had the candida the dr's did not know what was wrong with me and I almost died because I was not digesting any of my food. It was coming out just as I had chewed it. Also I had constant disentary and vomiting. I had to quit my job because the two were so bad I could not leave the house. I just happened to have a friend who knew a lady that knew what was wrong with me. She told me to get that book and helped me with what she knew. Saved my life. Because you can die from that.
I do not go online every day so if you have more questions don't think I am ignoring you. I am a vast pit of knowledge on what can ail you. If I could only remember a quarter of what I know I would be thrilled.

quote:

Originally posted by alanna:
mini-update:
Well, I haven't gone for the spectracell anlysis yet, but I went back to the GP after having 2 more migraines after switching to Verapamil (on top of daily headache I've had for the past few months).

She asked me to go off caffeine, which is a trigger for many people, and gave me another round of prednisone. However, I also asked for some blood tests (homocysteine, magnesium, vitamin D) since I have been dealing with hypertension since my second bout of pre-eclampsia.

I just found yesterday out my vitamin D levels are low- 19, out of a range of 30 to 60. This in spite of me taking 800 IU vitamin D in my multivitamin and living off the sunny Texas coast, and being as pale as pale can be.

I also found out that I have a positive ANA (1:160, normal is below 1:40). I'm hoping that is soley due to hypothyroidism, which I already know I have.

Anyways, I'm upping my vitamin D intake, I'll report back if it seems to make a difference. I have a referral to see a headache specialist next week, hopefully she will have some good info for me.

Thanks for the info.

Pre-eclampsia is the newer term for toxemia in pregnancy.

An ANA (anti-nuclear antibody) test is kind of a general screening test for autoimmune disorders. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ana/test.html

An ANA can be positive due to autoimmune thyroid disease. But even though I'm hypothyroid I have yet to test positive for anti-thyroid antibodies like other family members with Hashimoto's. I'm thinking about following up with a rheumatologist about the positive ANA just in case. I saw a headache specialist this week, she said that since my MRI is clear the ANA probably doesn't have anything to do with my headaches. Of course she also doesn't think the low vitamin D is the root of my problems (though I know someone else whose headache specialist told her the low vitamin D could be causing her chronic headache).

With your digestive problems and nutritional deficiencies have you ever been tested for celiac? Celiac and thyroid problems run in my family, sometimes they can go hand in hand. My antibody blood screen for celiac came back negative for it though.

I'm vitamin D deficient, too. We've been treating for it over the last 1.5 to 2 years. I've really not noticed any change in my migraines related to either the deficiency or the added vitamin D from the treatment.

I do know that my deficiency isn't due to a lack of sunlight. That leaves either an issue absorbing vitamin D once it's produced, or an issue with the actual production. We think it's the latter, probably. What I do know is that when they're treating this the amount in your standard OTC supplements is a measly amount. They have to give you megadose size, instead, which is available by prescription only. I had been taking 50,000 IU capsules once a week, but about a year ago we changed it to every other week. Too much of a good thing can be toxic, and that's very true with vitamin D. You should only up your intake by supplement with a doctor's care.

quote:

Originally posted by alanna:

I just found yesterday out my vitamin D levels are low- 19, out of a range of 30 to 60. This in spite of me taking 800 IU vitamin D in my multivitamin and living off the sunny Texas coast, and being as pale as pale can be.

Anyways, I'm upping my vitamin D intake, I'll report back if it seems to make a difference. I have a referral to see a headache specialist next week, hopefully she will have some good info for me.

Dragon drool, thanks for your response.

What type of doc do you see in regards to your vitamin D issues?

My GP is a little clueless on how much vitamin D I should take. She great for thyroid issues but I'm her first patient that tested low for vitamin D. She told me to take 800 IU daily- even though that is what I'd already been taking.

I'm taking 1800 IU vitmain D daily now, and I plan to get re-tested in a few months. I'd feel comfortable taking up to 2000 IU a day since my levels are low plus I'm still transferring vitamin D via breastfeeding. I'm wondering if I need to take even more though to get my levels up.