Meljane Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 Has anyone else experienced worse migraines whilst on Whole30? Don't get me wrong, I love the changes that I have made and I am feeling the benefits in other areas, but the main reason I am doing it is to help with the migraines and it is having the opposite effect. Pre-Whole30 I was already grain free, due to a handful of autoimmune issues including Multiple Sclerosis. I was getting migraines on average 1-2 per week, but on good weeks could go 10 days without one. At the beginning of Whole30 they were nearly daily, which I put down to the dietary changes and detox. But here I am on Day 25 and the situation has not improved. The most I have gone without a migraine during Whole30 is 3 days (from Monday to today). I have another headache/migraine beginning now and I am struggling at work - I don't want to go home yet as I have a meeting this afternoon that has already been postponed twice due to my migraines. It is really beginning to get me down - I thought I was doing the right thing by trying Whole30, but the migraines are just too much at the moment. Any ideas as to what it could be? I am so disappointed - I thought that a clean diet would help but it seems that the reverse is true. The migraines are seriously impacting on my quality of life, my work, my colleagues, my husband and most of all, my 3-year-old son. Desparate for a remedy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Tom Denham Posted September 25, 2014 Moderators Share Posted September 25, 2014 I read through your food log hoping to spot something that might be an issue. My first thought was that you might not be eating enough starchy veggies. However, even though you were not perfectly even every day about eating starchy veggies, you ate them often, so I don't think that is what is wrong. Unfortunately, I don't have another idea. Maybe someone with migraine experience will have some thoughts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators ladyshanny Posted September 25, 2014 Administrators Share Posted September 25, 2014 Mine also got worse.....I certainly do not have them as frequently as you do and for you I am very sorry.....but the first half of Whole30 triggered and intesified them for 16 straight days. Just now starting to feel it receding but still there in the background....and of course migraine hangover. I KNOW that its not from the food I'm eating now....but it nearly certainly has to do with the detox and the reshuffle/correcting of my hormones. My migraines are purely hormonal and I can only hope/wait for the hormones to balance and the migraines to reduce or disappear. Basically the thing is to keep pushing forward....because whatever unapproved food I was eating (or you were eating) such as chips, wine, gluten free cookies, is not going to make the pain better. Unfortunately....LOL. I hope you feel better soon.....it's an awful affliction to have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andria Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 I don't have any experience with migraines, so my suggestions are just general ones with regards to your food log. Looking at your food log, you are not really following the meal template (especially for meal 1) and you are eating a lot of fruit. Your breakfasts are generally lacking veggies but contain fruit and seem short on protein(some bfasts had only 2 eggs) and fat. Skip the fruit, add 2 cups veg and up your protein (3 eggs or 2 eggs plus small piece of meat). Also, I saw a number of snacks of fruit and/or nuts. If you are hungry enough to eat (i.e., would eat steamed fish and broccoli) you should be having a mini-meal of protein/fat/veg. And then going forward, make your main meals larger so you can avoid eating in between your 3 main meals. Consider cutting back on the fruit overall (definitely do not eat it in between meals), maybe your migraines are link to a blood sugar thing? Also, how is your water intake (sorry, I skimmed your food log and didn't notice if you mentioned the quantity you drank) and are you salting your food plenty? I imagine sleep and stress can impact migraine frequency, as well. Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meljane Posted September 30, 2014 Author Share Posted September 30, 2014 Thank you for replying - all very helpful. I have ditched the fruit in favour of spinach and kale, and upped the eggs to three (an effort to eat all that!). I haven't seen a big difference but it's only been a few days so will keep on. I drink at least 2 litres of water per day, so I don't think that is the issue. I noticed after my aqua-fitness class on Sunday that I was craving salty things, so I have made a point to salt my food a little more and see if that makes a difference. Day 30 today (yay!) so feeling pretty pleased with myself. Now to combat the migraines! Thanks again, Mel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlaccini Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Hi Meljane, I have many an issue with migrianes - mine are purely hormonal. Although my migraines have seen vast improvement over the last 2 years, I still get them. They are less intense than they used to be and can be controlled. A few things I have to watch for: 1) Starchy Veg - make sure I have at least 1 a day. If it's a week before my period start doubling my portion sizes. Eat Starchy veg more than once a day. 2) Keep fruit to a minimum. Don't go crazy with the fruit. There are some days I go a little more crazy with the fruit than others,(hello summertime) but don't beat yourself up over it. 3) I love bacon and proscuito - but for some reason I have linked the amount of pork I have consumed with the overall intensity of the migraine 4) Heavy Spices - yes go easy on all of the heavy seed spices (think nightshades) - stick with more herbs for flavour. I love intense spice blends - however they don't love me too much. 5) Make sure you are drinking a lot of water. Ginger or mint based teas help me immensely. Ginger flavoured Kombucha has been known to settle my nauseous stomach during a migraine. Best of luck to you! I hope this clears for you soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meljane Posted October 1, 2014 Author Share Posted October 1, 2014 Quick update - I've been following everyone's advice and haven't had a migraine since Sunday! Three whole days! It's early days, but something is obviously beginning to work. Basically, I have done the following: - upped eggs to three for breakfast - no fruit - more starchy veg (sweet potato, squash, potato) - more leafy green veg (but cooked, as I know that raw cruciferous veg can hinder thyroxine and I take supplements due to hypothyroid) So far, so good. Just wanted to say thank you! Oh, and today is Day 31 so feeling pretty good. 5kgs down, and no migraines since Sunday :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators ladyshanny Posted October 1, 2014 Administrators Share Posted October 1, 2014 Meljane ~ I wish I could push this "like" button a bunch more times! So glad you're on a run of freedom from pain! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meljane Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 Four days, no migraines! Fingers crossed it continues for a while longer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlaccini Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Yayyyyyyyy!!! Good for you! After being a long-term migraine sufferer nothing beats this feeling I know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Are you drinking caffeine at all? My dad found out that caffeine was his trigger (it took him like 50 years to find that one out!). Also changes in weather or a sensitivity to a food you are still eating frequently on the Whole30 could be your issue. But it looks like you have it figured out now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meljane Posted October 5, 2014 Author Share Posted October 5, 2014 I'm pleased to report that I have only had one migraine since my post on 25 September - yay! Basically, I have done the following: - upped eggs to three for breakfast - very little fruit - more starchy veg (sweet potato, squash, potato) - more leafy green veg It's early days, but basically much better than my pre-Whole30 1-2 migraines per week. Fingers crossed. McDuffee - I actually gave up caffeine about two weeks before starting the Whole30. I don't know whether I need to give up caffeine or not, but the issue is more the milk and sugar in my tea and coffee rather than the caffeine itself, so I think it best to stay away. I have actually realised that it is the comfort of the warm liquid, rather than the caffeine itself, that I am addicted to! So hot water and lemon, or raspberry tea, seems to do the trick. When I had migraines when I was pregnant, I used to drink coffee as a cure - the caffeine expands the blood vessels and helps the pain, so I understand. So it has been hard not to reach for the coffee with these recent migraines. But never mind, seem to have cracked it. Thanks for your advice and support everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SymJax Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 In the past I have had severe migraine issues. I started oil pulling with coconut oil. I melt it down a bit and swish it around in my mouth for about 10 minutes, then spit it out. I haven't had a migraine in a month, and to top it off my teeth are whiter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kreismith Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 I too am struggling with headaches/migraines during this new journey (currently day 7) . Reading all these forums have helped me realize I need more water, more starchy veggies and less fruit. This post in particular has been helpful. I would really limit the caffeine if you go back on it. I'm a chronic migraine sufferer x 15 years and have learned that a migraine attack is a dilation of blood vessels which in turn dilates the tissue surrounding the blood vessels causing it to trigger nausea, light/sound sensitivity and pain. The caffeine has the same exact response in the brain, and so does alcohol. Caffeine may give you an initial relief, but rebound headaches are really common. I limit my self to 8oz of green tea/day- i try to just drink decaffinated- but some times I can't find a good decaf green tea. Some migraine specialist/nutritionists have said even decaf contains some caffeine b/c it cannot be fully removed. As for coffee, Before whole30 I occasionally drank decaf lattes. I read "Heal Your Headache" 4 years ago, which really helped eliminate foods that trigger migraines much in the way the caffeine does (aged cheese, cured meats, nitrites/nitrates, caffeine, alcohol)- all the fun stuff!! Anyway, I'm glad you made it through and are feeling better!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjfca98 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Hello Meljane! Like you, I am a migraine sufferer. Trying whole30 to see how it might help. I have noticed that you went through the whole30 program in October. How are you doing today? Thank you for sharing and for speaking up on this topic. It is real. And no fun!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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