There’s a battle raging, and gluten and migraine are a part of it. The question at the heart of the battle: Is gluten harming people – people that don’t have celiac disease (coeliac disease)?
 |
Some just aren’t convinced by the evidence. But a growing number are convinced, and some of those people are migraineurs.
Many of us as migraine patients have been asked if we’ve tried giving up gluten – found in wheat, rye and barley. Some of us have tried it. And the surprising thing is – for some people, it worked.
But why? These weren’t people with wheat allergies, or with celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder, and the most common treatment is the gluten-free diet.
But a growing number are arguing that there is a wider problem – gluten syndrome – or gluten insensitivity or intolerance – that the common tests aren’t recognizing. Some of the common questions and arguments can be found at GlutenSensitivity.net if you’re interested in going into more detail.
One of the advocates of this point of view is Dr Rodney Ford, a paediatrician who has focused his career on food allergies and intolerance.
Last month Dr. Ford wrote this helpful summary:
… The crucial point, however, is that gluten-sensitivity can also be associated with neurological symptoms in patients who do not have any mucosal gut damage (that is, without celiac disease). Gluten can cause neurological harm through a combination of cross reacting antibodies, immune complex disease and direct toxicity. These nervous system affects include: dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, cerebella ataxia, hypotonia, developmental delay, learning disorders, depression, migraine, and headache …
In other words, you might have a problem with gluten which is not technically celiac disease.
Have you tried a gluten free diet? For how long? Did it help with your headache or migraine symptoms?
Popularity: 21% [?]
Loading ...
{ 64 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent timing…I spoke with @GFillustrator on Twitter recently and she said her migraines stopped when she cut gluten. So last Friday I went to the doc to get a blood test for Celiac disease, and I haven’t received my results, but I’ve decided to try a gluten-free diet either way. For those who have tried it, how long did it take before your headaches/migraines improved?
I’ve been prone to getting headaches my whole life, and migraines as a child and again for the past 5 years. For other reasons, I suspected I was gluten allergic or intolerant for a LONG time now, and my docor tested me for celiac last month. I tested negative, BUT in the meantime, I started a gluten-free diet bc I knew a negative celiac test didn’t mean I wasn’t gluten sensitive/intolerant. For the first 2 weeks on the diet, I never had a single headache! The next weekend, I was totally unprepared while being out of town, so I ate gluten all weekend. I had headaches the whole following week! Back on gluten free. Maybe it’s been a coincidence but for me it was within the first few days of going on the diet. I understand though, that it can take much longer. Stick with it bc it may be worth it.
Trying a gluten-free diet has been suggested to me by a number of people. I’ve been tested for celiac disease and do not have it. Maybe this article is just the impetus I needed to try a gluten-free lifestyle. I’m most interested in hearing from other migraineurs who have tried this. Any tips or suggestions? Wheat seems to be in everything! — Thanks for posting, James.
Hi- i’ve been on a gluten free diet for a while, and since i lived on pasta and breads, i thought it was going to be difficult. it is WAY easier than you think. if you crave pastas, buy gluten free pasta. when you crave bread, buy glutenfree bread. outside of that, just watch the condiments and even vitamins. but all meat, fish, veggies, fruit, nuts are ok, which is better since that is what we are meant to eat. oh and rice and potatoes are ok.
Incorrect. Not ALL meats are GF, not by a long shot.
Processed meats could have gluten in them, and meats with seasonings might not be gluten free, however fresh meat is gluten free…unless someone knows something I don’t. If so please share.
And why do you suppose that my headache specialist neuro has not discussed this with me?
haha. I laugh at the irony here. in a nutshell, nobody makes money to tell you to stop eating wheat. they make money by telling you that you have an incurable disease like crohn’s or IBS, and then medicating you until you either die or go broke.
The reason your neuro doc doesn’t discuss diet and migraine is because most neuro docs take the traditional allopathic or “Western” approach to medicine. They prescribe pills. Whatever’s “hot” in the market or that their friend from Merck is currently pushing. Sadly, most don’t have time to keep up with the available research.
It took me three tries, but I finally found a very competent neuro doc who practices traditional medicine, but who, as a migraineur himself, recognizes the efficacy of non-traditional or alternative methods for prevention and treatment. He believes that acupuncture and massage help migraineurs. He knowns that some herbs and supplements work well in migraine prevention and he’s not afraid to prescribe them. (Yes, get them as prescriptions. Many supplements can be filled at your pharmacy and are covered by your insurance. CoQ10 is pricey — $200/month at the health food stores or online.)
You can and should “shop” around for your doctors — it literally saved my life. My former neuro had me on a toxic combination of medications (antidepressants with triptans) that caused Serotonin Syndrome (aka serotonin toxicity or poisoning). I got a referral from my GP (who I trust) for a new neuro when I was diagnosed with this. My new neuro doc works at a teaching facility (DHMC at Dartmouth College). They do cutting-edge research studies. This allows him to be more open-minded when it comes to exploring treatment options and keeps him up-to-date on research. Because they are part of a research facility, they have a higher level of knowledge than I could find locally or even in my entire state. I drive 4 hours round trip to see him. He is always on time and comes out to personally greet me. There’s even a grand piano player in the main entrance hall of the hospital. I waited 5 months to get my first appointment, and thought I had died and gone to heaven.
He weaned me off of the meds (except for triptans and Zofran for vomiting. yeah, I get the really bad kind of migraines.) I have been seeing good results with Butterbur/Petadolex (150 mg/day), CoQ10 (200 mg/day), Magnesium Citrate 600 mg/day, Vitamin D (cuz everybody needs it up North) 1,000 mg/day, Cal/Mag 1,000 mg/day, Omega-3 1,000 mg/day, aspirin 81 mg/day (we’re at a 400% higher risk for stroke or heart attack because of migraine). This combination has got me up out of my bed for the first time in many years.
Anyway, best advice on neuro docs is to get a word-of-mouth referral (from another migraineur or another trusted health-care practitioner)and be willing to drive a bit. If that’s not possible, make appointments with several different doctors (you may have to pay out-of-pocket for this). Go in and meet each one with a list of questions you have prepare ahead of time. Bring your migraine diary with you if you have one (if you don’t ask the doctor for one — another good test — does she have a migraine diary form?). Keeping a migraine diary will save loads of time with your neuro doc. In once glace she can see what’s going on.
And, really just interview them as much as they do you. Find out about their treatment approach and if they, too, have migraine. You’ll get a sense for how the neuro docs communicate with you and whether or not you can work with them. Be sure to meet their team at the same time.
Remember, you are in charge of your health not any doctor you might hire. Be prepared to do your own research too — like you are doing right now by reading this blog.
Good job!
Just reading this gives me some hope, I’m in pain as I type. I have had migraines since 3 yrs old and I’m 46…the sad part is I have a six year old son and he only knows his mommy to have a headache its not fair for him (breaks my heart). Waiting for an appt in Danville to see a specialist he only deals with headaches..I’ve had it with medication and I’ve tried everything I do not want to feel medicated I want to feel normal not drugged. I will take this info with me to the neuro doc….thank for the info!! Kathy
I’d be interested to know what they said at Danville because I’m in the vicinity too. I feel your pain! I just assume all drs will look at natural treatments and discount them. I hope you get the help you need and if you do, boy, would I like the name of the dr!!!
If one hasn’t tried going gluten free, and you want to get rid of the pain and life controlling migraines, at least try eliminating just wheat from your diet. Try it for a month. You have nothing to lose buy the pain and a new life. I wish I would have found out sooner. Going totally gluten free is not as hard as it was in the past. More and more restaurants have gluten free items on their menus – or just ask in advance. Or better yet save money and cook at home.
I went gluten free August 2008 and shortly after that tested neg for Celiac. I’ll admit I was desperate – I can’t tolerate ANY of the meds that were prescribed to me, especially triptans. I fall often into the category of “…if these side effects persist, contact your health care provider and discontinue use of this medication…”
We documented the reduction of migraine to 50% and it also cut down on some digestive stuff too.
It’s not easy to do but it can be done – many restaurants will provide a GF menu and there is a growing understanding on the part of wait staff. Saying that, you still need to be vigilant. For example, did you know that Twizzlers have wheat flour in them? After a GF Thanksgiving dinner they were my downfall!!!
It’s a little tricky to see if gluten is a problem. My symptoms are not immediate, they take several hours to start – sometimes as many as 12. By then, I’ve totally forgotten what I’ve eaten.
Here’s a great blog by an author who’s book helped a ton….shauna james ahern’s gluten free girl – http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/ she’s celiac but helps to get a handle on gluten
The symptoms can take awhile to appear but the effects seem to linger for a long time too. I feel as if all my nutrient absorbing gears get gummed up for at least a week. I can swallow tons of supplements, raw food, etc. and I don’t feel like I’m getting any nutrients.
Anyone else have that feeling?
Exactly how I feel. I’m gluten free now and for the first time in my life I’m regular and have no digestive pains, no constipation…I know within a few hours if I’ve eaten something with gluten: I suddenly get super sleepy (thought I had chronic fatigue) and bloated and constipated. Also feel weak, as though I’m not absorbing nutrients. Sometimes it takes a few days to get back on track. My husband will join in the GF diet to see if it helps stop his migranes.
I have head migraines for more than 10 years. I was recently diagnosed with Celiac. I have been gluten free for 6 months now- just had the antibody test which showed a tremendous improvement. Unfortunately, I continue to have migraines. I have not seen any change in the last 6 months.
Carol – I’ve read others posts on various Yahoo groups. Several have mentioned other causes of their migraines – garlic was one that was mentioned the most.
Many that have tested positive for Celiac Disease (BTW you have to be eating gluten to test positive w/blood tests. Also many have false negatives, pays to be tested more than once) are also “allergic” to dairy products. I remember going w/o dairy as a kid to try to abate my migraines. Maybe that’s why chocolate is an issue, if it contains dairy.
I finally got off propranolol after about 3 years of eating gluten free and was 80% migraine free.. I also found that I have a hormone component to my migraines as well. With some bio identical hormones and the gf diet I am 99% migraine free.
what is bio identical horomone?
I’ve suffered from Migraines with Aura for years. Prior to being diagnosed with Celiac Disease, I was getting anywhere from 0-5 migraines a month. After going gluten free, I get 3 or 4 a year.
It took about nine months gluten-free for me to see significant improvement, but now I only get a migraine if I eat chocolate! Stick it out… your health is worth it!
I am a gluten free migraineur and chef and I can’t honesly say that I had a reduction in headache frequency when I started eaing clean. My celiac diagnosis was 21/2 years ago and I have been as strict as knowingly possible with the help of the internet and new consumer friendly labelling. The transition seems hard, but really isn’t if you don’t think about what you cannot eat and do think about all the healthy natural foods you can incorporate into your diet.
I was hoping for major headache relief, especially when I was casein free for a year, but sadly no relationship to my chemistry.
Thanks for all these fantastic comments! I had a feeling this was going to be a hot topic. I know we’re going to need to talk about it again.
It of course should come as no surprise that the gluten-free diet helps some migraineurs and not others. The interesting thing is that it does help so many.
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences – we need more comments on this, and we will try to revisit this topic again in the future.
The following links may be helpful. The first is a list of all of the research published to date on the subject. The second is from the blog of a prominent neurologist.
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/migraineheadache
http://www.renegadeneurologist.com/category/ailments/migraines-
headaches/
I’ve been GF for nine months, six of those very strictly (I had to learn to speak up in restaurants and at friendly acquaintance’s houses). My migraines have decreased in frequency and severity (the biggest change).
I would love to get the name of the neurologist at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center that “The Daily Herb” sees and praises. I live about two hours away from that medical center and know the area well (it’s my childhood hometown and my family still lives there). I’d like to go see that neurologist — he sounds wonderful!
As for tips on going GF, I’ve discovered that there are *lots* of different kinds of rice in stores — more than just white and brown — and they are all fun to explore. Also, Trader Joe’s makes an excellent rice pasta that holds its shape and isn’t as chewy as some other GF pastas (I like the spirals and penne the best).
Someone else mentioned Shauna James Ahern’s website, glutenfreegirl.com. I found this website to be very helpful starting out because Shauna loves great-tasting food and cooking, and appreciates that food is about more than sustenance — it’s also about communal joy with friends and family.
Alison — Maybe you live near me? In Vermont? Either way a 2-hour drive to go see Dr. Morris Levin at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center is well worth the drive. You may need to have your GP give you a referral (mine did, so I don’t know if Dr. Levin takes new clients without a referral, so best to maybe get one.) I took 5 months before I could get in to see him, so don’t be discourage. Do start or keep your Migraine Diary going. It will help in your discussions with him (or any other doc). Dr. Levin can be reached at the Neurology Dept. phone # at 603.650.7916. Hope this helps. — Gyan
Thanks, Gyan!! I have an appointment with my GP on Tuesday and will ask her for a referral. The one sticky point is whether my health insurance company will pay for the visit. I have BCBS of Massachusetts, and I’ve already run into their refusal to pay for a physical therapist in CT who had specialized expertise. I think I’ll make the appointment with Dr. Levin anyway since it will likely take several months to see him, and then research the payment part of it during the wait.
I live in western Massachusetts, btw, about two hours South of Hanover/Lebanon. Thanks, again!!
You are so very welcome, Alison. Dr. Levin is the THIRD neuro doc I’ve been to. I know how hard it is to find a neuro doc who is up-to-date on the latest treatments, open to alternative treatments, nonjudgmental, suffers migraines too, and spends as much time with the patient as is needed (no rushing).
Your plan sounds good. I can relate to the trouble of working around medical insurance rules. Ug! But the 5-month wait to get an appt will give you ample time to start a letter-writing campaign. When you go into your GP’s office for the referral, you might want to print out any info about DHMC’s Neurology Dept./Dr. Levin. Impress your GP and he’ll help advocate with your insurance carrier.
Good luck!
P.S. Are you in Athol? My son lives in Bolton.
James, so sorry we are waaaaay off-topic here. Promise to be more well-behaved in the future.
Alison, if you have any questions you can twitter me @TheDailyHerb.
Going gluten-free hasn’t made a difference in my migraines, but has made a HUGE difference for my younger brother. When he is actively gluten-free, he gets 0 migraines. We both have celiac disease.
The thing that has made the biggest difference for me, in 40 years of trying to treat migraine, is the 50 mg daily nortriptyline. It cut my migraine frequency down to about a quarter of what I had before. Triptans work for me, with varying success…so far Maxalt + Compro has the highest success rate – it kills about 75% of the migraines I do get, and of course, the Compro usually helps prevent vomiting as well.
Most people don’t consider hidden sources of gluten when they “go gluten free”, so they think it doesn’t work. MOST rice is sprayed with wheat starch, and wheat starch is a common packaging ingredient-its also used as an anti caking agent in salt, and is the glue on envelopes, stamps, and other things you might “lick” to moisten. People tend to give up, thinking that because they avoided the obvious forms of gluten, that the diet doesn’t work-it DOES work, IF you eliminate all sources of it. Wheat starch is also a common binding ingredient in supplements, vitamins, and medications. so even some of the medications being prescribed for migraines can cause a bounceback type reaction. Do your homework, and learn about hidden sources in shampoos, toothpaste, cleansers, etc. I have been totally migraine free for over 8 years, where as before going gluten free, I suffered weekly with them. Its WORTH the effort. The only migraines I have had in 8 years has been after accidental exposure to gluten. I did not go gluten free for migrains-I was dx with celiac, but the migraines were the first symptom to totally resolve-MANY other chronic ailments totally resolved as well, as long as I am vigilant about what I put in, on, or around my body.
GardenGirl — Very good advice! Do you have any suggestions on how to research gluten in topical products such as shampoos, cleansers, sunscreens etc.? I’m having less luck doing this research than research on food. Thanks in advance!
Thanks for all your ideas and tips! This is certainly a topic we’re going to have to come back to in depth. Keep the comments coming, and that will give us a better idea what direction to take. There’s no doubt we’re on to something big.
This is awesome information. I’m so glad I stumbled upon it. I’ve had this migraine for a month and a half. My neuro and I are trying to find solution. I didn’t realize food had such an impact or rather I thought I knew what my food triggers were. I think they are way beyond what I ever imagined.
I have suffered from sporadic migraines for 20 years. I have been gluten free for 3 months now. The impetus to go gluten free was stomach related-always feeling bloated and uncomfortable. I noticed a direct correlation between my stomach trouble and gluten (I was really hoping to see no connection because who doesn’t love bread!). Surprisingly, after a month, it occurred to me that I hadn’t had a migraine since quiting gluten. I began to research this phenomenom on the internet and was surprised to discover a connection. In short, I haven’t had a single migraine since quiting gluten 3 months ago (a span of time never acheiveable in the past) and will never go back to eating it gluten.
It’s great to hear all the people who have had relieve with a gluten free diet.
I suffered for 2 year with at least 2 migraines a week, I had all the test/scans with no results. I decided to start eliminating different foods, gluten was the second thing and to my relief I didn’t get any more migraines. After 10 years of a very strict gluten free diet, the only time I get one is after accidental exposure to gluten.
I don’t know about other sufferers, but I have found the long I have been on GF diet the more severe and quicker the migraines happen. It only takes trace amounts and less the half an hour to start, these days.
So I have become great at spreading the word to friends/family and co-works all about gluten. I have also notice in the last couple of years the dramatic increase of information/labelling and restaurant with gluten free (with in Australia at least). Which makes live so much easier, I don’t get as mean blank looks when I ask if it gluten free.
am very interested in the GF diet and migraines. Any info is appreciated!
For about 12 years of my adult life, I had to endure the classic migraine (aura, naseau, intense pain and vomiting) at least once a month. After my wife was diagnosed with celiac disease, I too went on a gluten free diet. Amazingly, my migraines ceased with the exception of one during the first three months of going gluten free. Coincidence? Well, one could argue this, but the timing and the abrupt way the migraines stopped lead me to believe gluten was a major factor in causing my headaches. In the last year, I have accidentally consumed some gluten (mother-in-law bought a cake in the gluten free freezer area that wasn’t gluten free…) on three different occassion and experienced a migraine within 24 hours. Another coincidence? This time, I am convinced my migraines are connected to gluten consumption. While going gluten free may not be the solution for all or even half of migraine sufferers, I would encourage any migraine sufferer to give the diet three months. There are plenty of great recipies for breads and cakes that you won’t have to miss out on delicious baked goods. Give a try.
My daughter would experience sporadic vomiting episodes from early infancy. As she got older we realized it was vomiting in conjunction with migraine headaches. My mom, grandmother, and brother all had a history with migraines. As her permanent teeth came in, I noticed they all had white spots (dental enamel hypoplasia)
I was diagnosed with celiac last year and decided to try my daughter on a gluten free diet. She only had about 1 migraine a month, but that was enough for me. She has been gluten free 1 year and has had zero migraines.
I agree with poster above. Many people go on a wheat free diet and avoid obvious forms of gluten. We are bombarded with so many hidden forms of gluten that a true gluten free diet takes a lot of work and research in the early stages. However, I believe it is worth the effort and with time and planning it becomes a lot easier. Research shows that gluten can remain in our system for 6 and even up to 9 months….so don’t give up too soon. I would cleanse for a full year before deciding.
Yes! So glad to see that others have expeienced the same effect. Through trial and error I finally eliminated gluten as yet one more thing to try to get rid of my migranes and it worked. This is no small thing! If I even have a small tiny amount of gluten now – I wake up the next day with a migrane – usually the more gluten I have been exposed to, the worse the migrane. As a happy side effect – I seemed to have shed about 10 pounds of ugly bloat that I always carried around as well.
I’ve had migraines my whole life–ever since I could remember. I would feel toxic. My head would throb and heat up, my eyes would get really hard and bulge out of my head. I would moan and usually always vomit. Only after vomiting would I be able to fall asleep with a cold wash cloth over my head. It seemed to usually happen at special events like baseball games, birthday partys, Christmas, Thanksgiving or any time I would exert myself in any way. The problem seemed to worsen as I got into my 30′s till the point where I was getting a migraine every week. But then after a suggestion from a friend to get tested by enterolab (I’m not affiliated with them in any way), and after a positive result, I have been gluten free for 9 months now. And guess how many migraines? ZERO! I laugh in the direction of people who feel sorry for me for my gluten free diet. I’m so liberated now to be free of migraines. I would eat bugs. Happily. If that’s what it took to finally eliminate what was causing my migraines. If you have migraines and think it may be stomach related, then it probably is gluten. I am so glad to be gluten free…but it is super hard.
It took a month and a half. Went from 10 a month to 0. Minimal occurrences since then.
I just learned about the connection between gluten and migraines. I have had migraines on and off for 40 years. I have tried everything to get to the root cause and eliminate the triggers. I am going to try this! Thank you.
I am blown away….my daughter having stomache troubles for years, has stopped gluten intake…she is visiting with me from the opposite coast….says she needs to stay gluten free…I’m researching foods she can eat while I will be needing to have food around for her….Me having had continuous migraines for over 18 years…no job…no life….no friends to speak of….LOST MY LIFE to these horrible things….so many MDs and Specialists that NEVER once said a thing about gluten intolerence……..I am apauled….this day is very like others…I sit in bed with sunglasses x2 and just pray no one travels past my house with the boom box on….lest I vomit from the pain…I need to try this…I pray it works….thank you for posting this information…God bless you all
I went gluten and casein free along with my son who is autistic. To my surprise, my migraines went away almost completely, almost immediately. With the few that I did get I was able to figure out that soy was also a problem. Since cutting out soy as well I have not had a single migraine. Such a huge relief and all the motivation I need to stick with the diet. I do still have persistent migraine aura, so I am looking into how I might be able to even get rid of that through diet/supplements.
Christie – while the worst of my symptoms were relieved almost immediately, it took more than a few months for me to start to lose the aura and a number of other smaller issues. It’s been almost 2 years and I still ocassionally get the aura. But it is less and less all the time. It may just take a bit longer for your body to completely rid itself of the effects of a lifetime of gluten. Hang in there fellow traveler and good luck!
I was excited to see this site and know that I was not alone. I have had migraines for at least the past 10 years and they were ruining my life! About a year ago my friends chiroprator told her if she wanted to lose weight and feel better she should try gluten free. Another friend has celiac. These 2 things made me look at the connection between gluten and migraines and sure enough there was a huge connection. So after doing a ton of research I decided to try gluten free or at least as close as I could get. I feel soooo much better!! Its only been 3 weeks and there is a noticable difference just in how I feel in general not to mention after having migraines weekly I have not had one in 3 weeks!! I am celebrating with some peanut butter and jelly on gluten free rice cakes!! I also am paying it forward and sharing the info with those that are interested. Very exciting stuff!
I am 24 years old and have been suffering from daily headaches and weekly migraines since I was 8. I have been on every combination of medications, herbal regimens, had every test, and gone to massage therapists and chiropractors, all of which have somewhat helped but not relieved my symptoms. My mother is also a migraine sufferer and was diagnosed with celiac’s disease a few years ago. She began eating a gluten free diet and has had great relief of both her migraines and her celiac symptoms. I thought nothing of it until August when I was in the Dominican and, for a week, ate nothing but fresh fish and fruits. I was amazed at the reduction in my headaches! Upon returning home I decided to try eating less gluten and I have noticed a profound reduction in my daily headaches. If I eat a bagel, sure enough I will have a headache a few hours later.
I definately believe in the connection between gluten and migraines. I still continue my daily medication and do continue to have occasional headaches and migraines, but cutting gluten from my diet has allowed me to live my life the way a 24 year old should. I can plan my days around my life, not my headaches.
I had suffered with migraines since age 6. Half the doctors didn’t even believe my description of the pain because I was just a little kid. But, the extruciating pain was too much to bare…I wouldn’t have wished it on anyone. I used to get migraines up to 3 times a week and nothing would relieve the pain. Because I was getting them so frequently, we couldn’t even pinpoint a trigger. Several neurologists, numerous medications, and 20 years later, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. When I switched to a gluten free diet, there were no migraines anymore. I had my life back! Results were almost immediate. I just wish someone would have diagnosed me years ago because I missed out on an entire childhood. But, I’m happy that I can at least go forward and not have to worry about these horrific, debilitating headaches.
After reading this post, I started going gluten-free on the first of August last year (not so strict about it because I couldn’t resist a little bite of pancake or dough nut once a week). I was averaging 18 migraine days per month. But in November, I noticed that I only had 2 72-hour-attacks. I had more attacks in December, but hey, I was functional and the attacks were milder. These days, I can walk my dog almost every day even with an attack.
I’ve had migraines since since I was 10 yrs. old, I’nm now 55.
about 5 years ago after seeing a naturalpathic for 6 months she put me on an anti-inflammatory diet. Diet included eliminating wheat. After 9 months I found an article about Gluten-Free restaurants which eventual lead me to the Celiac Disease Foundation site, where I was able to check off almost every symptom associated with CD.
Then I realized I hadn’t had a migraine in the last 9 months I’d been on the diet. After discussing CD with my naturalpathic I went GF. It’s now been almost 4 years. It’s not hard. Many great tasting GF products out there.
Since going GF my headaches are gone along with a host of other health issues that were always explained by my (former) doctors as “some people are just like that”.
I am so glad to have found this blog. I am a daily migraine person. I have been doing the traditional stuff, Imitrex and amitryptaline worked for a while, but now its not working. For three days I have cut the gluten out of my diet. For three days I have had NO migrains. I am really happy about this! Like many who posted before me, Migrains have turned my life to shambles. I am hopeful this is the answer. I want to improve my quality of life!
Alexis – I’m so glad you did find this blog.
Search Gluten Free foods for hidden gluten ingredients. There are several GF Yahoo groups you may want to check out.
Watch out for maltodextrin and modified food starch, sometimes these are made from wheat. OK if it labels says corn maltodextrin, etc. MSG if OK, unless you have problems with MSG. Just read processed foods labels carefully. NOTE: Items labeled “Wheat Free” does not mean they are gluten free. And the U.S. FDA says manufacturers can label their products “gluten free”, however they can still have “acceptable” (according to the FDA) amounts of Gluten in them.
As for any alcoholic beverages – I only drink potato vodka, wine, and good quality tequila.
If you are going to get tested for Celiacs Disease don’t stop eating gluten as the test (the blood test isn’t the full test you have to get a biopsy of your small intestine) can come back negative and you could be doing more damage if you continue to eat gluten. But if you dont want to find out go for it, I only find it hard when dinning out or travelling. The web is fantastic for researching where your going for gluten free eating and shopping.
How I wish I’d seen this post when it was first written!
I’ve had frequent migraines for 40+ years – and the last 15 years they’ve been almost daily. I’ve been on every possible medication and cut out all sorts of things (I tried wheat-free without success).
I’ve been gluten free for about 6 weeks with not a single migraine in that time – I don’t think I’ve been migraine free for that length of time *ever*. The results were almost instant.
Sticking to a gluten free diet is so easy compared to trying to cope with migraines!
I have had migraines since puberty, and they became almost chronic in my 40′s, especially after starting triptans to treat them. There were many months where I would sweat out whether I would have enough pills to treat my migraine (9 Treximet per month). Since I ran across an article linking gluten and migraines 8 months ago, I am SO much better on a (mostly) gluten-free diet. I am down to taking maybe one Treximet per one or two months. And I can usually trace back to some gluten in a food that I wasn’t thinking about (gravy, candy etc.) Bonus, my sinuses are much clearer day to day (no colds in 6 mos). Had my check up today, and the news seemed to surprise my doctor, but he didn’t discourage me. He said he had never heard of gluten as a trigger, and he did add a celiac test to the blood panel he took…so we’ll see. I’m fully expecting it to be negative…especially since I know you need to eat gluten for a while to get a positive result…he thought since I’m not super strict it might still show up, if I have it. Anyway, much as I thought I’d miss my beloved pancakes, doughnuts, cookies and cake (no, I’ve never had a weight problem!)…compared to a migraine, thay are so not worth it. Plus it forces me to reach for healthier things like fruit and veggies (imagine!) when I’m hungry.
Consider trying it…it is so much better than having to turn to the anti-seizure meds and anti-depressants my neurologist was trying to get me to take.
This is so wonderful to hear Anne. I made the connection between gluten and migraines soon after going gluten free. If you don’t have a weight problem (under or over) there are some old standby products that are now gluten free. Bisquick for one. More expensive, however watch for coupons and then stock up. Pancakes, biscuits, umh. Watch it though there seems to be lots of sugar in the mix. And who really needs donuts? – too much processed white sugar and white flour. Best wishes to you becoming totally headache free.
I am s happy to have found this site. I suffer from at least 10 migraines per month, with mild headaches in between. I am 41 and this has been going on since I was a teen. I just tapered off Namenda which was prescribed by the “best” migraine specialist in my area (I have seen all of them). Namenda did nothing for me just as all the other drugs the specialists have had me take. I do take Treximent at least 9x’s per month. I just found out about the possible connection between gluten and migraine. It has only been 1 day, but so far, no migraine. I am keeping my figures crossed!
It is amazing how many people are effected by gluten right now. It is completely true that it does not just affect those with celiacs and it has a huge range of symptoms when it does effect someone. I recently saw some info on other triggers on some show like fox news and The Journal with Joan Lunden, talking about weather and chemicals in foods as other causes.
No more migraines after suffering 18-20 a month! I went on a well known packaged food diet that happens to be gluten free and for the first time in my adult life I was migraine free for 6 months. I lost the weight I’d intended and as I began eating a diet that included breads and red meat they came right back. Both the wheat products and the red meat have a particular protein, as I understand it, that sparks the migraines. I can eat a little red meat, but not a big steak or it’s slam dunk migraine inducer. I am back eating gluten free with without migraines!
Been on GF diet now for six weeks. Migraines keep coming. As I read in some comments, results can be instantaneous. So that kind of tells me its not working for me. But one person said to keep trying for a year. Hmm.
Stick with it, Erik. I saw a gradual decrease in the frequency and severity of my headaches over several months. I think it ultimately depends on your unique physiology, how much intestinal permeability you have, if you are accidentally consuming gluten, etc. Also, there are other migraine triggers… I pretty much always get a migraine if I eat chocolate or caffeine. Good luck!
evidently triggers are unique to each person and it’s a matter of elimination and reintroduction. I went drastic and ate only medifast for 3 months and had almost NO migraines for the entire period… then introduced red meat and immediately got migraines, dairy went fine and then I added gluten and it became clear – that for me – it’s red meat and gluten …
There is a good chance you aren’t as gluten free as you think. Many of the things promoted as gluten free are loaded with it, rice being a prime example. Many people go “gluten free” by simply eliminating wheat. ANY “enriched” product, such as rice, is sprayed with “vitamins” which are often derived from wheat, or use wheat as a starch to make them adhere to the rice. Bottled water labled as “purified or enhanced” contains wheat, as does the glue on envelopes and stamps, shampoos, cosmetics, clothing dyes, etc. In addition, if what you are eating in place of wheat is manufactured in a facility that processes wheat, it WILL contain gluten from cross contamination. As if that weren’t complicated enough, if you are eating ANY animal producs, such as meat, eggs, dairy, farmed fish, poultry, etc-you ARE getting gluten from there as well. Most animals are fed a high grain diet, and if they are eating gluten, so are you when you eat the by products. To go truly gluten free is quite complex and complicated, finding out about and eliminating the not so obvious sources, but once accomplished, the rewards are quiet asounding.
Migraine free for 10 years, since learning the hidden sources, with only a couple of migraines during that time brought about my accidental exposure…
Wow! I have been toying with the idea that maybe gluten sensitivity could be linked to my migraines. I, too, have had them for years, usually not more than once or twice a month, but really awful lasting for days at a time when I have them, with nothing bringing relief. Tried lots of things…Seasonique to eliminate menstrual cycles did not help. Triptans help pretty well usually, but it sure would be better not to get the migraines in the first place, esp. since, like someone else said, you have to worry about rationing out those 9 little pills they give you. I ran out on New Year’s Eve & stupidly drank champagne & had to suffer for days before the Dr.’s office & pharmacy reopened. I am so glad to read all these comments from people with similar experiences. I am definitely going to try going gluten free and see if it helps. I have not suffered any stomach or intestinal problems that I’m aware of, but if it helps the migraines I will stick to it for life! Thank you everyone for sharing and helping others!