Oh these delicious migraine trigger!
By pinkytabor
@pinkytabor (818)
Philippines
October 9, 2008 9:33am CST
I was advised by my doctor to wear sunglasses as bright lights trigger a migraine. I was also not to use perfume and should cover my noise everytime i there's a strong smell of chemical around. I was also to avoid drinking coffee and alcoholic beverages, and eating chocolates. But wonders of all wonders, only extremely bright light could sometimes trigger my migraine and i do not get have attacks at all when i drink coffee or other beverages. The best part is, i can eat as much chocolates i want and never have migraine. But i wonder why drinking a cup of (1 teaspoon) cocoa or any chocolate drink (Milo, Ovaltine, Nesquick)would immediately trigger a terrible migraine attack. The worse part is that pain relievers could not seem to relieve me and the pain would last for more than 24 hours. How is this so? Chocolates do not give me migraines, only chocolate drink. So that's the only thing i avoid now since the last attack i have. I had to take Migraleve that day.
What's your number one migraine trigger? DO you have medication for your migraine?
3 people like this
5 responses
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
10 Oct 08
Thinking about the chocolate candy in comparison to the Nesquick, Ovaltine, Milo etc is that the chocolate is more diluted than the powder that is used in chocolate drinks.
I too suffer from horrible migraines. I wear the darkest sunglasses I can find (i also have a problem with ocular migraines.). I drink tea and eat chocolate (the dark chocolate) and don't have migraines triggered from it. I am not able to drink as it triggers them faster than anything. I have to be very careful about stress because when I get in stressful situations poof I have a migraine.
I take Maxalt for the migraines when I have them. I also take a Vitamin B2 everyday. It helps a lot in controlling the number of migraines I have a month. B2 is great as it doesn't build up in your body. It also doesn't hurt you so when I read about it I decided to give it a try. It really worked but the only draw back is that I pee yellow!!! The first time it happened I wasn't prepared and nearly panicked. Then it dawned on me that it was probably the vitamin B.(LOL)
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
10 Oct 08
I have found that if I get into a really stressful situation I wake up the next day with one of the most horrible migraines. It is one that the only thing that will help it go away is to throw up but I don't want to because it feels like the top of my head would blow off. I will finally end up getting up, bending over the toilet and balance myself with one hand while holding the top of my head on with the other hand.
I have gotten really good at recognizing the signals of an on coming migraine and take the MaxAlt before it hits. We didn't realize it when I was little, but I started having migraines when I was 3 years old.
I also use an orthopedic pillow that really helps me from getting migraines. It gives me really good neck and head support and has helped cut the number of migraines down by 75%.
@pinkytabor (818)
• Philippines
10 Oct 08
I throw up too once i have attacks. I also sometimes wear a neck brace, as advised by my nurse uncle who also has migraine attacks. I think there is a term for that sign of an incoming attack...aura? I am not really sure, but some do experience it.
@pinkytabor (818)
• Philippines
10 Oct 08
Now i know why these drinks trigger migraines fast. Thanks Lovebear. I do take vitamin B complex too and try as much as possible to be stress-free as possible.
@paid2write (5201)
•
9 Oct 08
Bright sunlight does it for me. If I don't wear sunglasses on a bright day I really suffer. Perfume also affects me, and of course I avoid contact with chemicals as much as possible. I do drink coffee and eat dark chocolate without any bad affects.
I think maybe everyone has different triggers. I usually suffer more when I'm tired from lack of sleep. Then almost anything can trigger it. When I'm relaxed and not under any stress I am less likely to suffer. The worst thing seems to be when I carry a heavy bag on my shoulder or use a backpack - that will set it off every time!
@pinkytabor (818)
• Philippines
9 Oct 08
Oh yes, i forgot that lack of sleep and stress, other than these chocolate drinks could also trigger my migraine. Thanks for your response. Have a stress-free day!
@royal52gens (5488)
• United States
9 Oct 08
Your doctor is very right. I have been suffering with migraines for years. I take medicine to help with them. Avoid high sugar and high caffiene products. Anything that restricts the blood flow to the brain can be a trigger. I can eat chocolate and drink coffee in small doses. You will have to find your personal limits.
@pinkytabor (818)
• Philippines
9 Oct 08
I drink a lot of coffee and i eat sweets too. I eat a lot of chocolates and still do not get migraines. The only trigger for my migraine is chocolate drink/cocoa and i wonder why is this so. Thanks for your insightful response.
@derek_a (10873)
•
10 Oct 08
I suffer from migraines, but what I found was that sugar was a trigger. That was all foods that contained sugar - it wasn't too easy, but I stopped eating all junk and sugar-based foods. I can drink tea and coffee but not too much. Bright light is a problem for me too.
@Reesers (1387)
• United States
9 Oct 08
My biggest trigger is the weather, which there is nothing I can do about. If the weather changes, then I'm at risk. It doesn't always happen but there have been times when I've had a migraine that would last two or three days. I can usually tell when it's coming and can stop it before it gets out of control. For the most part, they just sneak up on me.
Sounds didn't bother me before. I would always see colors but now it's the opposite. I don't really see the colors as much but sounds bother me when I have a migraine. Someone could be talking normally and it just rattles my head. Lights really don't bother me at all.
When I was younger, my doctor gave me medication to take. As I entered my teen years, they stopped. They returned several years ago but I'm not taking anything prescribed by a doctor. I have Excedrin Migraine and it helps a lot. And even though my head feels like it's going to explode, I find that applying pressure with my hands helps. It seems odd when your head hurts so much but it helps me.
