I’ve had 24X7 dizziniess, brain fog, imbalance, cognitive issues, ear fullness, sensitivity to weather, etc. for 11 years now. I have been going to an otolaryngolist because it was thought I may have Menieres. I have only had one room spinning vertigo attack in these 11 years and after doing some more reading, I’m leaning toward some kind of migraine issue.
I just quit caffeine and nicotine is next (I chew 3 4mg pieces of gum per day) and I’m also tapering off of clonozepam (my otolarngolist prescribed this to me to help me sleep).
I have lots of questions but first I would just like to know if anybody is aware of any migraine related issues with the following supplements:
You may already know about “Heal Your Headache” by Buchholz, but in case you don’t i wanted to point it out. It will give you a better idea of what’s on the on list and what’s on off list, especially in terms of safe snacks. If you want some safe recipes, i’ve posted quite a few which you can find in the last few pages of the forum.
As far as your list of questions, ginger and ginkgo are said to be good for migraines. I’m sure you’re okay with the fish oil, and magnesium, if only because it’s one of the supplements suggested to take to reduce migraines. I would just Google the rest of the one by one with the name of the supplement and the word migraine and see what hits you get.
Question from me to the forum:
I’ve heard conflicting reports about garlic. Some say that garlic dilates the blood vessels, thus causing migraines. Others say that garlic has anti-inflammatory properties, thus easing a migraine. Does anybody have any real experience with garlic. Buchholz says that garlic is fine. I eat it like candy. I guess i’m going to have to go off it for awhile, (after I’ve finished this week’s meal-of-the-week) and see what happens.
That wouldn’t be good for migraines. I just saw it on a list of supplements used for migraines. This is the problem with getting information off the internet. The amount of information is so vast and the sources are unaccountable.
If you believe the source that tells you that ginkgo is a vasodilator, i guess i would stay away from it.
This is the problem I’m having with the garlic issue. I’m reading off the internet that it’s a vasodilator but it’s also an anti-inflammatory. so it’s actually given for migraine for it’s anti-inflammatory properties.
This is why doing the elimination diet strictly is so great. you eliminate everything you think might be a trigger for three months to make sure it’s out of your system. Then you add back one thing at a time. Believe me, you’ll know if it’s a trigger. you won’t need to Google and sift through all the info vs. non-info. As Buchholz points out time and again, it’s what triggers YOU that’s important. My sister-in-law found that it was chocolate and pork. She has stayed off of those two things for 20 years and has stayed migraine free. She even eats MSG. It doesn’t trigger her.
We all need to make our own lists.
I’ve started adding back and have found I do fine with pine nuts and tomatoes. I’m thrilled. But i also have quite a few things I won’t be eating for the rest of my life. I have such an MSG fear, i should try that next. Go out and buy some Accent. Do they still make that? That ought to do it!
“Migraine is disease, a headache is only a symptom. Migraine pain is caused by vasodilation in the cranial blood vessels (expansion of the blood vessels), while headache pain is **caused by vasoconstriction **(narrowing of the blood vessels). During a migraine, inflammation of the tissue surrounding the brain, i.e., neurogenic inflammation, exacerbates the pain. Therefore, medicine often prescribed to treat a headache, such as beta-blockers, dilate the blood vessels and therefore can make a Migraine worse.”
I don’t get it though. If I’m reading this correctly, anyone with migraine shouldn’t be taking beta blockers - is that correct??? Am I understanding this correctly???
That wouldn’t be good for migraines. I just saw it on a list of supplements used for migraines. This is the problem with getting information off the internet. The amount of information is so vast and the sources are unaccountable.
If you believe the source that tells you that ginkgo is a vasodilator, i guess i would stay away from it.
— End quote
That’s what’s weird about verapamil: it’s a vasodilator, yet it is used for migraine.
Don’t try to make me explain it, because I don’t have much of a clue.
I did however read a study where they ran MRA’s on the brains of people having a migraine attack (induced by nitroglycerine). The blood vessels dilated 6-30%, but only for a short time. They were normal after that, while the migraine was going on.
Propranolol and other beta blockers are FDA approved as migraine preventatives. The eMedicine article listed on the main page of this forum states:
Beta blockers:
Are effective in prophylactic therapy possibly by blocking vasodilators, decreasing platelet adhesiveness and aggregation, stabilizing the membrane, and increasing the release of oxygen to tissues.
On the site Heather cited, MAGNUM, they give a lot of good info about beta blockers as a preventative. They don’t talk about the specifics regarding why they are effective, but they do talk about dosing, possible SE’s, drug-drug interactions, etc. It’s worth a look, not only for that med, but for any preventative you might be on.
I took a look at that site a year ago, it’s much better now - thanks for bringing it to our attention, Heather!
More interesting stuff on beta blockers. I pulled this off of Rxlist.com, another site used by healthcare professionals when they want more detailed pharmacology, etc than epocrates gives:
*Beta-blockers are a class of drugs that block the effects of beta-adrenergic substances such as adrenaline (epinephrine). By blocking the effects of adrenaline, beta-blockers relieve stress on the heart by slowing the rate at which the heart beats. Beta-blockers have been used to treat high blood pressure, angina, certain types or tremors, stage fright, and abnormally fast heart beats (palpitations). They also have become important drugs for improving survival after heart attacks. Beta-blockers have been used for many years to prevent migraine headaches.
It is not known how beta-blockers prevent migraine headaches. It may be by decreasing prostaglandin production, though it also may be through their effect on serotonin or a direct effect on arteries. *
I found a list of herbs that are supposedly good for migraines. Here’s the link. Don’t know how accountable they are, but they do list saw palmetto and nettle.
Thanks a bunch Jul - you’ve been working hard today!!!
I gotta admit, when I first read Heather’s link, I about hit the floor!!! No, I won’t be stopping the propranolol anytime soon, its done me too much good, but for a short while there, I thought “Geez, I can stop the Prop now and probably be 100%”!!!
