Pooping as Migraine Relief (Yes, I Said It)

By The Migraine Girl

1 min read

Last year I came clean (or shall I say “unclean”?) and talked frankly about a very ugly side of migraine for many of us sufferers: IBS, diarrhea, constipation, and other stomach and poop issues.

The responses were myriad, and several of you thanked me for laying it out on the line even though I was pretty uncomfortable doing so. Turns out even more people than I thought have stomach and intestinal issues that are likely to be related to our migraine disease.

Pooping as migraine relief

But here’s something else related to this whole topic: pooping as migraine relief. (The first time someone close to me mentioned this to me, I definitely thought to myself, “What the….?”) I have a group of buddies who have had migraines for many years and used to compare notes when younger. My friend said, “My sister and I called them ‘poop headaches,’ because once we were able to poop, we felt immediately better.”

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Can pooping relieve the pain of an attack?

My analytical self wonders if maybe, for them, the migraine was already starting to dissipate and the need to use the restroom was just one last step before the pain totally subsided. But perhaps there’s something more to it.

As I myself have never found migraine relief after going #2, I can’t identify with their story, but I admit that I am very, very curious. (Note: I have felt a little better after finally vomiting after having migraine with nausea, but no such luck with the poo-poo.)

Have you ever felt a migraine subside after you were able to make a bowel movement? Does this resonate at all with you, or am I sounding like a crazy person? If you’re willing to share, we’re willing to listen!

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debbyj56 Member
Nope, sorry to say that has never helped.
1. mickrain Member
 This! Since nobody has mentioned it yet, I'd like to. I believe it may have something to do with Histamines. I've had headaches since I was a teenager and I'm now in my mid thirties. Took me quite a while to figure it out, but I believe my headaches are related to histamine. I usually get a delayed migraine, one to two days after I did something wrong, like drinking alcohol. Basically, once the offending "input" reaches the 'right' part of the intestine, I get a headache. I know histamine is a factor because I took some zinc pills once which were zinc plus histidine. Got the worst headache ever from those. Turns out histidine gets turned into histamine in the body. Why anyone would put those into pills is beyond me to be honest. Thus, pooping can either fix the headache or start it. I actually have a headache right now, which started with a poop. I had a small headache earlier, then I had to go and the pain went away. Some minutes later it hit really hard and I got nausea as well. I was able to go again and it hit me even harder. Now I can't go unfortunately and I'm waiting to be able to go to get rid of my headache. The nausea is gone after eating (I ate a lot). Eating for some reason fixes the nausea in many cases and I hope to "push through" whatever is causing the headaches right now. The reason I drank alcohol two days ago? I'm testing out DAO supplements. Helped over the holidays, I was able to drink some beer and whiskey with a DAO pill or two with the family and I had zero headaches. I also had really great BMs, every morning. I could even feel it. After the initial BM, I had abdominal pain (and stayed on the loo) and lo and behold, the bowels moved again. Was on the loo for like 10 minutes, moving stuff several times until the pain subsided. I felt 'empty' after that and really good. That was yesterday, so unfortunately it seems that now I pay the price for making space for whatever food leftovers made it to the wrong spot now. Having had very low water intake may have aggravated it (long flight, i.e. less water than usual plus very dry air for 8 hours). So basically that's how I think a BM can fix a headache or cause it by either getting rid of (or making space for it to move) the stuff that releases the histamine or making space for it to move to the place where it can do its damage. I also get headaches from alcohol free beer (as alcohol is just what blocks even more DAO), some foods but not others that are supposedly high in histamine, sugary drinks, fermented foods sometimes, too many tomatoes, but not always etc.
wlhilliker Member
Don't remember that ever helping, but I definitely notice 'tummy' troubles before and/or during a migraine attack - usually diarrhea or intestinal cramps. I'm glad people are willing to talk about the 'dirty' side of migraines - the more information we have, the better prepared we can be. Who knows, it may have an impact on some study or research that may have been overlooked in the past...
1. diana-lee Member
 My thoughts exactly!
2. georgiaslesinger Member
 Same here. First sign of migraine for me is the scintillating scotoma. Second sign is violent cramps and diarrhea. Then it get's worse from there🙁
diana-lee Member
I certainly can't say I've ever had this experience, but sometimes my migraine attacks will start to receed after I vomit. Could just be coincidence, though. Gastroparesis (gastric statis) is part of the migraine attack, no emptying our stomachs may signal an end to the attack.
tchtlrnce Member
I have a time or two experienced nearly total relief of headache pain following a BM. Embarrassing though, I experience extremely excessive intestinal gas that seems to get even worse while in a bad cycle of chronic daily headaches.
1. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 Hi deborah, Many people with migraine have intestinal issues. We have some information on this you can read about in this link; <a href='https://migraine.com/blog/migraine-gastroparesis-nausea-vomiting-and-diarrhea' target='_blank'>http://migraine.com/blog/migraine-gastroparesis-nausea-vomiting-and-diarrhea/</a>
stephenrodrigues Member
This is a type of brain-gut connection it is a function of the discombobulate gut neurotransmitters. When Migraines or headaches are effectively treated the connect will resolve. Wellness, exercise, Myofascial Release techniques, Vitamins and Minerals esp Magnesium Glycinate and Herbal Lithium will help. In severe cases an SSRI will help. Do your research and talk to your doctor. I’ve been in medicine for 30 yrs and doing pain therapy for 15 yrs. Therapy meaning it is possible to treat pain issues with a combination of techniques used over decades and millennia. It started out as studying Acupuncture and I wound up stumbling upon Janet G. Travell, MD and C. Chan Gunn, MD. These 2 pioneers in pain treatments have textbooks on the subject. Their protocols can treat and reverse the tissue trigger points in complex pain issues from headaches/lower back pain to Fibromyalgia to neuropathy. They see pain as in the muscle tissues and NOT in the nerves proper.
bere Member
When I first started getting migraines many years ago now, I went to the migraine institute in Toronto and toldthem I was sure it was connected to my bowels because the bowel symptoms started first..but, it was not taken seriously. Now I have chronic bowel problems with migraines and 'sometimes' a good go, will take away the migraine but not always. In my case they are 100% related and the situation gets progressively worse and it is hard to go at all even with fiber, lots of water, apple sauce, the dreaded prune juice and exercise. It seems there are different types of migraines and I would like to hear more about the gut / head connection and how to reverse the damage.
1. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 Hi bere, It is amazing when doctors treat us like we have no idea what is going on with our bodies! IBS, irritable bowel syndrome can be comorbid (means they occur at the same time but are not caused by one another) with migraine. Have you ever looked into IBS? We do have some information on gastroparesis in this link; <a href='https://migraine.com/blog/migraine-gastroparesis-nausea-vomiting-and-diarrhea' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/blog/migraine-gastroparesis-nausea-vomiting-and-diarrhea/</a>.
georgiaslesinger Member
I never have bowel problems of any kind unless I get a migraine. So, for me it's the migraine causing the bowel/digestive problems and not the other way around.
cancan Member
I have suffered from migraines since I was 3 years old (I need to write my story on the <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a> site),. I am now 73 years old and have had them worse than ever for the past 10 years, but they have always been horrible! But when I was young, my mother used to give me an enema after vomiting with the migraine...this seemed to put off the next migraine for at least a week, or sometimes two weeks. So, yes, I do think the intestines, stomach, nerves, stress, etc...has to do with migraines, at least with my body experiences. I have tried everything imaginable in my 70 years of suffering...but not all sufferers are the same. It would be WONDEFUL if there were no such thing as a migraine. I am shocked that I am still living!!! If it wasn't for codeine, I would not have had a life!
1. ares Member
 hi carolyn can you say me how do you take codaine ? in pills or enema or ? thanks
toronto Member
Yes, I have this problem about 2 times per week. Migraine/headache/neck-tightness occurs (often when I wake up) and I will go and with 10 minutes the headache goes away. Other times the symptoms will happen during the evening or night. It's worth sharing that the size of the bowel movements can vary but sometimes a great deal of pain seems to be related to ones that are quite small (eg: size of a pen cap). Sometimes I will go again 10 minutes after if the headache persists and then finally feel relief. This is not related to constipation. Info about me: - Fast metabolism - Male - 30 years of age - Healthy weight (6' x 160 lbs) - Eat regular meals 3x day I will be monitoring my diet and exercise more closely to determine if there is a correlation but any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
1. leilanisiplon Member
 You totally described my situation. I have not evaluated my diet, but I have added magnesium which makes me poop more. Maybe I need to stop the magnesium?
2. EssBee Member
 <inline-mention username="toronto" user-id="3775360"/> same here
pjrumsey Member
For me, I get a soft formed, no pain easy poop with migraines. Sadly though, no relief is sight. I do notice the more poop, the more tennitis, the more severe the headache.
cheref Member
A huge BM always means I am nearing the end of my painful portion of the migraine. I have quite a few food triggers (soy, msg, chocolate, aged cheeses, fermented foods, etc.) I highly recommend going on the Migraine Diet in "Heal Your Headache" Buchholz to figure out your triggers. I'm in week5 and have gone from 10-15migraines/mo to almost none. I do have other triggers: weather changes, strong smells, glare/light, skipping meals, overheating,etc. so it isn't all food ... but obviously I have some food triggers that I'll be able to identify when I start adding foods back into my diet. Crossing my fingers! I'd love to reduce my use of meds via my diet.
1. Mina4321 Member
 <inline-mention username="cheref" user-id="3700504"/> The food triggers sound like you have a histamine problem. Worth looking into 
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Mina4321" user-id="6146569"/> Thanks for that insight! For those interested in learning more about histamine and migraine, here is an article that can help shed light on the topic: <a href='https://migraine.com/blog/the-migraine-food-trigger-youve-probably-never-heard-of' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/blog/the-migraine-food-trigger-youve-probably-never-heard-of</a>. Warmly- Holly <a href='https://-migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>-migraine.com</a> team
brobin319 Member
I have never found relief from a migraine by pooping. I actually find myself avoiding it because of how much worse I feel in trying to go.
dollyward-paice Member
I have to say, as a migraine sufferer and diagnosed with IBS, I've never found relief from this....
louise83 Member
I too have experienced this but not very often, and I don't always throw up during migraines but when I do my migraines go away or weaken. I am going to mention this during my next doctors visit and maybe try a probiotic to see if it helps.
mrs-depp Member
I suffer from migraines and IBS-C, so I'm constantly taking something for the constipation. If I get extremely constipated - Yes - I get a whopping migraine. I don't get immediate relief from going to the bathroom, but I feel better in the days after. Thank you for sharing your story!
sirish Member
Earlier it was always nausea as the primary relief. But this last month, I must say I agree with this article. As soon as my migraine peaks (around 10-15 minutes), the first instinct is no longer nausea, but bowel movement. The moment that is done, there is a 50-70% relief in the pain. Strange, but this is happening after 30 years of living with migraine. Wish I'd known it earlier.
reneeroberts Member
I get vomiting often with simultaneous BM... so i end up sitting on the toilet with a bucket on my lap... not a pretty site... it feels like my body is attempting to rid itself of poison... my head feels better for a few minutes after but the headache comes right back... sometimes the processes also causes spontaneous orgasms as well. I know that sounds strange. I've only heard of one other person saying the same thing. would like to know how common it is.
leilanisiplon Member
Some of my migraines are relieved with a good poop, but the other migraines are accompanied by diarrhea.
headhurts Member
I've found that having a BM sometimes stops a migraine, but sometimes it makes it worse. I usually have looser stools when I have a migraine, and its seems that they're more "aromatic".
1. Brooke H Moderator
 Hi headhurst! Thank you for taking the time to share! I'm sorry that you experience bowel changes with your migraines. You are certainly not alone. For some people it's constipation, others diarrhea. I thought you may appreciate this article on the topic also from MigraineGirl: <a href='https://migraine.com/blog/the-ugly-truth-poop-issues-and-migraine-disease' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/blog/the-ugly-truth-poop-issues-and-migraine-disease/</a>. Please come here anytime for support! Best, Brooke (Migraine.com team)
toboro Member
My mother suffered from severe migraines, not often, but often enough, if you know what I mean. She used to say that defecating , if possible, would fix her right up. I find that the same holds for me. I get very very infrequent migraines, perhaps 1 or 2 per year. The last 10 years or so, they are often preceded by, or are accompanied by flashing (and growing) spirals of chevrons in my vision, which did not happen in my youth. Just this week I had the flashing and spiraling lights, and felt like a migraine was starting, but after lying down with a pillow covering my eyes to avoid light , I had (or manufactured) a feeling of impending defecation. Not like I absolutely had to, but that maybe the operation was possible. Sure enough when I did defecate - not anything substantial or noteworthy - the flashing stopped, and the MIGRAINE DID NOT develop. Since some theories as to the origin or cause of migraines (some of them at least) have to do with fluid/blood amounts as well as vascular blockages and such, perhaps just lowering the amount of "stuff" in one's body is what affords the relief. The same would hold true in the case of vomiting to relieve migraines, no? And, even if my wife is right (she has almost daily migraines, often several per day) that "pooping as migraine relief" is a manifestation of the placebo effect, I'll continue to believe that my Mom was right, as always.
pelican Member
Hi, I'm new around here and read this with interest. I have always maintained that if I don't have a BM in the morning (unable to time-wise or physiologically), then I generally end up with a migraine later in the day. My doc doesn't believe me. He says that constipation is a symptom. But for me it's not always constipation, it's often the lack of opportunity. And sometimes a BM will help the migraine decrease in severity. Although not all the time, and generally only for a short while. When I was a child this used to be the case with vomitting too. I've had migraine since I was 7 and am not in my 40s. And OMG I wish there was a cure. I'm on day 7 of an almost continuous one now, so really fed up.
1. Joanna Bodner Community Admin
 Hi there Pelican, Nice to have you here and taking the time to share your experience. I am happy to hear that this article resonated with you. I am however very sorry to hear that you have been experiencing this attack for so many days now. Have you spoken to your doctor? We always recommend doing so for an attack lasting for more than 72 hours in duration. You can read more about that here - <a href='https://migraine.com/blog/what-is-emergency' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/blog/what-is-emergency/</a>. Thanks again for reaching out & welcome to our community! Hope you begin to experience the relief that you are in great need of. Take good care. Joanna (Migraine.com Team)
acal Member
I suffer from regular migraine/neck tension headaches - I typically get them once maybe twice per week since 2006 or so. I also suffer from IBS-like or food-intolerance symptoms - gas, constipation and diarrhea depending on the day. When I am at my absolute best of personal self-care I still experience migraines at least once per month. They generally start with mild neck tension then move up the scalp and then settle into a temple and/or an eye region at which point a more heavy duty migraine with throbbing and neurological issues sets in accompanied by nausea. Vomiting often lessens the migraine but sometimes I have vomited/dry heaved over a dozen times without relief of the headache or nausea. The heaviest of these flareups feels like a serious hangover with migraine, vomiting and pooping. More recently I found that if I focused on taking a BM (even if I don't feel like I need to) I am able to reduce the headache and nausea symptoms dramatically. Often times the symptoms completely dissipate within 15 minutes of the BM. A BM will help at any stage in the headache. I have been noticing this benefit for nearly a year now. Hydrating and taking fiber supplements and eating fibrous veg certain helps this process along. My hypothesis on triggers for the neck / headache are: dehydration, desk and screen time (related to neck tension and constipation), and to a large extent toxic or incompatible foods, and alcoholic beverages (especially one with un-fermented maltose or sucrose like beer). I once felt that gluten was the problem and have found that sugars in the disaccharide (lactose, sucrose, maltose) and oligosaccharide ("bean-fart" sugars like raffinose, stachyose) families are probably the issue with me instead. About 3/4 of a year ago I started taking a digestive enzyme complex with every meal and even desserts and alcohol with fantastic results in reducing the frequency of symptoms (and IBS). I can eat glutenous bread or pasta again as long as I eat with these supplements (bread has a lot of sucrose and maltose). I also find that sourdough is safer since the fermentation process breaks down the disaccarides. Depending on which you get, the supplements contain many things but for me the must haves are lactase, alpha-galactosidase, and maltase. Protease and lipase are also good to support protein and fat digestion and many of the enzyme complex supplements come with those too. My hypothesis on why the sugars have an impact on headaches. I believe I do not effectively digest sugars in the small intestine (where they should be digested via typical enzymatic secretions) to begin with which means that the undigested sugars reach the large intestine. The flora in the large intestine now have lots of extra food to eat and ferment. This in turn means lots of CO2 gas is produced causing bloating and flatulence. But more importantly a somewhat toxic and dehydrating byproduct of this fermentation is alcohol. So that these undigested sugars certainly can contribute to the hangover like symptoms and further dehydration, constipation and migraine symptoms. I would also argue that this sugar rich / alcohol rich bowel encourages an imbalance in gut flora. Ergo certain beneficial flora will be crowded out or even poisoned by the high levels of ethanol and CO2. This sugar intolerance issue may be even be related to other conditions like Type 2 Diabetes, IBS or Crohn's - who knows??? My five cents!!!!
1. The Migraine Girl Moderator
 Dear Acal, First of all, I'm sorry it took me so long to read and respond to your thoughtful comment. You sound like someone who is extremely self-aware and determined to figure out what is going on with your body. It's inspiring to me, as I have let my self-care go down the tubes a bit and need to get back in gear. As someone who has psoriatic arthritis, chronic migraine, and IBS, I know the diagnoses are related, and often I have significant relief from all three if I eat and exercise well. Thanks for your very helpful five cents. And sorry again it took me so long to reply! -Janet G., "The Migraine Girl"
2. yfarnham Member
 I just read your description and feel like this is what I am going thru. I have experienced these issues for approx 10 years now and have finally boiled it down to my sugar intake and volume of water I drink. It is so frustrating and painful when these headaches hit. It's even more frustrating that Doctors have no idea what your talking about when you explain the symptoms to them. Thank you so your 5 cents! Very informational.
ksv1 Member
Just looked up "are BMs related to migraines? What I get are cluster headaches, I think. I call them mini-migraines. Only ever had 1fb migraine. But, I have noticed, since headaches have ncreased with menopause, that they are always relieved or dissipate entirely with BM. For me, same with cramps. I hardly know my body now days. Thanks for posting re: this
1. The Migraine Girl Moderator
 You're welcome! I appreciate your comment and hope that once menopause settles down you find some relief. Take care. -Janet G., "The Migraine Girl"
ksv1 Member
p.s. I have no BM/IT problems. BM's regular and normal. Headaches and need for BM not necessarily connected. But, when have headache and BM comes along...always relief. So, I don't think, for me, one triggers other. The connection seems more...strawberries and cream compliment one another than one necessitates the other. Not causal, complementary.
1. The Migraine Girl Moderator
 Thanks, KSV1! I appreciate your comment and thoughts on the matter. -Janet G., "The Migraine Girl"
laur52 Member
This makes complete sense. The theorized mechanism for migraine is vasodilation of intracranial arterioles, which increases the volume of the tissue inside the skull, which increases the pressure and hence causes pain, often throbbing in synchrony with heartbeat (cyclical blood pressure rise). One of the mediators of vasomotor tone is the autonomic nervous system, parasympathetic causing vasodilation, and sympathetic causing vasoconstriction. The autonomic nervous system also responds to and affects other organ systems, a major one being the gastrointestinal tract. Among other things, a distended colon causes a parasympathetic stimulus. This stimulus could also encourage vasodilation of cerebral blood vessels, causing or potentiating migraines. Once defecation (pooping) has occurred, the autonomic balance becomes less parasympathetic, and more sympathetic, which would result in a relatively greater degree of vasoconstriction, thus decreasing the migraine. The fact that this is the case for many people would seem to validate the theory. That it does not work for all, underlines the fact that there are multiple mechanisms that contribute to cerebral vasomotor instability. For instance, progesterone, responsible for many peri-menstrual symptoms, is a potent smooth muscle relaxant which likely accounts for an increased incidence of monthly migraines in pre-menopausal women. Nitroglycerine-type medications used for angina or erectile dysfunction are also vasodilators, and can cause severe migraine-like headaches.
1. The Migraine Girl Moderator
 Thank you for this! I appreciate it so much (and I feel a little less crazy for having noticed this pattern in myself from time to time). I appreciate your explanation so very much. Take care, Janet G., "The Migraine Girl"
reneofc Member
What do you all do to alleviate this? I wake up with a headache in my sinus area—feels dry—-feels better after a BM but when I sense there is more to eliminate it might get worse after initial BM....happens maybe one a month, oddly after a chiropractic adjustment...don’t know if that’s related. Usually the BM is bordering on diarrhea but once I flush out, headache is gone and i feel great. Trying to figure out triggers...gluten, onions and broccoli cause me distress...but not always...maybe in some combination...not sure. What else Can I do? Headache is debilitating. Thanks....
briangj Member
Just found this string and boy does it hit home. Since childhood I suffered with what were called sinus headaches. Medication helped but was not a sure thing. Fast forward to adulthood and the headaches continued on an almost weekly basis, usually Mondays. I'd buy the industrial size Tylenol Migraine meds at Costco since I had these headaches so often. One day I saw an ad for a lecture on headaches at a local hospital and thought I'd see what they had to say. They talked about headache types and triggers. Basically they were trying to sell the services of their pain management center. But one of the headache types they talked about (toxic headaches) really resonated with me. They talked about how if we don't maintain regularity to flush these toxins from our systems, they build up and cause us varying types of pain. Although they didn't really talk about poop I thought there might be a connection between my irregular bowel movements and my headaches. My research on methods to help you poop, brought me to the topic of enemas and I thought "what do I have to lose?" So I tried it. Since I didn't have a headache when I tried it, there was no immediate or noticeable change in this area. What I did notice was a certain feeling of "relief". I felt "lighter" and "better" The next time I had a headache (and after suffering for several hours) I decided to try the enema route. Much to my surprise they headache was gone in 20 minutes. This started me down the path of researching the benefits of enemas. What I found is that enemas aren't all they are cracked up to be and can actually cause you to become dependent on them for a BM. That bit of info caused me to rethink my belief that I had found the miracle cure for my headaches. So I continued my research looking for more "natural" ways to improve regularity. What I found was that the solution was already in my kitchen, namely water, fruits and vegetables. So basically by upping my intake of fiber/roughage and making sure I was properly hydrated I've been able to improve my regularity to the point that if I don't poop in the morning more that two days in a row, I can foresee a headache in my future. I have also noticed that this is more likely to happen on a Monday or Tuesday after a weekend (or vacation) when my normal dietary habits fall victim to laziness. In these cases I return to my original solution and pull out the enema bag and Wha La, I'm as good as new in about 20 minutes. Luckily, based on what I've learned, this doesn't happen very often. I have a sister and niece who both suffer from migraine headaches and have even been to the ER seeking relief. but they refuse to listen when I tell them that relief may be only a couple quarts of water away. The "ick factor" I guess more than out weighs the potential for relief. Oh well. Sometimes you can lead a horse to water ......
1. laur52 Member
 From your story, one could theorize that constipation (storage of feces in the lower colon, which stretches the colonic wall) stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, increasing cerebral vasodilation and the risk or severity of a migraine. Too much parasympathetic stimulus can also cause premature emptying of the colon (ie) before most of the water has been reabsorbed, which makes the feces more liquid and which we call diarrhea. That is why constipation and diarrhea are sometimes associated, constipation from older retained contents, diarrhea from the newly arrived. The improvement of migraine symptoms may thus be due solely to more regular bowel habits (resulting from a higher fiber diet and better hydration) minimizing colon distention, rather than from cleansing of toxins from the system. Whatever the mechanism, you seem to have discovered something that works, and is healthy, so go with it.
2. elyse Member
 Can you be more specific on how I can improve my colon function and reduce the killer headache?
lmack2175 Member
Yep, if I wake with a headache and I know it’s a migraine then I take some excederin and go back to sleep. As soon as I go #2 I know 100% that my headache is going away. Actually happened this AM. I thought I was crazy also but I’m not.
nehamelkani Member
It does works with me! Every single time! Some days my bowel movements are disturbed and I develop a throbbing headache. As soon as I'm able to take a dump the headache goes away in around 10 minutes.
chronickenny Member
This is me! 100%. I’ve been telling the dr since day 1 that my migraine is completely related to my stomach and they look at me like I’m nuts. After a BM I feel like running a marathon. My migraine is nearly gone. It slowly builds back after eating meals until I feel horrible again.
willr Member
I totally get this. It's not the case for all migraines I have but sometimes my body just knows that it needs to purge, almost. Whether that's making myself sick or going to the toilet its almost always makes a huge immediate improvement in how I'm feeling.
elyse Member
I have been searching desperately for someone who knows anything about this problem! I get headaches several times a week. They always start in the back of the neck and settle in the temples and around my eyes. In addition, I get feeling really ill and I feel gassy. After I have several bowel movements the headache lessens. I feel wiped out but headache free for the rest of the day. If I eat anything, it starts all over again! I take Milk of Magnesia caplets everyday to keep my bowels going. I also drink Miralax twice a day. The tight neck, which turns into a full blown migraine (nausea, sometimes vomiting), comes several times a week and is only relieved with going poop. I am not overweight and eat healthy foods. I make a point to drink lots of water. ANY IDEAS WHAT TO DO TO LESSEN THIS? Has anyone's doctor been able to HELP??? Desperate for some solution to this!!
hlbx Member
Yes! I’ve had this a couple of times and I’ve thought that maybe it’s similar to why people die from a brain aneurysm whilst on the loo - any thoughts? The straining sometimes helps! TMI? I’m a paediatric nurse and we do get a lot of children suffering with stomach migraines but I feel like this is a little bit different.
golflife83 Member
I believe your body has a check engine light when something is off. I've had a dull headache dizzy slightly off feeling for a couple weeks. I kept going through seeing what is different did I start taking something not enough water not enough sleep etc. I went through my list. I'm very healthy for the most part I work out multiple times a week work hard sleep good. I take a multi viatamin fish oil and little extra zinc. I recently started taking one fish oil in the AM one at night. The headache would start upon waking. So I stopped taking the night fish oil. Same result. These dull headache would last all day. I was about to go to doctor. I would check my temp to see if I'm fighting something normal. I checked my BP with my cuff at home avg 118/ 75 or lower good . Then it hit me I've always had promblems doing the do. Last time I really went is.when I drank prune juice and apple juice like 2 or 3 weeks ago maybe longer lol. I just don't think.about it. So busy with life. So I begin my research the last few days. I'm a natural remedies type guy I hate doctors hate meds. I came upon a post on YouTube about this.The doc stated our systems are connected. Gut problems and the brain are connected. Gave an excersise to try lay on back and massage under rib cage on both sides. These are the locations of call bladder and Pancreas major players in the digestive system. Do this massage for a min or two on each side.If your left side is Tinder it's your Pancreas needing to be cleaned out if it's Tinder on right side it's gall bladder. Mine was left. Here's the kicker he stated several times if you massage either side and your headache goes away you need to poop asap. Focused on left side headache literally subsided. I drank some Epson salt and warm apple juice. Major major restroom encounter. I feel so much better right now period don't feel the headache. Gotta work on getting regular BM movement. Gotta pay attention to our check engine light the brain.
lhoolehan Member
I was wondering this same thing. Going #2 doesn’t always alleviate migraine symptoms for me but I would estimate it does about 40% of the time. I have various triggers and food is one of them. Specifically dairy, gluten, and spicy foods. I went out to dinner with friends last night and came home with a wicked migraine that carried over into this morning. My normal protocols weren’t working...but then I went to the bathroom. No more migraine! Do you think your body “holding on” to food triggers can make migraines worse? Like keeping the source of the trigger within the body??
1. April.Sluder Moderator
 That's a great question <inline-mention user-id="3800291" username="lhoolehan"/> . It's definitely something to keep in mind and maybe going to the bathroom is one of those things to try when nothing else is working. April - <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a> Team
lex9 Member
So, I am NOT alone! I've had this happen to me several times. It doesn't depend on any particular bowel movement; it has happened at random. My head usually throbs and pounds inside every time my heart beats. Sometimes I become light headed. And my body warm. In other words, the headache gets intense, or worse. Once I sit down and "go", the throbbing calms down and I can feel my body cool off. This doesn't take away my headache, but it definitely relieves some or half the pain. It helps enough to where I can tolerate the bathroom light. I was a little shy to admit this to my neurologist, but I had to, and she didn't have an answer but made a note of it. There's definitely a relation here.
1. Allyson.Ellis Community Admin
 No, you are definitely not alone, Lex9! I hope this article helped you feel a little less embarrassed about this phenomenon. I'm glad you did bring it up with your neurologist! Thank you for joining the conversation. Wishing you a gentle evening. ~Allyson (Migraine.com team)
patterson85 Member
It really does help me! Pills only give me a mild relief but a #2 and/or vomiting finishes the job! The #2 method worked for me this morning
jeff1 Member
Amazing. I have been suffering with headaches during the night that will disappear after a bowel movement. Sometimes it takes two or three. I told docs about it and they look at me like I’m crazy or acknowledge that they have never heard of it. I have many allergies and have tried many things. I take magnesium and vitamin c. The vitamin C is supposed to help with a histamine problem that can cause gastro and allergic reactions. I also use a little benefited to keep things moving. When the headache happens it is like my body is attempting to rid itself of a toxin and I get warm, congested and feel so sick. Then the bowel movement and I’m ok except for the lingering general feeling of being out of it.
1. Allyson.Ellis Community Admin
 Strange at it is, it most definitely is a thing, jeff1! You are not alone having doctors give you strange looks for it, though. Thank you for sharing your experience with the community. Wishing you a gentle day. ~Allyson (Migraine.com team)
2. ksm072778 Member
 Magnesium is a known supplement to help with migraines. It’s also something that helps with constipation and going #2 hence the brand name MOM aka Milk of Magnesia. I suffer from terrible IBSC possibly from pain medications I take for migraines. When I haven’t gone #2 for about a week, I have to take a laxative (Milk of Magnesia) to make myself go and instantly and the whole next day I overall feel better especially in lacking a headache/migraine. I didn’t understand this correlation until I researched and found out that magnesium helps with migraines. That is how I came across this website because I wanted to make sure I wasn’t crazy or misunderstanding before I brought the topic up with my neurologist. If all I need is to take magnesium for migraine relief daily and it also help with my constipation then this is a total game changer in my life. So you taking magnesium might just be the key. I hope this helps all of us including myself. I’m definitely not a doctor, but I’ve researched my DAILY migraines like crazy so I can only speculate on all these topics and I can’t quote where I read about magnesium and migraines because I read so much I can’t remember, but a light bulb definitely went off when I read it. The migraines come back, but for the entire next day I don’t have a headache along with the bloating and discomfort. I don’t get relief after just a regular bowel movement, only when I have to take a laxative to go which is magnesium. I hope this helps, but please don’t let this lead you to believe I’ve discovered your remedy. We are all different and need appropriate tests done such as CT’s and MRI’s of our brains to rule out something besides the lack of a supplement as well as discussing preventative medications for your migraines. Good luck and Godsend to all for relief.
abcd123 Member
I actually experienced quite the opposite situation in the past where #2 seemed to have triggered a terrible headache over a period of one week. I normally don't suffer from headaches so that really got me worried. Although I searched the internet, I couldn't find any information about it. I mentioned it to a doctor but he couldn't give me a reason for what had happened. I was travelling in south-east asia and after a month in the Philippines I went to Thailand. After a few days in Thailand these headaches started. I didn't have any stomach ache, no problems with the bowel movement. Every morning when I went to do #2, right in that very moment a terrible headache started. It didn't ease when I was finished, instead it knocked me out for several hours and I had to stay in bed. To this date I haven't found out what triggerdd it. Has anyone experienced something similar?
1. Peggy Artman Moderator
 <inline-mention user-id="3818617" username="abcd123"/> , I have not seen any posts from community members about this issue. Maybe it came during your migraine prodrome? If it keeps happening, definitely check with your doctor. ~ Peggy (Migraine.com team)
2. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 Hi <inline-mention user-id="3818617" username="abcd123"/> , Oh boy, that sounds difficult. Has this resolved itself? If not, I would encourage you to dig a bit deeper with your doctor, or find one who is willing to work with you on this issue. Hopefully others will be along shortly to share their experiences with you. Keep us posted! Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Advocate/Moderator
vaishnavi-yadav Member
Yes i felt a bit worried when I thought is this a problem only with me. But seems like it actually happens to many of them. But what can be done to get rid of it? Is it going to be forever. Because the type of headache, really makes me hard to work and to concentrate on other things. Can't take it always.
1. serag Member
 Thank you Nancy Sure i will
2. vaishnavi-yadav Member
 Sure then I would definitely give it a try to look for a doctor abt this. Thank you.
serag Member
Actually i was going to bed and i decided to research about this cuz this is my daily nightmare. Yesss, it happens with me regularly. Almost everday, i thought I'm the only one suffering from this. Is there any treatment for this Its marking my life harder. Once i feel any presence of bowels even if a little The migraine starts and i have to go to toilet immediately to prevent having an attack!! Yes an attack could happen if i waited for 3 or 4 hours without toilet. Any treatment for this ?
1. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 HI <inline-mention user-id="3675557" username="serag"/> , I'm sorry to hear you are struggling with these symptoms. We are unable to give medical advice, but I did want to let you know you're not alone in this - many of us with migraine disease have bowel issues as well, myself included. I would encourage you to speak with your doctor and let him know how much this is impacting your life. Getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan from a qualified doctor are the first steps I would take. Please keep us posted, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Advocate/Moderator
selkie Member
I woke with a migraine like this today, doesn't always happen but tends to be the migraines with nausea. I do have IBS & often get stasis or at least gastric slowing during migraine. Constipation is a sure migraine trigger. There's new research on gut- brain connection, it makes sense that there is some link.. our gut also produces serotonin & vagal nerve seems to be connection Posting link to article re research study. Sorry lol is from another site I follow but is good info. What the Amazing Gut-Brain Connection Means for Your Migraine <a href='https://www.migraineagain.com/gut-brain-connection-migraine/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.migraineagain.com/gut-brain-connection-migraine/</a>
btstxt Member
This happened to me just this morning.....I pooped and I'm feeling quite better now with only a slight headache...I thought I was alone experiencing it so I haven't told my parents abt it ...idk why but it just felt weird...Glad to know that I'm not the only one...Thanks alot
tacoman84 Member
I have a really high correlation between bad headaches/migraines and pooping. What I find strange is that about 90% of the time I get a bad headache or migraine, I will have to poop within about an hour of onset....though I do not get relief from it and my bowel movements are normal, no diahrea or constipation. I dont understand it one bit, but would sure be nice to find out if there is a connection and what it is.
1. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 Hey, tacoman ... you actually aren't alone in that. A lot of people do experience digestive issues like vomiting and bowel problems (constipation, diarrhea and IBS), and while you're not having those issues, there can often be a connection between what's happening in your brain and your digestive system. There's also a well-known condition called abdominal migraine, which is a type of migraine that primarily manifests as intense stomach pain. It's especially common in children. There's also the possibility that pain and discomfort might give you the urge to go, just like stress or worry can. All this to say that yes, there's likely a connection going on there, but I'm not a doctor and can only speculate. As long as you're not having diarrhea or other issues, I wouldn't worry, but feel free to bring it up at your next doctor visit. Hope that helps a little! Take care. 😀 -Melissa, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
cellogirl Member
I dread having a BM when I have a migraine because it sometimes leads to nonstop vomiting.
1. Peggy Artman Moderator
 <inline-mention user-id="3869525" username="cellogirl"/> , Have you asked your doctor about an anti-nausea medication? Peggy (Migraine.com team)
eyecnn5 Member
I'm 64 and have suffered with SEVERE migraines since I was a teenager and I've always experienced stomach issues during the migraine. The stomach issues, added to the pains in my head just made me feel as though my entire body would explode. Thank goodness in the these past few years I've been able to hold down excedrin long enough for the pains to go away. Loose stool has always accompanied the migraine and seemed to ease the horrible pains in my head but I never really cosnidered the connection as a health problem. In fact I've often jokingly explained "gotta go 2 and get rid of my headache." I cannot take excedrin or asprin anymore because of my stomach ulcer so I switched to Tylenol. Just recently i began to wthink that probably ihe pain pills were causing the stomach issues. Long story short I had a really bad migraine the other day and i took Tylenol. An hour later I had loose stool and my migraine was immediately gone. Light-bulb moment! That is when I found this board and started reading all of the posts. Thanks to all of you for sharing your stories, suggestions and thought on this really confusing issue. I hate that any of you have to suffer as I have but now I know that I'm not alone.
terriergal Member
Yes this happens to me all the time. But I have other triggers also.
LAPearl Member
So glad that I'm not alone in this... I used to have migraines before/during period once or twice a month so I thought it was hormone based. Once in a while it would occur when I start going #2 though, but I didn't think much about it. In the last 2 weeks I've been having migraines almost daily, and 2 out of 3 times it would start when I go to the bathroom. It would feel like a bomb went off in my head. I went to my family doctor yesterday and he gave me a sample of Nurtec. I took one and felt OK... until this afternoon. Went to the bathroom, boom, headache started. I've taken two Excedrins since but the pain is still lingering. Did some reading and saw some mentions of gut health so I'm going to start taking probiotics and using magnesium lotion daily (read about that too). My doctor said he'll order an MRI once insurance gives the OK... but this almost daily occurrence has me really worried.
1. LAPearl Member
 <inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> Thanks Holly! Here's a little update: Thursday afternoon/evening the pain got really, really bad, like someone had taken a drill to it, and I couldn't do anything but cry. My husband ended up taking me to the ER, where they gave me a cocktail IV with something for the pain, something for sleep, and something for nausea. I was pain free on Friday. The ER doctor suggested Ibuprofen 600mg instead of Excedrin. I also had a follow up appointment with the family doctor and he said my magnesium level is very low, and immediately gave me samples of magnesium supplements that's supposed to target migraine as well. I started taking it right away, and only needed one 200mg ibuprofen that day. Also started taking 1 probiotics each day. As of today (Monday) I've been needing 1-2 200mg ibuprofen daily. As soon as I feel the onset, I take one. MRI is approved and scheduled this week. So far there hasn't been any sudden headache like the last few times, thank God! I'll order Natural Calm as well. Thank you so much for the information. I really don't want to have migraines daily. 
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="LAPearl" user-id="4220216"/> Oh my gracious- I'm SO sorry to hear you had to go to the ER - there's really no worse place to be when in the midst of a migraine attack! Ugh. Hate that for you- but glad things have been calming down some since then and that you have an MRI coming up this week. Hope you can get your magnesium levels up and that daily pain level down. Stay in touch and let us know how you are if you're up to it. Thinking of you. - Holly (migraine.com team).
rndchef Member
I am in my 30’s and often have migraines/headaches. A good go often clears bit/all of it . I feel like some nerves around my ear/neck region relaxes after my bowel is cleared. I have experienced this too many times and have adopted it as a solution to my migraines even when it is due to underlying illness like malaria, typhoid and pneumonia
1. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 <inline-mention username="rndchef" user-id="4575986"/> Thank you for sharing this with us. Stomach issues are a common occurrence with a migraine - anything from diarrhea to constipation and everything in between! How are you doing today? Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a> Team
RRJJ Member
Thank you for this thread. It is so reassuring to know that my symptoms and observations, so often dismissed by doctors, are not unique. In the last three years, the migraines have become more common and longer lasting; most days every week, most often at 3 – 4 in the morning, occasionally an hour after a meal. Triptan painkillers have been the only reliably effective treatment. My bowel has been constantly irritated, swollen and oozing. I consulted a neurologist, gastroenterologists, allergy specialists and others. I have had a MRI of head and neck, comprehensive blood tests and a colonoscopy. The only apparent finding was a slightly low level of DAO. I have been diagnosed with histamine intolerance, food intolerances and mastocytosis. I have variously avoided histamine, gluten, lactose, glucose, fructose and other things. Most changes in diet gave an improvement in migraines and bowel for a while and also stopped bleeding spots on my scalp, occasional rashes on my skin and slow wound healing – though I had not previously linked these. (A week on an elimination diet of only rice and potatoes was dreadful, with constant migraines every day). But after a few weeks on each new diet, migraines and bowel irritation returned. I found one sure treatment by not eating for two or three days – which is hardly a long-term solution. I also noted that often an oncoming migraine would be stopped by a bowel movement. Recently I went to an alternative doctor who practises kinesiology – I know it’s pseudoscience, but I had been dismissed by all conventional specialists. She prescribed the anti-fungal nystatin. This worked immediately and very well … until I finished the prescription. She suggested that I had a systemic fungal infection and suggested I continue with nystatin. My GP prescribed Diflucan (Fluconazol) which, unlike Nystatin is absorbed into the blood and can therefore treat a systemic fungal infection. Again, I have been well for days, even weeks, though with occasional, unexplained migraines. More often than not, I can delay or even stop the migraine coming with a bowel movement. Though I am not either constipated nor with diarrhoea, making an extra bowel movement seems to deal with the migraine. Why? Another question - for how long can I continue to take nystatin and should I now (after several weeks of nystatin) take some healthy fungus/bacteria to put in my gut? 
1. Cheryl Picerno Moderator
 <inline-mention username="RRJJ" user-id="4596704"/> thank you for sharing what you are experiencing. Migraine disease can be very tricky as it manifests itself in so many different ways with each person. There has been some research on the connection between gut health and the brain. The gut is even referred to as the second brain! Many people who suffer from migraine disease also have GI issues like GERD, celiac disease, and IBS. I can not speak really to the long-term use of antifungal medications, but as long as you are being monitored by a doctor you should be good. There are many benefits to adding good bacteria to your diet. You can ask your doctor to recommend a good prebiotic to help the good guys in your gut flourish. I hope that you find effective ways to help your gut issues and your migraine attacks. Keep us posted. Warmly, Cheryl <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
napper Member
 I have migraines that are *only* and *always* digestion-related - usually constipation. Here's a typical trajectoey: 1) I bloat up over the course of a day or two (often after spending time outside, even if it's not terribly hot - but sometimes just after too much pasty and dry food like cheese, nuts, chocolate, and/or cracjers without sufficient water and fruits/veggies). 2) Then I wake up (usu in the wee hours) with the pain coming on. I try to take Tylenol immediately, and water, but they usually last from 12 to 30 hours regardless (by this time it's just going to eun its course -- ugh). 3) When I get up I take senna, flax, etc. -- and more water and Tylenol. I have to lie down, cover my eyes, and keep silence. This lasts from hours to days. 4) I always get immediate, if not complete, relief from anything I can pass -- either poop or gas. My relief comes in seconds, not minutes. Eventually I usually get diarrhea (several to many episodes), although sometimes there's a day or two of waiting for pasty poops to squeeze their way out (causing pain all along the way - incessant). I feel the pain mostly behind my eyes. My forehead can get warm, and cold compresses can sometimes give some relief, as can pressing above and around my eyes. Bad episodes have led to vomiting and in that case (I feel toxified) hyperventilation helps a little. It's as if I have altitude sickness -- feels very similar (blood acidification). Thankfully since I've given up alcohol (dehydrating) those awful, vomiting ones are now rare. But I still lose several days a month. This has been coming on since I was a teenager, getting gradually worse over the decades. I'm now in my late 50s, more than a decade post-menopause. I take several measures daily to prevent it -- down a large glass of warm water first thing, then coffee. I take a magnesium supplement daily, along with my multi. I take MiraLax daily in my coffee. When I have the presence of mind, ground flax helps a lot, as does fruit. I avoid sweating outside in the heat, or even being in dry heat, esp. with wind. You'd think the suffering would teach me to be forever vigilant, but I find the temptation to forget -- and drink too much coffee, of course also a diuretic -- to be a daily issue. 
1. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 <inline-mention username="napper" user-id="4817684"/> I'm sorry, and get how incredibly frustrating that is. We do have a few sister sites; <a href='https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/</a> and <a href='https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/</a>. Have a great day! Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient. Leader/Moderator <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a> Team
2. Cody Leach Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="napper" user-id="4817684"/> I hear you on how painful and difficult this all can be. Apologies if you've already done this, but have you ever considered getting a toilet stool? It could help reduce strain while trying to go to the bathroom and reduce constipation. Common brands are the SquattyPotty, but you could get anything similar to it. - Cody (Migraine.com Team Member)
EssBee Member
I am pretty regular, like first thing every morning regular. If i do not have the chance to completely eliminate in the am, later in the day i am definitely going.to get a terrible poop headache, which can only be alleviated after i go - literally within minutes to an hour. Migraine or tension headache meds are simply ineffective against a poop headache. 
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="EssBee" user-id="7000893"/> That is fascinating and illustrates how carefully you are tuned in to your system which is wonderful. Are there any strategies you have found that help you fully eliminate in the morning in order to avoid that headache later in the day? Thanks for sharing and glad you're with us. Warmly- Holly <a href='https://-migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>-migraine.com</a> team.
Ashraful Member
Once I had a serious headache, I felt like I will vomit in any moment. Then I went to toilet, I pooped and surprisingly within 30-40 minutes the headache was gone!! It happened to me for several times before, but recently for the first time I have noticed it. I think there is a connection between these two things.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Ashraful" user-id="8499312"/> Fascinating! Thank you for sharing this part of your migraine story with us to add to the chorus that there seems to be a connection here. There are a lot of folks who believe there to be a connection between the gut and the head- this would fall in line with that line of thinking. Thanks again for chiming in! Warmly- Holly <a href='https://-migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>-migraine.com</a> team.
terriergal Member
when I was younger I noticed that I had a lot of abdominal bloating and discomfort linked with my severe episodic migraines. I was the kind of kid who wouldn't pay attention to my body until I was falling down sick, though. As I am around menopausal age now with some brain lesions and spinal cord lesion, chronic constipation has become a problem even though I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and drink a lot of water. My primary care physician now has me on MiraLAX every day hoping to wean me off now that it's been four months. I think it helps but I do notice that right before (maybe 30 min prior) that I need to have a bowel movement I get a spike of eye socket pain. In many cases it is lessened by having a bm. why can't my body just send me the appropriate signals? Another very strange thing, sometimes I feel terribly nauseated and it will go away if I sneeze. Why can't my body just say I need to sneeze and have the sneeze happen? so strange.
1. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="terriergal" user-id="3861648"/> Definitely strange, but I don't think it's super surprising, either. The brain-gut connection is intense! You might know a good bit about abdominal migraine already, but in case you don't, I thought you might appreciate a link to some of our articles and discussions on abdominal issues. Maybe something there will resonate. <a href='https://migraine.com/search?s=abdominal' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/search?s=abdominal</a> We're here for you! Migraine is so much more than head pain, and we absolutely understand that. -Melissa, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="terriergal" user-id="3861648"/> - Aren't our bodies fascinating? Given that migraine is a complex neurological condition and that it seems our gut is tied closely to it, there's no surprise that you've had some challenges in this way. I did want to ask if you've heard of a magnesium drink called "Natural Calm" - it's something I use and have heard many in our community mention as being helpful with establishing regularity. I wonder, as you are being weaned off of Miralax it may be a helpful alternative (certainly would encourage you checking in with your doctor before trying). Glad you're with us. Warmly- Holly <a href='https://-migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>-migraine.com</a> team. 
1. terriergal Member
 I have tried magnesium and sometimes it helps and other times it just gives me a whopping tension headache which then triggers migraines so... lol I definitely can't take a full dose of magnesium either. I am just starting to step down the dose of magnesium and usually in the morning I have to go number two, but this morning I woke up with this awful eye pain and I had it yesterday also, but I treated it with my migraine & neck arthritis cocktail yesterday and I don't want to do it again today. So I just had my morning coffee with 2/3 of a miralax dose, and then I had to go. And miraculously the pain is now gone. So I definitely think there's some thing there but I also have so many other triggers that I'm constantly juggling them all. Since the gut motility is controlled by the vagus nerve, I would think it is very closely linked to a lot of our autonomic responses to stress both emotional and environmental/ physical. And since I have degenerating neck issues, I wonder if some of that response is blunted so that I have to get a lot of stimulus for my body to compensate & respond appropriately. I have empty sella but nobody has told me if I have empty sella syndrome. My pituitary and thyroid hormones are all "normal" (these would all affect gut motility blood pressure and temperature responses as well) but nobody checks me in the middle of an episode. I remember the first time that I read about autonomic dysreflexia when I was training as a nursing assistant. I thought wow that sounds exactly like me when I have a migraine!
2. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 <inline-mention username="terriergal" user-id="3861648"/> Thank you for the update! There is no doubt that gut issues are common with migraine disease - you're not alone. Here is a link for our information on the brain gut connection; https://migraine.com/search?s=brain%20gut. How are you doing today? Sending you pain free wishes, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a> Team
Philip1 Member
Just to add my Tuppence-worth. I had migraine once or twice a week from late teens to late 30's. Mine came on at night and by morning I was pretty ruff. Pain right behind my eyes, feeling sick and my gut felt stationary. If I ate or drank anything I would be sick. Oral pain killers were useless as I could not ingest them. After a few hours, I would feel a little better and my guts would start up. Once this happened, I would start feeling better. I'm incredibly lucky that for me the migraines have stopped although I'm still careful because I can feel that I still get headaches quite easily and migraine could follow. I'm late 50's now and I think I found most of the triggers for me, hence being migraine free. Now this is why I am here. I am reasonably healthy without any health issues, but I get a headache if I don't have a BM when my rectum is getting full. The headache comes on quite quickly and is relieved within an hour of the BM. For me there is a definite repeatable link to BM and headache (not migraine as stopped at moment)
1. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Philip1" user-id="8775077"/> thanks for sharing your experience here. It's wonderful to hear that you've been able to identify steps that help you to get relief. It sounds like being regular is something that's incredibly important for you. I'm glad that this conversation was started here as it's helped others to relate to this experience and for others to potentially explore if there's a connection for them as well. I know for me personally, staying consistent with my magnesium supplements and using something like a squatty potty help me to stay regular... and staying hydrated and eating a healthy diet! It's never just one thing, but they all seem to work together. - Alene, moderator
Shany Member
I'm so glad this was brought up. I've had migraines since I was 18. I'm 48 now. Mine have always started with nausea than typical for me anyway left side , right side, entire head. Then in my late 30's it changed. I would have no warning and would vomit than the pain came on full blast over my entire head and would be like that for 2-4 days. Than a couple years ago I noticed as soon as I went #2 omg the pain would nearly be completely gone. Needing only ibuprofen and a nap and I am good to go. I started wondering if there was really a connection or not decided to look it up online and came across this. Thanks for speaking on the topic.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Shany" user-id="8800759"/> - So glad this piece resonated with you and thanks for sharing some about the evolution of your migraine journey. I know there is a lot of research about the tie between migraine and the gut, so this connection doesn't surprise me much though I still find it fascinating! Thanks again for sharing! Warmly - Holly - <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
2. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Shany" user-id="8800759"/> it sounds like you've had a long journey with migraine - and an intense one at that. Dealing with a migraine attack is a lot in and of itself, so then to have nausea and vomiting on top of it, just intensifies everything. That said, it's so validating when you can connect with people who get it and who have the same "unique" experiences as you such as getting relief from going #2! It seems like quiet a few people in our community here are getting similar benefits and what a relief it can be to identify something that helps to reduce or eliminate the pain! Thanks for being part of this community and this conversation! Best Alene, moderator
CommunityMember0752aa Member
Yes in the last 4 months I had more migraines and have noted that at least 4 times of 8 migraines pooping almost instantly relieves the headache 🤕. What is this?
1. Cody Leach Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember0752aa" user-id="8862709"/> It's a great question! However, I don't think there is a straight-forward answer as to why this happens 🙁. Have you noticed any patterns in your bowel movements that may indicate what the issue could be? For example, if you're experiencing prolonged constipation, straining during a bowel movement can trigger head pain in some people. - Cody (Team Member)
Jq74 Member
I find huge migraine relief from being able to do a #2. It is like my bodies way of saying all is well again especially if I am badly constipated. I do think try are linked. 
1. Tonya Henry Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Jq74" user-id="9771823"/> I actually have been thinking of constipation as a trigger for me. I have gastroparesis. Due to that, I stay constipated 24/7. When I get to the point of being miserable, let's say around day 5-10, I end up with vertigo, increased nausea and then...the full-blown migraine. Going does relieve a lot of it. I feel that each issue acts on the other. Do you deal with any gastrointestinal issues? Thank you for sharing how it affects you with the community! (Tonya, team member).
Jq74 Member
Have to say I had connected my migraines to hormones- as a teenager during or after my period and worse again during peri-menopause. HRT helped significantly and now I have being able to use a Triptan when I know one is coming and it has been miraculous to have these when the migraine is really bad. I use them sparingly but yes being constipated/and being able to go to the bathroom are usually going in hand in hand with the acute state. 
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Jq74" user-id="9771823"/> Thank you for sharing this information with us. I'm glad you mentioned the use of HRT and its impact on your migraine condition. I'd be interested in learning more about what you are taking in this respect, if you wouldn't mind sharing. I'm rounding the corner through menopause- but am still taking continuous birth control pills as a migraine preventative to regular hormone shifts. I know I need to change off of these eventually. Glad to know that the HRT is helping you and that the triptans are effective. The gut is a huge player with migraine - and can also be impacted by hormonal shifts- so a double whammy there for those of us who suffer from migraine attacks triggered by hormonal changes. Thanks again for sharing.Looking forward to learning more from you. Warmly - Holly (team member)