Migraine Hell

I started getting migraines when I was 8 years old, I'm now 51. They started occurring more frequently when I was in my 20's. In my very young years, I could eat and drink anything and I may get a migraine once or twice a year. When I reached my 20's, all hell broke loose. I have SO many food triggers and I am still, 30 some odd years later, learning of more. It's really hard to go out to dinner, go to a friends house for a meal or even go to work when we're having a "food day" and have to say I can't eat or drink that because it's one of my triggers.

Why does food have to be a migraine trigger?

I can deal easily with stress or lack of sleep being a trigger, even when hunger is a trigger, I get it. But, having all these food triggers is really limiting. I would love to be one of those people who can have a hot dog at a cookout, or go out to a Chinese restaurant and order whatever I want. I would love to have an avocado in my salad or have a mango to snack on. It would be lovely to be able to have a glass of wine when I got home from work or marinate my steak in red wine before cooking. But, nope, I can't. Oh my goodness, to have a cup of hot or iced tea instead of coffee would be amazing!!! Nope, tea is a HUGE trigger.

Elimination diets

My neurologist doesn't believe in elimination diets, but I told him, I have no choice. Not that he doesn't believe that food is a trigger, he just doesn't think you should eliminate things from your diet because of them. Again, I have no choice. When I had to work on a computer so much from home, especially last year, that was a big trigger too! I was getting migraines 3 or 4 times a week. I'm glad that I don't have to do that, but fluorescent lights at work still get me. I don't think I ever go a day without thinking about whether or not I'll get a migraine. The auras are the worst. If I see a flash or get a tingle somewhere, I think, here it comes. Of course, it doesn't always mean a migraine, but I can't help but think it does. I worry about a migraine ruining plans when I have them. It's really a tough way to live. I know it could be worse, but for those that don't have to worry about it, you are so lucky!!