Poop Headaches

By yolanda65

1 min read

I am embarrassed to say that I have experienced relief from migraines by doing a #2 many many times. I have been in the throes of an all-out attack ie, nausea, light-headed, light sensitivity, when the need to void hits me and even while I’m in the act, relief is immediate! I can actually feel the pressure lift and nausea go away and I feel lighter, my muscles feel fluid. I’ve mentioned it to my Physician but he had no explanation and found it “ very interesting”.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Migraine.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

Allyson.Ellis Community Admin
You are not alone in that experience, Yolanda65! It is something not frequently discussed because of the embarrassment factor, but is a very real thing! I thought you might find this article to be of interest and to resonate: <a href='https://migraine.com/blog/pooping-as-migraine-relief-yes-i-said-it' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/blog/pooping-as-migraine-relief-yes-i-said-it/</a> Thank you so much for sharing so honestly with the community. The more we can communicate about these seemingly odd migraine experiences, the more we realize we are not alone. Wishing you a gentle day. ~Allyson (Migraine.com team)
j-gwenn Member
Yolanda65 I have had the same experience multiple times. I have read that constipation can be a symptom of migraine. Nothing to be ashamed of. It's just part of who we are. Sometimes I take medicine, and no relief happens until I have a movement. Can I suggest counting how many grams of fiber you consume daily for about a week. 24 grams/day is recommended for women. If you're not there, build up gradually. It has helped me. Even if it doesn't change your migraine symptoms, it may help in other ways.
1. j-gwenn Member
 P.S. the Mayo clinic web page has good information, if you want to check it out: <a href='https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fiber/art-20043983' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fiber/art-20043983</a>
glassmind Member
Yolanda, I, too, have experienced this. With some migraines, I have extreme abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and both constipation and diarrhea. Ugh. For me the head pain while spike dramatically while having a bowel movement (whether hard or loose) then return to the premovement pain level or lower. I have found during these particular migraines that powdered magnesium drinks or black cherry juice can facilitate the bowel movement and offer some pain relief and so will drink these if I have lower abdominal pain. (If only upper gi nausea I take Zofran and find relief.) I have been taking powdered magnesium daily for over a month now on the recommendation of my neurologist and have had migraines, but none with this particular poop/pain/relief cycle. If possible seek a second opinion and request to see a headache specialist. It seems your primary doc (like most) is unfamiliar with the details and diversity of Migraine. My best hopes for you in finding effective therapies to either avoid this migraine symptom/relief cycle or more quickly end one. Air hugs
EA-P Member
I have found that a full water enema, using a hot water bottle style enema kit and doing multiple flushes until the water comes out clear, gives me pretty much total, completely drug free relief every time. It takes about an hour but is so worth it! Sometimes if my neck muscles have some residual tension (and even if they are still tense they just hurt a bit locally without that toxic head pain we all know too well) I’ll follow up with Advil or Tylenol and an ice pack on my neck and a heat pack on my stomach simultaneously to take care of the muscle soreness and just generally to soothe my system after the assault of the migraine. I got this protocol from an acupuncturist thirty years ago and I was skeptical before I tried it but it is the best piece of medical advice I’ve ever received. 
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="EA-P" user-id="8663441"/> - This is most interesting. I've never heard of this approach before but it sounds logical to me as there are so many ties between migraine and the gut. Thank you for sharing this treatment strategy with us and so glad it is working so well for you. Warmly- Holly <a href='https://-migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>-migraine.com</a> team.