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Following elimination diet

I have been studying the migraine elimination diet posted here and every time I read it I find another food group I missed. It's a work in process. Most of the foods I love I have to eliminate, but hey, if it means a reduction in migraine I'm all for it. Also have been studying the website "Truth In Labeling" about MSG and all the hidden sources and finding it everywhere now. Most of the time I spend copious hours just reading labels online. I have narrowed down my food source to just the basics for now and will keep this way for several months to see if I made a dent in the number of migraines I get. I have been having them 3-4 times a week and can't take that anymore, so have to try elimination of my food source.

Zonegran has stopped working and so has Imitrex. Will try Maxalt as my next abortive but not sure what my neurologist has up his sleeve for the preventive as I have tried everything else.

Debbie

  1. Hi Debbie,

    Thank you for sharing your story with us. I understand how challenging an elimination diet can be - good for you! The thing about triggers in general is they can change over time. Once we think we have them down, another could crop up!

    I'm sorry to hear those medications seem to be losing their effectiveness, which can also happen over time with migraine disease. I don't have any luck using the pill form of triptans, but can use the nasal sprays. You may want to try another delivery system and see how that works.

    Try not to lose hope, there are over 100 medications and supplements that can be used for migraine prevention! Let me share this article with you on migraine prevention medications; https://migraine.com/blog/migraine-preventives-start/.

    Let me know what you think,
    Nancy

    1. Really Nancy,

      Over 100 medications and supplements. I'm reading that article too.

      Jo1950, I make most of my own food now. Turns out, I love to cook. MSG, Aspartame, sulfites, and anything labeled as half-fat are usual culprits for me. Wish food would be called food again and not Organic or Modified. It would help alleviate some of the Migraines. Let us know what foods really work for you and which ones don't. I am still able to learn a thing or two.

      Warm Regards
      Ronan

      1. It's true Ronan! And if we add up all the combinations of medications that number goes up!!

        Nancy

        1. I am about to jump into the elimination diet for the 2nd time. I did it in 2015, but only the elimination part. Taking out everything worked great. I went from having a headache nearly every day to almost never having a headache. It was amazing!

          The problem was, I never systematically tested putting things back in. I just eliminated everything until I couldn't take it anymore and then let things slip back in until I had pretty much given up.

          I've tried to get started again a few times since then, but the feeling of severe deprivation is quite immediate.

          I'm going to try to keep the reward (fewer migraines) and end goal (figuring out my triggers) in mind so I can get through the first weeks!

          1. Hi elisekloster,

            Good for you! I know an elimination diet is not easy, but as you said may be rewarding in the end! Please let me know if I can help in any way, and keep us posted!

            Nancy

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