Obesity and Migraines?
As I've gained weight since high school/college, I've also increasingly had migraines.
My migraines are so bad that I end up in the ER a couple of times a year for serious IV's.
My neurologist has me on a daily medication (Bystolic - a beta blocker) as well as Imatrex as needed for breakthrough migraines. I used to be on topamax - but I felt the side effects were too great without serious reduction on migraines. I never go a full week without a migraine - often I'm lucky to go more than a couple of days. I've had every test and nothing has shown up.
My question is this... has anyone had a reduction in migraines with WLS? I'm hopeful that it will work. Studies recently have shown there is a link between migraines and obesity and I really hope that losing the weight will help me.
My migraines are so bad that I end up in the ER a couple of times a year for serious IV's.
My neurologist has me on a daily medication (Bystolic - a beta blocker) as well as Imatrex as needed for breakthrough migraines. I used to be on topamax - but I felt the side effects were too great without serious reduction on migraines. I never go a full week without a migraine - often I'm lucky to go more than a couple of days. I've had every test and nothing has shown up.
My question is this... has anyone had a reduction in migraines with WLS? I'm hopeful that it will work. Studies recently have shown there is a link between migraines and obesity and I really hope that losing the weight will help me.
Ive suffered from migrains since I was 8 and ive been hospitalized as well.. I was always having them esp when I was pregnant.. I havent had a migrain in about 4 months every since I started losing weight... But I did just get my birthcontrol switched from the mirena to the nuva ring and I read if you have a history of migrains nuva ring could cause you to have more ..Of course all day today im having bad cramps on the side of my temple and by my eye I will prob have a migraine tom :( . ANy ways Having surgery is supposed to help with them and I believe its helped me out so far
I had increasing migraines through college/grad school associated with my menstrual cycle. I'd get one every couple of months, so they never put me on meds, but while having one I would have visual changes/pain/vomiting...the whole 9 yards.
Since having my RNY, I haven't had a single migraine (touch wood). Of course my period has also regulated itself as well. I attribute it to decreased estrogen levels.
Since having my RNY, I haven't had a single migraine (touch wood). Of course my period has also regulated itself as well. I attribute it to decreased estrogen levels.
Migraines from the time I was a pre-teen through WLS. I've had maybe 2 since surgery, and both were knocked out by Tylenol - no more heavy meds! I'm loving this!
Rebecca
Circumferential LBL, anchor TT, BL/BR, brachioplasty 12-16-10 Drs. Howard and Gutowski
Thigh lift 3-24-11, Drs. Howard and Gutowski again!
Height 5' 5". Start point 254. DH's goal: 154. My guess: 144. Insurance goal: 134. Currently bouncing around 130-135.
Circumferential LBL, anchor TT, BL/BR, brachioplasty 12-16-10 Drs. Howard and Gutowski
Thigh lift 3-24-11, Drs. Howard and Gutowski again!
Height 5' 5". Start point 254. DH's goal: 154. My guess: 144. Insurance goal: 134. Currently bouncing around 130-135. 
I have suffered migraines since my late teens. They said it was due to my irregular periods so I accepted it. Well I would still get them even when it wasnt my period time. Well I started seeing a neurologist many years ago and he did all kinds of test found I had a condition called Pseudotumor cerebri, which is caused by weight, which i have always been heavy. Well I had treatment and still had migraines. Since I have stopped drinking caffeine and had my surgery 4 weeks ago I have no had a migraine! I do get little headaches but nothing serious. I hope that you find out why you get the headaches or at least once you have the surgery they go away.
I have had migraines since I am about 12 years old but never diagnosed until I was about 25 or 30. I was told they were tension headaches since I had IBS, I thought it was feasible. Everyone loved to blame things on stress for women, especially with IBS>
Well, finally when my local neurologist didnt know what to do with me, he sent me to a specialist at a teaching hospital in the next town and he was the head of neurology and specialized in headaches. When I found out they were migraines, I was happy and pissed off at the same time. why couldnt the other neurologist figure this out? He made me suffer for 15 years with no treatment - the only thing he ever gave me when I was a teenager was fiurinol = same as fuirocet but with aspirin and not tylenol and that was a disaster - it killed my stomach and didnt help the headaches.
By time I saw the new neurologist i was getting migraines daily and sometimes they would last for 3 days and I would have to go to the ER atleast once per month to get it calm down. They would give me a shot of demerol, IV compazine and IV fluids and a quiet dark room to sleep for about 3 hours and it tended to calm down, sometimes when it ws really bad, I would need a second shot and more compazine.
When I got the neuologist- he did all the testing, MRI, EEG but didnt find anything. So, he gave me Imitrex at first and topamax as a preventative. It was a miracle pill. I then got them about 3 times per week instead of all the time but he wasnt happy with that so he increased the topamax and added verapamil (A calcium channel blocker) the combination worked great and I was only getting once or twice per week which I was very happy with and considered almost controlled. I then switched to Zomig instead of imitrex and that worked much better for me. At this point, I didnt' go to the ER very often, maybe 2 times per year. I also had terrible sinus problems for along time so that didnt help - sometimes I couldnt tell the difference between a sinus headache and a migraine so I would just take the zomig with a percocet and it worked great - helped both the migraine and the sinus pain.
In 2003, I was diagnosed with an Immune Deficiency and have been getting IV gamma globulin - it helps me fight off infections and it miraculously cured my asthma, stopped my constant infections and my migraines got better since no sinus troubles. So, that was great. I also was in perimenopause so only getting my period about 3 times per year, so that helped reduce them also
So, I was holding my own on the verapamil and topamax - having migraines about once or twice per week. Then in 2008, I had my gastric bypass and at the same time had my last period the day I woke up in the recovery room - very embarrasing and they werent prepared or equiped. But anyway, after my surgery and I was losing weight, I developed severely low blood pressure and a very low pulse. I had to go off of the verapamil, so he increased my topamax. Now that was the best thing that could have happened. Once he increased my topamax to 150mg at bedtime, I get a migraine about every 3 months and sometimes, it goes even longer. It is great. To me, topamax is a miracle drug. I know many people have terrible side effects from it but it doesnt affect me. I know my doctor told me to take it at bedtime to avoid side effects, so maybe that is why but I will never give up that drug. I am sure losing weight and menopause has helped but I know that topamax played a big part of it. and increasing the dose is what made a big difference.
Another thing you can try - my doctor had recommended 100mg of vitamin B2 daily as a preventive for migraines - I never took it but he says it works.
Well, finally when my local neurologist didnt know what to do with me, he sent me to a specialist at a teaching hospital in the next town and he was the head of neurology and specialized in headaches. When I found out they were migraines, I was happy and pissed off at the same time. why couldnt the other neurologist figure this out? He made me suffer for 15 years with no treatment - the only thing he ever gave me when I was a teenager was fiurinol = same as fuirocet but with aspirin and not tylenol and that was a disaster - it killed my stomach and didnt help the headaches.
By time I saw the new neurologist i was getting migraines daily and sometimes they would last for 3 days and I would have to go to the ER atleast once per month to get it calm down. They would give me a shot of demerol, IV compazine and IV fluids and a quiet dark room to sleep for about 3 hours and it tended to calm down, sometimes when it ws really bad, I would need a second shot and more compazine.
When I got the neuologist- he did all the testing, MRI, EEG but didnt find anything. So, he gave me Imitrex at first and topamax as a preventative. It was a miracle pill. I then got them about 3 times per week instead of all the time but he wasnt happy with that so he increased the topamax and added verapamil (A calcium channel blocker) the combination worked great and I was only getting once or twice per week which I was very happy with and considered almost controlled. I then switched to Zomig instead of imitrex and that worked much better for me. At this point, I didnt' go to the ER very often, maybe 2 times per year. I also had terrible sinus problems for along time so that didnt help - sometimes I couldnt tell the difference between a sinus headache and a migraine so I would just take the zomig with a percocet and it worked great - helped both the migraine and the sinus pain.
In 2003, I was diagnosed with an Immune Deficiency and have been getting IV gamma globulin - it helps me fight off infections and it miraculously cured my asthma, stopped my constant infections and my migraines got better since no sinus troubles. So, that was great. I also was in perimenopause so only getting my period about 3 times per year, so that helped reduce them also
So, I was holding my own on the verapamil and topamax - having migraines about once or twice per week. Then in 2008, I had my gastric bypass and at the same time had my last period the day I woke up in the recovery room - very embarrasing and they werent prepared or equiped. But anyway, after my surgery and I was losing weight, I developed severely low blood pressure and a very low pulse. I had to go off of the verapamil, so he increased my topamax. Now that was the best thing that could have happened. Once he increased my topamax to 150mg at bedtime, I get a migraine about every 3 months and sometimes, it goes even longer. It is great. To me, topamax is a miracle drug. I know many people have terrible side effects from it but it doesnt affect me. I know my doctor told me to take it at bedtime to avoid side effects, so maybe that is why but I will never give up that drug. I am sure losing weight and menopause has helped but I know that topamax played a big part of it. and increasing the dose is what made a big difference.
Another thing you can try - my doctor had recommended 100mg of vitamin B2 daily as a preventive for migraines - I never took it but he says it works.
Not to rain on your parade but my migraines got progressively worse after my WLS.
I suffered from migraines for over 20 years and my Neuro kept telling me if I just lost some weight they would probably go away on their own. What a crock. I know there are several that posted that their migraines seemed to be better, but I know many people from other online support groups that have gotten no relief or they are even worse.
I have finally found a great reduction in my migraines with the use of Botox and recently had surgeries to decompress and remove the nerves from my trigger zones. This has been the best relief from my migraines I have had in years.
Best of luck!
As someone who had them 8+ times a month (at least twice a week), I have not had a SINGLE migraine since WLS and weight loss. Mine were triggered by long periods of not eating, reduced sleep, stress, and those things have not changed so it had to be the surgery. My assumption is that since it also resolved my sleep apnea - I'm sure that had a LOT to do with it.
Heather
Since 2008 my team has raised over $42,000 to fight breast cancer.
Since 2008 my team has raised over $42,000 to fight breast cancer.
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