Do you suffer from migraines?

I check in with a headache-related board every now and again. A NUMBER of people are experiencing relief by using the following anti-inflammatory vitamin regimen (a happy side effect is that many are experiencing some weight loss) :

10,000 IU vitamin D3
2,000 - 3,000 mg Omega 3 supplement

A cal/mag/zinc combo that totals 1,000 - 1200mg of calcium and up to 750mg magnesium and 50 mg zinc (many are less than that on the mag and zinc) and make sure it is CALCIUM CITRATE not calcium carbonate (Most cal/mag combos are 2:1, and that works). Some take this 2x a day, others take smaller pills 3x or 4x a day.

Some have been experiencing nausea on this, so cut back (or eliminate) the Omega 3 - though it seems to be a primary driver of the weight loss portion. Some are getting headache relief without the omega 3, others aren't.

Most of the cal/mag supplements have a small amount of D3 in them - these people are just not worrying about that.

The lowest amount of D3 that is helping someone is 5,000 IU. The maximum, so far, is 14,000 IU. (Note that if your body is young and working well, you can create 10,000 IU of D3 from 1/2 hour in the sun. Studies have found no toxicity at these levels, but you may want to have blood work done to make sure you're good to go after a few months to get your D tested - and always a good idea to discuss things like this with your Doc).

D3 is fat soluble, so try to find gel caps if you can.

...and to help boost the pH affect, swallow the pills with juice - orange juice, lemonade, fruit juice of some kind (but try to avoid juice with high fructose corn syrup).

One final note: It is VERY important to take the cal/mag/zinc supplement with the D3, or these levels of D3 will leech the calcium out of your bones.

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Quote from the board:


We think the anti-inflammatory regimen (D3 and Omega3) works to reduce the neurogenic inflammation. The buffering regimen (Calcium Citrate/Magnesium/Zinc) elevates arterial pH making it more alkaline in the hopes of reducing the vasodilation also associated with the headache syndrome. A low arterial pH (too much acid) tends to trigger vasodilation and that aggravates the pain.

The anti-inflammatory regimen consists of 10,000I.U. vitamin D3 and 2000mg to 3000mg Omega 3 Fish Oil taken daily.

The buffering regimen consists of 2 to 3 of the calcium citrate tablets (formulated with vitamin D3, 800I.U. in two tablets) magnesium and zinc washed down with citric acid from lemonade or limeade taken each day. I've also used margarita mix without the alcohol as it has additional citric acid.

The combination of calcium citrate and citric acid acts as a buffer on the stomach's gastric juice and contents elevating the mix from a pH of 2.0 up to 3.9. The magnesium helps in this process as well.

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I do... A lot!
I take daily prescriptions to prevent it- Topamax 75mg 2x a day, and on crisis I take Maxalt 10. I take LOTS of omega 3, about 7200mg, but mine comes from Golden Flaxseed Meal- I take 2tbsp before each meal
I will check these studies- topamax has reduced my migraines by 90% I would say- it has been great!

Carolina, it seems it's the Vitamin D3 in combination with the cal/mag/zinc (all are important in the metabolism of D3 I guess).

It's late, and I'm tired, but I think there were links - I'll post them tomorrow.

I'm glad the topomax has been working for you. Gary tried it and at a pretty low dose it had some horrible side effects for him.

I don't know if this will help him or not. Prednisone didn't at all, and it's a powerful anti-inflammatory. We'll just have to see.

Originally Posted by LDG

I'm glad the topomax has been working for you.

Gary tried it and at a pretty low dose it had some horrible side effects for him.

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Yep, the side effects in the beginning are horrible for sure - to begin with you get stupid, forget words, can't think straight, can put sentences together clearly.... Then there are the sleepy hands and feet, and other physical side effects. The good news is that they all go away and you get normal again
Topamax is a pretty powerful seizure medicine that affects your central nervous system - yep, you do need some time to adjust to it for sure... I am glad I was unemployed when I started it - it does work wonders though

Originally Posted by LDG

The maximum, so far, is 14,000 IU. (Note that if your body is young and working well, you can create 10,000 IU of D3 from 1/2 hour in the sun. Studies have found no toxicity at these levels, but you may want to have blood work done to make sure you're good to go after a few months to get your D tested - and always a good idea to discuss things like this with your Doc).

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Be careful taking such medication without talking to your doctor first. There is such thing as vitamin toxicity. For vitamin D it is called "Hypervitaminosis D."

Hypervitaminosis D is a potentially serious problem as it can cause permanent kidney damage, growth retardation, calcification of soft tissues and death. Mild symptoms of intoxication are nausea, weakness, constipation and irritability.

That being said, in 2005 I was found to have virtually no vitamin D in my body! The amounts were negligable. I was having chronic, severe, incapacitating bone pain. I was depressed plus a whole lot more. A pain clinic doctor did a bunch of blood work including a vitamin D level and found how deficient I was. She started me on a high dose vitamin D, 50,000 iu twice weekly for 6 months, and then 5,000 iu daily after that. After 6 months on the high dose my pain had diminished by about 80% and my depression had improved.

A couple years ago I had my levels tested again, they still hadn't normalized and were still in the symptomatic levels. So my doctor put me on another 6 months of high dose vitamin D. I now take 5,000 iu daily in the summer months and about 8,000 iu daily in the winter. So far my vitamin D levels are bearly maintaning just below normal values.

Part of my problem is that I am not an outdoors type person and I absolutely hate sitting in the bright sunlight. And sitting in the shade doesn't give you vitamin D.

Is the 10,000 IU of Vit D3 weekly?

Edit: I just saw Natalie_ca's post, this was exactly why I was asking. I'm also Vitimin D defficent and I was only instructed to take 2,000 IU as a daily supliment because more would be too dangerouse despite my severe defficency

Originally Posted by sillyitiliangrl

Is the 10,000 IU of Vit D3 weekly?

Edit: I just saw Natalie_ca's post, this was exactly why I was asking. I'm also Vitimin D defficent and I was only instructed to take 2,000 IU as a daily supliment because more would be too dangerouse despite my severe defficency

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One doesn't need to take a high dose to develop toxicity. Some experience it at even 1,000 iu per day.

Vitamin D is all the rage right now. But it's a very dangerous vitamin too. In fact all are if taken incorrectly. Which is why anyone wanting to start on vitaimins, herbs, supplements etc, should always go to their family doctor first to check if it's ok for them to take.

Also, many over the counter medications such as vitamins, herbs, minerals, supplements etc can interact and interfere with other medications.

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

Vitamin D is all the rage right now. But it's a very dangerous vitamin too. In fact all are if taken incorrectly. Which is why anyone wanting to start on vitaimins, herbs, supplements etc, should always go to their family doctor first to check if it's ok for them to take.

Also, many over the counter medications such as vitamins, herbs, minerals, supplements etc can interact and interfere with other medications.

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so true!

I once was a sufferer.
Food allergies was one culprit. MSG, any red seasoning, like paprika.

Later I found that my body was needing hormones. I once was on HRT - the schedule was much like birth control pills - off the first 5 days of the month, then start again on the 6th day. By the 3rd day off the estrogen, the migraine developed. After I discovered this pattern I asked my doctor and he gave me a prescription for the full month.

So, as long as I stay away from milk products, certain seasonings, especially MSG, and continue my bio-identical hormones - I do great. Oh, and lessening my stress is always helpful!

I am so sorry to hear when someone is suffering from migraines - I almost get one when I hear about it.

I suffer from migraines, but thankfully not nearly as often as I used to. I might have one now every 2-3 months where I was once having 2-3 a week! Mine also seem to be hormone related, so if I am going to get one now, it is usually right before that time of the month.

Migraine patient here! OMG I can't tell you how many doctors and tests! UGG!

Now I'm pretty much free of the emergency room trips and heavy narcotics! YEAH! And days on the sofa in agony

I am on 200mg of Topomax daily. And that's it! I agree starting the Topomax was awful! About 8 weeks of terrible side effects! I dropped and broke so much stuff I still get numb hands in the cold.

For about 6 months I saw a pain therapy massage specialist for my neck and that helped a lot. I went twice a week $$$ but it was worth it.

And I see a Pain Management Dr. I get trigger point injections in my neck, back and shoulders. I used to get them every 4 weeks for about a year (tapering off to every 6-8 weeks) but now I'm on an as needed and I'm usually good for about 4 months!

I had headaches almost daily with really severe ones every other week or so. It got to the point it was crippling. I would go to work either vomiting from pain or so doped up from narcotics I couldn't function. But I couldn't stay home. We looked into claiming disability for me with the help of my neurologist.

But then I found a new Dr. and new treatments and I have been migraine free for over 3 years!!!! Only the occasional headache and they don't last that long. I highly suggest a Pain Management Dr. that specializes in migraines. I ran the circus of Dr.'s for years and they did nothing! This man changed my life!! The first thing he did was take me OFF all the crazy medication - no more narcotics, no more "migraine meds" - they actually cause more headaches than they cure!

Count me in. I am off work again today for a migraine. Thankfully, it seems to be on its way as I am starting to feel better today. I get a really nasty one about every three or four months, I guess, but they'll last for several days. Usually I only miss one day of work and work the rest of the time with it, as long as it's not fullblown. I don't seem to get the auras so much anymore (mine aura was broken vision), just a sensation of something sharp ripping through my left temple. The vomiting comes soon after that. I can't have sound or anything bright for a day or so, then I'm Ok other than the headache. But that headache can last as long as 4-5 days before finally going away.

I can't take the prescription meds for migraines as I have high blood pressure and, although it's well under control, my dr hesitates to try them on me. I pop Advil by the pound and go to bed.

Because of being diagnosed with osteopaenia, I take a lot of calcium and Vitamin D, in addition to omega 3s with the fish oil. I'm already on HRT, a special compound of testosterone, progesterone, and estradiol.

I started with migraines when I reached puberty. After the birth of my son, they went away. When I hit 40, though, they came back. Part of it is genetic, I think, because my grandmother had them, too. She would end up in bed for almost a week, they were that bad.

I used to get a lot of painful migraines when I started working. With the computers, and the LED lights in the ceiling, it was painful. Went to the doctors, he suggested getting glare-reducing glasses since everything checked out fine with me.

Got the glasses, and no headaches since then! I find if I don't wear them at work, I start to feel the pressure.

When I do get Migraines (which is rare now), I take Exedrin for Migraines and it goes away

I had suffered with headaches as a kid and the migraines came later. I suffered with them for many years but as I grew older migraines became less and less. I had gone for tests to see what was going on but all came back negative. Now at the age of 66 I can't remember when I had a migraine last, it's been many years. I do still suffer tho with headaches as I have all my life but they come in spurts. I usually take Advil for them. When I had a migraine, I just stayed in a dark room laying down with a cold towel around my neck and one on my forehead, it seemed to help. Usually the pain was on one side of my forehead and it was horrible.

Originally Posted by Draco

I used to get a lot of painful migraines when I started working. With the computers, and the LED lights in the ceiling, it was painful. Went to the doctors, he suggested getting glare-reducing glasses since everything checked out fine with me.

Got the glasses, and no headaches since then! I find if I don't wear them at work, I start to feel the pressure.

When I do get Migraines (which is rare now), I take Exedrin for Migraines and it goes away

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Right after our department moved into a new building, management decided to install huge ceiling lights throughout. Very bright, very annoying. And, of course, one of the lights was installed right above my desk and another one was directly in front of me on the ceiling. As a result, I found myself with a headache almost every morning by 10 or so. Thankfully, I'm not the only one bothered by the lights; both of my co-workers hate them as much as I do. We don't turn them on and we have our own lights in our cubes.

I was taking Exedrin for Migraines and that seemed to help a lot. Eventually, I guess I got used to the dosage or something because it doesn't work anymore.

Well, Gary's problem isn't migraines, but right at the moment, the people for whom other meds haven't helped their migraines (or clusters, many suffer both), this regimine is working for about 80%. Like I said, it's been a while since I was over there, and apparently a lot had low Vit D levels, because they're still under or around normal at these levels. Some have adjusted based on Dr. input at this point. OBVIOUSLY (and as I said in my original post), consult your Doc. But again - if you're young and healthy, 1/2 hour in the sun and you can generate 10,000 IU D3.

And I think someone asked - but this isn't a weekly dose they're using, it's a daily dose. Some started out at lower levels, and if they didn't respond, they upped the dose until they found the therapeutic level. Of course, you can only do that if you're really plagued by migraines, otherwise it takes to long to figure it out. Those with monthly migraines have been skipping them.

So just thought I'd share.

The cluster heads (a number of them, obviously not everyone) are finding they can detox off their verapamil and topomax and imitrex - the statins and the triptans - and are pain free.

Found one of the links: http://www.achenet.org/education/pat...izeTherapy.asp

Originally Posted by LDG

The cluster heads (a number of them, obviously not everyone) are finding they can detox off their verapamil and topomax and imitrex - the statins and the triptans - and are pain free.

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Thank you
I will tell you something though.... I have suffered from migraines for over 30 years... Severe migraines... I used to go to the ER or to emergency clinics begging for an anti-inflammatory shot and a pain killer because the pain was just so debilitating.... Then enters Topamax and that is GONE. Sure, I still have migraines, of course I do... But now the difference is that not only they are much less frequent (used to be almost daily), they are also manageable. Before, no matter what I took, I would have them for days and nothing would take the pain away. Now in most cases Excedrin will do it, and if not, Maxalt will.
With that stated, no way I would risk go back into that dark dark place.... Don't take me wrong.... But had I not found something that totally works for me, I sure would be trying it... But I don't think I can give up on Topamax... not really... I helps me a lot... I guess it is trauma... I really really hate migraines...

I've had migraines since I was a teenager. I'm on a beta-blocker, Inderal 160mg, for prevention. I use Midrin and/or Imitrex (depending on when in the pain cycle I catch it.) I had a significant reduction in number when I started the Inderal, but they've recently increased (could be the extreme stress I've been under lately.) I have a GP appointment next month, so maybe we'll revaluate treatment then.)

I will keep Gary in my prayers. I hope this brings him some relief!

Originally Posted by Carolina

With that stated, no way I would risk go back into that dark dark place....

Don't take me wrong.... But had I not found something that totally works for me, I sure would be trying it... But I don't think I can give up on Topamax... not really... I helps me a lot... I guess it is trauma... I really really hate migraines...

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Trust me, Carolina, I totally understand. When they were all discussing it, they were trying to figure out just WHAT it was that was working - and almost no one was willing to stop one or the other to figure it out LOL. Once you get relief, you don't want to mess with anything. (Several found the courage, and figured out the D3 was the most important factor).

Originally Posted by Pookie-poo

I've had migraines since I was a teenager. I'm on a beta-blocker, Inderal 160mg, for prevention. I use Midrin and/or Imitrex (depending on when in the pain cycle I catch it.) I had a significant reduction in number when I started the Inderal, but they've recently increased (could be the extreme stress I've been under lately.) I have a GP appointment next month, so maybe we'll revaluate treatment then.)

I will keep Gary in my prayers. I hope this brings him some relief!

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Not yet, and most people see an immediate improvement (within 48 hours). But it's based on a highly anti-inflammatory regimen - and prednisone didn't work for him either. We'll see. For a few people, it took months to work, so I'll just keep giving him the supplements.