Migraines - going the wrong way?

#1

I’ve been on keto about 3-4 weeks (2nd round, was on it for a couple months last fall), doing well, except for the last 10 days or so I’ve had a series of migraines, or maybe just one loooonnnnggg one, it’s hard to tell. From what I have read on the forum here, most people’s migraines improved or went away. Hoping this is just a “phase” that I’ll, um, grow out of. Macros all good, no trouble staying on track. Physically I feel fine, losing weight, more energy, able to exercise, all the good stuff, except for this dang headache. Saw doctor today, she didn’t really have any suggestions. Tylenol doesn’t do much, my kidneys won’t tolerate ibuprofen or naproxen, tramadol works but geez I hate to take narcotics. Maybe I should try eating more carbs? Guess I’m just looking for a little moral support here, if anyone has a similar story with a happy ending I’d sure like to hear it right about now! Thanks! :slight_smile:

(Omar) #2

Are you taking too much salt?
is your magnesium dose sufficient?

scared by the warnings of having to take one full tea spoon of salt daily I overdid the salt and got headache but after adjusting to half a tea spoon And upped magnesium to 400 no more headaches.

(Ron) #3

Not enough can cause headaches as well. You need to find the balance.

(Raj Seth) #4

My migraines (gone for 10 yrs now) we’re always triggered by dehydration.

On initial keto, headaches seem most associated with salt and water. Maybe try more of both?

#5

Thanks all!

I have been on extra magnesium for years due to a heart condition, but dehydration could be a factor, even though I feel like I’m always drinking water. This is a very dry climate and it may not be enough. I will step up the water and salt. Fortunately, salt is not a problem for my heart. :grin:

My regular doc didn’t have any brilliant ideas, but I’m going to an acupuncturist today… fingers crossed!

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #6

I was just reading that insulin is an anti-diuretic, so when we go keto we have to make a point of staying hydrated, because the kidneys go back to excreting water and sodium at what is actually a normal rate.

For what it’s worth, I went through a spate of migraine auras earlier this year, sometimes two a day, whereas before going keto I might get a migraine once every four to six months. On the other hand, none of these auras progressed to the full-blown headache, even when I didn’t take a painkiller, and they went away after twenty minutes, which was remarkably fast for me. Before keto, I would have to lie down for a couple of hours, minimum. I haven’t experienced any auras in a couple of months, either, now that I think about it. I’ve been keto for over a year, now, so there is hope that perhaps your migraines will eventually stop troubling you.

#7

Ok, I’ve been extra-conscientious about hydration, though I can’t say I felt a a huge difference. But… yesterday I had a second acupuncture treatment, and chiropractic the day before. This morning… NO headache! Hurray! :grin:

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #8

Just watched a video of a lecture by Jeff Volek given at a Low Carb Down Under event three years ago. It was the first time I had seen that particular lecture, and I was intrigued that when mentioning the symptoms of keto flu, he included migraine as a possible symptom. So now I am wondering if the auras I have been experiencing were triggered by times when my salt consumption had dropped. I’m going to keep better track of how much salt I’m getting and work to keep it up. The recent work done at McMaster University suggests that in terms of health and mortality it is safer to err on the side of too much salt rather than too little.

(Ron) #9

I have noticed this on a personal level and did resolve the headache situation with upped salt intake. I average around 8000mg sodium daily. I have always been a salt freek :crazy_face: but still had to up it on Keto.

(Christy Moreno) #10

@jeanindenver did you migraines go away? I’m going through a nasty streak of them now and need relief. Going to add magnesium, potassium, and a bit more sodium. Wake up every morning with a migraine and have to take sumatriptan. If I don’t take it, i’ll have a headache. blood sugar is great and ketones are strong. headaches make it hard to not cheat
Thanks :slight_smile:

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #11

I have been experimenting since my last post in this thread. Every time I’ve gotten the beginnings of a migraine, I’ve been able to stop it in its tracks with a bit of salt. Ever since I started working to keep my salt intake up, I’ve been migraine-free.