What To Do For A Headache Because Most Pills Have Gluten

[YoloGx]

Hi gpf,

Just wanted to add that with feverfew you have to take it for a month or two (I have forgotten the exact details--however I am sure you can look it up) every day for it to work. Its a kind of prophylactic that makes it so you just don't get the migraines (or at least as much). Feverfew helps make it so excess blood does not easily get stuck in your head. Though I will say it also helps to take it again while you do have a migraine too--especially as a tea. The prophylactic however could just be pills. Buy a bush, its cheap enough and once started hard to get rid of.

And you are right about the fibronylitic enzymes--they take down inflammation as well as get rid of excess fibrin which is what creates scar tissue. I use the bromelain/papain and nattokinase on an empty stomach (usually with my co-enzyme B vitamins) away from food. This way (i.e., taken away from food) the enzymes act as systemic enzymes. You can take serrapeptidase instead of nattokinase in case trace amounts of soy bother you.

Nattokinase is derived from Natto--fermented soybeans -- the bacillus is found in straw. You can also use Natto cakes--and get no doubt lots msore other enzyems too as well as the pungent taste. The ancient Samurai discovered its healing benefits curing scar tissue and giving the warriors extra energy (since it also clears the plaque buildup in the blood vessels etc.) over 1000 years ago.

Serrapeptidase functions similarly--its produced by silkworms so they can break through their silk chrysalis. Apparently its difficult to even shoot a bullet through silk, instead it often stretches.

I have found yes, taking down the source of the migraines really works. This not only means avoiding food sensitivities etc. as well as also taking down the inflammation itself (when avoidance doesn't happen or work) is crucial.

Bea

[bon appetit]

Thank you for all of your advice I'm sitting here with a pen trying to get it all down. Nothing seems to be getting rid of this headache though. I had my biopsy today, Oh what fun. My GI specialist said I needed to adopt a high fiber diet but this confuses me because I eat tons of high fiber foods; popcorn, brocholi, culiflour, zuchinni, rice etc. basically everything I eat has high fiber content. Perhaps I'm simply not absorbing it because of the celiac disease?

[tarnalberry]

I have had chronic headaches. Going gluten and casein free didn't get rid of them (though casein was a headache trigger). I never was able to isolate a particular migraine trigger really, and I'm on daily preventatives, because twice weekly migraines that last 2-3 days a piece is a bit of a problem. What was also contributing to my headaches, however, was a forward head posture and lack of curve in my cervical spine, from poor posture and musculature. Working with a chiropractor (almost entirely me doing exercises and traction, and then a few adjustments), I made a lot of progress in this area. I would add that suggestion that anyone with chronic headaches (migraine or not) to work with a structurally based chiro, or a PT or massage therapist.

[YoloGx]

I have had chronic headaches. Going gluten and casein free didn't get rid of them (though casein was a headache trigger). I never was able to isolate a particular migraine trigger really, and I'm on daily preventatives, because twice weekly migraines that last 2-3 days a piece is a bit of a problem. What was also contributing to my headaches, however, was a forward head posture and lack of curve in my cervical spine, from poor posture and musculature. Working with a chiropractor (almost entirely me doing exercises and traction, and then a few adjustments), I made a lot of progress in this area. I would add that suggestion that anyone with chronic headaches (migraine or not) to work with a structurally based chiro, or a PT or massage therapist.

I ditto that thought! Structural work is so important--and then self care. Thus the yoga and the tiny tennis ball for pressure point relief when you can't go to the therapist.

Bea

[gfp]

Thank you for all of your advice I'm sitting here with a pen trying to get it all down. Nothing seems to be getting rid of this headache though. I had my biopsy today, Oh what fun. My GI specialist said I needed to adopt a high fiber diet but this confuses me because I eat tons of high fiber foods; popcorn, brocholi, culiflour, zuchinni, rice etc. basically everything I eat has high fiber content. Perhaps I'm simply not absorbing it because of the celiac disease?

No because you don't adsorb fibre, that is basically what fibre is... (the part of food that is passed through in simple terms).

Rice, especially white has not so much fibre... basically its the part that is gotton rid of in white rice BUT the figures can be misleading because they often refer to uncooked rice. Hence per oz or hundred grams uncooked it appears quite good but when you adsorb all that water there is little left percentage wise.

Zuccini is similar, its lots of water .. take away the water and its not much fibre ... however eating food naturally high in water like zuccini, celery and cucumber is pretty good overall.

[YoloGx]

No because you don't adsorb fibre, that is basically what fibre is... (the part of food that is passed through in simple terms).

Rice, especially white has not so much fibre... basically its the part that is gotton rid of in white rice BUT the figures can be misleading because they often refer to uncooked rice. Hence per oz or hundred grams uncooked it appears quite good but when you adsorb all that water there is little left percentage wise.

Zuccini is similar, its lots of water .. take away the water and its not much fibre ... however eating food naturally high in water like zuccini, celery and cucumber is pretty good overall.

Have you tried using freshly ground flax seed? Grind 1 tablespoon in a small coffee grinder with 1/4 tsp. apple pectin. Mix in water, drink then chase with more water. Excellent as fibre. Really does the job without stressing the intestines. Plus gives you Omega 3's. The apple pectin also helps pull out excess toxins that might be hanging out as well as acting as a bulking agent and demulscent. Very inexpensive too.

[bon appetit]

I will definitely give that a try, I do like flax seed so perhaps I just start tossing it in with my cereal in the mornings as well. Giving up diet coke is proving to be rather difficult. I can't wait to experience the benefits of this profound dietary change, I had such a bad diet before chocolate, pizza etc. The other day when I left the library after hours of research I was hungry and there were tons of restaurants it was so tempting - water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink!

[ellen123]

I just got off the phone with the company that makes Longs Drugs brand ("generic") ibuprofen and their 200 mg coated caplets are gluten-free. They're the same thing as Advil but a lot cheaper.

I'm waiting for an email back from the company that makes Traumeel (a homeopathic antiinflammatory tablet) that my friends swear by but I've never tried. If it's gluten-free too, I'll post it here and also on the Products forum.

Ellen