Much has been written about the cause of chronic migraine headaches. I know this because I spent countless hours trying to solve my own migraine riddle. No doctor could really help. I would ask why I had migraines, but they typically ignored the question. I think it was easier to just blame them on female hormones. Something I had to live with. I’ve come to realize that the real answer is that doctors just don’t know it all. Primarily because they have never had to live with. Day in. Day out. If you have, then you tend to want to dig deeper. I used to want my doctor to have to spend a week with me so that he could understand better what I was going through.

Starting in 2001, I began to have chronic daily migraine headaches. I dealt with this for over 2 years before I was able to ferret out my particular issues. I already knew, at the start, that fragrances were a big migraine trigger for me. But something had changed. There was much more to my migraines. And I was the only one interested in figuring it out.

That’s when I began my research. I started with the typical things known to trigger migraines: female hormones, bright lights, stress, lack of sleep, not eating, weather changes, red wine, caffeine. Some – really bright sunshine and skipping meals – were issues for me. Others were not. But the causes for my chronic migraine headaches were deeper and more complex than many migraine sites suggest.

Here’s what I found in my migraine odyssey:

1. I found foods that I once could eat without problems were now migraine triggers – including MSG, aspartame, walnuts and other nuts, and more.
2. I found that every day smells could trigger a migraine – cooking smells, natural essential oils, etc. Basically, strong smells.
3. I found that fragrances and chemicals could trigger a migraine at levels that were almost undetectable.
4. I found that I had to become very picky about the types of products I used to clean my home.
5. I found that I had to become very picky about the types of personal products I used: soaps, shampoos, deodorants, hairsprays, etc.
6. I found that I am blessed to have a husband who is willing to adapt to the changes I had to ask him to make.
7. I found that I have to be picky about where I go, who I sit near, where I stay on vacation, and even where I work.
8. I found that, between migraines and allergies, I had to give up makeup. It just got ridiculous spending money and either throwing or giving away makeup that I couldn’t wear. Today, many people are surprised to learn that I have no makeup on. (Proof that no one really notices your makeup.) I also get a lot of compliments on my complexion. I’m often told that I’m lucky to have such nice skin that I don’t need makeup. I often wonder: “Do I not need makeup because I have nice skin? OR do I have nice skin because I don’t use makeup?”
9. I found that I had to give up on hair color and perms and just accept my hair as it is. I am doing good to be able to get my hair cut in a salon these days.
10. I found that anything I had to give up was worth for my health and well-being.

Do you suffer with chronic daily migraines? What are you willing to give up to be pain free? Would you like to dig deep and determine their causes? Schedule a free consultation to see how I can help you. I can be reached via my contact page.