It’s been a while since my last post and in my world of migraines; it’s been quite an eventful and insightful couple of months…
Question time
Although I cannot deny its positive effect on my general well-being, I had been questioning whether Vemma was actually helping with my migraine and so I found myself reducing the dose from once a day to a couple of times a week. (This also had a lot to do with the fact that I didn't want to spend £50 a month if it wasn't working.) I guess I was hoping for a miracle and I was disappointed (but of course not entirely surprised), that Vemma hadn’t become my migraine cure. I was still getting migraines; I was averaging at one a month, and even though I know I am very lucky compared to other sufferers who have to endure many more than I do and certainly those that suffer from daily headaches, it was still too many. As a migraine sufferer, I go through good and bad patches. A bad patch is three in a week or several in a month. I thought great I am going through a good patch and I wasn’t entirely convinced it was due to Vemma. Well, I am rapidly changing my mind. Since lessening my intake of Vemma, the frequency of my migraines has increased. So it seems, or I hope it seems, that Vemma was doing a pretty good job at helping to reduce the number of attacks I suffer from. The outcome - I am now back to taking Vemma full-time!
The headache clinic
A few months ago I made an appointment to see a specialist at a headache clinic. Many years ago, my GP decided to refer me to a specialist to make sure there wasn't anything more sinister going on. There wasn't. This time, it was my decision to see a specialist as I was hungry for more information, especially about any new preventive measures that I hadn't tried. Leading up to the appointment I was optimistic even though in the back of my mind I knew I was probably getting my hopes up.
The appointment didn't go as well as I had hoped. I thought I would have plenty of time to ask lots of questions but I didn't and the appointment felt rushed. I was told that at the moment I have straightforward migraine which may develop into chronic headache given the right circumstances. I found out that treatment at the clinic is mostly focused on acute or responsive medications and I was given a prescription for Naratriptan to use as a rescue if required after taking Migraleve. However, I am more interested in finding a preventive that is not medication based so I asked if a dairy free diet would help and the doctor said there wasn't any proof that it would. He did, however, suggest taking either Magnesium or Vitamin B2 or the combination of them together is preferred. Co-enzyme Q10, Aspirin or even Butterbur would also be options. I will look into these. The appointment further confirmed the need to carry out my own research and there are still more avenues to explore...
A very strange migraine indeed
One day at work I experienced a very strange migraine – a mini migraine, which I am still baffled about.
I suffer from the classic migraine, and even though they can differ in severity, they always follow the same pattern. I will feel moody (usually nervous and anxious) a day or so before, although it is not always identified. I then get visual symptoms in one eye 30 minutes before a one sided headache on the opposite side to the aura, which is throbbing, accompanied with nausea and sickness, and sensitivity to light and sound. The following day I will feel washed out. With medication – I use Migraleve bought over the counter – the severity of the symptoms are lessened considerably.
On this particular day, as I sat working at my desk, a visual symptom much like a firework shot across my field of vision. I sometimes experience these randomly and sometimes they are a pre pre-warning to a migraine attack. However, this time, I started to feel unwell almost immediately, not so much so that I needed to take a couple of Migraleve tablets but I felt as if I had already taken the tablets and the symptoms were being controlled. I carried on my day as normal, grateful that it wasn't a full on attack and a little perturbed that after all these years as a migraine sufferer, a migraine can still strike taking a different shape and form.
Tuesday 30 October 2007
Monday 13 August 2007
Vemma diary: week eleven
Monday 13 August 2007
Since my last entry and two migraines later, I am still not sure if Vemma is helping to lesson the number of attacks I suffer from. However, what I am sure about is that it is helping with my general well being (for one, I have not caught a cold or the flu since starting on the programme when others around me have), and if Vemma with all its powerful nutritional and antioxidant properties is having such a positive effect on my health, then I am keen to carry on down the nutrition and diet route and see where it leads me.
Diet
Of course I already know that diet plays an important role when it comes to controlling migraine. My food triggers (and also the classic food triggers for migraine sufferers) certainly seem to be chocolate, cheese, red wine and citrus fruits, and I have avoided eating all of them for over 10 years. However I have sometimes wondered if I should be cutting out all dairy products. The other day I read an article about autism, in which it discusses the benefits of putting autistic children on a gluten- and dairy-free diet along with a number of supplements, minerals and vitamins to redress possible biochemical imbalances. The neurologist featured in the article, then went on to say how she advises her intractable migraine patients to have a trial of three weeks of a dairy-free diet, or three months of a gluten-free diet, as they will have fewer headaches because many people are sensitive (not allergic) to dairy and gluten. This is definitely an option to consider, but first I have an appointment with a headache specialist…
Since my last entry and two migraines later, I am still not sure if Vemma is helping to lesson the number of attacks I suffer from. However, what I am sure about is that it is helping with my general well being (for one, I have not caught a cold or the flu since starting on the programme when others around me have), and if Vemma with all its powerful nutritional and antioxidant properties is having such a positive effect on my health, then I am keen to carry on down the nutrition and diet route and see where it leads me.
Diet
Of course I already know that diet plays an important role when it comes to controlling migraine. My food triggers (and also the classic food triggers for migraine sufferers) certainly seem to be chocolate, cheese, red wine and citrus fruits, and I have avoided eating all of them for over 10 years. However I have sometimes wondered if I should be cutting out all dairy products. The other day I read an article about autism, in which it discusses the benefits of putting autistic children on a gluten- and dairy-free diet along with a number of supplements, minerals and vitamins to redress possible biochemical imbalances. The neurologist featured in the article, then went on to say how she advises her intractable migraine patients to have a trial of three weeks of a dairy-free diet, or three months of a gluten-free diet, as they will have fewer headaches because many people are sensitive (not allergic) to dairy and gluten. This is definitely an option to consider, but first I have an appointment with a headache specialist…
Friday 13 July 2007
Vemma diary: week seven
Friday 13 July 2007
Well, I had a migraine. Not happy. Oh dear. Even though I feel disappointed, I’m still remaining optimistic that Vemma will have a positive effect on my migraine. In a way it already has. The days following my attack, my hair was not limp and lifeless, as noted in my previous post. In fact, considering I was over due for a cut and highlights, my hair was looking pretty good. And that my friend, is thanks to the Vemma.
So onwards and upwards, and my mission continues. I plan to make an appointment with a specialist at King’s College London headache clinic. I want to find out if there is any new research and any other avenues that I can explore. My GP, when I asked for a referral letter, seemed quite taken aback saying ‘they won’t tell you anything different from what I can tell you,’ as she tried to offer me more preventive drugs that I have tried and don’t want to try again. Sitting there in the throws of a migraine, I answered somewhat aggressively ‘well, King’s College London is world renowned for its research so I think they will have plenty of new things to tell me!’ Never cross a migraine sufferer ha ha.
Talk, talk, talk
Since starting my blog, I have been talking more and more about my migraine. This is because my blog is making me think more and more about my condition, as I search for new ways to combat it. It’s good to talk and it’s equally as good to write it down. Those years of bottling it all up are well and truly passed, and I feel so much better for it.
Well, I had a migraine. Not happy. Oh dear. Even though I feel disappointed, I’m still remaining optimistic that Vemma will have a positive effect on my migraine. In a way it already has. The days following my attack, my hair was not limp and lifeless, as noted in my previous post. In fact, considering I was over due for a cut and highlights, my hair was looking pretty good. And that my friend, is thanks to the Vemma.
So onwards and upwards, and my mission continues. I plan to make an appointment with a specialist at King’s College London headache clinic. I want to find out if there is any new research and any other avenues that I can explore. My GP, when I asked for a referral letter, seemed quite taken aback saying ‘they won’t tell you anything different from what I can tell you,’ as she tried to offer me more preventive drugs that I have tried and don’t want to try again. Sitting there in the throws of a migraine, I answered somewhat aggressively ‘well, King’s College London is world renowned for its research so I think they will have plenty of new things to tell me!’ Never cross a migraine sufferer ha ha.
Talk, talk, talk
Since starting my blog, I have been talking more and more about my migraine. This is because my blog is making me think more and more about my condition, as I search for new ways to combat it. It’s good to talk and it’s equally as good to write it down. Those years of bottling it all up are well and truly passed, and I feel so much better for it.
Monday 25 June 2007
Vemma diary: week four
Monday 25 June 2007
Although not unusual, I have been migraine free for three weeks. Fantastic. But, something strange has happened to my hair. It has become thicker, softer and shinier! And no I haven’t changed my shampoo. It must be the Vemma. As I noted in my first post; thousands of years ago in India traditional ayurvedic doctors used the rind of mangosteen to maintain healthy eyes, skin and hair. And it seems I am following in their footsteps. Result.
Hairy thought
I am always learning new things about migraine – often from fellow sufferers. On the Vemma testimonials page, for example, a lady from Ohio noticed that her hair goes limp and lifeless during and after an attack: “Even my hair hurt and my hair dresser told me many times that it not only straightened the permanent wave out of my hair, my hair lost life for a period of time after a headache.” So the last time I had a migraine, I made a point of noting the state of my hair, and sure enough I had a bad hair day for several days afterwards.
Now I could say I would be interested to find out if Vemma helps with the condition of my hair the next time a migraine strikes, but of course that would be silly because I am hoping Vemma will help keep my migraine at bay. Now that would be a result!
Although not unusual, I have been migraine free for three weeks. Fantastic. But, something strange has happened to my hair. It has become thicker, softer and shinier! And no I haven’t changed my shampoo. It must be the Vemma. As I noted in my first post; thousands of years ago in India traditional ayurvedic doctors used the rind of mangosteen to maintain healthy eyes, skin and hair. And it seems I am following in their footsteps. Result.
Hairy thought
I am always learning new things about migraine – often from fellow sufferers. On the Vemma testimonials page, for example, a lady from Ohio noticed that her hair goes limp and lifeless during and after an attack: “Even my hair hurt and my hair dresser told me many times that it not only straightened the permanent wave out of my hair, my hair lost life for a period of time after a headache.” So the last time I had a migraine, I made a point of noting the state of my hair, and sure enough I had a bad hair day for several days afterwards.
Now I could say I would be interested to find out if Vemma helps with the condition of my hair the next time a migraine strikes, but of course that would be silly because I am hoping Vemma will help keep my migraine at bay. Now that would be a result!
Thursday 7 June 2007
Vemma diary: week two
Thursday 7 June 2007
Argh! On day 12 I had a migraine. My new thing – after seeking advice from the Migraine Trust helpline – is to push through it, which means getting on with my day as normal and not give in to it. This is very hard going but can, I have found, help speed up the recovery process. So early Monday morning when the migraine struck, I took a couple of Migraleve tablets, went back to sleep and woke up as normal to go to work. I was there 5 minutes when I realised I couldn’t actually focus on the computer screen as the words were dancing. So, back home I went. On this occasion I was happy to give in to it.
I feel a little disheartened that Vemma hasn’t worked its magic on my migraine yet but not surprised at this early stage. I need to give it longer…
Argh! On day 12 I had a migraine. My new thing – after seeking advice from the Migraine Trust helpline – is to push through it, which means getting on with my day as normal and not give in to it. This is very hard going but can, I have found, help speed up the recovery process. So early Monday morning when the migraine struck, I took a couple of Migraleve tablets, went back to sleep and woke up as normal to go to work. I was there 5 minutes when I realised I couldn’t actually focus on the computer screen as the words were dancing. So, back home I went. On this occasion I was happy to give in to it.
I feel a little disheartened that Vemma hasn’t worked its magic on my migraine yet but not surprised at this early stage. I need to give it longer…
Tuesday 5 June 2007
Vemma diary: week one
Thursday 31 May 2007
Well, ironically the day I decide to take my first dose of Vemma I suffered a migraine. The liquid is nice tasting, which you take in a shot glass – mixing the Essential Minerals with the Mangosteen Plus. James told me I would probably have a sore throat, feel a little run down and come out in spots in the first week as my body adjusts, but so far all I have experienced is a sore throat in day two. On day five I had a slight hangover even though I had drunk a lot over many hours. While my housemates were white faced and on the verge of throwing up, I couldn’t help but wonder if I would be the same if it wasn’t for the Vemma in my system. I will, for medical research, continue to test this theory out!
Well, ironically the day I decide to take my first dose of Vemma I suffered a migraine. The liquid is nice tasting, which you take in a shot glass – mixing the Essential Minerals with the Mangosteen Plus. James told me I would probably have a sore throat, feel a little run down and come out in spots in the first week as my body adjusts, but so far all I have experienced is a sore throat in day two. On day five I had a slight hangover even though I had drunk a lot over many hours. While my housemates were white faced and on the verge of throwing up, I couldn’t help but wonder if I would be the same if it wasn’t for the Vemma in my system. I will, for medical research, continue to test this theory out!
The story so far
Wednesday 23 May 2007
I have suffered from migraine ever since I was 12 years old. I kept thinking ‘I will grow out of this’ but it never happened. So here I am 20 years later and quite frankly I have had enough. So I am on a mission to find a cure – always have been – but now I am broadening my horizons.
Preventative drugs
As a teenager I tried many preventative drugs that didn’t work. After a month or so I would become intolerant to them. At the age of 17, however, I got hooked on Beta-blockers, a drug which is used to treat high blood pressure. They work by relaxing the blood vessels and as a result I was relaxed…all of the time. My mum was right to be concerned that I wasn’t quite myself, and so I went cold turkey.
Botox in the forehead
Much time passed and in 2004 whilst interviewing the owner of a medical clinic, she told me she had had Botox injected into her forehead for the usual reason of smoothing out wrinkles, however, and get this – as a side effect she hadn’t suffered a migraine since. This sounded great to me apart from one detail – my forehead would be frozen and I wouldn't be able to form any kind of expression there. What would happen when I was puzzled or sad or whatever? No – I decided there and then that wasn’t for me.
Hole in the heart
And then last year I read that some people suffer from migraine due to a tiny hole in their heart, which scientists believe stops the right amount of oxygen reaching the brain or allows unfiltered blood with toxins to pass through. Everyone has a small hole in the heart when they develop in the womb. Usually this closes at birth but sometimes it remains open and you may never be aware of it. Once the hole had been sealed up – you guessed it – no more migraine. I work for King’s College London and there are opportunities to volunteer for research studies. One such study involved having a MRI scan of the heart to provide information on the heart’s blood supply. The perfect opportunity to ask the doc to keep a look out for any holes! Well it turns out I have a healthy heart and even if I did have a small hole in the heart would I go through heart surgery which involves a certain amount of risk and could cause complications to seal the hole up? The doc had a point.
The unseen illness
So why am I sharing my story with you? Well, migraine is often called the unseen illness because typically when a person has an attack they lay down in a darkened room, needing to be away from everyone and everything. Plus, I never used to talk about my condition, preferring to forget all about it until the next attack. But I am no longer hiding it away and now I do want to talk about. By creating more awareness I can hopefully help others like me beat this thing or at least find a way to manage it.
Ultimate liquid nutrition
Recently a friend of mine, James, recommended trying the Vemma Nutrition programme – a liquid dietary supplement containing life-giving whole food phytonutrients and powerful antioxidants.
It can apparently help prevent and in some cases cure diseases from cancer to Eczema, and here is the bit I’m interested in – it is also known to stop or reduce the frequency of migraine. After checking out the testimonials on www.vemmavemma.com (click M for migraine), I decided to give it a bash.
Vemma contains the most powerful food known to man the mangosteen – a rare, tangerine-sized fruit which grows primarily in Southeast Asia. Mangosteen has superior nutritional and antioxidant properties capable of producing a wide range of benefits; benefits that enhance many of the body's health-promoting capabilities. It is thought to have been traditionally used by natural health providers for thousands of years. In India, for example, traditional ayurvedic doctors used the rind of mangosteen to support a healthy digestive system and maintain healthy eyes, skin and hair.
With this in mind, a top Chinese chemist was asked to come up with the ultimate liquid nutrition. And the result is two powerful liquid formulas – mangosteen, aloe vera, and green tea in one bottle and 65 trace minerals in the other.
It’s pretty pricey at £50 for a 32 day course but if this potion can work magic on my migraine then it will be worth every penny.
I have suffered from migraine ever since I was 12 years old. I kept thinking ‘I will grow out of this’ but it never happened. So here I am 20 years later and quite frankly I have had enough. So I am on a mission to find a cure – always have been – but now I am broadening my horizons.
Preventative drugs
As a teenager I tried many preventative drugs that didn’t work. After a month or so I would become intolerant to them. At the age of 17, however, I got hooked on Beta-blockers, a drug which is used to treat high blood pressure. They work by relaxing the blood vessels and as a result I was relaxed…all of the time. My mum was right to be concerned that I wasn’t quite myself, and so I went cold turkey.
Botox in the forehead
Much time passed and in 2004 whilst interviewing the owner of a medical clinic, she told me she had had Botox injected into her forehead for the usual reason of smoothing out wrinkles, however, and get this – as a side effect she hadn’t suffered a migraine since. This sounded great to me apart from one detail – my forehead would be frozen and I wouldn't be able to form any kind of expression there. What would happen when I was puzzled or sad or whatever? No – I decided there and then that wasn’t for me.
Hole in the heart
And then last year I read that some people suffer from migraine due to a tiny hole in their heart, which scientists believe stops the right amount of oxygen reaching the brain or allows unfiltered blood with toxins to pass through. Everyone has a small hole in the heart when they develop in the womb. Usually this closes at birth but sometimes it remains open and you may never be aware of it. Once the hole had been sealed up – you guessed it – no more migraine. I work for King’s College London and there are opportunities to volunteer for research studies. One such study involved having a MRI scan of the heart to provide information on the heart’s blood supply. The perfect opportunity to ask the doc to keep a look out for any holes! Well it turns out I have a healthy heart and even if I did have a small hole in the heart would I go through heart surgery which involves a certain amount of risk and could cause complications to seal the hole up? The doc had a point.
The unseen illness
So why am I sharing my story with you? Well, migraine is often called the unseen illness because typically when a person has an attack they lay down in a darkened room, needing to be away from everyone and everything. Plus, I never used to talk about my condition, preferring to forget all about it until the next attack. But I am no longer hiding it away and now I do want to talk about. By creating more awareness I can hopefully help others like me beat this thing or at least find a way to manage it.
Ultimate liquid nutrition
Recently a friend of mine, James, recommended trying the Vemma Nutrition programme – a liquid dietary supplement containing life-giving whole food phytonutrients and powerful antioxidants.
It can apparently help prevent and in some cases cure diseases from cancer to Eczema, and here is the bit I’m interested in – it is also known to stop or reduce the frequency of migraine. After checking out the testimonials on www.vemmavemma.com (click M for migraine), I decided to give it a bash.
Vemma contains the most powerful food known to man the mangosteen – a rare, tangerine-sized fruit which grows primarily in Southeast Asia. Mangosteen has superior nutritional and antioxidant properties capable of producing a wide range of benefits; benefits that enhance many of the body's health-promoting capabilities. It is thought to have been traditionally used by natural health providers for thousands of years. In India, for example, traditional ayurvedic doctors used the rind of mangosteen to support a healthy digestive system and maintain healthy eyes, skin and hair.
With this in mind, a top Chinese chemist was asked to come up with the ultimate liquid nutrition. And the result is two powerful liquid formulas – mangosteen, aloe vera, and green tea in one bottle and 65 trace minerals in the other.
It’s pretty pricey at £50 for a 32 day course but if this potion can work magic on my migraine then it will be worth every penny.
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