Good diary

[Mary1959]

A friend has told me, that when I speak to the neurologist, he won't do anything until I do a food diary. After over 30years of chronic migranes, I was hoping for more help than that. Over the years, I've cut out different foods but it's not made any difference. My mum and grandad suffered the same as me, so I think it's more hereditary. Anyone help?

[Wrexham16]

In my first appointment with a neurologist (though it was in person) there was no mention of food at all. He just listened to my experience of migraine. mine is hereditary too. And current thinking is that food is not a trigger so I really think it is unlikely this would be raised. Good luck

[Mary1959 in reply to Wrexham16]

Thankyou, you've made me feel much better. Hope you're having a migraine free day x

[Cat00]

I've never been asked for a food diary in over 20 years with a neurologist. I do have to keep a headache diary which also describes my painkiller use though.

[Mary1959 in reply to Cat00]

Thankyou for your reply, I've been doing a headache diary for 3 months, so hopefully that will be sufficient. Hope you have a headache free day

[Cat00 in reply to Mary1959]

3 months is generally the magic number when it comes to neurologists so that should be good!

[Mary1959 in reply to Cat00]

Thanks

[bennevisplace]

Considering how many potential triggers there are for migraine symptoms, no diary would suffice. You'd need to electronically record at least a dozen variables over at least three months, then run a multivariate analysis on a computer and hope to pull out a useful correlation or two.

In practice, and with practice, we migraine sufferers do notice the things that kick off an attack- or in my case, make chronic migraine flare into something the meds can't suppress. With me it's a change in the weather (oh, to live in Hawaii), a short night's sleep, alcohol 2 days previously (not 1 day) and stress, in order of importance. Diet comes into it only to the extent that when my digestion is slow a migraine is more likely.

The NHS neurologist didn't need such details (though he was impressed with my diligence in compiling the evidence), because he suffered from chronic migraine himself and instantly recognised a fellow patient. In my case he was 95 % sure of the diagnosis, but covered the worst case scenario too and ordered a MRI scan of brain. I hope you get a neurologist with similar insight.

[Mary1959 in reply to bennevisplace]

Sounds like you had a brilliant neurologist, I'm really hoping mine is as sympathetic. Thanks for your reply. Hope you're having a good day

[md5299]

Yep, and then they'll ask you to keep a headache diary, l was told from a good source it's the NHS way so they can drag their feet, I'm on my second headache diary in a year 🥱

[Mary1959 in reply to md5299]

Sounds a familiar story, thanks for your reply and good luck with the diaries

[Chleo11]

Hi Mary. This is their way of telling you that you MUST be doing something wrong. I've suffered from chronic/daily migraines for some years now and whatever you do, except if you have an abysmal lifestyle, the migraines will come. They say that stress can be a trigger. I've realised a while back that this thing of keeping a diary was actually putting my stress to such a high level that I simply gave up. I definitely felt better after that. Agreed with the others, I've never been asked for a diary. And frankly, you would already know your triggers if you have any detectable ones. I didn't need to keep a diary to know that alcohol, hormones and missed meals were a trigger. I've got another trigger now: the obnoxious attitude of most headache specialists. I wish you good luck!

[Mary1959 in reply to Chleo11]

Hi Chleo, thanks for your reply, you made me smile with your comments, it's all so much like me. My triggers are stress, anxiety and caring for my dad, but unfortunately, thats life! I also find writing diaries a pain, as it's hard to describe how you're feeling in words. Hope you have a migran e free weekend.