PA and Classic Migraines

[JojoDee]

I have suffered classic migraines for many years long before I was diagnosed with PA. I have just started a diary to see if there is a link when I get the migraines and when I am due for another B12 injection. I have been getting back to back migraines i.e. 2 within 3-4 hours, this occurred last week and again today. My injection, which are given every 12 weeks, is due in a weeks time. Does anyone else experience the same symptoms?

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Migraine like headaches are a symptom of B12 deficiency. Mine got worse before my deficiency was identified. However, mine are related to hormonal changes and I'm a self treater when it comes to B12 so don't have the problem with waiting for injections.

[Howzer]

That’, for me, was the main symptom that regularly had me at my GP jojoDee. Every other symptom I had such as visual changes were all put down to migraines. At that point life was becoming unbearable. I’ve started self-injecting on a weekly basis and have had 1 migraine in that time. Feel like I am living again.

[Marz]

How are your Ferritin and Iron levels ? - iron carries oxygen around the body in the red blood cells - simplistically put One of my daughters knows when her iron sinks as she has horrid headaches/migraine. She is also Hypothyroid. The Active thyroid hormone T3 has more receptors in the brain than anywhere else in the body. T3 rarely tested in the NHS in spite of its importance

[Frodo in reply to Marz]

Difficult with iron - I've recently supplemented and felt better, however, my test results were 'normal' and although I've looked at them I can't really understand them. I can see that they aren't very high though. Apparently it's dangerous to overdose iron. My son too I suspect needs iron, he even had the 'spoon shaped' nails as well as low energy, but again, his tests came back within 'normal' range.

[Marz in reply to Frodo]

Do you have the Ferritin tested or the full works ? Yes too much iron is not good and regular testing is advised. Lots of young people seen to have anaemia of some sort - maybe they don't eat the offal as much as we oldies did

[Frodo]

I wish there was more information about PA and migraine. My migraine and accompanying neuro symptoms became MUCH worse over 12 years, and the neuro symptoms have improved enormously with B12 injections. Still getting several migraines a week but less intense than before, usually. I find if I get an injection before symptoms begin it will delay or prevent the migraine, if I have it when the migraine has already kicked in it doesn't help or worsens it.

My current theory is that nerve damage from long term low B12 to the cervical and occipital nerves play a part in all this. Just guessing.