Daily headaches — cause?

[still_elsewhere]

Hi, everyone! I worry that this is a silly post, because the answer might just be “take more B12” and/or “wait for the iron to work,” but —

— like many of you, probably, I’ve been experiencing severe and/or long-lasting daily headaches. But at this point I’ve had two iron infusions (beginning of the month), and my B12 wasn’t super low (248), which is most likely why they didn’t prescribe loading doses before setting me up for monthly shots. I’ve had two shots so far.

Am I just being impatient, or is there more to the story?

Thanks (as always)!

[Hidden]

Have you had anything else checked? I was getting migraines more frequently and my nurse said she’d test my vit D because that can be the cause. That said symptoms can worsen before getting better

[still_elsewhere in reply to Hidden]

Good tip! My vitamin D is fine, fortunately (58), but I haven’t had folate or anything else tested yet...

[Marz in reply to still_elsewhere]

VitD would be better over 100 - are you supplementing ?

grassrootshealth.net

[still_elsewhere in reply to Marz]

Not currently — a low-dose supplement would be fine?

[Marz in reply to still_elsewhere]

I would suggest a dose of 4000 iu's and test again at the end of winter. A 100++ would be good ... Don't forget the co-factors.

[Nackapan in reply to Hidden]

I had horrendous daily headaches and migraines which went on for days . Neurologists dudnt agree if what sort . It took over a yesr to realises I wad using less pain killers ans frequency was less I'd never had such head pain before.

Had only started tension like headaches with thd menopause with fatigue of courses o hindsight was depleting b1e levels as well as hormonal drops.

Over 2 years in and I still have head pains but less headaches .

I think a vestibular disturbance as neurologist thought

B12 has been the only thing with upping vitamin d levels ans watching my iron helps.

Still a rollercoaster.

I too think good vitamin d levels help headaches. Also learning how to move differently. All so personal it seems.

I was recently scrubbing out a rabbit house.

Felt very ill . Not sure if fatigue . Driving me mad as want to do things.

Or the position. I did think about it and decided on all fours better than bending .

Who knows ??

K even gave up my short walk for that activity

Really affects me as used to do slot for others too.

[Tubbylardo]

When my B12 levels are low I tend to binge eat and not drink as much.

Is there a chance you could be dehydrated, which would cause headaches?

[still_elsewhere in reply to Tubbylardo]

Yes, there’s usually definitely a chance that I’d be dehydrated — but lately I’ve tried to drink much more water, and the headaches just won’t budge — they’re not responsive to Aleve, either.

[Hidden in reply to Tubbylardo]

I wonder if that’s why I had 4 takeaways last week 🤦🏽‍♀️ I just could not be bothered with cooking!

[Tubbylardo in reply to Hidden]

Possibly? If your body needs something it will start a craving to make you eat and get it into your system ..... despite you not being able to absorb it.

[Nackapan]

Inotially I had daily headaches and migraines that once went on For 6 days.

I found upping my vitamin d level to the 70s helped.

Like you say when tour ferritin level reaches 40 you should get some relief.

I took a mutivit as coukdnt work out at times what I needed magnesium good to get on bloods

I didnt need 400mcg folic acid daily but that's the recommended doses for women of child bearing age.

Go by bloods what to supplement.

Drink alot of water.

I burnt lavender and peppermint whatever I could tolerate. I was on alot of painkillers to cope

Be aware of rebound headaches on paracetamol so alternate pain relief.

I tried amitriptyline and hrt for headaches. Not at the same time. Neither helped me. The 'Triptan group of meds can be prescribed.

B12 injections actually gave me headaches and tinnitus .

It does get better but takes time.

Eat little and often to keep blood sugars from dipping.

Hope they improve soon.

( I didnt suffer with headaches much and never migraines before b12 deficient)

[still_elsewhere in reply to Nackapan]

6 days of migraines sounds horrific — I’m glad you’ve found ways to stave them off!

Looking through my bloodwork, I find that I do actually have info on folate —it’s at 17.7, which seems fine? Do you think I’d be in any danger if I took a low-dose supplement?

I’m due for another round of blood tests soon, so I’ll see if they can add magnesium.

I think I’ll definitely try to alternate pain relief (didn’t realize rebound headaches were a thing!) — thanks so much for this tip and the others!

[Nackapan in reply to still_elsewhere]

Like you say if the measurement used for your folate testing is ng/mL. 17 ng/m/L is very good.

A low dose folic acid supplement wont do harm but dont think you need it. In mutivit it's about 200mcg. That would be okay perhaps a maintenance dose. I always go by my my bloods. If not sure take a multivit (supermarket) I take 25ug vit d to keep my levels around 70. Vit k recommended ti get tk the right places k mark 7 . If you Google it for explanation. .

[still_elsewhere in reply to Nackapan]

Thanks so much for this guidance! Yes, I’ll check out a low-dose vitamin D and also a vitamin K, or maybe just a multivitamin to start (have had to wildly revise my position on supplements like multivitamins in the last few weeks!).

[Narwhal10]

Hi still

Sorry to hear this. I do as well, today’s is pretty awful. Let us know how you progress x

[still_elsewhere in reply to Narwhal10]

A little, but not as bad as on the other days — I hope yours gets better too!