Migraine and Weight Gain...any connection?

Has anyone noticed weight gain with migraine? Specifically, even if you are not on a preventative med that causes weight gain.

Is it caused by having to be down so much and unable to be physically active?

Is there anything we can do to counter these effects??

Trinity

Yes, I gained 20 pounds on Lyrica. Then another 13 pounds after that just due to lack of exercise. I finally went on a serious diet last year and took off 25 pounds of it. Still have a bit to go, but I don't know if I'll lose that last 8 pounds I'd like to.

I am sure it is a combination of the meds we take and the inability to be as active as we would like to be.

I'd guess that even taking meds out of the equation (many are known to cause weight gain, either by increasing your appetite or changing your metabolism), there are numerous potential factors such as inactivity, snacking to keep nausea at bay or to prevent a low blood sugar headache (I have this issue), having co-existing conditions that contribute to it, etc.

I think besides choosing the most appropriate meds, trying to maintain some sort of physical activity and watching calorie intake has got to help. Although maintaining a desired weight is an issue that almost everyone has...I don't think its too unique to migraine.

Although I've tried meds that could cause weight gain, I get off of them at the first sign of any issues. I've been trying to lose some of the weight I've slowly gained over the last few years but haven't made much progress as I feel so hungry all the time. Once I'm hungry, either I feel weak/fatigued, grumpy, or get more head pain. Also, I have intestinal bacterial overgrowth, which seems to make me more hungry when its acting up.

Also, any significant exercise (when I can tolerate it) seems to make me hungry. It seems to be a viscous cycle. Although I imagine cutting out some of the "empty" calories such as from alcohol would help. I really enjoy having a cocktail each night on the weekends so I've been hesitant to restrict myself that much.

If someone is having trouble losing weight, ensure there isn't anything medically going on, such as a thyroid problem. I think lifestyle changes are better than a true "diet" anyways, which usually includes a start and end date. Most of the studies actually show folks who diet just end up putting the weight back on. Good luck! Best wishes.

I am gaining weight extremely easily lately. but like - e x t r e m e l y.
I figured out the problem is sugar. If I don't eat sugar, my weight doesn't go up, even starts to go down a tiny bit by bit but if I eat something sweet!
heavens beware!
there is no mercy. I get fatter before one's eyes.

Why is that, I figure is my age. I am 56 now, very inactive, my metabolism slowed down to a barely trickle.

However, one of these days I am planning to re-test my thyroid. Just to be sure.
Have you checked your thyroid lately, Trinity? Check not only TSH, T3, T4 but anti - tpo as well.
It's often the culprit..

Risa

Risa

I have no thyroid glands, I had thyroid cancer and had both of them removed in 11/2011 and 1/2012. So I am on Synthroid and at the mercy of this medication to do whatever it is going to do with my metabolism.

Not happy with my weight at 58 either, but I am working on it daily

Trinity

I am so sorry, and I again am so sorry if you told this before and I can't remember. My memory is full of holes these days

Yep that could explain it - our metabolism is slowing down more and more and probably your lack of thyroid and being on Synthro
has something do  with it, too.
I know I started losing 'wait' (we are waiting forever to be thin, aren't we ) nicely while there was so much stress involved
with selling the house, buying the house, moving, renovating  etc
I went back then close to my weight of my 40-ties. well, pretty close.
however, I hardly ate anything during that time, maybe six lean sandwiches daily and some veggies
and some  fruits and barely occasional bran  muffin - so, no wonder.
not a good diet for someone who has to work, but I was just vegging out on sofa all day, so...

I was so happy I bought myself new capri pants for Easter which I wore a few times and now I can't  zip them up anymore LOLOLOLOL
gained all that back and more, very fast!

Risa

In the past four years I have put on 45 pounds I hate to say. I hate it! I feel you are right about the meds we are on. Course I also feel (sorry guys) it is menopause for me too. I am 59 years old. I hate my weight and have arthritis issues and foot issues so if I lose some weight I may feel better. Wish it was easier to do. It is so hard to lose. I work still and that takes a lot of my time. When I get home there is cleaning up the house and yard work (which I love) and cooking dinner. I am lucky to get to read at night.

I really have got to try to lose weight. At this point even 25 pounds would be good.

Any ideas my friends to lose some weight?

kimsmom

Well, I can say 100% it's sugar that causes the fastest weight gain for me.

I may have 7 pieces of pan fried bacon slices, excess fat  left to drip off on paper towels, with two scrambled eggs, no bread
nor hash brown for breakfast which btw will hold me well for 4-6 hours,
and I am fine.

But as soon as I have a piece of cookie I can feel MY OWN fat literally expanding in literally my  belly and literally my butt within mere minutes.

So, my advice would be- ZERO SWEETS. I'm sorry, no excuse- just ZERO

Risa