« Christianity Today Reviews Lu | Main | A Few Prayer Requests »

The Migraine Brain

the_migraine_brain_book.jpg

I always knew it was true, now I have proof. I have a unique brain. Unfortunately, it's a brain that gives me migraines. Still, it is unique.

Here's a book I plan to buy. It's called The Migraine Brain. I heard part of an interview with the author, neurologist Carolyn Bernstein, on Fresh Air with Terry Gross. It was fascinating. She estimates that 30 million Americans suffer from migraines—and that most sufferers don't realize they have the condition. In the interview Bernstein discussed the causes of migraine headaches and offered suggestions for prevention and treatment. A lot of what she described has been true in my experience.

Any fellow "migraine brains" out there? More than any other circumstance God has used migraines to humble me and keep me dependent on him. This is the odd experience of being a Christian who trusts in the loving sovereignty of a perfectly wise Father in heaven—we can both cry out to God to rescue us in our affliction and thank him for the affliction that he uses for our good. Here are two passages that comfort me:

Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 "Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Posted by on November 14, 2008

Comments (20)

Hey Josh,

I don't suffer specifically from Migraines, but a related headache called "Cluster Headaches." So I am technically a "clusterhead." It incapacitates me at times, which is humbling when trying to do ministry. In fact, the last sermon I preached on November 4th, I preached with a cluster headache. I don't remember much of what I said, so I'm praying that the Spirit made up for my weakness.

Posted by Ryan Rippee | November 14, 2008 11:35 AM

Josh,

I haven't read the book, but a Dr. friend turned me on to "Feverfew" a couple of years ago. While some folks use it as a dietary supplement in order to avoid migraines, I find that if I take one capsule when I feel a migraine coming on that it clears it up. I have only had a couple of times when I have had to follow-up with a second capsule in 20-30 minutes, since one capsule normally does the trick.

"Feverfew" can be purchased at just about any health food store, and should run $10 - $12 for 100 capsules.

Posted by Jerry | November 14, 2008 11:42 AM

Wow! I've been having migraines for the past two years (ever since having lasik surgery). I've recently been having them more frequently. Thanks for the book pointer. I'll definitely be getting a copy.

I can definitely ID with the humbling aspect of the headaches.

Posted by Jeremy Mayhew | November 14, 2008 1:06 PM

Migraines...you bet! I'm wierd though...I tend to get them every Monday w/out fail. Also, I tend to get a migraine anytime that I take a late lunch or dinner.

They will usually not go away w/ any medication (tried Imitrex tabs and injections). Makes me have runny noses, some slurred speach. I've preached at least 10 sermons this year w/ a migraine.

My only good remedy know is sleeping it off...but it has to be a deep, deep, deep sleep otherwise I wake up w/ an even worse migraine. :(

Posted by Abraham | November 14, 2008 1:25 PM

My parents received an old wooden bed from my grandparents when I was very young. It was beautiful, painted all white with gold accents (it was the 70's after all), but I distinctly remember asking my mom what the marks were on the headboard. She told me they were marks from my grandfather's fingers when he was in agony from his frequent cluster headaches. Over the years I wondered how a person could be in that much pain, until a surgery/medication combination sent me into an episode for over a week in my early 20's. I understood clearly after that.

I have never had another such agonizing grouping of headaches; now they just tend to come one at a time. Thankfully, my grandfather has learned what to do to alleviate his cluster headaches and I have learned what seems to make my migraines worse. He puts himself on oxygen right as he feels one coming on and it seems to kick the worst of it. As for me, recently it is believed I have celiac disease and since eliminating certain dietary ingredients, mainly gluten, the occurence has gone down and I get the really bad ones on average of once a quarter.

This book looks very fascinating. It has moved to my shortlist for purchase. Thanks for the post.

Posted by Heather | November 14, 2008 5:20 PM

yes i get pretty bad migraines however right now i have them under control with good sleeping patterns, eating protein and some meds. :)
i did a speech on migraines a few years ago and learned some pretty interesting things about them.
and my neurologist believes that sinus headaches are just a form of migraine as well.

Posted by jess | November 14, 2008 7:28 PM

i started having migraines out of the blue this past February and have had them almost daily since then. wow. God has done so much through this and has humbled me in so many ways. mostly, He has taught me His goodness... that no matter what He is with me and that will never change.

the book sounds interesting. i'll have to check it out. thanks for the tip.

i never knew you had migraines. I love knowing of others that I can be praying for... its one way for me to think about something other than the pounding in my head. thanks for sharing both those verses... i smiled when i read them. God has used both in amazing ways this past year in my life.

Posted by Emily | November 14, 2008 11:20 PM

Josh, if you're suffering migraines, there are so many causes, they can be hard to solve. This might help http://www.newrinkles.com/index.php/archive/migraines-causes-and-cures/

Posted by Geri | November 15, 2008 12:01 AM

Thanks for passing the resource along, Josh. My wife, Paula, has gotten all sorts of scans, blood tests, and holistic remedy articles over the years. She still has migraines quite regularly. God has sustained her but we continue to pray for deliverance. We will pray for you bro. I've had front row seats on how debilitating those things can be. We'll check out the book. Thanks again.

Posted by Matt Mason | November 15, 2008 12:33 AM

Thanks for the post. I've been getting migraines since I was about 8 or so years old. The first time that I got one and saw a migraine aurora, I was so scared and then proceeded an awful throbbing headache.

Ken

Posted by Ken Mattson | November 15, 2008 5:25 AM

Hey Josh,
I just brought my daughter Stefanie to the neurologist on Tuesday. She suffers from migraines as well. He put her on a preventative supplement routine for one month and then we will re-evaluate.

400mg B2 which is Riboflavin taken 2x daily 200mg at a time

500mg magnesium taken 2x daily 250mg at a time.taken all together is hard on the intestines.

CoQ-10 250mg 1x daily

If she gets a headache on the onset she is to take 1 liquid Aleave gel cap...wait 30 min. if not relieved she is to take the trail prescription med he gave her.
If she wakes up in the morning with a headache she is to take the prescription right away....

She also is to stay away from all processed foods and deli meats which have large amounts of sodium nitrate in them, also no MSG....
Sleep patterns are also important to be consistent,same time up and same time down daily.

So far it has been 4 days on this ritual and only one slight headache which instead of waiting for it to go away or fester into a full blown headache she took 1 Aleave and it went away.
She gets at least 2-3 headaches a week with at least 3 a month being a bad migraine...

Maybe you could see if these supplements would work for you as well :)

Posted by Nancy Griffith | November 15, 2008 6:06 PM

And then sometimes He just plain heals us.

Posted by Kathy Tucker | November 15, 2008 11:48 PM

Readers might also enjoy this...
Hello,

Word Metro Press (www.wordmetropress.com ) has published Migraine Expressions: A Creative Journey through Life with Migraine, a collection of migraine art and literature from migraineurs worldwide.
We believe this book touches the millions of migraineurs, their friends and loved ones, and health care professionals as an insightful tool for awareness and understanding.
A breathtaking collection of migraine art and literature from 125 migraineurs and allies, Migraine Expressions is the only book of its kind. (Hardcover, 8.5 by 11, 192 pages,
The book can be seen and ordered via www.wordmetropress.com .
We have worked with various orgainizations to make this publication available to as many migraineurs as possible. With the Migraine Research Foundation, http://www.migraineresearchfoundation.org/Welcome.asp they have featured us on their Web site where they provide a link to purchase the book from which they receive a $5 donation from Word Metro Press.
Some comments by leading migraine experts...
"Migraine Expressions reveals a neurobiological disease from many highly personal perspectives as contributors transform their experiences into stunning verbal and visual art."
-- Richard B. Lipton, MD, Professor of Neurology and Director, Montefiore Headache Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

"Congratulations! The images and the words are compelling. Migraineurs will relate to the visual images and poems. Those who don't suffer may be better able to empathize after reading the book."
Suzanne E. Simons, Executive Director of the National Headache Foundation

"Projects such as Migraine Expressions are rare, priceless, and sorely needed. They offer an intimate view of the impact of migraine disease. The works of art in this book are deeply personal and revealing. They are heart-wrenching and inspiring, filled with both terror and hope."
Teri Robert, Ph.D., migraine educator, advocate and author

"Unbelievable book..."
Scott F. Madden, F.A.C.H.E., Vice President & Administrator, Michigan Head-Pain & Neurological Institute (MHNI)

Posted by Betsy | November 16, 2008 11:08 AM

Migraines. Hmm. I used to have those often but since I start a different regimen I've been better. I started to use a supplement with magnesium and zinc which is supposed to help some migraine suffers (since the American diet typically lacks these esp magnesium).

Surprisingly, I went through many prescription medications before I found one that worked well. That's generally what you have to do. Mine was Maxalt and yours could be different. That's not the surprising part. What was surprising is that often what helped the most was taking over-the-counter migraine medications that contain caffeine and slamming a mountain dew. Don't ask me why, but that helped me sometimes when all else wouldn't. That or gobs of ibuprofen.

Posted by Steve | November 16, 2008 3:17 PM

I feel for you. I've had migraines most of my life. I've often said that I think Paul's thorn in the flesh was migraines:-) I do agree that it humbles us and keeps us dependent on Christ. I've tried most of the above treatments over the years (and more besides) with varying degrees of success, but I always try to remind myself that it will eventually pass, and there are so many people with pain that doesn't pass. I hope you can find some of the triggers, as that helps.
Blessings,
Marcia

Posted by Marcia Murphey | November 16, 2008 11:49 PM

Hey Josh,

As a fellow migraine sufferer for 10 years I have tried many things and done much research to get rid of them. I have heard many success stories from people who have had hormone restoration therapy. It's explained in this book, but can be done through a compound pharmacy near you. :)

The Migraine Cure: How to Forever Banish the Curse of Migraines (Lynn Sonberg Books) (Paperback)
by Sergey A., M.D., Ph.D. Dzugan

Posted by Paula | November 18, 2008 10:45 AM

I've had migranes for years. I can't have food with MSG in it. Sometimes I think my migranes come on because of the stress I have. I always worry about anything and everything. I think God is really trying to teach me to look forward to Him. He is my provider. There is no man in this world who I can depend on. Thanks for everything you do.

Posted by Vicki | November 21, 2008 9:36 PM

Hi Josh,
I began having migraine symptoms the first year Randy and I planted the church in New York (I don't think there is a connection - LOL). It's been interesting learning about how the brain works and God's wonderful design. The scriptures you mentioned have been a companion of mine as well. There is a wonderful tension between faith for healing, desperate dependence on God in my weakness, and seeing the sufficiency of His grace.

I only recently became aware that you experience migraines. Thanks for the book recommendation. I'll pick it up and continue to learn what's up with this malady. I'm also currently in a series of tests on some vascular spots (that show decreased blood flow) in my head. I'll let you know if I find out anything interesting that might be of help to you.

Thanks for your example. I know God used my issues while we were in Brooklyn. As people saw my reliance on God and faith in His goodness rather than despondency, it seemed to stir their faith as well. I'm glad that's what they saw! There's enough sin in me that they could have been distracted from seeing God's mercy at work in me.

I'll be praying for you.

Blessings,
Kathy Stewart

Posted by Kathy Stewart | November 22, 2008 10:05 AM

Josh,

I pray that what I share with you will help you. I am 39 years old, the mother of 3 and a 20 year migraine sufferer. I have been on every medicine available to man and have experienced many very real side effects. Professionaly, I have worked with young women in crisis pregnancies for 12 years at a local pregnancy help center. I currently work as a birthmother counselor for a christian adoption agency. In 2004, I totally surrended this struggle with migraines to Christ and said that "my body, my life and all that I have is His". I will praise him even if it means I am in bed riddled with migraines.

In 2008, I met migraine reseacher and fellow christian, Lyle Henry. He began researching migraines because his wife had suffered with them for so long. They tell their story on their website --tuliv.com. I was so scared to even hope that I could get better, but I tried their herbal medicine. It was new to the migraine field: nothing I had ever tried before. It took about six weeks of taking it regularly to see a marked improvement. I had been having about 5 migraines a week. I am shouting it from the rooftops that GOD HAS GIVEN ME MY LIFE BACK!!! I am about 80% better. I do still have an occasional migaine when triggered by high stress, allergies, or travel. However, I am finding help for those things and rarely suffer anymore.

I am passionate about your ministry and was simply searching your website for some information. When I came across this blog entry, I knew that I must respond. Please contact Lyle and Eileen Henry. They will speak with you and adivse you. I now consider them friends and I speak with them regurlarly if something comes up about my migraines. BTW, my mother has suffered for years with migraines as well and this is helping her trememdously too. It has completely changed the lives of everyone in our family.

Tuliv Migraine Defense attacks the root cause of migraines and works for both men and women. I have always been passionate about purity and missions. This year my eight year old daughter and I were able to travel to a 3rd world country and do mission work because I was not having migraines anymore. I never dreamed that I would be able to do something like that. Praise God. I think God may someday be calling me to share my story of surrender and now joy as I am almost completely migraine free.

God bless you, Josh. Thank you for your ministry. I will keep you in my prayers.

Kati

Posted by Kati Johnson | December 10, 2008 12:37 PM

I have like 4 migraines in one month and they get worse everytime I take as many pills as I can to stop it enough to knock me out, they gave me zomig zmt but since it works and I'm allergic I still take it, then the next day like today I feel like I have had a stroke. I'm wondering what it does to your brain let alone your liver,NOTHING OTC BUT TYNOL PM'S HELP And I take more than a enough of those, i have to sleep with an ice pack on my head and pray it will go away.

Posted by Melinda | February 15, 2009 10:21 AM

Post a comment

Please enter the letter "y" in the field below:

All content on this site is © 2007 Josh Harris