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Migraines and hangover food

15 replies

FarewellandGoodnight · 11/01/2023 22:05

Does anybody else who suffers with migraines get this?

I'm recovering from what has been a horrible two day migraine. I seem to get ravenous and crave 'hangover food'

For example - since yesterday I have eaten McDonald's and I'm currently tucking into a fried egg sandwich (on stodgy white bread) accompanied by cheese and onion crisps. To be followed by a toffee crisp! I rarely eat these foods! Diet's going well Confused

I wonder what why this is?

OP posts:
Whatmarbles · 11/01/2023 22:09

Yes!!
I tell my dh I am eating away my headache. I crave carbs, when normally I'm a take it or leave it person when it comes to bread, crisps etc.

maverickfangirl · 11/01/2023 22:12

Yes, I crave carbs and salt when I have a migraine

BeccaBunch · 11/01/2023 22:18

Yes!!! Completely. All the fat, all the sugar. Sometimes I get intense cravings prior to the migraine coming on too.

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ripandhishorse · 11/01/2023 22:22

Yes, carbs here too. Crisps too. I think it’s the salt.

mrsfollowill · 11/01/2023 22:23

Sugar for me- sometimes when a feel a migraine starting (flashing lights in my eyes- no pain) I eat some boiled sweets/chocolate and it goes before it gets started properly. In fact if I skip a meal or am very late for a mealtime/ if I'm tired that also triggers one so try and eat regular meals and sleep as much as I need- always worse just before my period.

LuluCthulu · 11/01/2023 22:27

Yes, this is exactly how I feel. Salty carby comfort food.

I usually want cheesy pizza. I also have a stash of frozen hash browns.

onepieceoflollipop · 11/01/2023 22:32

Yes same here.
I try to eat something with protein (usually a cheeseburger and try to have some nuts and cheese or similar as well). I also want marmite and crisps/cheddars.

my theory is that your body has been fighting the migraine off with depleted resources as your digestion kind of stops during the attack.
for me I also think my body is trying to recover from the painkillers that I’ve taken.
On a very bad week I might have 2-3 triptans (for several episodes) plus paracetamol or codeine based medication. Those on an empty or almost empty stomach can’t be good.

MustDust · 11/01/2023 22:34

I thought it was just me, as soon as I take migraine meds I've got the munchies!

onepieceoflollipop · 11/01/2023 22:34

Oh and ice cream after the salty stuff. Along with very cold drinks(don’t want my usual black coffees and avoid alcohol also when recovering)

I just eat what I want for a day when I am recovering, it’s not huge amounts and and it genuinely helps my recovery.

Phrenologistsfinger · 11/01/2023 22:35

It’s electrolytes - I take some and my migraine goes.

Hollyhocksandtulips · 11/01/2023 22:37

Yep. Same here. Crisps and toast and fat Coke

NearlyMidnight · 11/01/2023 22:37

Yes. Am just recovering from two day migraine, Eating crisps and toast and marmite, Before a headache I often crave sugar.

MrsCarson · 11/01/2023 22:41

Yes carbs carbs carbs for me too. Salty crisps, chip butties with ketchup, you name it.

FarewellandGoodnight · 11/01/2023 22:53

Interesting to see it's definitely a thing then!

OP posts:
babybythesea · 11/01/2023 23:04

Me too! But it’s sugary stuff. Biscuits, chocolate. Tea but with sugar in. And coke. Coke really hits the spot. I tend to get the cravings as the migraine develops, before the headache gets too bad. Then nausea and I can’t eat. Then feeling delicate, tea and a slice of toast, then cravings again.

My migraines are often triggered by being tired and then not eating/ drinking enough. I don’t have any food for example that set them off. So I wonder if the initial cravings are to do with low blood sugar and trying to put it right.

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