Chocolate?

[Kristi]

Lately I have been getting migraines (this was a problem for me a few years back) and the only thing I can see in my life that has changed is I baked brownies last week and have been having chocolate daily. Could chocolate be causing migraines? Has anyone else noticed this? Last night when I realized this my headache wasn't quite as bad, but I had 2 glutano chocolate o's which have much less chocolate than a brownie.

[maria1223]

you can have a food allergy to any type of food. don't eat chocolate for a week than try very little chocolate to see if u get a headache, than u will know that is the source of some of ur headaches.
good luck maria

[Maggie1956]

Yes Yes Yes I have had severe migraines for too many years to count from eating chocolate.

These days, I limit myself to two small squares every now and then as a treat. But then it has to be PURE chocolate.

Some of us are more sensitive to different things. If you find you have a bad problem with chocolate, please don't eat it regularly.

For me anyway, it seems to have a build up in my system, and after a certain amount I feel like I'd be better off ....well you get my drift.
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Diagnosed by blood test & biopsies Nov 2004
GF since December 1st 2004

Maggie

[lynda]

yes yes yes too much chocolate can trigger a migraine
everything in moderation

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LYNDA

[GFSarahSmiles]

I know someone (non-Celiac) who has the same problem. I wonder if it's the caffeine? I can't remember for certain, but I think he said that was the thing - his doctor told him chocolate was the cause of his migraines because it had a ton of caffeine.

Don't quote me on that though; as I said, I'm not certain. I'm a chocoholic and rarely have headaches or migranes, and while I certainly do eat a ton of chocolate daily, it's basically my only source of caffeine. I can't speak of chocolate and migranes on personal experience, I'm just tossing out the experience of a non-Celiac with a reaction to chocolate.

Hopefully it will give someone something to think about. Caffeine isn't really good for you anyway, so at least maybe it will make someone think about switching to de-caf in the morning to test the theory. Ya never know, right?
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Sarah
Birthday: December 6, 1982
Gluten-Free Birthday: March 2, 2004
Remission & Dx Confirmed: March 30, 2004

[Maggie1956]

That's a good point sarahsmiles. I can't drink coffee too often. Around one mug of capachino a week or less is enough.
I think caffiene is a common problems with us.
_________________
Diagnosed by blood test & biopsies Nov 2004
GF since December 1st 2004

Maggie

[skbird]

I can tolerate minimal caffeine, from chocolate (dark only, please!!!) and one 12 oz cup of green tea daily, but that's it. I have never had a migraine from chocolate, except for the sugar in it. But supposedly there's something else in chocolate, not caffeine that triggers migraines. It might be the theophylline (another ingredient that is a stimulant, used by asthmatics, also the ingredient that will cause dogs to get sick from chocolate) or something else. So there are numerous things that could be a trigger for you, caffeine, theophylline, sugar, maybe cross-contamination, etc. Maybe that's why we love it so much, there's so much going on in chocolate!



Must...have...some...now!
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Stephanie

[Kristi]

when I do eat chocolate it is the only source of caffiene I get, I have been on a caffiene free diet for 7 years now as it's not perticularly good for my heart. Without the chocolate I find I am getting far less severe headaches, but they are still there. It may be time to call the Dr again *shudders at the thought*

Thanks everyone!