any body else get migranes/bad headaches from drinking??

so about April 2012 I started getting extremely bad headaches that started in my right eye and kinda creep up into my head and kinda on the right side/rear portion of my head. They are so bad at times that I feel nauseousness, it can bring me to my knees. Unfortunately I have traced it back to drinking

I started playing "doctor" and attempting to try experiments. such as trying this kind of beer or this other kind of beer to see if anything changes but it doesn't.

almost like clock work 2/3 of the way through my first beer, or as late as starting my 2nd beer I get this creeping head ache that starts in my right eye and just intensifies. Tried IPA's, less hoppy beer, porters, Stouts, domestics, nothing changes still get these head aches. Attempted another experiment of seeing if it is just beer or maybe I can get away with booze.....nope same turn out. I want to see a doctor but being out of a job, and lacking insurance I will just play the waiting game.

couple of theories I have is that I am either allergic to certain types of yeast (I have no reactions to bread products what so ever at this time) or I may have some type of constriction in my head. I wanted to see if any one else on this forum has dealt with some thing similar?? I did a google search and found others in forums where plenty of people have chimed in with "me too" but no diagnosis or remedy or solution. I tried one night eating some food, 3 large glasses of water, and then 2 500mg aspirin. Allowed a few minutes for it to dissolve then started on my first beer but then the head ache started just like clock work. This is quite frustrating as I really do enjoy drinking!! not becasue I like to get smashed but, I seriously enjoy being a beer connoisseur, trying all kinds of beers, and now making all kinds of beers, these head aches make me not want to drink EVER!! so I am reaching out for help from any one as far as opinions or experience goes.

I have not had the chance to see if Home brew also has the same affect on me ( I fear it will ) and I know what the doctor is going to say when I eventually see him "well then just stop drinking!" at this point I have been avoiding it (other than trying the experiments). so until I get to try the home brew I will prob be sober. I don't just want the head aches to stop I want to understand "WHY?" this is happening.

the other thing I have noticed is that if I drink 1 to 2 beers, and start to/get the headache....stop drinking and ride out the pain until the head ache is just about/practically gone, and then start drinking again I can drink the rest of the time with out it coming back.....if I continue to drink while I have the head ache it will only become worse and debilitate me. I drink a ton of water every day so I know it is not from dehydration, and I have been eating healthier for the past year or so (I'm no super athlete or in tip top shape but Id say a pinch above average health).

On a drier note and not so funny....this could be the start of an even healthier me

is that really the iron cross as your user pic?

Very sorry to hear this. This does happen to me sometimes, but not nearly to the extent you have described.

I see at least to possibilities:

1. The beer/alcohol/something in the drinks is messing with you. Not good. You can try to isolate it, but this can be very, very challenging to do with certainty because there are so many variables.
2. You got headaches a few times when you were dehydrated and now your body subconsciously repeats that experience. Sort of like a bad negative feedback loop. Not sure how you would correct this. Maybe just try to be extremely hydrated and drink a beer. Then stop for the day. Then be extremely hydrated and do it again the next day. Increase to 1.5 beers if you have success.

I've found that gatorade is the absolute best hydrator for me. Water just doesn't do the same thing. Maybe try that for hydration? Lots of advil if the headaches come.

Sorry man.

Well it sounds like you found a partial solution. Unfortunately its not a very good one,

Your symptoms don't resemble an alcohol allergy so I don't have any idea what the problem could be.

Id tell you to smoke some grass but that would be illegal.

I am not a doctor and do not pretend to be so take what I say with a grain of salt. You should always consult a doctor first. That being said it sounds like you suffer from cluster headaches. Much similar to migraines but treated differently. Both can be brought on by alcohol or smoking. From what I have read, the preferred treatment for cluster headaches is Verapamil, with a Prednisone starter for about a week. Like I said I am not a doctor and do not pretend to be one.

I have a friend that had the same problem and the doctors finally narrowed it down to a gluten allergy. Sorry to hear about this I hope its something simple like dehydration (that can be bad too though). Good luck.

There are capsaicin nasal sprays that seem to help quite a bit with cluster headaches. They are sold over the counter. Good luck!

I am totally guessing here, but your headaches sound like sinus headaches. I had those when I lived at a house with a dirt driveway. They were migraine like, and get to the point of making me nauseous, and I would throw up, after which, I would feel better. You could be allergic to hops, gluten, beer yeast, even alcohol. You won't know until your tested. For me Allergy tablets helped where none of the aspirin, Excedrin, or acetaminophen did. And after I moved from that house, never had the headaches again. Now only get headaches if I drink way too much without eating. But they are nothing like the one's I had near that dirt driveway. Hope you get it figured out, keep us posted.

neo68710 said:

I am not a doctor and do not pretend to be so take what I say with a grain of salt. You should always consult a doctor first. That being said it sounds like you suffer from cluster headaches. Much similar to migraines but treated differently. Both can be brought on by alcohol or smoking. From what I have read, the preferred treatment for cluster headaches is Verapamil, with a Prednisone starter for about a week. Like I said I am not a doctor and do not pretend to be one.

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I get cluster headaches and take Verapamil for them, I also used to get the same type of headaches the OP described after only a beer or two (still do occasionally). From what I understand, Verapamil is basically just a high blood pressure medicine that increases blood flow in the brain. Also, I quit smoking cigarettes a little over a year ago (been taking verapamil for 2+ years) and that also greatly reduced my headaches as well.

This could all just be coincidence however, so take my experience for what it is; I was getting headaches when not drinking and that was just an added bonus. Try to get to a Doc and best of luck with your headaches!

I would be curious to see if drinking a non alcoholic beer would have the same effect? Even though there is trace amounts of alcohol in it if I understand correctly.

thanks everyone

on the to do list: try a Gluten free beer, try a non alcoholic beer. I won't mess with any other medicine (other than tylenol, aleave, aspirin) until I visit the Doc, besides prob can't get that stuff with out a subscription.

and motobrewer yes it is the Ironcross. Are you offended by it?? I hope not but if so....

Let me first explain my choice for the avatar. My last name is Baron which is from German/Austrian decent, and also a class of nobility. In German...the word Freiherr, a class of nobility, (literally "Free Lord") is often translated as Baron. I originally wanted to incorporate my last name and pay homage to Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen A.K.A. "the Red Baron" who himself was a Freiherr (and the back story to how he got his nick name) for my user name (and possible brewery one day??) but several operating breweries have already beat me to the punch. I am aware that some people view it as a negative symbol but I do not, and also do not associate my self with any of those groups (skin heads, Hitler, Nazis blah blah blah). I am also a VW technician, and into the hot rod scene of the 60's in which VW enthusiasts used the symbol to reflect the Cars country of Origin, so to say that is what I am doing with my avatar: a symbol to reflect where I descend from, a symbol/name to pay homage to the Red Baron, and a symbol/name taking pride in being who I am, and representing my last name.

here is some more info on it if you are interested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Cross

Any updates?

FreeLordBrewing said:

and motobrewer yes it is the Ironcross. Are you offended by it?? I hope not but if so....

Let me first explain my choice for the avatar. My last name is Baron which is from German/Austrian decent, and also a class of nobility. In German...the word Freiherr, a class of nobility, (literally "Free Lord") is often translated as Baron. I originally wanted to incorporate my last name and pay homage to Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen A.K.A. "the Red Baron" who himself was a Freiherr (and the back story to how he got his nick name) for my user name (and possible brewery one day??) but several operating breweries have already beat me to the punch. I am aware that some people view it as a negative symbol but I do not, and also do not associate my self with any of those groups (skin heads, Hitler, Nazis blah blah blah). I am also a VW technician, and into the hot rod scene of the 60's in which VW enthusiasts used the symbol to reflect the Cars country of Origin, so to say that is what I am doing with my avatar: a symbol to reflect where I descend from, a symbol/name to pay homage to the Red Baron, and a symbol/name taking pride in being who I am, and representing my last name.

here is some more info on it if you are interested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Cross

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Huh. To be honest, I've always seen the iron cross in a negative light (until today). Mostly in part out of ignorance and subliminal association from the media. Thanks for the history lesson, learn somethin' new every day!

You might try Migrelief. Its a supplement containing Feverfew,Magnesium & Riboflavin. I take one a day and can now go months without a migraine headache vs one or two a month. I get mine at Amazon.

It has to be taken for a few weeks before it starts to reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. Worth a try.

RTL said:

I have a friend that had the same problem and the doctors finally narrowed it down to a gluten allergy. Sorry to hear about this I hope its something simple like dehydration (that can be bad too though). Good luck.

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This was my first thought. Something related to your blood sugar level. The eyes and brain are soft tissue that are very sensitive to spikes and drops in blood sugar. A gluten free beer may help. Does it seem worse if you drink a stout vs. a light low-carb beer?

Have you had your blood sugar tested recently? You can buy blood glucose testing kits at the drug store for $20. You may be developing Type II adult onset diabetes. I just found out I have Type II a few months ago. I've cut out just about all the carbs in my diet so I can keep drinking and making beer. And now I have to limit myself to no more than one or two a night.

My father and brother are allergic to hops (so says their doctor). I will sometimes get sinus headaches after drinking. I've noticed that lagers tend to give me a headache more than ales, so I try to avoid them. Try taking a sudafed or a benadryl to see if it helps. Benadryl works like a champ for me. I wait to take it until after I'm done drinking. It'll make you sleep like you're in a coma though.

I second the idea of sudafed... but not for the same reason as the guy above. There's a good chance your problems stem from vasodilation, and sudafed is a vasoconstrictor (ie it constricts the blood vessels, reducing pressure), so it's definitely worth giving a shot. This could also explain why you don't get another headache after letting the first one subside.

Good luck.

I find that if I have even the slightest cold, any alcohol will give me the feeling of massive pressure in the bridge of my nose and behind my eyes. Often it is my first sign of an oncoming illness. It takes less than a half beer to trigger it.

Usually I just don't consume alcohol for a week until the cold passes. But on those occasions where I do have a bit of a cold and I am in a situation where I must drink (come on, we have all been there!), then I find a decongestant does wonders as long as I take it prior to consumption.

LuxAeterna said:

Huh. To be honest, I've always seen the iron cross in a negative light (until today). Mostly in part out of ignorance and subliminal association from the media. Thanks for the history lesson, learn somethin' new every day!

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Think of like the confederate flag. Many people from the north assume that only redneck racist pigs fly the flag, but if you dig a little deeper you will find that even African Americans fly the flag. It pays homage to where they are from and live, and much less about modern day racism.

I believe in the old Gods of my country, and wear Mjolnir(Thor's Hammer) proudly, and receive similar flac, from both sides, the National Socialist side, that think I'm their comrade, and the other side that assumes me as a racist bigot. I see your same situation. Being proud of your ancestry, and heritage does not automatically affiliate you with a political preference. I for a moment figured you may be from the Phillipines, as I've been told people from there develop gout, from an allergy to alkohol. But this seems like an absolute mystery, but is it only with commercial beers? Have you not had your own home made beer? My thought may be adjuncts... Or a hop allergy, like some others have said, but that must be rare.

Thanks for all the replies....but alas the situation becomes more complex....first off let me start by saying I'm cured!!!!! No more headaches!!!! (Well the kind that I originally wrote about, still get the hangover ones lol) how did I cure em??? Not quite sure but it involved me going on vacation to Gatlinburg Tn might had something to do with altitude my best buds aunt lives up in the Smokey mountains so we went to visit going up and down the winds and turns ears popping feeling like your at the bottom of a pool from her house and back from town may of had something to do with it.... 2nd night there and being on vacation I wanted a drink so I nervously had a bloody Mary and sat and waited 15 min, no headache, 30 min no headache, had a beer....no headache and havent had another since.... domestics, homebrew, craft beer, liquor, nothing triggers them any more!!! May have also been stressed related??? I dunno just happy to no longer be dealing with the issue!!!! Just wanted to say thanks for everyone's input and ideas and help much appreciated - F.L.B.

Weird. Must have been a sinus thing??? I need to go to the mountains apparently. For years I have gotten a nagging headache after 2-3 beers most times but not if I drank more (until the next day). Weirdness

Personally I would still go to the doctor and let them know the problem and what made it go away. It could be a sign of a larger problem or a problem that may resurface in a much more problematic way.

FreeLordBrewing said:

thanks everyone

on the to do list: try a Gluten free beer, try a non alcoholic beer. I won't mess with any other medicine (other than tylenol, aleave, aspirin) until I visit the Doc, besides prob can't get that stuff with out a subscription.

and motobrewer yes it is the Ironcross. Are you offended by it?? I hope not but if so....

Let me first explain my choice for the avatar. My last name is Baron which is from German/Austrian decent, and also a class of nobility. In German...the word Freiherr, a class of nobility, (literally "Free Lord") is often translated as Baron. I originally wanted to incorporate my last name and pay homage to Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen A.K.A. "the Red Baron" who himself was a Freiherr (and the back story to how he got his nick name) for my user name (and possible brewery one day??) but several operating breweries have already beat me to the punch. I am aware that some people view it as a negative symbol but I do not, and also do not associate my self with any of those groups (skin heads, Hitler, Nazis blah blah blah). I am also a VW technician, and into the hot rod scene of the 60's in which VW enthusiasts used the symbol to reflect the Cars country of Origin, so to say that is what I am doing with my avatar: a symbol to reflect where I descend from, a symbol/name to pay homage to the Red Baron, and a symbol/name taking pride in being who I am, and representing my last name.

here is some more info on it if you are interested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Cross

Click to expand...

yeah, that's what i thought too. then i went to germany and bought a lighter with the iron cross on it, i figured it was like buying a lighter with the american flag on it. my german friends were like, wtF are you doing????? that's a nazi symbol. so i got rid of it.

MississippiSlim said:

Weird. Must have been a sinus thing??? I need to go to the mountains apparently. For years I have gotten a nagging headache after 2-3 beers most times but not if I drank more (until the next day). Weirdness

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I'm not sure honestly, maybe sinus, maybe stress, maybe something more just happier to be over that hurdle.

and I agree with you ReverseApacheMaster. As soon as I get some health coverage.

motobrewer I hear ya and understand about your German friends.... just wanted you to know where I was coming from, the reasoning behind my choices, and understand that I do not condone nazi-ism, or anything like that.

That's kind of a misconception. The Iron Cross is not a Nazi symbol, it's a German symbol.
Kind of like the American flag is not a symbol of the Tea Party, even though they wrap themselves in it.

budweiser has always given me headaches so bad I have to go to sleep to get rid of it. Never had more than one at a time. Sucked at high school parties where bud was king.

Dude,

I know this is an old thread, and I hate to tell ya, but you aren't cured. It's cluster headaches. They will return in time --called a cluster period--- and go away. Mine happen every 2-3 years, and my cluster period is 2-4 weeks. During that time, no alcohol or food with nitrates. Alcohol is a potential trigger and I've proved it to be mine through regular experiments not unlike you described. Also, during your cluster period... Get regular cardio exercise to regulate blood pressure. Get regular sleep at 7+ hours starting and ending at the same time. Basically live a healthy life...lol. Go figure.

My biggest fear is if the cluster period length or frequency increases over time. There is no cure for this ****. And don't bother scarfing down aspirin, excedrin or advil. All that will do is lead to acid reflux since these headaches are immune to that treatment, regardless of quantity administered. The best thing you could do is get an oxygen tank and a facemask handy, and torque it up as soon as the pain starts. That will stop it dead, until the next one.

Welcome to the club!

wooby111 just an update:

it is currently Dec. 2013 and still have not had any type of reaction/head ache!! maybe the cluster head aches are still dormant (hopefully not), but looking back there is a bit of information I had left out, and didn't even once think to mention as it being related (as it was a couple of months later)

back when my cluster head aches began, I had very shortenly (approx 2 months) got off an "extreme diet" after watching a documentary "fat, sick, and nearly dead" I went on an all "juice" diet made from juicing only fruits and vegtables, and eating only peanuts/almonds/cashews for protien. I never conculted a doctor (as the film suggests, but being out of health coverage, I thought I would give it a whirl any who). In this extreme diet, I cut out EVERYTHING soda, beer, alcohol, fats, cheese, bread, carbs......and my only intake was juice (from a juicer machine) from veggies/fruits. I am now convienced this is what triggered these cluster head aches!! being back to the regular me, consuming anything and everything that seems tasty (and lack of health) drinking copious amounts of beer and booze....yeah the belly is back ha ha but still no immediate head aches!! not sure if it was time that healed me, or the trip to the smokey moutains, or my indulgance in all that is not healthy, just happy to have not had a cluster head ache since July 2012!!

to all those who still have to deal with these head aches try a diet with tons of bacon, cheese, bread, and any thing else that is not "best" for weight loss, and if that fails......take a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, for it is all that I have to offer :/ good luck and cheers!!

I have always got headaches from drinking Budweiser products and I never new why. Then I made a batch of beer that was somewhat of a clone to a bud light and it instantly gave me a headache. I checked the ingredients and it contained rice and then I checked Budweiser and it also contained rice. Every home brew after I never use rice and never had a problem. I also try to check domestic beers before I drink them and only drink ones that don't contain rice. So in my case the rice is the culprit. So you might want to try that out and see if it works for you also.

my issue was with ANY alcohol, didn't matter the beer, or hard booze, wine, but for what ever reason I am cured!!

wooby111 said:

Dude,

I know this is an old thread, and I hate to tell ya, but you aren't cured. It's cluster headaches. They will return in time --called a cluster period--- and go away. Mine happen every 2-3 years, and my cluster period is 2-4 weeks. During that time, no alcohol or food with nitrates. Alcohol is a potential trigger and I've proved it to be mine through regular experiments not unlike you described. Also, during your cluster period... Get regular cardio exercise to regulate blood pressure. Get regular sleep at 7+ hours starting and ending at the same time. Basically live a healthy life...lol. Go figure.

My biggest fear is if the cluster period length or frequency increases over time. There is no cure for this ****. And don't bother scarfing down aspirin, excedrin or advil. All that will do is lead to acid reflux since these headaches are immune to that treatment, regardless of quantity administered. The best thing you could do is get an oxygen tank and a facemask handy, and torque it up as soon as the pain starts. That will stop it dead, until the next one.

Welcome to the club!

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thanks for being right!! damn it!! so its Sept. 2015 and as of a couple of weeks ago the cluster head aches have started mind you my diet/health has prob been at it's worst ever!! dealing with such a ton of stress with so much going on I won't even begin to touch base with it, just that it is been the most I have ever dealt with at one time, and some how unhealthy food and lack of gym has been my crutch.

any who, I've felt slight head aches coming and going for the past 3 weeks while drinking, but then they started to be patterned, and in the right eye, thing. The other night had a couple (4) of PBR's (they were cheap ha ha) and 2 hours later i'm wanting to do anything to cure the head ache in my right eye, and over the right side of my head (same as before) I was almost in tears from the pain and hunched over. welcome back cluster head aches!!

so I let a week go by with out a drop of alcohol, had a few slight head aches while laying in bed trying to sleep but nothing on a pain level of a cluster head ache. figuring it might/could be stress related. well tonight I had bowling league and waited until the 3rd game to have a drink in fear of pain. Sure as **** 20 min in I have a splitting head ache in my right eye and over the right side of my head. at this point I have already agreed to meeting my team at the bar for after game celebrations. I showed up in a lot of pain, and fear, but also to support our team.

found a temporary cure (not sure it will work every time) but I had a glass of energy drink (red bull imitation) before drinking any thing else!! within a matter of minutes my pain went from a solid 9 to a 3, and eventually 0!! I then drank a ton after with no pain returning. now to figure out how red bull/energy drink affects the cause of what makes me feel pain. it was a good 3 years + of drinking with out head aches would love to figure out what cured me, and how to get back where I was, not sure living healthier will contribute, I'm sure it can't be too bad for me, but alcohol being an outlet to my stress, and not being able to do that has stressed me out even further, ughhh cluster head aches suck so bad!!!