Mold & migraines

Hello All,
Recently my therapist decided that my migraines are probably caused by mold in our 1940's-era house. We have 2 crawlspaces, so having thought of this before, I have already been to an allergist. Actually I have been tested for allergies 3 separate times, extensively, by different allergists. All 3 times the results were negative - I am not allergic to anything. I am really frustrated that my therapist is harping on this now, since she isn't an M.D., but I told her I would ask my neuro (who is also a migraine specialist). I'm pretty sure already what he's going to say. I don't have any allergy symptoms, other than migraines which have been worse since I got laid off last June. I don't have any congestion, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, red/itchy eyes, anything! Actually I was hoping when I got tested that I DID have allergies, because then treating them might help the migraines!! Also had a CT scan of my sinuses and it was normal. One allergist did prescribe Advair just to see what would happen (it kept me awake all night). Benadryl and other allergy meds also keep me awake or make me nervous. I am so frustrated and sick of these almost-daily migraines that I am thinking about filing for SSDI (disability). They have really been bad lately, as they often are during weather changes (it was in the 80's on Sunday, now it's back in the 40's). I have tried everything - gluten-free diet, eliminated caffeine and artificial sweeteners (that was tough), gradually eliminated estrogen patch (following hysterectomy), acupuncture, massage of various types, botox, numerous preventative meds. I am taking Imitrex almost daily now. My neuro has classified me "chronic refractory daily migraine". Please if anyone has experience with mold can you let me know so I can get my therapist to get off this latest kick. Otherwise I am thinking of finding another therapist!

Have you ever seen any mold ? Im not an expert but it would have to become airborne at some point. I had a 3 ft crawspace
somewhat damp so I moved in case of mold. It had a well so I thought maybe the water ? But no change. You may not find a cause or reason.

I dont remember anyone posting a cause or reason for M. I also believe you have to be not working to be approved for SSDI.
And if your first or second application is not approved in most parts of the country it is one year and longer for an appeal.

I hope you get better soon.

Thanks, yes I can see some mold in our first floor bathroom ceiling. But I've lived in older homes (with visible mold) my entire life - I'm 54 so I can remember the days when mold in living spaces was not the issue (or industry) it is now. I've had all these allergy tests and nothing even popped up as being an irritant. I've had migraines for 24 years, started at age 30, and they have been much worse (i.e. 5-7 days/week) since I had a hysterectomy 3 years ago. I was working the entire time, and my employer used to let me take naps after I took my Imitrex, tho they balked at providing a low-light work space for me (they replaced all of their lights with the new CFL bulbs, which I cannot tolerate.) I had finally worked something out with them when the company was about to move to a new "glass-box" building when they laid me off (last June). I talked to my neuro's lawyer and he said to file ASAP and call him when I got the first denial. I looked at the disability info online and it was overwhelming so I haven't done anything yet. I also haven't found a new job. Sorry for whining. Thanks for the reply. No one has been able to identify a cause for the migraines, other than most women in my family (cousins, grandmother) have/had them. My Mom didn't, but she passed away 5 years ago.

You probably do get mold spores if your bathroom steams up then dries. I assume.

For your SSDI ask someone to help you fill it out online. I helped my aunt and while it looks like alot it goes quick. Also there was a stop here take a break point.

Your post is very similiar to others. From reading here and other places people are having success with SSDI for Migraine.Consider it again.

I'm so sorry to hear that you're having a horrible time with the migraines at the moment. I really hope you get some relief from the weather changes - and therefore your head - really soon!

Re the mold...grrrr. That's so annoying. When you say therapist do you mean a psychologist/counsellor type therapist? Or a medical health worker? because if it's a psychologist/counsellor I would urge you to get a different one - or at least feed back to them (in furious anger if it was me lol!) that they are not your doctor and are not qualified to be randomly coming up with causal factors for your migraines. They are supposed to help you find strategies to cope with the very difficult situation in which you find yourself - not make you the sounding board for their own frustration about not being able to help you by sending you off on wild goose chases about mold! He/she might as well tell you it's the alignment of the stars and be just as wrong - meanwhile you're paying for the session and I wonder what you're getting for your money! (Rant complete )

If it's a health worker whose job it is to try to come up with causal factors - well...I was told I had sinus for years before we realised it was migraines.

Thanks to all for your replies!! The therapist who told me mold could be causing my migraines is a psychologist - not an MD or health expert. I would consider getting our crawl spaces perma-sealed but it's really expensive (one crawl is very large and almost inaccessible). Then what do I do if it doesn't help??? I appreciate the rant; she has been helpful in other areas, but this is not one of them. When I first told her all the meds I take for migraine, she told me I should consider going to a detox center IN-PATIENT to get off ALL the meds. Huh??? I almost stopped seeing her then. She later backed off after 3 of her other patients brought up their migraines. Then she decided acupuncture was the thing so even tho I had tried it before I tried it again; still didn't work, DUH. Thanks so much, this is a great forum and I will see if I can get someone to help me with the SSDI. It has been so long and honestly I don't know how I worked in the high-stress corporate world for so long in this kind of pain. It's just eye-opening and I am sorry to everyone who has this condition too but it's great to have someplace to vent : )

I don't know how you did it either! You must be quite an amazing person with a lot of strength and determination! Good idea to seek help with the paperwork stuff - especially if that is what is holding you back from getting the SSDI support you need at the moment.

I'm glad your psych is helpful in other areas Cos boy oh boy she's off my Christmas card list when I hear about her sending you off on wild goose chases...and telling you to come off your meds? It sounds to me like she should be paying you for the education you're giving her!

Thanks again, Living and Rileyoday. Today my migraine neuro called me back about the mold question. He said it is very rare for mold in living spaces to be a cause of migraines. Or even an aggravation. The only exception would be homes that are flooded (as in Katrina) and mold grows like wildfire in the home and it has to be torn down. He said he's had patients who have spent thousands of dollars on mold eradification, remodeling, or even building brand new homes, only to have the migraines continue. Also, the fact that I have been tested multiple times for allergies, and still don't have a reaction to anything, including dust mites (!) lead him to believe further testing would be a waste of time and money.
Also, I had forgotten, last year we had a new furnace installed. My wonderful husband, who has lived with me & the migraines for 14 years now, spent the extra money to include an air purification system, which is supposed to kill molds and bacteria, just in case it would help me, even though I was laid off and could not contribute a cent. I told him I didn't know if it was worth it, but he did it ANYWAY.
I know there are people who ARE allergic to mold and many other things, and I'm not speaking for them, because I know it's horrible to have allergies - my best friend is allergic to everything.
Anyway, just wanted to follow-up. May everyone feel better today, and thank God, Ronda, or whoever, for this forum!!

I've heard so many stories about mold causing health problems that I would personally want to get rid of it. But I doubt it would effect the migraines. I've never heard of a link between mold and migraine. Since you have had them for so long, it's really doubtful.

A more likely culprit would be the hormonal changes, especially since you've had the hysterectomy. I got significant improvement after starting on bio identical progesterone. Mine started when I was 46 and became pretty much daily for over 4 years. After trying just about every medication with no relief, I finally tried the supplement route, having little faith that it would work. I went down to 2-3 headaches per month which was a huge improvement. If you have not looked into this, it is worth a try.

http://www.migraine-headaches-information.com/

http://www.omega-1000.com/

Thanks for the info! My migraines were never tied to my periods, but it's worth checking this out!!!