Are bacteria causing our migraines?

A really interesting new study finds that migrainuers have more of a particular type of bacteria in our mouths and guts that causes to have a problem with foods containing nitrates (processed meats, wine, chocolate). If this proves true, it could open the door to whole new treatment approaches.

http://qz.com/812252/migraine-triggers-like-chocolate-and-wine-might-be-connected-to-bacteria-that-live-in-your-mouth/

I definitely am affected by red wine and nitrates, but not chocolate.

Very interesting concept and like you any kind of wine is a big problem but chocolate doesn't seem to be an issue. It is a new avenue for us to explore though. Thanks for finding this.

Thank you for posting this Migrainegirl. I was absolutely amazed after reading your link. Thank you so much for posting it, it is very timely and relevant to my current situation.

After decades of suffering of every king of M pain, from the worst suicidal type bouts, to tension h/a and any other type of h/a which were all - according to my neurologist - just different forms of M in the last year or so after I finally gave up my HRT my M  got so much better that I had a long pain free periods lasting sometimes several weeks.

I am still on Gabapentin. and  very occasionally take an OTC painkiller, I cannot remember time when I last needed my Sumatriptan, which was the only thing that works for my M. I still cannot believe it, but I think I am at last free from M.

I never thought that this would be possible, but with years of trigger watching (yes, yes all those nitrate things and more mentioned above and more) and after trying various preventatives, as well as different doctors, at last I no longer have constant fear that the monster will suddenly strike.

Sorry for this long introduction but it is all relevant to your post.

The irony is, that just as I got rid of my M "the fate" gave me another blow. Earlier this year I was diagnosed with MVR, which is a heart condition which means, that I have a leaky heart valve and because of this my heart cannot do it's job of pumping blood properly. Bad news, new set of problems to deal with, new  kinds of medication to get use to, new lot of s/e to deal with.

I manage some better then others. but there one medication is quite impossible for me to take. No matter how hard I tried this medicine causes and instant (within half hour!) mind blowing M which does not respond to anything, and will last for a week, or more. It is like the worst type of M I've ever experienced all these years ago.
This happened every time that I've tried to use it. And guess what this medicine called?
ISOSORBIDE MONONITRATE

I could hardly believe my eyes reading your link, because suddenly it all made a perfect sense, in view of my recent experiences. No migraine for months, then suddenly I take a nitrate and they ate instantly back, and worse then ever, but only in connection with the new medicine. Too much of a coincidence don't you think?

Next time I will see my cardiologist I will mention this research and M connection, because I am definitely not taking it any more. Frankly I don't care, I am not going to expose myself to such M deliberately ever again. No way.

Thank you so much Migraine girl for all the work and the research that you are doing for all of us, here. I don't come here as much as use to, but I always find your posts very interesting.

I just hope they will hurry up with this research because I am certain that they are onto something.
Mini

Mini, first congrats on finally getting rid of your migraines! Do you think stopping the HRT was the reason?
So sorry to hear about the new troubles. I guess there is always something. But I agree with you about not taking the new medication. Exposing your self to nitrates which will induce a migraine like that is just not a good idea. Too much potential downside there on other negative health effects as well as getting back into a bad migraine cycle.

I was about to Edit my last port, because it is full of mistakes - written in a hurry - when I saw your reply.

You ask about HRT.
I am not entirely sure if stopping HRT stopped my M because I've tried giving it up for this reason few years earlier, and I did not notice much difference, whilst hot flushes and sleepless nights were a problem so I returned to taking HRT again. Maybe I did not give it long enough, I am not sure, but this last time it has occurred to me some month later, that there might be a connection between my giving up HRT and dramatic improvement in my M.

This time I gave it up because my new GP refused to prescribe it and I had no energy fighting her, so I've decided to give it a try. Fortunately the hot flushes were not so bad any more, and the possible cancer link was also a motivation, so I stayed off it.

I think that perhaps there is a connection, but like anything with M nothing is certain. Nothing will surprise me where M is concerned. All we can do is keep trying and keep researching. being firm with our doctors and changing them, when not satisfied also helps a lot.
I wish you and everybody here, with all my heart that you come up with the rights solutions for you, so you can get more relief. Please, please never loose hope just jeep trying.
Mini