Migraine

[muddywaters]

I've been experiencing episodic migraines without aura since March of 2007. Have consulted my Doctor and also undergoing acupuncture and herbal (TCM) treatment. Meds (excedrin migraine midrin, zomig) did not work. The herb Piantoutong Wan has been the best treatment. It doesn't prevent migraines completely but it seems to have reduced the frequency and severity.

I am 46 years old. It struck me as odd that I would suddenly begin suffering from migraines. Last night I was doing a little research when I came across an article that stated that migraines may be related to blood platelets causing an imbalance in seratonin levels in the brain, or something to that effect? Anyway, that rang a bell for me! I have been donating blood for years, but within the last couple of years I began doing "double red cell" donation. I looked it up on the local blood banks website and sure enough I did my first two drbc donations within the year prior to my first migraine My last drbc donation was earlier this year. You are only allowed to donate every 6 months or so with this method.

Came across a runners blog by accident on which the topic was drbc donation and it's effect on runner's performance. There was almost universal agreement on that board that drbc donation markedly reduced runners performance for extended periods of time. I'm wondering if perhaps drbc donation may also trigger migraines in some individuals.