Newbie, with severe chronic migraines for last 21 years

Hello, just found out about this website. I have had migraines for the last 21 years (since I was about 12 years old). My migraines have become progressively worse over the years. I have been on a ton of different meds with no lasting success.

I am here to learn some new eating habits and maybe lose a few pounds (okay 10-20 lbs would put me where I should be). I have found that exercise triggers a migraine for me.

Any suggestions for exercising without triggering a migraine would be helpful.

You might try giving up wheat.  That stopped my migraines completely.

As far as exercise, when I was still suffering from headaches I had to make sure I was very, very well hydrated for any actvity, otherwise I would definitely get a migraine.  Walking was basically the only thing I could do, and if it was outside I had to wear polarized sunglasses, even on cloudy days. 

Thanks for the advice. I will have to give that a try....never thought wheat could be a problem. I need to get a new set of sunglasses...old polarized ones are broke.

The wheat thing was a big surprise to me too, and I found out about it quite by accident.  I was trying the "Caveman Diet" which is basically just meat and vegetables.  No grain, dairy, beans or potatoes.  I noticed that my up until then weekly migraines stopped after a couple weeks of this diet.  I began to add things back cautiously, and all was well until it came to bread and pasta.  The next day I had a migraine.

Since then I have read some research that links grains to inflammation. 

This can cause narrowing of the arteries in the brain, which leads to severe headaches.  Makes sense when you think about it.

Read this for more info:

http://searchwarp.com/swa380699.htm

Wow, I read the article and again Wow! I have never heard this linked to migraines before. I think I am going to look into starting a glutun free diet. I will miss my pasta :(  Thank you so much for the info.

You can find pretty good substitutes for pasta.  Rice and corn noodles are OK, and I love spaghetti squash.  Polenta also makes a good base for pasta sauces.  You'll find heaps of tips and recipes on the internet.