An update on Migraine

Over two years ago, I wrote a post on my migraine experiences on the Stanton Migraine Protocol (here), so I thought some readers might be interested in an update.

The idea to write an update was inspired by a Guardian column, by Emma Wiseman, entitled “An MRI scan reveals what I thought was a migraine to be something darker” (3 November 2019). The article grabbed my interest as Emma had an experience similar to the one I had. I sent her an email about the Stanton Migraine Protocol, and thought that perhaps it was time for an update on what had happened to me in the intervening years.

I realised that in my original post, I hadn't mentioned a couple of important points. Firstly, I am an academic, and have logged my migraines for over a decade. This means that I have the data to say that pre-protocol I lost an average of 30 days per year with migraine and post-dome hangovers, as I once had around 20 to 24 migraines per year. Since going on the protocol, this has meant that I have had the gift of an additional three months of quality life. Secondly, since going on the Stanton Migraine Protocol, most migraines which started I was able to turn off, using the protocol's alternate doses of salt and water.

In the past three years, where once I would have had around sixty migraines, I have had 9 go full-blown; and all of those were fairly mild, bar one. For the less mild attack, I took a few Neurofen (Advil) for the pain, but needed no prescription drugs or doctor's visits.

What is also new is that last November I went keto – yes, there is also a keto protocol – which has made eating out much easier. Most restaurants now understand "high fat, low carb" (though the airlines are still oblivious).

While the keto protocol doesn’t seem to have made any difference to the number of break-through migraines which go full-blown, it has reduced the number of migraines which have started. In the past year only four migraines have started - and this has been a stressful year. In the two years prior to that, I had 21 start.

The paper that kicked off my journey was published in the Journal of Mental Health and Family Medicine (Stanton, 2015). It was published in a low ranking journal because the study had no control group, and participants self-selected and self-reported. This shows the drawbacks of our current system, where effective solutions can have limited circulation due to the academic publication and peer-review processes; and the Publication house collossi which dominate the medical field.

I hope some readers have the discipline to try the protocol. It has worked outstandingly well for me.


Sam

References:

• Stanton, A. A. (2017). Fighting the Migraine Epidemic: How to treat and prevent migraines without medications. North Charleston SC, USA: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Stanton, A. A. (2015). Migraine Cause and Treatment. Journal of Mental Health and Family Medicine, 11(1), 69-72. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2690927
• Wiseman, E. (3 November 2019). An MRI scan reveals what I thought was a migraine to be something darker. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/nov/03/an-mri-scan-reveals-what-i-thought-was-a-migraine-to-be-something-darker