Abdominal Migraine

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Does anyone else here have abdominal migraines? I've always had gut problems and pain, but over the last couple of years they've greatly increased. After six recent trips to the ER, the doctor said she believed it was abdominal migraines, and I got started on an anti-migraine medication, Sumatriptan, which helps a little. The pain is unreal and the episodes can last days. When they happen, all I can do is lie down in a dark room and gut it out. I found a number of studies which find that there's a higher incidence of migraines in autistic people, including: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2211386/
I'd be very interested in anyone's experience with migraines in general, and with abdominal migraine in particular.

What is an abdominal migraine?

If you haven't tried stopping gluten yet, you really should. I was nearly debilitated with gut problems (but it took 6 mos of no gluten months before it decreased). Now I'd say I'm at about 20% of where I was, still get it worse depending on my diet like heavy greasy foods, etc. I've never heard of a gut migraine though, mine was being called IBS. I can only assume you are experiencing blinding pain, so different symptoms, but maybe still worth a try.

I believe another option is dairy which also causes a lot of problems with Autistic people. I don't have that one, thank goodness!

Interesting. I've never heard of abdominal migraines before. I've heard of abdominal epilepsy (on House, of course) and wondered if I have that. I have a lot of gut problems, IBS, stomach pain, bloating and such. But I also have episodes of intense pelvic pain (just had another this past week ).

I've never heard of abdominal migraines either. For the longest time, I've had a nagging pain off and on on the left side of my abdomen. Could never figure out what caused it...hmm...could it be a migraine?

Would love for more info on this...

they are mid-line abdominal pain not on the left side
ergo, nope

There's a fascinating scientific paper on.autism, migraines,, and digestive issues at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2211386/ I'm flat on my back in the hospital this morning from GI pain. I believe lower left quadrant pain is often diverticulosis. This feels more like getting kicked in the gut and the burning pain can last six hours plus. . The doctor said the gut functions with the same neurotransmitters as the central nervous system and, although migraines are still not fully understood, abdominal ones can be triggered very similarly to regular migraines. For me the big trigger is visual stress, glaring.fluorescent lights, etc. I'd love to find out how other auties/aspies deal with it. I've quit caffeifne and chocolate but don't know if that's made a difference.

That's awful. Feel better soon!

Never heard of abdominal migraines.

Interesting to see yet another Autism-Gut connection thread even though so many claim there is no connection between the two. IMO, there is, and treating the gut symptoms treats the autism symptoms.

But is it true for everyone with autism though?

How can I, or anyone else, answer that question?

The stat is that 90% of people on the autism spectrum complain of digestive issues.

I'd say the vast majority of autism cases can likely be treated via treating the digestive component.

It's been my experience that treating the digestive issues has resulted in about a 95% decrease in autism symptom severity & I'm living a second life for it - happier, healthier, wealthier etc. I've done this via diet, detox/cleanses, supplements/vitmains/minerals & probiotics.

The only way anyone is going to know if it holds true for them is to try it themselves.

Why would you make such a generic statement then?

Look, I think you may have a point but you are actually hurting your case by making your statements overly broad.

Because it's been my experience that treating the digestive treats the neurological & behavioural. And because 90% of people on the autism spectrum report digestive issues. And because recent studies have pointed to the gut microbiome as being involved in ASD. And because recent studies have shown improvement of autistic behaviours in mice via probiotic treatments, as I've done for myself. etc.

But I cannot possibly prove that it is true for EVERYONE with autism, especially if it's found that there are multiple causes of autism & that some people do not have any digestive imbalances yet still have an ASD wired brain. Further, as I've shared here for over a year now.. I've done this for myself, not for a large group of autistic people in a formal medical study.

I still stand by my statement, though. IMO, there is a connection between the brain & guts of autistic people and treating the digestive treats the ASD.

All this is fine. My point is that you are coming on too strong in your posts, sounding almost like a salesman. Temper that a little bit and you will get your points across better.

I've been accused on these forums of lying, that it's a hoax, or that I'm trying to sell something to people.

Nope. Nope. Nope - I haven't asked for anything in return & have nothing to sell, only my story & information to share freely - which I have.

I don't know how I'd describe it exactly as I can't think of quite the right words, but, yes, I am "energetic" about it because, as I've said for over a year now, I've reduced my ASD & other symptoms by ~95% from the severity they were a couple short years ago and I'm living a second, much happier healthier, life for it. If you experienced this, you'd be a little excited about sharing it with people it could help, too.

"Energy" isn't bad in and of itself but it can put people off. Tone down the "energy" and post more links as you find them to relevant scientific research backing up your points. That is the best way to convince people on a site like this where many pride themselves in being rational.