[ronni62]

So, this is not a new problem for me. I've always wondered if garlic can cause nausea and migraines? Even when I was young, living at home, whenever mom made spaghetti and garlic toast, I would seem to get a 24-hour flu bug, with nausea, vomiting, and headaches. In college, I once had a roommate who put garlic in everything (even mac'n'cheese!) and I was sick every time she cooked. I became very suspicious of garlic and tried to cut it out. Then, my mil came along and she puts garlic in everything and I'm sick every time we eat at her house. I have tried to tell her that I think the garlic makes me sick, but she keeps 'testing' me to see if it will (we don't go there very often anymore, thank goodness). This weekend, we ended up eating out 3 times (totally off plan) and about 30 minutes after each meal, I got nauseous, then got a migraine. Still fighting it this morning. I contacted all the places we ate and found the only common item in the seasonings is garlic. So, anyone else have a problem with this or heard of it? There seems to be a lot of contradiction on the web about it-some sites even recommend taking garlic as a treatment for migraines. I'm just wondering if I'm weird or if others have garlic issues?

Thanks alot for your responses and have a great day!

[walking2lose]

I have never heard of such a thing, but it sounds like you have tracked your problem to garlic. Food allergies can wreak havoc on a person, so it seems like it would be good for you to totally avoid garlic. And why not go to a doc to get tested and have some confirmation?

[meowee]

Anything is possible . . . garlic gives me serious gassy-tummy pains (especially when eaten raw) but never have I tied it to a headache and I'm a Migraineur

[chickybird]

I have IBS and I get sick as a dog when I eat even the tiniest amount of garlic. There is no garlic in my house, DH won't even eat it now. If he kisses me with garlic breath I get queasy and barfy, lol!
I have to ask waiters when I go out about garlic now; I also read the labels on food at the store. I have noticed that if garlic is one of the last ingredients on the label, or if it is listed after it says there is "less than 2% of the following ingredients" I am usually ok.
I went to an allergist and it did not show I was allergic to garlic. The Dr. said I just had a "sensitivity" to it. Good luck!

[Amarie2pt0]

Well, other than the roommate and the MIL you just described my experience with garlic!

I identified garlic as a major migraine trigger for me about 10 years ago. At the time those nasty roasted whole heads of garlic were all the rage as appetizers, and there were times I couldn't even be in a restaurant without the smell triggering me. The good news is that as I've been conscientious about avoiding garlic it's effect has gotten much milder when I accidentally encounter it.

I don't know if triggers run in groups, but you might want to watch to see how onions and bell peppers effect you - for me they are triggers, especially when cooked - I've figured that the cooking process releases some sort of oil that is what is my actual trigger. I can eat raw bell pepper most the time, but cooked ones put me out of business for a day.

Oh, and you can tell your MIL that you have a food sensitivity to garlic, if she doesn't understand migraine triggers that is. And if she persists, I'd point out that intentionally dosing someone with a substance that they are known to be intolerant or allergic to is tantamount to poisoning.

Good luck! I hope that now that you have identified what seems to be a MAJOR trigger you will have fewer migraines and be able to experience a more normal life!

Oh, and just one more totally random thought - migraines are a type of inflamatory reaction (I think) - all the current buzz about research showing that inflamation is a major contributor to obescity has got me wondering about if my migraines used to be one of the reasons I struggled so much with my weight. Just food for thought!

[ronni62]

Thank you all for the input. It's good to know others have experienced this also and I'm not crazy I'll have to read up more on the inflammation and obesity thing. I hadn't heard of that before. Thanks!

[babenwaiting]

Every person with true Migraines has triggers. For me, it isn't food ... it's extreme temperature changes, and flashing lights. Garlic can certainly cause your problem so I would do everything to avoid it! I would simply not eat the food, no matter WHERE (even your MIL's), if you KNOW garlic makes you sick. For many people, it's sharp cheese, red wine or chocolate ... I would REALLY hate that!

[ronni62]

Originally Posted by babenwaiting

For many people, it's sharp cheese, red wine or chocolate ... I would REALLY hate that!

No doubt! I wouldn't miss the wine, but cheese and chocolate-that would be a total bummer!

I will be having a long talk with mil about the garlic in everything method of cooking! Thanks alot, everyone!