How I Fixed My Migraines and Sinus Headaches

How I Fixed My Migraine and Sinus Headache: A Journey of Discovery and Healing

Life has a funny way of showing us what we’re made of. When I was a child, I didn’t understand why I was so different. While my friends were enjoying the simple joys of life, I was locked in a battle with my body—migraines, sinus headaches, and an array of food allergies that made every meal a minefield. This is the story of how I went from being a child of constant illness to discovering a life of healing and control. And my hope is that it can inspire anyone who feels like they’re on the edge of finding answers but just doesn’t know where to look.

The Early Years: A Life of Constant Migraine Pain

It all started when I was nine. I was diagnosed with allergies to some of the most common foods, citrus, cheese, coffee, and eggs. As a child, these allergies were not just inconvenient; they were a daily struggle. Imagine spending your childhood hunched over the toilet, too sick to play with friends, and wondering why you couldn’t eat what everyone else ate. It was lonely.

In the 1980s, medical knowledge wasn’t as advanced as it is today. Doctors didn’t have the luxury of today’s allergy tests, and the solution was often to go on extreme diets. For me, that meant a rice-only diet with one new food introduced at a time. It was painful and isolating, and I ended up retreating from food altogether. I survived on protein shakes and a strict diet of plain tuna, meat, fish, and vegetables. Simple. No sauces. No fuss. But totally boring.

I found a certain comfort in this simplicity. It was a hard life, but it worked for me at the time.

A Glimmer of Hope: The Health Shop Encounter

I remember the day I walked into a health shop in Solihull, a small town where I was born. I didn’t expect much, but the experience would change everything. The woman behind the counter performed this strange test, dropping bottles onto my arm and telling me exactly what I was allergic to: bananas, yeast, citrus, cheese, eggs, and coffee. It sounded too good to be true. How could she know so much? Was she a “white witch” or just very skilled? Either way, her diagnosis was 1000% accurate.

It was this breakthrough moment that set me on the path to true healing. I finally understood my body’s triggers, and I committed to sticking to a strict diet to avoid the foods that caused me harm. I felt better than I ever had in my life. My migraines started to lessen, and I felt vibrant and alive again. It was as though I had found the key to unlocking a healthier version of myself.

he Struggle Continues: A Mysterious Setback in My Migraine Journey

For years, I truly believed I had outsmarted my migraine. After years of trial and error in my 20s, I entered my 30s feeling empowered and in control. I had found my rhythm my perfect migraine-safe diet, my self-care routine, my stress management tools. I felt like I was finally living again. I wasn’t just managing migraine; I was thriving despite it. Every day without a migraine felt like a small victory, and I held onto those wins tightly.

But then, something changed. As I moved into my 40s, the old, familiar enemy returned. Without warning, the migraines crept back into my life, slowly at first, then all at once. I hadn’t changed my habits. I was still diligently avoiding my known triggers no citrus, no cheese, no coffee, no eggs, no bananas, no wine. My diet was as strict as ever. I hadn’t missed a beat. So why was I waking up with pounding migraine pain again? Why was the brain fog back? The nausea? The pulsing light sensitivity? It felt like my body was betraying me.

Each migraine attack felt more intense than the last. They disrupted my sleep, my work, my family time—everything. I began to feel hopeless. I questioned everything. Was I missing something in my routine? Could it be perimenopause? A new hidden allergen? Had my migraine threshold changed again? I kept a migraine diary, tracked every bite I ate, monitored my hormones, adjusted my supplements but the migraines kept coming. It felt like I was trapped in an endless loop of confusion and pain.

It wasn’t just the physical agony of each migraine that wore me down it was the emotional toll. The unpredictability of it all made me feel powerless. How could I fight an invisible enemy that kept changing shape? I would go days migraine-free, thinking maybe I was in the clear, only to be slammed by a surprise migraine that knocked me off my feet for days.

Then, one day, something shifted. It wasn’t a lightning bolt moment, but a slow realisation that maybe the problem wasn’t just about the foods I was eating but how those foods were processed. I started reading labels even more carefully, questioning ingredients I had once trusted. I began to suspect that food manufacturing changes, trace additives, or even the way products were stored might be contributing to my migraine attacks. It was a whole new layer of detective work.

This phase of my migraine journey has been the hardest. The rules keep changing, and just when I think I have the upper hand, migraine finds a new way to challenge me. But I’m learning. I'm adapting. I'm growing more attuned to the subtle signals my body sends before a migraine strikes. I'm becoming my own advocate again, stronger and more informed than ever before.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the migraine journey is never linear. It evolves with us our age, our hormones, our environment. And while it may have knocked me down again, it hasn’t taken me out. I’m still in the fight, and now more than ever, I’m determined to uncover every hidden trigger and take back control of my life migraine or not.

The Breakthrough: Discovering Tyramine

One afternoon, I was chatting with a chemist when he casually mentioned something I had never heard of before: tyramine. That word would soon change everything for me. Tyramine is a naturally occurring compound found in certain foods—think aged cheeses, cured meats, fermented products, and even some leftovers. But here’s the kicker: tyramine is a known migraine trigger, especially for people with sensitivities like mine.

That conversation was my lightbulb moment. I dove into research and realised I likely had a very low tolerance to tyramine, and it was silently sabotaging my efforts to stay migraine-free. I had been so focused on avoiding the usual culprits like gluten, dairy, and certain additives that I completely overlooked the impact that tyramine could be having on my body.

Suddenly, all my lingering symptoms made sense. Even though I had eliminated known food allergens, I was still getting migraines and painful sinus headaches. The missing puzzle piece was tyramine. Once I removed tyramine-rich foods from my diet, the results were almost immediate. My migraines decreased in frequency and intensity. I wasn’t just getting fewer migraines I was getting whole stretches of migraine-free days, something I hadn’t experienced in months.

If you’re struggling with chronic migraine and can’t seem to figure out what’s triggering them, I highly recommend looking into tyramine sensitivity. Everyone has a different threshold for tyramine—some people can tolerate high amounts and never experience a migraine, while others, like me, can’t handle even small doses without paying the price.

You can learn more in this informative article on Tyramine and Migraine Headaches, which breaks down how this compound affects different people. Understanding this connection might be the breakthrough you didn’t know you needed. For me, it was the beginning of truly managing my migraine symptoms and getting my life back.

A New Challenge: Enter Perimenopause

As if managing my allergies and food sensitivities wasn’t enough, I recently hit another hurdle—one I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy: perimenopause. OMG, if I could bottle up the chaos that comes with this stage of life and sell it, I’d make a fortune! The hormonal rollercoaster hit me hard, and my once manageable migraine episodes returned with a vengeance. What started as the occasional headache turned into daily, soul-crushing migraine pain that left me completely drained.

I was doing everything right—following my diet to a T, keeping stress in check, getting good sleep—but none of it seemed to help. The migraines would come and go, sometimes lasting for days, often accompanied by relentless sinus pressure and brain fog. Weeks turned into months, and I began to wonder if this was just my new normal. I felt stuck in a cycle of chronic migraine pain that I couldn’t break.

Then, out of nowhere, I had a breakthrough that changed everything.

It turns out I was allergic to my beloved green powder juice drink. Are you kidding me? I had been drinking it religiously, thinking I was helping my body heal, but it was a major migraine trigger. And just when I thought that was it, I discovered that the wafer crackers I had always eaten—my go-to snack—had changed their recipe. They now contained cheese powder, something I never noticed until I took a closer look. Both these so-called “healthy” foods were secretly fueling my migraines .

Once I eliminated them, everything shifted. The daily migraine attacks stopped. The sinus pressure vanished. I haven’t had a single headache or migraine since making those changes. Now, I religiously read every label. Buying groceries is doable, but eating at restaurants? That’s a gamble. I always tell them about my allergies, but let’s be honest—it’s a game of Russian roulette when it comes to avoiding migraine triggers.

It was an eye-opening realization: sometimes the things we think are helping us are actually hurting us. And when you’re in perimenopause, your body becomes even more sensitive to these hidden irritants. What worked for me last year suddenly became a major migraine culprit.

Now, as I learn to ride the unpredictable waves of perimenopause, I’m getting better at tuning into my body. I’m learning to prevent migraines before they start and avoid the foods and habits that sabotage my health. It’s not easy, but it’s possible—and that gives me hope.

Living with Allergies: The Struggles and Realisations

Now, living in Sydney, I face a new challenge: dining out. Every meal can be a test. My lemon allergy, combined with the list of foods I can’t eat, makes going out for dinner difficult. I can’t risk eating the wrong thing because I know all too well how quickly it can spiral into a nightmare. I can’t have champagne, no cheese, no red wine—two of the biggest culprits. It’s often easier to avoid the social scene altogether, as it’s hard to find anyone who can understand the complexity of my dietary restrictions. But that’s okay. I’ve learned to live with it.

But when I do slip up—when I accidentally consume a trigger food the consequences are severe. The first thing that happens is that my body goes cold, like ice. Then, my vision goes blurry, and I begin to slur my words. The pain escalates until I’m throwing up, my body desperately trying to reject the offending ingredient. If I’m lucky, I can sleep it off. But sometimes, it’s so bad that I end up in the hospital on a drip for dehydration.

It’s a painful reminder that this journey is far from over.

The Power of Knowledge: What I’ve Learned

The most important lesson I’ve learned through all these years of struggle is that knowledge is power. By understanding my allergies and sensitivities, I’ve gained control over my life. Yes, I still have setbacks, and yes, I have to be incredibly cautious. But I also know what works for me and what doesn’t. I know what foods to avoid, and I’ve learned to embrace a healthier lifestyle because of it.

I also want to share my story to help others who might be going through the same thing. I know how frustrating it can be to feel alone with an allergy or chronic health issue. It can feel isolating. But I promise you, there’s a way through it. There’s always hope, and there’s always something you can do to take control of your health.

Reaching Out: Let’s Connect

If you’re someone who suffers from migraines, sinus headaches, or food allergies—especially related to citrus, cheese, coffee, or other common triggers—please reach out. I’m sharing my story through Bondi Basics because I want to help others who are walking a similar path. Whether it’s finding the right foods, discovering what works for your body, or just finding someone who understands, I’m here to help.

Your health is worth it. Don’t give up. Keep searching for the answers that work for you. You’re not alone in this journey.

Contact Bondi Basics today and let’s continue the conversation.

Action list

1. Create a food diary piece of paper and pen is fine
2. Log what you eat and daily how you feel
3. If you can write in a notepad, you could use the wonders of AI to help you
4. Book up to see a doctor with your findings.
5. Read the ingredients of everything you eat.
6. Only you can find the answer! Take the time to log and like me you will have a breakthrough.
7. Reach out to Bondi basics I will help where I can

Final Thoughts: A Life Reclaimed

Today, I’m almost 50, and I’m proud to say that I’ve come a long way from the days of constant illness and confusion. The migraines and sinus headaches that once controlled my life are now manageable. I’ve found peace with my allergies and a balance in my diet. Life still throws challenges my way, but I’m stronger for it.

If you’re struggling, remember this: You are not defined by your allergies or your illnesses. You have the power to heal, to reclaim your life, and to live it fully. Keep going, one step at a time. The answers are out there. And I’m here to help you find them.

Stay strong and never stop learning about what’s best for your body. 💛

Reach out to Bondi Basics: www.bondibasics.com.au