A bit of history first - I have been suffering migraines for a number of years , and despite the NHS's best efforts , no cause has been found . These have been getting steadily more frequent over the last couple of years , and are currently running about 5 a week - not a severe as they used to be , but enough to leave me bedridden far too often .
Today I was reading something on-line about how they recon the reduction in lead in petrol (and in the environment as a whole) has lead to a fall in crime rates (weird , but that not the whole thing....)
They also listed common effects of lead poisoning - one of which was headaches in adults .

That was my `light bulb' moment..........I only ever get these headaches at home - never on holiday , never while staying away from home , and then it hit me.......my 1937 semi has lead pipework coming into the house (the main water supply)
I have been drinking a lot of (tap) water trying to stay hydrated to stave off the headaches , and it hasnt worked........could it all be down to low-level lead poisoning , building up over the 17 years I've lived here ?

I've decided to switch to bottled water as a temporary measure , untill I can get something done about the lead pipe - but I dont know where I stand on getting it replaced as far as the stop cock in the street ?

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Originally posted by clairetoo
A bit of history first - I have been suffering migraines for a number of years , and despite the NHS's best efforts , no cause has been found . These have been getting steadily more frequent over the last couple of years , and are currently running about 5 a week - not a severe as they used to be , but enough to leave me bedridden far too often .
Today I was reading something on-line about how they recon the reduction in lead in petrol (and in the environment as a whole) has lead to a fall in crime rates (weird , but that not the whole thing....)
They also listed common effects of lead poisoning - one of which was headaches in adults .

That was my `light bulb' moment..........I only ever get these headaches at home - never on holiday , never while staying away from home , and then it hit me.......my 1937 semi has lead pipework coming into the house (the main water supply)
I have been drinking a lot of (tap) water trying to stay hydrated to stave off the headaches , and it hasnt worked........could it all be down to low-level lead poisoning , building up over the 17 years I've lived here ?

I've decided to switch to bottled water as a temporary measure , untill I can get something done about the lead pipe - but I dont know where I stand on getting it replaced as far as the stop cock in the street ?

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You could well be on to something Claire.

Migraine is connected to nervous system disorders..

One of the effects of lead poisoning is to cause nervous disorders.

Definitely worth the bottled water experiment, and talking it through with your GP or better still getting a referral to a specialist....

Thanks for that link - its amazing the things they dont tell you...........I had no idea !

Just had a call from severn trent - they are coming tonight to do a water quality test , to check for bacteriological contaminants - and lead !

My wife had similar symptoms to what you describe for about the last 10 years. Went to the doctors etc etc but nothing was found. I read a book called grain brain which describes the problems gluten can have on the body including migraines amongst lots of other things. I told her to give it up gluten and see what happens, Within a couple of days the migraines stopped and have never come back.

[Edited on 22/4/14 by wylliezx9r]

I also have lead from the stop cock to the house. I was advised that it is only new lead that poses any risk after this many years, the lead will have formed oxides on the inside of the pipe, therefore preventing any less contamination. There are treatments that can be used that you inject down the lead pipe and it lines the lead with a nontoxic layer. Good luck getting some answers - migraines are no fun at all.

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Originally posted by wylliezx9r
My wife had similar symptoms to what you describe for about the last 10 years. Went to the doctors etc etc but nothing was found. I read a book called grain brain which describes the problems gluten can have on the body including migraines amongst lots of other things. I told her to give it up gluten and see what happens, Within a couple of days the migraines stopped and have never come back.

[Edited on 22/4/14 by wylliezx9r]

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It's possible, but unlikely. If you are in a hard water area, the scale coats the inside of the pipe and prevents any lead absorption. If you are in a soft water area, then this does not happen, but water companies use dosing systems to add chemicals to prevent the lead absorption instead - I spent some time designing some of the control panels for these dosing systems over a decade ago.

[Edited on 22/4/14 by SteveWalker]

I believe that you can ask your water supplier to analyse your water, if you ask them nicely - might be worth a go?

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Originally posted by clairetoo

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Originally posted by wylliezx9r
My wife had similar symptoms to what you describe for about the last 10 years. Went to the doctors etc etc but nothing was found. I read a book called grain brain which describes the problems gluten can have on the body including migraines amongst lots of other things. I told her to give it up gluten and see what happens, Within a couple of days the migraines stopped and have never come back.

[Edited on 22/4/14 by wylliezx9r]

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I dont think its any kind of food allergy - I spent a few months several years ago recording absolutely everything I ate or drank , and came to the conclusion that there was no pattern - either it was everything , or nothing !
I have tried avoiding just about everything - from caffeine to dairy products , red meat to alcohol , and no change........even prescription migraine preventatives have no effect .

Fingers crossed that this time I have stumbled upon the answer

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Originally posted by David Jenkins
I believe that you can ask your water supplier to analyse your water, if you ask them nicely - might be worth a go?

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Originally posted by wylliezx9r

Have you eliminated gluten though ? My wife was amazed she never thought it could of been that.

[Edited on 22/4/14 by wylliezx9r]

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Originally posted by clairetoo

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Originally posted by wylliezx9r

Have you eliminated gluten though ? My wife was amazed she never thought it could of been that.

[Edited on 22/4/14 by wylliezx9r]

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Just one question.......what is gluten ? How would I know if I've eaten it on a specific day ?

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Originally posted by clairetoo
Just one question.......what is gluten ? How would I know if I've eaten it on a specific day ?

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Originally posted by clairetoo

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Originally posted by wylliezx9r

Have you eliminated gluten though ? My wife was amazed she never thought it could of been that.

[Edited on 22/4/14 by wylliezx9r]

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Just one question.......what is gluten ? How would I know if I've eaten it on a specific day ?

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So.....theres more than a fair chance I've eaten gluten while on holiday in Europe.....and yet I've never had a migraine while on holiday , only at home ?

I had started to think it was something in my house , but just couldnt put my finger on what .

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Originally posted by clairetoo
So.....theres more than a fair chance I've eaten gluten while on holiday in Europe.....and yet I've never had a migraine while on holiday , only at home ?

I had started to think it was something in my house , but just couldnt put my finger on what .

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I've had similar issues, but mainly at work and when I wake on a morning. I've been suffering stress, so that's a clear cause but there are a lot of things that start to contribute.

I've been seeing a chiropractor and things have gotten a lot better after getting my spine adjusted (thus relieving the pressure on my nervous system) and doing a lot of stretching to even out my posture, especially when sat at my desk. I also find spending a lot of time on the iPad creates tension at the back of my neck and causes some jaw clenching.

You do right to look at things around the home if that's the pattern causing migraines, and getting the pipes checked is a no brainer if they'll sort it for free. But look at other things that you make a habit of at home - posture, computer habits, flickering TV etc etc.

Have you thought about weighing yourself in? Leads worth a fortune!

This reminds me of a lead poisoning case I heard many moons ago where it was traced to the lead based glaze on some jugs/mugs that had the persons daily breakfast fruit juice in it. Apparently the acid in the fruit juice was bringing the lead out.

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Originally posted by garyo
Have you thought about weighing yourself in? Leads worth a fortune!

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This is an extreme result of celiac problems that popped up on Reddit just today:

Celiac disease & brain

It's rather melodramatic to think that this is your problem! However, it is an indication of how celiac disease can affect the brain. I'd stick to trying to find a simpler cause though - lifestyle, something in your home or work environment, or similar.

For one of my son's friends, the cure for migraines was to stop eating chocolate & cheese.

[Edited on 22/4/14 by David Jenkins]

anything to do with welding...
do you use an air fed mask?

I am assuming you dont do any welding on holiday!!

certainly round this way, the water company doses phos acid into the water, to stop lead coming out of the pipe.....

most companys are slowly replacing the lead out in the district too

as said before, the old lead pipes are scaled up so wont be leaching out into the water

Are you aware of the link between low energy lighting and migraines?

possible 'light bulb' moment!

[Edited on 22/4/14 by plentywahalla]

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Originally posted by wylliezx9r
My wife had similar symptoms to what you describe for about the last 10 years. Went to the doctors etc etc but nothing was found. I read a book called grain brain which describes the problems gluten can have on the body including migraines amongst lots of other things. I told her to give it up gluten and see what happens, Within a couple of days the migraines stopped and have never come back.

[Edited on 22/4/14 by wylliezx9r]

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One of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning is headaches. Carbon monoxide is always a major suspect when investigating sick building syndrome.

Re lead, lead like other heavy metals it lingers in the body for a very long time, the change in environment when going on holiday is not going to be long enough to change the symptoms.

[Edited on 23/4/14 by britishtrident]

Bit of along story but here go,s i suffred form indigestion all my life untill meeting jane who is gluten intolerent i am 59 and was crippled with joint pain struggling to get my work done box of rennies daily anyhow when we started living together we started eating same diet just made life easy within a month joints where beginning to improve and a year later i am brand new would never have belived it if some one had told me dont rule it out claire not hard to be gluten free we eat really well good luck

Where we are the water company will replace any lead pipework leading to the property if you replace yours up to the boundary. Might be the same where you live.

Like other have said though, lead pipe oxidises meaning the lead shouldn't contaminate the water.

lots of people have a mild gluten intolerance with various symptoms (my GF's mum just gets an upset stomach)

but there are so many possible causes the only way to isolate the real cause is to try one thing at a time...

getting the water checked and checking the CO levels around the house have got to be the first things - they are easy to test for and the most serious for your health

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Originally posted by whitestu
Where we are the water company will replace any lead pipework leading to the property if you replace yours up to the boundary. Might be the same where you live.

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Originally posted by britishtrident
One of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning is headaches. Carbon monoxide is always a major suspect when investigating sick building syndrome.

Re lead, lead like other heavy metals it lingers in the body for a very long time, the change in environment when going on holiday is not going to be long enough to change the symptoms.

[Edited on 23/4/14 by britishtrident]

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You could switch to wine?

^^If I remember right cider would be better

I suffered from migraines for years, regularly taking soluble paracetamol about 5 times each day. When I had kidney problems I stopped the paracetamol and was prepared to live with the migraines, but within a few days the migraines stopped. I had been suffering from paracetamol poisoning which can cause violent headaches and migraine!

I'd be very suprised if lead in the water supply was linked to the problems you're experiencing.
The bioavailability of lead is quite low, as has been pointed out. Pipes will form a protective scale on the inside, it's probably only your main-to-house that remains lead, simply running the tap for a few minutes should clear any absorbed lead in that section.
Your comment as regards lead in petrol.... quite interesting. Thing is, again, the bioavailability of lead particles neatly baked into exhaust particulates is extremely low. Unless you were into eating nothing but the grass along the M25 during the leaded period (yes, I was part of the research effort at the University of Surrey), I doubt if dietary lead is an issue. However, stop eating tinned salmon/tuna if heavy metals worry you. BTW, petrol (sans lead) is now even less healthy, more aromatics, more heavy ethers, all very toxic. That octane level has to be maintained somehow.

How is your home heated? If it's a modern sealed box, amongst other sealed boxes (all venting CO), then have a good look at CO.

Any formaldehyde/ureas/etc. (furniture/fittings/insulants) can cause some issues with some people.

Any high voltage lines around, or a big microwave emitter?

The other thing to consider is that the absence of headaches when away from home might not be so much to do with the change of environment but might be more to do with the change of scene possibly reducing stress. For example, when we are at home we tend to be in a work, eat, rest cycle whereas when on holiday or away from home that cycle will usually not include work any more.

So, if general stress could be the cause then try to make time to relax through a combination of exercise (eg. simply walking), breathing, meditation, yoga, pilates etc. Whatever you can fit in to your life.

Also consider if your bed is causing back or neck pain/stiffness to trigger the headaches (very common) and make changes to see if you can remove the trigger. eg. Try sleeping on the floor with a mat or old duvet underneath you. I'm not saying that will be particularly comfortable but it might give some clues as to the cause. This is also something that will be different when you are away from home.

I hope you find the solution.

I don't know much about lead pipe work but I do know that plumbers who worked with lead were given a bottle of milk a day to drink and protect themselves .... My old Dad told me that

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Originally posted by craig1410
The other thing to consider is that the absence of headaches when away from home might not be so much to do with the change of environment but might be more to do with the change of scene possibly reducing stress. For example, when we are at home we tend to be in a work, eat, rest cycle whereas when on holiday or away from home that cycle will usually not include work any more.

So, if general stress could be the cause then try to make time to relax through a combination of exercise (eg. simply walking), breathing, meditation, yoga, pilates etc. Whatever you can fit in to your life.

Also consider if your bed is causing back or neck pain/stiffness to trigger the headaches (very common) and make changes to see if you can remove the trigger. eg. Try sleeping on the floor with a mat or old duvet underneath you. I'm not saying that will be particularly comfortable but it might give some clues as to the cause. This is also something that will be different when you are away from home.

I hope you find the solution.

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I got the results from the water test today........
They phoned before turning up , and said dont run the water - bad news was I had flushed the toilet a few minutes before , so the water had only sat in the pipes for an hour or so before being checked .

And the test result - 9.1 micrograms per litre , when the current drinking water standard is 10............

So maybe 17 years of filling the kettle first thing in the morning , and often first thing when entering the house may have something to do with my problems.........

hope youve got to the bottom of it

The acceptable level of lead in the water supply used to be 25 micrograms per litre prior to 25/12/13 and was reduced to 10 micrograms after that date. If you only have 9.1, that would suggest you are well within the parameters wouldn't it? So may not be the source of your problems?.......

Phil