Paternal Alcoholism and Migraines

[Edie FH]

I have suffered migraines all of my life, as has my sister, three brothers and my mother. My father and both grandfathers were alcoholics. Is there any research on any link between paternal alcoholism and migraines? Does anyone have a similar story?

[Jay Trigeminal]

I have suffered migraines all of my life, as has my sister, three brothers and my mother. My father and both grandfathers were alcoholics. Is there any research on any link between paternal alcoholism and migraines? Does anyone have a similar story?

My maternal side of the family has a history of alcoholism (in my grandparents, uncle and mother). I don't think my grandparents have a history of migraines themselves but their children and myself do. For me, my migraines seem to have started during a prolonged period of alcohol abuse, sleep deprivation, poor appetite, stress and depression in my mid-20s. Now that period is behind me but it's often those activities that trigger my migraines. I've started becoming curious if my family's recent migraine history are a defensive measure against the alcoholism. For example, I feel like the migraines keep me in check and preventing my drinking problem from getting out of control.