Have you tried exercising through a migraine?

Sweetcheeks278

I've tried before but it only makes it worse for me personally.

Shell_7609

I've never tried exercising through a migraine, if I get one, I have to take my meds & go into a dark room & pass out

busterbluth

I have a feeling that those of you who said "yes" get headaches, not migraines.

There is no way I could exercise or anything else through a migraine. I give myself an Imitrex injection and chill. If I'm out of them, I end up in the ER because I'm puking my guts out.

Stefanie7125

true migraines are debilitating and you can't "work through them". If you can function then it is probably just a really bad headache. (I use the word just very loosely here. I know headaches are horrible.) Yes, back and neck problems can lead to migraines as well as certain foods. Good Chiropractors are wonderful, just be careful, there are some jokes out there. Keep yourself hydrated as well. I hope you figure out the cause soon! Good luck.

busterbluth

SueGremlin- i agree i normally get 3+ a week. but now when i get (about the same amount) they aren't as bad since started watching what i eat and when. crazy how the human body works during the day if i haven't eaten a snack/meal in last 4 hrs a migraine starts. but other things trigger mine too wish was only eating on a schedule. lol

Interestingly, eating LESS has helped my migraines? I used to get them from low blood sugar, but I started reading about ketosis and migraines (and seizures, which I also get) so it makes sense. I need to talk to a nutritionist about it. I also want to get food allergy testing.

Stefanie7125

I have a feeling that those of you who said "yes" get headaches, not migraines.

There is no way I could exercise or anything else through a migraine. I give myself an Imitrex injection and chill. If I'm out of them, I end up in the ER because I'm puking my guts out.

agree!!

KidP

If we're talking an actual migraine (as opposed to just a headache or bad headache), then no, absolutely not. For me, that would be ridiculous. I've had migraines so bad that i can't stand up or talk let alone lift a heavy weight up over my head. I cannot imagine trying to exercise under those conditions - it would be downright dangerous & foolhardy. I might as well just drop a kettlebell on my foot and get it over with.

I've exercised through headaches before. Sometimes it goes away, sometimes it gets worse. I did it last Friday & by the end the headache was gone. It was no migraine, though.

Roni_M

I was dx with cluster migraines years ago. They are a series of migraines one right after another and can last 1-3 days. They are a little more resistant to medication from my understanding. Every step I take jolts my head like someone has hit me with a sledgehammer. I could never "workout" during one. In fact if it's a multi day one I tend to get dehydrated because I won't drink anything other than enough water to swallow my pain med every 4 hours. I do nothing but sleep in a dark quiet room. Luckily I don't get them as frequently because they are related to a bleeding disorder I have and it has improved some over the years along with the migraines. It's interesting to see the number of people who can work through them!!

cutie2b

I couldn't possibly exercise during a migraine, I can't see anything when I get them.
Getting through a migraine, for me, means lying in a dark room with no/minimal sound, and drinking water occasionally for 6-10 hrs. Unfortunately, when I get one I'm out for the day. By taking something like Excedrin, it reduces them to 2-6 hours for some people, though.

Migraines for me means that my vision goes out and I auras. You can't exercise if you can't see and your dizzy and nauseated.

SueGremlin

true migraines are debilitating and you can't "work through them". If you can function then it is probably just a really bad headache.

That is absolutely untrue. Migraines vary between individuals. I was diagnosed with migraine after a thorough workup. Sometimes they are debilitating, sometimes they are not.

People should not assume anyone is a "drama queen" because their migraines aren't as bad as yours.

caramel1920

I exercised through a migraine once...once! I will never do it again! Quiet, dark room and rest for me!

busterbluth

true migraines are debilitating and you can't "work through them". If you can function then it is probably just a really bad headache.

That is absolutely untrue. Migraines vary between individuals. I was diagnosed with migraine after a thorough workup. Sometimes they are debilitating, sometimes they are not.

People should not assume anyone is a "drama queen" because their migraines aren't as bad as yours.

Do you just get the auras?

I get migraines nearly every day (it's getting a little better); sometimes/some parts of the day it's just aura (though my current meds help this), but if the headache part starts it eventually always leads to a full-blown, full-body migraine if I don't take an injection. I'm going to be trying Botox soon.

SueGremlin

true migraines are debilitating and you can't "work through them". If you can function then it is probably just a really bad headache.

That is absolutely untrue. Migraines vary between individuals. I was diagnosed with migraine after a thorough workup. Sometimes they are debilitating, sometimes they are not.

People should not assume anyone is a "drama queen" because their migraines aren't as bad as yours.

Do you just get the auras?

I get migraines nearly every day (it's getting a little better); sometimes/some parts of the day it's just aura (though my current meds help this), but if the headache part starts it eventually always leads to a full-blown, full-body migraine if I don't take an injection. I'm going to be trying Botox soon.

I get both headache and aura, and on separate occasions. The auras aren't that bad, they are a 20 minute inconvenience followed by a minor headache.
The headaches come on their own, usually. If they are very bad, Imitrex generally stops them dead. (but sometimes not).
I do, however, feel very lucky that I don't usually get the migraines that render me locked in a dark room and vomiting.

bluestarlight19

I can't exercise through them at all. I don't get them too often but when I do, I need to curl up in a dark place to sleep them off. If that isn't working, try Excedrin migraine meds. They have aspirin, Tylenol and caffeine in them. I usually only need one pill, but I take it as soon as I feel it coming and it stops it in its tracks. If I don't have that on me, then I take some Ibuprofen and find a high caffeinated drink like coffee or pepsi max.

the_journeyman

My migraines take out my right eye and of course have plenty of pain involved. I at least try it, as changing bloodflow to the brain can help a headache. I don't normally even get headaches unless had a bender the night before, but do get a random migraine. I find a good hard workout basically causes my migraine to 'blow out' or something. After a few minutes of misery when I first start some cardio it just suddenly starts to fade. I have to do something SMOOTH that doesn't jar me though, like the elliptical or bicycle. Jogging on the track or treadmill is too much.

JM

onefitdiva

I have done it but it is awful, I was just wishing for the workout to be over already so I could lay in a dark, cool room and rest.

latinqueencee

Although not a migraine, I went running with a horrible sinus headache....ugh, I thought my head was going to explode. I completed the run but nearly cried on the way home, popped a percocet and went right to bed. I will never do that again. I wouldnt recommend it, I say stay home, get better then attempt working out once headache is gone.

Julie2402

If i get sumatriptan down me quickly then i can carry on, i will feel awful but i push myself. If i don't have tabs in time then i am totally laid up, sickness, flashing lights etc!

VonRockette

I've tried to do cardio at the begining of a migrane. It was awful. The blood pumping felt like it was punching my brain. I stopped the workout and then it left me feeling defeated and sad. I learned my lesson. Take care of headache first - then you can worry about working out.

whtlatina1214

yes. its nearly impossible if i'm in a gym. if im at home alone i can usually make it though.

sometimes if its really bad i'll just do some yoga with the volume on as low as possible and zen out.

im the same way . and today that is exactly what im going to do prob walk my daughter @ the park depending on how crowded and the weather and then ima do some yoga or beginner pilates .. cause i have a migraine and im feeling nausea...

javo1977

Going to the chiropractor was the best thing for my migraines! I had gone to a few 'specialists' had MRI's and CAT Scans ... so as a last resort I consulted a chiropractor -- and my frequent migriaines are now down to maybe one every two months! I'm like many people who have responded -- when I have migraines I have to be in a dark room with no noise so exercising is not an option. I would highly recommend setting up a consultation with a chiropractor. Good Luck!!

MelissaE27

I have very bad migraines and very often.. dont mess around with them they can be very dangerous! 4 years ago I had a migraine for 4 days thinking ah its just a migraine no biggie.. well boy was I wrong.. I actually had a migraine stroke.. it took me a year of physical therapy to walk again.. now I am on an anti-seizure medication to control them... work out during a migraine for me?? NO WAY. .. best wishes to you

AdrienneKaren

I've had 3 migraines in the past 7 months. They're hormone related. Two out of the three resulted in my Mom dragging me to the ER because home remedies didn't work. I really wanted to give walking a shot to see if that would help (because walking does wonders for so many ailments), but I couldn't see out of one eye and got dizzy when standing. Now I've got Imitrex so maybe next time I'll get enough relief from that to allow me to go on a walk.

Di3012

Just wondering. These headaches are kind of new to me. Luckily they aren't debilitating, just ruining my day eating and exercise-wise.

I remember being 30 minutes into an hour long swim session and suddenly getting the vision disturbance. At first I thought it was something under the water on the floor of the pool and then I realized what was really happening.

I must admit, I was loathe to stop the session and knew I have approximately 45 minutes before the headache appeared, so I finished the swim, got changed quickly and legged it home - in time.

I am not too convinced that I would be able to continue running in the same situation though......