We are pleased to announce that today, March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Black outs while exercising

CORTNEY5
CORTNEY5 Posts: 87 Member
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
When I exercise hard, I black out during and get really bad headaches. I am prone to migranes and am on Topamax to prevent them. My headaches after working out are like pressure headaches. Could this be due to poor circulation/lack of oxygen/overheating? Topamax also inhibits your ability to sweat. Anyone else have this happen??? It's kind of scary.

Replies

  • jamie1888
    jamie1888 Posts: 1,704 Member
    OMG! :frown:
    I don't know anything about this... but, curious to see what people have to say.
  • skyski_tige
    skyski_tige Posts: 67 Member
    I would contact your doctor. If nothing else, workout with a trainer or someone to observe you so you do not get hurt.
  • cjkasseckert
    cjkasseckert Posts: 53 Member
    I can say that I have experienced anything like this. However, to me it sounds serious and you may want to discuss it with your doctor. Perhaps a stress test may be need to identify what is going on. Would not want it to get worse for you.
  • SassyStef
    SassyStef Posts: 413
    I have a similar situation, I will see stars and spots and on day I work out my shoulders I get a tingling in the back of my next and by late morning I get migraine.

    I asked my trainer, and she said I am not getting enough water and the tension knots in my shoulders could be a culprit.

    I still have a doc appointment set up tho.

    I hope you get some good answers here but I would totally recommend going to your neurologist!!
  • Incisive
    Incisive Posts: 9 Member
    Exact thing happened to me. I was on a 1200 calorie diet and blacking out... literally falling down. My doctor told me to eat at LEAST 2000 calories with a workout that rigorous... 1500 for doing nothing and another 500 for the workout... and that's VERY low intake BTW.
  • mccorml
    mccorml Posts: 622 Member
    oh whenever i work out i lose feeling in my hands for hours sometimes i think its because ive broken my arms so much its probably circulation they turn whiter and get like red dots in area idk
  • T_R_A_V
    T_R_A_V Posts: 1,629 Member
    That sounds crazy...I would be interested in knowing what the doctor would say
  • Aeriel
    Aeriel Posts: 864 Member
    I was getting something like this when I was doing exercising with rapid changes. I'd do pushups, then squats, then situps, and then start over and I would get dizzy, light headed, swimming vision and occasional black spots. After a few days of this, I thought that maybe I wasn't eating enough and drinking enough, so I cut back the rate of my weight loss by 0.5 pounds per week (giving me 250 more calories or so a day), drank my water and within a week it was gone. Don't know if it is coincidence of not. It also broke the plateau i was on.
  • mandijo
    mandijo Posts: 618 Member
    Yeah that's totally scary! I'd ask your doctor asap. I would hate to have something happen to you. Better to be safe than sorry!
  • myrbg
    myrbg Posts: 93
    how is your breathing when you exercise? if i don't breathe properly when i work out, i get really bad head rushes, i get really dizzy, and my face gets numb. it is because i am not giving my body enough oxygen, which means i am hyperventilating.
  • rebel14
    rebel14 Posts: 33
    Ive never had this happen but Im sure its disconcerting and causes you a fair amount of anxiety. Just from a fellow members
    concern, make sure your eating your fair share of calories , getting plenty of water , and taking your migraine medication in plenty of time prior to exercise. Im sure youll get past this .
  • daryls
    daryls Posts: 260
    Yes, you are correct - it does prevent you from regulating your body temperature. It's often used for people with seizure disorders - and it's also a mood regulator. Please talk to your doctor as blacking out does not sound safe.

    I also get the headaches after a new and hard workout. It does seem to go away once I've built up some stamina - but I'm not on any medications.

    PLEASE CALL YOUR DOCTOR!!!
  • CORTNEY5
    CORTNEY5 Posts: 87 Member
    I still have the headache today, but only when I bend or cough hard... like there is pressure built up in my head.
  • epa422
    epa422 Posts: 1,009
    It sounds like your blood pressure could be getting too high. Definitely see a doctor and remember to breathe while you're working out.
  • CORTNEY5
    CORTNEY5 Posts: 87 Member
    I try to remind myself to breathe and make sure I can still speak a sentance.
  • 2010cindyrose
    2010cindyrose Posts: 1
    I will get blackouts if I haven't had enough to eat prior to my workout and if I haven't drank enough water. For sure check with your Dr. But make sure you have a good snack before you work out really hard. I know that helps me
  • CORTNEY5
    CORTNEY5 Posts: 87 Member
    Thanks for all the input guys!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories