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

Chronic Pain and the food exercise battle

bethkeysear
bethkeysear Posts: 28 Member
edited February 14 in Health and Weight Loss
I have chronic migraines. I have tried everything to get rid of them and will be on my last resort which is possible surgery soon. THat is beside the point. My migraines happen 22-28 days a month and between the pain and the meds working out is very difficult. WHen I exercise during a headache the migraine gets worse. If I take meds I barely have the energy to exercise. On top of that when I have a bad headache I just want to eat.

I know I can lose weight in spite of the pain but would love to talk to others that understand chronic pain. Sometimes I feel like if I say I have a headache, people respond with "again"?!?!? Yes again….it feels awful to hear that. I cannot help it. I think people do not understand seeing someone that looks healthy but feels like crap on a stick!

Replies

  • wannakimmy
    wannakimmy Posts: 488 Member
    I do not have chronic migraines, but I do have plantar fasciitis. A very painful foot issue. Having the extra weight on does not help this problem either. People have always told me to walk for exercise... When I explain to them I can't, they always thought it was an excuse not to exercise. They didn't understand the amount of pain that goes along with it. I already am on my feet 8 hours a night on a cement floor. By the time I get done there, the last thing my feet can handle is a walk.

    I have found another type if exercise that has really helped me is swimming. It is a great cardio workout and keeps the weight off the feet. They still hurt to walk on them, but during swimming, I am weightless so to speak, so it is much better. I do an hour of swimming and then relax in the hot tub for 10 minutes :)

    Perhaps a different type of exercise may not aggravate your migraines?

    Best of luck to you!
  • acogg
    acogg Posts: 1,870 Member
    I don't want to discourage you from using MFP for weight loss and fitness goals, it really works! But I have found that searching for other sites for specific health problems was more helpful. Don't leave MFP, stay logging but also do a search for people who get migraines. Sometimes MFP is not enough for specific health issues.
  • bethkeysear
    bethkeysear Posts: 28 Member


    I have found another type if exercise that has really helped me is swimming. It is a great cardio workout and keeps the weight off the feet. They still hurt to walk on them, but during swimming, I am weightless so to speak, so it is much better. I do an hour of swimming and then relax in the hot tub for 10 minutes :)

    Perhaps a different type of exercise may not aggravate your migraines?

    Best of luck to you!

    It really is all exercise, but I push through it often. Swimming would be great for you! Do you do any swim aerobics? I find that some of those classes are a great workout! What about an exercise bike? Does that hurt you too? I love the machine that is like an elliptical but sitting down.
  • TrishaLeighNelson
    TrishaLeighNelson Posts: 258 Member
    Mu husband got his medical marijuana card for migraines, it really helped him and he still had the energy to workout an hour+ a day. Medibles helped the most and gave him more energy than smoking
  • bethkeysear
    bethkeysear Posts: 28 Member
    Medical marijuana is supposed to be legal here now but I have not spoken to my doctor about it. I am going to start at a headache clinic where they do test shots of botox and to discover if surgery is an option.
  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
    I don't have migraines, but i work with someone who really used to suffer from them. She tried drugs, chiropractors, acupuncture, nothing worked. Until she went and got botox. Not a migraine since. And she had them most days.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • cassie77775
    cassie77775 Posts: 9 Member
    I don't have migraines but have arthritis(at 29!) and exercise is painful a lot of times. I try to focus mainly on diet and ill walk so e.
  • bethkeysear
    bethkeysear Posts: 28 Member
    It is not about hydration. It stems from pain in my neck and back. Ive had them since I was a kid. They seem weather related. I am going to be trying the botox thing next month. I am super excited!
  • wannakimmy
    wannakimmy Posts: 488 Member


    I have found another type if exercise that has really helped me is swimming. It is a great cardio workout and keeps the weight off the feet. They still hurt to walk on them, but during swimming, I am weightless so to speak, so it is much better. I do an hour of swimming and then relax in the hot tub for 10 minutes :)

    Perhaps a different type of exercise may not aggravate your migraines?

    Best of luck to you!


    It really is all exercise, but I push through it often. Swimming would be great for you! Do you do any swim aerobics? I find that some of those classes are a great workout! What about an exercise bike? Does that hurt you too? I love the machine that is like an elliptical but sitting down.

    Sorry you haven't found anything that works for you yet, don't give up. I don't do any swim aerobics, just swim laps for the most part. I've tried the bike thing and was bored stiff. I really enjoy the swimming, so I want to stay focused on that for now. I don't want exercise to become something I hate. Hang in there, you will find something that works for you!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories