Migraines and Running (or overheating)

ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »

Are you seeing a neurologist for your migraines? That would be my number 1 recommendation. There's a ton of pseudoscience surrounding migraines-- a neuro will be able to help you sort out strategies that are really going to help and not just waste your time/money. Since I started seeing mine my migraines are down from 17 per month to about 8, which is huge for me.

I concur with this. Migraines are tricky.

I used to feel like this often when I was at my heaviest and was starting to workout. I actually had to deny going to Zumba classes or any other sort of class with a gf of mine, who asked all the time, and avoided doing anything super intense because I'd get so overheated and would feel ill and get headaches. Sometimes it would take a couple days to recover!! I did have high blood pressure issues during that time because of being overweight and unhealthy. Anywho... I just did what I could and kept to activities I could handle like walking, kayaking, softball, interval training on the treadmill (just taking breaks when I needed to and keeping to walking/jogging), anything that was moving my body but not overly intense. Once I started loosing some weight and my eating was healthier then I started to notice I could do more for longer or at higher intensities. Now I feel much better and feel like I can do a 'regular' workout like everyone else. I still get a little ill if I push it too much but I'm better at knowing my body now and when to stop or slow down. I've lost 35lbs and look the best I have in YEARS with this process. Honestly, I found eating was/is about 90% of my weight loss process, and working out the other 10%. If exercise is too much for you right now focus on eating 3 (or 6 if you prefer) meals a day that are of high-quality (i.e. full of nutrients and limited processing) and drinking lots of water/tea. Track your meals and go from there as you start to feel better. Oh, I should also mention I went to my doctor and made sure everything was okay too. Just to be safe

Thankfully mine are only triggered by weather changes, and I usually only get 4-6 per day. That being said, I got to my doctor often to make sure things are going well. If I had it more frequently or something directly was causing it I could fix, I would see a neurologist.

Good luck, hope you can find a solution!

kellybea73 wrote: »

I am a runner and would love to be able to run year round, but I can't. I have learned if it is 65 or higher outside I will start getting a migraine around mile 4. I drink lots of water, take a pill full of electrolytes and I run 4/walk 1 to let myself cool down some. Anyone have any advice for me?

This struck me as it is something that has happened to me several times. I get migraines and I have found some relief with Botox but still get them enough to put me under. One of my triggers is the dehydration from long runs. I've tried several different forms of gels and snacks and well, you name it. I found that some of these actually triggered a migraine. I noticed that you said that you take a pill full of electrolytes. #1 Could this be triggering a migraine? #2. Have you considered trying a different form such as GU Roctane or GU or HoneyStinger 15 minutes before a run? #3. You mentioned your water intake. I always think I'm drinking a ton of water myself. I recently had a sweat test and realized how much water I actually need to be drinking for and during my runs. Are you drinking at least every 15 minutes during your run? It could be a deficiency not only in water but electrolytes. Perhaps drinking a sports drink such as tailwind or other speciality running store mixes might be considered. I use ordinary Gatorade because it's cheap and I utilize GU Roctane.

I have the same thing!!! Only I can't really jog fast, but if i do interval jogging or walking in warm weather the migraines rain down a hell like no other >.< I usually end up in the ER as I'm a high risk for bloodclots.

I'm currently seeing a neurologist, have been for a good 2 years now and so far we've figured I have a few triggers with my migraines. I kept a diary of every migraine I had, how it started, what i had done and when it ended, and I also used my MFP food dairy. We found a bunch of things that were triggers for me. Light is one of them. If i don't wear sunglasses i will get a migraine. Smells like vinegar, some purfumes (mainly floral) and some foods trigger it too and also how hot it is outside. If it's warm and I work out i also tend to get them and if I don't eat before working out too.

Might be worth seeing a neurologist just to see all your triggers and also to see if any of the medications work to prevent or help the symptoms, so you can still go running when it's warm. I've gone off them all since finding my triggers I'm happy avoiding those things if it means not being on so many medication that i don't really need. I now go jogging early in the morning or late at night and if it's still too warm, I try to lift weights at home or cycle instead. Been medication free since rejoining MFP.

All the best! Migraines are a hell i hope many don't ever have to suffer and for those of us who do, I hope you find a way to avoid them

As a migraine sufferer myself, I'm assuming you know what a migraine is. It's caused by restricted blood flow to the brain and narrowing of blood vessels. It concerns me that you say when you're running, you tend to get these migraines. Hormonal imbalances is one thing to trigger a migraine, but assertion and getting a migraine is another. The only time I ever got a migraine from assertIon was when I was push mowing a yard in 100 degree heat and I was upset with my brother for not helping our mom......it felt like a heat stroke as well.
I really hope you see a doctor and then update us on the results. Best wishes to you.

Could be not being hydrated enough, sinus problems to tension headaches. Obviously you're going to have to see a DR.

Sounds odd but try to put pepper mint oil on your head before you try running again I also find taken 400mg of magnesium before bed really seems to be helping along with fish oil 1000mg after meals try it for a month or two.

Talk to a doctor. Keep track of things.
Run indoors when it is warmer?

I am trying to sort out my migraines that have increased in the last couple of months. Starting with my doctor and using the migraine buddy app.