New Constant Headaches - Could this be from the weight loss?

Ichbinceiling
Ichbinceiling Posts: 97
edited October 1 in Food and Nutrition
Hey All -

I know this would just be typical advice, but I need some suggestions before I hit up the doctor. Recently (for the last 2 weeks), I've experienced headaches ranging from my eyes to neck to sinus regions. I've taken sinus medicine, allergy medicine and all the tylenol my body can handle. Problem is, it takes the edge off, but doesn't help. Thing is - I can't work out with these headaches. Everytime I get my heart rate up, I don't feel well and I have to stop, which is really hurting my weight loss at this point.

I have lost 42 pounds. I'm afraid my body is out of wack from losing the weight so far.

Should I have my hormones checked? Potassium? Any other suggestions?

I'm tired of being in pain and I'm tired of dealing with this.

Thanks everyone!

Replies

  • tacticalhippie
    tacticalhippie Posts: 596 Member
    Not sure if it helps, but if I eat too much sodium and "bad" carbs I get a headache for at least a day or two.

    *ETA this didn't start until I had lost a lot of weight.
  • wbgolden
    wbgolden Posts: 2,066 Member
    You didn't happen to give up caffeine recently, did ya? Worst headaches I have ever had.
  • korygilliam
    korygilliam Posts: 594 Member
    2 possibilities...are you on blood pressure medication? If so, have you been evaluated for you BP since you lost your last 10 pounds or so. May be your BP is dropping down too low w/ your healthier status

    Also, might consider turning on your diary to count sodium. Sometimes people drink and sweat too much and it depletes their sodium, which causes your sodium/potassium pumps in your cardiovascular system to cause a shift in fluid in your tissues (including the brain) that causes various neurological symptoms.
  • jamielise2
    jamielise2 Posts: 432 Member
    Not sure this applies, but dehydration can cause serious headaches, and 80% of my headaches go away about 20 minutes after drinking a big glass of water. Also, if you've recently cut out caffeine, that gave me blinding headaches for about 2-3 weeks. IF that's the case, it will get better.
  • Sherry1979
    Sherry1979 Posts: 457 Member
    I'd definitely recommend checking with your doctor but I was having really, really bad headaches like I had never had before and I ended up having mono. I had other symptoms too but the headaches were the thing that finally made me end up seeing the doctor.
  • melizerd
    melizerd Posts: 870 Member
    I was going to ask if you've reduced/eliminated caffeine and about sodium as well. Too much sodium makes me feel hung over the next day, and skipping the caffeine takes awhile to get used to.

    I think it does warrant a trip to the doctor to be sure nothing else is going on too. Feel better.
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    Are you drinking enough water? Dehydration is actually the #1 cause of most headaches, especially the kind that you describe.

    Take your current body weight in lbs and divide it by 2. This is how much water you should be drinking (in ounces) before workout. Add 8-16 oz per 30 minutes of exercise (depending on intensity). And if you are out in the heat at all, you need to add even more water.

    Sounds like a lot, I'm sure. I know that I don't get enough water. But when I start feeling a headache coming on (and I get them too often) the first thing I do is drink more water.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    I dealt with this a month or so ago. Couldn't figure out what was wrong - then I tried Allegra and they stopped within 24 hours. Now, I know you said you tried allergy medicine, so it may not be the same thing. But, I know it worked for me.

    If getting your heart rate up makes the headaches worse - I think it is time for a doctor's visit. You don't want to be dealing with high blood pressure and not know it. Headaches that last more than a day or so aren't something to joke around with. Please, give your doctor a call.
  • aippolito1
    aippolito1 Posts: 4,894 Member
    Are you having withdrawals from something? You can get headaches from withdrawal from sugar or caffeine... are you properly hydrated? Eating your MINIMUM 1200 calories? Eating HEALTHY?
  • ConnieBruhn
    ConnieBruhn Posts: 4
    I'd do a couple of things, yes potassium, magnesium and be sure you are hydrating enough. Also try grape seed extract, it helps fight off allergies and sinus problems. I do this for myself when I start in on the headaches and mercy, congrat's on the major weight loss. Hope to do that myself!!
  • MarieNevada
    MarieNevada Posts: 395 Member
    looking at your diary you're not eating enough protein either. the MFP recommendations for protein is much too low. the percentages for your macro nutrients shoudl be about 50% carbs, 30% protein, and 20% fat. this could be affecting you as well as dehydration.
  • sweebum
    sweebum Posts: 1,060 Member
    Magnesium helps tremendously with headaches as does lots of water. :smile:
  • Heatherbelle_87
    Heatherbelle_87 Posts: 1,078 Member
    The headaches taht you are describing can be related to cervical strain (neck strain) sinus infection, severe allergies, light sensitivity, BP and changes in diet. Look into getting a good neck massage (if someone around you isnt good) professional may be worth it because there are special pressure points for cervical strain. Getting checked for a sinus infection as well as basic blood work would be a good idea. Now that you have changed your diet and are losing weight you may be eating healthier but the reduced caloric intake may reveal you are low in iron or other nutrients and your "bad diet" may have actually hidden this before

    P.S. per my lovely neurologist god-mother, quickest way to get rid of a headache is a caffeinated soda or tea and ibuprofen. Caffeine dialates the blood vessels allowing the pain meds to reach your brain quicker, that and I think it was 80% of headaches are from caffeine withdrawals
  • Ichbinceiling
    Ichbinceiling Posts: 97
    No, I gave up pop/soda the day I started my diet, over 5 months ago.
  • Ichbinceiling
    Ichbinceiling Posts: 97
    Thanks everyone. I went to Walmart and checked the BP, it said 122/74, so it was within the normal range. I'm definately going to go to the doctor if this doesn't stop.
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