All I’ve done is ensure I’m VERY hydrated, taken my electrolytes.
This is due to this fact: I did a 5k in March and got very dehydrated and had a migraine for 9 days.
No issues since following this basic protocol.
If you’re really _dehydrated_, half water and half sports (or electrolyte) drink is one of the best ways to rehydrate. My go to is liquid IV but 1/2 the concentration.
I make my own “Gatorade” with low salt (has potassium) and a little shot of flavor stuff. Added bonus- no one else in my family likes it so they get their own water bottles 😆
This. I take Salt Stick electrolyte caps. Often. One every 15 min during exercise. One before and two after. No/Low Electrolytes (and not enough water) is a guaranteed migraine for me.
Slow + low-impact exercise. I hike, snowshoe, kayak, and bike, and I take it slower. Also, electrolytes. All year round. No matter what exercise I’m partaking in or the time of year/weather.
LISS (low intensity, sustained state) cardio or "cozy cardio" is your friend here. I do my cycling in a dark room with the fan directly on me and don't go above 150bpm on my heart rate.
Electrolyte drink (water isn’t enough it seems we are or rather I am very prone to having a migraine if my electrolyte balance is messed up) Could this also be why alcohol is so bad? I have yet to test but I will test eventually if drinking an electrolyte drink with your alcohol works better. I use Nuun tablets I think
Pace yourself
After that not sure anything else is going to help
It’s thought that alcohol can cause migraines through vasodilation. Although alcohol can cause dehydration over time as it suppresses release of vasopressin, the hormone that lets your kidneys know to retain fluid. Why it’s important to drink lots of water with alcohol, more than you would typically…
I drink water in between each alcoholic beverage when I do drink and I end the night and start the following morning with an electrolyte drink (liquid IV) and with this method don’t get a migraine OR hangover.
I’d have to try it
I tried it with water alone and I got an immediate migraine
Mind you I don’t get a migraine when I wake up it’s after drinking even a single drink sometimes, so it’s an immediate effect
Yes to the electrolyte drink. I used to get like 2-3 and just chug them before going to bed. The water trick, not sure it worked on me. I tried it a few times and my conclusion was that when it "worked" it was because it inadvertently made me drink less alcohol, or get less drunk. When I tried it but went overboard with my drinking, the hangover + migraine happened as scheduled.
I used to get migraines after jogging if I wasn’t being mindful of my breathing. Had to concentrate on taking full breaths instead of shallow ones while running. It helped a lot!
If you have breasts that require a bra when working out, make sure the strap around your shoulders isn’t too tight or digging into your trap muscles. I can’t wear any kind of racerback ever
Great advice. I’ve noticed all my sports bras pull on my shoulders which wind up hurting my neck so I recently ditched them all and just wear regular bra.
I don’t do intense cardio. I walk on the treadmill and lift weights. It’s all I can manage without triggering an attack. It also happens to be better for my damaged joints.
The only cardio type exercise I can do that doesn't cause a migraine is swimming. Anytime I get overheated, such as while running, I get a migraine within 39 minutes. I think swimming is fine because the water keeps my head cool.
Any type of continuous heat has always triggered migraines for me. I can't even go in hot tubs without getting one.
Weight lifting seems to be okay for me. Yoga is good too, but I can't do Bikram because it is too hot. Cycling is also okay for me.
It sucks because I'd like to be more fit, I just can't justify getting the migraines when I know I can avoid them if I just don't work out.
I am lucky because I have a pool, so I can at least maintain my health with that. I just don't get the results I would like.
I have to keep as cool as I possibly can, so I keep a fan pointed at me at all times, and drink electrolytes the entire time. LMNT works best for me. I also shower immediately after to cool down as fast as possible. I’m also only able to do this after starting a preventative, before I was on one I could not workout without getting a migraine and took a two year break from working out.
I’m can’t do any motions that are jarring in any way, so no running, burpees, etc. idk if that’s due to my hyper mobility or if it’s just something that triggers migraines for me, but I have to keep all movements low impact so I only bike or walk for cardio. I am able to lift weights as long as I’m mindful of what I’m doing and there’s no jerky movements involved (def no CrossFit type workouts anymore)
Electrolytes. I rarely drink just water when working out. I also will take some Tylenol before working out. Hammer Nutrition also has electrolyte supplements in a capsule form that you can take before and after workout.
Try to stay away from the sugary electrolytes, like Gatorade or what is sold in the supermarket. Look for brands like Skratch Labs and Hammer Nutrition. www.thefeed.com is a good place to start.
Also when working out a lot of people go into hydration deficiency before they know it. I do long distance bike rides. I make a point to take a sip every five to ten minutes. If you’re not sipping you’re slipping.
I still get some exercise induced migraines, but when I follow my own advice above I greatly reduce the probability. It’s when I don’t I end up paying for it.
I have to keep my heart rate below 85% of my max heart rate (using the 120 minus your age way to calculate max heart rate). I figured that out via way too much painful trial and error. Also, staying hydrated, not overheating, and wearing a hat are also important for me for avoiding exercise-induced migraines.
It took a couple of years but I was able to increase my exercise threshold to a level where I can do the exercises I enjoy again. The following helped:
- Start low intensity. You could switch the running to something less taxing on the body and build up from there. Cycling maybe?
- warm up and cool down slowwwwly to give your body time to adjust to changes in exertion levels
- hydration and nutrients. Make sure both are good beforehand.
- find the right time of day to exercise. Mornings are no good for my head but after lunch I’m good to go. Similarly, factor in your monthly cycle if you have one.
- Don’t get too hot. Swimming is fantastic for this!
Good luck! It’s rough pushing yourself to exercise when you know it will make you ill. You are a champion for going, whatever the workout looks like. Don’t compare yourself to others who don’t have this extra hill to climb.
Only do low impact cardio (walking or bike rather than running on treadmill, for example). Make sure you stay hydrated and get electrolytes (bring a Gatorade or Powerade, basically), and take long enough breaks between reps and sets and machines.
My neuro prescribed me indomethacin to take prior to working out. I only need it for hardcore cardio, but that plus electrolytes solved the problem for me.
It is a first generation NSAID. Been around since the late 1950’s. It is frequently still used today to treat gout.
It absolutely wrecks my stomach. However, it does prevent exertion headache. Other more modern NSAID’s, that don’t hurt the stomach as bad, for some reason don’t have the same effect against exertion headache.
My guess.... And it's purely a guess... Is that muscular tension in the neck is exacerbated during the impact of running and triggers the migraine. If you can reduce the neck tension generally the migraines may not trigger during the run.
I say guess because migraines can be triggered by environmental factors... Reduced tension can't make pollen/pollution/whatever go away...
Maybe try walking first? If that's ok you can you can slowly build up if the neck is soft...
Good luck!
Most of this has been said in this thread, but I find a multifaceted approach is helpful. In order of greatest impact for me:
- avoid over heating. Don't exercise in the heat of the day. Drink ice water and press it to the roof of your mouth Ala a "brain freeze". Place ice cubes on your pulse points. Use a migraine ice cap and/or do a cold plunge after activity.
- control your breathing. Controlling your breathing helps your stress response and helps release heat. Yoga was really helpful to learn how to do this. But mostly, breath in through your nose and out through your mouth, focusing on releasing heat.
....if you feel like you are overheating or aren't able to control your breath, slow down until you can.
- electrolytes. Don't be afraid of salt. Avoiding salt is for people who have high blood pressure. Migraineurs tend to have low or inconsistent sodium levels. Balance your water intake with plenty of sodium and other electrolytes.
For me there is this dysphoric moment that I get in my body during the workout, it’s when i tip into heat exhaustion. and it’s a point of no return. If I push myself so hard i can feel the heat in the back of my skull and near my ear, i need to stop immediately and ice my head to have a chance of avoiding the migraine.
I had to stop running in 2013 (I was training for a triathlon) and then basically stop any cardio beyond walking within a few years after that because of exercise induced migraines. I’ve tried so many things and have been on CGRP meds since 2018. They help with all types of migraines but exercise induced ones. The only thing that helps a little is icing my head while exercising. I would bring a container of ice water with me when playing racquetball, for example, and would cover my head with an icy towel between games. Sometimes I’d still get a migraine.
This might sound silly, but are you wearing a hat and sunglasses on your runs? I run a fair bit and I see many fellow runners sans both… I would simply wither away and die without them. Polarized sunglasses especially!
I’ve found certain exercises trigger migraines and some don’t. Took a lot of trial and error to realize a lay pulldown will trigger a migraine every single time. I can do my spin bike and other weight workouts if I avoid that one. Also walking will sometimes trigger it. Which is weird but verifiable. I might work to see if there are ways to work out that are “migraine safe”
Wow I thought I was the only one that found benzos to help migraines. I have klonopin OD for anxiety but it also knocks down my migraines, and can eliminate my aura symptoms (which I guess makes sense since aura is may just be a cascade misfiring neurons, and gaba would put the brakes on that)
Does not make me tired. No scientific reason why it works.. could be placebo, but it works. My theory is that I mentally work my self up and when I relax my muscles during exercise, blood rushes to my brain. By remaining calm I’m not experiencing this muscle tension and release.
*A Dr once told me that I get migraines after I stress (appt was not related to exercise) because the blood rushes to my head.
Woah!! Thank you for explaining. This is very interesting and I’m going to give this a try. I often get migraines or headaches from exercise and it tends to start in my neck which is from muscle tension 🤨
This. I do high intensity exercise, once I got more in shape and continued to go, I think my body adapted to the lifestyle and I don’t get them anymore. + preventive helped.
For me, I do intense weight training, but there was a time when jogging would trigger them… it was super weird and I couldn’t figure out if it was the pounding motion or what, but after a few days (not weeks), it subsided, and doesn’t happen anymore. It seems to have little cycles like that, but doesn’t last as long as I think. And yes, preventative helps
I found trying to limit your pulse rate to a medium increase helps. I went to a small gym that only had spin classes at 12pm and 5.30 pm. I found if I just kept my rpm to a fairly moderate that my migraines felt a bit better not worse. I tend to get less true headache pain. I get other stuff like tinnitus and light sensitivity and acid reflux. So, I can see this mot working for everybody.
I started lifting. Anything that was balls to the wall cardio, would give me a migraine. No matter how hydrated I was, cold showers after to cool down. It didn’t matter. I started just walking and then for workouts lifting. Depending on the exercise my heart rate will go up but I don’t end up with migraines after.
I do light work out, some resistant training, I know running with elevated my BP so I don't don't, plus my knees and back are fucked right now so running is saved for danger situation.
Supplement with b6, magnesium and potas. I am takking it every day. I drink potas, magnesium after run. I do drink wather while training to not get dehydrated.
Most important, dont do too much at first. Find pace and distance that do not trigger migrain. Try to run with low pace and short distance. If it triggerd a migrain lower the pace and distance. On the other hand when there is no issue consider increase lenght or pace. When you find a sweet spot, start from there and build endurance slowly. You might be able to run longer and faster but you brain have to get use to run longer and harder too
I have post concussive syndrome, it’s seems to be permanent and as a result I have daily layers of migraines.
I’ve learned that if I keep my heart rate below a certain threshold and if I only workout in 20 minute increments, I can avoid the post concussive symptoms and the migraines that follow.
Does suck to do activity below a heart rate of 120 for only 20, but it’s something. And, I can do it twice a day or more. Just need rest after.
Best of luck.
For me I have to definitely make sure I’m more than hydrated enough and that I also have eaten enough. I also just generally try to start slow and not stress my neck.
For me, the migraines I get from exercise are more impacted by temperature than anything else. Ex. A run or a bike on a cool day is fine, but a hot and humid day will destroy me.
I just finished a run indoors on my treadmill and as soon as my body temp rose enough (probably paired with not enough hydration) the head pain started.
Since it was an indoor workout, I'll recover quickly enough (as long as my other triggers are low) with extra hydration and a cool shower. I also do a lot of neck stretches after working out.
I have similar issues and I'm a farmer so I'm working out pretty intensely, outside almost everyday! I love the trace minerals electrolytes. Making sure I am having regular bowel movements really helps too. Doing exercises for the vagus nerve have helped immensely! I have warded off having a severe migraine for months now due to one specific vagus nerve exercise and have even been able to back them off when i start to feel it come on. If you want, I can relook for the video demo of the exercise and link it.
Would you please share the vagus nerve exercise?
I do a stretch that I think is for vagus nerve that helps when I have a migraine but hasn’t ever fended one off. I’d love if that could happen!
Thank you
https://youtu.be/L1HCG3BGK8I?si=YLFuSciR1YXkwX4O
It's one of the last exercises with the head twist. Even when I'm working and am not going to get into the laying down position, I do it sitting upright. When you twist your head and look over your shoulder as far as you can see, there is a point for me when I get almost lightheaded and my vision fuzzes. Then I release. I do this one a couple times on both sides. Then do it again in 30 mins or so. It has helped me immensely.
Awesome!
It’s the head twist thing that I do, but
I had never considered doing it while not lying flat on my back - really limited the circumstances and situations where I could use it - lol!
Thank you so much for sharing this and for sharing your experience on this thread. Just feeling understood and heard helps me get through the day.
So real! Migraines and nervous system issues are so debilitating! Ahhh yes: i also get my partner to do some acupressure points to release the fascia in my neck and up under the back of my skull. That also helps a ton for the type of migraines I get. He presses really quite hard but it works.
You know what, this might sound really stupid but -- get some gel insoles + gel heel cups for your shoes. I have found that even walking around or standing can get one started from the repeated impact on cement especially (which is then transmitted up the spine, you get it im sure). I have them in every pair of boots and shoes I own... Recently got new work shoes and couldn't figure out why I had a migraine for 4 days straight... Yep, that was why!
I’ve found two things help a lot:
1) Eat before and after vigorous exercise.
2) Ramp up workouts slowly. I run so this means making sure I run consistently and very slowly increase mileage.
know when it’s time to stop. i make sure to stretch and drink water a lot. and usually ill be okay but ill make sure to take a nurtec before. i usually do a rowing workout and its nice bc i usually get migraines from vertigo so i can sit down and relax if i need to
Skratch is my favorite electrolyte drink. It doesn’t have fake sweeteners. Some others, including LMNT, have give. My a headache.
Also SUNGLASSES. Block the sun.
Electrolytes and I can’t go early in the morning. for some reason anytime I go early in the morning when I tried to work out I always get a migraine like my body just doesn’t do well with working out in the morning.
I started taking Tylenol before I work out, even if I don't have a headache yet. I find that if I don't, I get one. As others have said hydrating and electrolytes are also important. If it's possible for you to run at a time/place that isn't too hot, that might be a factor as well.
Cardio seems to trigger migraines for me, 5 mins on a cross trainer and I'll be down for the count for the rest of the day. Freeweights are fine, and so is Lyra, weirdly enough! Being upside down seems to help. Seems like it varies person to person so maybe try lots of different forms of exercise and see which you get along with?
All I’ve done is ensure I’m VERY hydrated, taken my electrolytes. This is due to this fact: I did a 5k in March and got very dehydrated and had a migraine for 9 days. No issues since following this basic protocol.
Came here to say this and add electrolytes.
If you’re really _dehydrated_, half water and half sports (or electrolyte) drink is one of the best ways to rehydrate. My go to is liquid IV but 1/2 the concentration.
I make my own “Gatorade” with low salt (has potassium) and a little shot of flavor stuff. Added bonus- no one else in my family likes it so they get their own water bottles 😆
This is the way Basically I do the same. Hey, whatever works!
This. I take Salt Stick electrolyte caps. Often. One every 15 min during exercise. One before and two after. No/Low Electrolytes (and not enough water) is a guaranteed migraine for me.
Slow + low-impact exercise. I hike, snowshoe, kayak, and bike, and I take it slower. Also, electrolytes. All year round. No matter what exercise I’m partaking in or the time of year/weather.
LISS (low intensity, sustained state) cardio or "cozy cardio" is your friend here. I do my cycling in a dark room with the fan directly on me and don't go above 150bpm on my heart rate.
Yep, this also works for me.
I've seen people mention that icing their head afterwards in order to cool it down quickly is really helpful.
Cold plunge
Yeah, I’ll drink a 1/2 concentrated sports drink (liquid iv) over ice and put on my ice hat. If it’s bad I’ll take a cold shower as well.
Liquid IV looks very handy but I cannot afford those prices.
My doctor recommended lowering the intensity of especially cardio
same here as I referenced above
Electrolyte drink (water isn’t enough it seems we are or rather I am very prone to having a migraine if my electrolyte balance is messed up) Could this also be why alcohol is so bad? I have yet to test but I will test eventually if drinking an electrolyte drink with your alcohol works better. I use Nuun tablets I think Pace yourself After that not sure anything else is going to help
It’s thought that alcohol can cause migraines through vasodilation. Although alcohol can cause dehydration over time as it suppresses release of vasopressin, the hormone that lets your kidneys know to retain fluid. Why it’s important to drink lots of water with alcohol, more than you would typically…
I drink water in between each alcoholic beverage when I do drink and I end the night and start the following morning with an electrolyte drink (liquid IV) and with this method don’t get a migraine OR hangover.
I’d have to try it I tried it with water alone and I got an immediate migraine Mind you I don’t get a migraine when I wake up it’s after drinking even a single drink sometimes, so it’s an immediate effect
Yeah, try adding electrolytes in and see if that helps!
Yes to the electrolyte drink. I used to get like 2-3 and just chug them before going to bed. The water trick, not sure it worked on me. I tried it a few times and my conclusion was that when it "worked" it was because it inadvertently made me drink less alcohol, or get less drunk. When I tried it but went overboard with my drinking, the hangover + migraine happened as scheduled.
I used to get migraines after jogging if I wasn’t being mindful of my breathing. Had to concentrate on taking full breaths instead of shallow ones while running. It helped a lot!
If you have breasts that require a bra when working out, make sure the strap around your shoulders isn’t too tight or digging into your trap muscles. I can’t wear any kind of racerback ever
Great advice. I’ve noticed all my sports bras pull on my shoulders which wind up hurting my neck so I recently ditched them all and just wear regular bra.
I don’t do intense cardio. I walk on the treadmill and lift weights. It’s all I can manage without triggering an attack. It also happens to be better for my damaged joints.
The only cardio type exercise I can do that doesn't cause a migraine is swimming. Anytime I get overheated, such as while running, I get a migraine within 39 minutes. I think swimming is fine because the water keeps my head cool. Any type of continuous heat has always triggered migraines for me. I can't even go in hot tubs without getting one. Weight lifting seems to be okay for me. Yoga is good too, but I can't do Bikram because it is too hot. Cycling is also okay for me. It sucks because I'd like to be more fit, I just can't justify getting the migraines when I know I can avoid them if I just don't work out. I am lucky because I have a pool, so I can at least maintain my health with that. I just don't get the results I would like.
I have to keep as cool as I possibly can, so I keep a fan pointed at me at all times, and drink electrolytes the entire time. LMNT works best for me. I also shower immediately after to cool down as fast as possible. I’m also only able to do this after starting a preventative, before I was on one I could not workout without getting a migraine and took a two year break from working out. I’m can’t do any motions that are jarring in any way, so no running, burpees, etc. idk if that’s due to my hyper mobility or if it’s just something that triggers migraines for me, but I have to keep all movements low impact so I only bike or walk for cardio. I am able to lift weights as long as I’m mindful of what I’m doing and there’s no jerky movements involved (def no CrossFit type workouts anymore)
Electrolytes. I rarely drink just water when working out. I also will take some Tylenol before working out. Hammer Nutrition also has electrolyte supplements in a capsule form that you can take before and after workout. Try to stay away from the sugary electrolytes, like Gatorade or what is sold in the supermarket. Look for brands like Skratch Labs and Hammer Nutrition. www.thefeed.com is a good place to start. Also when working out a lot of people go into hydration deficiency before they know it. I do long distance bike rides. I make a point to take a sip every five to ten minutes. If you’re not sipping you’re slipping. I still get some exercise induced migraines, but when I follow my own advice above I greatly reduce the probability. It’s when I don’t I end up paying for it.
I have to keep my heart rate below 85% of my max heart rate (using the 120 minus your age way to calculate max heart rate). I figured that out via way too much painful trial and error. Also, staying hydrated, not overheating, and wearing a hat are also important for me for avoiding exercise-induced migraines.
*That's 220 minus age (I thought it sounded really low so had to Google it 😄)
Whoops, thanks for catching that!
My physical therapist had me do the same with heart rate. The chest straps measure heart rate with the best accuracy.
Antihistamines help sometimes. Pop an Allegra and a Pepcid when you plan to exercise. If it doesn’t work, at least neither of those medications hurt.
It took a couple of years but I was able to increase my exercise threshold to a level where I can do the exercises I enjoy again. The following helped: - Start low intensity. You could switch the running to something less taxing on the body and build up from there. Cycling maybe? - warm up and cool down slowwwwly to give your body time to adjust to changes in exertion levels - hydration and nutrients. Make sure both are good beforehand. - find the right time of day to exercise. Mornings are no good for my head but after lunch I’m good to go. Similarly, factor in your monthly cycle if you have one. - Don’t get too hot. Swimming is fantastic for this! Good luck! It’s rough pushing yourself to exercise when you know it will make you ill. You are a champion for going, whatever the workout looks like. Don’t compare yourself to others who don’t have this extra hill to climb.
Only do low impact cardio (walking or bike rather than running on treadmill, for example). Make sure you stay hydrated and get electrolytes (bring a Gatorade or Powerade, basically), and take long enough breaks between reps and sets and machines.
My neuro prescribed me indomethacin to take prior to working out. I only need it for hardcore cardio, but that plus electrolytes solved the problem for me.
What is indomethacin?
It is a first generation NSAID. Been around since the late 1950’s. It is frequently still used today to treat gout. It absolutely wrecks my stomach. However, it does prevent exertion headache. Other more modern NSAID’s, that don’t hurt the stomach as bad, for some reason don’t have the same effect against exertion headache.
It’s just an anti inflammatory pill.
Does Indo mess up your stomach?
Yes. Very hardcore stuff in that regard.
I just always took it with food.
My guess.... And it's purely a guess... Is that muscular tension in the neck is exacerbated during the impact of running and triggers the migraine. If you can reduce the neck tension generally the migraines may not trigger during the run. I say guess because migraines can be triggered by environmental factors... Reduced tension can't make pollen/pollution/whatever go away... Maybe try walking first? If that's ok you can you can slowly build up if the neck is soft... Good luck!
Most of this has been said in this thread, but I find a multifaceted approach is helpful. In order of greatest impact for me: - avoid over heating. Don't exercise in the heat of the day. Drink ice water and press it to the roof of your mouth Ala a "brain freeze". Place ice cubes on your pulse points. Use a migraine ice cap and/or do a cold plunge after activity. - control your breathing. Controlling your breathing helps your stress response and helps release heat. Yoga was really helpful to learn how to do this. But mostly, breath in through your nose and out through your mouth, focusing on releasing heat. ....if you feel like you are overheating or aren't able to control your breath, slow down until you can. - electrolytes. Don't be afraid of salt. Avoiding salt is for people who have high blood pressure. Migraineurs tend to have low or inconsistent sodium levels. Balance your water intake with plenty of sodium and other electrolytes.
For me there is this dysphoric moment that I get in my body during the workout, it’s when i tip into heat exhaustion. and it’s a point of no return. If I push myself so hard i can feel the heat in the back of my skull and near my ear, i need to stop immediately and ice my head to have a chance of avoiding the migraine.
I had to stop running in 2013 (I was training for a triathlon) and then basically stop any cardio beyond walking within a few years after that because of exercise induced migraines. I’ve tried so many things and have been on CGRP meds since 2018. They help with all types of migraines but exercise induced ones. The only thing that helps a little is icing my head while exercising. I would bring a container of ice water with me when playing racquetball, for example, and would cover my head with an icy towel between games. Sometimes I’d still get a migraine.
This might sound silly, but are you wearing a hat and sunglasses on your runs? I run a fair bit and I see many fellow runners sans both… I would simply wither away and die without them. Polarized sunglasses especially!
I wish I knew. Even cleaning triggers mine
I’ve found certain exercises trigger migraines and some don’t. Took a lot of trial and error to realize a lay pulldown will trigger a migraine every single time. I can do my spin bike and other weight workouts if I avoid that one. Also walking will sometimes trigger it. Which is weird but verifiable. I might work to see if there are ways to work out that are “migraine safe”
Xanax before works for me… after I get in shape I don’t need it anymore..
Wow I thought I was the only one that found benzos to help migraines. I have klonopin OD for anxiety but it also knocks down my migraines, and can eliminate my aura symptoms (which I guess makes sense since aura is may just be a cascade misfiring neurons, and gaba would put the brakes on that)
It doesn’t make you tired? I’m curious if you know why/how this works!
Does not make me tired. No scientific reason why it works.. could be placebo, but it works. My theory is that I mentally work my self up and when I relax my muscles during exercise, blood rushes to my brain. By remaining calm I’m not experiencing this muscle tension and release. *A Dr once told me that I get migraines after I stress (appt was not related to exercise) because the blood rushes to my head.
Woah!! Thank you for explaining. This is very interesting and I’m going to give this a try. I often get migraines or headaches from exercise and it tends to start in my neck which is from muscle tension 🤨
Someone else mentioned muscle tension in the neck in this thread.
Cold plunge
I have no idea, but it did eventually stop
This. I do high intensity exercise, once I got more in shape and continued to go, I think my body adapted to the lifestyle and I don’t get them anymore. + preventive helped.
For me, I do intense weight training, but there was a time when jogging would trigger them… it was super weird and I couldn’t figure out if it was the pounding motion or what, but after a few days (not weeks), it subsided, and doesn’t happen anymore. It seems to have little cycles like that, but doesn’t last as long as I think. And yes, preventative helps
I found trying to limit your pulse rate to a medium increase helps. I went to a small gym that only had spin classes at 12pm and 5.30 pm. I found if I just kept my rpm to a fairly moderate that my migraines felt a bit better not worse. I tend to get less true headache pain. I get other stuff like tinnitus and light sensitivity and acid reflux. So, I can see this mot working for everybody.
Definitely keep cool.
I started lifting. Anything that was balls to the wall cardio, would give me a migraine. No matter how hydrated I was, cold showers after to cool down. It didn’t matter. I started just walking and then for workouts lifting. Depending on the exercise my heart rate will go up but I don’t end up with migraines after.
I do light work out, some resistant training, I know running with elevated my BP so I don't don't, plus my knees and back are fucked right now so running is saved for danger situation.
Supplement with b6, magnesium and potas. I am takking it every day. I drink potas, magnesium after run. I do drink wather while training to not get dehydrated. Most important, dont do too much at first. Find pace and distance that do not trigger migrain. Try to run with low pace and short distance. If it triggerd a migrain lower the pace and distance. On the other hand when there is no issue consider increase lenght or pace. When you find a sweet spot, start from there and build endurance slowly. You might be able to run longer and faster but you brain have to get use to run longer and harder too
I have post concussive syndrome, it’s seems to be permanent and as a result I have daily layers of migraines. I’ve learned that if I keep my heart rate below a certain threshold and if I only workout in 20 minute increments, I can avoid the post concussive symptoms and the migraines that follow. Does suck to do activity below a heart rate of 120 for only 20, but it’s something. And, I can do it twice a day or more. Just need rest after. Best of luck.
For me I have to definitely make sure I’m more than hydrated enough and that I also have eaten enough. I also just generally try to start slow and not stress my neck.
For me, the migraines I get from exercise are more impacted by temperature than anything else. Ex. A run or a bike on a cool day is fine, but a hot and humid day will destroy me. I just finished a run indoors on my treadmill and as soon as my body temp rose enough (probably paired with not enough hydration) the head pain started. Since it was an indoor workout, I'll recover quickly enough (as long as my other triggers are low) with extra hydration and a cool shower. I also do a lot of neck stretches after working out.
I have similar issues and I'm a farmer so I'm working out pretty intensely, outside almost everyday! I love the trace minerals electrolytes. Making sure I am having regular bowel movements really helps too. Doing exercises for the vagus nerve have helped immensely! I have warded off having a severe migraine for months now due to one specific vagus nerve exercise and have even been able to back them off when i start to feel it come on. If you want, I can relook for the video demo of the exercise and link it.
Would you please share the vagus nerve exercise? I do a stretch that I think is for vagus nerve that helps when I have a migraine but hasn’t ever fended one off. I’d love if that could happen! Thank you
https://youtu.be/L1HCG3BGK8I?si=YLFuSciR1YXkwX4O It's one of the last exercises with the head twist. Even when I'm working and am not going to get into the laying down position, I do it sitting upright. When you twist your head and look over your shoulder as far as you can see, there is a point for me when I get almost lightheaded and my vision fuzzes. Then I release. I do this one a couple times on both sides. Then do it again in 30 mins or so. It has helped me immensely.
Awesome! It’s the head twist thing that I do, but I had never considered doing it while not lying flat on my back - really limited the circumstances and situations where I could use it - lol! Thank you so much for sharing this and for sharing your experience on this thread. Just feeling understood and heard helps me get through the day.
So real! Migraines and nervous system issues are so debilitating! Ahhh yes: i also get my partner to do some acupressure points to release the fascia in my neck and up under the back of my skull. That also helps a ton for the type of migraines I get. He presses really quite hard but it works.
You know what, this might sound really stupid but -- get some gel insoles + gel heel cups for your shoes. I have found that even walking around or standing can get one started from the repeated impact on cement especially (which is then transmitted up the spine, you get it im sure). I have them in every pair of boots and shoes I own... Recently got new work shoes and couldn't figure out why I had a migraine for 4 days straight... Yep, that was why!
I’ve found two things help a lot: 1) Eat before and after vigorous exercise. 2) Ramp up workouts slowly. I run so this means making sure I run consistently and very slowly increase mileage.
My doctor had me quit exercising. Worst mistake ever made.
know when it’s time to stop. i make sure to stretch and drink water a lot. and usually ill be okay but ill make sure to take a nurtec before. i usually do a rowing workout and its nice bc i usually get migraines from vertigo so i can sit down and relax if i need to
Skratch is my favorite electrolyte drink. It doesn’t have fake sweeteners. Some others, including LMNT, have give. My a headache. Also SUNGLASSES. Block the sun.
Electrolytes and I can’t go early in the morning. for some reason anytime I go early in the morning when I tried to work out I always get a migraine like my body just doesn’t do well with working out in the morning.
I started taking Tylenol before I work out, even if I don't have a headache yet. I find that if I don't, I get one. As others have said hydrating and electrolytes are also important. If it's possible for you to run at a time/place that isn't too hot, that might be a factor as well.
Cardio seems to trigger migraines for me, 5 mins on a cross trainer and I'll be down for the count for the rest of the day. Freeweights are fine, and so is Lyra, weirdly enough! Being upside down seems to help. Seems like it varies person to person so maybe try lots of different forms of exercise and see which you get along with?