Migraines and Exercise

I am sure there are many people on here cursed with chronic migraines. Anything can trigger a migraine, from weather change to certain food.

However, exercise has been triggering my migraine attacks. For someone who's trying to lose a significant amount of weight, this proves to be a problem. I've been trying to stick to a strict exercise routine, but it's discouraging when a few hours after every workout, I get hit with a terrible attack. I've tried everything from warming up for 30 minutes, to medicine.. nothing really works. The only thing I can do is work out at night so that I'd get the attack during my sleep, and taking a lot of pills.

So what I want to know, if you're a migraine sufferer, how are you managing it? And is it getting in the way of your weight loss plan?

I'm running into the same problem. I have been getting migraines more often, but this might also be because the seasons are changing. I get them after workouts too, but I get them more often when I don't drink enough water throughout the day. I am increasing my water intake and it has seemed to help. While it is certainly a pain in the butt to get a migraine after a workout, me not exercising is not feasible right now.

So, for me I try to tough it out as much as I can, drink a lot of water (more than you would think), and take the occasional excedrine. If you get them often and they are severe, though, it wouldn't hurt to talk to your doctor, because there may be other underlying causes to your headaches. I know that mine are triggered by allergies and that there's nothing else going on, so that's why I haven't sought out a doctor for mine. You might want to if it is bothering you though.

Exercise will give me a migraine, too, if I am dehydrated. Try drinking 16 ounces of water 30-45 minutes before you start your workout. It might help...and certainly won't hurt!

Another thing to think about would be if there is anything you are doing during your exercise to set it off. Are you straining your neck during sit-ups? Clenching your teeth during bicep curls?

Similarly, what do you do to replenish after the workout? You say that the migraines are coming a few hours after, so there may be something to look at there. Do you replenish with protein? electrolyte? A change in your after care regimen might be helpful, too.

Good luck!

That's a really good point, relz. Make sure you're doing exercises with good form and not straining too much.

Thanks for the replies everyone As far as I know, there aren't any underlying causes for my migraines. As for the water intake, I'll definitely try to increase it. I've started the water challenge today I usually fill up and finish my 700ml bottle of water, but it's probably still not enough.

I exercise with a personal trainer who always corrects my posture and makes sure I don't strain anything.. but even after simple cardio, I get an attack. As for after workout, I just have a normal meal, containing protein, starch, and vegetables.

I suffered from chronic migraines for 30 years until I started taking a supplement called Petadolex. I HIGHLY recommend this product. It takes about two weeks for it to take effect.

My migraines are better with exercise.

Make sure you are fully hydrated and make sure you eat enough food to match your level of exercise. You might be triggering them this way. Also, make sure you take migraine medication that is for migraine - prescribed or over-the-counter. Using the wrong pain medication will often cause rebound headaches.