Migraines and working out?

By CaptAaron Tuesday, October 30, 2007

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So I just joined this community here, because I think I'm on the fast track to being diagnosed with Complex migraines. I had all the symptoms, went to my regular dr., went to a neurologist, got the whole MRI work up, and am awaiting the neuro's final analysis appt next wed (8 Oct.).

I figured that my "episodes" (as I call them now) were triggered by working out (weights and cardio). So since I had two of those "episodes" that landed me in the ER, I stopped working out. That's a problem for me, because 1. I'm an Air Force officer and must maintain a high level of fitness, and 2. I'm addicted to working out, and looking good.

Has anyone else out there had exercise be their trigger to a migraine and if so how do you stay in shape? Thanks a bunch.

Comments (4) | Add comment

Eva

10/30/07 12:48pm

Hi!

I love to ride my road bike (almost every day, about 20-40km). This does trigger my migraine if I do not warm up, and if I do not watch my breathing. I have to start out slowly, and slowly built up my speed, then I am good. Sometimes, at the end of the ride, I can feel the migraine starting, so I will do the focused breathing, slowly in, slowly out. If this not help, I will use the Imitrex nasal spray, which is always in the back pocket of my jersey.

I will ride even if my head hurts, unless I am on the sofa, half dead with the migraine, I will ride. I will not let this disease win and take away the things I love.

CaptAaron

10/30/07 3:33pm

That's exactly what I'm talking about. I can't let this migraine thing take over my life like this, and prevent me from working out, which is what I look forward to everyday.

The thing is, my migraine episodes haven't been so tell-tale as the start of a headache. Usually while working out I feel completely fine and normal. Then later on, after my workout I get a sudden aura, hemiplegia, and all the other symptoms of a complex migraine.

I just don't know if I get put on meds for this, if working out will still trigger an episode.

Eva

10/30/07 6:02pm

You should talk to your doctor, there are certain preventives that you can take for this (propranolol,aka Inderal being one of them I think).

Nancy Harris Bonk, Health Guide

10/30/07 5:56pm

Hello, and welcome to MyMigraineConnection.com!

We certainly understand not wanting to let Migraine disease "take over" your life. Migraine is a genetic neurologic disease. Triggers effect some Migraineurs, exertion among them.

Exertional headache can occur after exercise or even sex. There is no way to know if medication will work for it unless you take it before you exercise.

Complex Migraine is not a real type of Migraine diagnosis. Migraine with aura, Migraine without aura, and Hemiplegic Migraine are some of the current classifications according to International Headache Society's International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd Edition.

Hemiplegic Migraine is a rare form of Migraine disease where symptoms like true motor weakness and one sided paralysis (hemiplegia)are present for an accurate diagnosis. If you are experiencing these sypmtpoms you need to see a Migraine specialist, an expert in headache disorders and Migraine disease.

Thank you for creating a SharePost. SharePosts are a form of blogging, and there are many things you can do with them. You can share an experience, suggest something that's helped you, use SharePosts as a Migraine and headache journal, and many other things.

We also have a discussion forum that you may want to check out. Especially if you have questions or are looking for information, you may find the interaction on the forum to be quite helpful. To get to the forum, just look for the orange box marked "Manage" and click on the Migraine Forums link. Because our forums are maintained by a third party, you'll need to register for the forum. You can use the same information you used to create your community log-in if you like. If you want to go directly to the forum, you can click HERE.

Along with your personal "My Home" page and the discussion forum, you'll find links to a great deal of helpful information on the main page of our site, http://www.MyMigraineConnection.com.

If you have any questions, please feel free to post them to the forum or send me a message through my profile.

Welcome again,

Nancy Bonk
MyMigraineConnection.com Expert

PS: If you receive this message from more than one of us, please excuse the overlap. Thanks!

Migraines and working out?

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