Unfortunately I’ve recently started suffering from migraines following my runs. Having spoken to a GP, I’ve been told to take it back a few weeks to do shorter runs for a while and then build back up to longer distances, as well as make sure I’m properly hydrated and eating properly. I must admit that I’m frustrated that it’s started happening, as I’ve been really enjoying running, but I know that I need to listen to my body and not push myself too much. So I’m thinking of going back to week 6 of C25K as the intervals may help.
Does anyone else suffer with migraines after running? And, if so, any tips or tricks that you’ve found help?
That must not be nice. I don't have the same issue, and wouldn't want it, but I was thinking that maybe the bounce and impact of the running might be part of the issue. Just wondering if Japanese slow running might help, just to take it down a few notches and let your body get used to it.
Keep a ‘migrane diary’? Every detail you can think of - duration, onset time, date, intensity, possible triggers, fluid intake, weather conditions when running (bright, not bright, warm, cold) perceived exertion each run, tablets that helped, didn’t help, foods eaten, not eaten, sleep - quality of, length of... you get the drift. Make it a mini project to see if there is a pattern or any significant triggers? All that said, I’m annoyed to hear you’re experiencing migraines - not pleasant company.
I have a couple of times but only after parkrun, which is also the only run I do in a morning.... I'm convinced it's lack of food but I don't know what to eat before I leave the house. I always have half a banana and last parkrun I ate some fruit and yogurt as soon as I got back in and then scrambled egg after I'd had a shower. No migraine. Normally I don't eat until after I have a shower. Might be worth thinking about??
It could be lack of food too. The latest one was on Sunday before breakfast. I will try having something before I go and see if it makes a difference. I wish I liked bananas 😆 Thanks for your reply x
I have no helpful ideas, but just wanted to say so sorry to hear this - what a pain. Hope you soon find what’s triggering them and can get back to running happily.
This happened to me back in the summer, a migraine after every run despite drinking plenty during the day. I was advised to try a sports drink after running. I made my own - a glass of squash with a tiny pinch of salt, and this did work. I don take these regularly, but if I have the hint of a migraine after a run, it seems to stop it in its tracks. Worth a try... I hope it works for you too!
I’ve never had migraines but I do get the odd headache after a long run and does seem to go away after water and food could carrying water help if you don’t already. I hope it’s easily resolved for you and your back to running soon.
Coffee before a run can be very helpful ( caffeine is an active ingredient in most pain medications)& then of course lots of water the rest of the day & on rest days. You can add Rehydration Sachet to one of your drinks to see if this makes a difference.
Slow running is so kind to our bodies & may be helpful. Sometimes it’s not the running as much as a reaction to the ice cold air. For me warming up inside is very helpful rather than a warm up walk in icy cold air.
Hope you find the trigger & can enjoy your runs again!
My daughter gets them badly & often so I feel for you. I have had them occasionally but fortunately starts with an aura & I the do the coffee thing which helps
Mine start with an aura too. It freaked me out the first time as I didn’t have a clue what was going on! As soon as the aura starts I take tablets, and thankfully the headache that follows isn’t too bad. I’m sorry your daughter gets them too 😔
I suffered with this doing runs in the morning. I’m not a morning person so it suits me to keep my runs to the evening, other than parkrun. I assumed it was just to do with hydration and lack of food. I try and get up in time to eat and have a pint of water beforehand now. I hope it improves for you x
I am also a migraine sufferer so I feel your pain. One thing that often sets me off is bright car lights as I run in the dark early mornings... just a thought in case this affects you too...
Not migraines but I had headaches for a while which I put down to running too fast. Felt like heart was so busy pumping blood to legs not enough reaching brain? Hope slowing down to intervals helps. Migraines are horrible.
Thanks Grannytobe for your reply. Funnily enough I set out on a run this morning with the intention of being super slow to ‘test the waters’ as it were, and my pace was one of the fastest ever! I can’t seem to run slow anymore 😂
That's awful. I struggled with migraines for 15 years. Mine were caused by an allergy to codeine which is in some pain killers - such as cocodamol. I still occasionally get the migraine aura - visual disturbance - and not the headache. When that happens I take a couple of ibuprofen (for their anti inflammatory effect) which usually sorts it out within the hour.
The advice of others - stay hydrated and well fed, sleep well, and don't overdo it, seems sound to me. I have had aura sometimes after runs but not immediately afterwards, and I don't know if I can say it was because of the run.
Good luck. I hope you find the trigger and that it's not the run itself.
Thanks forbiddenPlanet for your reply. I’m sorry to hear you suffered too. I have never suffered with them before in my life, until last week, so I know that mine are exercise induced unfortunately 😔 Taking the advice of the gp and lovely people here though I think I may be able to get a handle on them 😊
I have had migraines for years although they aren't as bad as they used to be. Mine were often related to low blood sugar or not eating well. Now when I'm out running I often get the aura type eyes. I've found keeping hydrated helps and I always have a large cup of tea before I go out as the caffeine seems to help too. I don't eat anything and this doesn't seem to affect it.
It happened more when I first started running, I don't seem to get it as much now but if I do I can usually go back to not having drunk very much the day before.
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