Since week 6/3 I find I am getting very bad headaches a few hrs after my runs. I end up having to take migraine tablets (I normally only need one of these a month). They are strong meds and it's not good needing to take them so often.
I have upped my water intake.
Anyone have the same experience/suggestions?
Someone on here ( don't remember who, sorry) recently made a link with headaches to high blood pressure (ie high heart rate) during running. Don't want to alarm you, but could this be a possibility?
That's interesting. I've no idea if that could be an issue (my blood pressure is fine normally). I need to see my GP fairly soon, so maybe I need to ask them. Thanks.
Would be worth checking it out, if only to eliminate it X
It was me. For several years I would get headaches "sometimes" in the afternoon on a work day. As I work in high-tech, for years I and everyone else assumed it was down to eyestrain, though my eyetests were always OK. But one day I was sent to the doctor for a medical certificate to join the gym and instead of just taking my bp, she made me run on the spot for 2 minutes and then took my bp, which was sky-high. She told me to watch my heartrate and keep it below 140 (I guess the actual number varies depending on age/hight/weight/health). And bingo, no more headaches - because in fact I'd been getting them on days I'd been for a swim at lunchtime, but hadn't noticed the correspondance. Anyway, all that is a round about way of saying get your GP to check your bp after exercise as well as at rest. Also make sure you're drinking enough as it could be dehydration.
Thank you very much ajwyld. If this proves to be my issues, how would I know what my heart rate was and how to keep it below 140?
Sorry - I can't help with this. My doctor told me the number. I assume it is a % of my resting heartrate, but I don't know the sum.
Thanks ajwyld, I actually meant , how do I measure my heart rate - I have no idea and how d you measure it when you are running?
Ah. I just take my pulse over 10 seconds from time to time and multiply it out. (No trouble finding it as its thudding away).
Do you have any history with back/neck pain?
Couple of years ago I had migraine type pain, went to my osteo (who usually deals with my lower back and hip issues) and he did his usual magic and released a couple of joints in my neck. Other than muscle stiffness for 2 days afterwards I was right as rain. He said it was likely exacerbated by my running
Thanks Helen - I have had severe issues due to arthritis that left me crippled. This is now controlled by meds.
That's really rough for you. It may need some tweaking of *when* you drink your water.
The other thing that occurs to me is keeping your head warm even if you don't feel especially cold. And neck too. It could be setting up tension.
Good luck with sorting this out.
Thanks - any suggestions when it might be best to drink - or is this a very individual thing? I always wear a fleece hat when running and a fleece gillet that covers my neck. I tend to remove the hat by the time I walk home as I am so hot.
It could be dehydration. I get terrible headaches if I'm not hydrated, normally, so I try to drink extra before I run & make sure I too up when I get back. It may also be tension, caused by how you hold your arms / shoulder / head. If you're worried, see your doc. I'm not a medical professional 
Well done on getting this far, though!
Thanks prettymingo. I stopped drinking before I went out as I found about 5 mins after setting off I was desperate for the loo and it spoilt the whole run. I do make myself drink when I get home and have increased that this week.
I'm not worried, it's just rather debilitating.I think I will mention it to the GP. I have no idea if the way I'm holding my body/head when I run could be a factor.
Interestingly, I've got one starting now even though I haven't been running today. but it has definitely been the runs that have kick started them off.
You might want to increase your water intake the day before you run as well, headaches can be from dehydration also lost salts
Hi Lemondoodle, exercise induced headaches are very well recognised (including exercise induced migraine in known migraineurs). It is worth speaking to your GP, or if your headaches are a problem asking to be referred to a neurologist with an interest in headaches as there a various strategies you can try - including preventative meds, sometimes just taken an hour or so before exercising (eg indomethacin). Hope this helps.
Thanks newbieJJ. Gosh I'm really hoping this problem just goes away! I've had enough health issues to last a life time and already take a lot of meds. It feel a bit 
to think this might be a long term prob. However, it isn't yet and I really appreciate the info: it will be very useful if this does prove to be an on going issue.
Could be due to dehydration
Sorry to hear about this. I also get exercise induced migraines. Two things that have helped me are taking a long, slow cooldown till my heart rate is back to normal and I no longer feel hot. This is boring if I do it at the gym but ok if I go for a slow walk on the way home. And the other is to put an electrolyte drink, one of those powdered ones, into my drink bottle and drink that afterwards. I am no athlete but it helps with that 'thirsty no matter how much I drink' sensation. Good luck!
Thanks for this Lyndle - sorry for delayed response, I've been away. These sounds useful tips, but I already to a slow down walk and then take it easy when I get home for a bit. And I don't feel at all thirsty -I have to make myself drink to 'be sensible.
I have no medical advise to offer. But my 16 year old son gets exercise induced migraines. It always connected to having not eaten and/or not enough hydration.
So I am pretty paranoid about him eating good quality carbs and drinking before sport. So a good bowl of cereal , bacon sandwich (he is a growing boy), drinks I go for squash or the electrolyte drinks. It does seem to help - but it does not always work. I guess you have to see what works for you. Migraines are completely miserable -you have my full sympathy.
Thanks for this suzybenj- sorry for delayed response, I've been away. Interestingly, my appetite seems to have dropped since I started running and I don't feel as hungry as I thought I would with running. And I don't like to eat to close to running in case my tummy doesn't like it.: my gall bladder is very sensitive to being over full. But I really appreciate the advice and am still working on trying everything everyone has suggested. I'll look into these electrolyte drinks (never heard of them) as you're the second person to mention them.
Has anyone set out for a run in heavy rain?
3rd post grad run today
Post run bowl of fruit 
Post-grad consolidation: Run 9
