Any fellow migraine suffers doing C25k?

[Shuffling_Saturdays]

Curious to know if there are any fellow migraine sufferers on the forum? How have you managed?

I was meant to go out this morning for my Week 8 Run 3 (in my new trail shoes too 😭) but woke up with that ominous feeling of ‘is it or isn’t it’ a migraine attack. Grrr.

I think it might just be an MSG hangover - had a Chinese takeaway last night and instantly regretted it. But I can’t be sure. Such is the life of guessing your body’s intentions. Annoyed with myself at eating it but hey ho. You live and learn.

Going to write today off. Fingers crossed it doesn’t develop. I’ll try again tomorrow. Resisted taking a triptan (migraine medication) as a ‘just in case’ coz they make me feel awful.

Started C25k on Feb 4th, so you can see it’s taken me a bit longer than normal due to dealing with migraine attacks through the weeks, but I’m getting there! Onwards and forwards. 👍🏃‍♀️

[Hidden]

I'm sorry to read you have such migraine attacks. I have monthly (hormonal) migraine, sometimes 1 days and sometimes 5 days. In general I don't run when the migraine is there, I think I'd puke while running. So I just consider those days extra rest days in which I take a small break from running. Of course, it's a totally different thing if you suffer from it more frequently then I do. Do you have medication for the migraines? I got meds from my doctor, though they don't work always. Nevertheless SOMETIMES they do work and I don't feel any pain at all and then I do can go running. Maybe check with your doctor? And not only for running, but migraine is a bitch, so should it help, it can only make your life better!

[Shuffling_Saturdays Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks BlackScorpian - sorry to hear you suffer too. 5 days sounds awful.

Mine are typically two days - hormonal too- but I can’t take on any food or water during an attack (suffer bad with sickness) so a further three to four days needed to recoup to an exercisable state and build back hydration and glycogen.

Yup, got meds but they don’t always work. Going to ask my doc about triptan injections.

Good news is I think today was an MSG hangover, so fingers crossed I can head out tomorrow morning 🤞🏻🤞🏻

[Hidden]

I too have hormonal migraines but generally head them off by an early migraleve when I start to feel weird (usually pixilated vision)I find that hydration (all the time) really helps. Also taking sugar/salt additives when running long distance (10 miles plus)

[Langley-Loper Graduate]

Hi, I'm a migraine sufferer too. I know everyone's experience is different, but here's mine.I started C25k when I was really low. I was either getting over a migraine, feeling one coming or in one, or so it felt. I'd also had another recent unrelated health diagnosis.

I gave myself a good talking to one day and dragged myself out of the doldrums. First step was different migraine drugs. Tried two different triptans before I found an effective one (they are not all the same) and also started taking a preventative daily (pizotifen). Monthly migraines were now manageable with rizatriptan, paracetamol and soluble aspirin or ibuprofen.

Running regularly has also helped. I force myself to go when I have a headache coming on and most times it helps clear it in conjuction with the drugs. I can remember as a child my Mum running up and down the garden when she felt a migraine coming to try and head if off.

Another thing is regular routine. Get up at the same time every day (yes, even weekends). Try and eat at the same time every day. Always eat breakfast. Never let yourself get overly hungry or thirsty.

Stick with it and good luck x

[Shuffling_Saturdays Graduate in reply to Langley-Loper]

Thanks so much for your response. Good to hear you manage it all well.

I’m going to take on board all your advice, especially the routine and eating regularly. I think these are areas I can do much better on.

Onwards and forwards 🙂