Exertion migraines

[Sharpey1972]

Hi, had anyone any advice for managing exertion migraines? I've been a runner for 20 years now but I'm on the brink of giving up due to exertion migraines. I don't want to lose the benefits of exercise to my mental and physical health but I can't take the pain. I have a docs appointment soon but I was hoping for some real world advice.

[Gambit62]

have you been checked out for other conditions such as thyroid, B12 and folate deficiencies?

this is a link to the symptoms of B12 deficeincy just in case it rings any other bells ... and if it does then please take a look at the PAS forum on HU

pernicious-anaemia-society....

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

[Sharpey1972 in reply to Gambit62]

I haven't been checked out for anything my gp keeps saying there are no tests for migraine. I'm asking for a referral at my next appointment in the hope of some tests. Thanks so much for the info.

[Gambit62 in reply to Sharpey1972]

your GP is correct that there aren't any tests for 'migraine' but migraine like headaches can be a symptom of a number of other conditions and there are test for at least some of those.

[Sahara3]

I used to get migraines after any exercise (mainly playing hockey and running). I found eating a chocolate bar before and/or at half time really helped. I then changed to dextrose tablets, as they were easier to carry around, and these did the trick too. I take them with me to the gym as well. Other people have told me that drops in sugar levels affects them too. It was a simple solution for me, hope it can work for you too.

[Sharpey1972 in reply to Sahara3]

I'll give it a try thank you

[SueRobinson]

I can't give you any helpful advice I'm afraid but like you, I'd love to know if anyone has found a way to prevent exertion migraines. For years I have been trying to run, go to the gym, zumba, etc and every time, I get a migraine the next morning. I've tried eating something beforehand, something afterwards, protein, carbs, sugar, drinking lots of water, even monitoring my heart rate to ensure it doesn't go too high, all to no avail. I've got to the stage that the only excercise I can do is a brisk walk. Add to this the fact that I take pizotifen, and it's no suprise that I've put on over a stone in weight. If anyone has any solutions, I'd love to hear them. Sue.

[Moronkim]

Agh, I was a runner for 30+ yrs and had to give it up. My migraines got so bad that I couldn't even walk for 10min. It was a huge trigger for me but so were other things like alcohol and sugar...gave them up too. I recently started Botox and have done 2 treatments. My goal is to run again and the doc says that is a reasonable goal to achieve. So far, I'm walking 3-4 mile brisk walks which I feel really good about. Keep searching! There was a day when I was utterly hopeless.

[Sharpey1972 in reply to Moronkim]

Thank you for giving me some hope. Good luck with the botox, let us know how you get on xx

[Fidi]

I had a similar issue but found that either using electrolytes (in drop form) or mixing coconut water with normal water really helps. I think potassium etc helps to keep you hydrated. I also take magnesium after sport.

[Sharpey1972 in reply to Fidi]

Thank you, good to have something to try 😃