Getting occular migraines after running

[OutingMyselfAgain]

This has been happening to me recently. I've not long started running again and have just got back up to running 5k. Twice recently I've had a full on occular migraine afterwards. Both times it's come on straight after I get out of the shower following a run. They are really dibilitating, which is especially difficult when I have to do the school run.

Anyone have any advice on how to prevent it? I'm thinking of delaying my shower a bit, in case that makes a difference.

I don't want to stop running. Especially now I can't go to the gym. I'm sure when I'm fitter the migraines will be triggered by it less anyway because it must be the physical stress that's causing it.

I don’t get a migraine but I’ve also started running again after a long break and get a headache most times I do it. Which also puts me off. Doesn’t come on straight away but creeps up on me and is a bit like a caffeine headache. I’m also hoping it stops as I get more used to it again. It’s not something I ever had an issue with before.

For me it happened when I was pushing myself a bit too hard. Quick temperature changes can trigger them for me, too -- going from a run in the cold to a hot shower wouldn't be wise for me.

I hope you figure it out! Migraines are awful.

Yeah, the problem is that just keeping running for 5k is pushing myself as hard as possible at the moment! I do think I need to do more of a cool down and hang back on the shower though, you're right.

Do you rehydrate enough after your run? I had a headache after my run yesterday and I’m pretty sure it’s because I wasn’t hydrated enough. Try drinking a pint or so when you get back and see if that makes a difference.

Electrolytes especially magnesium imbalance can contribute. Take a sugar free electrolyte supplement before you go.

I thought I'd read that suddenly drinking a load of water after a run was a no no, but I will look it up again. Thanks :)

Slightly off tangent, but I used to get the most horrendous headaches after running - turned out I was drinking a large glass of milk to rehydrate after finishing, and at some point I had become lactose intolerant. I stopped the milk and headaches disappeared. Not saying it is the same for you, but are you eating drinking something before a run that you may be reacting to later?

This used to happen to me. Rehydrating salts with magnesium helped.

Low blood sugar? A trapped nerve in your neck? Flickering light. Stress t having to rush to get to the school run? Maybe not helpful, but listing the things that will set me off.

Thanks everyone.

I will look into getting some rehydration/magnesium/electrolytes.

I think today I will significantly cut back on tea, drink more water, do a proper cool down, wait before showering, not immediately dry my hair etc after my shower and see how I go.

Are you eating enough, specifically carbs? I got migraines after running when I attempted to low carb.

Actually no, I've not been eating many carbs. On Friday when I got the last migraine I'd probably not eaten any at all in two days.

I ate a load of carbs last night though, so I'll see how it goes. Thanks;

I found that it was bright sunlight when running was causing me to have them. Once I started wearing sunglasses, they stopped.

I was going to say about bright light as well. If you are running through partly wooded areas this can be even worse as you get a kind of flickering effect.

I find that very low carbs is a trigger for my migraines. Not an ocular migraine which lasts for less than half an hour - those only happen to me when I'm very stressed - but full-on pounding head pain which only sumatriptan will shift.

I used to get migraines associated with low blood sugar, when combined with the contraceptive pill. A known side effect of the pill is interfering with blood sugar levels.

It was really sunny on Friday too.

I'm taking antibiotics which I started Friday as well, I think that might have had something to do with it. They're particularly horrible ones that you have to take an hour before food and two hours after. They give me acid reflux.

I've not been yet, I'm scared!

I was wondering if you're running on roads, and therefore past lots of cars, moving and stationary, which are causing visual disturbances?
Can you run on open ground, away from traffic?
It's dull now today, as if it were six in the morning here- maybe test it out by a run today?

Hydrate well before and rehydrate after. Maybe a recovery drink?
Also, make sure you cool down after.
I’d also get my blood pressure checked if I were you. A headache is ok, but a full blown ocular migraine is concerning.

One of my main migraine triggers is vigorous exercise in bright sunshine, even if I've sunglasses on. Particularly winter sunshine, for some reason. Used to get them after horse riding lessons when I was younger, more recently when I was also doing couch to 5k!

Happens to me too. Following with interest for potential solutions!

I can't bring myself to go. I'm feeling really down about it actually.

I did it, with sunglasses and a proper cool down. I'm now relaxing and drinking water. 🤞

This happened to me when I ran a bit. I'd go out for 5k on Saturday morning, then be useless for the rest of the weekend.

The only thing that took the edge off was taking my regular migraine meds (ibuprofen lysine for me) about half an hour before a run.

I hope you find something that works for you.

Thanks again everyone who suggested things.

I didn't get one! I will see what Wednesday brings. I've ordered some rehydration stuff.