Bastard migraines

[BamburyFuriou3]

Since I've started running my migraines have dramatically increased in frequency - and then I cant run for a few days or it comes back, so I end up having a whole week off exercise (Barr walking)!

Anyone had this?

Could it be dehydration? I know mine increase if I'm not drinking enough water

Hmm possibly. I've lost my water bottle so probably not going to the tap to refill my glass enough... Or maybe blood sugar as I am serving dinner up to DH and the kids while I go for a run and eat after - so I'm eating an hour later than previously... But I don't want to eat before I run either!

me!!!! In fact I get it with spinning too, I ran with DH earlier in the month and he pointed out that I run all tensed up, for example I hold myself really stiff and lean forward and my shoulders seem up by my ears. I’ve never noticed it before but since he’s pointed it out I’ve noticed it even more. Anyway by doing so my muscles get really really tense and hard and it’s causing me headaches, it kind of makes sense now I’ve thought about it as having a massage has always eased my headaches! It was a lightbulb moment! Anyway I’ve been changing my running style and so far this week I’ve been headache free. Might be worth thinking about??

Ooh! Now that sounds really likely, yes my shoulders are all jammed up when I get back from a run.. not sure how to fix that though!

If it is the tension in your tour shoulders, then yoga might help. I found 121 sessions very helpful, more so than anything else, to undo the things i was doing to my shoulders (and lower back). Does require the right teacher, of course.

The reason I'm doing running is because it's free though.... And I got advised to leave my last yoga class because I have some hypermobile joints and can't tell when I'm over extending them :( but otherwise, yes good plan :) thanks

I used to get a terrible headache after running - I could drink pints and still not shift it. In the end I got some sort of rehydration salts in a sachet and this really helped. I think it contained magnesium as well as salt.

DH went to the local running club a few times before he did a marathon last week and they were great and recommended lots of tips for him on his style to stop injury etc and he’s been running for years and years so maybe that could be something to consider? Just noticing how your running and consciously trying to relax them more may help. Maybe a sports massage or even a shoulder rub from your DH? We have a hot tub that really helps so maybe a warm bath after, although I know sometimes it’s the last thing you want to do when your all hot and sweaty!!!

I get these, it sucks. But I’ve had a bit of a breakthrough this year and do think it’s blood sugar.

Other common causes are definitely dehydration. For a long time I also through it was sunlight as I had them more commonly in the summer. But since o read somewhere it could be blood sugar, I’ve been a lot more vigilant and have managed to avoid them. The link to summer must Kat be because I sweat more so loose more salts?!

Anyway, if you are running some hours after lunch and just before dinner, I would have a decent snack around 90 mins before eg oatcakes and hummus, half a bagel and jam etc. Then make sure you eat within an hour or finishing. Or, if you’re running say mid-morning and not due a meal for an hour or so after running, again have a snack when you finish. I’ve found a glass of choc Nesquick works wonders - a hit of sugar and enough protein to see you through.

Also, if you’re running for over an hour, take a gel or some shot blox so you don’t get too depleted before getting home.

Good luck!

I sometimes suffer too and it’s tight neck muscles post running. Try thinking relax shoulders when you run and really look at what your arms are doing - they shouldn’t be crossing your body when you run. I try to drop my arms and shake every 0.5-1k of the run (I keep running when I do this Strava prompts me when it tells me the splits). I successfully stopped a migraine in its tracks last week by just sitttkng and dropping my head to one side ear to shoulder but relax when doing it and holding it there for a slow count of 20 and then dropping it slightly forward and over with chin aiming for chest and holding. Let the weight of your head gently stretch the shoulder muscle.
Also roll a tennis ball in shoulder joint as self muscle - you can stand up leaning against the wall to do it. I also treat myself to a sports massage every month and she always works on my neck as it’s tight. Plus yes do drink plenty and depending on distance I add half tsp of salt to a pint of orange squash and drink that after a 10k + run to replace lost salts.
My hormones also give me one most months and too much sugar aggrevates those.

Ooh lots to try, thank you :)

I'm only running for 30 minutes (just a beginner) so I won't be going for specialist gels yet - but jam and bread, or apple juice I can do :)

I got migraines when I ran op , I find getting too hot is a trigger for me.

In the end I was prescribed paramax (they stop the pain and the sickness) by my GP and took one before I went for a run. It didn't solve the problem completely but the headaches had less of an impact.

I feel your pain as I used to love my 5ks but was useless for the rest of the day after running.

Good luck hope you can keep running I only took it up a year ago and my neck was awful to start with but I re-taught how my arms swung after first couple months of doing C25k because of neck/shoulder issues and now I’m training for a HM.

As previous poster said, magnesium can help migraines bought on by exercise / stress - try taking a supplement, or Epsom salts baths also help due to high magnesium content.