Migraines when exercising

[Muffintop8]

Hi everyone. A couple of week ago I started doing couch to 5k. And a few home workouts in between. When I started I got a terrible terrible migraine afterwards like to the point of painkillers, head strips and actual crying. It’s been 6 weeks now and still even though I’ve cut down the exercise I’ve been getting daily migraines. I’ve been hydrating, eating before, eating after watching my posture everything and nothing helps. I spoke to my dr as I was really worried about it and she just gave me anti migraine pills and told me to carry on. Seemed really under diagnosed and very careless on the phone. I also spoke to the optician who said call the dr as it doesn’t sound like eyes. Anyone else had this? It’s putting me off exercising and I was really enjoying it and I was also doing it to try and improve my mental health as my cbt and things have been cancelled for obvious reasons. (I suffer horrible health anxiety)

Are you warming up and cooling down properly? If I suddenly launch into exercise without slowly warming up I get a bad headache and my GP said it’s the shock from suddenly exerting yourself. I also take a sports drink with me with electrolytes in it which seems to help (think it’s because when you run you sweat loads which lowers your sodium levels a lot and can cause headaches. The electrolytes sort that out).
Are you definitely eating enough for energy beforehand as if my blood sugar even slightly dips from low calories then I get a terrible migraine. I eat a carby snack 30 mins before and something high in protein 30 mins after a run.
You could also be tensing your neck which will stop the blood flowing properly to your head.
Hope you manage to sort it as a bad headache is the worst feeling ever!
I doubt it’s anything sinister as it wouldn’t only flare up when running if it was.

Yes I really have done everything right. My last run was Wednesday and my head is still hurting now. Although I’m due my period so I guess it could be hormone head aches too but it’s just terrible because it’s lasted so long

My issue seems to be sinus pain caused by allergies being exacerbated by exercise. Have you tried an antihistamine?

I get migraines 1-5 days before my period every month now and I never used to until I reached my 30s. So annoying!

I’ve had it almost constant for 6 weeks it’s really scary coz it’s such intense pain.

Do you get an aura with it or just the head pain? Try the pp’s suggestion of an antihistamine as my DP developed bad hay fever randomly as an adult and he gets inflamed sinuses now which lead to migraines because of the pressure.
If it keeps happening then definitely push your GP for a proper investigation into it. They can’t just leave you to suffer like that

I actually get ear pressure and my eyes go fuzzy too it’s so frustrating

I used to. Mine was linked to my fitness levels. If I did any intense exercise that put my heart rate up high - like running (especially running!), hiit, or a particularly intense aerobics class I would get a headache, usually about 2 hours or so later and lasting for 4 - 6 hours.

Like you I tried many things, diet, hydration etc. I had the same response as you from the doctor. I did research online but couldn't really find anything particularly conclusive but some mentioned building fitness levels up gradually so I tried that. I scaled back anything that pushed my heart rate high and once I could feel myself getting fitter starting upping the intensity a bit. Worked for me and I can now run, do hiit classes etc without the headache afterwards, though very occasionally I'll over exert myself and get a headache, though not as bad as I used to. I find if I can take some pain relief and have a sleep for an hour it'll go off.

I get migraines from shoulder and neck tension which I get a lot when I run further or faster than usual or cycle a lot. . I keep them at bay with regular massages usually but at present I’m trying my best with yoga stretches for neck and shoulders by Adriene.

Yes! Pre-lockdown I was pushing myself to do a brisk walk an hour a day (on top of school run) but feeling awful afterwards, needing to sleep for hours or getting migraines. Had some blood tests and was very low in Vit D and "a bit low in everything".

I wound it right back, started taking vitamin D and a women's general multi vitamin, reduced my antidepressants. A couple of months on, I've just started Couch25k but taking it stupidly slowly. I swear my "jogs" are slower than a normal walk, and I'm doing some of each session on a trampette to reduce stress on my body. So far so good but I'm only in week 2.

I don't really know the answer. I have always been prone to migraines but I haven't had any for a few weeks now. I wonder if it's something to do with blood pressure in my head. I think the advice above about heart rate is spot on.

I got bloods done by the dr but nothing off. I do suffer with hypothyroidism though aswell.

Muffintop8 you might find the podcast in this link useful. It goes on a bit but I found it really informative.
lizearlewellbeing.com/migraine-and-headache-with-dr-katy-munro/?utm_source=Liz+Earle+Wellbeing+Newsletter&utm_campaign=18d4ccc96f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_10_19_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fb44d6c516-18d4ccc96f-209983997&mc_cid=18d4ccc96f&mc_eid=98b24197ae