Aura migraine after running

[ACatCalledPuss]

I've been suffering from aura migraines for a few years now. I think they started around the same time as I developed an overactive thyroid although going through puberty, I had a few really severe migraines. The aura migraines of recent years have the visual disturbance but rarely followed up with a headache or nausea. However, I've had about 3 in the last few weeks and have noticed they have all occurred about an hour after I have finished a run. I have been well hydrated beforehand so it's not that. Has anyone else experienced something similar?

My husband is experiencing this; he had a 24hr tape and it showed hypertension.. might be worth having your blood pressure checked

I occasionally get these after running or going to the gym and realised it's usually when I go early morning and then have to rush through shower and off to work etc.

If I have time to decompress after exercising it doesn't happen.

My blood pressure is fine btw (I have to check it regularly due to medication I take)

I have exercised induced migraines- they come on if I push myself too hard. A 75mg aspirin pre exercise was recommended by the headache clinic.

Aspirin is also the miracle migraine cure for me - 3 x 300mg aspirin at first whiff stops it in its tracks.

Are you nearing peri menopause as that can be a trigger as you likely know?

I used to suffer these after exercise if I hadn’t eaten first. I feel them coming on occasionally these days but can normally fend them off through a big caffeine intake.

@cornishtoddy I'm the same, it's really annoying! I find that if I run in the evening then by the time the migraine is kicking in I'm going to sleep anyway.
I'm going to try your aspirin tip, my go to medication is ibuprofen and I never think to take aspirin.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm definitely peri menopausal so could be that. My blood pressure is fine, bit on the low side if anything. If it persists, I'll try the aspirin trick and see if that helps.

The reason I asked was that I developed a hemiplegic migraine at the start of my menopause which left me hospitalised for several days as they can mimic a stroke or TIA.

Oh yes - I used to get these after intense exercise. For me it was related to muscle tension at the back of my neck and after a few occurrences and seeing an osteopath, I was able to ease the ocular migraines by some self massage - kind of pushing in firmly at the base of the skull/top of neck.

I also get exercise induced migraines. I was also told it's really bad to exercise on an empty stomach if you get these which is a pain as I like running first thing!

I have to force myself now to eat before I run and have a drink. Then when I get back, I have to force myself to have another drink and eat a snack. Even then it doesn't always prevent them but it's definitely helped. I will also try the aspirin trick!

I get really bad headaches after exercise, tried really hard to drink enough/eat / stay cool etc. I found drinking an electrolyte drink during and afterwards has really helped. They've not gone completely, but much better.

I used to get this. They stopped when I had sports drinks and not just water when exercising. Worth a try if you're not doing that already.

I agree with the poster who said muscle tension in the neck. I used to get them after swimming and realised it was that.

A friend suggested the electrolyte drink and when I thought about it, I realised that the previous times it has happened, it had been really humid out and I had sweated much more than would be normal for me. That being the case, I'm going to get some sports drinks to have on hand for after runs and see if they help

Are you eating after? I get them if I don't eat which is a pain as I'm not always hungry. I end up having milkshake / protein shakes instead of food.

I occasionally get an aura migraine that is painless but I get the halo in my eyes and I recover quickly if I take a nap or drinking an energy drink.

Mine is caused by not drinking enough and I'm dehydrated.