Migraine

So, I saw my headache specialist yesterday. I've been frustrated with my weight gain from the Lyrica. I'm eating around 1000 calories a day on Weight Watchers and I've been just maintaining my weigh which is about 8 lbs more than my ideal weight (what I weighted in March).

I exercise usually 4 times a week. But, when my menstrual cycle comes and the migraines come, I am wiped out. So, I stop exercising for up to 2 weeks a month sometimes. Well, doc said that my body is losing its conditioning during those times and not getting the benefit of endorphins (sp?).

So he wants me exercising at least 5 times a week. Okay, I can do that. But, he wants me to exercise even through the days that I am migraining. was my reaction. I thought, "Is he insane?! Does he know what a migraine does to my body?!"

I resolved to try his recommendation, but I can only do what I can do.

So, I had planned to exercise this morning. BAM! Migraine right just after I woke up. I had doc in the back of my head saying, "exercise!"

"No way," said my body.

So after I took my abortive and I waited a few hours, my pain went down.

"Exercise!" he said.

My body still said, "Get outta here." But, I got up and drug myself downstairs to the treadmill anyway. I couldn't believe I was doing it. My body was so icky still. My stomach was still reeling. But, I told myself I could walk as slow as I wanted as long as I did it for 40 minutes.

I made it to 40 minutes and promptly crashed in my bed.

I know that it is good for me, but yikes this is hard! I'm really fighting my body on this.

Anyone else?

OH YEAH---

I know all about exercising while you have a migraine! I ALWAYS have a migraine at horse shows. And since to enter a show costs more than $400, you can bet I ride with the migraine. I also try to work my horse, headache or not.

I've found that if the migraine is lower than a 5 going outside and riding works out fine for at least as long as I'm actively riding. (Remember, I'm also dealing with light and usually Texas heat also). The endorphins do kick in and help a lot. But the headache still comes back after I'm done. What I do is allow myself to work a slightly shorter time if the headache doesn't go away while I'm riding. For example, I ride 20-30 minutes rather than 40 minutes or longer. And we don't work on our hardest stuff.

After I ride I go into my nice dark bedroom (or air conditioned horse trailer) with ice paks for a while which usually helps get things back under control.

But it is SO HARD!!!!! Sometimes I just can't manage it. And I have been known to get aboard the horse, and then throw up. I throw in the towel then, if I'm not at a show, and go back to bed.

I save up all my aborting meds, etc. to take to the shows so I can make it thru them. It's such a royal pain.

Tracie

Kelly and Tracie,

You both deserve major kudos for sticking to your exercise plans. I admit, I'm not that strong. If I'm laid out in bed with a migraine there's no way I'm working out. My newest resolution is to at least sit outside (except in the rain LOL) for a little while to make sure I enjoy the fresh air but that's about it.

Yesterday I had the beginnings of a migraine and took Naprelan and then worked out but that's because the migraine went away. So, again, I'm proud of you guys!

I'll add my congratulations to Laura's.

I don't try to walk or ride my exercise bike when I'm fighting a 6 or a 7, but otherwise, walking can help a 3 or a 4 for me. The headache often goes away about 10 minutes into my walk and stays away for an hour or two afterwards.

But a couple of times, my head has cranked up during my walk. That's been a real bummer.

Gret
Gretchen in Mississippi

Tracie- That is amazing that you ride horses with a migraine. I realize you have something invested when you are at shows too. But that is real drive!

Laura and Gretchen- The way you are is totally how I am! In the past, I usually don't attempt to exercise. Even getting out of bed is sometimes extremely difficult. My goal has been to get out of the bedroom and just sit up on the couch.

I exercise with my daily headache being up to a 5. Like you mentioned, Gretchen, it often increases my pain, but will decrease after a bit.

Today I have another migraine. And, I keep thinking I need to exercise according to what my dr. wants (thru my migraines). I can stand up and walk around the house, but I'm in so much pain. Plus I'm a bit dizzy from pain meds.

It is such a difficult fight for me. I don't know if his request is reasonable. But, I'm going to keep trying.

Kelly

I'm glad it doesn't make the migraine worse. If I had a treadmill I could see getting on it at a very slow pace just to get the blood pumping for a little while. Of course, that's easy for me to say because I don't own a treadmill

Kelly, a couple of things come to mind.

First, we had a blog carnival on this very subject just last month. Take a look through those entries, and maybe they will give you some ideas on how to follow your doc's recommendation without killing your head. You can find the carnival HERE.

Second, perhaps something low-impact and relaxing, but still exercise, may help you out. I'm thinking something along the lines of yoga or tai chi. I recently bought two DVDs of "gentle" types of tai chi to try. At least one of them includes exercises you can do while sitting down. The nice thing about tai chi is that it's traditionally been used as a treatment for those with chronic pain, and it's also a way to keep you moving as well as a relaxation technique. Three-in-one, if you will.

The two DVDs I bought are HERE and HERE.

Hope this helps!

Kelly, I just wanted to post an update for you, since I did try one of the tai chi DVDs today. My pain was hovering around a 7 much of the day but I was feeling restless, so I wanted to give it a whirl. I did one of DVD warmups and routines, all sitting down, and by the end of it my pain had actually lessened to about a 5. (I won't attribute it entirely to the tai chi; I did also eat a bit of dark chocolate beforehand which usually takes the edge off as well.)

It was nice because the tai chi is all very natural movements and not strenuous, but you still feel like you're doing something active. The sitting down option is a very good one for an active migraine, especially if you're not feeling confident in your balance. Plus, the relaxation and breathing aspect of it helped me not to focus on the pain.

Just wanted to throw this out there for you. It may be a better option than a treadmill or something more active like that when you're actually having a migraine.

MJ,

Wow! Thank you so much for all of your helpful input! The blog carnival is fantastic! I'm so glad you linked me to it.

Is the one you tried the "Gentle Tai Chi"? I read the reviews for both and they are really good. I'm not sure which one to get. The "Gentle Tai Chi" looks good b/c you can do things sitting down.

Again thanks! You are awesome!

Kelly

Hi Kelly,

Yes, the one I've tried is "Gentle Tai Chi". The other one I bought, "Sunset Tai Chi", also has the option to do a seated workout, and has 20-, 40- or 60-minute workouts. I haven't tried it yet, but plan to soon. The Gentle Tai Chi one is a great DVD for beginners - it's basic and they explain everything. Not overwhelming at all. Also as I recall it's not very much money (definite bonus). The other one is more in-depth, has more workout options - I wanted a range which was why I decided to get both.

Glad that I could help! I'll let you know what I think of the other one when I try it.

MJ,

I bought the "Gentle Tai Chi" on Amazon and I'm waiting for it to come in. I'm excited to try it.

Kelly

I hope you like it, Kelly! Let us know what you think of it.

MJ!

I have good news to report. Yesterday and the day before, I tried the "Gentle Tai Chi" and I really like it! Yesterday I was in the middle of a migraine too. I was SO happy to have an option that would get me moving but not stress my head out.

I can't thank you enough for recommending it!
Kelly

Kelly, I'm glad I could help out! I love that it has the option to do the routine sitting down - that's a lifesaver for me if my head is doing badly or if I'm dizzy.

Wow! You guys have me all excited now. Gretchen got me to walk even with head pain up to a 4 or 5 - I never tried that before she mentioned it but it does seem to help. I've done a little yoga when the pain is worse - but tai chi sounds like a great idea.

It's interesting to me because I have been walking to build my strength up after this bronchitis I've had. I seemed stuck in my recovery - feeling quite a bit better but not improving much from day to day - last Wednesday I started by walking for 5 minutes in the evening - it was more like a very slow toddle. Thursday I did 10 minutes. Friday 15. Yesterday I did a whole 1/2 hour and my pace was up to a normal walking pace. I have noticed way more improvement in how I feel than before I did the exercise. More anecdotal evidence of the benefits of exercise.

- Megs