Migraine

I did the step class again and the temple pulsing started with ten minutes left. I had a migraine without aura last night. The pounding in step class was my right temple like last night.

The class was over four hours ago and I'm still feeling yucky in my head. Its like pressure in my temples and at the base of my skull.

I LOVE THIS CLASS but wish I didn't feel so yucky afterwards.

My Heart rate monitor shows that I stay in the 90% range (92-97%) and I sometimes hit 100% of maximum.

Is the headache caused by high blood pressure? What is the best way of mellowing it out?

Karrie

Headaches may be a symptom of high blood pressure, but not necessarily migraine. Also, your heart rate isn't necessarily an indicator that your blood pressure is high.

Are you worried about your blood pressure? Has your doctor checked it lately?

You might also ask your doctor about exertional migraines. That could help to explain things. Like Deb said, it may not have anything to do with your blood pressure. You might call your doctor and pose these questions or bring them up at your next appointment (but if you're concerned about your blood pressure, don't wait).

No - not worried about the heart rate or blood pressure at all. I feel good and have energy during the class - I don't overdo it and often do the moves off of the step when my legs get tired.

Its 9 hours later and I'm just starting to feel better. It has migraine qualities - my head feels a whole lot worse when move or need to bend over. Its probably a bad tension headache - I hear those are sensitive to movement too.

I don't know if this is any help, I already mentioned this in another thread.. in my case, exercise sometimes does trigger a migraine. It responds to triptans, it just skips the aura phase. Went over it with my doctor he says it is normal (in my case it is).

Dredging up an old thread, I know. Don't know how I missed it first time around.

Something about the pounding of my feet and my level of exertion triggers migraine attacks for me. I was in a step class when I first noticed it. The class would no sooner be over than I would be finished too with a migraine without aura. Happened every single time I took the class.

I tried walking for exercise and that was just as bad. I tried buying shoes with THE VERY BEST, most cushy soles to reduce the jarring impact but that didn't help either. Fortunately mine aren't related to my exertional blood pressure. It's the impact of my feet on the surface I'm walking on and the amount of exertion I, well, 'exert'.

So now I get no exercise at all. Dr. Breathtakingly Arrogant has no answer for me. I'm wondering if the problem might be related to mitral valve prolapse which I know I have (echocardiogram-diagnosed). If that's it, it won't change anything. I still have no way to get exercise. But I guess I'd feel better with an answer than without one.

I'm more disgusted with migraine than usual right now so don't mind the vent-like tone. Just felt like putting my two cents' worth in a bazooka this morning.

Would you be able to use an eliptical machine, stationary bike, rowing machine, or the like, that don't involve "footfalls?" Or even do some exercises standing still but moving your upper body around? What about something like yoga?

Have you tried something like swimming that doesn't have any sort of jarring impact? (Especially if you don't dive in.) Or even one of those water-based exercise programs may be an option. Or maybe something like tai chi? There's a tai chi place near me that offers classes specifically targeted for those with chronic pain/illness so it's less exertional than an exercise class might be.

Just trying to throw some ideas out there for you.

Hi,

I also get exercise induced migraines. I can't exercise at all without getting a migraine. I have tried just taking a walk around the block and I still end up with a migraine. It is really frustrating. I use to think it was because I would get over heated but I have tried walking short walks on 50 degree days and still ended up with a migraine. I started taking Timilol and my daily migraines have been better but not these. I am hoping when I go to Jefferson in April I can talk to my doctor about this AGAIN. I am about 20lbs over weight and really need the exercise. I too am really frustrated about it.

Gretchen

In the summers, I would walk 3-4 miles per day. Every so often, if conditions were right and the planets were all aligned just so, I'd get exertional migraines. I noticed them happening most often if it was a cooler day. I tend to trigger on cool, rainy days anyway.

Last Sunday night I went out for a walk around the block with my dad, and it was 40 degrees out. That cool air hit me hard. Just that few minutes outside, and my whole head felt pressurized and throbby. I came very close to triggering, and ended up feeling quite tired as my head readjusted to the warmer air inside after we got back.

Thanks everybody. I love everyone here. I can count on you all.

The most I can do without triggering is stretching. I can't do any bending-from-the-waist stretches though because it seems to be triggering some weird MM-like symptoms that I need to discuss with my neurotologist when I see him again. Superior Canal Dehiscence? I'll see what he says.

Thanks Millsy - I was wondering if anyone else triggered from swimming too. I wonder what part pool chemicals play? I don't seem to have problems when I'm in the ocean but then again I'm not sure I get in the ocean often enough to tell really.

Hi Ladies:

I sometimes get exercised induced migraines. It will usually happen when I do any type of aerobic activity, although not always. When I lived in Arizona and had a swimming pool, I LOVED to swim, but I'm certain that the chemicals triggered migraines for me.

I am about to try Yoga for the 2nd time in my life. The 1st time I tried taking a class, but the instructor was burning sage and OMG... did I get sick - migraine among other things. This time I'll be doing it in the privacy of my own home. I have neck issues and so I want to learn how to relax my neck (and my facial muscles), as well as get some sort of exercise. I get on my treadmill when possible, but whenever it's a migrainey (or even a headachey) type of day, I won't even go there.

Blessings,

Sandi

Here is an Ask the Clinician Question on exercise and Migraine -

Preventing exercise triggered Migraines?

Thanks Nancy

I found the elliptical machine works better for me than running- it's less jarring. Like Nutcracker suggested, you might try some low impact exercise options like biking or swimming. I hope you find something that works for you- exercise is too enjoyable to give up!

Valerie