migrains

[yvonne]

Is there anybody else out there that suffers form migraines when they work-out? I think its heat related as i did a 45 miler on a cool day and ended without a migraine, but cant do 6 miles in the heat without needing to stop so i can cool down and stop my headache turning into a migraine, then off i go again for another 6 miles. I have had this for 20 years, so its not something new. I found cycling a year ago and love it and refuse to let this condition stop me, the only thing is i cant join a club as i would have to keep stopping. I generaly do 6 miles in 18 minutes without pushing myself too much, I have tried the energy drinks etc. nothing works. I could take a migraine tablet before i go out but i am reluctant to do this every time, My doctors have no idea what the problem is, am i unique, any advise?

[CorsairMac]

have you tried any of the neck cloths that help keep your neck/head cool? There was also a thread here recently about a portable mister that someones DH attached to their bike. She said you could get one at Lowes.

[Technotart]

I have recently (4 mos ago) been able to get myself OFF of migraine medication - imitrex was what I was mostly taking - by taking ibuprofen AHEAD of the attack. If I am going to do something that causes me to have a migraine usually - say stay up late or exercise in the heat - I take 600 mg of ibuprofen. As it turns out If I feel a migraine coming on, I can take a large dose of ibu and I DONT GET A MIGRAINE!!! Now - had ANYbody told me to take ibu for a migraine in the past, I would have laughed them out of the park. It actually works. I have been on imitrex for years -tried topamax, and metoprolol and amyltriptyline and I can't even list all of them. Nothing worked. I got 12 to 15 migraines a month at a minimum. some weeks as many as 5! Imitrex is pretty awful stuff. I havnt had one in over 3.5 mos.

It's easy to think the ibuprofen would be inneffective seeing as it's over the counter - however, migraines are an inflammatory process, and ibuprofen is an effective anti-inflamatory. It's cheap and if you can stomach it, definately worth trying.

I'd love to hear if it works for you. I need a topic for my thesis!

[yvonne]

I have recently (4 mos ago) been able to get myself OFF of migraine medication - imitrex was what I was mostly taking - by taking ibuprofen AHEAD of the attack. If I am going to do something that causes me to have a migraine usually - say stay up late or exercise in the heat - I take 600 mg of ibuprofen. As it turns out If I feel a migraine coming on, I can take a large dose of ibu and I DONT GET A MIGRAINE!!! Now - had ANYbody told me to take ibu for a migraine in the past, I would have laughed them out of the park. It actually works. I have been on imitrex for years -tried topamax, and metoprolol and amyltriptyline and I can't even list all of them. Nothing worked. I got 12 to 15 migraines a month at a minimum. some weeks as many as 5! Imitrex is pretty awful stuff. I havnt had one in over 3.5 mos.

It's easy to think the ibuprofen would be inneffective seeing as it's over the counter - however, migraines are an inflammatory process, and ibuprofen is an effective anti-inflamatory. It's cheap and if you can stomach it, definately worth trying.

I'd love to hear if it works for you. I need a topic for my thesis!

I ued to take exedrin migraine, alot, but after a while anything that is aspirin based or related would give me colic and i would be in agony for ages, so i guess that includes motrin etc. I also cannot swallow tabs (lifelong thing) so i have to crush my meds, so cant take time release etc. guess im a pain in the butt!!

[Technotart]

Ibuprofen isnt aspirin based, some people who can't tolerate asa do ok with ibu. The only way to know is to try it. I can't do aspirin either. You could try the childrens liquid or chewable tabs.

[yvonne]

Ibuprofen isnt aspirin based, some people who can't tolerate asa do ok with ibu. The only way to know is to try it. I can't do aspirin either. You could try the childrens liquid or chewable tabs.

I'll be out tom. on my bike, ibuprofin in hand, will let you know.
thanks
yvonne

[CorsairMac]

I have recently (4 mos ago) been able to get myself OFF of migraine medication - imitrex was what I was mostly taking - by taking ibuprofen AHEAD of the attack. If I am going to do something that causes me to have a migraine usually - say stay up late or exercise in the heat - I take 600 mg of ibuprofen. As it turns out If I feel a migraine coming on, I can take a large dose of ibu and I DONT GET A MIGRAINE!!! Now - had ANYbody told me to take ibu for a migraine in the past, I would have laughed them out of the park. It actually works. I have been on imitrex for years -tried topamax, and metoprolol and amyltriptyline and I can't even list all of them. Nothing worked. I got 12 to 15 migraines a month at a minimum. some weeks as many as 5! Imitrex is pretty awful stuff. I havnt had one in over 3.5 mos.

It's easy to think the ibuprofen would be inneffective seeing as it's over the counter - however, migraines are an inflammatory process, and ibuprofen is an effective anti-inflamatory. It's cheap and if you can stomach it, definately worth trying.

I'd love to hear if it works for you. I need a topic for my thesis!

Just please be careful - my father was diagnosed with incurable kidney disease about 3 yrs ago - linked to long term/high dose ibuprofen. He was taking 600-800 mgs of ibu every 4 hrs for various surguries he had had. Now he can never take it again - it caused crystals to form in both his kidneys and has reduced their effectiveness.

[Technotart]

Very interesting - I can't say I have heard of that happening!

I will say though, the ibuprofen is a much safer drug in any event than imitrex - people have cardiac arrests on that stuff!!!

I probably take it 3 or 4 times a week. I could see serious issues with someone taking say 800 mg doses 4 times daily for an extended period of time - I know there are people out there who do that - hence the development of the cox2 inhibitors like vioxx (that and they protect the gut) but that is a whole OTHER discussion.

The best drug is none, but if you have to have something, the one with the lowest risk and side effect profile that is effective and affordable is the best drug for the problem. In this case, Ibuprofen fits that bill.

It is important to tell your doc about ANY drugs you are taking! Yes, even Tylenol (aka Acetaminophen) - that stuff can very deadly if taken too much/too often/in certain illness - it is NOT an innocuous drug. Occasional moderate use is fine - nothing in excess is any good!

[Tess851]

have you thought about checking bike set up etc or getting a chiropractic exam to see if it's actually something to do with eg nerves being pinched - maybe only on hotter days because then blood vessels etc swell and may be more susceptible to problems?

what about dehydration - maybe you are actually dehydrated before you start, and riding in the heat makes it noticeable?

I always like to look for a cause so that I can resolve that before I look to treatment of symptoms.