Anybody else out there taking beta blockers for migraine prevention? When I went off my hormonal contraception in November (which I was taking to control endometriosis - as far as I can tell, I'm in menopause at 49), my migraines went from once a month or once every other month to 4-8 times a month.I saw my internist, who sent me to a neurologist, who put me on Bystolic, a beta blocker, and Butterbur, an herb.
I'm worried/curious about what it will be like to start riding again when the weather warms up. I'm quite out of shape, having had two foot surgeries in the last year. But I'm determined to get back on the bike, and I'd like to train for that elusive century this year.
I'd love to hear from other cyclists who are on beta blockers. What's the difference? Am I going to be able to push it, ride hard, as I like to? Will it just take longer to build up to it? Am I going to try it and pass out?
Hope not.
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03-18-2010, 08:38 PM #1
Team Danger Dachsund!
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Migraines, beta blockers, and riding
Run like a dachshund! Ride like a superhero! Swim like a three-legged cat!
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03-19-2010, 05:30 AM #2
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Well, they wanted my DH to take them after he had his stents put in. Mind you, he already was an extremely fit cyclist, with a resting HR of 40. After a week, he told them, no way. The drugs made him sleepy and tired, as well as the fact, he never could get his HR up.
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03-19-2010, 07:51 AM #3
Dodging the potholes...
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They wanted to give a beta blocker to somebody who already has a resting heart rate of 40?
Originally Posted by Crankin
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1995 Trek 830
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03-19-2010, 01:53 PM #4
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My doctor considered it for me but told me I would not like what it did to my biking performance. I'm continuing with Relpax and anti-nausea medication for when I can't stop the migraine.
"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride"~John F. Kennedy
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03-19-2010, 07:00 PM #5
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I take Maxalt (a triptan, as is Relpax) when the migraine comes. If I am not in denial, and take it right away, it stops the pain. The problem is that the migraines were coming so much more frequently that my doc wanted me to step up a level to a preventative. Taking a triptan more than 4 days a month can lead to rebound pain. Ugh.
Run like a dachshund! Ride like a superhero! Swim like a three-legged cat!
TE Bianchi Girls Rock
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03-19-2010, 09:30 PM #6
thickly settled
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I tried beta blockers back in the day and they did nothing for migraines for me. They did put in me in a permanent emotion-free fog, though.
Went off them and switched to Depakote (valproic acid) which did help a lot.
In recent years I've been able to lower the dose of the Depakote down to only 250 mg per day (of the extended release version). At my worst I was at 1500 mg per day (regular version, before the ER became available; I think the dosages are a bit different between ER and regular). Depakote is not without side effects, but I've able to do many long bike rides while taking it.
Of course, I'm not a neurologist so I don't know if there is a reason why your doctor feels a beta blocker is most appropriate for you.
FWIW I've never been able to take the pill because it made the migraines way way way way way worse for me, among other negative side effects.
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