Headaches

[Granny M]

I've been suffering with headaches when I ride. They come on about 2 miles into the ride and the harder I ride or when I climb a hill, the worse they get. I will also get the same headache when I achieve um, well, when I have sex. It's a real killer. I've had a CT scan to rule out anything serious and the dr has given me a migraine medicine to take before I ride which helps lessen the headaches but doesn't prevent them. Has anyone else had this problem?

[makbike]

By chance do you have asthma and are using inhalers before your rides? I ask because I recently started to develop headaches while riding and I think it has to do with the inhalers by asthma doctor has me using so that I can breath while I ride.

I also wonder if your core body temp is not increasing while you ride triggering the headaches, just a guess.

I hope you figure this out soon.

[Kano]

Okay, I know this isn't going to be a cure -- not likely to help in all instances, but are you wearing really good suglasses? Or are you squinting a lot in the sun? That squinting takes a lot of muscle tension, and yes, it can result in wicked headaches! I need to invest in some for biking -- the ones I have are great in the car, when I'm really in the shade looking into the sun, but they don't quite cut it when I'm out in the sun for real. Just not enough coverage!

Polarized is good, cuts glare, and then, there are varying degrees of gray. I wear the darkest one most of the time, even when it's rainy! Some of the cycling glasses I've seen are available with photochromic lenses. I haven't looked closely enough to know if they're similar or different to the Transitions lenses I wear on a daily basis: I don't think they get dark enough for being in the sun "for real" -- I do like them for the in/out type use they get most of the time.

By the way: sunglasses are worth spending a good chunk of change on. Quality lenses cause less distortion, quality frames hold up better. Make sure that your optical professional knows how you plan to use them and invest in their recommendations! (I'm betting there are blind bikers out there, but I am pretty sure that seeing where we're going is more than a little bit important!)

Karen in Boise

[Nanci]

Dehydrated? That always makes me get a headache!

Nanci

[Granny M]

I don't have asthma but the doc said it might be allergies and put me on allergy meds. Didn't seem to help. I have a pair of Oakley blades so I don't think it could be that and since it's at the beginning of the ride, I don't think it could be the hydration but they are all good suggestions. Thanks for the help!

[TsPoet]

1. hydration
2. stiff neck - relax the neck and/or move it around, see if that makes you feel better.

[Geonz]

I would suspect tension of some kind - the overflow that happens from exertion. YOu might try channeling the tension into some place else (which I suspect will be easier in riding than in sex, but who could speculate ) - I do this grin thing (so people think I'm gleeful and happy riding in freezing rain when really I'm trying not to clench my teeth or curl my lip...) Carpenters try to "hold their mouth just right" - but then you could end up chomping on your tongue

I agree about the sunglasses. I spent the first 42 years of my life figuring "$5 from the drug store works fine" - and then somebody talked me into some on-sale-for $30 'cause they'd have different kinds of lenses, and oh, my! What a difference real lenses make! They really *do* cut the glare and make driving or riding in the sun much, much easier.

[energizer622]

YES!!!!!!!
I have suffered from the EXACT same symptoms, in umm all cases mentioned. Holding your breath under water also does it to me. They are exertion headaches and a type of migrane. Like you, they lasted 2-3 days and came on like a gunshot in the head. A very rythmic, pounding headache. I went to my regular physician who gave me migrane meds which turned me into a zombie. Ride??????? I couldn't find my way home in a car. I did a combination of things. I went to a neurological chiropractor who did some really funky things which may have worked, however I think even more importantly I was diagnosed with a Magnesium shortage. I would try taking Magnesium and see what happens. Do not take Mg combined with calcium. I take Magnesium glycinate by the manufacturer Pure. It is pharmaceutical grade and far superior to the stuff you might pick up at Walmart.....
This was one of the most painful things I have ever gone through.

Best wishes,
Marcia
WI
PS I was 41 at the time, and also on birth control pills. I was immediately taken off those as well. That may have had an effect too.

[traveller_62]

Granny M, I think energizer has hit on something. Could be exertion induced migraine. The magnesium supplement idea is a good one if this is the case. Slow release niacin (a B vitamin) is also worth pursuing. You'll have to check with your pharmacist for the slow-release kind.

I know it sounds goofy but you might try taking a couple of aspirin and drinking a Coke or Pepsi (regular, not diet) before you ride. I've suffered from migraine headaches for 25 years and sometimes the combo of aspirin, caffeine, and sugar will actually ward off a migraine.I think the caffeine and sugar just help to get the aspirin in your system faster.

I wish you luck because I feel your pain, literally!

-traveller