Headaches revisited

[Jones]

I get headaches from riding when it is hot too. This year (we have already had several days in the high 90's) I started taking sudafed before I ride and I think it has helped. In the past I when I have gotten a headache riding I take sudafed, advil and an elctrolite replacement drink and the combo seems to help more often then not.
Jones

[lacyliz]

I, too, have been getting headaches an hour or so after I ride. Personally, I think it's because of the spring - the roads are still dirty and have the salt (or whatever it really is) on them, I'm breathing it in through my nose and into my sinuses- not to mention the dampness in the air. I've chalked it up to that. What has been helping a lot is that I use a saline nasal spray right after I come in from the ride. It has made a difference and I recommend it. It couldn't hurt - and it might help. I don't get headaches like this in the winter or in the summer after, say, May. Those are my .02 .

[Mr. Bloom]

Indy:

After yesterday's 52 mile ride, I had a severe headache (non-migraine) for 8 hours even after taking 3 Aleve. I fully attribute it to sinuses although my nose hardly ran at all on the ride (while Silver's did).

I agree with lacyliz...when I was in Indy last weekend, the roads were still nasty and salty. For me, I have the same symptons even driving in the car with all that stuff flying in the air.

So, IMHO I think it's sinus problems from poor air quality.

[spazzdog]

Indy - it seems like a lot of time passed between your ride ending and the onset of your headache... too much to be a hydration thing I'd think.

I get bad headaches if I'm protein deficient... so if I don't fuel up properly after a long ride (or run back in the day), I get bad headaches hours after.

just my 1/2 a cent...

spazz

[SheFly]

I get these type of headaches with the change in weather - any barometric pressure change will send me reeling. With the spring weather fluctuations (here we've been going from warm and sunny to snow in the span of a couple of days), and the fact that you are starting to ride outdoors more often, could that be the cause?

Could also be as others have said - allergies. Things here are just starting to bloom, and I KNOW that over the next few weeks not only will I have headaches, I will also be reaching for my inhaler.

SheFly

[Wahine]

Indy - can you tell me where your headaches are or where they start? Are they all over your head or do they start at the temples or base of your skull?

When you get your headaches do they seem to be inside your skull or does it seem like your scalp aches?

Is there a word you can use to describe the pain, (for eg: throbbing, stabbing, dull toothachy pain)?

Do you get any other symptoms, (changes in vision, tingling, dizziness or vertigo)?

I might be able to help more if you can answer some of these questions. Or I might not be able to help at all.

[indysteel]

Indy - can you tell me where your headaches are or where they start? Are they all over your head or do they start at the temples or base of your skull?

When you get your headaches do they seem to be inside your skull or does it seem like your scalp aches?

Is there a word you can use to describe the pain, (for eg: throbbing, stabbing, dull toothachy pain)?

Do you get any other symptoms, (changes in vision, tingling, dizziness or vertigo)?

I might be able to help more if you can answer some of these questions. Or I might not be able to help at all.

Wahine, yesterday's headache was primarily concentrated around my left eye and left upper sinus. I would describe it as throbbing at its worst and a dull ache at its best. Given its location, I initially thought that it was sinus related, especially in light of the weather/allergy season. However, I didn't have any other allergy symptoms yesterday (when my allergies are bothering me, I mostly get a runny nose). As the day wore on, I felt a little sick to my stomach, but not terribly so.

When my headaches don't otherwise respond to OTC painrelievers or decongestants, I usually assume that it's a migraine. My migraines typically strike around my left eye as well, so it's hard to tell the difference between a congestion headache and a migraine. I hold off on taking my migraine medicine until all else fails (except when I'm on my period and I can safely assume it's a migraine) because the meds knock me out and cost a lot. My migraines typically don't cause any other symptoms, e.g., auras, nausea, sensitivity to light, etc. I'm lucky in that regard. The headaches suck, but I can function okay.

I should add that I took my migraine medicine when I got home from work yesterday, and the heachache was mostly gone in about 20 minutes. So, I can safely assume it was a migraine, but I'm obviously left with questions regarding causation. I do think it's telling that I tend to get them when it's warm outside. I don't remember getting them or getting them as often during the fall/winter months. I also don't remember getting them after shorter rides. The temps are supposed to drop this weekend to the 50s-60s, so I'll be interested to see if I get another headache.

Just a few further notes on Sunday's ride just in case anything jumps out at someone. For breakfast, I had coffee (I almost always start my day with about a cup or less of strong coffee), an English muffin with peanut butter and jelly, yogurt and right before the ride, a banana. During the ride, I ate another banana and a couple of Cliff blocks with caffeine. I drank water and CytoMax Energy drink during the ride. I did not drink a recovery drink after the ride, but I did eat a sandwich with a fair amount of protein within the hour. I also had some water, Pepsi and chips. Over the course of the next few hours, I drank about 16 more ounces of water. Since I ate a late lunch, I had a small serving of pasta and an orange for dinner. There may have been a handful of GS cookies thrown in for good measure.

I am very sensitive to light because of my gas permeable contacts, which is why I've invested in some good polarized and photosensitive sunglasses. I tend not to think it's an issue with light because I don't recall getting headaches on sunny but cool days.

Thanks for all your input. At this point, I may just have to play around with my hydration and nutrition as it gets warmer. I think I'll also try taking some Excedrin during or immediately after a ride.