Migraines, beta blockers, and riding

[Lise]

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.

[ny biker]

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.

[Crankin]

Yeah, Jolt, it was just really hard for his cardiologist to understand how fit he was; obviously my DH does not fit the profile of the typical person who has heart disease. It took a little "education" on DH's part, but now his doctor understands. He really is very good, but sometimes, I think they are all on automatic pilot in terms of prescribing. Of course, the whole thing was frustrating, as his case was not typical from the beginning; the blockages just didn't show up on the scans and it took an emergency when we were riding to get them to do an angioplasty.
We also have a good friend who is the more typical cardiac case. The beta blockers made him incredibly sleepy and unable to barely get around. Yes, he is overweight, etc., but not totally a slug. He finally took himself off the drugs and was much better (the doctor gave him something else).

[kermit]

I get menstral migraines, like clock work, I take Frova as soon as one hits and it works great. I hate taking them cuz I get in the fog too but it works. I feel your pain!

[AnnieBikes]

I also had terrible migraines at a time when I was taking the pill, many years ago. When I completed my family and still had the headaches often, my doctor prescribed beta blockers. It was awful. I had the worst, most sleep depriving nightmares ever and was off them within a month or two. They did not do anything to prevent the migraines. I am very well controlled for irregular migraines with generic sumatriptan. Hope you do not have to take the blockers, though I cannot comment on how it would affect your cycling.

[badger]

*raises hand* another mentrual migraine sufferer here. I just came back from a 2 day snowboarding trip, yesterday was ruined because of the migraine. I managed only 2 runs before I felt like I was going to chuck my breakfast and pass out from the pain. I'm sure the mountain altitude didn't help matters, nor the bright, sunny, warm conditions.

Since mine seems to be somewhat muscular related (especially in my trapezius and neck muscles), I find taking Robaxacet sometimes helps. But for the most part all they do is dent the pain and put a fog. Still does nothing for that beat-up feeling and lethargy.

I actually forgot about my butterbur extract. I also sometimes take homeopathic migraine pills with butterbur, feverfew, and 5-htp. If taken with acetominophen or ibuprophen I find it speeds things along.

Ugh, I sometimes really hate being a girl!

[Lise]

Interestingly enough, it was when I *stopped* using contraception that the migraine frequency skyrocketed. I'd been using the NuvaRing for about 10 years, with no breaks, to stop my endometriosis. I started having slightly more frequent migraines in the past year, so decided to stop the NuvaRing. I'm 49, and figured I was close to menopause anyway. It is hard to be a girl. Some womens' migraines increase in menopause, and it seems I'm one of them.

We'll just have to see what happens when I start riding again. Luckily, I don't feel lethargic or fogged out with the Bystolic and Butterbur.

[WindingRoad]

Since mine seems to be somewhat muscular related (especially in my trapezius and neck muscles), I find taking Robaxacet sometimes helps.

Wow, that is what I'm thinking is going on with me? I have been having some serious shoulder and low trap pain on the bike and found that my sternum is uneven and that shifting my handlebars to the right really helps. However the muscles and nerves are still really irritated from before and when I ride it is better but I'm still getting flares of pain. Yesterday at work I picked up something wrong and flared that already angry little ball of nerves up again. Last night about 3 AM I awoke with the worse migraine to date and yes I am having my period right now so I'm sure like most of you it seems mine is also cycle/hormone related. I was actually scared last night the pain got so bad. I felt like I was going to die! It feels muscular though because every time I would try to lay on my side I could feel my shoulder flare up and my head would pound worse. Right now the pain is a dull murmur but I feel like someone grabbed the back of my neck and just squeezed as hard as they could. I guess it's hard to say because I ended up with dry heaves too, gawd I'm a mess.