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.

[Nokomis]

What is your caffeine intake like? It can constrict blood vessels - good if fighting an oncoming migraine, but bad if your body is under stress or pumping larger volumes of blood thru. I know I can feel my pulse in my head on climbs ~ would be worse if those blood vessels were constricted.

Hope you find a solution!

[Dianyla]

Ditto on the aforementioned ideas about hydration, proper eyewear, and neck/back alignment issues. Also, have you looked at your blood pressure? Since this problem happens under load, I'd look at getting referred to a cardiologist and doing a stress test on a treadmill so they can monitor your cardiovascular system.

BTW, caffeine is a vasodilator which lowers your blood pressure.

[Denise223]

Dianyla posted - Also, have you looked at your blood pressure?

That's exactly what I was thinking.....

[Granny M]

Thanks so much for all the input but actually they've run me through all the stress tests, etc. to make sure it's nothing serious. I'm healthy as can be - resting pulse around 68 and bp last week of 118 over 70. I hadn't thought about caffeine. I do have a cup or two of coffee in the mornings and the headaches are worse in the mornings than in the afternoon. They seem worse in the heat too. Of course, I rode 15 miles this morning before work and right after my coffee with no headache. Go figure! All I know is that when one hits me its sudden, severe and pounding and will dull after exertion and last for 2-3 days.

[Jones]

How about sinuses? Have you ever tried taking sudafed before a ride? It has helped me and of course lots of water all the time. Jones

[Lenusik]

Proper hydration is the key. You may find it helpful if you drink a good glass of water or sport drink before the ride. This will equip you for your first couple of miles.
I am not sure about coffee - I don't drink any caffein and really don't believe that it is good for you.

[KnottedYet]

Holding your breath? Not exhaling on exertion? (called the "Valsalva" maneuver) That can trigger migraines.

[arnaew]

[QUOTE=- resting pulse around 68 .[/QUOTE]

This seems high to me - my resting pulse is 51.
A