Headaches

[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