Question for Migraine Sufferers?

Question

I started getting migraines 2 years ago, right after my son was born. I've had 1 or 2 during the last two winters but 90% of them occur during the warmer weather. I've found that I only get them within 30 minutes to an hour after I'm active in the heat (usually after a softball game or gardening). I've researched the possible causes of migraines and none of them match.
Does anyone else ONLY get migraines after being physically active in the heat?

[I have some type of antibodies that put me at high risk for blood clots but my blood pressure tends to run low.]

Thank you psychotropic944.

I was referred to a neurologist last summer and had a brain MRI done (b/c of the headaches and optic neuritis). The results there were normal.

grefunkel... thank you, I'm a skeptic but will give it a try... only b/c the blood flow thing that you said makes perfect sense (especially since I have "sticky" blood)

Answer 1

I do get migraines, but, when I get 'sick' after being in the heat, I really never associated it with my migraines. I do know that my doctor told me that I needed more salt in my system when in the heat. I really get sick when exposed to heat, and the only thing that has kept me from, fainting, having horrible headaches, and feeling horribly weak IS eating some salt. I rarely eat salt, except for what comes naturally, inside foods. So, now, I make a practice of taking peanuts or potato chips with me, when I am going to be in the heat. Very important, as well, I must take extra water at this time. I do it by carrying Propel Fitness Water with me, ALL the time that I am in the heat. NOT having this, I really have horrible headaches.

Answer 2

Hello Nina .. Yes there are many factors that can trigger a migraine attack, some of which are bright light, heat and noise. This is why it is advised to go and lay down in a cold dark room when you have a migraine. Over the counter headache medicines sometimes work such as advil or excedrin. If the migraine does not go away with them then you may want to take an antimigraine medicine such as caffergot. These are usually prescription drugs, but caffergot makes migraine goes away in less than an hour. Usually people feel that they are going to have a migraine attack before it happens, this is called "aura" when you get this feeling, you should relax in a dark cold room and take advil hoping that it won't develop to a full migraine attack. I hope that helps. Pharmacy assistant professor

Answer 3

Hello Nina. Can I suggest that you get your blood pressure checked. I suffered badly with migraines which left me flat out for 5 days. Mine was more stress related. I would definitely have it checked out with a doctor, as this is the first time I have heard of getting a migraine after being physically active. It should work the other way around. When you have a migraine, try migral, opens up the arteries when you are having an attack. Good luck.

Answer 4

Heat always intensifies migraines because it elevates the blood pressure. When you are outside be sure you wear a hat with a broad brim to protect your neck as well. migraines often come from the neck. Take a cooler with you and have ice packs, so you can frequently apply them to the back of your neck when you're in the heat. This will lessen the chance of having a migraine. Be sure and drink lots of water and sports drinks because they put back the Electrolytes that become depleted because of heat and exercise.

When you are experiencing a full blown migraine try the following treatment: Here's a treatment that I have found works even though it may sound funny.

Place an ice pack at the back of your neck for ten minutes at a time. Do this several times a day. Massage toothpaste (yes, toothpaste) on your temples and lay quietly in a cool room With the ice pack on the back of your neck . This will often take away the pain

Answer 5

There are many triggers for migraines, and stress is one of them, even heat stress. Some individuals also do not sweat enough during warm weather...do you? If not, then go to a Dr and see what he says.
I have found things that work to reduce my migraines, you might try some to see if they help.

1. Eat regularly, and don't eat junk food. Too much sugar will trigger a migraine. Also, you blood sugar should stay level. Do not skip meals.
2. Daily, try taking these supplements: Feverfew (herb), Magnesium, and perhaps Coenzyme Q10.
3. Do not drink any wine with Sulfites, or much alcohol at all. This is a HUGE trigger.
4. Drink enough water in heat, and try to wet a headband to stay cool.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Been suffering for over 20 yrs, had all sorts of very strong medication from painkillers to very strong anti-depressants, so i did some research and started taking a combination of the following: feverfew; magnesium; riboflavin (vitamin B2); cod liver oil. All of these work to improve blood flow, as migraine sufferers tend to have "thicker" blood which smashes against a bottleneck that occurs in a weakened blood vessel in your head which many sufferers feel even when not suffering an attack (i call it "the twitch"), which causes the massive pounding in your head as your heart pumps the blood into "bottleneck", repeatedly smashing the blood into the collapsed walls. These remedies "thin" the blood so that movement in the "bottleneck" becomes easier, (think of it like pouring water and gravy through a spout). I've gone from suffering 4/5 attacks a month to 1 every 6 months, even that being reduced in strength and duration, over an 18 month period. I take them most days, with a break every 4 weeks for 4/5 days to give my system a rest. It takes about 3 months to improve (but i started to feel better in about 4 weeks), so i had to stick with it. I take them after an evening meal. These remedies are for the most part, quite safe, and in combination (see attached links), although feverfew should not be taken with NSAID's (ibuprofen etc) or blood thinning drugs (Warfarin etc). They can be purchased from health food shops (eg, Holland and Barrett). These items should only be purchased by responsible adults of 18 or 21 (depending on where you live). You will still need to learn, recognize and avoid your "triggers", but they have provided me with relief from the constant onslaught of migraines, but may not work for everyone. Please don't forget to consult your GP, before taking, if you are taking any other drugs, and if you feel ill at any time whilst taking. The one side effect that i have had, is a rather large upturn in production of fartrogen, which doesn't please the wife, but i find highly amusing! Good luck, hope you feel better soon! Grefunkel

Answer 7

Hi Nina, sorry to hear about your terrible migraines. I'm not sure what all of your symptoms are but I'll tell you what happened to me.

I personally experienced something similar back in July of 2006. I had what I called "explosive" headaches after any physical activity. After rigorous activity It usually started at the posterior base of my skull (around that area) and within milliseconds felt like it "exploded" all around my brain (I felt like my entire skull was hurting. This would initially put me down for like 5 minutes (voluntarily) and then I would have a small annoying headache for the rest of the day (ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen couldn't get rid of it).

I still had them after two months but would then experience more migraine type headaches (light sensitivity, extreme pain on the left side of my head). This was terrible and I began accepting it as something I'm going to have for the rest of my life. I went to a neurologist (which btw kind of sucks because they're all booked for months and months and months for the most part) and had a MRI and a CT scan done, but fortunately and unfortunately, they came back normal.

The neurologist had no idea what was going on (which is true, this day in age of modern medicine you would think we would know all about headaches but doctors are the first to admit that severe headaches are still somewhat of a mystery). She said just to take it easy (at this point the intensity was less then before). So I took off work (for two weeks... it was great to finally cash in on that sick time I had accumulated) and sure enough they went away by themselves (after four months of having them).

I would advise you to go see a neurologist (specifically a headache specialist). Something may be going on in your brain but if not they will still be able to possibly give you alternative theories of why you're having these headaches (and a sick note for work :) if it's stress related)

Good luck.

Answer 8

There is no medicine for H/A OR MIGRAINE. Not only these but for almost all painful diseases. Hence they become chronic.
Acidity, excessive wind, cold , heat, sour food and sinusitis,
Blockage in the flow of Vital Energy are their causes. None of them can be treated with medicine.
Acupuncture is the best treatment. I can treat it with naturopathy, YOG and Ayurved, but how can you manage pl see.
Sweet foods and good sleep will help you. You should avoid sleeping late at night, alcohole, spicy and stale foods.
But you try one herbal remedy- two drops of drumstick leaves' juice in opposite nostril if one side pains and both nostrils if full H/A will give you rescue. Betel leaf helps but it isvery strong.

Source(s):

SHREE SWASTHYAYOG TREATMENT, TRAINING & RESEARCH INSTITUTE
R.H. – 19, Jhulelal Society, Sector – 2/E, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, INDIA.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

When I was a teen/pre teen I started getting Migranes, most were associated with physical exertion and sun shine.

Have your blood preasure checked and watch your salt intake. Mild dehydration with a lot of salt is a big trigger.

Also, did you just quit smoking, that can be a cause. Same with sudden stopping of a high caffine diet. Caffine and Nicotine react on the blood vessels in the brain, using them your blood vessels can expand, the loss of which can cause a temporary imbalance, meaning "pressure" migranes.

So, wear sunglasses, drink water and get your preassure checked!