I get a post ride headache/migraine every time I ride. It usually starts out with a small spot of blurry vision that gradually grows larger and larger, then eventually goes away after about an hour. This is usually followed by a headache about 20 minutes later. I have had it happen during the second half of my ride or on the drive home. What little research that I have done has told me I could just take some type of pain killer to resolve the issue but due to a pre-existing condition I am limited to what medicines I can take. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what may be triggering these headaches. Thanks
Post Ride Headache/Migraine
rroads
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I get a post ride headache/migraine every time I ride. It usually starts out with a small spot of blurry vision that gradually grows larger and larger, then eventually goes away after about an hour. This is usually followed by a headache about 20 minutes later. I have had it happen during the second half of my ride or on the drive home. What little research that I have done has told me I could just take some type of pain killer to resolve the issue but due to a pre-existing condition I am limited to what medicines I can take. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what may be triggering these headaches. Thanks
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that's bizarre, you should talk to your GP about that
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Hmmm that is really weird. I frequently get migraines and as I am sure you know there a lots of possible triggers. Is there enything else that you are doing everytime before you ride? A food you eat or a change in sleep schedule? Some sort of gel or bar or drink you ingest when you ride? I would look into that as well.
I get headaches after hard rides as well. Not migraines though and it's usually only when it's warm out.
I haven't talked to a doctor about it, but am wondering that since it only happens in the heat or after a particularly tough ride, I think it has something to do with hydration or electrolytes....but I'm not a doctor....
I haven't talked to a doctor about it, but am wondering that since it only happens in the heat or after a particularly tough ride, I think it has something to do with hydration or electrolytes....but I'm not a doctor....
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That's a classic visual-aura migraine description. Lots of things are thought to trigger them, including dietary as jimmy noted, but I've never heard of exercise being a trigger. Bright lights, especially point sources like reflections, can do it for me. Do you wear dark glasses when you ride? Maybe try darker lenses?
You really get these every ride?
I had a laser treatment for a torn retina a couple of years ago. After they placed the lens against my eyeball and got the apparatus focused, there were about 25 incredibly bright flashes of light, at intervals of a little less than a second. After the first 5 or 6, each flash produced an instantaneous burst of pain in my head, at the location where my migraines seem to be centered. The pain diminished rapidly, but it was quite a trip, and an interesting demonstration of how the visual input was causing specific neurons to fire.
You really get these every ride?
I had a laser treatment for a torn retina a couple of years ago. After they placed the lens against my eyeball and got the apparatus focused, there were about 25 incredibly bright flashes of light, at intervals of a little less than a second. After the first 5 or 6, each flash produced an instantaneous burst of pain in my head, at the location where my migraines seem to be centered. The pain diminished rapidly, but it was quite a trip, and an interesting demonstration of how the visual input was causing specific neurons to fire.
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I get these symptoms/triggers when the muscles in my neck are already tight. Since you get them associated with your ride it can be muscle tension causing the migraine. If an anti-inflammatory works (Ibuprofin) you got off lucky. Otherwise, see your doc about migraine treatments.
Other areas to consider in reducing the possible strain on your neck muscles are various exercises and stretching. If you are riding the drops for long periods without changes in your position, stretch at periodic intervals to relieve some of the tension. A massage does wonders for me and it helps when I get the fuzzy spot or squiggly lights...this usually reduces the severity but sometimes it doesn't so I spend the next few hours resting.
I've had a few episodes but since having begun the neck exercises and stretching, it has been less frequent. Maybe 2-3 times a year following the longer rides. Around the 1 hour mark, I stop to do some stretching, eat a bit then continue the ride.
Other areas to consider in reducing the possible strain on your neck muscles are various exercises and stretching. If you are riding the drops for long periods without changes in your position, stretch at periodic intervals to relieve some of the tension. A massage does wonders for me and it helps when I get the fuzzy spot or squiggly lights...this usually reduces the severity but sometimes it doesn't so I spend the next few hours resting.
I've had a few episodes but since having begun the neck exercises and stretching, it has been less frequent. Maybe 2-3 times a year following the longer rides. Around the 1 hour mark, I stop to do some stretching, eat a bit then continue the ride.
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This subject comes up pretty often on another cycling forum that I belong to. It happens to be a women's forum, but regardless, you might find some good information there if you do a search for headaches. Here's a thread that I started to discuss my own cycling-induced headaches.
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=14274&highlight=post-ride+headaches
At least in early spring, I take one Excedrin immediately after longe rides. I tend to think my headaches are eye/neck strain induced, as they only happen early in the season. As I get more used to being out on the road again, the headaches stop. You mentioned not being able to take some drugs because of a pre-existing condition, so I'm not sure that's of any help to you. For migraines generally, I take Relpax. It works like a charm, but isn't cheap and makes me incredibly sleepy.
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=14274&highlight=post-ride+headaches
At least in early spring, I take one Excedrin immediately after longe rides. I tend to think my headaches are eye/neck strain induced, as they only happen early in the season. As I get more used to being out on the road again, the headaches stop. You mentioned not being able to take some drugs because of a pre-existing condition, so I'm not sure that's of any help to you. For migraines generally, I take Relpax. It works like a charm, but isn't cheap and makes me incredibly sleepy.
Thank you all for the suggestions...I cannot take aspirin based products because I am susceptible to stomach ulcers. Tylenol works just fine and its relatively safe on the stomach (but not your liver). I can take it but I would rather find out if its just a simple diet issue or maybe my position on the bike . My pre-ride diet consists of a PB&J sandwich, tall glass of OJ and a banana. I used to be able to ride on this without any problems but late last year and all of this year I have been experiencing the auras and headaches. I don't think that sugar or potassium is a problem. I was kind of leaning toward sodium or possibly my position on the bike. I can tell you that I believe that my bike is a tad long. I can ride comfortably on the bar but the hoods are a stretch.
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I recognize that migraines are a part of this, but from my experience, I can get headache onset with dehydration.
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Try skipping the OJ - some people find citrus to be a migraine trigger.
I'd suggest trying a simple breakfast like toast and jam or oatmeal and a glass of water before your next ride to see if that helps.
I'm an engineer, not a doctor though so if something simple like a change in diet doesn't help - go see your doctor.
I'd suggest trying a simple breakfast like toast and jam or oatmeal and a glass of water before your next ride to see if that helps.
I'm an engineer, not a doctor though so if something simple like a change in diet doesn't help - go see your doctor.
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How much and what do you drink when you ride? Also, how much and what do you drink on a regular basis?
My coach alerted me that I was drinking too much water, as I'd frequently wake up with headaches and occasionally get them post ride. I cut back on the amount of water I drink throughout the day to 32oz of Nuun (plus whatever I may drink during meals) and drink 2 large bottles over a 3 hour ride and I feel great. I also started taking a multi vitamin, cod liver oil, and a calcium/magnesium supplement as well. No more headaches, no waking up more than once per night to pee, and I feel great. I was convinced I wasn't drinking enough.
Salt follows water, as he said. I was washing lots of the electrolytes, etc out of my cells.
Just my experience and so far so good!
My coach alerted me that I was drinking too much water, as I'd frequently wake up with headaches and occasionally get them post ride. I cut back on the amount of water I drink throughout the day to 32oz of Nuun (plus whatever I may drink during meals) and drink 2 large bottles over a 3 hour ride and I feel great. I also started taking a multi vitamin, cod liver oil, and a calcium/magnesium supplement as well. No more headaches, no waking up more than once per night to pee, and I feel great. I was convinced I wasn't drinking enough.
Salt follows water, as he said. I was washing lots of the electrolytes, etc out of my cells.
Just my experience and so far so good!
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try drinking an espresso
I believe migraines are caused by constriction of the blood vessels in the head and caffeine has the opposite effect. It helps my migraines. note: it has no effect on a regular headache, only migraines. Big difference, but of course you already know that.
I believe migraines are caused by constriction of the blood vessels in the head and caffeine has the opposite effect. It helps my migraines. note: it has no effect on a regular headache, only migraines. Big difference, but of course you already know that.
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I also suffer from migraines and sometimes they do come after ridding!
I have narrowed down a few things and will share them with you….
Usually I get this floaters that look like a line running vertically for about 10 minutes or so. Then they go away and about an hour or less later, I start getting a headache behind my left eye that gets worst by the minute to the point of not being able to stand light or noise. So at this point I hope that I am home and can hide in bed and a totally dark quiet room! After a couple of hours I start getting cold sweats and eventually throw-up.
After I throw-up the pain starts going away… but unfortunately at this point my body is drained and my day is shot!
Here’s what I have found so far:
You learn to recognize the warning signs of a migraine! As soon as you get the floaters or blurred vision make sure you take your pain medicine!!! I always carry it with me even on the bike. I learned very fast how HORRIBLE it is to ride back 10+ miles on your bike with a full blown migraine…
I used to take over the counter migraine medicine… but because I throw-up with migraines I went to the doctor and got a prescription for Maxalt-MLT 10mg. These are orally disintegrating tablets and work much faster and should be in the system before I hit the toilet…
Last Monday I also found out that if I drink a Gatorade when I get the first signs of a migraine to come, the symptoms are less severe and I did not throw-up!!! I now believe that I have to be very careful with hydration. Interestingly enough 3 days before I did 36 miles and was fine. So I don’t always get migraines when I ride, only sometimes.
On the other hand I cannot eat Chinese food… If I eat Chinese at night I am guaranteed a migraine next morning. Chocolate at night also gives me a migraine the next morning!
I have also found to get migraines from some of the Gus especially the strawberry/banana flavor but interestingly the chocolate flavor seems OK.
Drinking a Gatorade before riding also seems to keep migraines away…
Hope this helps!!
I have narrowed down a few things and will share them with you….
Usually I get this floaters that look like a line running vertically for about 10 minutes or so. Then they go away and about an hour or less later, I start getting a headache behind my left eye that gets worst by the minute to the point of not being able to stand light or noise. So at this point I hope that I am home and can hide in bed and a totally dark quiet room! After a couple of hours I start getting cold sweats and eventually throw-up.
After I throw-up the pain starts going away… but unfortunately at this point my body is drained and my day is shot!
Here’s what I have found so far:
You learn to recognize the warning signs of a migraine! As soon as you get the floaters or blurred vision make sure you take your pain medicine!!! I always carry it with me even on the bike. I learned very fast how HORRIBLE it is to ride back 10+ miles on your bike with a full blown migraine…
I used to take over the counter migraine medicine… but because I throw-up with migraines I went to the doctor and got a prescription for Maxalt-MLT 10mg. These are orally disintegrating tablets and work much faster and should be in the system before I hit the toilet…
Last Monday I also found out that if I drink a Gatorade when I get the first signs of a migraine to come, the symptoms are less severe and I did not throw-up!!! I now believe that I have to be very careful with hydration. Interestingly enough 3 days before I did 36 miles and was fine. So I don’t always get migraines when I ride, only sometimes.
On the other hand I cannot eat Chinese food… If I eat Chinese at night I am guaranteed a migraine next morning. Chocolate at night also gives me a migraine the next morning!
I have also found to get migraines from some of the Gus especially the strawberry/banana flavor but interestingly the chocolate flavor seems OK.
Drinking a Gatorade before riding also seems to keep migraines away…
Hope this helps!!
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Yeah, I get that also, however its not a migrane just a headache that comes from the ride, for me I think it has something to do with the way my neck position is during the ride.
Thanks for your insight...I am sure that my headaches are nothing compared to yours. Although I do fully understand what you mean about getting home with one gripping your brain like a vise. On one ride my vision was so bad that I had to ask to stick to the wheel of one of the guys that I ride with. He was my seeing eye cyclist...kinda funny if you think about it. That had to be my worst ride ever. I will give Gatoraid a try and for sure stay away from the Gu's....By the way you had mentioned Chinese food. My mother was getting migraines from Chinese food and they discovered that it was the MSG in the food that was causing her problem. I am not sure if this is the case for you but it may be something you can look into...I hope this helps
I realize that this is an very old post but hopefully someone out there will find it helpful. I discovered 6 month ago that it was the OJ that was causing my migraines. I stopped drinking it and now I ride headache free...Thanks and good luck to all
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Gatorade has been my magic cure for migraines for a few years now....discovered purely by accident....
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Dehydration triggers them for me. Sometimes bright light right in my eyes also does it, so I have to wear sunglasses when I ride.
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