I have suffered from severe migraines for years (caused by hormones and exhertion -running mainly) I am trying my best to continue to train through these but it has been very difficult. I take 5-10 mg of the migraine drug Zomig as needed-I tend to take 5 mg as soon as i am done with a long run/race to try to prevent the inevitable attack, but I cannot seem to find drs. that acually have treated athletes that are using this drug. I am concerned that there may be side effects that are not taken into consideration you’re training at the same time your medicated. Of course, there are times I simply cannot do anything b/c of the pain, but if I missed a workout everytime I felt a headache coming on I would never train more than 2-3 times a week. I tried taking “prophylactic” drugs (beta blockers,etc) but that was horrible. I am getting frustrated that I may never be able to compete in any long course events b/c my body just always feels like crap b/c of all this medicine. Anyone out there suffer from migraines(not just a tension headache-these things rule your days) and try to deal with the training etc?? Thanks for listening
I suffer from headaches also. I do get migraines but also other types of headaches and more often it is not a migraine. I am taking Maxalt for migraines but the trick is to take it at onset but I don’t always know right away if it is a migraine or not. The non migraine headaches are worse for me and I am actually just now going to try some other routes to try to control those. Does your medication actually work if you take it in time? Have you tried changing your diet? I have a book that I can’t remember the name of but the DR goes into detail about how some simple things in your diet can (for some people) have dramatic effects on migraines. If you want I can get the name and send it to you.
I do have missed workouts because of headaches and have missed days of them because I just can’t do it. The increased heart rate makes it hurt too bad.
It really sucks.
Thanks for the response- I have tried Maxalt but it didn’t work for me personally. Yes, the drug (Zomig) works if I take it in time, but I feel like going to sleep and I have severe gastrointestinal issues b/c of it. I also feel nauseaus if I take 10 mg- another major issue is it costs about $400 (without insurance)for a month’s supply of pills-thats not even one a day-thats like 18 for the month. So I am fortunate to have the pharmacuetical company include me on their free medicine plan or else I literally would be unable to do much. As far as the foods go, I have tried every route to combat this-foods, stress management, etc and have found that its basically mainly hormonal or exhertion related. I usually never get them after swimming or biking, but running b/c of the pounding is a definite trigger. I am dealing with them the best i can, but starting to wonder if all these doses are “dangerous” when you’re training more than the recreational couch potato. Crap, I even have to plan my races around what time of the month it is-my biggest fear is I will spend money to enter then wake up with a screaming migraine and not be able to attend. It’s almost like my “awake” time is training or work-everything else I will be too tired to participate in b/c I am always taking these meds.
I take relpax, it has really helped. I don’t get them nearly as often as you, and mine are strange in that they have realitively light pain, but the aura and nausea with them are really strong.
Zomig is a very commonly prescribed drug, so if there were any major complication related to working out, I’m sure they would be published.
I suffered from migraines for years and as i got older, they appeared less frequently, I guess because my hormones were changing, getting older. I only have them now about once a year. I take Duridan (sp) for them. When I was in the throes I wasn’t an athlete at the time but a young mother with small children. I sympathize with your plight, and don’t have anything other than that to offer. Perhaps keep searching for a doctor. I cut my training when I’m under attack, I can barely move. I also take it easy for a few days after that; sometimes the medicine hang over is worse than the headache.
Thanks for the info- I have heard of Relpax and used it - I think 40 mg? dose- seemed to work well (just had samples) almost like the Zomig. I will investigate it more. thanks again.
The drugs are very expensive for sure and it is annoying because my insurance will cover Imitrex (doesn’t work for me) all but a small co pay but Maxalt costs me $10 per pill so even at that rate I know how the cost gets old. I also get really sleepy when I take the meds which can be a good thing if it works because I can actually sleep which is tough with a raging headache.
Not sure on the long term effects and have never read any info on them for any of those drugs.
Do you think it is worth seeing a neurologist or other type of Dr? Another thing I am thinking of trying is something called Craniosacral therapy which apparently does wonders for some people. It is a massage of the plates that make up your skull and it relieves pressures in your skull.
It sounds like you get them more than I do but I feel your pain and frustration. It is hard to relate what it is like to people who haven’t experienced it
**also take it easy for a few days after that; sometimes the medicine hang over is worse than the headache. **
That is so true. For me I just feel tired from the pain too. It is a bit like coming out of being sick where I just feel fatigued even though the pain is gone. I think that type of pain drains you in a physical and mental way
LL,
is that LL as in “cool-J?” haha. anyway, are your headaches preceded by and “aura” or scotomas? can you think of any “tiggers” that you know of that when you ate it, the headaches followed? for example; something high in nitrates (beef jerky, or hot dogs for example)? this is a very brief history I am gathering here by the way. another thing to think of is that the migraines could in fact be muscular in origin like tension headaches, cluster headaches or cervicogenic headaches. it all depends on where the headaches present like behind the eyes, unilaterally or bilaterally? do movements in certain directions worsen the condition? do bright lights or loud noises make things worse? even OVER pronation can effect the upper cervical spine in a big way and this could in fact cause headaches. I apologize if you have in fact been officially diagnosed by an MD with migraines and i am telling you things that you already know or asking you questions that you have already answered.
other methods of treatment for migraines that have little side effects are cervical manipulative therapy from a chiropractor, supplement intake in the form of Valerian or Kava, Magnesium, Fish oils, and tryptophan just to mention a few. Finding the true trigger for your headaches is also key but as you mentioned, running seems to be a big issue. this would lead me to believe that is is muscular in nature BUT as i said above I could be barking up the wrong tree. just a few thoughts. Good luck.
ERIK
From one migraine sufferer to another: I’m sorry. I have used Zomig for many years and seem to have worked things out a bit. I’m male, so I don’t have one of your triggers, but I’ve got plenty of my own. A variety of comments/suggestions.
First, you’re taking huge amounts of Zomig. If I take it at onset, 2.5mg does the trick. Make sure you’re taking the smallest effective dose.
Second, you can’t take this stuff more than about once a week. Otherwise, you get rebound headaches and you get into a vicious cycle. I realize from very painful experience that getting to where you only need it once a week, or less, is tough. But, you gotta do it.
Third, there are gastro remedies that should enable you to tolerate Zomig. Prilosec is probably the strongest thing you can get OTC. Take it on an empty stomach and wait 30 mins before eating. A smaller dose of Zomig surely would also be easier to tolerate.
Fourth, I found that migraines from long runs were a bit less likely when I ran later in the day. It may have something to do with my blood sugar being a bit higher (relative to running first thing in the am). And, if I get a headache and have to take the meds, at least I am closer to bedtime. For races in the am, I never figured out anything other than just do the race and take a Zomig right after finishing (before eating anything). I tried some strong pain killers like Vicodin, but they were useless.
Fifth, do everything you can to relax your jaw, neck and face muscles while running. Maybe run with someone who makes you laugh. Run in pleasant surroundings – not in a health club on a damn treadmill.
Sixth, my experience is that there is no magic bullet solution. That’s also what the books say. Migraines are a function of all of your triggers and underlying conditions combined. So, do what you can on every front – diet, stress, anger, not too much TV or computer, whatever is a trigger for you. I do everything possible during the days before a race to minimize my triggers so that I will be ok until the race is over. Taking a Zomig before or during the race is a disaster – I just can’t go hard on that stuff. I trained way hard for Boston, but that a.m. all the hoopla, bus ride, sitting around, etc., before the noon start was too much and I had to take the meds before the race started. Miserable experience – nearly puked, had to walk a bunch, thought my heart was gonna jump through my chest.
Seventh, and this is surely controversial, I often take Advil at the start of the day. I know that mixing that stuff with endurance exercise is dicey, but I think my kidneys are ok as long as I drink plenty. I never take more than 200mg. It seems to help a lot.
Eighth, after much self study and talking with docs, it became clear that my migraines were a result of inflammation. That might explain why you get them from running but not other forms of exercise – running long has been likened to an inflammation bomb. So, do what you can with diet and anti-inflammatories to minimize inflammation. I was once on Prednisone, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory, (for another unrelated problem) and it totally eliminated all headaches when I took at least 10mg a day (which is a small dose of Prednisone). Prednisone has so many nasty effects that I doubt any doc would prescribe it for a headache (I don’t think it has FDA approval for that purpose anyhow). But, it might be worth a mention to your doc.
Lastly, I find that 50 - 75mg of Sudafed (the old kind, pseudephedrine, not the new crap) right before exericse sometimes stopped the headaches. It might constitute doping, but whatever. It’s also dicey since it can make you a little foggy. But, it’s worth a try.
The best book on the subject is Heal Your Headache.
I have spent an immense amount of time and money dealing with this issue over the years and hope that that’s helpful. Happy to answer other questions.
i’ve been a lifelong migraineur and stumbled along with different efforts at remedy. in short, there isn’t one that works immediately and finally, so i’ve gone into the trade-off mode of thinking.
i’ve used zomig for the past 5 or 6 years, and it’s good for what it does, but i don’t take it nearly as often as you do. i think this might reflect my unwillingness to get to the admitting point of having a doozy headache again. that said, when i do take a pill, it usually (not always) will clear the decks for up to about 24 hours. then the migraine comes back and finishes itself off. and the nagovers are the same.
re competing, yes, i’ve used it then. i was plenty nervous about it the first time, wondering what the effects would be with my whole system going at an intense rate. the result was: didn’t notice anything. i’m pretty sure i was reduced to using one for an IM, too, with no adverse effects there, either.
as a side note, since doing triathlons (13 years) i’ve taken hydration to the migraine area, as well, suspecting that some were triggered by not enough juice in my body. i’ve had some deal of success at floating away a headache, but that’s anything but foolproof. it’s worth a try.
in all, i’d say that increased training has lowered my total amount of migraines over the years. it hasn’t stopped them or lowered their intensity, though.
hang in there…
peggy
Wow- thanks everyone for all the great feedback. (except for the “LL cooljay thing” never even thought about that! Their my initials!) Yeah I know 10 mg of Zomig seems like a lot to some-but maybe i have built up a tolerance I am not sure.(?) I start with 5 mg- 2.5 doesn’t help. As far as “triggers” go- it’s gotta be mainly hormonal as it centers around “that week” and secondly could be as “ike” mentioned poor mechanics when running. I too have heard that Predisone works great in breaking a cycle of headaches -never tried it. The rebound thing is true but what can you do? If i don’t take it, I can’t go to work and then can’t train at all so I feel like its somewhat of a vicious cycle…for controlling the hormonal levels, I have been told to take oral contraceptives with no break-meaning the “off” week doesn’t get used- when you come to that week skip it and start a new pack of pills. That could be worth trying as that “off” week is usually the worst week. Don’t think anything as far as food triggers them- except of course red wine, but i consider that a hangover issue. I avoid it. Water/hydration does seem to help a bit-I am trying to make sure I drink constantly during the day. I take 1600 mg ibuprofen a day as it is- a lot I know but all bloodwork looks ok…I am going to check into that book “Heal Your Headache”-thanks…
Thanks for the info- I have heard of Relpax and used it - I think 40 mg? dose- seemed to work well (just had samples) almost like the Zomig. I will investigate it more. thanks again.
Relpax can be effective for the HEADACHE portion of a migraine, but it will not abort the other symptoms. Head pain is the least of my migraine symptoms, that also include stomach, bladder, vision, hearing, balance, and mental problems.
Relpax works great on the head pain, for me, but its no good for migraines that last days or more. After its done its job, the rest of the migraine continues on.
Calcium channel blockers were my worst nightmare, training wise. They wouldn’t allow me to go over anything than purely aerobic efforts. Didn’t try Zomig but I know another triathlete who uses it with success.
Weirdest thing - I figured out my main trigger - calcium. No joke. Anything more than a slight amount of calcium in my diet and BAM, daily migraines. I was taking calcium supplements erratically throughout the last 15 years and never put 2 and 2 together. Ran out of my supplement one day, and BINGO, light went on. Haven’t had one in a long long time now. Dairy products also trigger them - calcium I guess.
If I forced myself onto my bike during a migraine I found that it would often go away. But the pounding from running made it out of the question.
Good luck with yours.
If I forced myself onto my bike during a migraine
how long would it take before they went away and what type of effort would you give? I can’t imagine that but if it made it go away it would be worth a try… I guess. I can’t even imagine it really, just thinking about that effort with a migraine makes me want to hurl.
They would generally abate within a half hour, and remain gone for several hours following the bike ride. Aerobic effort/normal group ride. As I said, head pain isn’t my worst symptom, but I give it a 5 out of 10 on the pain scale anyway. I suffer from horrible dizziness, balance issues, muscular weakness, bladder irritation, nausea, visual and audible hallucinations.
Before I discovered calcium as my main trigger, I would wake every morning with a visual aura - pinwheels in my field of vision. If it lasted more than 10 minutes I’d have a full blown migraine, if less, no other symptoms that day.
Some of my migraines lasted 2 or more weeks. Most would be of 36-48 hour duration.
Wow, I will stop feeling sorry for myself:) It is great you finally figured it out though.
One more thing I meant to add. You can find a lot of folks just like you (and me, and the others posting on this thread) at www.migrainpage.com . The discussion forum is full of understanding, helpful people.