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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Exercise/Exertion Headache
        
(Message started by: seasonalboomer on Oct 14^th, 2007, 10:40pm)

Title: Exercise/Exertion Headache
Post by seasonalboomer on Oct 14^th, 2007, 10:40pm

After my latest CH cycle completed in August I've continued to get headaches when I exert (mostly running) for greater periods than 35 minutes. Running (and getting overheated) is a trigger for me when in cycle as well.

The headaches I'm getting are not CH-classic symptoms but they are relatively short (30 min to 2 hours). They're really starting to piss me off as I'm starting to feel as though I am just a complete wuss and that the least head pain leads me into a despair filled "WTF and Why-me-fest". I'm really kind of freaked about them as I really do feel like I have no tolerance for headache pain of any type anymore.

I can tell when I'm going to get one ahead of time. I start to "feel" each bead of sweat that rolls down my face, if I'm unshaven my face almost itches, all my facial nerves are sensitive as even wiping my face with a cloth feels like I'm scraping my face.

Then it hits. Unlike CH, it does feel better to lie down - and even try to sleep....
But I can't really just try to live through it and go on with my day at its onset. I've got to step aside and lie down until it goes away. O2 hasn't been altogether successful with them. The pain is not so "behind-the-eye" centered as CH is but just up a little up from where the CH would be hurting.

I've looked at "exertional headache" and some of it applies. I almost feel as though I start to panic and it drives it to its maximum.

Am I goin' goofy?

Scot

Title: Re: Exercise/Exertion Headache
Post by nani on Oct 15^th, 2007, 12:58am

on 10/14/07 at 22:40:00, seasonalboomer wrote:

Am I goin' goofy?

Is it possible to go where you already are? ;;D

Exercise/exertion can trigger clusters or cause other nasty headaches for me, Scott. Which, unfortunately, gives me a half-assed excuse to keep my fat ass on the couch, LOL.

This has got to suck for you, since I know how much you love running. I wish I had more info to offer...

hugs, nani

/spelling

Title: Re: Exercise/Exertion Headache
Post by seasonalboomer on Oct 15^th, 2007, 7:33am

on 10/15/07 at 00:58:48, nani wrote:

Is it possible to go where you already are? ;;D

/spelling

Thank you Nani. You're right!

The "goin' goofy" ship left the harbor a long time ago....
Now it's trying to retain what little sense of control I've fooled myself into thinking I have over this vessel.

Scott

Title: Re: Exercise/Exertion Headache
Post by Bob_Johnson on Oct 15^th, 2007, 7:49am

It must be one or two years ago that I posted a medical journal abstract confirming your experience: for a small group, elevated body heat triggers an attack.

It's infrequent but your experience is a regular topic here.

I hope that you can appreciate that your upset and self-criticism is not useful. While you explore some preventive med to use, start to alter this response to your benefit.

Title: Re: Exercise/Exertion Headache
Post by DennisM1045 on Oct 15^th, 2007, 8:23am

Hi Scott,

I get exactly the same thing at times. Especially after attending a heated yoga practice which I do at least once a week. It doesn't stop me from practicing though ;;D It seems to happen more often within a month or two of the start or end of a cycle. I can't go near a heated class when I'm in a cycle and switch to the cooler classes instead.

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Exercise/Exertion Headache
Post by CostaRicaKris on Oct 15^th, 2007, 3:16pm

Hey Scot,

As if CH alone wasn't enough...
I know you and I have already talked about this in PM, but to keep the conversation going for others, here's my experience with exercise and headaches. A run of 5 or 6 miles (50 minutes or more) will trigger an attack when I'm in cycle. But, when I'm not I don't have any problems with exercise and headaches. I'm really sorry that you do. I LOVE running too, so I understand how crummy that must be.

Do these headaches start after your run or during?

BTW Topamax makes me feel like I'm running through mud - or maybe it's just in comparison to how great I ran on the Prednisone.

~Kris

Title: Re: Exercise/Exertion Headache
Post by seasonalboomer on Oct 15^th, 2007, 3:23pm

on 10/15/07 at 15:16:46, CostaRicaKris wrote:

They come after, if I run 5-6 miles, or they come on at about the 7 or 8 mile point in longer run.

Scott

Title: Re: Exercise/Exertion Headache
Post by swimchica623 on Oct 17^th, 2007, 11:18am

I get that too....but I think I might have gotten that before CH days too. I might get them a little more frequently than before though. I think they are due to dehydration and I get dehydrated when I get lots of hits. So I would try drinking lots of water and maybe see if that helps?
Lisa

edit: partially due to dehyration. I think there are other factors too...like I've noticed getting hot and force (like with swimming that would be not hitting a turn right and sorta jolting myslef around a bit) add to it too. But being well hydrated certainly helps a lot.

Title: Re: Exercise/Exertion Headache
Post by seasonalboomer on Oct 22^nd, 2007, 10:18am

crap --- looks like it's a little "bonus" cycle. Got hit this weekend and there was no question this time. Not just CH'like symptoms, but the real deal and quickly dispensed with Imitrex inject.

So, at least I'm not going goofy.

Scott

Title: Re: Exercise/Exertion Headache
Post by luveemom on Oct 25^th, 2007, 1:16pm

This has never happened to me before, but just took the baby out for a walk with the stroller yesterday and it had been about and hour, when I got hit hard with a kip10.......It blew me away and I just kept walking as I was a good five minutes from home or longer depending on how quick you walk.......Now I am a little scared to do that again, and it was really nice we both were enjoying it so much :'(

alicia

Title: Re: Exercise/Exertion Headache
Post by DennisM1045 on Oct 25^th, 2007, 3:16pm

Hey Alicia,

I hear you. I don't stop living because of CH. But to do that you have to be prepared to do battle on the road. I'm never very far from my O2. I keep a bottle in the car and one at work. I also carry around a backpack that has an energy drink and an Imitrex auto-injector kit with me at all times. It would be better to sit on someone's lawn and take an injection that to end up flopping around in their driveway. 10 Minutes later you and the baby can make your way home - safely!

Take care...

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Exercise/Exertion Headache
Post by SchwarzenSchafe on Dec 11^th, 2007, 3:58am

Sorry if I'm bringing back a dead thread (only from page 3), but this issue is a major one for me. Excercise is my biggest trigger, heat less so. A long sauna can be a trigger though.

I've found anaerobic exercise is worse, for me that's high intensity weight lifting. Running and cardio exercise will do it as well but takes more of it. As little as a 5 minute run, or a couple sets of pushups can trigger a headache. They show up 1-6 hours afterwards. When the exercise is followed by a period of inactivity, such as sitting at a computer, the chances of getting hit are higher. I say "chances", but really when I'm in cycle it's not chance, I exercise and I get hit, every time. Even in times, like now, when I consider myself out of cycle, pain free, I can still trigger small headaches fairly easily with exercise.

I'm trying to build up a "tolerance" but I don't know if that's wishful thinking.

Title: Re: Exercise/Exertion Headache
Post by seasonalboomer on Dec 12^th, 2007, 2:32pm

on 12/11/07 at 03:58:21, SchwarzenSchafe wrote:

Do you use O2 for your CH? The reason I ask is that I have been able to avert hits when I just start getting "that feeling" after exercise and go straight to the tank. There's got to be an O2 management issue tied to this in our systems that makes this happen. Like you, mine isn't specifically heat related although, when in cycle, heat and exercise are like a one way ticket on the Cluster Highway.

Scott

Title: Re: Exercise/Exertion Headache
Post by SchwarzenSchafe on Dec 13^th, 2007, 4:06pm

For me o2 helps, but they usually come back several times. It prevents head-splitting pain but it still ruins my day and can last 6-8 hours of going away, coming back, going away, etc. I don't know if this would be the case right now because I'm scared to try.

I have considered what you're talking about though, and I'd already be doing it if I weren't scared it would cause a cycle.