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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Exercise..Cardio or Weights??
        
(Message started by: annar on Nov 8^th, 2007, 7:18pm)

Title: Exercise..Cardio or Weights??
Post by annar on Nov 8^th, 2007, 7:18pm

I usually prefer to work out with weights but have been avoiding them since I have been in my cycle. I tried a couple of times. Later that night, when i got hit pretty hard, I, of course, blamed it on the weights, but it could have been anything.

I've done the cardio thing in the day too and have been hit at night.

So....Question. What is everyones experience with exercise? Specifically weights versus cardio.

Generally, I would think that cardio would be a great way to keep the body in shape and lessen the hits. And I would think the weights might possibly strain the body , especially the neck area. I would really lik to get out there and relieve some stress with the weights. Any advice?

Reg ;)

Title: Re: Exercise..Cardio or Weights??
Post by annar on Nov 8^th, 2007, 8:15pm

I hope this question doesn't seem off topic. Exercise is an important part of this equation (keeping the hits off). I believe it can and does help but am just hesitant with the weights. I do know that more muscle burns more fat which in turn will keep the metabolism higher. You'll be burning more calories throughout the day. You'll feel better, be less stressed etc.

Title: Re: Exercise..Cardio or Weights??
Post by billyjoe on Nov 8^th, 2007, 9:08pm

I can't tell any difference as a preventative. However, during a hit or shadows, cardio helps me a lot!

Title: Re: Exercise..Cardio or Weights??
Post by DennisM1045 on Nov 9^th, 2007, 12:08pm

Staying in shape when I'm in cycle just doesn't work. Whenever I workout I get hit later on. That doesn't stop me though.

For the last 14 months I've been practicing Yoga instead of cardio or weights which used to be my routine exercise. Anyway, some of the classes are heated - 90-100 degress F. I can't take these classes at all when I'm in cycle or I get hit bad right then and there.

With my cycle ending now I'm hoping to get back to the heated classes again.

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Exercise..Cardio or Weights??
Post by slacker032 on Nov 9^th, 2007, 2:44pm

I usually lay off the weights when I'm in cycle since the neck strain does seem to be a trigger for me. I should be doing more cardio though.

Title: Re: Exercise..Cardio or Weights??
Post by Bob_Johnson on Nov 9^th, 2007, 3:46pm

I'm going to guess that your question takes us back to earlier discussions about how an increase in body temperature may trigger an attack.

A medical report confirms this is not uncommon and several of us have reported experience of exercise or working on a hot day in the yard, etc. lead to an attack.

So, the form of exercise may not be the trigger but activity which increase body temp.

Title: Re: Exercise..Cardio or Weights??
Post by annar on Nov 10^th, 2007, 12:25am

Thanks for the responses.

I have noticed that when i hit the weights and do some heavy cardio i usually get heavier and more hits at night, so they are most likely not a preventative. It's always hard to tell when I'm in the middle of a cycle. That's why I asked. I was hoping that at least doing cardio could be a preventative.

I know cardio can be helpful during a hit but I have yet to try it.

For know I will stick to walking my dogs everyday for 2 miles. It doesn't get me too worked up and I feel like I'm getting some exercise.

Title: Re: Exercise..Cardio or Weights??
Post by vig on Nov 10^th, 2007, 6:48pm

I vote cardio.

be careful, but you can channel your healthy energies into workouts.

I think it makes it easier to survive an episode.
I'll let you know when I'm done as to how well it actually went, but I think it's the way to go.

Title: Re: Exercise..Cardio or Weights??
Post by annar on Nov 12^th, 2007, 12:05pm

Thanks. Ive decided to lay off the weights until the cycle is over. I haven't been working out and have been hit once nightly. O2 has taking care of all the hits. As long as I can keep away from the Imitrex, im OK.
reg

Title: Re: Exercise..Cardio or Weights??
Post by Beastfodder on Nov 12^th, 2007, 5:06pm

Recommend cardio as rules to live by.

For the first time in ages I'm half marathon fit and for the first time in ages haven't had an Autumn hit - tho' clusterbusters might have more to do with that.

Mind you last time I was getting hit I started using the O2 cylinder to exercise the side getting hit. Somehow that combined with thought of getting the blood flow livened up and away from the head helped a lot, certainly took the mind off things.

Title: Re: Exercise..Cardio or Weights??
Post by CostaRicaKris on Nov 12^th, 2007, 9:25pm

I usually run 20-25 miles a week and lift three times a week. I haven't noticed lifting affecting my CH, but running will make shadows go away - it will also trigger a hit depending on where I am in a cycle. But I'm such an exercise junkie I try to stick to my schedule as much as I can despite the HA. It's usually the sleepless nights that cause me to miss a workout or two.

Title: Re: Exercise..Cardio or Weights??
Post by seasonalboomer on Nov 12^th, 2007, 10:02pm

Cardio is a pretty consistent trigger for me. When I say "trigger" I'm meaning that I do the cardio (running for me) and I get hit after 45 minutes of it. I probably wouldn't even draw the line between the two if I got hit that night. Personally I can't stop running during cycle but it does affect my training some. It's tough to motivate when you know the odds are pretty good you're going to get hit afterwards. But, I can get through a hit with O2 most of the time in a few minutes. But, I can't shake the overall crappy feel of letting my conditioning go....

Scott

Title: Re: Exercise..Cardio or Weights??
Post by constant_pain on Nov 21^st, 2007, 4:41pm

wow how bout that.

i've found excercise to be a cause and remedy of my headaches.

much like some have described i get hit after i run or excert myself around 20-40min after.

weird part is if i have a headache running or being active helps get rid of it.

odd stuff...

Title: Re: Exercise..Cardio or Weights??
Post by swimchica623 on Nov 22^nd, 2007, 10:59am

As far as staying in good shape when you are feeling fine, any trainer will tell you that you should have a mix of cardio and lifting...each affects your body differently so you need to do both to reduce body fat and build muscle.
As far as which triggers more, I think for me thats tough to say because the time of day determines that for me...I swim competitively and so we would always lift really early in the morning when it was still night time practically and I think I was still in that night prone to getting hit time. I got hit a few times during our lift time or right after, but some times I would get hit right before too..so I think it may have been more the time. But since I swim, my body was also warmer during this exercise than it nomrally was, and the strian was differnet, so according to the answers here maybe the lifting did have something to do with it, not just the crazy early hours of the morning. We did have early morning swims too and I didn't have the same pattern with hits then.
As far as swimming goes, I have never gotten hit while swimming, but hits seem to come after swimming when I wasn't swimming as consistantly during an off time. We go for long walks too and I've actually gotten a few shadows during the walks.
I think body temperature during your workout can affect hits...maybe try swimming? ;) My body stays cooler so I think that's why I'm okay. I've also noticed that when I get really hot during a workout I don't have a hit or even a shadow but I notice weird feelings around my eye that gets hit. I wonder if thats from a little o2 deprivation too maybe.
Guiseppi didn't say this (unless I skimmd over it) but we've talked before about how he's never gotten hit while surfing...I do a lot of open water swimming and that makes my mom nervous when I'm going through a period when I get lots of hits (I'm chronic) and that calms her down....so far I've been fine in the ocean!
Sorry this is a little long and disjointed...my mind's on vacation for Thanksgiving!!
Lisa