Migraines after practice

RE: Migraines after practice

jim thornton — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 10:27:19 GMT

For domestic tranquility I toss my old issues. Is there a way to get this on-line? I went to back issues, but nothing related is clickable. Karl, you can go to your My USMS page, click on read Swimmer Magazine, which takes you to another page where you can select the year (in this case 2016) and the edition (Jan-Feb) and it will open up the whole issue in digital form.

RE: Migraines after practice

Former Member — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 12:28:50 GMT

Hello there, I have found this thread after some research on migraines after swimming. I have now been swimming for 22 years and had migraines for 22 years. Not until 3 months ago did I stop for a longer period (2 months) because of bronchitis. My migraines have stopped and gone away. What a miracle, but how sad that I don't see myself able to swim again. For now I am so relieved to have finally found a reason for my migraines. I have been to see doctors and neurologist over the years, and no one has ever mentioned swimming could be a reason. I do remember once in 1998 I thought about swimming and stopped for 2-3 days, but I still got migraines. Now I am thinking that it was too short, that it must be seen over a longer period. I have never been able to link one migraine to a swim session, I think it is more of a long-term thing. I have been on preventative medicine for the last 3-4 years (Sandomigram) but am now stepping down and hope to be finally and completely rid of midicine. Let's see. I read this thread with interest but am not brave enough to keep swimming until I have managed to drop all medicine, at least. Maybe I will never swim again. I read on another thread (triathlon forum) that a person had tried salt water for swimming and also there got migraines - so maybe it is not the chlorine, which I thought first it would be. Any comments would be greatly appreciated, would love to hear how it is going others with same problem. Cheers

RE: Migraines after practice

Karl_S — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 09:26:29 GMT

...I wrote about this for Swimmer in the Jan-Feb 2016 issue. ... For domestic tranquility I toss my old issues. Is there a way to get this on-line? I went to back issues, but nothing related is clickable.

RE: Migraines after practice

jim thornton — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 11:41:19 GMT

I apologize if someone has already mentioned this, but exercise headaches respond to a specific type of NSAID known as indomethacin. I wrote about this for Swimmer in the Jan-Feb 2016 issue. Here is the relevant excerpt: Researchers have learned that neurotransmitters like serotonin and nitric oxide play critical roles in this process. For PEH and closely related headaches, the role of nitric oxide here was discovered serendipitously thanks to the unique efficacy of one medication: indomethacin. Indomethacin is a member of the NSAID family, a broad drug class that includes over-the-counter pain killers like ibuprofen and naproxen. Like its more famous chemical relatives, indomethacin reduces inflammation and dampens the discomforts of everything from arthritis to dental pain. But indomethacin has an additional effect, one the others lack. It quickly stops the pain of primary exercise headache, cough headache, and sex headache alike. This effect is so specific, in fact, that headache specialists refer to these conditions as indomethacin-responsive headaches. But why does this one NSAID work so well when all the others don’t? That’s when researchers discovered that indomethacin impacts a specific target the others fail to hit: an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase. How this, in turn, turns off a sufferer’s pain is still far from fully elucidated. The good news, though, is that it works well in a high percentage of cases. NOTE: you will need to get a prescription for indomethacin--not available over the counter.

RE: Migraines after practice

knelson — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 12:05:07 GMT

Hello there folks. I simply needed to inquire as to whether any of you had a go at utilizing restorative weed for headache? I have not, but I'd say give it a try. Go to a good pot shop and ask them for their recommendations.

RE: Migraines after practice

Former Member — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 10:33:47 GMT

Hello there folks. I simply needed to inquire as to whether any of you had a go at utilizing restorative weed for headache? I've been languishing serious headache over very nearly a year now and been given a solution for pills for my prescription. In any case, I heard alot of individuals disclosing to me that weed soothes headache however im not im not certain if its actual so I came up to look something about this thought and ran over this maryjane strain from www.bonzaseeds.com/.../ it says that I can dispose of all types of stress and its euphoric buzz it conveys frequently is helpful in battling headache. I needed to hear your musings about this folks and on the off chance that you can give me any tips that can help me with my headache. Much obliged to you!

RE: Migraines after practice

swimshark — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 09:30:52 GMT

That's awesome. How are things going now? FYI, not sure if you already mentioned this or if anyone else did already, but I came across an article that talked about the importance of gradual warm ups in folks who are sensitive to exertional headaches. Just something to keep in mind that might also help- Thanks for asking. I did 3 intense 2 hour work outs last week and no major problems. I've added in eating a banana on the way home which I think has helped. This week I'm in Oregon swimming with my former masters team which isn't as intense and the headaches have been okay.

RE: Migraines after practice

Former Member — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 15:50:42 GMT

Anyone use marijuana to treat help migraines (that wants to admit to it, anyway)? Like I said, my migraines stopped in my teens.... I haven't myself read of marijuana being used medically to treat migraines, but it seems perfectly plausible. Is there any evidence out there? I would speculate that if you became a complete high-on you would never have another migraine. It might hurt your swimming career though. Incidentally, I guess the other major change to my lifestyle was that I had given up swimming in my teens so maybe swimming really does cause migraines for some?

RE: Migraines after practice

tpost2 — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 09:47:37 GMT

I have good news to report so far. Summer practices started on Monday. They are 2 hours in LC. I have been taking precautions like NSAIDs and making sure I keep hydrated. On the way home I eat a banana as well. So far, no migraines after 2 very intense practices. I hope this keeps up and thank you all for the advice/help. That's awesome. How are things going now? FYI, not sure if you already mentioned this or if anyone else did already, but I came across an article that talked about the importance of gradual warm ups in folks who are sensitive to exertional headaches. Just something to keep in mind that might also help-

RE: Migraines after practice

tpost2 — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 09:38:23 GMT

noticed another odd symptom: a change in the scent of your sweat? My mother pointed out she could often tell when I was going to have a migraine because I started to smell a little different. Wow. My work brings me into contact with A LOT of migraineurs, but I have never heard of this. Folks with olfactory auras, yes, osmophobia, yes, body odor as trigger, yes.... but I've never heard of a migraineur whose family members noticed an actual change in the odor of the migraineur. Very very interesting. Has this always been the case? Maybe an autonomic response to migraine causing more perspiration than normal?

RE: Migraines after practice

knelson — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 11:45:32 GMT

Kirk, do you have a "friend" that is asking this question, or.... :bolt: They were talking about medical marijuana on a radio show I listen to this morning. These pot dispensaries are all over Seattle now. It seems to work very well for treating pain and I'd certainly give it a try if I had the need!

RE: Migraines after practice

jaadams1 — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 10:19:48 GMT

Anyone use marijuana to treat help migraines (that wants to admit to it, anyway)? Kirk, do you have a "friend" that is asking this question, or.... :bolt:

RE: Migraines after practice

knelson — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 10:01:11 GMT

Anyone use marijuana to treat help migraines (that wants to admit to it, anyway)?

RE: Migraines after practice

swimshark — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 08:52:50 GMT

RE: Migraines after practice

jim thornton — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 11:53:46 GMT

Have any of you with classic migraine symptoms--aura which lasts for a while, then disappears, issuing into the pain phase (usually on one side of the head), which eventually gives way to the nausea and vomiting phase--noticed another odd symptom: a change in the scent of your sweat? My mother pointed out she could often tell when I was going to have a migraine because I started to smell a little different. I am terrible at describing smells, but it's a noticeable change--more pungent in the arm pits, but not like the stench you get from using the same gym shirt for a couple weeks without washing it. It's a unique smell, almost a tad skunky. Anyhow, just wondering if that is something any of you have experienced. For any of you interested in another migraineur's experience, I wrote a vlog about my last attack (they've become mercifully rare in my dotage, perhaps due to hardening of the arteries according to one headache doctor I interviewed a few years back.) You can check it out here: forums.usms.org/blog.php

RE: Migraines after practice

Former Member — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:09:09 GMT

I said it was my opinion. I mean no offense. I just don't give much credence to meds anymore. Have a great rest of the week TPost2

RE: Migraines after practice

tpost2 — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 08:08:19 GMT

I said it was my opinion. I mean no offense. I just don't give much credence to meds anymore. Have a great rest of the week TPost2 None taken at all! Thanks - and happy swims to you :)

RE: Migraines after practice

Former Member — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:23:10 GMT

Seriously folks, these meds address the symptoms. Check out the root cause. I have no more issues with headaches once I got my genes tested and addressed the issue with supplementation. With this new frontier you owe it to yourself to get your genes tested and to go get a good analysis of them. Headaches were an early sign for me of a bigger issue. My body was telling me that there was something off. I was foggy, out of it for the most part, and just started forgetting things that I should not have at my age. It was so depressing that by chance I got my genes tested due to the recommendation of a nutritionist and now I'm feeling incredible. You can get your genes tested through www.23andme.com. It's cheap and easy. Lot's of good info. But to go further you need a professional set of eyes who can look for SNPs and markers that are related to headaches. This can be fixed without lining the pockets of the drug companies. Just my .02 and I mean no offense to anyone who loves drugs.

RE: Migraines after practice

swimshark — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 10:35:55 GMT

Hi there - Axert is in the same class of meds as Imitrex and Relpax. I personally like it a lot better than Imitrex which also knocked me out too much. I find Axert much less sedating and it worked better than Relpax for me. When my migraines were much more frequent, I was on Topamax for a while. Worked well at first but the side effects were too much (typical - foggy brain, hand tingling... the weight loss was nice :)... but mostly the difficulty word finding was the biggest problem) Anyway, how did your practice go this morning? I'll ask about Axert. Thanks. I had similar experiences with Imitrex and Relpax as well as Topomax as you. No swim today. I was out late at a meeting last night. I'll be back in tomorrow morning and off Friday as I'm going to the Neil Diamond concert tomorrow night. Time to :banana:

RE: Migraines after practice

tpost2 — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 09:33:19 GMT

Seriously folks, these meds address the symptoms. Check out the root cause. ??... I'm guessing you didn't read the thread because that's where it started.... headache logs, etc... but if you did, I didn't realize we had to limit the discussion :) If it were only so easy... but truth is that root causes cannot always be discovered, and even if some triggers or causes are identified, they can't always be avoided. Glad you were able to find your solution and that it was so easily treated. lining the pockets of the pharmaceutical companies... heh, heh... Thanks for the chuckle - are genetics labs are that much different? :)

RE: Migraines after practice

tpost2 — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 08:46:17 GMT

Now I understand. Thanks. I've had Imitrex (knocked me out too much and roo painful) and Relpax (worked so-so). I have never heard of Axert. What is it? Hi there - Axert is in the same class of meds as Imitrex and Relpax. I personally like it a lot better than Imitrex which also knocked me out too much. I find Axert much less sedating and it worked better than Relpax for me. When my migraines were much more frequent, I was on Topamax for a while. Worked well at first but the side effects were too much (typical - foggy brain, hand tingling... the weight loss was nice :)... but mostly the difficulty word finding was the biggest problem) Anyway, how did your practice go this morning?

RE: Migraines after practice

tpost2 — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 08:12:54 GMT

I agree. Migraines suck! What are abortives? Sat I did my first 2 hour practice in weeks. I took 2 NSAIDs before, drank a lot before and rested half way through the workout. The headache wasn't as intense as in the past but I still got one. Still a work in progress to cure. Abortives describe medications that are used as needed to abort the problem once it starts. So for migraines, typical abortive meds are in the triptan class (e.g. Axert, Imitrex, Zomig, Relpax, Frova, etc.) but other prescription or OTC meds can be used, too, like NSAIDs. Axert and benadryl work well for me (in combination with sleep, usually). Preventives are usually prescibed meds that one would take daily to prevent the migraine from ever starting. Typically these are prescribed if you have more than 4 or so per month. The things your trying (e.g. NSAIDs before a headache, resting, drinking water) are preventive efforts. I'm glad that you're trying some things that seem to help, but sorry this one didn't seem to be the whole answer for you. Keep trying!

RE: Migraines after practice

swimshark — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 06:57:34 GMT

Interesting - almost sounds like a hemiplegic migraine. I get them too, but more classic - typical prodromal fuzzy headedness, visual aura (fortification), light sensitivity, nausea, and then the pain.... I was getting them more frequently before I started swimming regularly, but occasionally a workout will trigger them. :( I just use abortives since I don't get them enough to warrant prophylactic meds. But they can still take me out for a couple of days. The best feeling is when one finally breaks. Ahhhhhh... Bottom line, migraines suck. - I agree. Migraines suck! What are abortives? Sat I did my first 2 hour practice in weeks. I took 2 NSAIDs before, drank a lot before and rested half way through the workout. The headache wasn't as intense as in the past but I still got one. Still a work in progress to cure.

RE: Migraines after practice

swimshark — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 01:10:09 GMT

Abortives describe medications that are used as needed to abort the problem once it starts. So for migraines, typical abortive meds are in the triptan class (e.g. Axert, Imitrex, Zomig, Relpax, Frova, etc.) but other prescription or OTC meds can be used, too, like NSAIDs. Axert and benadryl work well for me (in combination with sleep, usually). Preventives are usually prescibed meds that one would take daily to prevent the migraine from ever starting. Typically these are prescribed if you have more than 4 or so per month. The things your trying (e.g. NSAIDs before a headache, resting, drinking water) are preventive efforts. I'm glad that you're trying some things that seem to help, but sorry this one didn't seem to be the whole answer for you. Keep trying! Now I understand. Thanks. I've had Imitrex (knocked me out too much and roo painful) and Relpax (worked so-so). I have never heard of Axert. What is it? And I've done Topomax. It didn't help and the side effects weren't worth it. I'm going to keep trying. Next Monday we start our 2 hour summer practices. I go M, W and F for 2 hours but in a better pool. We'll see how it goes.

RE: Migraines after practice

tpost2 — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 08:21:41 GMT

The headache wouldn't be bad, it's the aura, confusion, tingling in fingertips, lips, etc that I dread. It is like having a stroke. . Interesting - almost sounds like a hemiplegic migraine. I get them too, but more classic - typical prodromal fuzzy headedness, visual aura (fortification), light sensitivity, nausea, and then the pain.... I was getting them more frequently before I started swimming regularly, but occasionally a workout will trigger them. :( I just use abortives since I don't get them enough to warrant prophylactic meds. But they can still take me out for a couple of days. The best feeling is when one finally breaks. Ahhhhhh... Bottom line, migraines suck. I agree with whoever suggested keeping a migraine diary. There are so many possible triggers that keeping a log might be a good way of identifying a few likely culprits, and once those are identified, a good way to see which are the best to avoid (by themselves or in combination) -