Re: big headache problem - help

[Guest guest]

I don't know anything about migraines but my first thought when

someone says they're getting headaches is maybe you're not eating

enough.

But if they're pointing at tense muscles, I'm sure they know more

than me. But maybe you should try yoga or something before you drop

lifting altogether. Lifting, except for during the excercises,

shouldn't really tighten muscles. Maybe you just need to find some

good stretches to do before, during, and after. And a good yoga

class might work some of that out. If that does work, maybe lay off

chest and back for a while and see if that helps but not drop

everything altogether. Not quite yet.

>

> I have a big problem == or at least it seems big to me here at 5

in

> the morning. Ever since I started weight training I've been

getting

> migraine headaches. Not that I never got them before but I've

been

> getting them very regularly --like once a week and now it's up to

> twice a week.

> My doctor and masseuse do think it is related to lifting -- that

it's

> tightening up my muscles in my neck and shoulders and causing the

> headaches which are just where my head connects the top of my neck

in

> the back.

> The masseuse thinks that I should take some time off from lifting -

-

> he's even suggested that lifting is not the right thing for me to

be

> doing.

> BUT my trainer is totally bumming me out by telling me that if I

take

> time off I will lose all the hard work (and money!!) I've put

into

> all this.

> The headaches are awful. They consume my whole day on the days

that I

> have them.

> Two questions -- have you ever heard of this problem before? AND

what

> is a more moderate approach where I can take the time to heal the

> neck and shoulder tension and not become a weight training reject?

>

> Felicity

> felizatee@...

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I don't know how much help I'll be. I've never actually had a headache

except for rare instances of under-caffeination. I did find some stuff

though.

Check out this Q & A (2 pages):

http://www.sportsdoctor.com/articles/headaches.html

If your doctor and masseuse are on the right track, stretching and

strengthening your shoulders and neck should actually help. I used to

totally avoid things like shrugs but now I realize that neck and

shoulder exercises (trapezius) are critical to keeping my head from

bouncing around like a bobble-head during judo and boxing. Even doing

unsupported ab exercises help strengthen your neck. Like doing them

with your arms crossed on your chest instead of supporting your head.

Here's another one on exercise headaches:

http://www.active.com/story.cfm?story_id=12142 & category=running

Maybe somebody with firsthand experience could be more help.

> I have a big problem == or at least it seems big to me here at 5 in

> the morning. Ever since I started weight training I've been getting

> migraine headaches. Not that I never got them before but I've been

> getting them very regularly --like once a week and now it's up to

> twice a week.

> My doctor and masseuse do think it is related to lifting -- that it's

> tightening up my muscles in my neck and shoulders and causing the

> headaches which are just where my head connects the top of my neck in

> the back.

> The masseuse thinks that I should take some time off from lifting --

> he's even suggested that lifting is not the right thing for me to be

> doing.

> BUT my trainer is totally bumming me out by telling me that if I take

> time off I will lose all the hard work (and money!!) I've put into

> all this.

> The headaches are awful. They consume my whole day on the days that I

> have them.

> Two questions -- have you ever heard of this problem before? AND what

> is a more moderate approach where I can take the time to heal the

> neck and shoulder tension and not become a weight training reject?

>

> Felicity

> felizatee@...

[Guest guest]

> Ever since I started weight training I've been getting

> migraine headaches.

As a past migraine sufferer, with maybe like two a year now, I know

what you are going thru. BUT, I wouldnt look at the weight training,

which I think is probably just a coincidence to the increase in

migraines. Sure tension etc is not good, could be a 'trigger' but

probably not, as the cause of migraines which have more to do with

hormones, and food allergies. Migraines, as someone once told me, is

like the human body being out of balance and trying to flick itself

back into being as one. I would look at what you eat - any changes?

any additions? Drink enough water thru the day? sleep enough? Taking

birth control? Other meds? Start going thru EVERYthing else you have

been doing since the headaches have increased. There are MANY

ingredients in foods that trigger migraines and in herbal stuff too.

You may find your answer there instead of dropping the weights.

joni

-----------------------------------

*just another manic monday ..i wish it was sunday ...*

[Guest guest]

This is what I was going to say...

On 7/3/06 8:52 AM, " jgrrl2 " <no_reply > wrote:

>

>> > Ever since I started weight training I've been getting

>> > migraine headaches.

>

> As a past migraine sufferer, with maybe like two a year now, I know

> what you are going thru. BUT, I wouldnt look at the weight training,

> which I think is probably just a coincidence to the increase in

> migraines. Sure tension etc is not good, could be a 'trigger' but

> probably not, as the cause of migraines which have more to do with

> hormones, and food allergies. Migraines, as someone once told me, is

> like the human body being out of balance and trying to flick itself

> back into being as one. I would look at what you eat - any changes?

> any additions? Drink enough water thru the day? sleep enough? Taking

> birth control? Other meds? Start going thru EVERYthing else you have

> been doing since the headaches have increased. There are MANY

> ingredients in foods that trigger migraines and in herbal stuff too.

> You may find your answer there instead of dropping the weights.

>

> joni

>

> -----------------------------------

> *just another manic monday ..i wish it was sunday ...*

>

[Guest guest]

Hey I have hear that if you are getting headaches it may be from

being dehidrated. I know that is what they told me when I was

pregnant. Try drinking more water when one comes on. Goldie

>

> I have a big problem == or at least it seems big to me here at 5

in

> the morning. Ever since I started weight training I've been

getting

> migraine headaches. Not that I never got them before but I've been

> getting them very regularly --like once a week and now it's up to

> twice a week.

> My doctor and masseuse do think it is related to lifting -- that

it's

> tightening up my muscles in my neck and shoulders and causing the

> headaches which are just where my head connects the top of my neck

in

> the back.

> The masseuse thinks that I should take some time off from lifting --

> he's even suggested that lifting is not the right thing for me to

be

> doing.

> BUT my trainer is totally bumming me out by telling me that if I

take

> time off I will lose all the hard work (and money!!) I've put into

> all this.

> The headaches are awful. They consume my whole day on the days that

I

> have them.

> Two questions -- have you ever heard of this problem before? AND

what

> is a more moderate approach where I can take the time to heal the

> neck and shoulder tension and not become a weight training reject?

>

> Felicity

> felizatee@...

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I used to get terrible migraines from BC pills. I had forgotten

about it until the doc recently prescribed a higher does med. Man or

man... I remember when it first happened to me, back in the

80's. The doc said I was making it up, that BC pills don't cause migraines.

I hope you find out what is causing it. I've never gotten migraines

from working out.

Diane

[Guest guest]

I'm so sorry you're having the migraines, and there's no need to

minimize them. I haven't had headaches in years, and I don't think I

ever had a true migraine, but I remember how debilitating they were.

What does your research on the web tell you about exercise &

migraines?

It's probably easy to try a couple of non-exercise weeks and see if

the headaches continue. My inclination is to think that the headaches

are not caused by the exercise, but I can't imagine being able to

exercise while having a migraine....

n

> > Two questions -- have you ever heard of this problem before? AND

> whatis a more moderate approach where I can take the time to heal

the neck and shoulder tension and not become a weight training

reject?

> >

> > Felicity

> > felizatee@

[Guest guest]

RE: Migraines

I spoke to one of the BFL Finalists regarding migraines and she said

after her cardio workouts she would walk for 10-15 minutes. For some

reason, maybe your body slows down more gradually instead of working

at a very intense level and then suddenly stopping.

Just a thought. Hope it helps with the migraines.

>

> > > Two questions -- have you ever heard of this problem before?

AND

> > whatis a more moderate approach where I can take the time to

heal

> the neck and shoulder tension and not become a weight training

> reject?

> > >

> > > Felicity

> > > felizatee@

>

[Guest guest]

Felicity, are you sure that these are " migraine " headaches? I only ask

this because some people just call all headaches " migraines " even if

they really aren't; do you have the auras, the nausea, and all that

other stuff that classifies a headache as migraine?

I personally never get headaches unless I do something to my shoulder or

neck muscles, in which case building them up will definitely help you in

the long run.

Naomi

******

Felicity wrote:

>

> I have a big problem == or at least it seems big to me here at 5 in

> the morning. Ever since I started weight training I've been getting

> migraine headaches. Not that I never got them before but I've been

> getting them very regularly --like once a week and now it's up to

> twice a week.

> My doctor and masseuse do think it is related to lifting -- that it's

> tightening up my muscles in my neck and shoulders and causing the

> headaches which are just where my head connects the top of my neck in

> the back.

> The masseuse thinks that I should take some time off from lifting --

> he's even suggested that lifting is not the right thing for me to be

> doing.

> BUT my trainer is totally bumming me out by telling me that if I take

> time off I will lose all the hard work (and money!!) I've put into

> all this.

> The headaches are awful. They consume my whole day on the days that I

> have them.

> Two questions -- have you ever heard of this problem before? AND what

> is a more moderate approach where I can take the time to heal the

> neck and shoulder tension and not become a weight training reject?

>

> Felicity

> felizatee@... <mailto:felizatee%40verizon.net>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

DRAGONMAMMA

> Felicity, are you sure that these are " migraine " headaches? I only ask

> this because some people just call all headaches " migraines " even if

> they really aren't; do you have the auras, the nausea, and all that

> other stuff that classifies a headache as migraine?

I'm not totally sure. I get nausea and a kind of shaking-bad-tired-

over-all-yucky feeling with the headache. Before going to the doctor

I had decided they were migraines, just because it's such an overall

experience, not just the head hurting. but for some reason my doctor

wasn't sure. She said " any headache can give you nausea. " So.......I

don't know. If I had the auras that would be for sure then, but I don't.

>

> I personally never get headaches unless I do something to my

> shoulder or

> neck muscles, in which case building them up will definitely help

> you in

> the long run.

Thank you, you are the first one to know what I am talking about. I

have seen three masseuses -- all who think that the tightness I have

in my neck and shoulder are causing the headaches. And my doctor

thinks so.......And it did start getting much more frequent just when

I started the weight training.

When you see online that " exercise helps with headaches " they mean

cardio -- which yea, duh, that's good for feeling good overall. But

what do you do about a big tightness issue in your shoulders and neck

as far as lifting?

I'm inclined to agree that lifting and stretching should help in the

long run. But what about the short run?

One masseuse I went to -- the most expensive one who has movie star

clients -- says I shouldn't be lifting. He's a genius and he's very

eccentric, and isn't perfect at english (he's chinese) so I'm not

sure how much to believe him. (He like 'reads' me while he's working

me -- like " you are a good cook " -- now how did he know that? And

then says strange things like " don't tell you husband how much I am

hurting you " ) He's convinced that I should be doing NO training now

-- or maybe ever. " Maybe good for somebody, not for you. " I know

there are a lot of misconceptions about training and I know my

shoulder feels better that it did when I started three months ago.

thanks

felicity

>

> Naomi

> ******

>

> Felicity wrote:

>>

>> I have a big problem == or at least it seems big to me here at 5 in

>> the morning. Ever since I started weight training I've been getting

>> migraine headaches. Not that I never got them before but I've been

>> getting them very regularly --like once a week and now it's up to

>> twice a week.

>> My doctor and masseuse do think it is related to lifting -- that it's

>> tightening up my muscles in my neck and shoulders and causing the

>> headaches which are just where my head connects the top of my neck in

>> the back.

>> The masseuse thinks that I should take some time off from lifting --

>> he's even suggested that lifting is not the right thing for me to be

>> doing.

>> BUT my trainer is totally bumming me out by telling me that if I take

>> time off I will lose all the hard work (and money!!) I've put into

>> all this.

>> The headaches are awful. They consume my whole day on the days that I

>> have them.

>> Two questions -- have you ever heard of this problem before? AND what

>> is a more moderate approach where I can take the time to heal the

>> neck and shoulder tension and not become a weight training reject?

>>

>> Felicity

>> felizatee@... <mailto:felizatee%40verizon.net>

>>

>>

>>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In the short run, yes, I would say the workouts can definitely give you

a headache. Anytime I add a new exercise that works my shoulders or neck

a new way, I get very tight and get headaches for a couple of days. But

I just pop a couple of Advil and get my husband to give me a rub-down,

and I'm good to go in a couple of days.

The plus-side of this is that I never hurt myself by doing everyday

activities, which is what used to happen all the time before I started

working out 5 years ago. Used to be that I could incapacitate myself by

merely scrubbing the shower or reaching for stuff in the high kitchen

cupboards--how pitiful is that? That's the sort of thing that made me

realize if I didn't start working out, my quality of life would be all

down-hill from there.

You know that saying " no pain, no gain " ? Well, in my case at least, this

is one of those instances where it's true.

Naomi

******

>

> DRAGONMAMMA

>

> > Felicity, are you sure that these are " migraine " headaches? I only ask

> > this because some people just call all headaches " migraines " even if

> > they really aren't; do you have the auras, the nausea, and all that

> > other stuff that classifies a headache as migraine?

> I'm not totally sure. I get nausea and a kind of shaking-bad-tired-

> over-all-yucky feeling with the headache. Before going to the doctor

> I had decided they were migraines, just because it's such an overall

> experience, not just the head hurting. but for some reason my doctor

> wasn't sure. She said " any headache can give you nausea. " So.......I

> don't know. If I had the auras that would be for sure then, but I don't.

> >

> > I personally never get headaches unless I do something to my

> > shoulder or

> > neck muscles, in which case building them up will definitely help

> > you in

> > the long run.

> Thank you, you are the first one to know what I am talking about. I

> have seen three masseuses -- all who think that the tightness I have

> in my neck and shoulder are causing the headaches. And my doctor

> thinks so.......And it did start getting much more frequent just when

> I started the weight training.

>

> When you see online that " exercise helps with headaches " they mean

> cardio -- which yea, duh, that's good for feeling good overall. But

> what do you do about a big tightness issue in your shoulders and neck

> as far as lifting?

>

> I'm inclined to agree that lifting and stretching should help in the

> long run. But what about the short run?

>

> One masseuse I went to -- the most expensive one who has movie star

> clients -- says I shouldn't be lifting. He's a genius and he's very

> eccentric, and isn't perfect at english (he's chinese) so I'm not

> sure how much to believe him. (He like 'reads' me while he's working

> me -- like " you are a good cook " -- now how did he know that? And

> then says strange things like " don't tell you husband how much I am

> hurting you " ) He's convinced that I should be doing NO training now

> -- or maybe ever. " Maybe good for somebody, not for you. " I know

> there are a lot of misconceptions about training and I know my

> shoulder feels better that it did when I started three months ago.

> thanks

> felicity

>

> >

> > Naomi

> > ******

> >

> > Felicity wrote:

> >>

> >> I have a big problem == or at least it seems big to me here at 5 in

> >> the morning. Ever since I started weight training I've been getting

> >> migraine headaches. Not that I never got them before but I've been

> >> getting them very regularly --like once a week and now it's up to

> >> twice a week.

> >> My doctor and masseuse do think it is related to lifting -- that it's

> >> tightening up my muscles in my neck and shoulders and causing the

> >> headaches which are just where my head connects the top of my neck in

> >> the back.

> >> The masseuse thinks that I should take some time off from lifting --

> >> he's even suggested that lifting is not the right thing for me to be

> >> doing.

> >> BUT my trainer is totally bumming me out by telling me that if I take

> >> time off I will lose all the hard work (and money!!) I've put into

> >> all this.

> >> The headaches are awful. They consume my whole day on the days that I

> >> have them.

> >> Two questions -- have you ever heard of this problem before? AND what

> >> is a more moderate approach where I can take the time to heal the

> >> neck and shoulder tension and not become a weight training reject?

> >>

> >> Felicity

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Are you sure you are breathing while lifting? Very important.

Holding your breath can increase your blood pressure, which in turn

can lead to a migrane (at least in my sister it does.)

Others have suggested you look at your diet, and I have to agree

with that too. You most likely have changed your food choices when

you started BFL and my be inadvertently eating something that keys

off your migranes. As you can tell from the posts this is pretty

individual, so you'll have to really think about what it might be.

My sister uses cafeen to stop a migrane, are you having any before

you lift? It is a vasle-dialator, so it might help.

I am not agreeing with your doctor that you should stop lifting; I

know that my neck and shoulders stay tight weather I lift or not.

The tightness has more to do with stretching and stress levels than

strength of the muscles.

I think, in your place, I would try stretching, before, during and

after the weight work outs, as well as every AM and PM. Be gentle

and don't force anything.

Has any of the suggestions sounded right to you? Let us know what

you try and how it works.

Barbara

[Guest guest]

I really appreciate everyone's input on this subject. Very much.

I haven't answered much because I'm just letting all these opinions

wash over me and see what sticks.

>

> Others have suggested you look at your diet, and I have to agree

> with that too. You most likely have changed your food choices when

> you started BFL and my be inadvertently eating something that keys

> off your migranes.

Food is the first place I looked and tweaked and recorded and played

around with this a lot -- with no results. The neck/shoulders are my

next/newest avenue. If this doesn't work I think a detox might be my

next try.

Today I have a headache, but it's not as bad, which thrills me,

because i might be making an impact. I have the head pain, but none

of the accompanying nausea and shakiness.

> As you can tell from the posts this is pretty

> individual, so you'll have to really think about what it might be.

> My sister uses cafeen to stop a migrane, are you having any before

> you lift? It is a vasle-dialator, so it might help.

Yes I've tried the caffeine.

>

> I am not agreeing with your doctor that you should stop lifting; I

> know that my neck and shoulders stay tight weather I lift or not.

> The tightness has more to do with stretching and stress levels than

> strength of the muscles.

I agree that in the long run, I must continue to lift and stretch and

work on not hold tension in my shoulders. In the short run, I am

taking a break from the lifting.

I haven't mentioned that my husband is having brain surgery tomorrow.

That might be part of the tension and part of why I'm taking a break.

But I was having the headaches way before this whole brain thing came

up. The brain surgery (hopefully) is not a serious as it sounds. He's

supposed to be up and around in a few days and recovered entirely in

a few weeks. (He has a clog in the valve which carries brain fluid

out of his brain and supposedly this is a " beautiful surgery')

Thanks to everyone who has responded to this question

felicity

[Guest guest]

Felicity,

Best wishes to your husband for his surgery and a speedy recovery.

About the migraines;

I like to refer to the book, Prescription for Nutritional Healing, by

Balch. Her section on migraines is very thorough, with lots of

suggestions...

Here's just a part of it;

" Any number of things can trigger a migraine in a susceptible

individual, including allergies, constipation, stress, liver

malfunction, too much or too little sleep, emothional changes,

hormonal changes, sun glare, flashing lights, lack of exercise

((obviously not you ))and changes in barometric pressure. Dental

problems may also be a factor. Low blood sugar is frequently

associated with migraine; studies have shown that blood sugar levels

are low during a migraine attack, and the lower the blood sugar level,

the more severe the headache.... "

Under her list of VERY IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS...

" Calcium

magnesium

Coenzyme Q 10

Dimethylglycine

Essential fatty acid complex or primrose oil

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)

Multivitamin and mineral formula

Rutin (I hadn't heard of this...200mg daily to clear toxic metals)

Vitamin B complex

Vitamin C with bioflavonoids (buffered or esterified form)

3,000-6,000mg daily

RECOMMENDED DIET...

-low in simple carbohydrates and high in protein (Hey, BFL)

-Include almonds, almond milk, watercress, parsley, fennel, garlic,

cherries, and fresh pineapple

-Use lecithin...3-6 of the 1,2000mg capsules when the headache is

first coming for relief

-omit foods that contain the amino acid tyramine, including aged

meats, avocados, bananas, beer, cabbage, canned fish, dairy products,

eggplant, hard cheeses, potatoes, raspberries, red plums, tomatoes,

wine, yeast, all alcoholic beverages, aspirin, chocolate, MSG,

nitrites (found in hot dogs and lunch meats), salt, fried foods.

-acupuncture and acupressure have helped many people control the pain

of migraines (self-help acupressure books and videos are available at

library)

Oops, she says to call a doctor if you have a headache that is

triggered by, accompanied by , or linked to ...

exertion, bending, or coughing.

vomiting

dizziness

numbness

tingling

or distorted vision

I trust you will find some relief soon.

M.

[Guest guest]

>

Thank you

> I like to refer to the book, Prescription for Nutritional Healing, by

> Balch. Her section on migraines is very thorough, with lots of

> suggestions...

I requested your suggested book from the library.

Felicity

[Guest guest]

wow Felicity...i hope your husbands surgery went well?

With all that stress, I am begging you to treat

yourself to a massage!

--

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks

just back from the hospital now and everything's great

i've had bunches of massages in the past two weeks:)

thanks

felicity

> wow Felicity...i hope your husbands surgery went well?

> With all that stress, I am begging you to treat

> yourself to a massage!

>

> --

>

> _