Migraine and Gym Workouts
Hello, I have been experiencing aura migraines since my childhood. Recently, I have discovered another trigger for my headaches, which is gym workouts. Does anyone know of any remedies to prevent these attacks caused by this factor?
Hi. Sorry you're going through this! It's hard enough to stay committed to fitness without being weighed down by chronic pain!
This is an extremely common topic around here. As you'll see from our archives, many people with migraine are also triggered by exercise:
https://migraine.com/search?s=exercise%20trigger
As for a remedy, you might first explore changing up your routine. See if you can figure out if there's a specific movement (bending, lots of effort, etc) that causes the attack, or if it's all exercise generally. You may find you do better with lower impact activities or shorter periods of exercise, a different time of day, etc.
You should also let your doctor know about this new trigger, as any change in your migraine experience is worth investigating.
I hope you can find a routine that works for you and doesn't lead to migraines! -Melissa, team member
I totally get what you’re saying—working out with migraines can be really tough. Staying hydrated before and after the gym has helped me manage both headaches and overall fatigue. On a side note, I’ve also been looking into simple wellness practices like home remedies for dry skin, since keeping your body balanced inside and out really does make a difference in how you feel overall. Sometimes those little lifestyle adjustments can support recovery too.
As a fitness addict back in the 80’s and 90’s while my migraines were still just episodic I used to do long, strenuous workouts almost daily (heavy weights, high impact aerobics classes) even though they always brought on a migraine. I’d drink water and always keep a pill tucked into the ankle of my sock (Cafergot back then) and take it as soon as the symptoms started. Eventually the migraines became daily and no preventative worked for me until the CGRP’s came along. I’m 70 now and have been on Qulipta for two years (and Aimovig for two years before that). I still exercise daily, albeit not as strenuously as I used to, but still enough that in past years would’ve brought on a migraine. I know these drugs are expensive and don’t work for everyone, but for me they are like a miracle. Exercise almost never brings on a migraine anymore. I live in Ontario, Canada and as a chronic migraineur, with the help of my doctor and Abbvie, have been accepted into our province’s Exceptional Access Program. Even though Qulipta isn’t normally covered by our provincial drug plan I get it for $1.99. Perhaps there is similar financial help elsewhere. Otherwise, in past years, gentler exercise, drinking water, taking a rescue med as soon as symptoms start, and taking frequent breaks during workouts resulted in less exercise induced migraines. I hope you find something that works for you.
