headaches after cycling

jman0

Just wondering if anybody else experiences this.
A couple hours after cycling i get a headache and feel like sh*te, can last 24 hours.
Was putting it down to diet and/or dehydration but i don't think that's it.
I cut down on distance, was going 60-90km every Sunday but now i'm down to 45km and still suffer.
Thing is, while cycling i feel grand, strong.
Only it hits me afterwards.
Makes for some rough monday mornings.
But funny thing is, when i cycle commute and start out all headachey, after i get going i feel grand again.
Then when i get to work and settle down problem returns.

low blood pressure?

Ghost Rider

I'm not a medical doctor but the fact that the problem is excercise-related suggests to me it's cardio-vascular in origin. Get it checked out without delay, I'd say.

jman0 wrote:

Just wondering if anybody else experiences this.
A couple hours after cycling i get a headache and feel like sh*te, can last 24 hours.
Was putting it down to diet and/or dehydration but i don't think that's it.
I cut down on distance, was going 60-90km every Sunday but now i'm down to 45km and still suffer.
Thing is, while cycling i feel grand, strong.
Only it hits me afterwards.
Makes for some rough monday mornings.
But funny thing is, when i cycle commute and start out all headachey, after i get going i feel grand again.
Then when i get to work and settle down problem returns.

low blood pressure?

Alkers

I get that sometimes but not as severe, I put it down to dehydration, maybe get a camel-back and some energy drinks when you're out on a spin. Only other thing I can think of is a badly fitted helmet?

jman0

Helmet feels comfy.
Actually went to a doctor today (for a different problem i thought may be related: vertigo) but he gave me the ol' fob off.
I had to ask him would he check my blood pressure (turned out normal).
Said he had no idea why i can't cycle as far as i could a few months ago.
Still charged me 50 quid tho.
That's the thing about doctors, most the time they're looking for the handiest theory, presribe a few pills then get you outa their office.
Self diagnosis is the only way these days.

Ghost Rider

I disagree on the self-diagnosis point. I reckon there's absolutely no substitute for clinical experience (combined, as always, with a good conscience). The preponderance of dodgy GPs will never change that.

Many problems, including cardiovascular ones, won't show up in a simple blood pressure test. Maybe there is genuinely no need to take this further but I think a responsible GP will refer you to a specialist, who will probably want to perform further tests. (Expect to pay around €100 for a single consultation with the specialist, by the way, and don't let the expense get in the way.)

jman0 wrote:

Helmet feels comfy.
Actually went to a doctor today (for a different problem i thought may be related: vertigo) but he gave me the ol' fob off.
I had to ask him would he check my blood pressure (turned out normal).
Said he had no idea why i can't cycle as far as i could a few months ago.
Still charged me 50 quid tho.
That's the thing about doctors, most the time they're looking for the handiest theory, presribe a few pills then get you outa their office.
Self diagnosis is the only way these days.

roadmanmad

Check all the bases, i am assuming your systoms are persistent and consistent each time you ride. if you know all of this already, apologies, only trying to help.

Dehydrayion: you know you are not dehydrated if you need to take a little leak the whole cycle. Annoying but a good indicator.

Too much Water & not enough salt. Too much water (hydration) dilutes the salt specifically sodium levels in the blood particularly if you are sweating perfusely. These energy drinks do have salt in them to help keep the balances. You can also add a little salt (4g) to a litre of water.

I have no idea of your age or weight. These may be factors. Blood preesure indicator is 100 + your age for the higher level.

Does your family have a history of haemochromatosis (genetic condition facilitating too much iron in the blood) I was diagnosed 2 years ago with non typical symptoms.

What you say you feel bad after a run, is it all runs or just long ones. Long runs may be beyond you limit. What is your training regieme like. What were you capable of 12 and 24 months previous

wahlrab

one should be careful about slagging GPs the're the lowest paid out of all doctors and work the hardest, but the headaches might be caused by some sort of eyestrain do you wear glasses, if not you might need em

Stark

If you're only cycling on Sundays that will be a problem as your body will lose a hell of a lot of fitness in a week, so you'll be pushing your body beyond its limits on the day you do cycle.

The same thing happens to me if I haven't been exercising for a while and start back into it too quickly. The initial endorphin rush as your brain responds to mild pain/discomfort tells you to keep going and going but you pay for it afterwards.

Capt'n Midnight

Ever since his late teens Jim had suffered from terrible headaches. Finally in desperation and after years of misery he soughtmedical advice.

Many tests later the doctor sat down with Jim to deliver his diagnosis.

The doctor said "Jim I have both good and bad news. The good news is I can cure your headaches... the bad news is that it will require castration. You have a very rare condition which causes your testicles to press up against the base of your spine. The pressure creates one hell of a headache. The only way medical science can relieve the pressure is to remove the testicles."

Jim was shocked and depressed. He wondered if he had anything to live for. He couldn't concentrate long enough to answer but decided he had no choice ...Cut 'em.

When he left the hospital he was without a headache for the first time in 20 years but he felt like he was missing an important part of himself. As he walked down the street Jim realized that he felt like a different person - he could make a new beginning and live a new life.

Seeing a men's clothing store he thought "That's what I need a new suit."

He entered the shop and told the salesman "I'd like a new suit. "

The elderly tailor eyed him briefly and said "Let's see... size 44 long."

Jim laughed "That's right how did you know?"

"Been in the business 60 years!"

Jim tried on the suit. It fit perfectly. As Jim admired himself in the mirror the salesman asked "How about a new shirt?"

Jim thought for a moment and then said "Sure."

The salesman eyed Jim and said "Let's see...34 sleeve and 16 and half neck."

Jim was again surprised. "That's right how did you know?"

"Been in the business 60 years!"

Jim tried on the shirt and it fit perfectly. As he adjusted the collar in the mirror the salesman asked "How about new shoes?"

Jim was on a roll now and said "Sure."

The salesman eyed his feet and said "Let's see... 9-1/2 D."

Jim was astonished "That's right how did you know?"

"Been in the business 60 years!"

Jim tried on the shoes and they fit perfectly. He walked comfortably around the shop and the salesman asked "How about some new underwear?"

Jim thought for a second and said "Sure."

The salesman stepped back eyed Jim's waist and said "Let's see...size Large."

Jim laughed "Ah hah I got you! I've worn size Medium since I was 18 years old."

The salesman shook his head "You can't wear a size Medium.... they would be too tight....press your testicles up against the base of your spine and give you one hell of a headache."

what size cycling shorts do you wear ?

Is it weather related , too much sun on the noggin ? Oddly enough I found that being boiled in a helmet wasn't as bad as being fried .

Riding position, is your neck bent - comuting you would be stopping / starting and looking around more.

What happens if you take a break of a week or two ?

jman0

well i did some things different yesterday.
I had readup a few things other cyclists were saying:
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=59472&highlight=headache
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=49992&highlight=headache
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=8958&highlight=migrane
http://www.cptips.com/hdache.htm

lot of different opinions out there.
So yesterday i got up early, ate my usual cycling breakfast (wheat free pancakes w/ syrup) Then added a Protein shake and took a big ibprofen pill.
Made sure to drink my entire water bottle while cycling.
Headache stayed at bay, however i could still feel it's inkling to grow (pretty much all day).
But if i can cycle and feel like i did yesterday then all's good.
Interesting idea about the electrolytes, which i'm not getting any as i don't use a energy drink. Although i do have the mix. Maybe i'll throw a scoop of that in my water bottle next week.
Not sure what is the winning combination at this stage.
Maybe i'll eliminate the protein shake and see what happens.
Eliminate something else next.

edit:
yes i do push myself while cycling, i think that's the whole point.
No it's not the only excercise i get, i'm 3 days a week in the gym doing weights, cardio and abs.

ademora

I have exactly the same problem, and have tried all kinds of solutions to stop the problem, only thing that works is pain killers. The problem if like mine is caused by neck strain, having to hold your head in a upward position and tense for a long period of time.

I seriously thought about stopping cycling, but after some research have decided to move to a recumbent which should make cycling enjoyable again.

Andrew

jman0

i've been getting some feedback elsewhere about Exertion headaches.
And some online suggestions were to try Inodocin or Ergomar which are migrane meds i think.

uberwolf

certainly the electrolytes are something to look at.

For full hydration you need to be drinking a istonic 500ml an hour in moderate weather believe it or not.

Another factor maybe the temperature of your head, some of the more expensive helmets are designed to keep your head cool in 30 degrees heat climbing the alps. Not an irish spring morning!! Wearing a light fabric cycling cap underneath can avert the worst of the headchill

jman0

I'd be willing to drink the isotonic (is that just a bottle of Lucozade or is an energy drink mix good enuf?)
However the problem here is that i have 1 bottle cage and if i install a 2nd then i've no place for the tyre pump. And i'm not leaving that at home!

milod

jman0 wrote:

I'd be willing to drink the isotonic (is that just a bottle of Lucozade or is an energy drink mix good enuf?)
However the problem here is that i have 1 bottle cage and if i install a 2nd then i've no place for the tyre pump. And i'm not leaving that at home!

Camelback's your only man. Also there's a good locum Sports doctor in the clinic in Inchicore...

jman0

Inchicore huh?
Doubt i'll be making it out there.
Went to a Osteopath today.
He was saying my headaches are probably a result of posture.
Hunched over on a roadbike w/ my head up results in constricting the bloodvessel at the base of the skull.
While cycling he reckons my body compensates by dilating it wide open.
However after i cool down i might end up w/ too much blood entering the brain. Thus producing a headache.
He suggested a couple of stretches i should do before cycling.
And suggested i stop onroute and do some more at the halfway point.
Then more after i finish.
Alternatively i could try changing my bike setup so i'm sitting more upright, but that means more resistance.


In fairness this was a lot more informative than the fob off you get (at least i get) from a GP.
I would be interested to hear what that guy in Inichore has to say. He's probably seen this type of thing before.

milod

jman0 wrote:

I would be interested to hear what that guy in Inichore has to say. He's probably seen this type of thing before.

He saw the g/f for a neck prob which she experienced while swimming - again it's the head tilted back for breast stroke that was the problem - but in her case it was a bulging disc in the neck revealed by a cat-scan - hope you don't have similar!