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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Vigorous Exercise ?
        
(Message started by: ErikY on Feb 21st, 2005, 3:27pm)
Title: Vigorous Exercise ?
Post by ErikY on Feb 21st, 2005, 3:27pm
I am just curious as to how many people have tried aborting with vigorous exercise?

I read on the OUCH website about a guy who found that riding his bike home got rid of a bad CH, and decided to try out some vigorous exercise as an abortive.

The last three HA's I got I tried jogging up and down stairs as long as I possibly could, to the point that my legs were burning and I was gasping for air.

As soon as I stopped doing the steps, I am really gasping for a few min., Sure enough each time I have been able to abort the HA before I have even fully caught my breath.  Each of the last three have never gotten past the Kip 5-6 point as I have knocked them out within 10 min.  For me, they usually get to the worst pain in about 15 min from the first feelings of the HA I get.

I am certainly not a doctor but I can only imagine that its the combo of breathing in much more oxygen then usual, combined with the burning of my legs causing lots of blood to flow to my legs from my head.

This has been a very very nice surprise and I am just curious as to how many other people have tried this and either have had or did not have good results.

Between eating better and all these steps I am going to be in great shape by the time my cluster ends. (trying to find something positive about this hell)
Title: Re: Vigorous Exercise ?
Post by sandie99 on Feb 21st, 2005, 3:35pm
I haven't tried that.. But I have noticed that few times a long walk in fresh air has aborted CH.

But then again last week one HA started after yoga... :-/
Title: Re: Vigorous Exercise ?
Post by Langa on Feb 21st, 2005, 3:39pm
HI Erik-

For me - I can sometimes abort a cluster with a vigorous workout.  However, there have been times when starting a workout has also triggered a cluster.  In other words, when in cycle, if I start working out, I get a cluster, if not working out and I get hit, a vigorous workout will abort it.  What works for me.  Treadmill on high speed for 10 minutes.

Floridian explained why this might be in another thread about this same subject.  

Floridian?

Langa
Title: Re: Vigorous Exercise ?
Post by ErikY on Feb 21st, 2005, 3:51pm

on 02/21/05 at 15:39:33, Langa wrote:
HI Erik-

For me - I can sometimes abort a cluster with a vigorous workout.  However, there have been times when starting a workout has also triggered a cluster.  In other words, when in cycle, if I start working out, I get a cluster, if not working out and I get hit, a vigorous workout will abort it.  What works for me.  Treadmill on high speed for 10 minutes.

Floridian explained why this might be in another thread about this same subject.  

Floridian?

Langa


I can see how starting a workout while in cycle can trigger a HA.  I get tons of regular HA's even when I am not on cycle, they are not cluster, but I am not sure what they are.  It is very often that they start while I am at the gym.
Title: Re: Vigorous Exercise ?
Post by floridian on Feb 21st, 2005, 3:56pm
I have read several other people who said that vigorous exercise right at the beginining of a CH can sometimes abort it.  It may be the oxygenation of the blood.  Those people who said it helps also said if they wait, even a minute, then the headache gets established.  
Title: Re: Vigorous Exercise ?
Post by floridian on Feb 21st, 2005, 4:00pm

on 02/21/05 at 15:35:55, sandie99 wrote:
I haven't tried that.. But I have noticed that few times a long walk in fresh air has aborted CH.

But then again last week one HA started after yoga... :-/


Yeah, you guys get cold air in the winter.  

I think aerobic exercise is best for aborting CHs.  I can see how yoga might make things worse, standing on your head, too much blood goes to the hypomothalamingy ;)

(actually, its probably the blood pressure reflexes from yoga that affect clusters - others have said that frequent bending over can trigger for them, even if its ordinary work).

Title: Re: Vigorous Exercise ?
Post by seasonalboomer on Feb 21st, 2005, 4:27pm
I am a runner and running is also a trigger for me. Usually anything over 45 minutes and boom during an episode. Have also triggered in variety of other vigorous exercise pursuits, playing hockey, refereeing hockey. Never been able to use the exercise as the way out, have just kept going through them though. When you're 6 miles from home on a run and you look like you do with a CH, it's best to just try and get home attracting as little attention as possible.
Title: Re: Vigorous Exercise ?
Post by sandie99 on Feb 21st, 2005, 4:33pm
Maybe I should avoid doing yoga, then... [smiley=huh.gif]
Title: Re: Vigorous Exercise ?
Post by seasonalboomer on Feb 21st, 2005, 4:39pm
no, don't stop the yoga. The yoga is the way to get near the meditation and control side of things.
Title: Re: Vigorous Exercise ?
Post by Bob P on Feb 21st, 2005, 5:55pm
Erik,

That article is on Bennie Sue's CHhelp site.  I'm the guy on the bike.  I can abort by doing squats as fast and hard as I can, then sit down with an ice pack on the back of my neck and hyperventilate.

I've talked with probably a couple of dozen people who abort with streneous exercise.
Title: Re: Vigorous Exercise ?
Post by ErikY on Feb 21st, 2005, 6:37pm
Bob,

That is great to know.  I am very glad I saw that article about you.  I have been getting hit very hard today and last night, 2 last night and 3 today, each time I have been able to abort with the stairs.

Problem now is I have done 3 today, plus shoveled wet snow this morning and I dont think I can do anymore stairs, I AM WIPED OUT!

I may try the squats next time.

Thanks,
Erik
Title: Re: Vigorous Exercise ?
Post by lionsound on Feb 21st, 2005, 8:31pm

on 02/21/05 at 15:39:33, Langa wrote:
 What works for me.Treadmill on high speed for 10 minutes.


:) me too!

My treadmill is in my unheated barn = running really fast and cold on my head.
Title: Re: Vigorous Exercise ?
Post by E-Double on Feb 21st, 2005, 8:40pm
A quick bike ride worked for me 2 x then it seemed to only make it worse.....I stick to rigorous huffing on my tank and luggin it with me where ever I go....MAn that is good excercise! ;)

Whatever works !!!

PF wishes!

E
Title: Re: Vigorous Exercise ?
Post by Mr. Happy on Feb 21st, 2005, 8:54pm
Either you exercise and abort, or exercise and get hammered. You'll be the first to know which category fits your life style. I'm still working on the Viagra angle.

Praise Wotan for canned air,
RJ
Title: Re: Vigorous Exercise ?
Post by jasckorohod on Feb 21st, 2005, 11:29pm
Sometimes I can distract myself from the pain by engaging in some sort of exercise or activity, but once it is over the pain is back.  Some literature says that strenuous, or moderate exercise will bring on an attack, but the only way to find out is to try.
Title: Re: Vigorous Exercise ?
Post by Bob P on Feb 22nd, 2005, 10:26am
Erik,
I'm getting old (54) and lazy.  Last cluster I went with O2 and it worked just as well if not better.  Attack wouldn't get above a 3 and would be gone in 10 minutes.
Title: Re: Vigorous Exercise ?
Post by sandie99 on Feb 22nd, 2005, 12:52pm

on 02/21/05 at 16:39:21, seasonalboomer wrote:
no, don't stop the yoga. The yoga is the way to get near the meditation and control side of things.

I was afraid I'd have to... Thanks goodness. I like it too much to quit... :)


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