Migraine to Maine

[maxNcathy]

I am always speaking to people inviting them to come hiking on the AT for 6 weeks each spring..

Well, one lady gets severe migraines often.
She retires soon and would like to try hiking and backpacking with us.

She wants my opinion as to whether migraines would ruin her hike.

Last year during my 6 week hike I never got one headache and at home i get at least 2 per week of moderate intensity.

Have you found that your headaches became less or more frequent or intense while out hiking strenuously?

[Appalachian Tater]

I don't have migraines but I have a similar type of headache. There were a couple of times where being overheated caused me to take medication, but overall I was much better off hiking. It would depend on her triggers. Find out what causes her to have a headache, and how she treats them. They are treatable, especially with triptans and other pharmaceuticals.

[maxNcathy]

I don't have migraines but I have a similar type of headache. There were a couple of times where being overheated caused me to take medication, but overall I was much better off hiking. It would depend on her triggers. Find out what causes her to have a headache, and how she treats them. They are treatable, especially with triptans and other pharmaceuticals.

"overall much better hiking.."
Thanks AT.

She lives in Florida and as far as I know she has no clue what really triggers her headaches.She is a nurse and has taken every possible drug for headaches over the years.

I am wondering if trail life would be the magic for her that it seemed to be for me.

[Ender]

I don't think I've ever had a headache while doing a long hike (except for the first couple days when I'm coming down off a caffeine addiction).

That's just my experience though.

[taildragger]

See if it could possibly be allergy related.

I have a feeling that her migraines might be due to a stressful work environment (isn't that usually the case?)

[Appalachian Tater]

She needs a good neurologist who specializes in headaches. Changed my entire life.

Things that would potentially reduce migraines on the trail: better air quality (for me anyway!), daily strenuous exercise, weight loss, sleeping very well, being in tune with the natural diurnal rhythm (my headaches involve the hypothalamus), much much much less stress, possible cessation of menstruation, change in diet, quiet, being away from odors like petrochemicals and perfumes, no caffeine or alcohol.

However, a change in some of these same factors, plus exposure to extreme temperatures, getting dehydrated, sunlight, might actually trigger headaches.

Overall, it's worth a shot! The worst that happens is she gets a migraine in the woods instead of at home.

[Seeker]

neurologist, or a good chiropractor (cervical manipulator, not a 'bone-cracker'. there's a world of difference).

[AlwaysHiking]

I get migraines but I've never had one on the trail. If I did though, I don't think dealing with them there would be any different than at home. It just means a zero day or two. The only thing that might possibly be killer is not being able to get out of the heat.

[Blissful]

Honestly I'll bet the migraines disappear when she hikes. I've had lots of maladies go away when I did long distance hiking. Of course I had new ones hiking related - joints, etc., but the benefits were fantastic.

Make sure though she drinks. Headaches can also come about for lack of fluids.

[sarbar]

She needs a good neurologist who specializes in headaches. Changed my entire life.

I agree. My visits with the neurologist and a couple trips in the MRI showed a lot on why I get migraines.

Less stress, cleaner air, better food can do wonders. For me exercise is one way I can beat back the headaches. So daily is needed. I don't exercise for a day or two and I start feeling them creeping back up. You might also find out what type she has, there are a number of variations on migraines as well. They start in different parts of the head as well. Those with classic migraines would almost benefit with a life of hiking. Those who have auras or vertigo ones have to be more careful. (I have all 3 types).

I know for me I had to overhaul my entire way of eating to (hopefully) banish the vertigo and aura ones. I don't drink or eat fake colors or flavors. I can feel it getting bad when I slip and drink pop (especially fake sugar), excessive caffeine and preservatives. These are all triggers for me. So is high stress, uncontrolled blood pressure, heavy sodium intake and hormones. As well as watching your intake of food - never letting your blood sugar crash.

As is I make sure I take my BP meds faithfully, stay hydrated, attempt to sleep good and always carry my anti-nausea meds with me when hiking, as well as my prescription pain killers. I know if I had to, I would just lay in my tent all day and wait for it to end. It always does end.

Btw, do ask if she has auras. You can often predict an 'ache just by knowing what to look for in your vision. I get silver stars, black floaters and can have where I look far away and it is as if the horizon has shifted.

[wakapak]

neurologist, or a good chiropractor (cervical manipulator, not a 'bone-cracker'. there's a world of difference).

Exactly what Seeker says...and yes, there is a world of difference!! I've seen many, many people have their migraines vanish thru chiropractic care.

[Appalachian Tater]

http://www.quackwatch.com/01Quackery...irostroke.html

[wakapak]

http://www.quackwatch.com/01Quackery...irostroke.html

whatever. believe what you want to believe.

was just trying to share some knowledge.

[jzakhar]

I am a headache person too. I just make sure I pack my blood pressure meds and Imitrix pens. For _me_ Imitrix will take my head from laying down cant open eyes in agony, to time to hike again in about 10 minutes.

[take-a-knee]

http://www.quackwatch.com/01Quackery...irostroke.html

A lot of people think nurses are asshats Tater.

[take-a-knee]

I am a headache person too. I just make sure I pack my blood pressure meds and Imitrix pens. For _me_ Imitrix will take my head from laying down cant open eyes in agony, to time to hike again in about 10 minutes.

Yes, nothing works for a migraine like Immetrex. A guy on my ODA in Haiti had one and I didn't have any Immetrex so I fired him up with 50mg of Demerol and it didn't phase him, I had to give him the rest of the tubex and that only eased him enough to lie still, he was still hurting pretty bad. That is a lot of demerol.

[jzakhar]

Yes, nothing works for a migraine like Immetrex. A guy on my ODA in Haiti had one and I didn't have any Immetrex so I fired him up with 50mg of Demerol and it didn't phase him, I had to give him the rest of the tubex and that only eased him enough to lie still, he was still hurting pretty bad. That is a lot of demerol.

Before I knew what was going on I used to just go to the ER and get shot up with pain meds and some Xanax. I used to leave in a wheel chair and sleep the rest of the day by the time they got my pain under control..

I have clusterheadaches, a little different then a straight migraine. But both are a vascular headache. It took me years to figure out what was going on, just some months of the year I wanted to just die

[sarbar]

For those who would go to neck crackers, please, please before you EVEN think about that, go to a neurologist and find out exactly what type of headaches you have and what the reason behind them is. There are many reasons why we have them, some are treatable, some are not. Some can get worse, others stay the same.
For me, I have nearly gotten rid of my main migraines through controlled blood pressure. The other 2 types are not as easily gotten rid of - but can be maintained.

Please, there is a reason neurologists know more - they went to school for it! I know how expensive MRI's are - I have had 3. They are worth every penny though. If you have a family history of headaches involving vomiting and auras, even more so you should be checked out. It can be helped! A neck cracker CANNOT solve that!!!!

[wakapak]

For those who would go to neck crackers, please, please before you EVEN think about that, go to a neurologist and find out exactly what type of headaches you have and what the reason behind them is. There are many reasons why we have them, some are treatable, some are not. Some can get worse, others stay the same.
For me, I have nearly gotten rid of my main migraines through controlled blood pressure. The other 2 types are not as easily gotten rid of - but can be maintained.

Please, there is a reason neurologists know more - they went to school for it! I know how expensive MRI's are - I have had 3. They are worth every penny though. If you have a family history of headaches involving vomiting and auras, even more so you should be checked out. It can be helped! A neck cracker CANNOT solve that!!!!

and chiropractors didn't go school for it???

[sarbar]

and chiropractors didn't go school for it???

They didn't go to school to DIAGNOSE migraines. They went to school to do what they should be doing: cracking bones. Not diagnosing major medical issues. That is quackery!