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26Oct/085

Migraines after hockey.

This has plagued me for a while now.  I seem to get migraines after playing ice hockey.  The game is as non-contact as it can get.  I haven't had any concussions, or head injuries or have any other medical problems that I can use to make a connection.  I am very fit, participate in intense physical activity many times a week, and have a good, balanced diet.  I've been getting migraines pretty consistently over the last couple years following a hockey game.  When I was younger I would get them randomly, then they went away for a few years.  It's the same pattern every time, about an hour or two after playing, I start getting dark spots in my vision so I can't read, see faces, etc.  When that goes away, my hand usually starts to tingle or go numb, then after that goes away I get the worst pain in my head/eyeballs.  It usually lasts for a couple hours as long as I can get to sleep.

I've been to my doctor and to a neurologist who both said "Yeah you get migraines."  I've been prescribed ketophroferen which seems to help.  I choose to take it reactively instead of proactively; I'm not a big pill taker.  I wasn't satisfied with the doctors, if you don't want to get them, then don't play attitude and I don't like taking pills, so I'm trying to figure out if something is triggering them outside of physical exertion.

First thing the neurologist thought was dehydration.  I obliged and started drinking more during the game.  (On a normal day, I drink more than a gallon of water anyway.)  I thought it may be an electrolyte problem, so I always started the game with a gatorade and finished with water.  This seemed to work for me because I went for months without a migraine, but I just started getting them again.

Other factors outside dehydration I've considered are: wearing a helmet (too tight?), the temperature change from the cold rink to the warmer locker room, the lights, diet (regardless of how good I think mine is), the motion/speed of the game, deviated septum (got one).

I found information about a study linking migraines to law enforcement officers who wore helmets.  I've always complained that my helmet was a bit too tight, even on the largest adjustment.  I think the next step might be to find a looser fitting helmet.  I found a post on some hockey forum where other guys have complained of this same migraine problem.

I'm playing tonight so I will try to loosen the helmet if possible.

UPDATE:  I loosened up my helmet before the game last night.  It still felt a little tight around the temples, but no where near as tight as before.  I did not get a migraine.

Comments (5) Trackbacks (0)
  1. The causes of migraines can be so elusive. I used to suffer with them (auras, vomiting and nausea), but, fortunately, chiropractic care resolved the issue. If you’re interested in learning about some other things that might help you can read http://www.newrinkles.com/index.php/archive/migraines-causes-and-cures/. Hope you find relief!

  2. Dude stop having so many dirty thoughts lol

  3. i also get migranes after i play hockey for a while, my helmet fits rather loose but i noticed i don’t get them if i only play for about an hour or so, any longer and i get one, my theroy is that while you’re stick handling your looking down too much and it creates stress on the muscles in your neck if i massage them really good they seem to go away for a few minutes, so i tried keeping my head up for a few practices and i havent got one yet. i stay hydrated all the time and i dont eat too healthy but i don’t think that would be a cause. good luck with it hope this helps. Andreas Lilia (red wings) has the same issue thats why he’s not playing.

  4. Thanks for the insight jay. If you’re still having problems, feel free to check out and comment on my other posts about battles with migraines. Thanks again!

  5. ask your doctor to give you alpha stimulation. At least try it. Seems to work.


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