Headaches when working out. What could be wrong

[phishers]

Whenever im pushing myself during working out, whether its a set of push ups or lifting weights at the end of the set when im really pushing like when my face will get red, i will get a pretty bad headache pretty much forcing me to discontinue the workout.  Just has started happening the last week, but it always seems to happen. Do I have a brain tumor or something, whats wrong? =(  

Thanks
Zach

[horeind]

Years ago, back when I was in high school, I had a month-long headache that no one could determine the cause of, which basically made me non-functional without the help of really strong medications that I was put on.  This headache felt like it ran up my neck, hit the back of my skull, and wrapped around my temples.  When it first hit, all I could do was curl up in a ball and call for help.  I had CAT scans, spinal taps, you name it.  It subsided on its own about a month later, days before a scheduled neurologist appointment.  We went to the appointment anyway, and he said that it was the exact definition of a pinched nerve in the back of the neck, which is typically caused by straining (using the bathroom, sex/masterbation, or exercise).  And the neurologist told me that once you pinch a nerve like that, you will be more prone to re-injuring it.

Yesterday, I was in the gym with one of my Soldiers (who is a gym-beast) and was doing curls and it happened again.  The exact same thing, except localized in the back of the skull.  Still feeling it a bit today, but the pain level and feeling were exactly the way I remembered it some 12ish years ago.  Fortunately, I waited a few minutes and rested and it lessened to the point where I could function for the rest of the work-out.  But even today, it is less, but I am still feeling it.

[slittle1]

Hello! I am a 33 year old male in excellent shape and health. For those reading these forums scared to death, I would like to share my story!  Last week I was benching 195 (max is 250) and I struggled with the 4th rep.  I had no spotter but willed myself to go for a 5th.  I probably didn't breathe as I slammed it up but immediately was struck by the worst headache of my life!  I'm telling you I sat up and looked around at the people who were about to watch me die of a stroke, brain bleed, or whatever just occurred to me. It was serious!  I considered whether I had enough life-insurance and was angry that I hadn't told my family I loved them that morning.  The pressure was so intense I couldn't see straight and I felt every heartbeat as giant gushes in my head.  A few minutes later it subsided a little and with my hard-headed addiction to the gym, I went outside and took a Motrin 800 before trying lighter weight.  Whatever occurred, the damage was done and further exercise made it worse.  I went straight to bed and prayed I would wake up the next morning.  I recovered and took four days off.  Last night I did extremely light bench (90 lbs) but was repping 50 reps.  When I hit 35 the pain began again but I pushed through it all the way to 50.  YOU CANNOT push through these, you will make it so bad it will cripple you.  Stop immediately.  It worsens so quickly.  This was it for me. This time I was sure I would die, it was much worse.  I stumbled out of the gym and went straight to the hospital.  I was rushed back for a CTscan and it came up negative, and 10 minutes later I was shown the exit with "exertional headache" written on my discharge form.  No prescription, no nothing.  "Stop taking supplements and only work out in moderation" is what the doc told me.  I will be back to the gym in a week (because I refuse to give up my results!), and will take it one week at a time.  

[welinatl]

Any luck with the MRI?  Did the headaches stop?  I am getting them in the base of my skull and then they move to the front of my head, but only on one side...

[welinatl]

was your headache in the front or back of your head?  one side or both

[DesJadeCurtis]

I'm an 18 year old female, and two years ago (when I was a senior in high school) I began to have leg cramps often. I only got a severe charlie horse in a calf once, but several times during soccer games I would nearly have one, like when I rose onto my toes, but once I stretched quickly it would fade and I'd be back at it. Last year I left for college and play soccer. I stopped having cramps in my calves as in charlie horses and my legs instead began to burn intensely, making it hard to run. It only occurs during exercise. This year I'm a sophomore in college and am still playing, and my legs are even worse. I suck at soccer now because I can't stand on my toes, and if you are a soccer player you know you're on your toes a lot. Recently, I've begun to have bad headaches during exercise too. I don't know if it has something to do with my legs, or if it's because I could do with a stronger prescription of contacts. Either way it doesn't make sense that the headache is so severe in practice, but not during normal day routines, like class. I've gotten an MRI on my lower back, tested blood, gotten electric shocks in my legs, needles in my legs, and multiple tests but everything has came up normal. My next step is to see a neurologist later this month. Has similar things happened to anyone else? I can literally jog about 1 lap on a track and my legs burn as though I've been running a marathon. It doesn't make sense, and it's driving me insane. I'm crying at the end of every practice because of the pain - and I'm not a cryer, especially in public. Any ideas?? :(

[DesJadeCurtis]

I'm an 18 year old female, and two years ago (when I was a senior in high school) I began to have leg cramps often. I only got a severe charlie horse in a calf once, but several times during soccer games I would nearly have one, like when I rose onto my toes, but once I stretched quickly it would fade and I'd be back at it. Last year I left for college and play soccer. I stopped having cramps in my calves as in charlie horses and my legs instead began to burn intensely, making it hard to run. It only occurs during exercise. This year I'm a sophomore in college and am still playing, and my legs are even worse. I suck at soccer now because I can't stand on my toes, and if you are a soccer player you know you're on your toes a lot. Recently, I've begun to have bad headaches during exercise too. I don't know if it has something to do with my legs, or if it's because I could do with a stronger prescription of contacts. Either way it doesn't make sense that the headache is so severe in practice, but not during normal day routines, like class. I've gotten an MRI on my lower back, tested blood, gotten electric shocks in my legs, needles in my legs, and multiple tests but everything has came up normal. My next step is to see a neurologist later this month. Has similar things happened to anyone else? I can literally jog about 1 lap on a track and my legs burn as though I've been running a marathon. It doesn't make sense, and it's driving me insane. I'm crying at the end of every practice because of the pain - and I'm not a cryer, especially in public. Any ideas?? :(