Exercise trigger anxiety, nausea and chronic headache?

[legend88]

I was experiencing mild headaches with some moderate sleeping issues for several months.  I have no significant medical history, am male and in late 30s and physically fit. I do not take any medications.  I've never had sleeping trouble until recent months.  Since I was 30, I've had experiences with migraine which would start with aura then manifest into full blown headache on left or right side within an hour, only occurring after exercise, but no pattern as to how much strenuous activity triggered them.  As recent as 3 months ago, I was getting migraines at work and home, fairly randomly, perhaps 3 times a month.  So I started working out religiously 3 days/week and so it seemed, the random migraines at work and home, as well as exercise headaches stopped for a couple of months.  However,  After a vigorous workout last week with much sweating, on my last exercise I was doing squats on a weight training machine and pushed a little too hard. After that I felt dizzy, tired and was having nervous symptoms. The following day after not getting sleep I experienced larger headaches and continuing nervous symptoms. The day after I was getting feelings of anxiety with headache, nausea then loss of appetite. I went to the ER the next day, and luckily MRI and CT were clear as well as heart rate and blood tests. I did not have EKG, surmising that blood pressure tests ruled out any heart issues.  However, symptoms still persist.  It's been about 7 days now.  I have nausea, headaches, anxiety, trembling and have to force myself to eat.  The headache travels from a band above my ears to the back of my upper neck area and vice versa and can hover in any of those areas for some time, but mostly resides in a band around the ears with some ringing  It seems the anxiety symptoms occur stronger when the headache is in the neck region.   My neck gets tight as well as jaw areas when headache is around the neck.  The anxiety symptoms have subsided slightly the last couple of days but last night I had what felt like a 'panic attack'.  I have tried taking Kava Kava, Tylenol PM and Magnesium to help reduce the headache and promote relaxation as well as sleep and has small benefits.  I cannot get rid of the headaches, however.  I have not been back to work and am concerned since I cannot focus.  It took much effort to write this.  I have seen PCP and specialists that want to treat symptoms with drugs and no further proper diagnosis, dismissing it as general anxiety, cluster headaches or chronic migraine.  I don't believe this, I think there is something more.   I refuse to take drugs that are labeled with side effects causing more potential harm. What is happening to me and what can I do?

[Sweavetarts]

This is so comforting to see it's not just me battling these problems, I have undergone every lab work, C/T scan MRI and several visits to my neurologist, all my levels have been in range and all my results have come back normal. I am 23y/o female very fit was in the middle of training for my first body building show and I started feeling light headed constantly then came dizziness and extremely horrible panic attacks (which I have never had) then with that came anxiety and depression(which I have never experienced until recently) taking only a few sips of alcohol causes me to get lightheaded. I used to be able to drink with no problem. Also I was very caffeine sensitive during all my worst symptoms but now my body has allowed me to have small amounts of Caffeine, I continue to get very very intense headaches that causes my head to feel like it's on fire in my forehead region, I have had my thyroid and cortisol levels tested a few days ago and everything came back normal, I hope you guys are able to provide me with some suppory/helpful advice (: happy hump day

[Eclipse225]

I have enjoyed reading all of your post and some of you have some of the same symptoms I.  I have also been to many doctors, blood work done, even had a heart cath done at all was normal and above.  My symptoms are nausea, fatigue as in weak and shaky, and headaches, like the band around the ears back, as one of you had posted .  All of these occur during exercise and last at least 30 minutes after.  I usually have to stop working out because I cannot handle it.  I started an exercise program the other day and while others in the class were going on like nothing, even though some of them looked to be in lesser shape than I, were steadily at it.  It really hurts to know that I cannot do anything anymore.  Actually when I was young I had the same problem especially during weightlifting and afterward.  Other strenuous things did not bother me so much then.  Now anything strenuous whether it be heavy lifting or turning my body in a awkward position.  I mean I can get this feeling from bending over under the table to pick up something, even vaccuming, pushing a vaccum cleaner gives me the same results troubles.  I really don't know what to do about it.  If you guys can find some answers I would really appreciate it.

[legend88]

Well, I have more recent news from doctors. I had an MRA and u/s which came back normal.  I have seen a neurologist, endocrinologist, and even changed my PCP.  Got more blood work done but everything is within range and normal.  BP normal.  My symptoms are not just when exercising, but 10-12 hours a day I will have this tickling mild headache at the center back of the top of my neck with loss of appetite, sleeplessness and some residual trembling.  I can get a stiff neck but not severe. I am sleeping about 6 hours/day (usually 7-8). The headache makes me go nuts even though it is mild and I believe it triggers off moods of anxiety, irritability, loss of interest in everything including appetite due to anxiety.  I tried for the first time in 2 weeks to exercise by playing tennis and was ok until about 30 min, when I started to exhibit similar symptoms, esp fatigue.  I don't know if I am on to something, but eating sugary foods seem to help calm me a bit and lessen the sensation on the back of my head.  The more the sensation, the greater the symptoms.  Less sensation--feel more like myself.  Could this be a nerve I tweaked from weight exercises that is relieved by sugar, or related to cortisol, perhaps poor nutrition absorption or elements in my diet?

[AireScottie]

For sure you know your body best, but I want to point out that just because you worked out before and didn't have trouble doesn't mean dysautonomia isn't the cause.  I was extremely fit for years.  I played three hour tennis matches with people who went on to win major pro tournaments.  I bench pressed more than I weighed (which is unusual for women).  I fenced, I swam, I ran, I biked, I sailed, etc.  I certainly wasn't at pro athlete level, but I wasn't far behind.  Then, out of nowhere, I started feeling horrible after my normal physical activities.  Next thing, I started passing out in the middle of a run.
I've noticed that the doctors don't usually comment on this part of the forum.  You usually have to post in the "ask a doctor" part, which has almost always met its quota for the day.  I hope your doctors come up with something soon!

[legend88]

Thank you for all the replies.  I do not think this is Dysautonomia, as I have worked out before and never had this issue.  My symptoms are not high blood pressure, I had that tested at least 10 times and its about 120/80.  I have stopped working out and still exhibit symptoms of insomnia and loss of appetite, but with lingering headaches and fatigue probably due to lack of sleep.  I have been going without sleep for 2 days now and that is with Lyrica AND Xanax taken within an hr of each other.  My body simply wont shut down and am thinking it has to do with adrenal levels, perhaps Thyroid as my doc is suggesting.  Follow ups are in progress and I will post them here.  Are there any doctors here willing to post comments on this?

[ggreg]

AireScottie is onto something, you guys, the Dysautonomia thing.  Also, you all might want to visit a cardiologist, amongst your various investigations... a fast heartbeat or high blood pressure or heart problem can cause headaches and anxiety and many of the other symptoms here, so that's why I say pay attention to getting a good workup on your heart.  And I might add, PLEZ do not do anything strenuous until you've figured all this out... moderate exercise like walking is okay, but watch out for getting too hot or working at anything too hard.  You guys are scaring me.

[Monty2mom]

MY FRIEND!! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!! I am ALSO in my late 30's (39) to be exact and i'm a mom...I also just got back from the ER with headache, nausea and having to force myself to eat!! My cat scan was ALSO clear and they sent me home...I am having ringing in my ears as well and I'm very anxious. I woke up in the middle of the night last night and the headache was there and got worse as I got more anxious about it. I have a feeling that when I go see my PCP today and tell her about this, she's probably going to order and MRI (and it will be fine) and then just want to give me meds for the symptoms...I also work out and have been running 15 miles a week and lifting weights 3x's a week. Yesterday morning I made myself get to the gym and I did run 5 miles and did weights as well. I felt better and had no problems working out at all. The headache came back last night and stayed with me through the night causing me much anxiety....which I think is part of the overall problem as well. I think I'm going to ask my PCP if she'll just start with prescribing me motrin and see how that works on my headache. IF they subside, I'm hoping the nausea will also subside....maybe it's connected?? And the anxiety is for SURE causing ALL symptoms to be heightened....so, when I get back from my pcp today, I'll post what she says. Don't worry Legend88!! We'll figure this out...!!
Sincerely,
Monty2mom

[AireScottie]

It could be from dehydration.  It could also be a form of dysautonomia.  The first manifestation of my dysautonomia was exercise intolerance.  Basically, my body wasn't readjusting my blood pressure and pulse to the increasing demand during exercise and the decreasing demand afterward.  Under "Health Pages" in the upper right of this forum you'll find some info on dysautonomia.  You might see if that sounds like you.  There's also a dysautonomia forum.  Migraines can be common because the blood vessels don't expand and contract the way they should.