Terrible headache while training

ghoststoglory · 06-18-2006, 01:38 PM

Allright, so I just got back from England, and I'm home on leave for a few weeks. On Friday, I did legs, and after my last set of hack squats, I began to get a little bit of a headache. Yesterday, I started off with incline bb press, was fine, and moved onto incline db press. During my first set, on the 5th rep, I felt an excruciating pain in my head. I dropped the weights, and almost keeled over it hurt so bad. I continued to spot my friend, and did only a couple sets of flyes once my head felt a little better. My head hurt pretty badly, so I didn't finish my workout after that. Honestly, I figured it was the lights where I did the db press, because the were very bright, and not covered by anything. I was also directly under them. Today, I came in to do back, and I completely avoided the light in that area. I started off with chins, and during my first set, it suddenly came back. I wanted to collapse it hurt so bad, even worse than before. I went into the locker room for 30 min, and it got a bit better. I went back and tried another set of chins, and on the 2nd rep, it came back even worse. At that point, I called my mom and asked her to come pick me up. I definitely couldn't drive like that. And now, after taking about an hour nap, I feel a little better. Does anyone have even the slightest clue what this might be? I've never ever had bad headaches, and my diet, supplementation, and training are no different. It just scares the crap out of me that I might not be able to train, just as much as it does that there is something wrong with me. I plan on going to the doctor in the morning, but I really wanted to share this with you guys, even though you probably don't know me. I tend to lurk way more than I post.
Thanks,
Mike

BigBen · 06-18-2006, 03:25 PM

Hey Mike,
I use to have the same problem, and it stems from proper breathing while lifting. Before u begin to lift rather it be bench squat deadlift or anything for that matter u must inhale before u begin the lift exhale as your lifting through the positive part of the movvements then inhale again on the negative part of the movement. Dont over do your breathing either just make sure its happening, bc if u over think your breathing then your mind will be focused on that instead of your lift.

Take your time to be sure you get it correct, bc what the terrible headache is a lack of oxygen to your brain. I thought i was going to die when it happened to me i was just starting out training, and i wasnt breathing correctly.

I hope this post helps u my friend, please keep us updated.
and

ghoststoglory · 06-18-2006, 04:31 PM

Thanks for the advice man, I hope you're right. I've never really had a problem with my breathing when lifting, but I could've these past couple of days. I'm going to try and workout tomorrow afternoon and see what happens.

tim290280 · 06-19-2006, 09:03 AM

You may also consider possible dehydration.

Diesel · 06-19-2006, 10:53 PM

go to a chiropractor and get your neck and back cracked. It use to happen to me a lot and I just went to a chiropractor and was fine after that. Has something to do with your neck alignment being out of place or somethin along those lines. It's normal for it to happen every once and a while, so no worries.

EDIT: check out your form on everything. Mine happened a lot because I set the bar too high on my back, almost on my neck.

BigBen · 06-20-2006, 11:41 PM

ANy updates bro?

ghoststoglory · 06-21-2006, 10:16 AM

Tim- I don't think there's even a possibility of that, because I never drink less than 2 gallons per day, not including shakes.

Diesel- It is possible, but I do think it's my breathing.

Ben- I appreciate the concern, and I think you were right. I've noticed that I have a tedency to focus so much on the last couple reps of a set, that my breathing becomes almost non-existent, because I'm focusing so much on the mind-muscle connection. So, I haven't listened to my Ipod the last couple days, but rather, I've been listening to my breathing, and sometimes, it sucks. Since then, I've tried controlling my breathing more, and the headaches haven't been as painful. It still hurts a little bit, especially during my first couple sets, but I've been dealing with it. Towards the end of my workouts, it becomes a little worse, though it's been better these past two days. I've got delts and traps today, and I'll let you know how it goes later.

BigBen · 06-21-2006, 10:32 AM

ok bro, u might have to letit heal a lil bit. But yea just be sure your breathing, and im glad that helped a lil bit.
Great to hear, and i hope it leaves u totally bro!
AND

Diesel · 06-21-2006, 06:55 PM

you can take it or leave it but your symptoms are exactly how mine were. once you get the headache does it slowly go away once your done with your set? go ahead and check your breathing and go ahead and take time off if you want. But, I think it would save you time and frustration to go and get everything cracked.

ghoststoglory · 06-21-2006, 11:20 PM

Thanks Ben. I felt allright today. I got a little headache during one set of shrugs, but it stay, it stopped when I finished the set.

Diesel, I appreciate you concern, and I might do that anyway, but I think it was my breathing. I tested it by lifting without breathing properly, and my head started to hurt. I think it was just a long time coming. I won't forget what you mentioned though, and if it does come back, I'll probably go that route.

Diesel · 06-21-2006, 11:23 PM

thats cool ghost. it just sounds so similiar to what I had and no one ever thinks of going to the chiropractor and thought I'd just keep pounding the idea in. I guess it's easier for me to say since my buddy is a chiropractor and he can work on me free of charge.

ghoststoglory · 06-22-2006, 09:46 AM

Maybe I should become friends with a chiropractor too...and a nutritionist, and a personal trainer...and a chef.
It would make my life easier. :)
Thanks for the advice thouhgh.

mp5man1 · 08-01-2006, 02:47 AM

I think you are having exertion headaches. It’s not a technique thing while lifting. You should see your doctor about it.

Steamboat Bill · 08-23-2006, 10:06 AM

I had a similar headache problem for about 2 weeks. It cleared up on it's own (I worked out anyway and ate lots of advil). The best I can tell it was an injury problem with my neck that seemed to have happened while looking up a bit too hard while struglling through the last couple of reps of a squat set.