Massive headaches at tournaments

[scarlet_woman156k]

I just wanted to know if anyone has ever experienced this, and maybe has a solution.

Every tournament I go to, either three-fourths of the way through or at the actual end of competition, I get a massive headache in the forehead area, and right above each eye.

I thought it was perhaps that I wasn't eating, or not eating enough before and during the tournaments. I've upped the caloric intake of my morning meal before a tournament, and have a decent snack inbetween pools and DEs, but still the damn headache. I drink PLENTY of fluids before, during and after...so dehydration isn't an issue. So I have no idea why.

I am not prone to headaches, or ones as massive as these that light and noise can sometimes become painful.

Any thoughts?

[damianip]

scarlet_woman156k:

See a doctor.

To me, a layman, it sounds like a migraine, but you should get checked out by an MD. Better safe than sorry.

I sometimes get headaches from electrolyte depletion and dehydration, but it clears up after I've addressed the cause.


Paolo

[DarkTransient]

Probably was caused by eye strain.

[Peach]

Huh - with me it's always dehydration, except for when I have caffeine withdrawal. Are you drinking enough coffee? <grin>

I had an atrocious migraine during one NAC where the lights were particularly obtrusive.

[MikeHarm]

It could be a stress related headache, I used to get those when I was younger and tournaments can be pretty stressful. Thats something you can work on psychologically if its what the deal is.

Mike

[mifencer]

it's due to the lights. after your seating round and between de's leave the gym and get some real lighting and fresh air.

see frank, i can post helpful suggestions -- do you have any suggestions for my glouts?

[DarkTransient]

It's the water.

[Shadow Fencer]

I wouldn't call it a "massive headache" but a headache nonetheless. The first time it happened to me was at my second tournament- and I think it was stress related. 400 mg of Motrin did the trick.
The second time it happened, I think it was a combination of stress and heat. It was HOT in the gym and although I drank sufficient fluids, the heat got to me. Even though I verbalized I wasn't nervous/stressed, my body language said otherwise. While sitting in a chair, my feet/legs were very jittery! Just nervous energy. Again, 400 mg of Motrin helped ease the pain. The advice about getting natural light is a good one! I will endeavor to remember it for my next tournament!

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I live to fence and fence to live!!

[Impaled]

Sounds very much like a migraine. I used to get them playing squash, and put it down to a combination of physical exertion and neon lights. My vision would be affected, flashing lights etc, then the headache from hell, then vomiting. I gave up squash.
Haven't had one fencing, touch wood. Nothing preventative you can do. Drink plenty of electralyte drinks like gatorade, and try eating something sweet, as I was told it can be related to blood/sugar levels.

[Moonitic]

Scarlet,

Lately I've been experiencing them at the end of fencing practice myself. I usually take an Excedrin before I fence, during a meal...with lots of water or a sports drink.

My family is prone to migraines. They aren't fun.

[Gav]

Sounds to me like a stress headache, I get them once in awhile. Whether it's a migraine or not depends on other sensationbs you get during your headache - if your worried see you doctor. I have to say that everyone I know who gets migraines are incapacitated by them so if you are still able to compete it's probably not that.

The lighting thing is a real possibility I have a friend who has that problem and has to wear tinted glasses that his optician prescribed.

You can also try cutting down on caffeine. It's fairly well known that it can be a cause of headaches (it's a stimulant after all).

[Peach]

I get migraines but am not incapacitated by them - I get the scintillating floaters in my vision & go into a rather garrulous goofy mood, but have very little pain. Many people who get migraines don't recognize them as such unless they're incapacitated by pain, but there are other symptoms besides pain.

The first time I had one I thought I was going blind. It's not easy to fence with one going on but I've managed.

[Gav]

Really?

I don't suffer from migraines myself so I've only those around me to go by. I've heard of the scintillating floaters before but again everyone I've known who's suffered has been incapacitated. I think you're lucky in that respect.

Still, if it is possibly a migraine, it's best to get checked out by a doctor.

[This message has been edited by Gav (edited 05-28-2001).]

[Bugaboo]

Best guess, from circumstances alone: Tension migraines, possibly helped along by insufficient diet and/or hydration.

Best general suggestion: Learn to be calmer. Drink plenty of fluids. Maintain a healthy diet on a daily basis.

Even better backup suggestion: See a physician and talk it over with her. She'll know better than a bunch of shmoes on the internet.
:-)

[scarlet_woman156k]

I've come to the conclusion I'm going to have to see my doctor on this one. But thank you for the ideas on causes. I think it really has to do with the intense concentration in the eyes...causing a tension headache in that area. I'm going to have to try downing some advil before and half-way through a tourney.

Thanks!

[latenight]

I would see a physician, there a whole bunch of new meds out there for migraines

[Cutter]

Scarlet, are you saber? I have noticed that a higher percentage of people (myself included) have headache problems with saber rather than foil or epee. My doctor seemed to think it was a combination of several factors, fluid loss during competition, energy depletion, eye strain, tension and GETTING WACKED IN THE HEAD.

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Cutter
"It's just a flesh wound."

[space_cadet]

Pills are good...

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Cadet à Space

[Peach]

Gosh, my experience is that pills are full of unexpected side-effects and doctors mostly don't know what they're talking about with migraines.

I go with the getting-whacked-in-the-head theory <grin>.

[arcon]

[ 10-23-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]