Scary Experience while Working Out - Anyone Else had this

[rev500]

As part of becoming empty nest, my wife and I made the decision to get our sorry butts back into shape. We have been very athletic up until about 8 year ago when we discovered how easy being lazy is. We have been working out with Trainers since about August and doing great, that is up until last night. I experienced what I can best describe as an explosive headache. Within a couple seconds I went from no headache to burning and pain in the back of my head and top of my neck. It stopped me in my tracks. I could not even get off the machine for a minute. I though it would go away but it took some time and the headache lingered into today. Needless to say this scared the you know what out of me and kind of freaked out my trainer. After googling this it appears that it can happen. Unfortunately the causes can range from just muscles and dehydration to possible life threatening things. I contacted my doctor and he responded not to worry, but because I have to be on a plane to China this weekend he is sending me in for a CAT scan Thursday. Have any you experienced this and if so what was the cause?

 

[whitedust]

Not going to like this but my brother-inlaw had same problem during workout & had stroke then & there. He is Aok took about 6 months to get everything back. Since you are ok probably nothing unless you do have history of high blood pressure then at risk. Cat scan will let you know if life threatening probably not but not sure time to go to China either no help there. If you have high blood pressure takes time to get meds right.

 

[chicagosledder]

I work out regularly and the best advice I can give you is to go and get a physical from your Dr., I have no idea how old you are or what kind of shape our in but that should be your first trip. As for the headache it may be from dehydration and overexerting yourself. Ease into the working out when you get the green light, remember your body is not used to this all of a sudden change you are throwing at it. Good luck hope all is well.

 

[1blue99srx600]

I suffer from Migraines and when they are very bad I get these sensations, I have been told by my Dr. that these
are small mini strokes happening. These are called TIA's... A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is when blood flow to a part of the brain stops for a brief period of time.
A person will have stroke-like symptoms for up to 1-2 hours. A TIA is felt to be a warning sign that a true stroke may happen in the future if something is not done to prevent it.

As said above Dehydration also plays a big role with me as well as diet.

Out of my whole life this has only happened to me twice both requiring a trip to the ER.

I would do the CAT scan better safe than sorry.

I hope you get an answer, as I can see how it would scare the **** out of you, when it first happened to me I thought I was having a stroke it was even scarier because I was in my 20's.

 

[rev500]

CAT Scan is Clear

Thanks for the responses. I did get a CAT scan yesterday and it came back negative. Very relieved. While exercising again last night it happened again although not that bad. This time I could pay attention to it. It started in the neck area and then moved up into the back of my head. My neck is a little sore as well. It appears to be muscle related. Been looking on the web and this is not all that uncommon but they all say it is best to get a scan and make sure. Glad I did it. I was able to get it done so quick because the doc wanted to clear me to fly on Saturday. There are Trap (sp?) muscles that my doctor and trainer think are the culprit. In addition, I played hockey most of my life including Junior's when I was younger and I basically half destroyed my body. I have had to have both hips replaced and am likely headingh for at least on shoulder replacement. I have also had my neck crunched and it is also a little messed up. If only when you are that young you would realize that you are not invincible. Then maybe you would not do things that will make your later years tough.

 

[G]

Old injuries always come back to bite you. Glad your scan was neg. This is just one more reason not to excercise in a gym. If it hurts don't do it. Simple enough. Take up bike riding. Low impact sport where you get to see something besides sweaty people in a gym. You lose weight and get a good cardio workout. Works for me.

 

[ranlam]

I second what the grub said.lol Do you think it could b a pinched nerve or something? I would rather do cardio then sit in a gym also but that usually requires alot more time. Which I have alot of in winter. Plus its a great way to just get outside.

 

[arcticgeorge]

Whitedust........................Glad to hear he's ok, does he walk the same or does kinda limp? Just wondering cause my Son (age 15) is doing pretty good for having a stroke 3 months ago and he has a limp. He stretched his neck skateboarding and had a stroke at the skatepark.............And glad the CAT scan was clear Rev500. My Sons CAT scan was clear but a MRI confirmed he had lost blood flow to the rightside of his brain. Stay hydrated! Dr. Oz says millions of Americans are underhydrated every day and dont know it.