Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

I know that this topic has been discussed before and that those of us afflicted with them receive all sorts of advice on the causes and treatment. Let me offer another possible solution; magnesium.

Until recently my standard response was to take 2 ibuprofen as soon as I finished the ride. Sometimes I would follow this up with another 2 later and occasionally 2 more or even migraine medication. Two weeks ago my doctor and I discussed trying a magnesium and vitamin B mix as an alternative. I have taken 2 a day and 2 after a hard ride. Last Sunday I tested the theory by riding 100 km in 33˚heat. No headache. On Tuesday, I did a 100 km, 1565 metre total climbing ride. No headache!

So far I'm really hopeful.

I used to get migraines; the real deal, tunnel vision, slurring, memory loss and a headache that would come on three hours or so after exercise and last for 2 days. A couple of times it was a day off work level headache. It was always after long stressful rides.

As my shoulders were (amongst other body parts) always sore, I put it down to neck/shoulder strain. But on reading a journal article (that I can't reference) I decided to try hydration and salt. After any ride I hydrate a lot. If I have sweated a lot I will mix a small glass of warm water and salt. I have not had a headache since – 1yr+.

I don't sweat that much. I must have a suppressed thirst response or something, because I don't seem to need to drink that much on the bike. Thus I have been very surprised that the source of such debilitating headache episodes was in fact hydration. I also can't believe how painful dehydration headaches can be.

Anyway, this may apply to someone, so I am just putting it out there as a possibility, the main point being that it is worth a try. Interestingly, I can now predict the early symptoms and hydrate them off at the pass.

The magnesium is still working. Had a relatively mild headache last Sunday, which I saw off with ibuprofen.