Massive pain in head, ears, teeth after running, bike riding, any type of hard exercise?

For as long as I can remember I've always gotten really bad headaches when I run, ride a bike, or swing dance (any really hard type of exercise). I can't even run to the end of my block without it happening. The pain goes from the back of my head, down through my ears, to my teeth. It hurts so bad I can't do anything but sit there until it goes away, I can't even open my mouth to talk because the air on my teeth causes even worse pain. The pain only last for about 5 to 10 minutes and then I'm fine. I've tried putting earplugs in while running, different breathing techniques, and just pushing through it, but nothing helped.





About 7 years ago I finally talked to my doctor about it and he sent me to a neurologist. After a year of tests, useless physical therapy, and constantly switching meds, I just gave up and decided to live with it. I'm thinking about seeing a doctor about it again, but am not sure if I want to deal with it. Has anyone else had a problem like this?

Massive pain in head, ears, teeth after running, bike riding, any type of hard exercise?
As a physical therapist myself, I experienced this and wondered if I was having cervical related headaches. I fortunately had the chance to have a nationally known PT (who is an expert in cervical headaches) examine me and I too, was found to not have my headaches related to any type of neck problem.





I'm sure you've had other problems ruled out such as high blood pressure, anneurysm, AVM, etc. by having your BP checked and have gone through an MRI and MRA. Once those have been cleared, I suggest you follow up regarding the possibility of "effort headaches." These are headaches caused by the very mechanisms you describe. The good news is, they are usually nothing serious and taking an anti-inflammatory before you exercise is usually enough.





There is some discrepancy between effort and exertion headaches...one being caused by short, strenuous activity (such as lifting...often called a weight lifters headche) and is usually brief...while the other is caused primarily by cardiovascular activity and can happen within minutes or hours and last several hours. There is arugement as to which is an effort and which is an exertion headache...but I believe the approach to treatment is the same...1: make sure nothing else more sinister is going on and 2: anti-inflammatories prophylacitcally.





My physician decided to put me on a beta blocker (which is usually for high blood pressure). Even though I do not have high blood pressure, this seems to have been very effective for me. My headaches are greatly reduced.





I've also found that avoiding exercise in hot weather and avoiding exertion beyond 70% of my maximum heart rate is effective. (It's harder to get your heart rate up while on the beta blocker).





My headaches were primarily caused by swimming, running, etc...and were so severe I'd often vomit...I feel much better now.





Good luck.
Reply:Wow, I have never heard of that. Must be hard.
Reply:I am definitely voting chiropractor on this one!





This sounds exactly like a cervical misalignment! I have very similar issues and a trip (or two) to the chiro takes it all away!





Please please try a chiropractor. I am betting you will wonder why you waited so long! And be patient with your course of therapy -- natural alternatives such as chiropractic may take a little longer.



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