Mountains and migraines

August 1, 2023 9:37 AM

We have been invited to visit friends who live in Mexico 6 months of the year. I have chronic migraines that are affected by low air pressure systems.

The town is 1,500 ft above sea level.

Do any fellow sufferers have advice for travelling to mountainous areas? Did your migraines worsen, or did you get used to the altitude in a couple of weeks? My friends don't get headaches, so can't advise me.

Thanks

posted by Enid Lareg to Travel & Transportation (8 answers total)

My arthritis flares when the pressure changes (i.e. when it storms), and I spent a weekend in Santa Fe (7000 feet above sea level) and it was totally fine. I think (at least for me) it's not *low* pressure, it's pressure *changes*. Just an anecdote to add to the pile!
posted by restless_nomad at 10:07 AM on August 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: It's sudden pressure changes, not high or low pressure in and of itself, that cause migraines for me. YMMV obviously, but I've never had an issue simply traveling to mountainous areas. So I'd say keep an eye on the weather forecast more than the elevation.

My sinuses aren't always happy about pressure changes in general, whether rapid or not, and that can lead to headaches or just feeling blah, so I try to mitigate with saline spray to keep things from drying out and swelling up, and a prophylactic anti-inflammatory. Warm compresses on the face can also help, and caffeine.
posted by yasaman at 10:14 AM on August 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

Cocoa leaf tea is said to relieve symptoms . That's all I know .
posted by hortense at 10:30 AM on August 1, 2023

I get migraines, and I spent two years working Monday - Friday at an altitude of 6,500 ft, with weekends spent at sea level. Prior to that, I would go to the higher altitude 1 - 2 times per summer and I would always, without fail, get a migraine on day one. So I knew it was going to be essential to figure out how to avoid it since I would be doing it every week, and needed not to be out of commission the entire first day.

Through trial and error I discovered that it was absolutely essential that I pound liquids the first day at altitude -- just water, water, water all day long, starting in the morning before I was even traveling to the altitude. And yes, I totally got used to it. I just went up there for the first time in about 10 years and I had no problem at all.

Enjoy your trip!
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:57 AM on August 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

My first migraine was when I was 18 or so, and the weather went from typical Kansas City August weather, (mid 90s and very humid), to like a 60 degree day. I also have always had altitude sickness, (massive headaches and vomiting) when we would drive from KC to Denver in one day. But I have not had migraines due to altitude. I hope you don't either, as migraines are the fucking worst.
posted by Windopaene at 11:31 AM on August 1, 2023

Best answer: 1500 feet of altitude isn't very high. Did you mean meters? Pittsburgh, Oklahoma City and Omaha are all about 1300' and no one speaks of their altitude.

If it is meters, that's still lower than Denver which is fine for most folks who visit. If you think the altitude will be problematic, see a travel doctor for a Diamox prescription before your visit?
posted by mcgsa at 12:25 PM on August 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

I personally have issues with altitude sickness and headaches (though not migraines). I would not expect issues with being at 1,500 feet. The difference in air pressure from sea level is around 5.5%. You'll experience four to five times that pressure change during the flight, as airplane cabins are pressurized to between 6,000 and 8,000 feet.

On preview, I second mcgsa. 1,500 meters would be a bit different. I can experience issues if I exert myself at 1,500 meters, but usually it's fine after a day or two.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 12:36 PM on August 1, 2023

Response by poster: Thank you everyone. I checked and it's actually 1500 meters, but I am reassured by your replies.
posted by Enid Lareg at 5:02 PM on August 1, 2023