Migraines during pregnancy help

Maebb

My friend is 14 weeks pregnant, and she has been getting awful migraines to the point where she just has to cancel plans and stay in bed.

What have you ladies done that worked to treat migraines? Or if @LuckyDad or any of the guys have ideas, I'm sure she would appreciate your suggestions.

emikat

Acupuncture might help. 

Maebb

I should add - she is on a very limited budget, so if there are any effective natural remedies that don't involve seeing a doctor or specialist, she will probably try the more budget-friendly options first.

Maebb

I should add - she is on a very limited budget, so if there are any effective natural remedies that don't involve seeing a doctor or specialist, she will probably try the more budget-friendly options first.

Maebb

I should add - she is on a very limited budget, so if there are any effective natural remedies that don't involve seeing a doctor or specialist, she will probably try the more budget-friendly options first.

ASmallWonder

Tylenol combined with caffeine and staying more hydrated than she thinks humanly possible might help but for some people (like me) only meds helped.  I had to be on Fioricet both times for debilitating migraines.  GL to her because I know how awful it is.

MallardDucky

jessicabcairns said:

GO SEE A DOCTOR!

If it is a true migraine, it is a sign of incredibly high blood pressure, an she needs to have it checked out.

Sorry don't mean to step on toes but that is not true. I have been dx'd with aura migraines and now ocular migraines and it has nothing to do with blood pressure. However tension headaches do.

OP ask your friend to see if her OB can prescribe her Phenergan. Yes I know I was skeptical too but it really helps me. Also a soda/pop a day helps for the breakthrough pain. Hope she feels better

jorkz821

Tylenol plus caffeine and an anti nausea med. acupuncture is good too but not as effective as when not pregnant (or so my acupuncturist told me).

winecastle14

Chiropractor is always my go to suggestion for health ailments. That and cut out sugar. I'll ask some of my crunchy groups for suggestions.

Mags748

She may not like this option, but the only thing that worked for me was pain pills. My doctor prescribed me Vicodin (hydrocodone) because there have been lots of studies that have found it is ok to use during pregnancy, but the migraine medications are either not safe or not studied enough. From second trimester on with Claire I was getting migraines daily or every other day. The kind that came with the aura that progressed to puking and needing to lay with a pillow over my head to block out any light and sound. I only had to suffer through the pain of like 3 migraines before I got the medication. Then, once I got an aura, I took 1 vicodin and I never felt the pain if I caught it right away. My OB also prescribed Zofran for the nausea but it wasn't needed. Tylenol, caffeine etc did not work and never have for me when I get migraines. I think a chiropractor is good for some type of migraines, but pregnancy migraines are typically hormonal so although I didn't try that, I doubt it would be the most effective route.

Vicodin was a life saver for me. I would have missed tons of work without out. My daughter was perfectly healthy and had no withdrawl or anything after birth. 

Mags748

MallardDucky said:

GO SEE A DOCTOR! If it is a true migraine, it is a sign of incredibly high blood pressure, an she needs to have it checked out.

Sorry don't mean to step on toes but that is not true. I have been dx'd with aura migraines and now ocular migraines and it has nothing to do with blood pressure. However tension headaches do. OP ask your friend to see if her OB can prescribe her Phenergan. Yes I know I was skeptical too but it really helps me. Also a soda/pop a day helps for the breakthrough pain. Hope she feels better

Yes my BP was perfect throughout pregnancy despite my frequent migraines.

wiggyslilsis

The only thing that worked for me was Fiorecet. I tried eating and making sure I was hydrated first, rested if I could, laid down in adark room, caffeine and tTylenol and when/if those didn't work I would take a Fiorcet.

TiffanyBerry

Acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, plenty of water, and adjusting vitamins can all make a difference.

wino2006

I had them almost daily until the 2nd trimester. I had to take Excedrin Tension Headache (Tylenol and Caffiene) 1-2 times a day to keep them at bay or at least manageable enough so I could function and go to work.

merc5411

Mags748 said:

She may not like this option, but the only thing that worked for me was pain pills. My doctor prescribed me Vicodin (hydrocodone) because there have been lots of studies that have found it is ok to use during pregnancy, but the migraine medications are either not safe or not studied enough. From second trimester on with Claire I was getting migraines daily or every other day. The kind that came with the aura that progressed to puking and needing to lay with a pillow over my head to block out any light and sound. I only had to suffer through the pain of like 3 migraines before I got the medication. Then, once I got an aura, I took 1 vicodin and I never felt the pain if I caught it right away. My OB also prescribed Zofran for the nausea but it wasn't needed. Tylenol, caffeine etc did not work and never have for me when I get migraines. I think a chiropractor is good for some type of migraines, but pregnancy migraines are typically hormonal so although I didn't try that, I doubt it would be the most effective route.

Vicodin was a life saver for me. I would have missed tons of work without out. My daughter was perfectly healthy and had no withdrawl or anything after birth. 

This was my experience too. I know some women get lucky and have fewer migraines during pregnancy, and some get a lot worse. I got a lot worse. Vicodin was the only thing that helped me.