Need Headache Help

4legsRbest

I don't remember this from having my DS, but I am having some severe headaches. Like today I can hardly function at work it is so bad (I haven't announced here yet so I am sucking it up). I have had this headache since yesterday morning and Tylenol just isn't cutting it at all, no relief whatsoever. I would normally use BC powders, but am on Lovenox and baby aspirin so don't think I need the extra aspirin and I have already exceeded my caffeine allotment for the day.

Anyone else suffer from pg induced headaches have a magic remedy?

TIA!!

healz413

In our household, we've found the cooling sticky gels to be helpful. You stick them on your forehead and/or temples and it's kinda like having a cold cloth on but you don't have to hold it on and they stay cool for a long time. The ones we use are called "Kool n' Soothe for Migraine" but there may be other brands, too. We buy them at the drug store. Although, they may not be the best at-work solution if you mind looking silly, since walking around with one of them stuck to your head doesn't always give off the best professional vibe.

Allison7

Tomorrow if it is still around, drink a cup of coffee first thing in the morning and take the tylenol with it. It doesn't always work, but the caffeine does make the tylenol more effective. 

For today, get some peppermint oil and put it on your temples, behind your ear lobes, and on your neck right at your hairline. Cold and hot compresses also work well - but which to use depends on you. Personally, when I have a migraine my hands and feet are usually freezing, so I have a warm compress on my feet and a cold one on my head or the back of my neck. If I have a sinus headache or I am having sinus issues with a migraine, I am most helped by holding my mug of hot coffee or tea on my forehead. 

If you are at work the lights may be causing you issues - especially if they are florescent lights. They actually flicker constantly and while we don't usually notice it, they can aggravate a headache. If you have an office and can turn off the overhead light then great, do it. If not, go somewhere where you can get into darkness or natural light for about 10 minutes. Once out of the offending light, try to visualize relaxation. Start at the top of your head and work your way down through your forehead, eyes, noes, mouth, neck and out to your arms, core, and legs. Picture the relaxation coming to you. The idea is to remove some of the tension you are holding in your muscles. 

Good Luck!

4legsRbest

Thanks for the advice ladies! We do have very poor lighting here at work but I do not mind walking around looking silly as long as I can function.

I do also have the fever type chills with this headache and I think it is a classic migrane, I just have never had one so don't know what to do!

I will head to Walgreens on my way home and try to get some cooling pads for tonight. Great ideas, thanks!

xtina78

In addition to the above situations - if it doesn't get better I would consider acupuncture if you are open to that. Acupuncture is the only thing that gets rid of my headaches. It's made a huge difference for me.

4legsRbest

I am - I did acupuncture during my first IVF cycle. I am just cheap right now thinking of how much 2 more babies is going to cost! I do need to go back in though, for many, many different reasons! Thanks for the reminder!

MJC1116

I have been a migraine sufferer since I was 10... they are horrible. Here are some things that may help:

1. Caffeine: try a very small amount. I don't know what it is about Starbucks lattes, but when all else fails, a half-caff latte gets rid of my headache within an hour. I swear it's laced with crack or something  Don't forget to up your water intake to make up for the caffeine.

2. Ice: This sounds super strange, but if you can bend from the waist, soak your feet and hands in hot water with an ice pack on the back of your  neck. Our ice pack of choice is frozen peas. We keep a bag in the freezer in a ziploc marked "Migraines" so that we don't cook them. Haha.  The hot water pulls the blood from your head down to the extremities and the ice numbs the pain.

3. Acupuncture: Agree 100% with PP above... acupuncture works miracles with migraines. I went for several treatments and I have not had a migraine since (and I had been getting almost 4 a month pre-pregnancy).

Good luck to you!!

Edit: Clarity

FutureMrsW9

Allison7 mentioned, I've been recommended the peppermint oil - not too much and don't put it near your midsection, which idk why you would do that for a headache, but I've heard it works miracles for headaches so it's worth a try.

Ejgibson2010

I've been drinking Gatorade when my headaches come on. It helps me hopefully you get some relief