Lurker with a question about headaches.

KampMomma

I have been on here lurking my entire pregnancy but never posted anything.

I am 38 weeks today, I have had a constant headache for over a month now. This is an agonizing headache that puts me in tears most days (I have been told I have a high tolerance for pain). My doctor is well aware of this headache, I have tried everything from caffeine, Tylenol, Morphine, Percocet, Dilaudid, and amitriptyline and nothing has been able to break the cycle. My doctor put me in the hospital for 3 days last week and with constant Dilaudid through an IV they were able to take the edge off of it, but nothing else. They did an MRI and checked for pre-e and I and baby were perfectly healthy besides this constant headache. I have been placed on bedrest and am at home. But I honestly don't think my doctor understands how much pain I am in, and I have no idea what can be done to help it.

I have had migraines from the time I was a little girl and they are always triggered by hormones, so I am assuming that is what is causing this one. The only thing that has ever helped when I get a real bad headache is an imitrex shot, which I obviously can't have while pregnant. But I honestly have no idea how to handle this headache anymore and I told my doctor this and she has no suggestions on how to help me. I guess I am just looking to see if anyone else has dealt with something like this or if anyone has any suggestions of what to try. I am not sure how I can make it 2+ more weeks with this headache. And I can tell you that everyday I feel like a horrible mom for having to put these drugs into my baby's system.

lwogsland

I understand you are in alot of pain, but taking these kinds of medicines don't go without risks.  You need to talk to your OB about your pain, I'm not sure if they would be willing to check fetal lung maturity and get you delivered...but I definately don't think more medication will be the answer.

The dr isn't offering you other solutions as any of these meds you take, your baby is going to go through a type of withdrawal syndrome from and experience intense pain..much like yours...some babies even need ot be on morphine for it. 

kat72883

How far along are you?  Like PP said, maybe delivering is an option.  When I get a really bad migraine (pre-pregnancy, haven't had one that bad since pregnant) I would require steroids.  I usually just got oral steroids (like a medrol dose pack or some prednisone).  That may be an option for you, as long as you don't have GD (can raise blood sugar).  I find that people who have never had a migraine just don't understand.  I don't think any of the typical pain killers are going to work, since you've already tried most of them.

KampMomma

Thank you for both your responses. I am 38 weeks today, so I thought induction might be a solution if his lungs were ready. But my doctor's reply to me was "We don't induce for migraines." Which again leads me to believe she has absolutely no understanding of the pain I am in and how much I hate taking pain pills that are effecting my baby and helping me very little. 

norvelln

Do you get visions changes?  Have they done NST and AFI yet?  24 hour urine collection for protein testing?  All in conjunction with blood pressure checks?

Going through a similar situation - being tested for preeclampsia.  Yes, even this late in the game.

KampMomma

Yes, I have had vision changes. They are rare but do happen on occasion. They did NST tests, blood tests, and monitored my blood pressure for the 3 days I was in the hospital. But they determined it wasn't preeclampsia. Just a migraine that won't go away. They also did an MRI and confirmed there wasn't a blood clot or anything like that to be worried about.