These headaches are getting rediculous!

ArmyMedic7588 · February 2014

Ok I'll admit I'm posting pretty much because it's 3:15am and I can't sleep. If this was during the day I'd probably not be on here posting! But alas this headache I got last evening has now woken me up. Before I got pregnant my general practition dr sent me for an MRI for some insane headaches I've been getting. Came back normal (haha see DH they say my brain is normal!!). They are debilitating at times but dr says it's not a migraine (which I agree besides the occasional nausea that's the only other migraine link). I've done pretty good since the first tri, but damn tonight has thrown me for a loop!! I've tried Tylenol, heat packs on my neck, had a prenatal massage just last week... I feel at my wits end ladies! I wanna cry but it only hurts more then! Advice anyone? If I call the dr they just say "oh sorry there's not much we can do, have you tried Tylenol?" ...like it's a fucking miracle drug that could cure cancer! Of course I've fucking taken Tylenol or else I wouldn't call!!!

Ok sorry that was long and probably not really so important for its own topic. If you read that all you earn a cookie. But sorry I'm not in the baking mood. Go buy yourself those yummy pepperidge farm ones!! Goodnight ladies, I'm gonna go stalk some other boards.

That+One+Girl · February 2014

I get migraines normally and combine that with pregnancy craziness and headaches and some days I feel like I can't deal. Not much helps, espicaly because I can't take my prescription meds.
Drink water, try to sleep in dark quiet room and try to not think of chopping off your head. The only bright side is I can try some of my labor pain coping skills.
Hope you feel better

eghulse · February 2014

I second the magnesium supplement. It has helped me immensely with headaches. I had migraines with my first pregnancy that disappeared once I was taking magnesium daily with my prenatal.

ArmyMedic7588 · February 2014

I'll ask about the magnesium at my next appointment, thanks! I'm pretty certain they're not migraines though (only get some nausea when they're really bad like today) and some blurry vision. But when I discussed with my general practitioner before my bfp she agreed they don't sound like migraines though. But wouldn't hurt to ask! Thanks for the input ladies!

jpbling · February 2014

If you need sleep they can prescribe Phenergen suppositories. They will at least help you sleep at night if you can't break the cycle of multi-day headaches. I am dealing with the same thing, it's super frustrating! My doc said yesterday to take 2 extra strength Tylenol with a sugary caffeinated beverage every 4 hours as needed which may at least make them not as severe. Other than that she didn't give me any other options. Good luck!

That+One+Girl · February 2014

@jpbling I took phenergen for years for migraines. It worked really well espicaly when I was in elementary school, it took so long to get a diagnoses of chronic migraines and to find something that worked.

springbeduk2 · February 2014

Not having nausea with them does not necessarily mean they aren't migraines. There is a huge range in how migraines present. Where in your head is the pain focused? Is it usually more on one side or symmetrical? What kind of headaches does your Dr. think they are? Having some vision effects really does sound like migraines, unless eye strain is a possible cause?

Magnesium is a great recommendation and good for other reasons anyway. Also try to watch diet to keep protein intake up and aim towards keeping blood sugar levels fairly consistent (frequent snacks; mostly complex rather than simple/refined carbs, etc.). And water! Water water water lots of water. We need a lot more now to be properly hydrated and for some people being even just a little dehydrated can bring on a headache.

Caffeine is definitely worth a try when you get a headache either in something like exedrin (my MWs and the OB in the practice said OK as long as the kind with aceteminophen not aspirin or ibuprofen) or just in a beverage. Also if you are still having any caffeinated beverages on a semi-regular basis (but not same amount every day) you might want to look at that to see if it's a factor. I had to taper off coffee really really slowly (though wasn't even having that much to start with) to minimize withdrawal headaches.

If there's any chance they are sinus related then a saline rinse (can do without asking doc.) and/or sudafed or benadryl (check with doc first but mine said both are OK at least in small doses) may help. Also both the OB and MWs I see did say I could take my migraine prescription if got a really bad one - (triptan family - imitrex and newer similar ones) - they are category C so no known bad effects just not enough studies to be really sure are totally safe. So far I've been able to hold out without them, but ... if you are really suffering and being debilitated and want to get a 2nd opinion about the diagnosis, it is possible you could be allowed to take something like that which could help if it turns out they are migraines.

If they suspect tension headaches then exercises (esp. shoulder and neck)/physical therapy could help. Maybe.

Good luck and I hope you get some relief soon! Headaches suck and tylenol is lame.

ArmyMedic7588 · February 2014

@springbeduk2 first off thanks! They're thinking tension headaches especially because I usually get them within a day or two after I have a bad episode with my back (have a herniated disk that is getting worse due to pregnancy). The pain is mainly from the back of my head/base of my skull area to my temples. I rarely drink caffeinated drinks since I found out I'm pregnant, maybe a small cup twice a week if that. So I'm pretty certain its not caffeine withdrawal anymore. The visual disturbances seem more like eye strain/really tired from not sleeping. I wear my glasses when it gets to that point but the pressure of the ear pieces start to hurt then too.

As for my diet, it could always be better but I eat every few hours and try to stick to good nutrition as much as possible (though some days munchkin doesn't like meat, so I supplement with nuts and beans a lot to get protein).

I'm gonna talk to the Dr again about possible migraines. Really thinking they are just really bad tension headaches from my back. But maybe they can give me something to ease them so I can sleep better. Especially cause if they are tension headaches lack of sleep is only gonna make them worse!

But thank you again I'm willing to try any and all suggestions now for ANY kinda headache! haha

YTLCNURSE · February 2014

I've been having crazing headaches at night too. I've been taking some Tylenol PM to help me sleep through them. Make sure you're staying hydrated and eating well. Hope things get better!

whitneymarie003 · February 2014

My headaches have been getting worse as well, which I wasn't expecting. I hadn't been getting them since I started my 2nd trimester. And I hate when the nurse or doctor tells me to just take Tylenol! It does nothing. I have always been prone to migraines and Advil Migraine was a God-send pre-pregnancy. I hope they start getting better or going away for you soon!

ArmyMedic7588 · February 2014

Hope your's start getting better to @whitneymarie003!!

springbeduk2 · February 2014

That does sound like tension headaches are likely. So maybe, maybe, some kind of neck and shoulder exercises could help - it'd make sense that when you have a bad episode with your back other muscles tighten up to react/compensate and that could lead to the headaches. Though not as quick and easy a solution as a magic pill (wish there was one!) it might be worth asking about. Maybe.

Also - 1) didn't mean to imply criticism of your diet - I'd just noticed some of my headaches could maybe be attributed to having been late wtih a meal or having too little protein in one. 2) I love the name you've picked out for your LO! Hadn't noticed that before. Amelia was in my top 3 at least for anglo names (we're probably going to go with an Indian name) but so far at least DH isn't going for it.

Good luck!

ArmyMedic7588 · February 2014

@springbbeduk2 it's ok I know you weren't criticizing my diet! I was just making it clear so it could be or wouldn't be ruled out ya know. But it could always be better!! Lol I don't admit I have a love of chocolate... But I grew up in Hershey so it's ok! It's genetic lol!!

whitneymarie003 · February 2014

ArmyMedic7588 said:
Hope your's start getting better to @whitneymarie003!!

Thank you @ArmyMedic7588!

CarriMat · February 2014

I have been having major headaches since week 9. Nothing has made them go away, but the biggest help I have found for relief is to see a chiropractor. I, like you, have had a herniated disc in my back that has given me trouble on and off for about 10 years now. I have seen the chiropractor numerous times for treatment and it helps my back pain and my headaches. My dr has also prescribed me 2 different medications to try. one is called Phrenelin Forte and it seems to help the best for me. It is a combination drug that combines acetaminophen with another pain reliever. Although I am certain mine are migraines, because I have nausea, dizziness, and blurred vision at times when they are really bad. I never really had migraines pre-pregnancy so this is totally not normal for me, but my dr is certain they are hormone related. The other medication I have tried and it works sometimes is called Midrin. It is actually a treatment for migraines and tension headaches. You may ask your dr about it, since it often prescribed for tension headaches. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a miracle because here I am at almost 25 weeks and still missing work for these debilitating headaches.

If nothing works though, I encourage you to try the chiropractor. It has definitely helped the most! Good luck and feel better! I feel your pain!

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