Headaches - who's getting them and what are you doing to help them?

Flowr4246 · September 2014

Tylenol is just not cutting it. In fact, it's almost cruel because i feel like I'm popping a sweet tart and pretending it's actually going to do some good. I'd add a coke into the mix to try to get a little caffeine to help it along, but coke makes me want to puke right now. My head feels like it's going to explode! I'll try anything.

selena61307 · September 2014

Cup of coffee and a nap is the only thing that takes the edge of for me.

AlysonForbes · September 2014

I'm also having terrible headache. Try a cold compress on the back of your neck for 15 min or so. My MIL also suggested drinking ginger tea. Apparently it's suppose to help. Another friend told me to eat more apples. I'm trying everythjngn and haven't had much luck, hopefully you have more success than I!

071115 · September 2014

I drink water my doctor suggested caffeine coke coffee etc

Lark425 · September 2014

I just always have a headache. I'm sorry I don't have advice. I'm miserable and I refuse to take anything.

Flowr4246 · September 2014

@Lark425 I wouldn't take anything for the longest time when I was pregnant with my DD. Then i finally broke down and Tylenol helped a lot.

This pregnancy? The headaches from before don't hold a candle to these. I'm pretty much taking Tylenol every 4 hours and it's not even making a dent. And yet, my doc says it's completely normal, that i don't have high BP, yadda yadda. Sure. My eyeballs are about to pop out the front of my head, but it's all peachy keen. Grr!

cafecreme · September 2014

I could have written this. I'm asking the OB next week about it and see if she can prescribe me something. I heard ibprofen is safe up until the 2nd tri, but I want to do more research before I go out and buy it.

Nothing is helping. I try citrus drops, water, something sugary, cold compresses, sea bands, etc. and nothing. It's only temporary.

lewispm · September 2014

I get them! And unfortunately I have no advice. I have just been accepting the pain lately, but thanks for posting this question! There seems to be lots of good suggestions for some relief in the comments!

2Swanns · September 2014

I get them every week day - but not on weekends. I wonder if it isn't my office because it's an old building. I come home with a headache almost every day and like you, tylenol does nothing to help and I don't want to take it every day.

My husband said maybe it's because I eat less or drink less while I'm at work than I do on the weekends. I don't know how to handle this, but I need to start really doing some trial and error until I get to the bottom of this. It's unbearable!

Good luck to you!

Lark425 · September 2014

@Flowr4246‌ I know I should take something, I'm just stubborn. It's a terrible trait and has seemed to worsen whenever I feel icky.

I understand completely about the throbbing eyeballs. It really does stink. I saw on Pinterest that if you submerge your hands and feet in warm/hot water and place a bag of frozen peas on the back of your neck, it's supposed to pull the blood from your head to relieve the headache. I haven't tried it yet though because it sounds like you have to be flexible...which I'm not.

lisap0924 · September 2014

I currently have an awful headache, but im pretty sure mine today is from the heat. it is so hot and gross and I don't think I have drank enough water.

but on a normal day, Tylenol and caffeine helps too. When all else fails, a cold compress and a nap always helps

SmiLeeMom · September 2014

I read somewhere to double up.on your prenatals.... It helps me. Tylenol does crap, caffeine helps a little but the vitamins really do help.

igl08 · September 2014

If it's a sinus headache try smelling peppermint essential oils. Boil water and put a couple of drops of oil in the water and breathe in the steam while holding a towel over your head.

Lark425 · September 2014

FYI the steam trick made me vomit

Whitfry · September 2014

If you're having a sinus or pressure headache, you can take sudafed. Tylenol is the only OTC painkiller that is on the approved medications list I was given. I've been told to never, ever, take ibuprofen while pregnant. There are some prescription medications that are safe, though I don't remember what they're called. I just got out of a three-day migraine and was told that, if it happens again, I should call the triage nurse and they'll prescribe me something.

Not medication related things I use are caffeine, darkness, sleep, lots and lots of water, and more sleep. In the dark. I also pull gently on my hair, which helps sometimes.

ktmac315 · September 2014

Ugh... I hate the headaches! I'm 12 1/2 weeks and I just started getting them! Before I was pregnant I had awful migraines and the only thing that helped was excedrin migraine but obviously I can't have that now! I haven't tried Tylenol yet (have to Go buy some) but I'm hoping it helps at least a little. otherwise I just put a cold washcloth on my face and go lay in bed in the dark and hope I can fall asleep and maybe it'll be gone when I wake up! :-/

bdazzld · September 2014

Heating pad or cold compress, tylenol, more water, nap. If it seems to be sinus ask your doctor and take whatever they've cleared for you to take (Benedryl or Claritan).

texassweetheart04 · September 2014

I've suffered chronic migraines from the age of 7. The only thing that's helping me right now is to apply a drop of frankincense essential oil to the roof of my mouth every 15 minutes. It tastes horrid, but gives some relief.

Lmsq1611 · September 2014

I've suffered from migraines since I was 17 and in the first few weeks of pregnancy this came on full force and I was miserable. My doctor told me it was okay to take ibuprofen during the first two trimesters. This helped some, as Tylenol was not working. I also will drink a coke when the headache is coming on and eating always helps some too. And always drink a ton of water every day. I am also a big fan of ice on the back of my neck or temples, though bc careful because ice on the temples can make you very dizzy. A lot of current research is now showing that when necessary migraine medications such as triptans can be used safely in pregnancy. My doctor just wrote a prescription for Imitrix but fortunately my migraines have stopped so I haven't had to use it. It's so scary to use anything that I totally understand everyone's hesitation to even take Tylenol. I also take 500 mg of magnesium to help with the migraines and tension headaches. I definitely notice a difference on the days when I am unable to take the supplement bc of nausea. As an added bonus by taking magnesium I have never experienced the pregnancy constipation that so many people complain about.

In regards to medicine, one thing I really loved in the "Panic Free Pregnancy" book is that is stresses that just because you are pregnant you should not be miserable with symptoms. I would call you doctor again and ask what they can do if these headaches are getting in the way of basic functioning. There has to be something safe to help you get through these difficult weeks. My migraines let up around week 10 I think and since then ibuprofen at bedtime and an ice pack if I have a bad headache has been enough to ensure that I wake up headache free.

MrsZko · September 2014

I get them too and tylenol alone doesn't cut it either. I find it helps to have a cold compress on my head and neck, and even more, if I take a warm bath at the same time. Close my eyes, and really relax, and focus on nothing for at least half an hour. Obviously I can only do that when I'm home but my headaches are usually later in the day so I suppose I'm lucky in that way....

BabyFlax3615 · September 2014

I have been getting them as well. Although I am also prone to migraines. I thought they might go away with pregnancy but no such luck for me. I heard that increasing your daily water intake will help. Also when you take the Tylenol make sure to have some caffeine. Hope you and everyone else feels better!!

Khill2188 · September 2014

My doctor told me it was okay to take Ibuprofen up to 22 weeks. I've been getting almost daily headaches and some are really awful. I'm being conservative with the Ibuprofen, only taking it when my headache becomes unbearable because Tylenol does nothing for me. Also caffeine, a hot shower, and a nap helps.

sweaver93 · September 2014

I get these "lovely" headaches called complex migraines. Apparently they are rare, but they completely mimic a stroke, and nothing, I mean nothing, can touch them. I've tried everything, including morphine from the hospital in an iv, 3 doses didn't even take the edge off. I have to wait them out. For regular headaches, I drink water like you wouldn't believe and take a hydroxide be when needed, because Tylenol won't help at all. I hate it but the doctor says it's safe. Hormones cause them too so hopefully once you get further along it'll calm down and won't be an issue!

mrsroylong · September 2014

Cold compress with peppermint oil on back of neck, magnesium(soak your feet or take orally), and lemon water or ice water.

stellarsoundz · September 2014

mrsroylong said:

Cold compress with peppermint oil on back of neck, magnesium(soak your feet or take orally), and lemon water or ice water.

This, but is also helps greatly if you soak your hands and feet in WARM or HOT water while you have the cold compress on the back of your neck. It draws the blood away from your head and to your extremities, relieving pressure. As a migraine sufferer, this is my absolute go to solution. I did this before pregnancy, as I frequently found it to be effective enough that I didn't need the medications I had at my disposal. (ie Imitrex and the like)

SR&JRx2 · September 2014

I has having horrible headaches (that nothing helped!!) with my 1st and midwife found my thyroid levels were off. They started me on meds for it and the headaches went away.
I've only had a few this time around but I'm already on the thyroid meds since my levels were off again this time too.
Just a thought from my experience!! Hope you start feeling better!!

BabySuleman · September 2014

I use a cold ice pack on the back of my neck. I have also has extra strength tylenol. What is everyone's opionion on extra strength vs. regular tylenol? I usually won't take more than one a day, which is equivalent to two regular tylenols. I still worry if it will harm the baby.

Thomask77 · September 2014

I woke up with a pounding headache last week. I drank a huge Gatorade and that helped a lot. While I drink a lot of water, seemed like I needed a boost that morning of something that would absorb better.

kekelibaby · September 2014

I get headache too but you'll realise it's normal during the second trimester. Avoid staying hungry for a long time, always ensure there is some snack to eat. Take a 15mins rest in a dark, quiet room, that really helps me.

Flowr4246 · September 2014

There are so many good suggestions in here. thank you ladies!

kruves22 · September 2014

I fall asleep many nights with ice on my head!! My doctor told me at 2nd trimester I can start taking excedrine migraine but have to stop at 3rd. I'll be 14 weeks tomorrow so hopefully that will bring some relief!

wimic83 · September 2014

I've been having terrible migraines for the past few weeks. My doc recommended that I get a couple of massages per week to help keep my shoulder and neck muscles loose.

kdejana · September 2014

I have been getting awful headaches too, so sorry to hear I am not the only one

. I do lots of water ice gel packs on my neck and eyes. I just started a prenatal yoga class and am considering chiropractic and acupuncture. I got a cold and the sinus headache put my migraine through the roof. I used a netti pot which helped a ton and took me back to normal bad headache vs excruciating.
Good luck hope the suggestions help!

britthummel13 · September 2014

When Tylenol doesn't help I use lavender oil or a lavender scented candle it helps ;-)

Unknown · September 2014

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fingerscrossed2015 · September 2014

It could be a sinus headache. Those don't usually go away with sleep. Just a few days ago my head was hurting so bad I went to sleep, woke up and it was still there. The pain was so irritating that it was making me nauseous and I ended up throwing up. My right nostril was congested and right above my right eyebrow was where the pain was coming from. I used a saline nasal spray and a warm compress on my face plus some Tylenol and that did the trick .

mpeabody1990 · September 2014

This sounds weird but I like to rub some icy - hot or biofreeze on the back of my neck and on my temples. It just leaves a cool tingle feeling that really clears my head and helps the headache!

MyGirlAva · September 2014

10-15 raw almonds

mommytron · September 2014

I have been getting bad getting tension headaches for the past week. I have only been using, "Peace of Mind" on the spot relief by Origins but it hasn't helped 100%.

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