Headaches

reneamac313 · November 2014

I've been getting some really rough headaches but every time I take acetaminophen lately I've gotten violently ill. Any recommendations for things that may help?

lizzybean · November 2014

I've been waking up with some bad ones lately. I have just been guzzling water and riding them out. I also find getting out of the house and distracting myself helps them go away, too.

Sahara6971 · November 2014

Caffeine helps me. Tylenol gives me a stomach ache/nausea. Man I miss Advil.

Mommalawyer · November 2014

I have had daily migraine style headaches nearly daily since about 8 weeks. Tylenol didn't help. Nor did excedrin. My OB prescribed me fioricet. It has helped a bit. I have taken zomig not pregnant.... Talk to your OB. There is relief out there....

SSmith2409 · November 2014

I have a history of chronic migraines. The past few years they've been a lot better. Now that I'm pregnant I have them everyday. For days at a time. My OB have me butalbital apap caff. It's one pill. I'm not exactly sure what's in the butalbital but apap is acetaminophen ( Tylenol ). It really does take the edge off and it's completely safe. I take it everyday every 4 hours if needed. I would for sure talk to your OB there's a few others they can give. Also might want to look into seeing a chiropractor!

reneamac313 · November 2014

Thanks, ladies! I've been trying to ride them out but that hasn't worked out too well. Having major light sensitivity has been a very difficult part of it. It's nice to know that there are other options that can be prescribed if need be. I've got a doctor's appointment along with my glucose test on Wednesday morning so I'll definitely be bringing this up.

wintersong139 · November 2014

Good idea to bring it up on Wednesday, I bet they have a suggestion! Plus, its always good to bring up persistent headaches anyway, since it is one of the vague pregnancy symptoms that is usually totally normal but rarely could be an indication of a problem if it is combined with other symptoms.

aggiebug · November 2014

Yes talk to your doctor and start drinking water and a lot of it.

Seriously water water water I can't advocate it enough. Our requirements are higher than typical and with it being winter now it's that much more important. I had a week long headache about 2wks ago until it hit me that I hadn't been drinking as much water.

babybravesfan · November 2014

Mommalawyer said:
I have had daily migraine style headaches nearly daily since about 8 weeks. Tylenol didn't help. Nor did excedrin. My OB prescribed me fioricet. It has helped a bit. I have taken zomig not pregnant.... Talk to your OB. There is relief out there....

I second Fioricet. It is about the best thing out that as far as stuff you are allowed to take. It almost always makes mine go away.

Beth.1212 · November 2014

I just wanted to say that I'm sorry you're having this trouble and I sympathize! I hope your dr can help.

foxslaw · November 2014

aggiebug said:
Yes talk to your doctor and start drinking water and a lot of it.

Seriously water water water I can't advocate it enough. Our requirements are higher than typical and with it being winter now it's that much more important. I had a week long headache about 2wks ago until it hit me that I hadn't been drinking as much water.

^^^this this this.

jennypolkadots · November 2014

Everyone else has already said this, but just to reinterate - drink tons of water. I got a 20oz Ello bottle at Target early in pregnancy and force myself to drink at least 4 a day. On days I have less water, I sometimes get headaches or just feel worse in general.

Exercise can also help a lot by improving blood flow and oxygenation. I know it's the last thing you want to do with a headache but it really can help.

Caffeine can also help a lot. I had one awful headache in the 2nd tri and drank a small iced coffee and it went away. I would try caffeine before acetaminophen.

WanderingA · November 2014

I have always had persistent headaches from the time I was about 10 years old and they get a lot worse during pregnancy. I talked to my midwife about it at our last appointment and she told me that in addition to drinking close to a gallon of water a day to start taking a magnesium supplement. I started last week and have not had a single headache since!! My typical go-to with headaches when not pregnant or BFing is Excedrin and Tylenol does next to nothing for me. Magnesium has actually prevented the headaches so I highly recommend it!

reneamac313 · November 2014

aggiebug said:
Yes talk to your doctor and start drinking water and a lot of it.

Seriously water water water I can't advocate it enough. Our requirements are higher than typical and with it being winter now it's that much more important. I had a week long headache about 2wks ago until it hit me that I hadn't been drinking as much water.

Oh, trust me, I drink a TON of water. It's the only thing I have been drinking and I constantly have some by me.

CatLadyTX · November 2014

I have had a really bad migraine for two days now. I'm allergic to acetaminophen, so I'm pretty limited. I just made a desperate call to my OB, her nurse told me that I'm basically SOL. She said to down a ton of water, drink a coke, and try to relax.

sarahbkln · November 2014

I sympathize with you! And I second the magnesium supplement idea. I was having days-long migraines with light sensitivity at least once a week. I saw a neurologist who put me on 400mg of magnesium and vitamin B2 (riboflavin). It took about 2-3 weeks to see improvement, which sucked, but now I only get one headache once every 3 weeks or so, and they don't last nearly as long and they aren't as severe.

From what others have said, it sounds like there are lots of potential ways to help with this, so I hope you find something that works for you. Good luck!

dchmelyk · November 2014

Reading this post made me thirsty

Prior to getting pregnant I had almost daily headaches, then they went away when I got pregnant. "This is great!" I thought "I can't believe how much better I feel! La de da! What's this? Second trimester daily headaches? No no go away! You are not wanted!" I got used to not having the headaches and did not react well when they came back.

Right when I wake up I drink 3 cups of water and put a hot bag (magic bag) on my neck (usually wake up with a stiff neck due to sleeping on side). Then after that, more water, caffeine, yoga, chiro, and massage help. I try to give my eyes a break every once in a while if looking at a screen for a long period of time. Sadly I can't do anything about weather pressure headaches (shakes fist to sky).

Hopefully you find some relief as headaches are the worst.

All the tips on this thread are great. Off to drink more water...

reneamac313 · November 2014

Again, thank you so much! Y'all really have given me some great suggestions! I did get a beverage with a bit of caffeine and it did help a bit. I may definitely try some magnesium though!

AshleyKars · November 2014

The magnesium I think is better than Tylenol anyway! Butalbital is great if they're severe; it's a prescription version of Excedrin basically. Good luck!

Want a personalized experience?

Headaches

Re: Headaches

Choose Another Board

Search Boards