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December 2015 Moms
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Anyone else have tension headaches?

eliseandbabyeliseandbaby member
in December 2015 Moms
For the last 2 days I have had an awful headache that makes me feel dizzy and nauseas, and I think it's tension headache because my neck and scalp feel tight as well. Wondering if anyone has had this so far and if anything has helped?
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Re: Anyone else have tension headaches?

  • herewegrowherewegrow member
    Always mention sudden headaches to your OB as they can indicate pre eclampsia. It could be anything though, hormones cause them. I personally have pregnancy induced migraines that have to be controlled with a blood pressure medication.

    Does Tylenol take the edge off? A warm shower?
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  • KristaJTolerKristaJToler member
    Yes! I started getting tension headaches around 31 weeks. I went and got a pre natal massage and it instantly helped. Walking, lots of water, and massage are the things that have helped mine. Oh, and try not to stress as much as possible. Stress will cause these and make them worse.
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  • eliseandbabyeliseandbaby member
    I'm going to try a nice warm shower right now! I'll ask my OB at next app. I just hate that dizzy and nauseas feeling :-( I'll also pick up some Tylenol
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  • breezypipbreezypip member
    That's how I'd always feel when I got my migraines. I haven't had any since 1st tri (knocks on wood), but I have read that migraines can present for the first time during pregnancy. Something to ask about if it persists, especially because it can also be a pre-e sign.
    BabyFruit Ticker
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  • navyblueladybugnavyblueladybug member
    A trick my DH does and I started doing when I get a headache is to put a cold pack on my head... It helps the blood vessels constrict and the cold helps me to feel less nauseous.
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  • MrsHarvey0229MrsHarvey0229 member
    I wasn't having any nausea or dizziness that I attributed to the headache but I've had a tension headache off and on for about 3 weeks now. It started in the back of my head but it's really progressed to almost my whole head and into my temples too. I've been visiting a chiro, two times a week for two weeks, and yesterday I had my first massage, both seem to help at the time but I can feel my muscles tensing right back up (more so after the chiro than the massage). A hot shower helps every time, while I'm in the shower, but it's back as soon as I'm out. Same thing for a heating pad or a cold compress, feels great while it's on but as soon as it's gone the headache is back. 
    I'm attributing mine to poor sleep and I desperately need to find a more supportive pillow. I just got a new one but it's not firm enough for all night side sleeping....I used to be a stomach, side and back sleeper. Tylenol doesn't touch the headache for me. Lots of water and being active also help. It's when I sit still for work or want to relax that they become a problem, but it's hard to want to do anything when your head hurts. I've also found comfort in massaging my temples and back with peppermint oil, mixed with a carrier oil, but I don't know that it has an effect on the headache in and of itself. It just smells nice and distracts me. Probably not the most helpful post, but I think you need to find the cause before you can figure out which solution works best for you. 
    My OB said he'd give me a muscle relaxer if it came to that. I've had tension headaches in the past and a painkiller, muscle relaxer and sleep were the only solution I found. I'm trying out other options before I resort to pills. Hope you get yours resolved.
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  • love-mom-lifelove-mom-life member
    I got headaches early in my pregnancy, started going to a chiropractor and no headaches!! It's amazing and no need for Tylenol
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  • KristaJTolerKristaJToler member
    Yep! Tension headaches started around week 31. Pre-natal massages have really helped along with lots of water, and exercise/walking.
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  • eliseandbabyeliseandbaby member
    Thank you for the suggestions, I am for sure going to drink more water I know I don't drink enough and I wonder now if that's contributing.
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  • knew1212knew1212 member
    Excedrin tension headache has saved me through this pregnancy, as imitrex is off-limits for migraines. It has caffeine and Tylenol, and the combination together really helps. (Obviously get any med approved by your doc.)
    Another thing I have been doing for years for migraines are a headpad on my neck and an ice pack on my head at the same time. Helps to break the cycle of tense neck causing headache, causing tense neck.
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