Headaches/Migraines?

maamawaabangi · August 2016

Goodness! This pregnancy is knocking me for a loop!
Essentially, I've had a 2-3 day long headache each week for the last two months... They are migraines (which I tend to get with my cycles and fluctuating hormones). But, I've never before had them during any of my previous pregnancies because my hormones don't fluctuate as much during pregnancy!
Im so over it! They hurt so bad and totally suck all my energy... And I tend to be in so much pain that I throw up more often.
It's so hard on our family too...

Nothing is working to stop them either... I've tried Tylenol... Which I don't want to take too much of.

Heat/cold packs
Peppermint oil (actually helps more than most things)
Staying hydrated
Resting
Caffiene

Any other headache sufferers out there? What do you do to help?

dmontgo · August 2016

I used to get migraines multiple times a week and that sucked bawlz and I had to go on Topamax for prevention and Maxalt to get rid of them. I started going to the chiropractor and he adjusted my neck and I rarely get them now and I don't have to take medicine. I did get a hormone headache last week and all I could do was cover up my left eye and lay down (light sensitive). You've done all the other things I would have suggested.

I hope you find relief soon!

dmontgo · August 2016

Oh, have you tried Excedrin Tension Headache? I don't know if the same as Tylenol (probably) but that does help me in a pinch.

fauxpa-2 · August 2016

Have you tried a magnesium supplement? I too always got migraines with my cycles and they had thankfully basically stopped until I hit the 2nd trimester and it all came back with a vengeance. I would have a constant tension headache that about every 3rd day would wrap up my head into a throbbing migraine. My doc recommended a magnesium supplement for my constipation and said it may also help with the headaches. It really helped take the edge off for me. I still will get the occasional migraine throb but it's not nearly as severe. You may ask your doc/midwife how they feel about a magnesium supplement.

Another thing that always helped me with my normal migraines was tart cherries/juice. I read a study a long time ago that it has the same anti inflammatory/ pain relieving properties as ibuprofen without the other side effects, so I tried it and it really did help. It is probably just the placebo effect, but I'll take relief however I can get it

I usually just take a shot or two of pure unsweetened tart cherry juice (it's REALLY tart), or blend some frozen tart cherries into a smoothie.

I hope you start feeling better soon! Migraines are so awful!

ve304856 · August 2016

I just mentioned this to my Dr yesterday. She said I could take Excedrin migraine. She said it's just Tylenol with caffeine. She also said caffeine could help. But it is probably the heat that we have had here, and not staying hydrated enough. I have found that eating Popsicles seem to help. I hope you find something that will give you some relief.

Austenista · August 2016

When mine were at their worst (sounding like yours) I tried different things. I started drinking a ton of water - the amount you need each day is current weight divided and whatever number that is, is what I try to drink in ounces. I think it did help a lot. I was just not drinking enough. In fact, I was drinking so little that when I did start hydrating enough I flushed out a kidney stone (lucky me

).

Nitrates would often set me off (sausage, lunch meat, hot dogs, etc.) and I wasn't even realizing that was triggering. I spent a miserable vacation - where we'd bought lunchmeat to make sandwiches every day - in bed while everyone else was having fun, not realizing I was literally feeding the migraine with the sandwiches.

The other thing that made the most noticeable difference was cutting out caffeine altogether. Sometimes not having enough caffeine would get one started and then I think the caffeine itself would start one up too - vicious cycle.

One trick that helped soothe sometimes would be to get in a tub and immerse my hands and feet in hot water but keep my head cool and dry - the idea being to draw out pressure from up top to the heated portions. There was no fix-all for me though. Doctor's gave me shots, meds, etc. Nah, just one of those things that once it got going it had to run its course.

I don't eat much dairy or meat/animal products anymore as you might have seen me mention around. The elimination of animal products, caffeine, losing weight, and then drinking more water has all seemed to put them at a halt. I rarely get them these days and they're never for more than a day.

Hope yours get better! I would definitely mention it to my OB though, if I were you, there might be something out of whack that's causing them!

phoenix870509 · August 2016

Have you tried lavender? I get random migraines once a month (I've had them since I was 6) but haven't had many since I got pregnant. I have a lavender eye mask I leave in my freezer and when I get one, I take that out, put it on and go lay down in bed. Before baby I would take 2 Excedrin Migrain (maybe an Immetrex if I need it) and pop that on, but with baby it's 2 Tylenol and the mask. It really helps.

maamawaabangi · August 2016

Thanks you all!
Ive tried excedrine migraine
I'm taking a cal/mag supplement daily
Im also on vit. D and a b complex
Ive cut cheese and anything with nitrates

For those who've tried chiropractor did that help?
I might try that.

dmontgo · August 2016

Yes, the chiropractor pretty much cured my migraines.

Mamax2 · August 2016

I hope you find some relief somewhere. My normal go tos are all already listed.

Toller · August 2016

I had a lot of headaches up until a few weeks ago, but mine seemed to be more tension related- could that play a part in yours too possibly (sometimes that's so sneaky)?? (I bet you're picking up/holding all those kiddos a lot!!

) I hold tension in my upper shoulders which pretty much stems down and up my body from there, causing pain! Chiro has always been one of my first go-to's for something like that (and sometimes after an adjustment it gets worse before better, just a heads up)

I also have used lavender and Chamomile essential oil (pretty diluted because I like to be very conservative) on my neck and shoulders, which for sure helped.

I haven't tried for headache/migraine, but you could consider acupuncture?

It's so hard not to just be able to take/do what you want to for pain like that- I hope you find relief!!!

jennbaylor12 · August 2016

I'm suffering right along with you. I get migraines periodically when not pregnant but my Dr only allows Tylenol when pregnant. I try doing what others have mentioned - coupling increased water intake with some caffeine... I've found that eating sometimes helps.... Solidarity sister!

maamawaabangi · August 2016

I'm sorry @jennbaylor12 Hugs and hope you get relief.
Honestly, I feel mad about it... this is my 5th pregnancy and first experience of this... so frustrating... it would be nice if it just go easier and easier. :-(

swhiddon33 · August 2016

Another vote for chiropractor! Hang in there mama!

screamingguppy · August 2016

Just an fyi, but excedrine migraine also has asprin in it, but if the Dr said it was ok, no worries there.

I'm also a migraine sufferer. My menstrual migraines suddenly became twice a week or more while pregnant.

I see a neurologist that is a migraine specialist, which might not be a bad idea in your case. She prescribed me a daily preventative called cyproheptadine, which I can also take a second dose if I get migraine. Totally safe for pregnancy, and approved by my obgyn before I started taking it. I haven't had a single headache since I started taking it.

Good luck, I hope you find some relief soon!

ea301 · August 2016

Another (third party) vote for chiropractor! My best friend had horrible migraines for her entire teen + adult life and she didn't have a single one while she was under chiropractic care. A few months after she stopped going regularly, the migraines came back. I think it's worth a shot, especially if you can get it covered by insurance.

maamawaabangi · September 2016

Just want to update that I went to the chiropractor about two weeks ago and I haven't had a single headache since!
He adjusted my neck up high and also did some muscle work on my neck.

I'm so thankful I went!!! Thank you all who suggested it!

princesslockness · September 2016

Super late to this one, but if they come back, I recommend getting your BP or a blood panel done. Migraines that Tylenol, shower, and/or caffeine wouldn't touch were an indication of my pre-e.

maamawaabangi · September 2016

@Kate08Young Yeah, that's not the issue. I always have very low BP and had an extensive blood panel done about a month into the headaches to check a lot of stuff, even my thyroid... It was all perfect... Thankfully.

But, for others it for sure can be an indication of pre-e! And an important thing to keep an eye on.

Kbchavez23 · September 2016

If it lasts me all day, I'll take a Benadryl at night to help me sleep. I usually feel better in the morning.

Want a personalized experience?

Headaches/Migraines?

Re: Headaches/Migraines?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards