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Pregnancy

I have had a headache for three days and paracetamol wont touch it.

28 replies

JambalayaCodfishDIE · 12/10/2011 18:34

Have any of you pregnant ladies got any magical quick-fixes?

Please say yes! :(

OP posts:
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saltyair · 12/10/2011 18:42

NO, but I do have a similar headache if that's any consolation! A shower running on my head and neck made me feel a bit better but only temporarily, as has drinking ALOT of water...

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RockChick1984 · 12/10/2011 18:54

I used one of those 4head sticks while pregnant, it's fantastic! Doesn't work for long, but I swore by it!

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fiveisanawfullybignumber · 12/10/2011 18:58

How far along are you? Later in pregnancy a headache like this can be a warning.
Forehead menthol stick is good.

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piprabbit · 12/10/2011 19:02

Headaches in pregnancy can be a sign of other issues.
It might be worth seeing your GP or MW and getting checked out.

FWIW my awful headaches often repsond well to a hot lavender bag across my neck/shoulders - it seems to be where I hold a lot of tension.

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MangoMonster · 12/10/2011 19:08

Go and see your midwife or gp to get it checked.

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thejaffacakesareonme · 12/10/2011 19:08

If you are after 20 weeks and have a constant headache please phone your midwife tomorrow and report it. I had a constant headache after 32 weeks and just ignored it as I put it down to stress at work. It turned out it was pre-eclampsia.

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dreamc1 · 12/10/2011 19:37

I could have written that sentence!! Mine has finally gone after a week, did have migraines 4 days straight though and then the headache after would not go. However. even b4 pregnancy this was normal for me.
But I'd love to know if anything else works, paracetamol extra does work, but the headache comes back the next day.

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whostolemyname · 12/10/2011 20:28

Agree with those who say you need to be checked out. You should call the hospital this evening and explain your symptoms. You need to get your blood pressure checked as severe headache is sign of pre eclampsia as said by jaffa above. Hope all works out ok.

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josephinebonaparte · 12/10/2011 20:28

You need to get your bp checked ASAP.

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laymizz · 12/10/2011 21:16

I've been prescribed co-codamol for heavy duty migraines. I suffered terribly with them throughout my last pregnancy and breastfeeding but none at all this time round. There are various strengths, its safe to take in pregnancy although not recommended in the final trimester. Agree you should get checked out by your GP.

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Oeisha · 12/10/2011 21:33

A) ASAP get it checked out by MW/GP, esp after 20wks as it could be pre-eclampsia. Headaches are very common in 2nd and 3rd trimester (I got loads in early 2nd, but still got them checked out). If they feel it is 'just' headaches they may be able to give you something stronger than paracetamol, though if you're coping with them, they won't.

B) if it is 'just' headaches then the following might help:
1 Drink plenty of fluids - dehydration in pg is very common. Especially overnight, so if LO's waking you up, or your bladder is, then drink half a glass of water.
2 Food - 'have a snack before bed (banana, toast etc). Take some biscuits to bed, too and if you're waking up early, have a snack and go back to sleep for a bit. Or at least eat asap when you wake up. A dip in blood sugars could be causing headaches.
3 Food - you could have become sensitised to something. If you have any IBS like condition, or migraines, then it's probably the same triggers. Look out especially for citrus fruits, raw tomatoes, blue cheeses. Otherwise, just see if you notice any patterns. If you have an upset stomach around the same time, then there's something dietary happening (headaches to go with IBS like stomach complaints are very common).
4 Caffeine - if your earlier in pg and/or have given up/cut down on caffeine then this could be causing headaches, so just be careful. Cut back 'slowly'
5 Caffeine - if you're 'caffeine' free then caffeine CAN help with heaches. It won't work if you're a 6 cups a day caffine pre-pg drinker, but, often a cup of tea will help. It acts as a relaxant. This is why paracetamol plus works well for some, and not for others. BUT, be careful how much caffeine you consume - limit guidance
6 Like saltyair said, having a cool head can help. Use icepacks on your neck, keep your windows open at night, have a cool shower, washing your hair before bed etc. You can get 4head quick-strips (boots do their own, as do many others) if the menthol in the sticks makes your eyes water. I prefer these at home as they seem to last longer than the sticks. There is a cooling stick that doesnt have menthol in it, but I can't think of the name right now.
7 Some people likepiprabbit like having a heat pad on their necks/backs for tension relief...so might be worth looking in to. Again, pillows, strips etc can all be got from most pharmacies. I like a cool head, but a hot water bottle on my back.
8 Make sure you get some form of exercise during the day. Even a walk around the block will do.
9 De-stress. Cut out as much stress as you can when you have a headache, esp when pg as it's very draining to deal with both. Also try breathign techniques to helo your through it.
10 Sleep - make sure you're not tired.
11 Darkness. Just spending some time (90mins) in subdued lighting/darkness can help a lot. If this does work very well, then get back to your GP as it could mean you're having migraines, not just headaches. Again, common in pg, but an absolute bastard...

I'm a migraineur FWIW and these have helped me cope. Luckily not had many migraines during pg, but have had headaches.

Fingers crossed for you.

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fiveisanawfullybignumber · 12/10/2011 22:42

Seconding getting BP and urine checked, and ask for weekly checks if headaches persist. Persistent headache and swollen fingers was the only warning signs I had before eclamptic seizures.

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babycham42 · 12/10/2011 22:49

Get checked as all said.I often find a cold wet flannel on forehead helps.
Fresh air (tomorrow) and enough sleep but not too much - my headaches are made worse by lying around.

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thejoanwilder · 12/10/2011 23:37

Could it be your sinuses? I had a cracking headache monday and most of yesterday. It finally lifted after I sat with my head over a bowl of hot water. Saline spray up the nose helped too, and it finally went. Clue for me was that I was a bit sneezy, too.

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JambalayaCodfishDIE · 13/10/2011 07:00

Thanks for all the replies, I went to bed early last night and missed them.

I had pre-eclampsia in previous pg so i'd rung my midwife yesterday, and arranged for BP check today, but she thinks its 'just' headache.

Thank you for all the things I can try, i'm taking note. :)

OP posts:
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pregnantmimi · 13/10/2011 07:02

I put it down to not sleeping straight thou like before as mine got better after having a sleep but yeah could be a sign of something more serious so get it checked xx

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josephinebonaparte · 13/10/2011 07:09

Don't be fobbed off, get your bp checked.

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harassedandherbug · 13/10/2011 09:26

I've had several of these, and bp was fine. Advice I was given:

drink LOTS
keep taking the paracetamol regularly as it has a cummulative effect
see doc if there's visual disturbances

I also take cocodamol for spd and found that useful but didn't touch them either. The best thing I found was 4head as above. I've actually just seen an ad for their migraine strips, wonder if they're suitable in pregnancy.

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Dirtydishesmakemesad · 13/10/2011 10:03

Hope the bp check goes ok. Dont let the midwife tell you that you are "probably ok because most preclampsia is in the first pregnancy" I have had many midwives tell me this and yet have had preeclampsia in four pregnancies. If you are later than 20 weeks especially later than 30 they should have seen you the same day you called with a headache with a history of preeclampsia imo.

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josephinebonaparte · 13/10/2011 11:39

I had pe only in my second pregnancy. Midwife fobbed me off until it was nearly too late.

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fiveisanawfullybignumber · 13/10/2011 20:20

Jambalaya, have you had a dopler scan of the cord? Ask for one, it can tell you if you are at risk of PR again. Notches can often be seen on the cord. Google eclampsia support UK. Pefriendhood, I think, look in forum, ask Liz section.
Don't let them fob you off either, with your history you should be very carefully monitored.
My Bp was not what the midwives called high when I had my first seizure.
Keep us posted.

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WakeMeUpWhenSeptemberEnds · 13/10/2011 20:27

I could have written your post yesterday! I had blood pessure checked in local chemist and rang midwife with results. Bp was up and she came round to double check then sent me in for monitoring. I love my mdwife team. Happily after bloods, fetal monitor and bp check all is well. In typical fashion the headache went as soon as I set foot in hospital though.

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fiveisanawfullybignumber · 14/10/2011 17:16

Hope OP is ok, or at the very least in hospital being monitored if she's not.

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HollyPockett · 14/10/2011 18:27

I've always suffered with migraines and at 12 weeks I had one that lasted 4 days... It was awful.

Apparently, peppermint oil works - I woke up yesterday with one threatening so I dabbed a very small amount on my temple, it certainly eased it...

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BedatHogwarts · 14/10/2011 18:32

If it's a sinus headache then saline spray clears it instantly.

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