Feeling rubbish - think it's a migraine

[Enfyshedd]

I've had a stinking headache since lunchtime yesterday which so far 2 doses of paracetamol (yesterday), a nice warm bath, a reasonable night's sleep, a couple of walks in the fresh air and 2 doses of co-codamol (today) haven't shifted. I'm used to having migraines but normally I manage to sleep them off. Any ideas on anything else I can try to shift this for good? I'm currently 18+1.

[xmasmummytobe]

Does it feel like a migraine? I used to get them a lot but if you did too then you'll know if it feels right or not.

If paracetamol, fresh air, good nights sleep, relaxing and drinking plenty of water aren't working then you should try and see out of hours GP to get your blood pressure checked.

I had a headache for a full week recently, MW's took it seriously, wanted to see me the same day to check BP and wee were ok. They were and told me just keep on with paracetamol. Get checked out, especially if like a migraine you get any visual disturbances, could be a warning sign for something else or they may be able to give you some better medication that's safe.

Hope you feel better soon.

[fireflymouse]

not sure about co codamol in pregnancy what does midwife say?

[KenDoddsDadsDog]

I would go and see the GP or similar if you can. Mine was down to dehydration.
I was given codeine a few times during pregnancy due to migraine but you should check first.
Hope all is ok! (coca cola and ready salted crisps might help a bit!)

[Oeisha]

Go and get checked by someone...out of hours GP/anyone. Spikes in BP give me migraines, so def. worth a prod. Probably if "just" a migraine, but there is the risk with opoids that it's rebounding and you might need to suffer through.
Personally, I'm finding pg migraine a totally different animal to non-pg and they flared up around your time too...but every time I mention it, I get sent for pre-eclampsia checks (even at your point!), so don't assume they'll be the same, or that they won't be interested.
Also a HCP can prescribe you a balance of opoids, rather than relying on OCT ones...opoids aren't great, but are ok in 2nd trimester.
Drink plenty, keep your head nice and cool (turn your heating down, especially at night) and keep as dark/dim as you can to help with the visual disturbances (it takes 90mins plus of darkness for your visual cortex to start to re-set). Take water to bed and drink 1/2 a glass if you're waking during the night.
If you're a caffeine-free migraineur (most aren't) then a strong cup of coffee or a can of cola might help...but limit this, as you can get rebound headaches/migraines this way too.
Also, your triggers might have changed. So watch your diet and see if there's anything you can think of causing them, or keeping them active. Citrus fruits, raw tomato, blue cheeses (cooked or otherwise) and caffeine are common tiggers.
If this isnt' a one-off, ask to see a neurologist. I have known pg women be prescribed triptans, but I'd want to stay well clear of those (mainly because I'm allergic to them) in pregnancy.
You probably knew all that, but it's worth mentioning.
I hope you're feeling better today...
Good luck xxx

[Enfyshedd]

Headache was gone by this morning - thank god... I also realised that I hadn't had any caffeine since Xmas Eve (although have been keeping it to 1 can or glass a day since I found out that I was expecting) so I think I may have had withdrawal symptoms - stole some of DSS1's stash of cola which seemed to help as well.

When I had my booking in appointment, I said I have a history of migraines (roughly every other month) and that I take co-codamol for them. My midwife told me that they were ok to take until the final trimester because then the codeine could affect lung development.

Also, think I may have been a little dehydrated as although I was ok on Xmas Day, Boxing Day my MS came back with avengance and I was really reluctant to put anything in my mouth other than dry toast for most of the day. I've had one other migraine so far since I got pregnant which was after a terrible few nights of broken sleep and that was my worst day for nausea so far, so it just seems to "enhance" the crappy side effects of being pregnant for me. Only 5 more months to go...

[Oeisha]

Oh good. Fingers crossed that you don't get amy more!

[ebbandflow]

Glad you are feeling better, I was prescribed co-codamol by GP during pregnancy for headaches (I was post 12 weeks pregnant though) so am sure you can take them, I found staying hydrated really helped.

[harassedandherbug]

I've been on cocodamol for ages due to spd, and gp said to stop around 36 wks.

I've had headaches that lasted days. I didn't really believe I was dehydrated but gp told me you need much more fluid when preg. So when I had the last headache I drank 4 pints of water in one evening. I did spend a lot of time rushing to the loo, but it got rid of the headache. I've been really careful about drinking more ever since!