Migraine

[lilyb84]

I'm 10 weeks and at my booking appt last week my midwife put me down as 'intermediate' risk due to my history of migraine. I haven't had one in months but have woken up with one this morning (my foul mood and headache yesterday should have tipped me off tbh!).

Just wondering if anyone else here has experience of migraine in pregnancy and a) any tips on how to deal and b) any advice on whether I should contact my GP or only if they become more frequent? Mw said to do so if I became 'symptomatic' but does one count?

Also: ow

[Nousername2015]

Ive had migraines since i was small, this is my second pregnancy and ive been classed as low risk for both of them and my history noted. Im not sure what your gp will do to be honest, it may be worth contacting your midwife and asking why she asked you to contact your gp? Fwiw i also had a very bad migraine at 10 weeks, only one of this pg so far thankfully, it could very well be linked to the hormones changing in preparation for the placenta to take over. Keep us fellow sufferers updated on what your gp says!

[LorelaiVictoriaGilmore]

I never had migraines until I was pregnant but since being pregnant I've had anything from a couple a month to a couple a week. It starts with bright lights in front of my eyes until I lose half or more of my vision and then a headache sets in. I have been to my GP who wasn't very helpful and said that they're just hormone migraines and I have to live with them while pregnant. He advised that I should take a paracetamol at first sign which helps a bit. But I have also have been told that my blood sugar has been getting low and it seems to me that the migraines happen when my blood sugar drops, so I wonder if that might be an issue too. I'd go see your GP... And as Nousername says, it would be interesting to hear what advice your GP gives. Feel better!

[lilyb84]

Thanks all - I've decided to ride this one out as I'm guessing it could have been triggered by the weather and the late nights I've been having recently (DH started a new job in a bar).

I've taken some paracetamol and it seems to have taken edge off slightly but if it continues for longer than today I'll try to see my GP.

[Candlefairy101]

I'm 10 weeks as well ( I think :/) and never suffered with headaches/migraines but it's been constant now for 2 days I've just this second taken 2 paracetamol but got a feeling nothing's going to work especially in this heat!

[lilyb84]

I feel your pain candle - hope it doesn't last much longer for you

Perhaps worth seeing a GP as well if it's not shifting?

I spoke to NHS 111 and the nurse mentioned a particular anti - nausea drug which has been known anecdotally to also treat the head pain, if you're getting nausea too it might be worth asking about that?

Weirdly the paracetamol seems to have helped my nausea but not the pain!

[Candlefairy101]

Hiya babe, my last pregnancy I had severe HG so they started me on anti sickness tablets from day dot this time, I don't know how far I am but so Far no sickness (yay!!) I bet it's this bloody heat tho causing it, it's so close and muggy I can't breath

[Junosmum]

Unfortunately due to the nature of migraines paracetamol doesn't actually have an effect on them- it's one way you can distinguish them from a 'normal' headache. Unfortunately though we can't take anything else :(

Does the migraine have aura? e.g flashing lights, light spots, visual disturbances. If it does then you have tell your GP as it could mean a sensitivity to oestrogen and can result in high blood pressure - I can't take oestrogen containing contraception for that reason.

Pregnancy wise though it shouldn't cause any issues.

[lilyb84]

Thanks junos - the paracetamol did nothing as suspected but thankfully the head pain has gone from excruciating to 'normal headache' since mid-afternoon which I can totally deal with.

I didn't have any visual aura with this one (in recent years I've often had that without the pain itself which while unsettling is definitely preferable!) but did have massive mood swings yesterday which is one of my warning signs.

I was also taken off the combined pill for the same reason and was on the mini pill for the last few years so I know it's hormonal - and as a pp said that's probably why it struck today!

I imagine the heat isn't helping

[Nousername2015]

Glad you're feeling a bit better now lily.

[SomedayMyPrinceWillCome]

I have suffered from migraine with aura for almost as long as I can remember. During my pregnancy I was getting about 1 every 2-3 days. The O&G consultant started me on propranolol &'referred me to a neurologist. I had 2 extra US scans as propranolol can sometimes cause small babies (mine was 7.11 so not affected).

[lilyb84]

Thanks nousername

Candle, I hope you're feeling better today?

And someday that sounds awful. I'm very lucky that mine are infrequent - good to hear that even with frequent migraines your DC was unaffected though.