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Original poster

Migraines - help needed please!

33 replies

Igglepiggleandhisboat · 21/11/2023 05:51

I am a migraine sufferer . Usually once per week. This is managed well by sumatriptan and beta blockers. I’m now pregnant and have been told that I cannot take these during pregnancy.
I have spoken to a GP and pharmacist both of who said to take pain relief that is safe in pregnancy. Which is limited. Problem is that this doesn’t even touch the migraine. I’ve had one since last night and need to get up for work in a minute. How do I cope with this pain?
At this stage I will do anything (that is safe in pregnancy). I can’t take the pain. Any tips?

OP posts:
DumboHimalayan · 21/11/2023 07:39

If paracetamol isn't cutting it then NICE suggests second-line treatment with sumatriptan or (in 1st and 2nd trimester) ibuprofen.

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/migraine/management/pregnant-or-breastfeeding-women/

Have you tried prophylaxis/preventative treatment before? I think you'd probably want to see a specialist about it, but this webpage from Medicines in Pregnancy (run by the UK Teratology Information Service, which is commissioned by the UK Health Security Agency to keep up with what's safe in pregnancy) seems to suggest that there may be options on that front:

https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicinepregnancy/Migraine/#:~:text=Low%2Ddose%20aspirin%2C%20propranolol%2C,in%20pregnancy%20to%20prevent%20migraine.

Only other thing I can suggest is doing a headache diary and logging anything that might possibly conceivably be a migraine trigger, then avoiding any triggers you find. Your triggers might have changed with pregnancy — the different hormones are supposed to have quite an effect on migraines (usually positive) IIRC?

ETA: obviously consult with the GP about the sumatriptan etc., don't just take my/the website's word for it, as you might have other medical reasons not to take it in pregnancy that I don't know about. I know that's obvious, but I just wanted to say it anyway… I know how desperate migraines can make you feel.

Riverlee · 21/11/2023 07:38

A local osteopath runs headache clinics in our area. Have you considered that?

Augustus40 · 21/11/2023 07:37

When I was pregnant my migraines stopped!

ShippingNews · 21/11/2023 07:34

I also had acupuncture for migraine and it worked really well. Give it a try !

Lemmoella · 21/11/2023 07:31

I tried the hot water feet back on my DD and it actually worked. I put her feet into the hottest water she could stand for about 5 mins and her migraine got a lot better quite quickly

Soonthen · 21/11/2023 07:30

Frostythereindeer · 21/11/2023 05:53

I went to acupuncture for this when I was pregnant and it helped a lot.

About to say the same. And reflexology so you can learn techniques to help if it happens.

Rocknrollstar · 21/11/2023 07:28

The answer is not to go to work but to stay in bed. My GP told me the best solution is not to fight a migraine but to sleep

Frostythereindeer · 21/11/2023 05:53

I went to acupuncture for this when I was pregnant and it helped a lot.