Cluster breastfeeding = Migraine. Sumatriptan sensitivity. Oramorph?

[TheViewOutsideMyWindow]

Posting her for traffic, in the hope someone can help!

Whenever my 3 wk old baby cluster feeds I get the most awful migraines. I've taken sumatriptan but it makes my whole body incredibly sensitive, and breastfeeding feels like ploughing knives into my nipples. Would oramorph be a better painkiller alternative? Has any bf mums taken this for migraine relief? According to the breastfeeding network both drugs are ok to take (separately) whilst breastfeeding, the latter being commonly prescribed after c sections. I've never taken oramorph but have been prescribed some following a c section. Im routinely prescribed sumatriptan which I usually take for migraine, but the side effects are horrific and unbearable when trying to feed baby. Paracetamol and ibuprofen don't touch the migraine pain.

Not looking for advice on bottle feeding/ anything other than breastfeeding, just wanting to know if you've had a similar experience what pain relief you used and how you got through it.

Oramorph? Whilst bf? I really don’t think that’s a good idea at all!

Wouldnt something like a combo of naproxen and paracetamol be a better starting place? If your getting regular migraines you cant use orpamorph all the time.

Have you discussed other migraine medications with gp such ad naramig?

Try a different migraine tablet? There are multiple different triptans out there!

Definitely not. Get a different triptan

Thanks for the responses thus far.

I'm hoping to get a gp apt next week to discuss.

@Cherrysoup Oramorph is safe whilst bf according to the breastfeeding drug network so I presumed I could take that, but agree it's not a long term solution.

If you’ve never had oromorph it’ll likely zonk you out. Codeine makes me feel spacey and dizzy and I wouldn’t want to be caring for a newborn when I’ve taken it.

I was given oramorph following both my c-sections and I was breastfeeding. I think it's something you can only take for 3/4 days though so might not be they best option. I'm not a doctor, just talking from personal experience. I hope your GP can help you.

I would take oramorph over codeine with a newborn. Oramorph fine over the weekend and then urgent appointment first thing on Monday for a new migraine Med

Where oramorph is used after a section, it's in hospital. Certainly in my hospital they wouldn't allow you to have it at home.

You definitely need a longer term solution though as some babies cluster feed (not for 12 hours, but for 3+ hours) for the entire time they are breastfed.

@Babyboomtastic I was discharged after 24h with a full bottle of oramorph. As I say, I didn't use it, as I felt the pain from the section was manageable. It's a 5 day supply that I have.

Codine isn't an option whilst breastfeeding apparently, and it does space me out.

Agree I will try for an urgent apt on Monday. I just need something incase she cluster feed again tonight.

Codeine makes me itch horribly too, not ideal when bf!

@TheViewOutsideMyWindow how old is baby? I overcame the cluster feed and issues with it by expressing and giving expressed milk.

There are seven different triptans, so go back to the GP to discuss changing to another.

Opioid based medication is actually not recommended for migraines whether it's codeine or morphine based.

@Fixitup2 giving a bottle is our last resort ATM, even with expressed milk, as I'd like to persevere with EBF and I'm worried about bottle preferance, which my older daughter had. Baby is 3 weeks old.

Thanks @SoddingWeddings, I didn't know they weren't recommended.

Talk to your GP, I was told it is the hormones involved with producing the breast milk that is causing it. I also felt really nauseous too. It did settles down but i remember the cluster feeds were the worst cause. My GP wouldn't give me anything beyond paracetamol so I grinned and braved it but definitely push for help.

Make sure you are drinking way more than you think you need too as that can cause headaches too.

I was given dihydrocodeine whilst feeding; you could request this!