First time taking folic acid - brain crushing headache or coincidence?

[Ouchie]

So, I took 400 ug of folic acid yesterday lunchtime (with food, as advised) for the first time ever.

Six hours later, beginnings of a headache and queasiness. Ten hours later, banging headache, sickness and dizziness. Slept really badly. Finally wore off this morning after taking paracetamol.

Is this just a weird coincidence, or has anyone else suffered after taking folic acid? Please advise as Im a bit scared to take it again. Am trying to be logical but it hurt, really really bad!

I've never experienced any side effects from folic acid and I've taken it for years....

I googled 'folic acid headaches' and found some stuff on using it to treat headaches in anaemia, so that's no use.

There is a thread on here started by a girl who had the same problem, but I don't know how it turned out, if she found the problem went away with time.

I guess I will have to take it again and see what happens. Yuk. Not this weekend as am busy and can't be out of action!

Thanks for the reply!

I've never had any probs with folic acid alone, but Pregnacare multivits do make me feel a bit dodgy (upset tummy). Did you take any other supplements with the folic acid?

Maybe ask a GP? Have been taking it for months with no sideeffects here.

It was just the folic acid (buy 120 tablet pack, get one free, from Superdrug, if anyone is interested, although maybe I'm not a good advert!).

It seems like the vast majority of people have no problems with the stuff. Maybe it really was an unlucky coincidence. I will give it another go, and if it happens again I might go and see my doc, because I can't endure that pain every day.

Thanks again!

I get headaches when I take folate as well. tried 3-4 different intervals to see if I was wrong. I know it was definitely the folate. I just listen to my body and I think it's telling me it doesn't need it...

Hi There!

Thank you, thank you for posing your question on this thread about folic acid supplementation and horrible headaches...it's the only place on the net that I could find anything about these two things being related!

I too am currently a very similar response to folic acid. I have been taking 800 mcg of folate in my prenatal vitamin and two days ago (after being prescribed by my Dr.) I started 4 mg tablets of folic acid. I got a headache the next morning after taking the extra folic acid and have had it for two days now. The headache is the worst...pounding, with irritability and nausea. Advil gives some relief but the headache just keeps coming back. It's there in the morning when I wake up and throughout the day. Think I'll stop taking it and see how I feel...I definitely can't function at all feeling like this!