Migraine and breastfeeding

[MoonCub]

Survived day one, am desperate to crack and take migraleve. I can go overnight approx 8 hours without feeding. Do you think it's too risky to have a migraleve prior to this? Surely 8 hours would be enough? Information is so scarce! Does anybody have any recommendations to ease this pain?

No advice but a hopeful bump as Mesa and bf'n is a minefield. I called up a breastfeeding helpline when I panicked about a lemsip. Could you try half and see if it does the job?

This link gives you the info that you need.

breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/wp-content/dibm/migraine%20and%20breastfeeding.pdf

Thanks @Sweetpotatoaddict, I did discover that but it doesn't make it clear if I can use migraleve or not, it just lists it as a treatment. Got through last night with ice packs and paracetamol but still don't feel great today. Honestly, it makes me want to give up bfing thinking of if happening again in the future!

Can you get your doctor prescribe something urgently? I don’t know if it’s breastfeeding friendly but when I was 36 weeks pregnant I had a terrible migraine attack and was prescribed codrydamol, which was apparently safe for the baby.

Thanks @recreationalcalpol, I think going to the doc is probably my best option : they should be a bit more relaxed versus the over the counter warnings!

Go to the breastfeeding network on Facebook. They have lots of up to date fact sheets or you can directly message one of the pharmacists.

I had a migraine yesterday and had to feed. I took 2 codeine (left over from birth injuries) and 2 ibuprofen at the same time which took ages to work but did work in the end. I feel for you; it was horrible. Having 3 hours sleep the day after a migraine is new to me; usually I'd sleep for 10-11 hours afterwards! The experience has made me adamant I will express more to have a milk stash, and persevere in getting my baby to take a bottle. I really hope you feel better soon.

I had mine in pregnancy not breastfeeding but I found drinking dioralyte and using a cool cap helped shorten them

@WeShouldOpenABar Any cool cap you'd recommend? I think it'd be a good investment!

Thanks @Anothertempusername - I did take a dihydrocodeine left over from birth but it didn't touch it. Last night my husband had to hold her to my breast while I lay there with cooling strips all over my head trying not to puke. Not my finest hour!

I had horrible migraines while pregnant and breastfeeding..... While breastfeeding, my GP prescribed volterol suppositories - I asked for volterol as I'd had it after my c section. She suggested suppositories as I'd usually vomit up tablets. They worked very well. It's also called diclofenac. Worth asking! It really is tough to try to breastfeed with a migraine.... Good luck x

@MoonCub I feel your pain! Mine did similar; I had to basically throw the baby at him so I could vom yesterday eve. I found a foot bath with very cold water help, and lots of wet flannels on the forehead!

Ooh that sounds like a game changer, thanks @Slavetominidictator

I feel your pain. I'm normally on topirimate which had to stop for pregnancy and breastfeeding and I use rizatriptan for pain relief, I've never found anything over the counter that does much.
How old is your baby? I would have probably gone back on topirimate once mine was maybe 9 months and eating more food only we were ttc no2 at that point.
So in the meantime I'm restricted to paracetamol only, I've found these things help:
Tens machine on neck
Hot water bottle on back of neck
Hot bath with lavender in (lavender and peppermint can help migraine, I used to keep a bottle of peppermint at work to sniff)
Cold strips and ice pack
4head stick
Volterol gel on back of neck and shoulders (sadly not in pregnancy but from the info on bfn it's fine when breastfeeding) - this is amazing
Sugar, salt and caffeine - if you can stomach it my go to is McDonald's chips, McFlurry and Diet Coke, although lots of people prefer full fat coke
If you're vomiting, would your gp prescribe morning sickness tablets? They're ok in breastfeeding, at least cyclizine and ordenestron are.
As much sleep and lying really still as possible - can someone else look after baby and just bring to you for lying down feeds as needed

So shit, it won't last for ever though even if it feels like it. One day down so you're closer to it clearing xx

Great list @Hollywhiskey ! I had no idea about volterol but am definitely going to investigate that today. She's 4 months so a while to go before weaning

My GP prescribed it when I was holding my five month old while vomiting (she was trying to put her hands in the loo so I stood up in stead of bending over the loo) and fainted. Apparently the blood pressure changes when vomiting. I'd never fainted before. Fortunately she landed on me but I injured my shoulder.
I now take rizatriptan as my kids are four and seven, but the volterol suppositories were a complete life saver while breastfeeding.

Also, lactmed is an app which shows evidence re drugs and breastfeeding. It's very helpful if you have a GP who is erring too far onto the "no drugs when breastfeeding" side, which I encountered quite a bit.

Oh brilliant @Slavetominidictator , downloading it now!