Migraines and painkillers.

[1Catherine1]

Since last year I started suffering with Migraines which usually come on as my period starts or just before. They are quite bad but I've mastered keeping them under control. I do this by taking co-codamol then Ibuprofen in 2 hourly intervals. This leaves me with a migraine that is manageable yet still slightly painful. Last week I got these and I took the pills as usual thinking it was just PMS.

Yesterday I found out I am 4 weeks pregnant and now am slightly concerned about the tablets I took last week and am looking for a suitable alternative as I still have my migraine. I've heard that I can still take paracetamol but would rather just suffer if there was any chance it could damage my baby. I tried to phone the doctor but the receptionist wasn't really interested and told me that the midwife would see me when I'm 10 weeks.

Any ideas on what is truly safe to take if anything?

check with the doctor or ring the A and E at your local hospital,they will help. In your first trimester i belive you should not be taking codeine and ibuprofen. But you do need to check before you take any more.

See your doctor if you can.

Paracetamol is generally considered fine in pregnancy. I find Panadol (the soluble stuff) works faster than the tablets, but can be hard to get/keep down if you're nauseous.

Don't take Ibuprofen when pregnant.

My GP okayed me to take codeine if really needed for either migraine or my Fibromyalgia, but she said if I could avoid it during the 1st trimester it's best, although there's no evidence it causes harm. A coffee can also help as caffeine is a pretty good headache/migraine drug - just stick to the pregnancy limits of 200mg a day.

My GP also said that if I got a really really bad migraine that paracetamol, codeine, caffeine and rest with ice and heat couldn't shift, I should go to A&E. There they can try IV fluids and stronger painkillers, plus if I really needed Imigran (what I would usually take, but it's not good in pregnancy) there would then be a doctor there to make the call as to what was the biggest risk to the baby, an uncontrolled major migraine (my BP goes crazy then) or the Imigran.

Luckily - touch wood, cross fingers - I've only had one migraine this pregnancy and it went with paracetamol, shoulder massage from DH, ice on my head and heat on my shoulders.

Oh, forgot to mention that I also have Metoclopramide to take for the nausea if I get a severe migraine.

1Catherine i have suffered from migraines really badly during pregnancy. paracetamol don'[t really scratch the surface of the pain BUT i've found if i catch it early enough, two Paracetamol Extra (which is paracetamol with caffeine, and is safe in pregnancy) plus using a 4head stick (available at Boots) usually works. I absolutely dread a full blown migraine coming on before i've time to catch it with this combination as i know it would not be enough to stop the pain once it is in full swing. you probably know what your triggers are - prevention is easier than cure when you're pregnant.