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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Crushing headache

15 replies

Sabie · 07/09/2010 11:42

Have had a headache at the front on the left hand side of my head for 3 days. I'm not a 'headachy' person so went to GP this morning to rule out pre-eclampsia. My BP is fine, no blurring or any other symptoms. Have been sent home and told to take paracetamol , which I'm doing but it's not touching it and it's agony...

Any suggestions....?

OP posts:

goodlifemummy · 07/09/2010 11:45

You poor thing, I suffer from headaches, and tend to get three day dull, achy ones in one temple - my top tips are:

Go to bed in a cool dark room
Rub Vicks into your temples and just under your nose
Cup of tea (caffeine)
Hot (ish) bath
A good cry
Plenty of water
Co-codamol (checked with my GP first)

You have my sympathies - hope one or some of these work xx

Original poster

Sabie · 07/09/2010 11:50

Thank you, have tried cup of tea and good cry as am feeling sorry for myself...

Will try your other tips.... S x

OP posts:

MadameCheese · 07/09/2010 11:52

how many weeks are you Sabie?

Jacksmybaby · 07/09/2010 11:58

Drinking lots of water might help if it's dehydration-related. I have been getting some cracking hangover-style headaches (not actual hangovers, obviously ).

Original poster

Sabie · 07/09/2010 11:58

29 + 2 weeks. Can feel baby kicking away so not over-worried just in pain...

OP posts:

leavinglasvegas · 07/09/2010 12:38

Hello
Might it be worth asking for an urgent appt with your midwife team? I have no sypmptoms whatsoever of pre-eclampsia (no headache/raised bp visual disturbances etc) but apparently my blood teast done a few days ago are showing raised Uric acid which is a sign of pre-eclapsia (am much later on than you tho at 40+4). Just making thr point that sometimes its worth going to the people used to dealing with pregnancy all the time!)

I have also had terrible migraines earlier on in the pregnancy and was prescribed ccodeine 30mg as apparently thats the safest thing for severe headaches in pregnancy. Not great if you have to take it freqently later on in the pregnancy but fine for occasional use earlier on (ie not too near delivery).

really hope you feel better soon!

japhrimel · 07/09/2010 13:43

Also try ice or a wet washcloth on your forehead or top of your head, with warmth, e.g. a heat pad, around your shoulders.

hoolabombshell · 07/09/2010 13:53

Silly question sabie but you don't wear contact lenses do you? I have had the most hideous 2-day headaches (as in, stabbing pains at front of head, behind eyes and on bridge of nose). Usually during or after exercise. Only thing that works is having a break from the lenses.

I agree with a bit of caffeine to ease the agony (paracetamol's hopeless), warm your neck/shoulders, drink water and try and nap. Sometimes 'going under' for a bit does the trick.

Original poster

Sabie · 07/09/2010 19:06

Hours on and still no relief...think I will go to MW clinic tomorrow.

OP posts:

xMrsSx · 07/09/2010 19:20

Sabie, no real suggestions on how to make it go away but just to say I had something similar at about 20 weeks. I had another which lasted a week at about 31weeks - nothing would shift it, sleep, hydration, paracetamol etc, it just eventually went on its own. Just wanted to lend a bit of sympathy and to say it will go.... eventually!

sotough · 07/09/2010 19:59

hi, i've had dreadful migraines with both my pregnancies.
one thing that really helps (though doesn't cure) is a thing you can buy from Boots called 4head. you rub it on your forehead, neck etc and it definitely eases the pain, though it doesn't have any long term effect.
i think tea and crying would make the headache quite a bit worse, (crying can give me a headache even if i didn't have one to begin with!) but the caffeine is useful in combination with paracetamol. you can buy Paracetamol Extra or Panadol Extra which has caffeine in it, and is a bit more effective than paracetamol on its own, which i agree doesn't even touch the surface of an agonising headache/migraine. Avoid chocolate and cheese, both of which are likely to make it worse. i am not convinced your MW will have the expertise to know what to do about this - don't be afraid to push to see a consultant if you're in real pain and she seems unsure what to advise.

NeedToSleepZZZ · 07/09/2010 23:06

another vote for 4head, it's not a cure but it does ease things, I use it all over my forehead and behind my ears. I also use heat pads on the back of my neck at the same time.
you have my sympathy as I never used to get such bad headaches but I've had 3 now that have been so debilitating I've ended up in bed for 2 days. I'm only 18 weeks and they have improved (touch wood) for the moment.
also, make sure you're drinking enough water and good luck.

Original poster

Sabie · 08/09/2010 16:41

Thanks to all. Got checked at hospital. Baby fine. Sent home with codeine. It's taking edge off so I can think again.

OP posts:

Jacksmybaby · 09/09/2010 08:56

That's good .

Hevster · 09/09/2010 09:16

you could try streaming your head, I had a banging one for 4 days and it turned out to be sinusitis - steaming my head worked (as in bowl of boiling water and breathing the steam in

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