Migraines - any ideas??

[Beaurevage]

I've suffered from migraines for some 15 years. The last year and a half though I've managed to control them through acupuncture (and I was one of those sceptics) which reduced the frequency and severity by tens. If one started coming on I could just take one of my prescription pills and it would be sorted in no time.

I'm in the middle of my second week long migraine since becoming pregnant, now 12 weeks, and they're killing me. The doctor said that I can take my prescription...if I'm willing to 'accept the consequences'. Definitely not!

I've had more acupuncture, but it hasn't helped. Best I can do is dark room with a cold compress and rocking back and forth like a crazed woman. But I'm still missing work because of it.

Any ideas??

I would avoid the triptans like Imigran as there is a definite risk of MC from it.

Paracetamol is generally ok and my doc okayed codeine too. Caffeine is also helpful sometimes.

Massage is helping me - I'm finding that the change in body shape (bigger boobs etc) is meaning I get more tension at times in my neck/shoulders which can cause migraine.

Watch out for dehydration too - Gatorade was my friend for the 1st trimester!

What my GP told me to do is try the usual stuff like cold compress on the head, heat on the shoulders, resting in a dark room with a neck rub from DH and taking paracetamol and codeine, but if that didn't stop a bad one, then to go to A&E. Not only can they try IV fluids and painkillers, but I would then have a doctor there to help me make the decision as to whether I got to the point where an uncontrolled severe migraine was more of a risk to the pregnancy (they send my bp crazy) than Imigran.

Luckily, massage, rest and the other bits have stopped the few I've had so far, so I haven't had to use that advice yet.

I totally empathise. Ended up in hospital with an epic one which turned out to be dehydration.
I got one of those microwave wheat bags and some lavender oil which helped a bit. Also a little rub on minty stress relief gel from Origins.
Hospital said co codamol were ok to take but things such as Imigran haven't been tested yet.

japhrimel

what do you mean by " I would avoid the triptans like Imigran as there is a definite risk of MC from it? "

Imigran has been very good for me over the last 15 years or so.

p.s. I am not likely to be pregnant, if that makes a difference

I was told by several doctors that Triptans were not tested sufficiently on pregnant women and therefore the risks were widely unknown. I too have used for many years but not while pregnant.

Sorry to hear you are so unwell. Are you getting enough sleep? I get more migraines when I am tired and have learned the hard way that I need MUCH more sleep while pg. Seriously, I need to be in bed no later than 8 or 9pm in order to get through a (not that taxing really) day at work.

My midwife told me that occasional ibuprofen is ok. I've had to use it twice so far for migraine and it takes the edge off enough for me to get to sleep. Otherwise just the usual cold compress, warm neck/shoulders.

My dd got through her exams by me conscientiously feeding her every few hours, and plying her with water, milk, etc; and Bowen Technique, which is not unlike massage.

She did not have one!

Have you seen the ads for those Migracaps? They are neoprene things you stick in the fridge and then they are put on the head to cool it down. Looks freaky, but I'm considering getting one for dd - and those of us who just get bad headaches.

But try to keep your blood sugar balanced, that's my main advice; ie eat frequently, no sugar hits.

All very good advice, thanks all.

Guess there was never going to be a cure-all, but the sleeping, eating and hydration advice is all great.

I wouldn't take triptans well pregnant - don't feel like being the guinea pig. I have given into codeine, but still feel uncomfortable taking them.

To be honest I doubt I'm getting enough sleep. The first migraine came about on a trip overseas and sleeping on a boat - not very condusive to restful sleep patterns. This one, don't know what the excuse is, but there's always a reason eh...

Thanks again!

but what does "risk of MC" mean?

risk of MC = risk of miscarriage

Triptans like Imigran are not advised during pregnancy at any point as they have not been tested and so effects on your baby are unknown. You are only allowed to take paracetamol/codeine based painkillers. Also watch out for painkillers that include sedatives...as these are a definite no-go for mothers to be.

I had a migraine that lasted 6 days and tried everything! Unfortunately if you normally have to use syndol or triptans to get rid of your migraine you will prob find that paracetamol/codeine does nothing for you..its just not strong enough! :-(

thanks

So "definite risk of MC " should say "has not been tested on pregnant women so no-one knows what the effects might be"

safest to avoid them then.

I also suffer from severe headaches and occasional migraine which have plagued my life for years. At 11 weeks pregnant with our 1st baby, I don't wish to take any risks, especially with triptans which research has shown to cause birth defects (darn you, Google) but paracetamol is less than useless for me.
I do have some natural remedies which could help prevent the onset of migraine attacks. Obviously this wouldn't help everyone but these methods have helped me greatly.
Grow feverfew. Eating one or two leaves of the plant (you can get it from most garden centres) every day can help to reduce the number and severity of attacks. They taste vile so put them in a little sandwich if it helps!
Wheat can also trigger headaches so doing your best to reduce the amount you consume could also help to reduce attacks/headache frequencies. I use spelt flour in my baking now and can attest to a vast reduction in my headaches (which I used to get pretty much every other day). Wheat also inhibits your digestion so if you suffer from IBS/bloating as well, worth trying to reduce your wheat intake!
Carry a bottle of peppermint oil with you and sniff it when you feel the beginning of an attack, it's known to alleviate symptoms.
I also keep 2 bags of frozen peas in the freezer, one for consumption and one for my neck! Sit with your frozen peas on your neck and your feet in a bowl of hot-as-you-can-stand-it water. Top this up (or get your OH to do so) with more hot water once you get used to the heat. Sounds odd but it can work, especially with tension headaches!
Hope this helps one or two of you anyway x

Missatz, wheer did you find "triptans which research has shown to cause birth defects"?

I had a look and the stuff I found all seemed to say that there is no evidence of this, but they have not been specifically tested. I found a reference to a small study of women who had taken it and had the same rate of birth defects as anyone else.

I have nothing to gain either way, and am happy people should avoid stuff that has not been tested during pregnancy; and I recognise that they might not be willing to carry out a large scale test, just in case something does go wrong. But where is the evidence that it has caused damage? It's not in
findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7342/is_7_30/ai_62050660/
or
www.motherisk.org/prof/updatesDetail.jsp?content_id=928
or
www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61B57J20100212

Do you really have so little time on your hands that you feel the need to argue semantics with people who post on this site? My doctor advised me of tests that had been run with sumatriptan which, whilst small, gave enough cause for concern to recommend that triptans would be best avoided. One would presume that they would struggle to find many willing pregnant women who would therefore agree to take part in any further tests.
Satisfied? To be quite frank, I have better things to do than give you the article links. Your pedantry has become tiresome, I was merely on here to give friendly advice to the poster who requested it. I hope that poster appreciated those who came on to help, instead of nitpick.

Hi beaurevage, you have my sympathies - another pregnant migraine sufferer here. Wanted to add my thoughts:

1. My migraines were bad in the first few weeks but I now have had NONE since about 17-18 weeks (currently 35). Just a few manageable headaches. There is hope! :o

2. Migracaps are worth their weight in gold if you don't already have one. Fab! Keep them in freezer and they are cold, dark and sort of squeeze tight round your head which feels wonderful.

3. My neuro also said no triptans - he was concerned about the affect of the restriction of blood flow and mc. He ok'd co-codamol in reasonable amounts. I know it just feels like an insult when Drs suggest paracetamol!

4. Japhrimel's advice about A&E is good. I've been once before I was pregnant with a migraine that wouldn't go and unable to take anything cos of the vomiting. All they did was IV fluids and paracetamol but it worked brilliantly :)

Good luck - I hope you find they lessen like I did!