Big headaches - is this normal?

[DewinDoeth]

Pg with second child, I'm 16 weeks tomorrow.

I've been having dreadful splitting headaches for ages now (not in the first month but def from second month onwards) - it's easier to count the days where I don't have headaches. I put up with it quite a lot but if it's really bad I take paracetamol (but I try to only do that once a week, and only the one dose).
I never have migranes and I doubt it's that because I can still function with it, but I can't quite work out what causes these. Tiredness, maybe; stress, maybe; drinking? I try to drink loads of water but I'm not sure whether it makes a difference to be honest!

Anyone else had this, or anyone have any answers?

Thanks!

You can take paracetamol safely at the normal dose, so don't worry too much. You need to go and see your midwife or gp about them. Could be hormonal headaches. Don't suffer unnecessarily.

I had terrible migraines and was off work for a month, round about the middle of pregnancy (I think from about 18 weeks). Never had it with previous 2 pregnancies either, it's horrible isn't it?

My GP said it's not uncommon to have headaches, although mine were quite severe - full on migraines for about 2 weeks, then downgrading to 'just' bad headaches like you describe for the next 10 days or so. They did pass though and I haven't had one since (now 30 weeks).

I would try your GP. You can take some pain relief, I tried paracetemol but it's never really worked well for me. My GP gave me 2 different types of migraine painkillers, which didn't actually work anyway - but he said once you are into the 2nd trimester and baby is fully formed there are more things you can take and you might find you get something that helps.

Good luck.

Thanks. Paracetamol sometimes works for them - not all the time, didn't last night for example - and they are quite bad.

Will see GP, though. Thanks!

HI,

i am currently 28 weeks with my 1st and i have been really striggling with my headaches which are now migraines since around 14 weeks and nothing including the paracetemol is working for me :(

My Gp has tried everything he can think of and is now sending me to see a specialist to see if they can get to the bottom of it, i havnt been to work since October because they are so bad!!!!

I find that when the headache gets to its worst the only thing that helps is actually going to lie down in a dark room and sleep for a few hours, not practical all the time i know but it does help a little.

Hope you dont suffer the way i have been!!

I have had horrendous headaches too. So bad I have actually thrown up multiole times. I wish MY GP would sign me off work for that long !! candacek !!!! Mine just says " its part of pregnancy, part of being a woman " . Mind you not sure how work would feel about it anyway !

I have been tkaing paracetomal when I really, really cant hack it any longer but like you have been worried about it. This is my third pg and I havent experienced anything as bad as this before !!

i have suffered with migraines for 20 years.

I am pg with dc4 atm 14+5 and went to docs this morning for codeine, paracetamol barely touches the pain and i can hardly function. Am also looking into acupuncture.

Yes I've been getting this as well. Probably at least once a week. They tend to come on at about 4pm and build throughout early evening, so by about 8pm it is really bad. I wouldn't say a migraine though as I can still function, eat, don't mind the light etc. I generally go to bed early in the hope I'll sleep it off, although several times I've actually woken up the next morning and still got it!! But it then seems to wear off later in the day.

It's weird because I didn't have them in my first pregnancy, but I have just assumed it is something to do with being pg this time as I don't normally get as many headaches as this.

I'd be interested to know what your GP says.

I'm 23 wks pg and have been having daily, 24-7 migraines since wk 12. Was put on amitriptyline a few days ago, as my consultant said taking medication was less risky for baby than the stress the migraines were putting my body under. Amitriptyline is an old-fashioned anti-depressant which coincidentally works on severe headaches/migraines when taken at a low dose. I feel worried and guilty taking any medication (am already on something for severe reflux) but I've been virtually housebound by pain and paracetamol did nothing.

Amitriptyline has worked for me already and has helped me sleep much better too, although you can't drive if you take it. Sadly, you shouldn't take it in the 3rd trimester, so I might only get a month of being pain-free before I have to return to migraines, but even that will be great. Inbetweener, I got that crap off my GP too. I could've had these pills months ago but she refused to take me seriously - even though I had to ask for home visits which were conducted with the curtains shut, etc.

I would urge anyone suffering really badly to ask to see a consultant and get things sorted. I just rang up my maternity unit and requested an appointment, no need to go through a GP or MW.