Migraines

[Pickles77]

Im 30 weeks now and I'm getting unbearable headaches. I'm a migraine sufferer anyway- which I can cope with. So to be moaning about headaches I'm getting now they must be bad.
I know they are common in third trimesters but any idea if I can take anything? The dizzy sicky feeling and the pounding is reducing me to tears.

All you can take is paracetamol, and use one of those 4head stick thingies. Just keep an eye on things, as migranes can potentially be a symptom of pre eclampsia.

(Were you Picklesisscared by the way? If so, I remember reading your threads, can't believe you're so close to the end now!!)

Hi Pickles
I also got bad migraines at 30 weeks never usually get them but had terrible hayfever which became a cold then tried to drive to work one morning migraine came on instantly and almost crashed my car as could not see for pain. Lying in the dark with pillow wrapped round my head made them go way but had several more in next few days. Apparently it's common in pregnancy. If you get them normally you'll be better placed to know how to deal with them than I was. Hope they subside soon! At least your pain barriers are being flexed - that's how I'm looking at things !

Thanks guys.
I am she rock, I am now pickles77 living with my mum and dad and my dog. Still have ups and downs. It worked out I was 21 weeks not the 7ish I thought when I went to my dd scan! Close to the end... Argh not close enough!

The paracetamol didn't touch it im currently in dark room with ice, tis working

I have chronic migraines and was on a preventative med called gabapentin before I was pregnant. It turned my life around - I could go back to work and function again. It doesn't suit everyone but there are quite a few other migraine prophylactics available. Anyhow, I tapered off it when I found I was pregnant but the migraines returned with such a vengeance that at 27 weeks I asked my neurologist (I also have MS) if I could go back on to it. He said that was fine, given the baby is fully formed.

It may not be the right approach now, but of your migraines are chronic (mine were twice a week, with prodrome, near-constant nausea or loss of appetite, other incapacitating symptoms) then you could consider a preventative. In the meantime, I hope the paracetamol helps... I found gel packs you can freeze help with the stiff neck, and acupressure wrist bands with the nausea.

Wow, 21 weeks not 7 big difference!!!!!

FWIW despite being very late to say it after lurking on your thread I think you've made a fantastic decision, good luck for the next 10 weeks and I hope it all goes smoothly for you

Thank you elpis, I have the GP tomo so shall mention that.

I know rock, it has been like a soap opera! MN has got me through along with gps, midwifes, and various other supports. I'm still scared but quite excited too

talk to your doctor - earlier on I know they can prescribe much stronger things like tramadol where maternal need is great but not sure about third...but there must be something you can take...
Elpis, this preventative thing sounds v interesting...will ask my GP about that.

i told my first crappy MW about my migranes etc, and how i am totally disabled with them, cant look after other DD and she just looked at me and said - well paractemol is all you can take.
stupidly later - i suffered a chronic migrane that went on for three days - i was tempted to take anti inflamatorys it was that bad, but called doctor and infact there was a whole host of stuff open to me!

A bit random, but I discovered when pregnant with dd that taking paracetamol with coca-cola made them work better for me. No idea why, maybe the sugar, maybe the caffeine? Sympathies, I get migraines too and it's truly awful.

It's true about taking paracetamol with a sugary, fizzy drink. It's because migraines shut down your digestive system and that combination is absorbed more quickly than paracetamol alone.

People who don't get them don't realise just how disabling they can be... A neurologist once told me that WHO ranked them as more disabling than cancer. Made me feel a bit less of a freak.

Pickles, I had to be off work fro approx 2 months because of constant headache from 3rd to 5th month. I started taking frolic acid again, which seemed to help a lot. (although that might just be coincidental) I did get to go back to work for a few months, and then took my maternity leave early as suffered from high blood pressure, which did go on to pre eclampsia. I hope you find some relief. . I remember how awful I felt. I couldn't look at anything, so all my hobbies were out. No sewing, no reading etc. good luck.

Like the frolic acid, sounds fun ^
I have heard that magnesium supplements can help with migraines, worth a try?