Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

Original poster

Permanent headache for over a week

19 replies

Habanada · 11/02/2013 11:55

Hi all,
I am 20wks and have had a permanent headache for about 8 days now - from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep. It ebbs in and out of being bearable to seeming like it's going to tip over into a migraine but not quite getting there (what I can only describe as funny flashing lights behind my eyes).

I've been on tablets for high blood pressure since 4wks. The last time I had it taken was at 16wks and it was normal, if anything a bit low. I had pre-eclampsia with pg1 which caused migraines but not til later on in the pregnancy, and I think they were only caused by the high blood pressure so I don't think it's that.

I had a really bad cough for the past 6 weeks which peeked last week, so I thought that's what was causing the headaches, but the cough is better now and the headache is still there.

Is it just a normal symptom of pregnancy? I'm not sure what to do really as I went to see the GP last week about the cough and mentioned everything else (including a few minor nosebleeds) and she was quite dismissive of me and didn't even take my blood pressure. She just said it was the cough causing it all and couldn't give me anything.

Any ideas? Thanks all.

OP posts:

FoofFighter · 11/02/2013 14:01

have you asked your MW for advice? Give them a ring.

fairimum · 11/02/2013 23:00

please get your bp checked asap. not going into details but we lost first dd due to me not getting a headache checked out! Do not leave it if paracetamol doesn't help after 4 hours - if any flashing lights go to hospital asap, do not wait until the morning. It isn't worth the risk. If caught early enough then it can be treated, before it gets out of control.

fairimum · 11/02/2013 23:01

having re-read your post i really relaly hope you have been to the hospital as what you describe are clear pre-eclampsia/high bp symptoms which put you at extreme risk of a stroke.

Original poster

Habanada · 12/02/2013 12:43

Hi, I have a hospital appointment anyway so I will mention it at that. I did mention it to the GP last week but she wasn't interested (and didn't take my BP), but last time I had my BP taken it was 120/90 which is low for me, and I am already on labetalol so I don't think it can be a BP thing. But I don't know...

Anyway I will see what they say at the hospital.

Thanks for your responses :)

OP posts:

TwitchyTail · 12/02/2013 12:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FoofFighter · 12/02/2013 15:28

Please don't wait until your appointment (unless it happens to be today anyway!), this really is one of those things that needs checking out. My DD last year had very bad headaches from just over 20wks and they (GP and MW) pretty much disregarded it as her bp was borderline ok and it was very early but she did go on to deliver at 34 weeks due to pre-eclampsia, only because she presented herself at hospital thoroughly fed up of having headaches and not being taken seriously and demanded to be seen, and they basically EMCS her that day.

fairimum · 12/02/2013 15:55

when i said asap i meant right now. as in even if 3am - i waited and we lost our baby due to pre-eclampsia. it can happen very fast - my bp went from ok, to dangerous/organ failure over night. it is not to be messed with. I got pre-elcampsia from 19 weeks with my last pregnancy (lost 1st at 27 weeks, then got to 35, then 36 weeks and last pregnancy limped along until 33 weeks). Just because bp was ok even yesterday doesn't mean it isn't now. If BP is so high is giving you visual disturbances it is high enough to mean you are at severe risk of a fit/stroke and baby very high risk of placental abruption at ANY time. Don't want to scare you but it is not taken seriously enough. I lost a baby and would never want anyone to have to go through that. If caught early enough it can be controled.

looneytune · 13/02/2013 11:19

I agree with other posters wrt getting seen ASAP and not waiting an appointment but I'm too late now. I know fairimum in RL and feel so sad for what happened to her and would always now recommend headaches with funny vision get checked out ASAP, I didn't know her when she lost her beautiful angel but I have since the last 2 of of DC and seen how quick she can go from being ok to very very poorly! :( I know it's to late for you as you decided to wait but I'm saying this for anyone else who may read this and in a similar situation.

OP - when is your hospital appointment? If not today, please call them ASAP and let us know how you get on.

Original poster

Habanada · 13/02/2013 12:08

Hi all,
My hospital appt was yesterday afternoon (it was the 20wk scan). I asked if I would be having any other checks and could I have my BP checked etc and they said no they didn't do it at that appointment they only did the scan, and I would need to call my MW.

So I called the MW today (the number is actually the hospital maternity unit), and they advised me to call my GP. I called the GP who said she would see me later today - it is the same GP I saw last week.

I would be really surprised if my BP is high as it was so low last month (just checked my notes and it was 120/80) and I am on 200mg of labetalol a day. I am expecting them to say I will just have to live with it and there is some other cause, and make me feel like a timewaster.

I really appreciate your advice, I will let you know what the GP diagnoses if anything!

OP posts:

looneytune · 13/02/2013 13:11

Sounds pretty terrible where you are, shouldn't be such a nightmare getting your BP checked! I usually just call my hospital maternity triage line for advice and they are great. Headaches with flashing lights are NOT right and a very common symptom of PE and it doesn't matter how low your BP was even just a week ago, it can change overnight! I'd make sure Dr checks your urine too! Please remember that GPs aren't always good with these things. I've had a terrible urine infection in the past when I saw a crap Dr who insisted I didn't have an infection. I saw her 2/3 times and then she said in a funny voice 'oh I'll send it to the lab - if it makes you feel better!' and she really upset me. My own GP then told me how nasty the infection had been and said no all dip tests show up! I also in this pg had 2 GPs dismiss slight bleeding from 14 weeks and didn't say anything about me needing an anti-d injection due to my blood group being rhesus negative. I therefore was delayed 13 days (should have had jab within 72 hours) because of them and had 5 bleeds in that time. Suddenly I'm under consultant care and having an expensive special blood test being done to test for baby's blood group as pregnancy could have needed a LOT more care as our bloods had mixed. Thank god baby is same as me but both GPs are now having to write 'significant event reports' because of them messing up. So please don't feel they are always right! Good luck with the appointment and keep us posted! x

OddBoots · 13/02/2013 13:15

It's shocking that it is so hard to get your BP measured, it would only take the hospital a few minutes and it is such a vital check. My GP surgery has a self check BP machine just as you go in to reception and anyone and everyone is encouraged to use it.

FoofFighter · 13/02/2013 13:28

please stress your other symptoms. it may well not be PE but an eye problem but I can't believe they didn't quickly check for you.

looneytune · 13/02/2013 17:22

Just wondered if you've been yet? :)

fairimum · 13/02/2013 18:53

with my first pregnancy my bp was fine the day before when i saw the midwife, that night i had flashing lightings and a headache (Assumed was a migraine) - had routine appointment with GP 6pm the next day and BP was dangerously high, i was blue lighted to hosptial and was in organ failure within the week.

FoofFighter · 13/02/2013 19:04

Hope you are ok Habanda?

DomesticCEO · 13/02/2013 19:07

I can't believe they don't check your BP at every appt .

Sorry to repeat what everyone else is saying but I have also had PE and it is terrifying how fast it can deteriorate . Please insist on BP check and further tests to find out what is causing your symptoms.

Best wishes x

looneytune · 13/02/2013 21:21

Just wondered if there was an update? If it was her BP then maybe she's in hospital now? Hope all is ok!

Original poster

Habanada · 13/02/2013 21:49

Hi! Sorry for delay I had to do bedtime then catch up work I missed with all these appointments!
Anyway I had my bp checked and it was fine. He also tested urine which was fine, and looked at my optic nerves or something? All of it was ok.

It seems to be one of those unexplainable things and advised me to just drink loads of fluid and hope it goes away... I felt like such a timewaster. I've had it so long now that it's become my 'normal' iykwim. I can't imagine life without a headache!

My bro has a terminal brain tumour which started with a permanent headache so all a bit worrying, but I'm hoping its just a combo of tail end of virus and lack of sleep (I try to get 8.5 hours a night though!)

Thanks for your concern and advice ladies... I'm also shocked that I'd potentially have gone 8wks without a bp check and they seem happy to keep doling out labetalol regardless. Thanks for pushing me to make the appt, at least I can relax a bit more that I'm not about to have a stroke.

OP posts:

DomesticCEO · 13/02/2013 21:53

So glad to hear your BP is ok, but so sorry to hear about your brother .

Flip