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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Migraine- DESPERATE

18 replies

somedizzywhore1804 · 18/12/2013 19:24

Hi all

I'm 11+5 and really suffering. I'm thrilled about becoming a mum and couldn't be happier to be pregnant but since week 5 I've been sick and ill.

I've always had migraines but in the past three weeks I've started getting them literally every three days Confused

Pre pregnancy I was on imigran which I can't take. My GP prescribed me prescription strength codeine but it's doing fuck all. I feel sick with it and dizzy and disorientated.

The only respite comes from a bag of frozen peas on my head and a boiling hot water bottle under my neck but that's not practical 24/7 or when not at home. Caffeine does help but only very temporarily- like for 20 mins or so.

I'm fucking miserable with this and any suggestions would be brilliant.

OP posts:
lucyfluff · 18/12/2013 19:29

I took Amitriptylene (sp?!) for cluster migraines in my last pregnancy. They were great and helped me sleep well too.

However a lot of people cant take them and have bad side effects....I would ring the GP tmrw for an apt to see if they can prescribe something else safe for you.

I totally feel your pain Sad hope you get it sorted soon Thanks

lougle · 18/12/2013 19:31

Yes, amitryptiline is relatively safe in pregnancy. A friend of mine had them for pregnancy induced migraine.

I suffer badly with migraines, but pregnancy is the one time I don't get them. The neurologist only half-jokingly suggested more babies as a treatment.

Butterytoast · 18/12/2013 19:33

My friend gets bad migraines and she swears by an unconventional treatment... An orgasm!!! She says it releases the pressure in her head.... (I can't say I've ever been in the mood to try this one with a raging migraine)

Alternatively I find cold compresses over my eyes and camomile tea help me a little...

RedRobin1 · 18/12/2013 19:39

Have you tried 'forehead' (balm on a stick) available in boots - DH swear by it and he suffers from terrible migraines. Sil used it in her first trimester and also worked for her

RummidgeGeneral · 18/12/2013 19:52

theconversation.com/explainer-what-are-migraines-11720

Some recent research on migraines and also the suggestion that vitamin B supplementation might be helpful although it suggests it needs to be taken for a while to work. Do you like marmite? Might be worth a try and can't do any harm in pregnancy.

lougle · 18/12/2013 19:55

Tiger balm can be useful.

I find that going to bed with a scarf tied tightly around my head helps a bit.

Triptans are the only thing that really get rid of them for me, but you can't use those in pregnancy.

Research shows that 900mg of dispersible aspirin with a glass of coke is as good as many triptans, but again, not safe in pregnancy.

louloubellamozzarella · 18/12/2013 21:05

Have you tried magnesium supplements?? Some research has shown they might help. Read The migraine brain - really good book. Hope they get better soon, they're awful Sad

mixi82 · 18/12/2013 21:55

I had the same thing with migraines. I know exactly what you're going through. I found drinking water as soon as even the smallest inkling you're going to get a migraine helps lots. Other than that, I try to lay down with cold flannel on my forehead and eyes. Try if you can to avoid bright lights and loud noises. Lack of sleep contributes largely to migraines too

Original poster
somedizzywhore1804 · 18/12/2013 23:06

Thanks all. I have tried pretty much all of these suggestions but I will give some of them another go. I've taken the edge off it a bit tonight a bit by drinking (very fast) a can if full fat coke. It's just miserable.

Interesting re the amitriptyline. I used to take this but was told not to in pregnancy. I will have a chat with GP.

OP posts:
sweetiepie1979 · 18/12/2013 23:17

Oh poor you xxx pregnancy is so difficult sometimes. What I had to do was tie something tight round Head frozen peas on top of Head tiger balm all round neck and shoulders and the Head stick thing across forehead. And at temples. That with 30/500 codeine.

Original poster
somedizzywhore1804 · 19/12/2013 07:28

The coke that helped the headache so much gave me trapped wind so bad that I I didn't sleep a wink all night and this morning I feel like I swallowed a piano Confused

I'm not having much fun here!

OP posts:
Aaliyah1 · 21/12/2013 18:12

I was exactly like you!! I was taking topiramate and imigran before I got pregnant. Now I can't take either of them Hmm from about 6 to 16 weeks I was getting huuuuge migraines. Every weekend was spent in bed. Literally losing 24/36 hours of my life.
I found that eating little and often, drinking a lot and sleeping on time and enough helped. I Definatly got migraines more when I didn't do the above.

Also when you feel one coming on take paracetamol and caffeine together. Have a lie down if possible. And OMG an Orgasm totally helps. It was the only thing that would work Wink
But there may be light at the end of the tunnel as I'm now at 25 weeks and since about 16 I haven't had one. I've had the odd headache but no migraineShock still being selfish with food and sleep so think that's totally helping.

Hope you feel better soon!

boopdoop · 21/12/2013 19:35

You could try the cool n sooth head patches, they are at least a much better option than a bag of peas. All the supermarkets, boots etc sell them I think. Hope you find something that works.

StrawberryMojito · 21/12/2013 19:42

Another vote for tiger balm. I suffered horrible headaches in the first trimester and it did help. I rubbed it into my temples. That, and a dark quiet room.

Spookey80 · 21/12/2013 19:44

No real advice, but plenty of empathy. I too have always had migraines and came off my preventers to conceive, on conceiving dc3 I then had almost constant migraines with nausea and all they come with.
I have to be honest, all the suggestions I tried, but none really worked, however they started to go at around 18 weeks and I've now now had one (knock wood) since week 21! Amazing.
Basically,, take care of yourself, rest and there is light at the end of the tunnel. So many hugs to you.

DIYandEatCake · 22/12/2013 05:34

Oh it's horrible, poor you. I suffered lots of migraines in early pregnancy too so I know what it's like. Nothing really helped. They stopped at about 16/17 weeks for me too though and it was such a wonderful relief - hopefully you'll be the same. Interestingly I've also found that they are less frequent and less severe during breastfeeding too - this was also a nice surprise (I've just had dc2 and it's been the same both times).
Really hope they improve soon, and that you have supportive people around you who understand what you're going through.

DolomitesDonkey · 22/12/2013 06:04

You poor thing - lots of hugs and head strokes in a darkened room from me if that's not too creepy and silence of the lambs for you! ;-)

The only thing touching the sides of mine right now is pills + booze - probably not the best for pregnancy. Wink

Go back to the doc - I had different problems during pregnancy but still managed a dazzling pharmaceutical haul.

catameringue · 22/12/2013 07:59

What are your migraine triggers? I find blood sugar levels a big trigger, have to keep them up. I also find keeping to as regular sleep pattern as possible and drinking a lot more fluid.

paracetamol is rubbish for migraines and therefore that includes codeine pills. I personally don't take any pain killers for them during my pregnancy as just going to be sick anyway and paracetamol makes that more likely.

I find chocolate and sugar in general helpful after the main bit of a migraine has passed!

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