Hi there, I feel your pain (literally).
I've had migraines and tension headaches for as long as I can remember. I had got to a point prior to becoming pregnant where they had vanished (I'll come back to that).
Since about 16 weeks (now 28 weeks) they are back with vengence.
I'd always managed them with occasional paracetamol and occasional sumatriptan until I went through a phase this time last year where I was getting daily tension headaches and weekly migraines. They made my life so miserable!
I went to my GP (hoping to get a Neurology referral to establish what was causing them) and was initially offered Beta Blockers which I declined. I was then offered Amitryptaline and assured if they didn't work I would get my Neurology referral.
I didn't take the Amytriptaline but accepted the prescription with no intention of collecting it, on the grounds of getting my Neurology referral. I'm an endurance athlete (competitive cyclist) and knew that any drugs would affect my ability to train and race (impacting stuff like my V02 max). Besides, apart from the tension headaches and migraines I'm incredibly fit and healthy and really look after myself. It's my belief that taking any drugs (which wouldn't even cure what I was taking them for just mask the symptoms) in my circumstances are bad and will lead to health complications/ problems in later life. I also suspected the side effects would be worse than the migraines.
I went back to my GP and lied, telling her the Amytryptaline had caused unbearable side effects. Unfortunately she still didn't refer me to Neurology but gave me a prescription for an Anti Convulsant (given to those with Epilepsy). Needless to say I didn't take that either!!
Around this time I saw a private Dr through work. Unlike my GP, she totally accepted my reasoning for not wanting to take medication and suggested Acupuncture or Osteopathy. She understood I wanted to get to the bottom of the cause of them so I could tackle that, rather than just taking long term strong medication which would just deal with the symptoms and not change anything.
The Accupuncture didn't work but the Osteopathy did. I saw the Osteopath out of desperation, not thinking it'd work but to rule it out. I can honestly say it had transformed my life.
I learnt my tension headaches and migraines stem from knotted up tight muscles in my upper back and shoulders and over my skull. They come from years of office work, sleeping on my stomach (now sleep on back) road cycling and spending down time slouched on the sofa or scrunched up over my tablet/ phone. The first few treatments were horrific as I reacted badly (they triggered migraines). I persevered as I got noticeable relief 48 hours later. I stuck to a regime of exercises prescribed by my Osteo (simple stretches I do at my desk and lots of foam rollering). After about four treatments my tension headaches and migraines vanished. I just saw my Osteo once every 6 weeks for maintenance. I stuck with the stretches and foam rollering and also had a new chair at work which helped me to sit better rather than slouch.
Since about 16 weeks pregnant I feel I'm back to square one! I'm going fortnightly (would go weekly but can't afford it). Basically the weight of the baby is pulling my lower spine forward which is having a knock on postural impact further up. The last few weeks have been slightly better but it's because I'm foam rollering my neck at least four times a day and ensure I get up every 20 minutes to move about. I'm also using trigger point massage balls at work which I press into the tight muscles whilst sat at my desk working.
I eventually got my Neurology referral. It came through after I'd found the cause of my problems and the cure. The Neurologist solution was more drugs and failing that Botox. Why the hell would I want something developed as a chemical weapon injecting into my head FFS?! I explained about the Osteopathy and asked if this could be accessed via the NHS. No was the answer! Utterly rediculous as it is a drug free cure which actually treats the cause of my problems... so surely in the long run it'd save money therefore the best option all round.
If you haven't tried it I really recommend seeing an Osteopath. I found mine through recommendation from friends. They have to be registered to practice. There's stuff on the NHS website here www.nhs.uk/conditions/Osteopathy/Pages/Introduction.aspx