Someone please give me a miracle cure for migraine during pregnancy?!

[zephyrcat]

I had a slight migraine yesterday when I woke up. Took some paracetamol and kind of forced myself throught hte day. This morning I've woken up with a hellish one. Lines in my vision, numb arm/hand, can't type in the right order etc. I NEED migraleve but know I can't take these.

Is there ANYTHING I can take??

i am sorry they are hellish and a did have a few honestly the best remedy was to lie down in a dark room, not always possible but there was little else i could do sorry

doctor told me i could take codiene (sp?). phone up nhs direct.

I never knew that littlelapin! Will def try that next time. I'm past the vision and the numbness now, just got a stonking headache.

I never thought to ring NHS direct as I was always told you can never take anything stronger than regular paracetamol!
(Mind you that came from a doctor who told me never to use my inhaler while I was pg either !)

Sorry I can't help. i do get them, and had lots during pregnancy, so just offering sympathy for how you're feeling

Sorry you are suffering with this Zephyrcat - I am now 24 weeks pregnant and they have stopped at last - had terrible migraine just like you describe for the first 15 ish weeks. Was also told by the doctor that I could only take paracetomol. I usually have tablets on prescription for them, which I can't use. So huge sympathies from me, although not much help sorry!

I used 'FOREHEAD' when I was PG. It's a herbal stick thing that you rub over your forehead.

It worked for me.

FB x

P.S. I was able to buy it in Sainsburys

I wish I knew zephyrcat. I suffer with daily headaches and the only drug that works for me is Anadin Xtra but I can't take it because it contains aspirin. My dh phoned nhs direct the first time I was pg and had a migraine and they referred me to a doctor who just said I could only take paracetamol.

Let us know if you come up with anything.

No magic remedy here I'm afraid, just wanted to give you sympathy...
Are you eating regularly? do you know what triggers them...

sleep (oh and being sick) alway eases mine.

cold flanel on the forehead/temples helps, it constricts the blood vessels or something (maybe the other way round! ) to help ease the pain.

Try the gel patches that you stick to your forehead if the 'forehead' doesn't work. I have always suffered with migraines and I'm dreading getting one while pg as I won't be able to take my stonking painkillers! I really feel for you...

I'm keeping my 'forehead' to hand to prevent one if I feel it coming but once they hit, they hit hard and nothing will get rid of them (for me anyway). I just find that the gel patches do help to relieve it a bit and enable you to sleep at least.

you can't take feverfew in pregnancy - sorry....

I was dreading them as i have really strong up-the-bum meds for mine and so far have only had one - New years Eve and New years Day and it was a killer.

my doc said paracetamol and anti-emetics and lie down - none of which will help much if I get another one. I did a search somewhere and people suggested things like putting yr hands in really hot water when you start getting one and an icepack on the back of your neck but I remain unconvinced.

I've a feeling you might be able to take codeine though - ask yr dr.

Yup - FOREHEAD is good stuff. Expensive but definitely eases symptoms. You'd be looking at about £5 for a stick.

my thread

Just a quick note that my mirgaines in pregnancy were first signs of pre eclampicia. I would maybe call midwife to check blood pressure.
That and lay in dark room, and drink lots of water.

Lisa

No idea if this would work for migrane but it works for almost all headaches:
pinch the sides of your pinkie between the 2 joints i.e. in the middle, with the thumb and forefinger of the other hand, press it hard for a couple of minutes. I love to see the look of wonder and relief on the face of a friend with a headache when i do that to them for the first time! I tend to pinch the right pinkie for a headache on the left side of the head and vice versa but don't think it really makes any difference.

hi there
i also had AWFUL migraines for the first 16 weeks. They have eased off a bit but they are still lurking as a threat at any time. I was in total despair after one that lasted nearly three days and begged the GP for some sort of miracle but after consulting colleagues and various text books he came back and said that unfortunately paracetamol was the only thing. I was gutted!
I have had some luck with Paracetamol Extra. That is just paracetamol + caffeine. It doesn't contain anything else. Two different pharmacists gave different advice on it - one said it was fine during pregnancy - it might just make the baby 'jump about a bit'because of the caffeine (!). The other said not to take it.
I did my own research on the net and there is no evidence that caffeine has a serious adverse affect on the foetus. I'm not a medic and obviously you have to make your own decision, look it up for yourself etc, but for me the migraines are so bad I was prepared to take what seems like a very tiny risk if it would relieve the suffering!
for me, they seem to work that bit better than paracetamol on its own, which as you will know only too well is as good as useless. And I expect they're pretty much giving the same effect as the coke +paracetamol cure recommended by someone else on this board.
The other thing I've tried is a Migrastick (from health food shops) which is better than nothing. It also says not to be used in pregnancy but i checked with the GP and she said it was fine.
I really hope you feel better soon. apparently it's to do with the huge surge of oestrogen. ironically, for some women who get migraines, this acts as a cure! sadly for others it seems to make them even worse!

I couldn't find this thread for the life of me this morning - Had another fierce one It's only just starting to ease off now. You would think that someone would hae invented a)something to take for migraine in pregnancy and b) something for sinusitis - my two worst pg things!!!

I'm going to try that sparkler!!