Have had a headache for 8 days and it's driving me crazy

[rollerskaterdata]

Hi ladies,

As the title suggests I've had a headache on and off for the past 8 days and it's driving me insane now. I'm 31 weeks. It's not severe or throbbing, more like a dull, annoying back ground headache that just won't quit. Over the past week I've been monitored at the MDAU, talked to 2 GP's, talked to my midwife at my routine appt this week and even called 111 about it today but as my BP is perfect and urine clear at every check (last checked 2 days ago) they've ruled out pre eclampsia and are putting it down to my anaemia and can't really do anything about it apart from telling me today to try cocodamol (I did and it barely touched it, had tried paracetamol first over the past week and headache goes but then comes back). I've also tried 4head stick which again makes it go away but it will come back.

I have no swelling, vision perfect, no pain or sickness and feel absolutely fine apart from the headache. Baby's movements fine. I am drinking LOADS and have been all week, like 2+ litres a day. I am quite anaemic (iron levels keep dropping despite taking supplements) and at my next appt with consultant in a week and a bit will be discussing having an iron transfusion. I just feel like I'm losing my mind, never in my life have I had a headache for so long and it's brought me to tears today I'm so fed up. Has anyone else had this and it's not been pre-e?

Yep, pregnancy headaches can be awful. My midwife likes to blame hormones. Not much you can do except rest as much as possible, and stay hydrated and dosed up as much as you can

Just a thought but have you stopped all caffeine? I did this with ds when I was pregnant and suffered the worst dull niggly always there headaches for almost a week. Then realised that I hadn’t had any caffeine at all. So think it was probably a withdrawal type thing.

Couple of cups of tea and I was fine.

@TableforJane yep, I hate taking medication when pregnant but feel I don't have a choice, I can't take it anymore!

@ememem84 I don't drink caffeine anyway (don't like the taste of tea/coffee/coke etc and never have, so never been a drinker) so it's not that ☹️ I almost wish I was though so I could have a clear cut explanation and solution!

It could be a tension headache? I started suffering with them at 32 weeks. I ruled out everything you have and finally got my DH to give me a firm neck and shoulder massage. I could feel the pressure disappear immediately, I’m 39 weeks now and as soon as I feel it coming on. I squeeze the back of my neck, quite high up and it seems to stop it.

Fingers crossed you get it sorted. I don’t normally suffer with them but found mine debilitating and lasted days!

@Aprilbaby19 GP did say it sounds like tension headache (although I'm not stressed and already on mat leave so not sure what would be causing it!). I will definitely try massage and light pressure and see if that helps, thanks for the tip and I'm glad you've found something that works for you!

I had similar in my last pregnancy and was prescribed codeine by my GP. One tablet used to shift it.

Have you tried an oral rehydration drink or two? I could be that you’re a bit short of electrolytes, so water alone won’t be enough...

I’d go for Dioralyte, or the non-fizzy Lucozade sports drink in citrus flavour.

Pregnancy headaches are rough, you have my sympathy. It might be worth trying an osteopath/cranial osteopath to see if they can help at all?

I once had a headache for 3 weeks caused by a nerve trapped in my neck, painkillers didn't touch it as it was nerve pain. Finally got someone to manipulate all the bones in my neck and it was gone 24 hours later.

Also a wheat bag around the back of your neck and 4head rub on anything that hurts can take the edge off slightly. I hope it passes quickly for you.

Thank you for all the replies!

I've been adding electrolytes (caffeine free high 5 tablets) to my water but only for a few days now so hoping it'll have an effect soon. I'd never thought of going to an osteopath so will deffo check that out as everything else I've tried obviously isn't working! And the wheat bag sounds like a good idea, I've got one of those so will give it a go. This pregnancy is so much harder than my last one!