Migraines

[bobble53]

Anybody else suffer? I’m about 6-7 weeks.

I usually take Topiramate and Amitriptyline but as soon as I found out I was pregnant I stopped them at the advice of a neurologist I saw at the hospital. My migraines were really well controlled. Since stopping them I’m in agony every day with headaches and migraines and paracetamol don’t touch the sides.

Just wondered if anybody had any advice?

Thanks x

Hi i would go see your doctor,they may give you something to try. Im lucky mine go when im pregnant.

I could've written this post!

Lifelong migraine sufferer here. They automatically worsened with pregnancy and when the GP took me off amitriptyline. After weeks of constant suffering I begged to be put back on them (20mg at night). The benefits outweighed any potential risk for me. Hormones are still giving me the odd headache but I certainly am not as bad as I was. I since discovered that many pregnant women take amitriptyline in much higher doses. Propranolol was also offered to me, but I have asthma so would rather not take beta blockers.

It may not be an option for you or worth the risk, but as you are under a neurologist they really should be looking at some form of treatment for you.
For me, it was worth going back on the medication. I was in so much pain every day that I was even thinking of termination.

And I could've punched anyone that told me "your migraines will improve in pregnancy". They didn't, and this is the case for some women.

My doctor said i could still take amitriptyline aswell but i came off it,he said the same as yours stay on it if needed.im lucky mine go but i do still get a hazy head,ive been getting migraines since i was 8years old im now 39 so i know what is like,id stay on meds if i had too when pregnant.

I should add - No topiramate though, it increases chances of babies having cleft lip/palate.

Thanks everybody.

The neurologist said I could take amitriptyline every other night for ten weeks maximum and @faelavie, he said my migraines would go altogether! not the case though.

Will try the amitriptyline every other night and ask GP if it’s safe to take. I can’t even begin to think of going until christmas with these headaches!

@bobble53 Really hope the headaches improve for you. I'm due in October, and like you I just didn't know how I was going to manage with the migraines until then!
It makes things very hard with my job as well. I was signed off for a good while.

Some GPs will just tell you to stop altogether. The one I begged with looked in her BNF (drug bible) where it says "can be used if benefits outweigh risks" and allowed me back on them daily throughout the pregnancy. Midwife said they'd want to keep an eye on baby after birth though to make sure they didn't get any withdrawals. A forum member here actually gave me a lot of links to studies regarding the safety of amitriptyline in pregnancy and it really put my mind at rest.

Only other advice I have for you is make sure to stay hydrated. I've had aversions to all my usual much loved drinks, most of which are caffeinated, so giving those up probably didn't help my head. I've really had to force down water!

If the headaches get you down and you just want someone to chat to, let me know :)

Hiya,

I've been suffering badly, was referred to a consultant but he was adamant I couldn't take anything at all as not safe.
I'm into my second week off work due to them as just have to wait for them to go on their own which can take over 4 days!! Making me sickly/throw up as well as unable to take my usual medication at the first sign of one, I got told they may get better but unfortunately at the moment this isn't the case for me & nothing that I can use helps, paracetamols, head patches, creams etc

I feel for you I really do

And it's easier said than done when you get told to weigh up the benefits when you have suffered miscarriages in the past the last thing you want to be doing is causing any further risk to your unborn child when your worried sick anyway, I just have to deal with the pain as I know it will all be worth it in the end :) x

I feel your pain. I get them too, finally finished bfing in Jan, got my amitrip ready.....pregnant again! (Planned!) Anyway,I have been at the point of wanting to hit my head against a wall to divert the pain. I advise tiger balm,frankincense essential oil, heat and cold of course but what I really came here to day was, dont despair... last pregnancy they suddenly disappeared at 3-4 months and stayed away for the duration and a little beyond! Longest time in adult life without headache. I so hope yours get better