Any advice for pregnancy headaches?

[Givealittlebit]

Just after a little bit of advice...

I suffer with migraines and can't take my usual preventative tablets when I'm pregnant. It's got to the point now where they are becoming really unmanageable again, particularly at work. With my first child I paid for acupuncture during my pregnancy but can't really afford the extra expense now, so does anyone have any tips on dealing with them?

The doctors have been absolutely useless this time around (I changed surgeries in between my two pregnancies) and every day I work I have a banging head by the end of the day and end up straight in bed after really struggling on the commute home.

Thanks in advance!

Really feel for you OP, have you cut out caffeine? I suffered with migraines due to this and had to go back to have a morning coffee, I know that some people say that you shouldn't have caffeine at all but it is my only way of getting through. for you, I really feel your pain!

I'm afraid I found the same, I really suffered but a cup of coffee would sort them right out. I know that they say to limit caffeine intake when you're pregnant but I only needed one a day and decided the benefits were worth it for me personally as it meant I could keep healthier in pregnancy e.g. keeping active etc, which my headaches were preventing me from doing.

How far along are you? I have struggled for years and have find most relief from seeing a chiropractor. The fact yours get worse throughout the day suggests they could be physical in origin?

Poor you

I agree with PP re: Chiropractic but also note you haven’t much spare cash.
Try googling some stretches for the neck and upper traps. Try heat/ice on the neck. Have you changed your sleeping position? If so you may need more/less pillows.
Eat regularly in case blood sugar is fluctuating.
Have you cut caffeine? A tea/coffee may help relieve headache and would be quite safe.
Can you afford a good deep tissue/sports massage??
Hope that helps!

Have your workplace done a risk assessment? You need to tell oh that you are getting headaches at work and they may be able to organise your work area better. Do you have any FE colleges near you? By me (London) you can get treatments for a fraction of the price, so a full body message for £6. If you can't stretch to chiro even normal massage should help

Not for frequent use, but when I had a monstrous headache late in first trimester a midwife recommended 2 paracetamols and a coca cola. Desperate, I tried it and it actually worked - my headache was gone. I guess coke works for the caffeine in it and sugar so perhaps paracetamol tablets which already have caffeine (I saw them in Boots) would work too.

If you usually take preventative medication, I would be surprised if you find over the counter remedies particularly helpful.
Is there an alternative preventative medicine you can take, for example propranalol or amitriptyline? Or sumatriptan for when you get a migraine?
The migraine trust website is helpful - www.migrainetrust.org/living-with-migraine/coping-managing/pregnancy-breastfeeding/ You could take this information to your doctors, say you have done your research and are happy with the risk benefit profile and would like to continue your medication/start X or Y.

Ibuprofen might be an option too - I was told it was okay in second trimester.
My migraines were worse than usual in pregnancy until about 20 weeks - I got through with a combination of coke, ibuprofen, and being able to leave work to go home and lie in the dark (made up my hours or took sick leave). And I got an emergency supply of sumatriptan after speaking to a great doctor.

Ive had migraines since i was 8yrs old im now 39, im 22wks pregnant im lucky i dont get them often when pregnant.try & drink lots of water,a cold cloth on your head & face seems to ease mine ,walking also helps ,take paracetomal i know they are not great but may take the edge of the pain. Maybe chat to your midwife she may help u x

@Potatopia I generally don't find over the counter things helpful. I've been trying to use paracetamol and 4head just to ease it slightly but it doesn't seem too.

I don't actually drink tea or coffee but maybe I will try coke if lots of people seem to think the caffeine helps!

Will definitely mention it to the midwife but I'm not seeing her for a number of weeks now.
Thank you for the migraine website as well, will do some digging and maybe try the doctors again.

It will be so much easier in a few weeks when I can tell work (currently 10 weeks) as then I can use a ice pack etc when it starts which might help prolong it a little

Will also look into stretches etc. My husband owes me a massage for a birthday present so he can book me one in a few weeks

Do work know you get migraines anyway? It might be worth telling them that it’s flared up at the moment (without mentioning pregnancy). It depends on your migraines but a Tens machine has helped me to an extent, it’s a good thing to reach for when you can’t take medication

@Potatopia thanks for sharing that link - I didn't know that there was evidence of triptans being used in pregnancy, that's really interesting! I am prescribed subcutaneous sumatriptan for cluster headaches and my midwife basically said it wouldn't be recommended. I'm not in a headache cycle at the mo and hoping that pregnancy will help ward them off, but I'm due a cycle in October so if they do come then I can at least discuss with my neuro if it gets unbearable.

@Givealittlebit I don't get migraines but have been having grim hormonal headaches at the start of second trimester and agree that trap stretches and caffeine, the odd paracetamol plus all your other coping mechanisms are the ones I've found most helpful. Hoping you get some relief soon though.