Please reassure me re. Pregnancy migraines

[virginpinkmartini]

I'm nearly at week 11, and I've had migraine with aura three times in 2 weeks, meaning I've missed quite a bit of work. Doctor has prescribed me with aspirin, which takes the edge off but the symptoms are still debilitating. Has anyone else been through this, and has it died down for them once they're out of the first trimester? My doctor suggests it because I'm awash with hormones... It's driving me up the wall

Sorry to say that in my last pregnancy they got worse as time went on. I was having them pretty regularly by the end. One good thing is that I never had one after the baby was born and haven't in this pregnancy (27 weeks).

You have my sympathy though, the Aura part especially is horrible.

@mistermagpie Not what I wanted to hear lol. My first pregnancy was an absolute breeze compared to this, I felt basically no symptoms, but this time round I have everything under the sun, including these god awful migraines. I usually get them once every 6 months but it's clear that this is going to be a regular occurance for the foreseeable future

Appreciate the sympathy, though. I feel like many people don't understand/ assume it's just a headache I can take paracetamol for.

@virginpinkmartini - I also suffer from aura migraines and have had 2 in the past 10 weeks (unusual for me) BUT it is really common for them to increase in the first tri because of hormones (lots of women get their first migraine in pregnancy) and then they drop off as your hormones balance out, so keep the faith!

The aura really bothered me, I could stand the headache but the aura made me feel scared and horrible. They would come on at work (computer triggered I think) and I couldn't do anything, I couldn't even really leave because I couldn't drive or anything.

I get regular migraines with aura and with this pregnancy they have been more frequent. I barely had any with my last pregnancy though.

I also get sickness, confusion, I can't think of words for most things, I can barely walk ect. You have my sympathy completely.

What is the most horrible thing is that you never know when they will appear. It is horrible driving your children out somewhere only to be stuck there with no eyesight not being able to get home.

One thing I will say is that in my pregnancy with my daughter in which I also had lots of migraines from the start I ended up developing preeclampsia. This also led to placental abbruption. So if they continue later in pregnancy please don't assume they are still migraines.

@whatwillhappentomorrow - so sorry to hear about your pre-eclampsia.
If you don’t mind me asking, how far along were you, how did they diagnose it and was everything ok in the end?

I'm nearly 15 wks and mine have settled thank G-d.

They were horrific till 13 weeks, twice a week kinda thing

@virginpinkmartini I really feel your pain. I had sporadic migraines with aura and vomiting prior to being pregnant with DS and they got worse in the first trimester. Thankfully they improved significantly in the second trimester. I’m currently ttc and since having DS (now 2) I rarely have them. The key is to take something as soon as you get the aura or watch out for your prodome; this is like a warning sign and this can happen up to 24 hours before the migraine.

Hi, sorry I have only just seen your message.

I was somewhere around 28 weeks when diagnosed but I had symtoms that I didn't realise were related much before.

It was a bit tricky for them to diagnose because I naturally have very low blood pressure. My blood pressure was going up but wasn't technically high and they found protein in my wee. Along with symtoms I told them about.

They kept admitting me to hospital then discharging me repeatedly. The day my blood pressure eventually got to their high limit, I think it was 140/90, I suffered placental abbruption. I lost a lot of blood and we are both lucky to still be here.

I have read that those who suffer with migraines are at a higher risk of preeclampsia. Whats more is that migraine headaches are so similar to preeclampsia headaches so they are easier to dismiss.

Likelihood is you will be fine. It is worth being aware of though and the complications that can arise. I honestly had no idea until I had been through it.

@Whatwillhappentomorrow - thank you for sharing your story; I’m so pleased to hear you both got through it, although absolutely awful that you had to experience it.

I’ve also read that migraines can be indicative of higher rates of pre-eclampsia, so I’m just keeping a mindful eye but also keeping everything crossed it stays firmly away!

@Whatwillhappentomorrow - sorry, I meant to ask, did you get aura or the migraine itself? I’m trying to figure out what to look for in the headaches.
I ask as I get the aura but not the migraine/headache that follows.

Thanks. I get both, often together but sometimes either separately. Although I would more likely get aura alone if separate. This was the same when I had preeclampsia.

The only thing I personally noticed a difference with is when I had preeclampsia I noticed a direct correlation between migraine/aura and when I would be doing a lot more physical activity.

Whereas my migraines are sporadic. Even though stress doesn't help them they really do happen whenever.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy. I hope all ends up well and the migraines subside x

Hello, mine didn't go away until the third trimester & was referred to a consultant but he wouldn't let me take anything as said it was all too dangerous, I feel your pain, hope they start to go soon for you.

I had more migraines than I would consider normal for me in the first trimester. I also get aura (mostly vision but sometimes pins and needles) and word confusion etc. I found I had some instances of aura which then didnt turn into a migraine, and some where the headache bit was worse than normal. It definitely died down in beginning of second trimester, I'm 26 weeks and cant remember when my last one was. Hope yours calm down too! x