Migraines

[bluebell94]

Does anyone have any miracle migraine cures?!
I've always suffered with hemiplegic migraines, maybe only one every couple of months but manageable - currently 7 weeks pregnant and have had 3 in the past 4 weeks and they are so awful. Whole sided numbness and awful pain along with visual disturbances and very dizzy/uncoordinated (first time DH saw me have one he thought I was having a stroke!)
I can't take my normal tablets. Thinking I'll have to speak to GP but potentially difficult given the current climate but wondered if anyone had any treatment/cure they found worked during pregnancy? Sending DH to get some cooling forehead patches with the shopping later.
Thankfully off work at the minute but will struggle if these keep up for the duration of my pregnancy...

@bluebell94 So sorry to hear this is happening to you. I dont suffer hemiplegic migraines so not sure if my advice will be helpful.

I do get headaches everyday and 2 or 3 times a week at the moment these will become migraines with the visual disturbances, vomiting etc. During my first pregnancy these completely disappeared for the whole 9 months but unfortunately this time pregnancy seems to have made them worse.

Cooling patches/4head etc dont work for me, they arnt strong enough. I actually use Deep Freeze gel, I don't think it is advised to put it on your face but I did mention it to my gp and he wasnt concerned. I rub it all along my forehead and back of neck. I sometimes find (if you can manage) a hot shower first helps too. Then deep freeze and into bed in the dark.

I have been trying to not take so much medication but obviously paracetamol is safe and I was also told by my midwife that the soluble ones with caffeine (panadol) are ok as long as you dont use too often. (The amount of caffeine is small but I find they work better than regular paracetamol)

Take care of yourself and hope they ease soon xxxx

@MrsSkr thank you, I will try those. Not too bad at the moment as took paracetamol as soon as symptoms started this morning but it's definitely still there, actually think I have some soluble ones in the cupboard I'd forgotten about so will take those later if it's still there! I've had no real sickness which I'm thankful for but now wondering if I'd rather have that than these awful things!! Xxx

I was the exactly the same during the first and second trimester mine had thankfully eased off by the third. My doctor refused to give me anything for them because he couldn't be sure it was safe! Tbf mine are horrendous and excruciating and I take a lot of medication on a regular basis for them and couldn't take the risk. Sorry its not very helpful but I can sympathise. Lying in a dark room and waiting for it to pass was all I could do

@bluebell94 hey my back recently went and the doctor prescribed codeine and paracetamol, that combo is also really good for migraines. Don't suffer and not take medication! As long as your not wired up to codeine the days before labour your baby will not be physically dependent. But taking it for a few days every so often during the migraine central first trimester carries zero risk.

He literally told me this so phone up and get a prescription

Cold flannel to the back of the neck after a hot shower sometimes helps x

@ChampooPapi that's good to know, I used to occasionally take solpadeine plus (soluble paracetamol, caffeine and codeine) which helped and I definitely still have those in the house but like all things they say must consult dr if pregnant but that's very helpful to know thank you x

@bluebell94 take it, your absolutely fine too. I'm six and a half weeks pregnant myself and the dosage in solpadeine plus is even less then the doctor prescribed me last week. The caffeine is fine as well, just don't have any coffee as well today 💜

@bluebell94 I’ve suffered with hemiplegic migraines since I was a teenager and they came on with a vengeance in my first trimester - full blown horror for 3 days every week. They’ve thankfully eased off after week 16, but this is what helped at the time...

Paracetamol (rectal is better, although unpleasant!)
Codeine
Buccastem for sickness
Eucalyptus oil on a tissue and your pillow - deep breaths
Cold compress for forehead and back of neck
Cool gel eye mask kept in the fridge - bliss when having a migraine!

Paracetamol/codeine didn’t do anything unless I caught the migraine super early, but the rest were a relief while waiting for it to pass. Hope they get better in your second trimester

Oh also sugar and caffeine - a can of full fat coke, or a sweet tea

Thanks @Nelbert19, keeping all those in mind for my inevitable next one...