Migraines

[NotThatKindOfDoctor]

I get migraines whether I am pregnant or not (migraines with aura) but when I am pregnant, like now, they take over my life. I’ve had 5 migraines in the last 15 days. Typically when I have them I feel absolutely awful the next day, so one episode will wipe me out for 2 days. I can’t take my usual medication and paracetamol is pretty much useless. I have an appointment with my doc on the 10th, but I was hoping that someone here might have some tips that perhaps I’ve not come across.

I still have work to do and kids to look after, so spending 50% of my time locked away in a dark room is really not working for me.

I am hoping it will ease off a bit after 12 weeks (so only 4 more weeks to go) but in the meantime, I would love to be able to get through a whole week without one.

Any tips very, very, very welcome.

[Sunshinedahlia]

I feel your pain! I had 4 migraines in 6 weeks before the 12 week mark (but none since, fingers crossed). Before pregnancy I used to have them on average every other month lasting a few days each but they became less frequent and much shorter since I started taking Sumatriptan tablets as a treatment. My doctor said it was safe to continue to take it as there have been studies on it (NB. I don‘t live in the UK). www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/sumatriptan/
Other than that, I have a personal theory that exhaustion and tiredness were a big trigger.

[MinesALatte]

Honestly feel your pain. FTM here and have been knocked out by them. The only thing I’ve found that helps me is paracetamol with caffeine in as I can’t take my usual migraine medication either.
The doc may say you can have amitriptyline, they offered me this but as soon as the word ‘risk’ was said I declined.

Sending you hugs x

[NotThatKindOfDoctor]

I definitely think tiredness is a trigger, but no matter how much I sleep, I’m tired 🤦🏻‍♀️ , and even though it’s not usually a trigger for me, coffee seems to be at the moment. I also seem to be exceptionally sensitive to light at the moment so to get through yesterday without any problems, I had to wear ski goggles around the house all day 😂🤦🏻‍♀️. I’m off to buy the biggest pair of sunglasses I can find today.

@Sunshinedahlia - I hope you stay migraine free for the rest of your pregnancy 🤞🏽

@MinesALatte - here’s hoping you and I both get a break from them soon!!! 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽

[Sunshinedahlia]

Dear oh dear, it‘s a nightmare really. I‘m not an expert, but as the hormones calm down a bit i think it should get better. Smells were a huge problem for me too.... 🤷🏻‍♀️

[KB13]

I feel your pain @NotThatKindOfDoctor I’m also a migraine sufferer when not pregnant and they will floor me for 2 days. The only thing I have ever found that helps them is ibuprofen which I can’t take now. With my 1st 2 pregnancies they disappeared for the whole 9 months. But this one i am having pretty much everyday, I’m 10 weeks on Friday and like you really hoping they disappear at 12 weeks. I don’t want to keep having to pop paracetamol as I’m worried about the affect it will have on baby. Hope you all feel better soon :(

[bluebell94]

Ah I feel your pain! I've suffered with hemiplegic migraines with horrible aura since early teens, maybe one every couple of months. First trimester I was getting at least one a week and it was horrific, wiped me out for 2 days at a time. I'm thankful I was furloughed as dread to think how many sick days I'd have had to take.
I found soluble paracetamol worked a little bit better than regular and a nap in a dark room was all that I could do to ease it ever so slightly, with all the lights off, curtains closed and sunglasses on! Along with a cold cloth on my forehead - make sure you've always got one in the fridge. Or those cooling head sticker things. Also carried a 4head stick with me everywhere which provided some slight relief in the early/late stages of one.
I had them more than weekly up to 13 weeks, had 1 at 16 weeks then last one was at 23 weeks so they've definitely seemed to ease off, fingers crossed yours do too x