Migraines

[HB2020xxx]

Hi everyone
How are you managing migraines in your pregnancy? My GP has given me sumatriptan and I usually take cocodamol 30/500 as I suffer with migraines, have for years. I'm scared to take it even though the Dr gave it to me.
I'm approx 5+2, has anyone taken them around this time?
Thanks x

I have taken sumatriptan for migraines before, but it didn’t really work for me. I wasn’t pregnant at the time though and everyone is different. I get hormonal migraines and my first trimester is always awful for them, but like you I don’t like to take anything unless I really can’t avoid it.

I know how frustrating it is when everyone says “just drink more water” but with this pregnancy I have been tracking how much I am drinking and realised the amounts I need to drink to feel okay has increased. Now if I don’t drink at least 3 litres I can guarantee a migraine. It’s not completely got rid of them, but they are now much more manageable without medication.

Something else I have done is because this is a lot of water, at least half of my drinks are rehydration drinks. I hope this helps you

Thank you that helps. Yes my headaches are usually hormone driven, often just period a period due to the drop. I assumed I would get them pregnancy as I always get them! I'd be too lucky not to! I'll try and tough it out as much as I can x

I’m not. Like you both mine a hormonal. This is my 3rd pregnancy but with my first 2 they completely stopped. With this one I am getting them daily. All I’m taking is paracetamol but it’s not really doing anything. Ordinarily I take ibuprofen but obviously can’t now. I’m trying the 4head roll on thing, it doesn’t get rid of it but it does help take the edge off. I’m 11 weeks and really hoping they subside after the first trimester 😬🤞🏻

Agree with @Tippytaps

It’s so boring and obvious to ‘drink more water’ And yet you really really do have to!

I find I get dehydrated v quickly and if I don’t drink at least a pint before breakfast I’m totally screwed!

Yes, I agree 4Head works a little bit and ice packs on my forehead and back of the neck are bliss. If an ice pack is too cold, a cold flannel and a bag of peas should do the trick.

I recommend an app called “water minder” it sends notifications to remind me to drink if I haven’t had enough to drink. The default setting calculates based on your weight but, as I mentioned earlier, I’m so much more sensitive to dehydration now I’m pregnant so I have increased the minimum to 3 litres. As with @Gerdticker I need about a good 3 cups of red bush tea first thing or the whole day is miserable!

I took sumatriptan before I got pregnant and took during pregnancy so far. It cut my migraines down from a few days to about a day in duration and also stopped me vomiting. I take half a tablet with an anti-nausea tablet. My doctor said it was fine to take during pregnancy, it has been studied unlike many medicines. The anti-nausea tablet is important in combination as head and stomach problems combine in the migraine and make it worse. Now I‘m at 16 weeks+4, migraines have calmed down and I just have normal headaches instead. 4head helps as a temporary distraction for me. Ice packs don‘t help in the slightest.

I normally take almogran and co-codamol 30/500, during first trimester toughed it out with just paracetamol and 4head. 2nd and 3rd I spoke to a pharmacist and was prescribed codeine on its own in 15mg pills so that I could take the lowest possible dose but manage the pain. I've had fewer of them in the 3rd trimester and overall they have been less intense than normal, definitely worth speaking to someone to discuss what to take and when :)

My migraines became 24/7 constant for the first 4 months, then I had absolutely none for the remainder of the pregnancy (both times), which is unheard of for me. Then got first return of migraine whilst still in hospital having given birth.

I think I took Cocodamol 500/30. I also have the 15mg codeine on their own prescribed so I don't have to take more than needed, and if the first dose doesn't work can take more. I think we stopped sumatriptan during the pregnancy. 4Head. Ice packs. Biofreeze.

You could look at three supplements which have some degree of evidence - magnesium, co-enzyme Q10, and Riboflavin. My GP recommended. BUT I can't remember what happened in pregnancy so you would need to check whether they are still ok.

Low dose amitriptyline as a migraine preventer is also often prescribed. Definitely speak to your GP.

I swear by migraine kool n soothe patches! Get them and paracetamol and just try and relax for an hour. I’ve always suffered with migraines and get raging temperatures with them but these patches are a godsend. Good luck op I know how awful and miserable migraines are

Thank you everyone! I will definitely try to tough it out when I can especially in the first trimester. It's hard when all doctors say something different but I guess if they say it's ok to take someone and they prescribe it then every now and then is ok and I need to stop worrying! Xxx

Hi OP, I’ve been struggling with headaches and migraines for about 12 weeks. I suffer from migraines normally and pre-pregnancy have been on naratriptain since I was a child, works great for me. As soon as I told my doctor I was pregnant (in February, just before a MC) she took them off me and I’ve not taken any since (fell pregnant again in May).
I’ve been told by one doctor I can take ibuprofen, then another said I couldn’t, then one said I could take codeine, and another said I couldn’t!! Then one doctor said I could have amitriptyline but still mentioned the word ‘risk’ so I denied it.

The only way I’ve been managing mine is lots of sleep, cold packs, 4head and one paracetamol with caffeine in a day. The caffeine seems to work wonders. It has 65mg in so well under the recommended daily allowance