severe headache at 23 weeks. Not preeclampsia

[Gemma2021]

Hi everyone,

I have been suffering from a severe headache since Thursday (so going on 4 days now), it’s a horrible headache that I’ve never experienced before going down and making the back of my head all tingly. My eyes also keep flashing on and off again especially if I am waking up in a dark room. Painkillers do not touch this headache at all, in fact it’s almost as if they make it slightly worse, the forehead stick does calm it slightly but obv doesn’t last long, I’ve had extreme dizziness and vomiting with it also, all round great time
I have seen my midwife at the maternity unity twice since this started and my blood pressure is normal and nothing was found in my urine. The advice is to stay hydrated, rest and if it gets worse call back which I am following, they do not know the cause and one dr saying it could be a light sensitive migraine and one saying because of how long it’s been going on more likely a tension headache.
Has anyone else had anything similar? Just feeling really deflated and frustrated just now.

I had exactly the same at about 27 weeks. 7 days of constant headaches, dizziness, blurred vision and fatigue. I went to the hospital to get checked out and my blood pressure, bloods and urine were all clear. I found that limiting my time looking at screens helped a little and plenty of naps during the day helped and after a week or so they did get less intense and now (30 weeks) I only get them if I'm really tired and didn't sleep well. I do have an 18 month old who wakes up at night which doesn't help!!

Unfortunately it seems to be one of those horrible pregnancy symptoms that comes and goes no matter what you do! It's good that you're getting checked out though.

I hope yours get better soon x

@Gemma2021 If you’re still feeling rubbish please cal your assessment unit back. I don’t usually suffer from headaches but had similar symptoms to you a few weeks back and ended up being admitted. I had previous pre eclampsia with my first baby but like you my urine was ok and BP was stable. I ended up having an MRI and plenty of sets of bloods, luckily all fine and they thought the headache might be due to sinusitis. If you’re still feeling rubbish please call them back x

@dinosaur17I just left there this morning after going back in last night, If I don’t feel better after a couple of days I will phone them back!
Sorry to ask a silly question with your first baby when you had the pre eclampsia did you have high BP and proteins in urine ?
Glad everything came back clear hopefully mine eases off in a few days!

@bovrilbezer
Thank you!
Hopefully it eases off soon then same as you. Glad yours are better xx

@Gemma2021 I had the same at 27 weeks with my son. I got admitted to the hospital, all bloods and BP came back normal but because I suffered so much I literally cried I got some sort of pain killer in form of a injection. It helped almost immediately and didn't happen again. Sorry I don't know what painkiller I was given but just wanted to let you know there are some stronger meds than can give you if really needed. I am sorry this is now happening to you. For me headaches are the worst!!! X

Sounds like a textbook migraine so please don’t worry because if it is a tension migraine, stress will make it worse. Try an icy glass of Pepsi, that might take the edge off or try a hot water bottle on your head and neck
Hope you feel better soon

@Gemma2021 I developed it in labour so BP monitored for about 4 days after, not sure about the protein I don’t think they ever checked as he was on his way!

I’d second what @Dottybirds says, cold packs etc do seem to help. I’m still being monitored until baby arrives but things have eased off considerably so I hope yours does too x

Thank you so much everyone.
As you all know being pregnant fist time is terrifying and this was making me really anxious it’s comforting to know your not alone and other people have had similar experiences!

I’m currently 26 weeks pregnant and had this when I was roughly 16 weeks then again a couple of weeks back . Lasted for days and days! Sadly I think it’s just one of those weird pregnancy symptoms that comes and goes xx

Do you by any chance know whether your baby is a boy or girl? Could be a pure coincidence and just one of those unfortunate things but research shows a link between headaches and carrying a boy

@Dottybirds we are having a wee girl! I have heard though that apparently headaches are worse with boys and sickness is worse with girls 😅
So hopefully this just makes it a one off x