Headache won't go away

[sel2223]

Hi All,

I'm 12+3 today and I've had a debilitating headache for about 48 hours now which just will not go away!

It's a 'whole head' headache affecting my eyes, my forehead, my entire scalp is actually pulsing and feels painful to touch. Is this normal? I'm having a hard time even looking at my phone screen to type this out.

I've had food, I'm drinking plenty, I didn't sleep much because of it. I've been off work yesterday and today. Any suggestions? Paracetamol isn't touching it.

Hey @sel2223 So sorry you’re struggling too! I’ve had migraines every few days from 12 weeks and I’m now 21/22 weeks. They are absolutely horrific. I went to the GP about them and they did my blood pressure and urine to check for preeclampsia- have you had checks and are they ok? Then the doctor basically said they are down to increased blood flow and hormones in pregnancy. Unfortunately most drugs haven’t been tested on pregnant women (including ibuprofen!) so everything comes with a risk when taking it, and it will be for you to decide how much of a risk you are willing to take in terms of pain management. I ended up not taking anything besides paracetamol as I don’t want any risk (much longed for ivf baby). The doctor did sign me off work and it did help - I basically slept for a week solidly. So my advice would be to manage it with paracetamol and go to the doctors to have blood pressure/urine checked/get signed off work to rest.

This is the website my GP sent me: https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/leaflets-a-z/migraine/

Hope it improves soon - most people have headaches disappear in the second trimester, so hopefully you’re one of the lucky ones ☺️

You should go and get checked by someone medical

I get headaches occasionally which is normal due to hormones, but at my last appointment my midwife was clear that if I have a headache that does not go away with paracetamol to get checked out as soon as possible, as this can be a sign of preeclampsia.

hopefully this isn’t the case but please get it checked out & even if that isn’t the cause they might be able to help!

Thank you very much for the replies.

The headache is still there but 4-hourly paracetamol is at least taking the edge off it today.

I had my blood pressure and blood sugar checked just last week and all was fine. I also had pre-eclampsia in my first pregnancy so I know the signs and am on daily low dose aspirin and magnesium.
I have mentioned it to my obstetrician but she doesn't seem overly concerned as that normally wouldn't appear until later.

@HopefulllHolly omg you've had 10 whole weeks of this??? You poor thing, I'm struggling with 3 days!

@cherrybl0ssom5 how far gone are you now?

Pregnancy is a constant worry, isn't it?!

@sel2223 Glad it’s a little better after paracetamol! Yeah 10 weeks of it and it’s awful. I got migraines pre pregnancy so am semi-used to them. So frustrating! Hope they pass quickly for you, and pregnancy glow sets in! ☺️

Hopefully it goes away completely soon! I’m 20 weeks, new worry every few weeks 🤣x @sel2223