Migraines in pregnancy

[JungleRun21]

Ive suffered with migraines for years which have never been linked to anything specific.
A few years ago I was put onto amitriptyline to help which it did initially but over the last few months they got significantly worse again.
I was then prescribed pizotifen which seemed to really help.
I then found out I was pregnant.
I stopped the pizotifen as it isnt recommended during pregnancy but continued with amitriptyline.
GP isnt helpful and just says Paracetamol.
Ive been floored by a migraine which will not shift.
Has anyone suffered similar and can offer any advice or any medications which can be taken safely?

Here in sympathy from a fellow migraine & chronic headache suferer!

I also used to take amitriptyline but stopped early due to having IVF. In the interim I took twice a day naproxen hoping it may help and imigran nasal spray for flare ups but once I got BFP had to stop. They advised the odd nasal spray for a bad one was ok.. obv wanted to minimise this though so looked into alternatives privately.

In the end I took a punt on acupuncture and honestly it’s life changing. I was around 8 weeks pregnant when I started it and I’m now 15 weeks PP and still completely medication free. Have had 1 migraine which was very soon PP and due to hormones I think, although it passed much quicker than previously and have had the odd headache but I used to have them 5 out of 7 days. Thoroughly recommend it if you have the means and time to get it!

@Btowngirl thank you for replying. Ive never considered acupuncture before.
How frequently do you have it and how quickly did you notice a difference?
Did you get sickness alongside your migraines as well?

Today has been a complete write off. Unable to work. The nausea alongside a migraine was awful and even now, im still feeling it.

Also a long time migraine sufferer, I took pizotifen for many years and then switched to amitriptyline. I was advised by my GP to stop taking it and if I got a migraine to just take regular old paracetamol. I’m only 7 weeks and so paranoid about getting one. I also did acupuncture for a long time, initially they ask you to come weekly and then you can reduce the frequency. Personally I didn’t feel like it made a difference I was still getting migraines BUT if I had a session after getting a migraine I felt sooo much better quicker.

Honestly it’s been life changing, so great not being on medication. I’d not considered it either, but found it in desperation last April when constantly suffering & unable to take meds.

I’ve actually gone there with various other bits it’s helped with since (morning sickness for example). However the next biggest thing it helped with was turning my baby when she was breech. I thought ‘no way’ when the acupuncturist mentioned she could try and turn her, but when I researched it, it actually has a higher success rate than a manual turn that the NHS offers. Wild!

• I had it weekly initially and after some time went to 2 weekly then 3 weekly.
• yeah I got auras and vomiting with my migraines.
• After birth I did go back to weekly but this was due to my preference as I felt completely hormonally imbalanced and it needed to relax! I am back to 2-3 weekly now.
• She puts ear seeds on me a lot which I think helps with the longevity of symptom relief between appts.

Id recommend looking for someone who’s with the acupuncture regulatory authority to be safe. Hope you find some success with it as it’s so miserable having headaches and sickness constantly. I found it worked within weeks to be honest so fingers crossed for you 🤞