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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Headaches

10 replies

Slug · 17/05/2001 10:00

Has anyone else had problems with headaches? I'm currently 18 weeks pregnant, and for the last 4 weeks have suffered almost daily (with a blissful headache free week in the middle) from the most appaling headaches. They're not migraines, I know what they feel like only too well, but start just under my skull on the left side, usually about 6pm each evening. Sleep and massage haven't helped, and taking paracetomol is about as effective as attacking an elephant with a fly swat. I'm at my wit's end, I don't want to face either a two week wait for a GP appointment, or facing the dragon receptionist if this is just a quite common side effect. Does anyone know of any effective remedies?

OP posts:
Emmy · 17/05/2001 11:30

You really really need to get your blood pressure checked asap, just to rule out the beginnings of pre eclampsia. the other thing could be that you need iron, I had headaches at about the same point in my last pregnancy and they stopped when I got some iron tablets- My count was 9.2 which was horribly low for middle pregnancy and I didnt know it!- felt so much better after about 3 days on iron.

Jj · 17/05/2001 12:00

I just talked to my ob about this. My headaches are every day, usually in the afternoon (I'm 20 weeks pregnant). Luckily for me the paracetomol works well. His suggestions were: drink a lot of water, rest as much as possible and try not to be so stresed. Ha! I'm actually doing all those things with no results. Trying not to be stressed is very stressful... He did say that taking paracetomol every day is fine.

Today I saw some consultant because I'm pregnant and have hypothyroidism. I told him about the headaches and he suggested taking 75 mg of aspirin once daily. He said it's fine for pregnancy and usually works. Honestly, I don't really trust him-- he also told me that after I had my baby I might think about trying to go without my thyroxine and see what happens. Does he mean other than going into a coma (which almost happened before I was diagnosed)? I'm going to call my ob and see what he says... ok, he's not in and there's a new (hopefully temporary) secretary who is not as knowledgable as the old one. Will let you know what he says either today or tomorrow.

If anything changes about the headaches, call your doctor and do get your blood pressure checked. Maybe I'll try the iron tablets.. although I'm quite the carnivore. Can't imagine I'd be low on anything meat provides.

Good luck! Hope you feel better this afternoon.

Jj · 17/05/2001 15:16

Been having a look around for info on aspirin and pregnancy. It seems like a low dose is fine. The BMJ just did a lit review on aspirin and the prevention of pre-eclampsia. The dosages were

Jj · 17/05/2001 15:28

Ok, sorry to make it three in a row. Just got a message from my ob who says that the aspirin is fine, no problem and probably a very sensible idea (for me, at any rate).

All you never wanted to know and more, I'm sure!

Pupuce · 17/05/2001 15:39

Quick question to you Slug : Are you drinking tea ? If you are -try to cut it all together (not a sibgle cup) it really helps, it resolves the problem in 1 out of 2 people.
Maybe this isn't the cause - but thought it was worth letting you and others know.

Tigger · 17/05/2001 15:43

Coffee, is another one to avoid and eat regularly, don't let your blood sugar levels get to low.

Robinw · 17/05/2001 20:32

message withdrawn

Original poster
Slug · 23/05/2001 12:21

Thanks everybody, the combination of iorn tablets and a slackening of the work stresses (exams now underway, no more assignments to mark!) seems to have worked. I'm sure the iorn helped with the total dragging exhaustion as well.

OP posts:
CloeDee · 09/10/2019 14:45

I have been having the same problem with sore heads and white dots in my vision, i have also had a couple of other symptoms which my doctor said was ok. I am at risk of developing pre clapmsia so i called my midwife to explain my symptoms and she said its impossible to develop pre- clampsia so early on ( im a few days off 16 weeks ) however i have read some stories where you can get it early on, would be nice to hear what happens with you , hope your ok x

Cherry85 · 09/10/2019 17:27

I found a wheat sack/hot water bottle at the back of the neck or an ice pack depending on how I felt helped.

I got an ice pack from the chemist that you put in a sleeve with a strap and wore it like a headband with it at the base of my skull. Helped a lot as I wasnt keen on using paracetamol.

You will know if you want heat or cold cos the other will repulse you at that point in time

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