any migraine in early pregnancy tips?

[chloeb2002]

Hi we are expecting #3 im 5 weeks and have started with terrible migraines.. I had them with DD and DS but didnt work while i was pg with them... so it was easy! But now im working its going to be tough! We are in Australia so us nice and cole at least (winter) but other paracetemol mand ice packs has any one used anything else that is safe in pregnancy?

Make sure you're not dehydrated - something like Gatorade can help.

Also, see if the muscles around your shoulders and neck are tense as this can lead to migraine. If they are, specialist massage may help.

And talk to your doctor. I get migraines normally - haven't had one in pregnancy yet thankfully! - and my doctor okayed taking codeine if needed for a migraine. If that doesn't work and I get a severe migraine, I'm to go to hospital to see if IV fluids help and if not, to get a doctor's advice on what to do next.

I have been having migraines too. I'm about to email my midwife to ask her about referring me for some acupuncture. In previous pregnancies this is what she has recommended, although I can't say whether it works or not because unfortunately in both cases I miscarried before getting to my turn on the waiting list, but it I had a private acupuncture treatment for back pain a couple of weeks ago and it was pretty effective so might be worth a try for the migraines.

The other thing that my midwife suggested was taking soluble paracetamol rather than tablets as it gets into your blood system in a more effective way to tackle migraines. I have found this has worked for me, as long as I take it as soon as I can after the flashing lights turn up.

I found that there was usually a point on my head somewhere and it varied where it was, that if I pulled my hair there, it would help, the pain wouldn't go but it helped somehow. Still pull my hair sometimes or put a hot water bottle at the base of my skull. Never truly goes unless I sleep or vomit.

Oh yeah, I take Panadol, not tablet paracetamol. If you can tolerate making it in warm water it works even better.

I'd been taking immigran for migraines (had them all my life). I'm only four weeks but the dr told me to stop taking them while pg - which I'm really worried about as they are my lifeline! I'm going to query that again when I see the MW as the dr was very bumbling and disinterested and I'm not convinced he knew either way.
Anyone else using immigran in pregnancy?

Paracetamol taken with a cup of coffee/tea/coke right at the outset seems to help keep mine manageable...

grumpling - Imigran really shouldn't be taken in pregnancy. It could cause you to miscarry so it's to be avoided.

That's partly why my GP said go to A&E if I get a severe migraine, so that a doctor can make the call on whether imigran or an uncontrolled severe migraine is worse for me (after trying everything else that I can't get at home, like IV fluids and painkillers).

japhrimel, I agree with the neck and shoulder thing. I've observed that if I take paracetamol and get DH to massage my neck and shoulder, which are normally extremely tensed, I wouldn't get a migraine. What do you mean by a specialist massage? DH is rubbish at giving massages (more like scraping my skin than a massage), so if I know who I can go to and what type of massage that is safe for pregnancy then that would be great.

Thanks for the tips! Last bad one was Sunday and today I took paracetemol early. I think the big difference is with a normal migraine I vomit and it goes away. ATM they get worse after I vomit which is tough. I saw my o and g doc today who said she can give me something that is safe but will pretty much knock me out! Not ideal between work and a 2 year old! So I will see. Tried hot and cold packs. Figure I should maybe look at it as my body telling me to slow down.?

Pre-pregnancy I had preventative meds for chronic migraine. I do get less migraine during pregnany but still have a few. Someone told me to try paracetamol and coca-cola (full sugar not diet) at the first signs of migraine. I can't say it went completely but definitely took the edge off and I could function on a day to day basis.

cath476 - caffeine is an effective headache med, which is why coke helps. Luckily for us, the less you drink normally, the more effective a smaller dose is. I find that a cup of strong tea or coffee can really help sometimes.

anonMum2 - the tension you get in your neck area is technically myofascial tension (tension in the membrane that covers and supports the muscles). So myofascial release massage is best for it IME. Although some physios know basic myofascial release techniques, specially trained massage therapists often know more effective and less painful techniques. I know a great lady in Berkshire...