18 Weeks & Migraines

I had migraines all throughout my first pregnancy - good news is it didn't repeat for the second one if you want to have more than one child. I'm afraid that I don't have any remedies, but do check with your doctor/midwife - in my case it was probably linked to high blood pressure problems I had (again didn't repeat the second time around thankfully!) and that is something that needs to be watched closely during a pregnancy.

I had horrible migraines all throughout my pregnancy with my son. I feel for you because they are truly terrible. For me, the best medicine was complete stillness and a quiet dark room. I know that can be a luxury to find sometimes though. My OB prescribed a medication safe to take during pregnancy called Migrin-A. It contains tylenol, caffeine and something else I think, but is safe during pregnancy. Good luck!

If you are preg you need to consult a dr prior to taking any medd for a head ache. YOU ARE PREG..... KAthy

Do you have any swelling in your hands or feet? if so, contact your doctor right away, you probably know that though. I had two high risk pregnancies and could not restist saying that. I had headaches in my first trimester, but they went away by my second trimester. However, I did end up with HELLP syndrome when I was pregnant with my twins and had to deliver at 35 weeks 2 days. It is good to let your health care provider know about symptoms like this as they may know of cures. If you start having trouble with heartburn, Breyers Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream works wonders (only the Breyer's brand.) My prenatal nurse gave me this tip and I had awful heartburn during both pregnancies.

Hi, I had the same type of headache with my first child. Never had a headache before in my life then out of now where. I could barely move. It turned out to be Toxemia. I developed Bells Palsy from the blood pressure being high. You should call your doctor.
Good Luck!

Hi C.! Congrats on your pregnancy! Sorry to hear you are suffering. I was a long time migraine sufferer until a couple years ago. I had them during much of my first and some of my second pregnancy to the point that they made me throw up for a day or more sometimes! I feel your pain! I rarely have them now. I would encourage you to talk with your doctor, of course. I tried some of the medications others have mentioned and they didn't work for me. If you can keep a food journal you may find a connection with the caffeine or other things. What I have done is get regular chiropractic care, even during my pregnancies! This made a big difference. I also switched my home to non-toxic cleaning and personal care products. Many brand-name items have chemicals in them that trigger headaches (among other things). Even when you are not using them, they emit vapors that you are breathing - that's why that aisle and any storage place they are in smell so strongly. Those are my thoughts. Hope they help. Good luck!

I had same issue with my first and it turned out to lack caffeine. My doctor told me to have a cup of tea instead of skipping and it worked. I guess it depends on how much caffeine you were drinking before. Good Luck!

Hi C.,
As a longtime migraine sufferer, I know what it's like but it IS Spring and there are plenty of things that will cause sinus pain that's is every bit as severe as a migraine and feel just like one. Absolutely check with your OB about taking any otc meds first. You might first try something like an antihistamine or decongestant, applying a hot facecloth to your forehead, a hot shower helps too.
If you do have actual migraines, Fiorocet with or without codiene works quite well. Please let us know how you make out.

I had the same thing happen with my second child. My midwife suggested two Tylenol, some black licorice & a diet coke (with caffeine). Evidently the black licorice has blood thinning/heart rate increasing potential that speeds up the delivery of the caffeine & Tylenol through your system. I have to admit, I'm not a big caffeine consumer and it's hard to find real black licorice (although Good & Plentys did work when I was in a pinch). This totally worked for me and I now have added it to my "Tried & True" list of easy home treatments.

Reliv Reliv Reliv! It's a food supplement that will replace all your vitamins, including prenatal, and has no drugs in it - just food! Migraine sufferers get wonderful relief - also allergy sufferers, and many other conditions. I can give you some people to talk to who have had this problem, also moms whose obstetricians told them it is perfectly safe during pregnancy. It's patented, and there's never been a successful claim against the company since it started 20 years ago. Very highly rated company, caring people, top scientists. It's not available in stores, only through distributors (many stay at home moms!), people who will help you network to get the info you need. I can't say enough about what it has done for my family.

I think you have to be very careful about caffeine, drugs, and over the counter products, including the stuff sold at health food stores - they all have side effects. Just because they are "natural" doesn't mean they are safe - arsenic is natural, for example, and so are poison mushrooms, but you wouldn't take them!! If you decide to go the prescription route, get several opinions, and be sure the doctors are not just pushing drugs to get rid of you.

I had my migranes suddenly go away in my 5th month, my hope is that the same will happen for you.
Best of luck and congratulations, Parenthood is an absolute taste of heaven. You have so much to look forward to and maybe that can help you to eliviate some of this physical pain. Hang in there. My guess is a boy :)

"This too shall pass".

Hello C.,
I am not sure how you feel about natural products but my friend takes a product for her migraines!!! It seems to work for her, she loves and takes it for everything. If you would like information about it please email me back and I will get it for you!!!

S.

I spent most of my pregnancy with a headache. I'd talk to your doctor about it, since there are so many meds you can't take while pregnant.

Caffeine helps kick in the medications - and LACK of caffeine can give a lot of people heahaches - I think thats why it's in the OTC meds...

My suggestion -- when it's mild, take care of it... I tried to find what caused it... If it was lack of caffeine, drink a little... (a cup of coffee a day was allowed by my OB..) If it was sinus related, I would remove myself from the offending smell.. If it was stress related, I would try to take a hot bath and de-stress.. take a walk... or whatever works to de-stress you. Catching it before it blows up to the migraine status is not easy and not always possible, but thats my biggest suggestion...

Good luck.

Congrats! Someone mentioned Fiorocet and I have to say it worked wonders for me when I was pregnant. My ob assured me it was safe and I have a perfectly healthy baby boy. You should talk with your ob if the OTC's don't work for you and see if Fiorocet might be something for you. No need to suffer through them if you don't have to. Good luck with your pregnancy.

Hi C.,
I had horrendous migraines when I was pregnant. The doctors actually had me taking vicodin which knocked me out until it went away and I usually only had to take one, but I hated the idea that I was taking a narcotic while I was pregnant. I am sure if you talk to your doctor they have safer things they can prescribe, as well as maybe going to a local health food store supplement aisle. They usually have someone working there that is knowledgeable. And there's also the Web if all else fails. Good luck. I know how hard it is and I feel for you.

I had migraines throughout my pregnancy. If it becomes a chronic problem I would talk with your midwife. Although the tendency is to limit medications in pregnancy there are many over the counter medications with aspirin or ibuprofen that are safe to take up until the third trimester that work much better than tylenol.

Caffine can start migraines and take them away. They only take them away if it has NOT caused it. I am a frequent migraine sufferer and if I have had chocolate or soda and I get one I know I can try it. But I have had something that I know brought it on like caffine, it wont work and sometimes makes it worse!
While I was pregnant with my DD migraines seemed to just be a part of the pregnancy. Luckily prior to this I had found the ONLY thing that worked. Massage. Most people I tell this to think I'm off my rocker, using it as an excuse to get one, or are just too uncomfortable to try. But trust me it is total worth it if you have someone who knows what they are doing. I'm not talking swedish massage, I'm talking deep tissue, firm pressure massage. But in your case you also have to make sure they know what they're doing with prenatal care also! It's no joking matter, they must know the areas they need to stay away from. So do some background work first. Plus geting massage while pregnant can help you in so many ways you wont believe it!

I got migraines with both of my pregnancies. At times it was so bad that my Ob checked me into the hospital and gave me pain medication to cope. It would take a few days to recover as well.
I did figure out that they were more frequent when I wasn't drinking enough fluids. When I would force myself to drink all day I was fine- but if I forgot and got a little dehydrated they would start up again.
I also found that they would come when I wasn't getting enough sleep. So I would try to nap in the afternoons since I wasn't sleeping well at night. This was easier with my first pregnancy!
Caffeine never worked for me. It actually made me dizzy and edgy on top of the pain.
I would say just to watch out for what your triggers might be and discuss it with your Ob. If things get bad they will give you something for the pain.
Hang in there- I never had another migraine after my girls were born. It seemed to be a pregnancy thing with me.
Good luck,
S.

I also suffer from migraines but fortunately I didn't have any while pregnant. I would contact your doctor because not all meds are safe. My prescription meds are not intended for nursing or pregnant moms. I have heard that caffeine does help also. I would try to hang in there and just use asprin and try to lay down, sleep has always helped me. If you have never had one before you might just be prone to them with pregnancy. I didn't have a migraine my whole pregnancy and then had my first when my daughter was about 6 months old. Luckily I seem to only get one every couple of months. I feel for you because it is one of the worst pains ever.