Migraines during pregnancy--HELP!

Hello, nice ladies. This is my first post on this forum, and I am so looking forward to being a part of this community. I hate that my first post is about something negative, but I could really use some help.

I am 16 weeks, 5 days pg and experiencing terrible migraines. I am down with them for 2-3 days, have maybe a day or two without one, and the cycle starts again. I have a history of migraines, but never this bad. They began at about weeks. My doc has recommended Excedrin Migraine, but that is not working for me. She prescribed Fioricet to use "very, very sparingly", and that does work, but now that this has gone on for several weeks taking that medecine is becoming a concern. (It can be addictive, and later on I won't be able to take it b/c of the babies.)

I used to take Relpax (before pregnancy) but I don't think I am able to take that during pregnancy. I have the auras, vomiting, sensitivity to light--the whole miserable deal. Any feedback would be so appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Whenever I would get bad headaches, it would mean that I wasn't drinking enough water/juice. I hope you find some relief! :hug99:

:hi: Welcome to Twinstuff!

 

Hi Heather, Welcome to Twinstuff and congrats on your twins. :clapping:

I don't get migraines, but did get headaches almost everyday until about 16w. I hope you find some relief. :hug99:

I would encourage you to join our Big Sister Program. You will be matched up with another Mom with older twins and she will support you throughout your pregnancy and beyond. Click on the link in my signature for more information. It's a great program.

Again, welcome and congrats!

 

Just wanted to say I feel for you! I was a regular Imitrex user before getting pg. I got migraines pretty often in the 2nd tri, but mine weren't as bad -- I was miserable, but I could function.

I did find that mint oil and cold packs helped a little, at least when I could lie on the couch and doze off while using them. They didn't help much if I had to be up & about. I went home early from work a lot, and just laid there with a cold pack on my forehead and a T-shirt over my eyes.

Relpax (which I take now -- Imitrex stopped working after the babies were born for some reason) is one of those drugs for which nothing is known about its effect on babies. Sorry to say, I doubt any doctor would give you the OK to use it unless you were suicidal with pain. It's safer to prescribe a narcotic because at least they know what that does.

My RE suggested phenergan (sp?) if I got nausea with my migraines, which I usually didn't, and said if I was in truly extreme pain, I could go to the ER and get a shot of demerol or something. But again, that doesn't help much for almost-daily migraines.

I'm sorry I don't have better advice. The only thing I can say is that it's temporary, but I know it seems like forever at 16 weeks. I think my headaches were less frequent in the 3rd tri, at least.

 

When I have bad headaches (I've only had one the Drs. considered a migraine), I use Natural Calm magnesium supplement. Plus the Natural Calm Calcium/Mag supplement. Here's a website that talks about migraines and magnesium deficiency. Hope this helps!!!

http://www.relieve-migraine-headache.com/m...-migraines.html

 

I don't know how you feel about medications but my OB prescribed Tylenol #3 for me for my migraines while I was pregnant. I probably was only desparate enough to take it two or three times during my pregnancy.

 

I get migraines and just suffered during pregnancy...but they got WORSE post partum. I am on other meds right now that interfere w/ most migraine meds so my doc prescribed oxygen therapy( 6-8 L for 10-20 mins every hour until gone) and it WORKS 80% of the time, and if not completely works- it at least eases the pain a lot. I get nauseated, light/sound sesitivity, and fierce pain. Insurance covers it (though it would be less than the price of a script if we had to pay full amount anyway )

Ask your Dr...they said it would be OK ( no side effects, just may not work) to use if I got pregnant again! Maybe that would help?

KC

 

I'm a migraine sufferer too. I can't tolerate Imitrex but I've heard it's approved for pregnancy now. Fioricet is safe in pregnancy. I've taken it for years, even while nursing. It's really not that strong of a medicine. My high risk OB said I'd have to take 4-6 a day before it would have much effect on the babies. That made me feel better and he's been quite generous in prescribing it. I'd be careful of Exedrine because it has a lot of aspirin in it.

Are you a coffee drinker? I tried to quit but found that the headaches got sooo much worse. Now as long as I have one cup in the morning, I can keep them to a minimum. Ice packs behind my neck work too.

 

I had that too. I have a history of migraines and they got really bad during my pregnancy. I was prescribed Tylenol with Codeine which helped some. They did not really recommend the Excedrin Migraine. I took Imitrex which didn't work a lot for me. I drank a cup of coffee a day and when I felt one coming on would drink something with caffeine or something high protein. I started having the auras every day at the end and nothing really worked. My neurologist would not prescribe anything else because of the babies. It was really hard to deal with but I did and now I don't have them. I only get the beginnings sometimes and then they go away. I think I have had one that has gotten to be a full blown migraine since I have had the babies. The important thing I was told was to stick to a schedule. Eat at the same times every day and eat what you need to, sleep as much as possible and on a schedule if possible ( I know easier said than done when you have to pee every 20 minutes). I would talk to your OB, neurologist or PCP and come up with a plan. I hope that you find something that works and you don't have to just deal with it like I did. Good luck.

Jen

 

oh i have been in your shoes and you just want to pull your head off and get a new one. for the throbbing, light sensitivity, it sounds weird but i used to take a bandana and tie it as tight as i could around my head it would go by forhead and in the back lower part of my head to apply pressure. it took the throbbing away. also tylenol with codeine works good and you can use it while pregnant. i have read that gatorade helps with a migraine so drink plenty. i used to have a migraine every day for a whole year. it would go away come back go away come back. i went for a second opinion at a different doctor who specializes in sports injuries. he said i had trapezious muscle spasms when i went to physical therapy they said most migraine sufferers have it and i was there for massage therapy and taught stretching techniques that really do work. i have now been migraine free for 8 years and need no meds. i do get them maybe twice a year but thats better then on and off for a whole year. i hope this helps and you can get some relief. i know how badly this sucks. also i used to put ice on the top of my head and neck wrap myself up in a blanket cuz then of course i would be cold from the ice and fresh air. i like the oxygen idea. :hug99:

 

I was a migraine sufferer before my first preg. I had them something terrible for about 12 weeks. I would take Tylenol all day long and I did drink at least one caffeinated beverage in the morning. It was my morning cocktail-Tylenol and coffee. It gave me enough relief to last through the day. But I did got to the hospital on 2 occasions for narcotics since they dont cross the placenta, they are safe.

However, I will give you some hope. I never had them with my second pregnancy until the end with pre-e. And I rarely get them now although I do still get headaches. So maybe pregnancy will change your hormones enough and you will never get another migraine again.

 

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

I so appreciate the responses all of you have given, and have learned something new from all of them. I feel well prepared for my appt. tomorrow, and not so helpless if they still insist Fioricet is not safe, as I can use the alternative therapies listed here.

God Bless You ALL!!!!!

 

I used to get migraines all the time, but they've somehow slowed down in the last five years or so. One of the meds that hasn't been mentioned yet is Vicodin. I was just released from hospital bedrest a few days ago. For five days while there, I had one of the worst migraines of my life! I think it was brought on by lack of consistent sleep from the constant waking up for monitoring, vitals, etc. The doc prescribed Vicodin. It didn't actually work for me, but apparently works for many pregnant women. May be worth checking out....??

 

I got a lot of headaches the 1st and part of the second trimester. They say you should drink more water.
They should start getting better. Your just getting into your 2nd trimester where you'll start to feel a little better.

Tina

 

I feel your pain … literally. I have been a migraine sufferer since I was about 11 years old. Sadly they got worse during both my pregnancies. I am also a relpax user. Imitrex never worked for me and Maxalt worked for a bit, but stopped. I could barely function during both pregnancies. My doctor’s first line of defense was Tylenol and a caffeinated drink. Sometimes it worked, but most of the time it didn’t. So she prescribed Fioricet and Vicodin and reassured me they were both safe during pregnancy. I think Vicodin is a waste of pill – it never has worked for headaches or any other kind of pain. Fioricet would at least take the edge off. I wonder why your doctor says it is not safe. Especially since Excedrin is a no-no because of the aspirin.

(((HUGS))) and I hope you get some relief. I had a killer migraine on Mother’s Day and had to fly. My fellow travelers must have loved me as I threw up the puke bag! It took 4 relpax to take the edge off.


Oh and I see you are 16 weeks pregnant. Hopefully you will start to get some relief. I did towards the middle of the 2nd trimester.

 

I had pregnancy induced migraines when I was pg with my twins, and have since then, Mine were being caused by Fluorescent lights. I work but have my own office, so we shut the lights off and got a halogin lamp and a desk lamp. Worked miracles. I could function with tylenol once the lights were off. Good luck, I know how bad they can be.

 

:wavey: heather and :sign0016: to TS!!

I am so sorry you are having bad Migranes. I too had them and spent most of my days inbed until about 16 weeks. It noise and light were REALLY bad for me. That is especially hard considering I have 2 older kids!

Nothing worked for me and they did eventually get better. I have never had a history of migranes though so I don't know how that changes things. :hug99: to you. I hope they get better soon.

 

You guys are truly the BEST! It's nice to know I am not the only one who has had to "suffer." The empathy you all have expressed is so comforting, as is your experiences with different meds and other remedies. I have been better since yesterday afternoon, and am seeing my OB today, and I feel like I have a whole team of ladies supporting me now.

I feel so welcome here--THANKS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!

 

I had migraines throughout my pregnancy with the twins. I was in the hospital for 5 weeks, and took Lortab daily for the headaches. No complications! Good luck!

 

I just wanted to say that I'm sorry you're dealing with the migraines.

I'm in the hospital on bedrest, and there was another patient here in antenatal claiming to have a migraine (for 5 days) when she did not. . . The nurses were fed up with her. She was using the hospital as a hotel. She had no problem chatting on the phone, when bright lights were turned on, etc. Can you believe that lady?! I've had one migraine in my life, and it was debilitating. . .

I'm hopeful you can get some relief soon.

 

I took imitrex for migraines during my first pregnancy with no problem. I haven't had problems during this pregnancy, thank goodness. I also would be careful with Excedrin because of the asprin. GOOD LUCK! (((HUGS)))

 

QUOTE(Emily@Home @ May 20 2008, 02:06 PM) [snapback]783649[/snapback]
I just wanted to say that I'm sorry you're dealing with the migraines.

I'm in the hospital on bedrest, and there was another patient here in antenatal claiming to have a migraine (for 5 days) when she did not. . . The nurses were fed up with her. She was using the hospital as a hotel. She had no problem chatting on the phone, when bright lights were turned on, etc. Can you believe that lady?! I've had one migraine in my life, and it was debilitating. . .

I'm hopeful you can get some relief soon.

Uhhh--yeah, if she had a true migraine, she would be cringing at light like a vampire, and the only sounds coming from her would be moans! Jeesh!

I am on virtual bedrest here at home (have left the house maybe 6 times since I got pg due to morning sickness, migraines) so if you get bored and wanna chat let me know.