Headaches and pregnancy

[PonyGirl]

So I get migraines like nobody's business. Every week, every day, sometimes a couple times a day. And I've had tests and CT scans, there's no reasoning as to why I get them. But in the past 3 months or so my doctor put me on Topamax, and it has really helped a lot. Like I have only gotten 1 or 2 migraines a month since I started it, instead of a couple a week. And of course it is not a medicine I can continue to take if I become pregnant. And I've heard that women that have bad headaches/migraines before pregnancy, they can either get better or they can get even worse. And I'm afraid with my history I'll be one of the unlucky ladies that they become worse with pregnancy. And regular Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc. didn't used to help before I started Topamax.

So my question is, do any of you have headaches like this? And if you've been pregnant before what were you able to take to ease the pain?

[ohinvrtedworld]

I don't have any personal experience and have no idea if it's pregnancy safe, but my friend gets horrific migraines and she swears by the Walmart Equate headache relief pills when she feels one coming on about 70% of the time. Sorry I can't be much more help.

[mrsjene]

I get migraines twice a month...start of my period and end of my period. Totally related to hormones. I'm scared I'm one of those people who will get them worse because they're triggered by hormones.

Excedrin migraine is the only thing that works for me, but I've heard it's not safe during pregnancy.

[PonyGirl]

Mar 2, 2015 15:46:50 GMT -5 ohinvrtedworld said:

I don't have any personal experience and have no idea if it's pregnancy safe, but my friend gets horrific migraines and she swears by the Walmart Equate headache relief pills when she feels one coming on about 70% of the time. Sorry I can't be much more help.

I will have to try that one, I don't think I've ever tried it.

[treble]

I had frequent migraines before GKU with J and I think I only had 1-3 while KU with him.

I think it's an "every one is different" thing.

[joy]

I've spent a lot of time investigating this as I get migraines. I was recently put on Imitrex and I'm like "PLEASE DON'T EVER TAKE THIS AWAY!"

My neurologist did say that taking Imitrex once or twice during pregnancy wouldn't be the *worst* thing, but like - I don't want to if I can. Excedrin Extra Strength was my go-to for a long time, but that's off limits in pregnancy, too. My headaches also laugh in the face of Tylenol + caffeine or something. Newp.

So, I'm operating with a fingers crossed attitude here and I will try to suffer through. I get a migraine about once a week without trigger so I feel you.

The one thing that I do have and I'm hoping might be useful is Cefaly. It's been FDA approved for preventative measures of migraines and is safe during pregnancy. My neurologist recommended it so I have one. It's not cheap. But, I'm hoping that using it as instructed will lessen the headaches and the need for meds when/if I get pregnant. The other thing is that it works with TENS technology (google it) so if I do get a bad headachile while pregnant, the device may help ease the pain while I suffer through.

Good luck.

[PonyGirl]

Mar 2, 2015 15:49:13 GMT -5 mrsjene said:

I get migraines twice a month...start of my period and end of my period. Totally related to hormones. I'm scared I'm one of those people who will get them worse because they're triggered by hormones.

Excedrin migraine is the only thing that works for me, but I've heard it's not safe during pregnancy.

About 4 or 5 years ago my doctor pretty much prescribed me Excedrin Migraine and it worked for a long time, but now that doesn't even do anything.  Now that I'm on Topamax normally if I take it as soon as I feel it coming on, I can take Advil and it will help. But there still some days I still have to take my other prescribed medicine.

[PiradicalMaid]

I get migraines 1-2X a month and they did get worse during pregnancy. Mine almost never respond to meds, just rest and darkness and waiting it out, which I know isn't always helpful for everyone.

I found that some of mine while I was pregnant were brought on by certain food additives (MSG and aspartame, that I was able to discern, at least) and were also a lot more responsive to caffeine-- maybe because I'd cut back? By the end of my pregnancy, I'd take 2 tylenol with a can of coke when I felt one coming on, and that normally worked.

I don't know if that's helpful at all, because it sounds like yours are worse than mine. GL to you. Maybe pregnancy will make them better? We can at least keep our fingers crossed

[longhornwino0907]

Haven't gotten pregnant yet, so I don't have any help as far as that is concerned.

I will say, though, that as soon as my doc knew we were TTC, he immediately took me off of Topamax. A shame, too, since it was the only thing that helped (Imitrex made me sooooooooo sick). He gave me a couple of different "rescue" pills I can use if I feel a migraine coming on. But he said once I am pregnant, those can only be used a maximum of twice per week (once per med). He'll have to resort to shots if my migraines get worse while pregnant (I think something that helps headaches AND morning sickness).

Thankfully, since going off the Topamax, I haven't had TOO many bad migraines. I've used the rescue meds maybe an average of once per month over the time we've been TTC. I did also switch from Paxil to Prozac, though, and I have no idea if that had anything to do with my reduced number of migraines.

Good luck.

ETA: I see that a couple of people on here are taking Topamax. Not sure the research behind it, but I know both my gyno and my gp immediately honed in on me going off of that. It's listed as a Class D drug. Not trying to dole out medical advice; just something you might want to talk to your doctor about?

[joy]

Mar 2, 2015 15:56:17 GMT -5 longhornwino0907 said:

 (Imitrex made me sooooooooo sick).

Oh man, I am so sorry to hear this.  Imitrex has changed my life. 

[lovegrilledcheese]

I have had migraines since I was a kid and have been on a lot of different meds over the years. I used to get a migraine once or twice a week. When I found I had celiac 8 years, the gf diet significantly improved my migraines. I get 1 maybe every few months now. I usually take imitrex for it. I'm not sure what I will take when I finally get pregnant. I will need to have this discussion with my OB

[longhornwino0907]

Mar 2, 2015 15:58:01 GMT -5 joy said:

Mar 2, 2015 15:56:17 GMT -5 longhornwino0907 said:

 (Imitrex made me sooooooooo sick).

Oh man, I am so sorry to hear this.  Imitrex has changed my life. 

I was sorry to experience this. I took it one day thinking it was going to be a miracle drug. My headache then got worse and worse over the course of a few hours and didn't get better until I got physically sick. And then I was great! Ugh

[PonyGirl]

Mar 2, 2015 15:52:07 GMT -5 joy said:

I've spent a lot of time investigating this as I get migraines. I was recently put on Imitrex and I'm like "PLEASE DON'T EVER TAKE THIS AWAY!"

My neurologist did say that taking Imitrex once or twice during pregnancy wouldn't be the *worst* thing, but like - I don't want to if I can. Excedrin Extra Strength was my go-to for a long time, but that's off limits in pregnancy, too. My headaches also laugh in the face of Tylenol + caffeine or something. Newp.

So, I'm operating with a fingers crossed attitude here and I will try to suffer through. I get a migraine about once a week without trigger so I feel you.

The one thing that I do have and I'm hoping might be useful is Cefaly. It's been FDA approved for preventative measures of migraines and is safe during pregnancy. My neurologist recommended it so I have one. It's not cheap. But, I'm hoping that using it as instructed will lessen the headaches and the need for meds when/if I get pregnant. The other thing is that it works with TENS technology (google it) so if I do get a bad headachile while pregnant, the device may help ease the pain while I suffer through.

Good luck.

Yep, our migraines sound just a like. I will definitely research the Cefaly. Thanks!

[notthedroids]

I do get migraines quite frequently but am also in the cross my fingers pool. I'm not on anything right now but have tried about 15 different prescriptions, none working long term. H wants me to go see my neurologist again but I assume anything he puts me on I won't be able to take if I do get pregnant so I'm stalling. Sorry I can't be more helpful!

[diamondsndaisies]

I used to get migraines all the time when I was in high school. I got pg with DD when I was 20 and I never noticed that they got worse, in fact mine got better. Since having DD they seem to come less often, now only getting them 1-2 times a month. Hopefully that is the case for you as well. Migraines are a bitch and I hope you can get relief soon.

[PonyGirl]

Mar 2, 2015 15:56:17 GMT -5 longhornwino0907 said:

Haven't gotten pregnant yet, so I don't have any help as far as that is concerned.

I will say, though, that as soon as my doc knew we were TTC, he immediately took me off of Topamax. A shame, too, since it was the only thing that helped (Imitrex made me sooooooooo sick). He gave me a couple of different "rescue" pills I can use if I feel a migraine coming on. But he said once I am pregnant, those can only be used a maximum of twice per week (once per med). He'll have to resort to shots if my migraines get worse while pregnant (I think something that helps headaches AND morning sickness).

Thankfully, since going off the Topamax, I haven't had TOO many bad migraines. I've used the rescue meds maybe an average of once per month over the time we've been TTC. I did also switch from Paxil to Prozac, though, and I have no idea if that had anything to do with my reduced number of migraines.

Good luck.

ETA: I see that a couple of people on here are taking Topamax. Not sure the research behind it, but I know both my gyno and my gp immediately honed in on me going off of that. It's listed as a Class D drug. Not trying to dole out medical advice; just something you might want to talk to your doctor about?

Well since we had just started TTC when he put me on it he pretty much said as soon as I'm pregnant he wants to see me so we can discuss that.

[PonyGirl]

Mar 2, 2015 16:10:49 GMT -5 diamondsndaisies said:

I used to get migraines all the time when I was in high school. I got pg with DD when I was 20 and I never noticed that they got worse, in fact mine got better. Since having DD they seem to come less often, now only getting them 1-2 times a month. Hopefully that is the case for you as well. Migraines are a bitch and I hope you can get relief soon.

Oh I hope so! I hope so for all of us that suffer from migraines they are the worst!

[longhornwino0907]

Mar 2, 2015 16:11:05 GMT -5 PonyGirl said:

Mar 2, 2015 15:56:17 GMT -5 longhornwino0907 said:

Haven't gotten pregnant yet, so I don't have any help as far as that is concerned.

I will say, though, that as soon as my doc knew we were TTC, he immediately took me off of Topamax. A shame, too, since it was the only thing that helped (Imitrex made me sooooooooo sick). He gave me a couple of different "rescue" pills I can use if I feel a migraine coming on. But he said once I am pregnant, those can only be used a maximum of twice per week (once per med). He'll have to resort to shots if my migraines get worse while pregnant (I think something that helps headaches AND morning sickness).

Thankfully, since going off the Topamax, I haven't had TOO many bad migraines. I've used the rescue meds maybe an average of once per month over the time we've been TTC. I did also switch from Paxil to Prozac, though, and I have no idea if that had anything to do with my reduced number of migraines.

Good luck.

ETA: I see that a couple of people on here are taking Topamax. Not sure the research behind it, but I know both my gyno and my gp immediately honed in on me going off of that. It's listed as a Class D drug. Not trying to dole out medical advice; just something you might want to talk to your doctor about?

Well since we had just started TTC when he put me on it he pretty much said as soon as I'm pregnant he wants to see me so we can discuss that.

Good. I'd been on it for years, so maybe there was something about it being built up in my system? If it even does that. Just thought I'd throw out the warning!

[becwheat]

During pregnancy I took a tylenol right when I felt the first pain. Alternated using heat and ice on me face/head/neck and made sure to drink water/gatorade.

It really helped me to take warm showers. Not hot, cause your don't want your temp to be up too long, but having the massaging feature on my neck and the top of my head sometimes soothed tension I get during a migraine.

[PonyGirl]

Mar 2, 2015 16:39:03 GMT -5 becwheat said:

During pregnancy I took a tylenol right when I felt the first pain. Alternated using heat and ice on me face/head/neck and made sure to drink water/gatorade.

It really helped me to take warm showers. Not hot, cause your don't want your temp to be up too long, but having the massaging feature on my neck and the top of my head sometimes soothed tension I get during a migraine.

Someone that knows I get frequent migraines actually bought me a wrap that you can heat up or freeze, but I lost it. I'm sure it's somewhere in my house, just don't know where exactly.

Thanks for the homeopathic remedies!

ETA: a word that I couldn't think of a minute ago.

[Deleted]

Mar 2, 2015 17:03:39 GMT -5 PonyGirl said:

Mar 2, 2015 16:39:03 GMT -5 becwheat said:

During pregnancy I took a tylenol right when I felt the first pain. Alternated using heat and ice on me face/head/neck and made sure to drink water/gatorade.

It really helped me to take warm showers. Not hot, cause your don't want your temp to be up too long, but having the massaging feature on my neck and the top of my head sometimes soothed tension I get during a migraine.

Someone that knows I get frequent migraines actually bought me a wrap that you can heat up or freeze, but I lost it. I'm sure it's somewhere in my house, just don't know where exactly.

Thanks for the not medicine (I know there's a word, but coming up blank lol) remedies!

Homeopathic? Is that right?

I've never been pregnant but suffer from migraines. I'm not able to take most migraine or otc medications due to a drug interaction. Tylenol is pretty much my only option at the moment.
becwheat idea has worked great for me in the past. The only other thing that helps me is laying in a dark room with my eyes closed. If I can get a half hour of sleep it helps significantly.

[Sparkly]

*disclaimer: have not read whole thread*

My headaches/migraines all but went away when I was pregnant. It was amazing. They just started coming back when my cycle returned (at 13 months pp). Just throwing that out there. /anecdote

[PonyGirl]

Mar 2, 2015 17:16:34 GMT -5 Sparkly said:

*disclaimer: have not read whole thread*

My headaches/migraines all but went away when I was pregnant. It was amazing. They just started coming back when my cycle returned (at 13 months pp). Just throwing that out there. /anecdote

That is amazing and then horribly awful. Did they seem to come back worse, maybe slightly better, or about the same than before you were pregnant?

[PonyGirl]

Mar 2, 2015 17:10:53 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

Mar 2, 2015 17:03:39 GMT -5 PonyGirl said:

Someone that knows I get frequent migraines actually bought me a wrap that you can heat up or freeze, but I lost it. I'm sure it's somewhere in my house, just don't know where exactly.

Thanks for the not medicine (I know there's a word, but coming up blank lol) remedies!

Homeopathic? Is that right?

I've never been pregnant but suffer from migraines. I'm not able to take most migraine or otc medications due to a drug interaction. Tylenol is pretty much my only option at the moment.
becwheat idea has worked great for me in the past. The only other thing that helps me is laying in a dark room with my eyes closed. If I can get a half hour of sleep it helps significantly.

Ah, yes. I think that is the word I'm looking for! Thanks @wallflwr926

[Sparkly]

Mar 2, 2015 17:18:50 GMT -5 PonyGirl said:

Mar 2, 2015 17:16:34 GMT -5 Sparkly said:

*disclaimer: have not read whole thread*

My headaches/migraines all but went away when I was pregnant. It was amazing. They just started coming back when my cycle returned (at 13 months pp). Just throwing that out there. /anecdote

That is amazing and then horribly awful. Did they seem to come back worse, maybe slightly better, or about the same than before you were pregnant?

Better. I honestly have not felt I had a true migraine since pre-pregnancy (I am currently 14.5 months PP). I get headaches from time to time, but they are usually attributable to some outside factor (allergies, drinking, lack of sleep, or just stress headaches), so all in all, I would say things are MUCH better than they used to be. This is only my second cycle PP, though, so we'll see if things change over time.

[longhornwino0907]

Mar 2, 2015 17:38:56 GMT -5 @emilie818 said:

Mar 2, 2015 16:48:01 GMT -5 @emilie818 said:

Does this have something to do with migraines or something to do with pregnancy?  

Would someone mind answering?  I actually do not know the answer to why having your temp up for too long is bad.

I believe it's a pregnancy thing. You don't want your body temp to go up too high for too long during pregnancy. It's dangerous for the baby. Someone else will have to explain more, that's all I know.

[Deleted]

I have daily headaches and migraines a few times a month. Right now I'm on gabapentin daily and zomig as needed. When I'm pregnant I'll go on a lower dose of the gabapentin or go off of it altogether depending on how things go and I'll use Excedrin before 3rd tri. Peppermint oil also makes a huge difference for me. I practically live on peppermint tea.

[mugster]

Mar 2, 2015 16:00:52 GMT -5 lovegrilledcheese said:

I have had migraines since I was a kid and have been on a lot of different meds over the years. I used to get a migraine once or twice a week. When I found I had celiac 8 years, the gf diet significantly improved my migraines. I get 1 maybe every few months now. I usually take imitrex for it. I'm not sure what I will take when I finally get pregnant. I will need to have this discussion with my OB

This was exactly my experience, except I was in grad school when I noticed the connection between wheat (or gluten?) and my migraines and my nurse practitioner didn't want to test for celiac in case I'd have trouble getting medical insurance once I graduated. Now I can't get tested unless I start eating significant amounts of gluten again. Still, I found that I am far more responsive to all painkillers now that I don't eat gluten, and that my migraines have all but disappeared.

Last year a coworker was suffering from chronic migraines that were getting worse, and I mentioned how mine had changed. She tried going gluten free and it didn't help, then she tried going lactose free and hers improved dramatically. I wonder if you are having migraines almost every day if you might have a food trigger as well?

[anonymouseliza]

Mar 2, 2015 18:19:51 GMT -5 @emilie818 said:

Mar 2, 2015 17:51:07 GMT -5 longhornwino0907 said:

I believe it's a pregnancy thing. You don't want your body temp to go up too high for too long during pregnancy. It's dangerous for the baby. Someone else will have to explain more, that's all I know.

Good to know, as I'm a hot shower fiend.  Hot showers are my answer to everything, from headaches to cramps to stress to being cold to needing to relax.  I guess I'll have to cut back on my 2-3 showers a day habit once I get KU

Yes, pregnancy thing.  You don't want do something that raises your core body temperature for too long, because of the potential for damage to the fetus.  A hot shower is fine - hours in a hot tub are not.  A fever if you are sick is unavoidable, and probably not going to do lots of damage (but the body is also self- regulating in that instance, which it can't do in you are immersed or otherwise raising artificially raising the core temp).

[PiradicalMaid]

Mar 2, 2015 17:57:48 GMT -5 @led said:

I have daily headaches and migraines a few times a month. Right now I'm on gabapentin daily and zomig as needed. When I'm pregnant I'll go on a lower dose of the gabapentin or go off of it altogether depending on how things go and I'll use Excedrin before 3rd tri. Peppermint oil also makes a huge difference for me. I practically live on peppermint tea.

I'm on gabapentin for pain/sleeping issues and it does not help with my migraines. I didn't know it could be taken for that. Interesting