Pregnancy migraines?

[Deleted]

I had almost daily migraines last pregnancy during my second trimester and it looks like I am going to have a repeat of the same thing this pregnancy. They are thankfully very mild and 2 extra strength Tylenol plus a cup of coffee or caffeinated tea usually takes the edge off pretty well, but they are still extremely unpleasant.

If you had migraines during your pregnancy, how were they treated? My neurologist last time said nothing other than Tylenol and caffeine but I know other pregnant women have been given other drugs. I am on the hunt for a new neurologist and would like to bring a list of meds to ask him or her about to my first appointment.

Thanks!

[bunch]

I've only had one and I took Tylenol and my anti nausea drug (which some drs even prescribe for ms). It worked okay. Unfortunately, mine knock me out for several hours, so if dh is at work, he has to come home. I'm hopeful I don't get many more. I did not have them last time.

[anna7602]

A neti pot and accupuncture treatments. I think mine were combination sinus/migraine, hence the neti pot. Both things helped.

[brooklyn]

Luckily, I've only had about 2 actual migraines with this pregnancy, but I have been getting daily low grade headaches. My doctors say only caffeine and tylenol, so I'd love to hear other options out there too!

[fortmyersbride]

My migraines got better during pregnancy and BFing (thank goodness) but I still had 1 or 2 per month. My neurologist had me take diclofenac (an NSAID) until 28 wks along with zofran. I also had a stadol nasal spray for severe headaches that I think I might have used twice. I personally don't think I've ever gotten any pain relief with oral Tylenol.

Oh and acupuncture helped a fair amount as well.

[egishere]

I had them pretty bad in the first tri. My ob gave me Vicodin. I only took it maybe twice when Tylenol and caffeine wasn't getting rid of it.

[af1212]

I took fioricet (tylenol, caffeine and barbiturate) with my first pregnancy, and tylenol with codeine with my second pregnancy. I switched neurologists between the two and the second one had some concerns about the fioricet.

I had headaches about 2x a week with both pregnancies. Neither of the meds worked great, but it was better than nothing. Now that I am nursing i still take the Tylenol with codeine, but only during the day. At night I take nothing and hope to sleep it off.

[anna7602]

Just wanted to post a silver lining item:

Even though my migraines increased in frequency with pregnancy and nursing, I've gotten far less migraines since I weaned DD. I can't even remember the last time I had one.

[sarebear30]

I'm an occasional lurker, but thought I would comment on this. I've had migraines since childhood and we had hoped they would get better with pregnancy. Alas, they did not. So err's what I've found:

My Neuro didn't really want get involved, but did say that she thought the occasional triptan (ie frova, relpax, zomig that I would usually take) would be ok. My OB was very against that. So she gave me norco (hydrocodone, which was worthless) and fioricet. The fioricet worked, but there is a potential for abuse, so it made me nervous.

At 16 weeks I saw a perinatal specialist and he has a much different view. His opinion is that it's really hard to do much damage once you're out of first trimester and he gave me the green light for fioricet and triptans. However, he said I shouldn't be having them so frequently and he wanted to do a preventative. He suggested beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, or amitriptyline. We decided on amitriptyline bc they can also help with tension headaches. We started at 25 mg then increased to 50. After a week, it was a miracle. I've had two now in the past three weeks.

Hope that helps and you feel better soon!

[bunch]

Dec 15, 2012 13:22:51 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

Just wanted to post a silver lining item:

Even though my migraines increased in frequency with pregnancy and nursing, I've gotten far less migraines since I weaned DD. I can't even remember the last time I had one.

I didn't have any for two years until I weaned my kid

[zacksbride]

i take fioricet (also called esgic - its tylenol, caffeine and butalbital) for my migraines when pregnant. i had an almost daily headache last pregnancy until 18 weeks, and it is repeating itself again it makes me sleepy, so i only take it at night after work if i really need to. other than that, tylenol and caffeine by themselves.

[Deleted]

Thanks ladies! I'm going to call my OB first thing tomorrow to see what he says, and then try for an appointment for a new neurologist.... but it doesn't sound like there is a whole lot else I can do.

Zacksbride, I am in your same boat. Last time I had daily headaches from about 14-15ish weeks to 19-20ish weeks. This time the headaches started around 13 weeks and have been almost daily. Ugh.

[CloudBee]

Tylenol and Zofran only. I have to be extra careful with caffeine because of my heart. I have been drinking a few cups a week, but with a migraine would need to drink more than one cup for it to do much.

My OB said if it got to be unbearable she would send me to the ER for a narcotic drip, but I never needed one. She didn't feel comfortable prescribing any strong pain meds and would prefer they be administered in the ER.

My migraines were worst from about 6-18 weeks, and are few and far between now.

[GailGoldie]

I saw my neuro during both pregnancies - he rx'd me vicodin and fioricet - neither did much for my migraines.... but the vicodin at least helped me sleep.

my OB allowed me to take advil until 26 weeks, b/c the real danger is not until 3rd tri - so taht saved me b/c that helped much more than the Rx's. But in general - prevention was my biggest thing - making sure to eat often, have a little caffiene every morning, etc. It was hell for sure.

[teacherjulie]

Last pregnancy had one this time I am getting them 3x a week. Then a few weeks of nothing then back. I take fioricet do far so good.