Breastfeeding Mom with Killer Headaches

Have you had your blood pressure checked? I developed high blood pressure after my baby was born that gave me horrible migraine headaches. For YEARS I would only treat the headaches, not knowing that I had high blood pressure. The headaches were horrible and over the counter stuff wouldn't help at all and I quickly built up a tolerance for them, so I was put on Imitrex (for migraines) which is a prescription. Since I was young (26 at the time), my doctor didn't check my BP and just gave me that. That Rx worked great, but I still got the headaches all the time! I suffered for years and took Imitrex for years (hoping this stuff was okay to take). Finally, I went back and told my doctor that I was tired of having them and being sick with them...I had an MRI, came back fine...they did bloodwork, came back fine...finally my Dr. gave me a Beta Blocker called ZIAC. Supposedly, migraine sufferers sometimes have high BP that wasn't constant (situational) which would trigger the migraines. Since being on ZIAC, I have no more migraines and very rarely even get a regular headache. Stay away from caffeine and if you drink alot of it, coming off of caffeine can also give you horrid migraines so you'll have to wean yourself off...drink plenty of water and have your BP checked. Mine was linked mostly to hormones, which is why I am unable to take birth control pills or other hormonal birth control methods. Bottom line, migraines or really bad headaches that you're experiencing frequently is a warning sign. Don't wait as long as I did suffering for years with them. Your body's trying to tell you something (perhaps high BP, perhaps something else). Good Luck!!!

I feel (or felt) your pain - when I went back to work and was still breastfeeding/pumping, the same thing was happening to me. Headaches were so bad, I felt nauseous and sometimes vomited as well. I found, for me, that it was all related to the amount of water I drank. I was so busy back at work that I wasn't drinking enough water - I started keeping a Sigg bottle (any type of water bottle will do) with me at all times and kept ice cold water in it. I made sure that it was full at all times and also tried to drink almost 6 - 8 oz everytime I pumped. Hope this helps - Good Luck

Drink a ton of water and Powerade Zero (if you are worried about the calories). I was getting headaches when I went back to work because I wasn't drinking enough. Plus with the added stress water seems to help my body. Breastfeeding is so wonderful but can be really draining on your body.
I hope that helps.

It's the mini-pill. The same thing happened to me when I took the mini-pill after my first born. I have a history of migraines (and it sounds like that's what you are having). In any birth control pill, if you have a history of migraines, you run the risk of getting them.
Stop taking the mini-pill and ask for another source of birth control - like a diaphram. I know it's not as easy as popping a pill, but it will help.

Good luck. Feel better.

Hi M.,

I'm not a doctor, but it sounds like you are experiencing migraines and that they may be related to the amount of stress in your life. I would suggest making an appointment with your doctor to get a prescription medication (I believe there are ones out there you can take while nursing, I got a migraine while I was pregnant and they gave me Fiorcet). She may also refer you to a neurologist to rule out anything more serious. You may also try to schedule things to help reduce your stress like getting monthly massages and exercising. Good luck, hope you get over them soon.

Take care,
J.

Just a quick note- but it could be your blood pressure being too high, or too low. Sometimes when under so much stress (several months postpartum, sleep deprivation, stress of work and responsibilities at home) your adrenals just can't keep up very well anymore. When you see your doctor, in addition to taking your blood pressure the regular way, they can also indirectly check on adrenal function by taking it while you are lying down, and then having you stand up right away and taking it again. A drop in pressure more than 10mm or a great increase in pulse will indicate an issue with adrenals. I forget the name of the test, but they will know.

Also- make sure you are getting a good lunch- you mentioned eating snacks during the day- but you need to take a break from everything and just eat- and make sure you get plenty of protein,calories,and fluids you need the fuel!

Hi M. - It looks like you've gotten a lot of good advice from other moms. Just one thing to think about - it may not cure your headaches, but may help. Make sure you have good posture at work, and try not to lean your head forward over your work too much. When you're breastfeeding, your body is still secreting relaxin, the hormone that make your ligaments loose to help you deliver the baby. So, your muscles have to work harder to support your joints. If you're still having headaches after trying the other suggestions, consider seeing a physical therapist to see if the source of the headaches is really coming from your neck.

You could be dehydrated. Try drinking more water.
Hope you feel better soon,
J.

Hello out there - First of all, I'm so sorry about your headaches. I have had migraines in the past, but since my dad is a neurologist and specializes in this, I'm usually cured quickly. I would suggest that you go to a neurologist. You should write down the timing of your headaches (how many do you have per week, when do they happen, how long has this been going on?) When I would get bad headaches that made me throw up, my dad suggested that I take Frova which worked so well. You're not going to want to take that all the time while nursing though. Be careful with drinking caffeine and taking OTC headache meds bc they contain caffeine and you'll be ODing which will cause more headaches. Please call a neurologist and let me know more about what is going on. Maybe I can help you.

tons of great advice! i has migranes before my 2 boys, since my 3rd, a girl, they are back. i find water intake helps, exercise in small amounts &/or yoga, and i began reflexology - a foot massage that truly helps. going to the chiropractor helps tons, too.
i did see a neurologost before i had kids, but no medication really helped.
good luck!!