Pregnant with Migraines, HELP!!!!

sounds like the extra weight could be pinching on a nerve. Have you ever gone to a holistic chiropractor?? I found one in my town, and he is a miracle worker. Very worth a consultation!! Good luck!

I know this sounds nutty, but my brother & I both suffer from migraines. My brother's MD said to drink one gatorade a day and that the migraines should get better. Something about the electrolytes in it. Anyway, tried it and it worked for us. Might be an easy thing to try out without putting the baby at risk. Good luck, Iknow how miserable migraines are!

I had migraines my first 6 months of pregnancy. The only thing that helped me was 2 tylenol an ice pack and a short nap. So needless to say, I walked around with a migraine a lot. Good luck!

There are 5 types of headaches. I have listed the symptoms, the causes, and what has helped others.

STRESS HEADACHES

SYMPTOMS
1. Muscles in back of neck in knots
2. Ache begins in back of neck and moves upward over skull to forehead
3. Usually does not throb or pulsate

CAUSE
Muscular tension in neck and shoulders due to stressful situation OR physical position of neck. Tensed muscles in the neck/shoulder area constrict blood flow & reduce oxygenation of tissues in that area.

WHAT HAS HELPED OTHERS
1. Moist heat on neck area; gentle neck rolls to stretch muscles; massage tissues;

2. Nutritional helps: Vita Lea & soy protein provide a balance of nutrients to feed muscles; Calcium Magnesium to relax muscles; Vitamin E to maintain good circulation; B complex to support adrenal glands through stress

SINUS HEADACHES

SYMPTOMS
1. Tenderness in forehead, cheekbones, eyes, gums and/or teeth
2. Sinus drainage, possibly with sore throat

CAUSE
Diet (many people have sensitivities to dairy and wheat); dry air (irritating to sinus membranes); mal-formed sinus cavities; respiratory allergies

WHAT HAS HELPED OTHERS
1. Diet: avoid dairy and wheat
2. Other: accupressure - use fingers to press on either side of nose between eyes (there will be tender spots there); humidify room air; warm compress on face; sinus irrigation - 1/2 c warm water, 1/2 t. salt, 1/8 t baking soda: use small bulb syringe to squirt mixture into one nostril, while sniffing and holding other nostril closed; Herbal Blend Multi-purpose cream (it is mentholated) on forehead, cheeks;

3. Nutritional helps: Anti-inflammatories to relieve inflammation in mucous membranes and anti-infectives to prevent and/or fight infection - alfalfa (take to tolerance 6 - 20/day); vitamin C; garlic; Nutriferon; Defend & Resist (echinacea); zinc

MIGRAINE HEADACHES

SYMPTOMS
1. Begins in front, possibly on one side of head
2. Sharp stabbing pains, may feel pulse in head
3. Nausea; may feel "foggy" (Nausea is not from pain, but from chemical/hormonal changes)
4. Visual changes (such as flashes)

CAUSE
Dilation of blood vessels causes too much blood in some areas and then constriction of vessels in other areas; allergies; certain foods (such as chocolate, red wine, MSG [found in Chinese food], cheese, nitrates [found in bacon, lunch meats], caffeine [although this can be used to treat a migraine if it is not used regularly]) or activities (such as position you were in while sleeping, being in bright light) may trigger a migraine for some people; a drop in serotonin level; where you are in your cycle; hormones (such as prostaglandin) being out of balance

WHAT HAS HELPED OTHERS
1. Record of activities and diet so as to determine if there is any connection between these and the migraines.
2. Diet to bring prostaglandin in balance: avoid red meats; increase intake of fatty acids (salmon, trout, nuts, seeds [monitor the nuts and seeds as some have sensitivities to these and bring on a migraine], canola and safflower oils)

3. Other:
A.) Prevention: regular exercise to promote better circulation and increase serotonin levels (do not exercise once a migraine begins); wear sun-glasses in bright light;
B.) Help during: hand-warming - place hands in basin of warm water to increase blood flow to hands and draw it away from dilated vessels; cold cloth on back of neck to take excessive blood away from head;

4. Nutritional helps:
A.) Prevention: Vita-Lea and soy protein for overall health; B-complex to balance adrenal; vitamin E for healthy circulation; Calcium Magnesium to keep muscles in balance (all of these are used to make prostaglandin from fatty acids); lecithin, EPA, GLA, and Menopause Balance Complex with flax seed oil provide essential fatty acids
B.) Help during: GLA rubbed onto side of head where ache is; taking something with caffeine to constrict the blood vessels (this usually only works if your body is not used to caffeine)

HYPOGLYCEMIC HEADACHE

SYMPTOMS
1.Dull, constant headache
2.Mild nausea
3.Shaky
4.Irritable
5.May not remember what happened in last few minutes

CAUSE
Drop in blood sugar level causes serotonin level to drop

WHAT HAS HELPED OTHERS
1.Diet: eating regularly; carrying a high-fiber snack (such as air-popped popcorn, Meal-in-a-bar, an apple) with you; avoiding caffeine, sugar and alcohol

2. Nutritional helps: protein and fiber help to keep blood sugar levels under control (keeping fiber wafers around to snack on, mixing fiber into protein drink); B-complex, sustained release vitamin C

3. Regular exercise

CYCLICAL HEADACHES

SYMPTOMS
1.Occurs right before or during ovulation

CAUSE
An imbalance in hormones (estrogen or progesterone) or prostaglandin

WHAT HAS HELPED OTHERS
1. Nutritional helps: use Vitalizer to balance hormones
2. Soy protein

I had the same problem and I have to say that the WellPatch Migraine pads from Walgreens are totally worth it!!!! They were a life saver and came in handy during labor because they stay cold. They really work. I used Tylenol too. My migraines were from a sinus infection I didn't know I had, but I had migraines in years before so I just thought it was those again. Good luck and try the patches.

Hi, you can take Tylenol while you're pregnant. It worked for me. Also watch your caffeine intake, or any trigger foods that could set off a migraine. Drink a lot of water.
M.

Greetings V.

I myself have not had migraines while pregnant but a very close friend has. She did acupuncture and it helped her tremendously. It took about two weeks of going 2-3 times a week but the results were amazing she said. Be well.

When I was pregnant and had chronic migraines my OB/GYN prescribed me hydrocodone and or codeine. I was worried about this, but I have a very healthy 2 1/2 year old daughter. However, she waited until the 2nd and 3rd trimester to prescribe the medications. It also just depends on the doctor. I suffer from chronic (near daily) migraines so I feel your pain and wish you well. You will be in my thoughts.

M. M.

you poor soul,
I suffered migranes and when pregnant with twins I thought I had a brain tumor it got so bad. All I can tell you is what I do now and I only get a migranes now under extreme stress or weather changes.
Drink a LOT of water. Filtered if possible from tap or purified bottled water. Eliminate sugar as much as possible. I used to drink a lot of pop and cut it out completely. If you start getting a headache, before it turns into a migrane try to eat an apple or two. That has helped me immensely..of course I know that once the migrane hits you can't eat anything until vomitting stops. If you can lie down put an ice pack on the back of your neck. A cold cloth on the forehead is good too with a tie around for pressure. The pressure is only good for a little while though. For prevention I have heard to take a tablespoon of flax seed oil a day. I never think about it until it comes on. Anyways, I truly hope you find relief. Di

I work at a Chiropractic office and they have great success with Migraines in their patients. I know we do have Pregnant ladies that come in. Their medical insurance will cover them for Pregnancy Chiropractic visits. They seem to be very happy with their results.

ask about vitamins that help...I think what I took was magnesium and calcium as well as high levels of riboflavin (B2).

Dear V.,

wrap a cold wet towel around your head and put your feet in bearable hot water. It will drawn the pain down out of your head. A teacher of mine taught me that a few months ago. It worked for me, although I am not pregnant.

Regards,
D.

Hi,
My OBGYN prescribed Fioricet for me while I was pregnant. Just like you I get migraines, and they did become worse while I was pregnant. I was concerned about the effects of taking something while pregnant, but this did help when the migraines became unbearable. Ask your Dr. if they think this is an option for you. Good luck.

I would recommend a chiropractor. It is amazing what a little adjustment will do for a lot of ailments. My husband goes to one for his migraines and it has helped. I went through most of my pregnancy.I wouldn't have done it any differently.

I suggest you go to a chiropractor! My own chiropractor was motivated to become a chiropractor after he had great relief from his own migraines with chiropractic treatment. Just like any doctor, there are some better than others. Get a referral, or ask if the doctor specializes in migraine treatment.

What worked for me was lighting a candle int he bathroom and taking a very warm bath. Ofcourse you cant get it real hot now that your pregnant but get the water as warm as you can close your eyes and relax. Almost always helps.

Hi V.. I've had my own experiences with migranes, and after taking all the shots and different medications the only thing that worked for me was accupuncture. I know it sounds crazy, but not only is it safe for you, but it's safe for the baby as well, no risk of adverse effects from medication. Of course you want to make sure you find someone licensed. The great part is most insurance companies cover accupuncture! I hope I helped a little. Best of luck to you.
Sincerely,
M. C

My doctor actually prescribed Darvocet for my headaches and they work!! I was suprised because I didn't think I could take something like that while pregnant but they are a class B unless abused. Ask your doctor about it.

Hi. I'm 33wks pregnant and have suffered from migraines for years. And being pregnant has increased their frequency. If I can catch it early enough...a couple of Tylenol and about 1/2 a bottle of Mt.Dew seem to help. I've also been using cool patches for my forehead...I found them at Walgreen's in the Pain Reliever section, usually with the other types of patches. Anyway, they're called WellPatch-Migraine. I put one of those on, turn on a fan, make my room really dark and in about an hour or two, the migraine is barely noticeable. Maybe it will work for you too. Good luck...finding something that works and with the pregnancy!

Hi, I to suffer from migraines and when I got pregnant in 2006 they got worse. I went to my chiropractor. He/she can adjust you and do therapy without harming the baby. It saved me. Hope this helps.
D.

Try keeping a diary of what you eat and the smells around you each day. I have scent induced migraines due to overpowering perfumes and colognes, so I don't wear perfumes and try to stay away from anyone that is wearing "loud" perfumes/colognes (which is hard working in a law office). You may also need to check your caffeine intake. You may need more or less caffeine to reduce the headaches. It seems like a lot to do with small children but it will be worth it to keep the diary.

Hi V.,
When I was preggo with my second I had horrible headaches everyday. I know your pain and you have my sympathy. I was put on Miguin and that seemed to help a bit. My doc told me that it has been used for a very long time with pregnancy so it is harmless to the baby. Also eat almonds! That helps a lot too!
Hope this helps you!
Good luck!
J.

My OB told me to make a pot of strong coffee when they come on, and drink that with some tylenol. I also used Migraine ICE pads, which offer some relief. Keep in mind, these things only really helped if I caught it early on.

I was doing some research on foods to avoid during a medication I was on and came across a tyramine free diet that is used for people with migraines. I haven't tried it but I thought maybe you could look up the diet and try it. Search tyramine free diets and it should bring up the foods to avoid and maybe that will help.
it hope that it helps
A.

V., I have migraines all of the time and they were worse when I was pregnant due to all of the pressure. My OB put me on Fiorocet, and I am still on it to this day and my son is 10. Ask your doc about and see what he thinks. They really work, when you feel the start of one you take one pill and it usually will knock it out, without making you sleepy, and if you have a full blown migraine then you take two and usually they make you a bit sleepy, but you are just relaxed, but this has the aceteminaphen in it and caffine

Hi V.. I am a mother of 6 and had really bad headaches with each pregnancy. It wasn't until the last two that someone told me to dring a lot of water and that would help. It strangely worked most of the time. drink 1/2 of your body weight every day in ounces. Drink it throughout the day not all at one time. Hope this helps. Prospermom

hehe I see lots of people have responded. But as with every individual the triggers, as well as what helps are different with every person. Example, someone mentioned that tomatoes helped with theirs, tomatoes are a trigger for mine to start.
About the ONLY thing that doesn't vary for each person is this... a dark room, no noise, and either a cold cloth or one of those "Be Kool" things to put on your head. Here's a couple of medicines that help with my migraines, but I am not sure if they can be used during pregnancy. Excedrine worked for a while on mine, Aleve liquid gels, and Orudis KT works really well. Also BC Powders as well as Goody's work extremely well. But I am pretty sure both of the last two have asprin in them, so not a good idea while preggo (but an option for the future).

V.,
It doesn't help that your hormones are raging. It is hormone related. Also, the foods you eat can make migraines worse. Hot dogs,lunch meat, chocolate,even white refined sugars, spicy foods or nuts can trigger them. Going organic, or watching what you eat will help. Lots of fruits,veggies,soy,whole grains will help. I'm sorry you're going through this. My first migraine was something I'll never forget. Post pregnancy brought them on for me. I don't know if doctor's will admit hormones play a key role, but they do. Good luck with this.
I want to add this, I know you're pregnant and "they" say you shouldn't drink caffine and I read some responses to your migraine problems and some said "avoid caffine" it can trigger migraines. That is false, every prescription for migraines I had was a bit of caffeine in the medicine. If you change your eating habits and perhaps add a tiny bit of caffeine, it just may help you. I don't believe a tiny bit of caffeine would hurt a fetus as much as it's mother being in severe pain every day...day after day, during pregnancy. I hope to hear you get some relief V., and I too believe in a holestic approach. Add a massage to all of this, and I pray it helps.

90 percent of migranes are due to dehydration make sure you are drinking enough water for you and your baby that means at least 12 8oz glasses of water a day. I am sure you are saying " that much water , I will be peeing all the time!!" but that is what you are supposed to do all the time when you are pregnant. if you work your employer should understand. good luck and I hope you feel better.

I too suffer from migraines and when I was pregnant with my first child, I had bad headaches for the first trimester and a little into the second. My doc prescribed Bupap ( not sure if that is spelled correct) but it is basically tylenol with a mild seditive to calm you down. It was safe to take during pregnancy although I didn't take it unless absolutly needed. A cold compress was my best friend for 9 months. I had 2 and switched them out once one got warm.

Hopefully they will get better as you get further along like mine. Talk with your OB, mine was great!

Hi V.,
I really feel for you! Migraines are awful. Everyone has some really great suggestions. The only thing that I can add is try to figure out what causes your migraines. Mine are usually from lack of sleep or stress. It helps me to keep a consistent sleep schedule. I know this can be tough while pregnant but maybe it will help. Hope you get to feeling better soon!

Oh, I feel for you. I never had migrianes till I got pregnant and I had them like 4 or 5 a week! My doctor said he did not want to risk harming my baby so I had to suffer through them. I took some Tylenol or Ibuprofen sometimes and would lay down when possible. I still have them now but not as often. Good luck, let me know if you find something that works!

I have migraines, usually no more than one every month or two, but it's always so much worse when I'm pregnant and am afraid to take anything for the pain. Sometimes I throw up when the headache is really bad. I can't imagine how awful it must be to having them once a week!

These are some things that have worked well for me:

***YES adequate Water/salt intake

Dr. Batmanghelidj's book "Your Bodies Many Cries for Water"
Dr. B recommends a pinch of salt in a glass of water to help head off a migraine. Definitely a good book to read!! Also helpful for heartburn. Caffeine, sugars, carbonated beverages do not count as water. For every dose of caffein you take in coffee tea, etc. you will have to drink the same amount of water just to metabolize it. Caffeine metabolizes slower during pregnancy as well. I can't find my copy of the book right now, but from memory- he recommends something like 1 oz water per lb of body weight for daily intake, so for example if you weighed 160 lbs thats = 10 pints = 5 quarts of water a day. I was weighing about that and drinking 1 1/2 gallons a day, but I had upped it slightly for being pregnant and nursing.

on water/salt intake see also Dr. Tom Brewer's site
http://blueribbonbaby.org/

***NO refined sugars (including all varieties of corn syrup, fructose, glucose, sugar alcohols like maltitol, cane sugar)

**NO MSG - which is in almost all fast food, most restaurant and prepared foods, canned soups- anything with MSG, monosodium glutamate, yeast extract, hydrolyzed proteins- see more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_glutamate

**NO aspartame/Nutrasweet/Equal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspartame_controversy

*YES regular chiropractic care
(My migraines start low in my neck and travel up over the top of my head, so keeping my neck adjusted seems to help.)

a few other remedies I've tried that have helped ease or head off migraines, which are safe during pregnancy:

Peppermint tea or Peppermint & Ginger tea
no sweeteners, hot or cold

Peppermint essential oil applied in a carrier oil like almond or coconut oil on forehead, scalp and behind ears (just two drops in a couple tsp. carrier oil, no more, don't get it your eyes)
Lavender essential oil, (ditto)

cold packs on neck and/or forehead,

visualizing sending heat and circulation into hands and or feet (sounds corny, but studies have found biofeedback effective in treating migraines)

These may be helpful as well.
http://gentlebirth.org/archives/miscdisc.html#Headaches
http://gentlebirth.org/archives/miscdisc.html#Migraines

I hope you are able to kick the migraines soon!

I had Migraines too!! I had them with both kids and Bad ones once a month. They wanted to put me on a blocker and I was too scared to. This is what I did to persoanlly survive. All I can tell you is I made sure I got alot of rest. Go to the bathroom regularly don't be afraid to take something if you can't - talk to your doc about what is safe. Also, I made sure and had some caffine every Am. Try and get a massage that really helped to prevent one. Other than that I lived on Tylenol especailly if I had the smallest sign of one and I would go straight to bed. Then when they were so bad I would have to go to the hospital and get narcotics. They say that it is much safer because they go to the liver and not the stomach. But, there is always a risk. Also, I now use a nasal rinse to prevent my allergies from acting up that also helped. And avoiding any and all Migraine food triggers - they should have given you a list. Girl I SOOOOO Feel for you and your pain. I truly hope anything I wrote can help you in one way or another. All you can do is try to prevent them as much as possible. Best of Luck - You WILL survive I am sure.
PS I had two VERY HEALTHY children even with the meds etc.
I also went to a chiroprator and had them do light treatment on my lower back and that helped too.

I also suffer from headaches and migraines. They are much worse when you're pregnant because it's hard to take things. One of my Drs once gave me the option of taking codeine or drinking a soda. I found that drinking half a can of coke usually worked best. I felt safer having a small amount of caffeine opposed to Rx drugs. However, if you have to take codeine it's not nearly as bad as the current migraine drugs on the market.

I had them through both of my pregnancies. I always had Tylenol on me thats the only thing AI felt comfortable taking. It is a normal symptom because of all the hormonal changes.

Hi V., Here is some sound advice-no caffiene,no dairy.
Now the b/p med was due to your blood volumn increase while you are pregnant and it is throbbibg through your viens! So some people get headaches easy. also i would ask your dr. to do a brain scan-better safe than sorry. Tomatos are good for headaches. ANd make sure you drink a gallon of water a day to keep your blood thin and not thick-can cause HA also.

V., I am a Licensed Massage Therapist and I deal with migraines on a very frequesnt basis. They are usually caused from hormonal changes, stress or nutritional issues.You may want to chart your migraines to see if you can identify a link. If you are seeing a dr. and he has prescribed meds then you may have already gone that route. If you feel they may be stress induced ( which is the majority of what I see) then you can certainly ask for permission from your Dr. to see an LMT that is certified in Prenatal massage. YOur Dr. may be able to make a recommendation for one, if not, you can look one up on the internet... go to http://www.amtamassage.org/findamassage/locator.aspx and click on therapist locator. Just type in your location information and it will tell you who is available in your area and what types of massage they do.

Good luck and God's Blessings. A. Hagan LMT

Hello V.,

I have had migraines all my life and even so when I am pregnant. I am 7 months and nothing works except it may sound wierd but I use vicks and rubbing alcohol and rub it on my forhead. Then I tie a scarf around my head an lay in a quiet place with no noise. You could try it, It works for me and i have beeen doing it for years. Hope it helps

Hi V.,

I have migraines and had them when I was pregnant. My doctor told me NOT to go off caffeine completely while I was pregnant because it was too much stress on my body. I didn't drink a lot anyway, but I tried to limit it, but not stop. When they were really bad, he gave me darvon. It helped a lot and didn't bother either of my kids.

Good luck!!

The best thing for migrans is Chiropratic adjustments! and it is great when you are prgnant, because ou are not taking medication that "may or may not" urt the baby. I use to have migrains as offten as you are and now i get one about every 3 to 6 months. My sister also had bad migrans she just started with chiropratic care and she now only gets them once a month and they ar 1/2 as intence and last 1/2 as long as they use to. Chiropratic care can also help you have a better/more comfratabe labbor with your child. I know it did for me. I have had chiropratic care for several years now, and i will always belive that is it the best thing for the human body.

Good morning V.,
I represent a company ,Reliv International, based out of St. Louis. We have natural products that have helped people with migraines, fibromyalgia, diabetes, etc. Personally, I have had results with allergies, more energy, acne and less back and knee pain. This is my first time responding to mama source so I am not sure how we can connect. My number is ###-###-####. My email address is ____@____.com. I will be happy to share more information with you.
K. Scott

I had intense migraines with my first pregnancy, and tried most all medications that were safe during pregnancy, none worked for me, they just made me vomit. Turns out, I had/have a benign brain tumor that grows with pregnancy (it feeds off female hormones, called a meningioma). I was diagnosed when my first daughter was nearly 2, have had 2 surgeries and radiation since. I'm not telling you this to scare you (too late!) but if the headaches do not ease up with anything, demand a CT scan after the baby is born. I'm sure this is not the case for you, but it's always better to be safe than sorry. I'll be praying for you!

Sounds like a hormone-related headache that gets worse with pregnancy-condition hormones. Not sure if there is anything that can be done since changing your hormone balance might affect your pregnancy. My 41-year old daughter started having migraines after a hystorectomy but her doctor said oh no they weren't caused by the hormone balance. It is strange to me that she never had headaches until after the surgery. A mystery to me. God bless you and help you get through this.

i was put on a nose spray with my first that helped however they wouldnt give it to me with my second... dont know why but just ask your doctor. If you cant function then you need to be on something b/c you cant take care of your other 3 kids! the risk is minimal with most meds so just talk to your doctor. GOod luck hun i feel your pain! I will add that with my second i had migraines for the first few months then they went away... if its an everyday head ache it may be a sinus infection

i had this problem with my daughter, try eliminating monosodium glutamte from your diet, also look at your iron/vitamin supplement does it have ferros glutonate? if it does get vits with ferrous sulfate instead this should help it did for me i am now 55 hope this works for you

when i was pregnant with my second i had headaches and tylenol didn't help. turned out i had gestational diabetes and once i learned how to eat correctly to manage it, they went away. my ob tested earlier than most for diabetes. you may want to ask if you can be tested early b/c most docs don't test until later in pregnancy and it is something that would need to be controlled now not later.

I have migraines and they were much more frequent when I was pregnant. I took Tylenol 3- which has codeine. It helped tremedously. There are several non-RX option out there which also helped- Tiger Balm or Migraine Stick which can be purchased in most healthfood stores-apply to your temples and feel relief. At most drugstores you can find migrain patches which also help. My preferred RX was a Coke, not diet, and Tylenol 3 or just plain Tylenol. Good luck.

hey V.. Well personally i didnt experience migraines but but sister she did and still is. She is 24weeks prego with a little boy. She got migraines prior but nothing like this. it gets so bad it enables her to walk, drive, well basically function. i bought her a sleeping mask to cover her eyes and a peppermint/lavendar one as well. unfortunatly that still didnt help. after 15 weeks of this her ob actually put her on 5mg lortab. We were all very surprised a pregnant woman could talk any pain killers. My sister is also a very petite person. She only takes than when she really has too and luckily they have been her saving grace. hopefuly they have weakened by now for you. good luck

I knowof many people that have seen a great improvement after they got all the toxic cleaning and personal care products out of their homes. This would also be good for your unborn baby and your other children. The products my they use are from Melaleuca. There is a great cream called Pain a Trate that you can put right on your temples and neck.It also eased the nausea my friend had with her migraine. The cleaners are all non toxic so you avoid chemicals and strong smells. There are several nutritional things you can do as well. If you would like more info, contact me at ____@____.com

The best advice I can give you is take a T3 (tylenol with codine) with 8oz of regular soda, turn the lights off, turn off the sound makers, kick your feet up and rest. If you notice on OTC migraine meds, caffine is a main ingredient. You are allowed to drink 8oz of caffine a day while preggo. Worked for me, and I ended up having a very healthy, beautiful baby girl. Good luck.

PS Migraines are exacerbated by flashing lights, loud noises, certain smells. Removing more stimulus will increase the affects of any remedy you choose.

this may sound strange, but i had terrible migraines also when i was pregnant. we finally figured out what it was on my 3rd child. sometimes when i would stand up i would get light-headed and dizzy. and the headaches were unbearable. My doctor discovered that i was just terribly dehydrated. make sure you drink a lot of water. i got a 1 liter bottle and every time i got a drink i only used that water bottle. i filled it up twice a day. this was a great way to discover how much fluid i was drinking daily. all carbonated beverages should be avoided. i was told to drink a minimum of 1 and a half liters a day. i hope this helps. sometimes the simple things are overlooked.

First, let me sympathize with you. Migraines are horrible, especially when pregnant. I was afraid to take anything including Tylenol, but as you know, you become so miserable and desperate! My doctor gave me a medicine called Fiorocet. It has Tylenol, caffeine, and butalbatine in it. It worked wonders! Also, I am a nurse and worked in an OB-GYN office after my babies were born and that OB gave our patients Vicoden. The only down fall to both of those are drowsiness. However, only those with true migraines know that if you have one, you are rendered unable to do much of anything anyway. They are both by prescription, so ask your dr. Good luck! Let me know if it works.

i Have suffered with mirgraines since I was 5 yrs old. When I was 25 I even lost my sight in one eye for minutes at a time. After every test in the book they even told me it was coming from migrianes. I know it sounds weird but here are the things that are very deathly to me. TEA of any form, Hot Dogs, Pepperoni, Sausage, Rasberries, MSG, Buttermilk, Yeast, NuraSweet, Slenda, Aspterine, wine, very cheese except mozz. and cottage cheese, the spice thyme, some tomato sauces, potted meats, lunch meats, all diet drinks and diet waters, yogurt, wheat cereals, this and so many more things trigger my mirgraines Caffine somethings helps reverse mine During my both pregancies it was the only thing that helped. ( I drink one reg soft drink a day.) I hope this might help you some.

B. F
33yr old married mother of 4yr and 4 month old

Try to find a good chiropractor, I used to work for one, he delt with a lot of expecting mothers. His wife is also a midwife.
If your neck is out of alignment, that will give you severe headaches.
Hope the ease up
L.

The only thing that you can take is tylenol 3 with codeine. This will not hurt the baby. I had the same thing with all three of mine. I had also used the headon stick for migraines. it had burnt a little, but it helped. Dimming lights in your home also works. lemme know if it helps....it did me

I have the same problem. The migraines are horrible and Tylenol does nothing to help. I am 12 weeks with my second and had these with the first as well. They will get me down for two days and I get sick to my stomach with them. I had to find a good chiropractor in my first pregnancy and that finally helped quite a bit. I was skeptical at first but between the headaches and my siatic nerve pain he was my hero. He specialized in pregnant women. I wish you all the luck! If you get any great advice that works, let me know the secret. I also tried Fever Few a natural remedy that my cousin suggested, but it didn't seem to help me much.

V., I had the same problem when I was pregnant with my 2nd. I also had bad migraines since I was a child a they got worse with pregnancy. I woke up every morning took 2 tylenol with a can of coke everyday until I felt like the headaches went away, (right after my second trimester started). I don't know if it was the fact that I caught the headaches early enough, but the OB said it was fine as long as I did not exceed 1 soda and the recommended dosage of tylenol. What God send. I am not a soda drinker so the caffeine from the coke seemed to work well for me. Hope this helps, A.

I am take a natural liquid WHOLE FOOD supplement (it is not a vitamin) and they have testimonies that state that is great for headaches/migranes. Here is the website: www.lifeforce/20718416

or the testimonies are at: areyoubalanced.net The product they are talking about is body balance

(by the way is great for pregnancy!)

H.

Hello! My mom suffers from debilatating migraines. She read the book "Heal Your Headache" and followed the recommendations of foods to avoid. She had a drastic decrease in the severity and frequency of her migraines. Good luck!

When I was pregnant the only thing I could take for my migraines was excedrin tension headache medicine. It worked!

I just delivered in January and I had the same problem my entire pregnancy! The only thing that would remotely help were narcotics. I tried Fiorcet and Percocet but I would have to take a Phenergan suppository, because they made me so nauseated. But the narcotic+phenergan would knock me out for awhile and helped the migraines, MOST of the time. I just had to make sure DH was available to watch our 5 year old. Good news is, I delivered and the headaches stopped.
Good luck to you, I feel for ya!
J.

Found this on a web site: hope it helps. You might find something in this list that you might be exposed to and needs adjusting or prevention.

What triggers migraine?

Different people respond to different triggers, but the most common include:

Dietary factors (irregular meal patterns, missing meals, eating sweets or starchy foods, too much caffeine)
Sleep disturbances (irregular sleep patterns, too much or too little sleep)
Emotional factors (excitement, anger, fear, anxiety, stress letdown)
Environmental factors (weather changes, bright or glaring lights, loud noise, strong odors)
Alcohol (wine, champagne, beer, liquors)
Food additives (MSG and nitrites that are found in pepperoni, luncheon meats, and hot dogs)
Hormone cycles or changes (menstruation, oral contraceptives, estrogen replacement)

Here are a few suggestions that work for me and will be safe for your baby. Try taking warm relaxing scented baths, with the lights turned low, try to keep all your lights off or at least on low during the day and it wouldnt hurt to wear some sunglasses everywhere you go, i have migraines and am very light and sound sensitive, it has worked for me, i wear my shades in the house, lol, looks funny b ut works, also when you can lay down with a cool damp cloth over your eyes.
whatever you do, dont read when you have a headache, it makes it worse, also caffeine and nicotine can cause them and or make them worse.
hope this helps
M.

I am a big home remedy kind of gal and I was recently told to breathe into a paper bag as you would when hyperventilating. This is supposed to get oxygen to the brain!

You are going to die when I tell you this... Rub some Vicks chest rub on your temples, just a tiny amount and a little in the middle of your forehead. I do not know why it works, but for some reason it kills headaches. When nothing else works for me I do this. The other thing you can do to ease the pain is take your thumb and pointer finger and there is a pressure point on your hand right between your thumb and pointer. Open you hand wide and grab about a inch down and apply pressure one both sides by trying to pinch your fingers together for about 30 seconds do this a few times, I have only found this helpful as long as I can hold the pressure but it can help ease off the pain. Sun glasses help with light, reduce noise, and go to sleep if you can.

Hello there. I have gone through the same thing with my second pregnancy, and before I got pregnant. I will just let you know what I found out about myself and it may or may not pertain to you. I started getting migraines shortly after the age of 21 and could not figure out the problem. The doctors did not know and told me to take 4-5 Tylenol at a time (very bad for my health). They also gave me a medication for chronic pain. After no success I was at my OBGYN and they asked many questions about the headaches and migraines. The OBGYN asked me to stop taking my birth control and within days I did not have headaches. The OBGYN let me know that I could never take birth control again, that the estrogen level was causing the headaches and migraines and was very bad for me, but not all women. So to make a long story short, when I got pregnant I got the headaches back. The doctor explained that during pregnancy your estrogen levels go way up and that is the cause. If you were ever on birth control you mite want to check that out. So sorry to tell you though not much helped. I took Tylenol laid in a dim lit room, sometimes with a cold press on my head. Also if you have a huby he should wait on you hand and foot LOL. Hope I could help, A. s

V.,
I always had the opposite, I have had migraines since 1992 when I started taking birth control pills. Even though I stopped taking the pills in 1994 I still get migraines. I read from a Dr. journal that it is usually runs in the family, my mom had them also. I have yet to find anything that works, meds, massages, except while I was pregnant I would not have one. Good luck, V.

I am pregnant w/ my second child and am experiencing mild headaches frequently. My doctor said it would be okay to drink a little caffeine (I drink 1/4 of a can) to see if that helps. Luckily that has done the trick. I was not a caffeine drinker before. If the headaches were bad and the caffeine didn't curve it.....I resorted to Tylenol (no more than 500mg). That means you can take one Extra Strength or two reg. Tylenols. My doctor said the Tylenol would be safe as well as long as I didn't exceed 500mg. If neither of these work, I would let your doctor know. They may be able to give you a prescription of something else to try. Good Luck! Hope you feel better soon.

Do you know what triggers your migraines? I used to have horrible headaches like that throughout childhood and my teenage years. It turns out that I am allergic to yellow #5, the dye they put in a lot of artificial foods, and every time I would eat something with a large amount (like Mt. Dew) then I would end up with a migraine, and I would be in bed feeling horrible for hours after it passed. Now, I don't eat any artificial colors or anything with MSG (another trigger I discovered), and no more headaches! The only other trigger I've found is dehydration--especially when pregnant. I get a large glass from a fast food place (the 32 ounce glass) and fill it with ice water, then drink glass after glass all day. It really helps how your body feels!

I don't know if you can take TOPOMAX while you are pregnant or not. But I have been taking it for two years for migraines and it does work. It is actually a medicine for epilipsy but it works in low dosages for migraine sufferers. This is something you may want to talk with your doctors about. Also a heat pad wrapped around the back of your neck and head for short periods of time will help reduce the pain. Good Luck.

have you tried cranial sacral therapy?

Keep a headache diary: This diary should include when the headache happened, what “triggered” it, and how long it lasted. If you keep a log of your headaches, you can learn what triggers them and therefore avoid those things. Common triggers may include but are not limited to:

Stress
Chocolate
Cheese
Coffee
Weather
Hormones
Triggers are different for everyone; that is why it is important for you to keep a headache diary.

Common home remedies for migraine headaches include:

Apply a cold towel on your head
Take a cold shower
Take a nap
Exercise
Biofeedback (ask your doctor)
Relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga
Medications for Migraine relief: Most health care providers consider acetaminophen to be the pain relief medication of choice during pregnancy but you should always talk with your own personal health care provider before taking any medicaiton. Pregnant women should NOT take anything with aspirin unless prescribed by a health care provider. Consult with your health care provider about the best form of pain relief for your migraines.

I found this advice on http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/migraine....

I hope this helps and good luck.

When I was preg. I had them only for the first 3 month then they left. I took Excedrin extra strength and it helped some and ice packs on my head right on the spot that hurt. Mine were hormone related, low progesterone levels for me. I use progesterone cream but had blood test tell me my levels first.

Benadryl and Tylenol. something about the two together helps. i am also expecting our fourth. i am 11 weeks.

Try Stinson Chiropractic. Dr Jeff is great and he helped me out! I suffered form migraines before I was pregnant and now that I am 10 weeks I have gotten one and he was able to help out. He uses a special tehnique and it is extremely safe for you and the baby! He really cares about his patients. Here is his info. ###-###-#### he is located off of Nicholasville Rd in Lexington across from the UK football stadium. Good luck!

Two suggestions. (I am a mother of 5, and had migraines with all my pregnancies). I recently read that vitamin B and Magnesium taken regularly can help prevent migraines, especially the hormonally triggered ones (which yours probably are since they are getting worse during pregnancy). Check with your doctor first, as the article did not address the safety of the vitamins during pregnancy. I wouldn't think it would be dangerous, but you never know.

Second, regarding treatment...I couldn't take my regular prescription meds for the migraines during pregnancy, but the following "cocktail" of approved pregnancy meds worked very well for me. You have to take them all together though, and it WILL make you sleepy. 2 extra strengh Tylenol, 2 sudafed (the OLD kind that you have to ask for at the pharmacy, but still OTC) - the same thing that helps reduce swelling in your sinuses helps reduce swelling in the bloodvessels in your head, and 2 benadryll - this helps with the nausea associated with migraines, and it helps you sleep off the head ache. Just like regular migraine meds, the sooner you take this combo, the better results you get. Again, check with your doctor. My youngest is 5 now, so new guidelines may be in place now. But these were approved meds when i was pregnant, and it was the best solution since i couldn't take my regular prescription. Good luck!

Bless you. Hope this helps. Quit using anything that contains aspartame or Nutrasweet. This means almost all diet sodas. I suffered with migrains for almost two years until I heard that connection. I quit using Nutrasweet and now, I don't have them at all.

V.,
Is there any way you can allow yourself some time. 4 Kids are a full time occupation...I had four also. I have migranes and have found two things to help. 1st at times they can be related to sinistis infections. 2nd a neck pillow has helped me so much.
I hope they soon will end as they are so triggered by hormones.
Have a great day...and remember this to will end.
Betty

I am 13 weeks pregnant with my 2nd and I have the same problem, pregnant or not. My ob doctor told me I could take tylenol daily if needed and gave me darvocet to take when I get the full blown migraine. I usually take the darvocet once, sometimes twice a week. (This is the same thing I had to do during my first pregnancy.) They help get rid of the migraine but they don't keep me getting them. I hope this helps.

Your hormones are going crazy right now, hence the headaches, especially the migraines. Until your next Dr appt, use either a hot rag all around your head or a cold rag all around your head. My migraines prefer heat, but my Sisters prefer cold, so you will have to try both to see which works best.

B. Price

I have a neurologist and she gave me shots to help with my everyday migraines. They have helped tremendously

Hi V.,

I also suffer from migraines and have all my life. However, when I am pregnant, I get them more often. This last pregnancy (I have a 5 month old daughter) was the worse. I must have had 2 to 3 migraines a week. Unfortunately because I was pregnant, there was nothing that could be done except let them take their course. They slowed down a lot in my second trimester. I have not had one since my third trimester and none since then. So, hopefully, things will get better for you too. I wish I had better advice for you. Good luck.

A.

I had these headaches too. They were horrible. I didn't find anything that fixed them but cold packs on my head and neck helped some.

I had problematic headaches when I was pregnant also. I quit drinking diet drinks that had artificial sweetners in them(with nutrasweet especially) and it helped alot.