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dollylima
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| Posted: Dec 11 2007 at 6:56pm | IP Logged
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I suffer from migraines, cluster headaches and sinus headaches. I was really blessed to be almost headache free (one migraine in my first trimester) for my first pregnancy. This time, it seems Im not so lucky. Ive had a persistent headache for the past two days. Tylenol does not touch it. It basically hurts too much to focus fully on anything else unless Im holding a frozen ice pack to the side of my face or back of my head or both. And when the morning sickness comes, coupled with the headache, well, Im not good for much then. We've not gotten anywhere near all the Advent stuff done that I had hoped to do and I feel like we are doing almost nothing "academic" these past couple of weeks because Ive felt so rotten.
I also fear my DH thinks Ive pulled a bait-and-switch because I was never sick like this before we got married. (I know he's more understanding and reasonable than that, but it's a tiny little fear)
I sit here with Imitrex and Fioricet at arm's reach, knowing they would give me relief, and I cant take them.
Im trying to remain in the moment, but the fear that this is going to persist throughout my pregnancy is also causing me some anxiety, which can't be helping.
Id really like to hear from any women who have chronic issues with headaches and what they did during pregnancy to deal with them. I have done acupressure points, warm showers (which do provide some relief but I cant live in there!), cold compresses (again, it lessens the pain, but...not exactly realistic-- living for nine months on the sofa with an ice pack over my eye)
I used to do an herbal kava kava-based tea but Im certain that cant be ok during pregnancy.
Anyone have any tested remedies?
And Id appreciate your prayers.
Heather
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Heather
instantkiwi
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Caroline
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| Posted: Dec 11 2007 at 7:05pm | IP Logged
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Oh Heather! 
I have been there. My first pregnancy was fine, but when I was pregnant with my second son I had the same issues. I don't have any advice, I just got through them (and fortunately only had a 2 yo at the time). My only words of comfort is that they didn't last the whole pregnancy.
You certainly have my prayers.
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Tami
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Oh, Heather, I've been there too. It sounds like many of my pregnancies, and even many of my non-pregnant days. I sit here right now having just taken some meds....
Can you identify your triggers? I know for me fatigue is one - I've been going to bed well after midnight for a few nights, and I'm paying the price this morning. For me it's not so much how long I sleep but when I sleep - I've got to get so-many-hours in before midnight, or I'm sunk, like this morning.
I'd also look at the humidity level in your house. Many mornings I've gotten up and put several pots of water on to boil, and filled the sink with hot water, etc, and this did give some relief. Last week dh bought a humidifier for our bedroom - we both had been waking up in the mornings with a headache from the dry air. Those headaches stopped in one day! What a relief!!
And like you, anxiety only makes my pain continue and increase. I try to massage my neck and stretch it a lot, and take deep,slow breaths. These little breaks really help throughout the day, and lesson my need for meds.
One of my OBs did allow me to take extra-stength Tylenol, and every 3 hours, instead of 4. That did help to take the edge off, so I could function. And sudafed, to help with my sinuses. One visit he asked me how my diet was coming along, and told him,
"Every morning I have 2 Tylenol, 2 Sudafed and Coke for breakfast." He cracked up!  And I advocate for caffiene to help both with the meds and the nausea.
I hope this helps. I'll be praying for you!!
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God bless,
Tami
When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. (Nouwen)
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Rachel May
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Heather,
I'm so sorry! I tend to have horrific headaches all through my first trimester, sometimes to 20 weeks, and have found a few things that help, although the "medical" things you'll want to double check with your health care provider.
One of the worst triggers for me is a sore neck and that often starts with how I sleep. When I am pregnant I have to sleep with my entire head and shoulders propped on one or 2 pillows. Before bed I lie flat on my back and crack my neck and do yoga poses to help my neck and back relax. I use humidifiers, Vicks or vaseline inside my nose, and warm saltwater into my sinsuses to keep the pain from creeping in that way. And those simple, non-medical approaches keep things manageable, but they feed this same fear:
dollylima wrote:
I also fear my DH thinks I've pulled a bait-and-switch because I was never sick like this before we got married. (I know he's more understanding and reasonable than that, but it's a tiny little fear) |
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And in some ways the fear is justified. The HAs feed the severe morning sickness which makes the whole pregnancy harder on him too which makes him more nervous about future pregnancies. But he always "man's up" (as we say in the army) when the next one comes along. 
Medical help for me has been mostly in the form of Tylenol taken with a caffeine drink which helps the Tylenol work better. I have a friend who is a mom of 5 and a surgeon who assured me that is it fine to take an entire days' dose of Tylenol at once as long as you wait 24 HOURS before taking any more. I usually only take 3 pills with a cup of coffee and that helps. At times when I am truly desperate I have drunk about 1/4 C of red wine which helps release the tension so that the pain killers are more effective.
One last thought, have you had your vision checked? I have lots of changes in my vision early on, and it is possible to develop a short term astigmatism. Many eye doctors sell Medicaid glasses which are CHEAP and cheaply made but can hold you over.
Prayers too!
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Rachel
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dawn2006
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This is my first pregnancy with headaches. I've never had them like this before. I went to a chiropractor recommended by a friend of mine and within two days they were gone. I can go about two weeks between visits before I start feeling the tension and the banging again. HTH.
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Dawn Farias | wife to Ariel | mom to Gabriel 9, Daniel 7, Elizabeth 5, and Michael 3 | blogger at Be Absorbed | native Texan but currently living near Seattle
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JodieLyn
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WATER!!!!!!!!!!
Especially when pregnant, one of the biggest contributers to headaches is lack of water. We just aren't usually in the habit of drinking enough.. and then when your tummy feels bad.. you drink less.. and then you're more likely to get a headache.. and feel worse and drink less and round and round you go.
Chiropractor is a good suggestion
caffiene is a good suggestion.. I can't drink caffiene at any other time.. but when I have a migraine the caffiene can knock it out without any other meds.. though I've heard from many that it doesn't help them but almost invariably, they use caffiene other than for a headache.
for sinus relief.. eucalyptus essential oil (breathe the fumes.. don't apply it or drink it) helps clear things up.. also steam, and saline nose spray (helps keep things moist and moving) and.. you guessed it.. drink more water.. if you get dehydrated so does your nose and stuff gets gunky instead of draining.
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helene
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Heather,
I have had terrible, persistent, pregnancy-related migraines for many of my pregnancies. I have tried ALL the remedies. My best advice would be to go ahead and drink water, do not eat any "trigger foods" (lists of these foods abound on the internet), and see if you can get any natural progesterone supplementation. Headaches in pregnancy are often caused by low progesterone. I have been put on progesterone supplements (200mg daily suppositories) for early miscarriage issues and when I'm on it, I get no migraines, not even headaches. I have even started migraines but then used a suppository and watched the pain completely disappear within 30 minutes with no other explanation. Women in menopause often control migraines with progesterone pills that melt under the tongue. I am currently 25 weeks pregnant and never had a migraine with this pregnancy. I have been using progesterone since day 1. You would have to find a pro-life, NFP educated doctor who would be willing to prescribe this for a more comfortable pregnancy, but it is well worth it. Good news is that the headaches usually go away after the first trimester (or in the middle of the second for us older ladies). Hang in there! And congratulations!
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Mackfam
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I deal with Migraines - whether pregnant or not. Mine are triggered by diet, but mainly by hormones. I get them frequently in early pregnancy. Since I'm usually so sick that I'm fed through a central line for the first 12 weeks, I know they aren't triggered by any of my diet issues then.  So, I believe them to be hormonally triggered during pregnancy.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there really isn't too much you can, or should do to manipulate your hormones during pregnancy!
So...assuming you've eliminated diet triggers, or any other environmental triggers, and knowing you've got a few more migraines to deal with, the issue becomes survival. Drinking water helps, but often you're nauseous with a migraine and add that to morning sickness and it's a no-go.
First, accept that this pregnancy and all the crosses associated with it is God's timing. Let go of all the ideas you had about how much school your going to get done, cause it's just not gonna happen! Arm yourself with some educational DVD's for the kids when a migraine strikes. I also keep a basket of yummy books squirreled away for migraine times. These lessen the tv time, and I have my 11yo read to the other 2. As soon as you can after the migraine fog lifts, begin to drink as much as you can. The icepack is my friend! I also LOVE those soft velvety eye covers that you can pick up at the store. They cut the light out so you don't have to live in a cave. I don my eye mask, and turn on the tv - it's survival plain and simple!
Like Helene, my migraines diminish in the 2nd and 3rd trimester, so you can expect some relief. Just hang in there!
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JodieLyn
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Jennifer - you can take red raspberry leaf tea which helps normalize hormones.. I know several midwives who have done a lot of research on it and find it safe during the entire pregnancy.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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Mackfam
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Jodie - you're so right! And I honestly forgot about that. For me, if it can't go in through an IV in the first trimester, I don't get to benefit from it.  But, you might be able to Heather! Red raspberry is a very good idea - thanks for correcting me Jodie!
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I understand Jennifer.. I have a friend that's close to that bad...
But red raspberry leaf might help with the nausea too. Nothing is a for sure remedy but it does help some people.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
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dollylima
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Thank you all SO MUCH for the excellent advice! I have been working at keeping my neck and shoulders loose and took a half cup of coffee with the Tylenol and both have been very effective for me. I also realized that I had stopped drinking the Pregnancy Tea I was drinking the first few weeks of my pregnancy, and that it contains the Red Raspberry Leaf, so Im back to that as well.
I have to tell you that just "hearing" "you are not alone" and "it gets better" and "you have my prayers" has been so meaningful and helpful to me. Thank you all so very much.
And yes, this pregnancy is a gift from God, headaches and all. My wonderful dh, as opposed to reacting negatively to my being not well, just continues to amaze me with his patience, checking in with me frequently and thanking me for carrying our baby.
Thank you so much, ladies. I knew there would be some sage advice found here.
Heather
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Heather
instantkiwi
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Caroline
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I'm so glad to hear it!
What pregnancy tea do you drink?
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dollylima
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Caroline,
I have both Traditional Medicinals Pregnancy Tea (Seen Here)
and Yogi Pregnancy Tea (Seen here)
I prefer the Traditional Medicinals over the Yogi Tea as far as taste goes, but I cant always get that one so I keep the Yogi Tea around, too.
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Heather
instantkiwi
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4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: Headache in pregnancy
