Help! Postpartum Anemia and Splitting Headaches

[henhao]

I get these splitting headaches that I think are related to the anemia I developed from some major blood loss during birthing.

Sure I can take pills and iron. Is there anything else I can do that's more natural to relieve the constant pain in my head?

[WinterBaby]

I get hormone related skull splitting headaches, and find that acupuncture has helped. Also, watching my blood sugar (ie, making sure I've eaten,) and to a lesser extent, watching my caffeine.

[EStreetMama]

Hi--I've had these too and actually have been taking percocet, but I know you're looking for natural options.

It's basically the same as a vascular migraine or a coffee withdrawal headache.
You are not getting enough oxygenated blood to your brain.

The only suggestion I have isn't natural either--try taking ibuprofen with some coffee or caffeinated beverage (one cup a day max if breastfeeding). The caffeine dilates blood vessels in your brain, or so I've been told.

Sorry you're having these too...I've been trying to describe the pain to people and I know they are just not getting how bad it is!!!!

Take care,
Adrienne

[henhao]

Percocet doesn't agree with me. I took it years ago and loved it! But then I had it in the hospital a few weeks ago and it made me hallucinate -- not fun.

I get headaches so bad now that I want to throw up sometimes. Add a crying baby on top of that and the whole situation is pretty yuck.

Someone suggested I was dehydrated, so I'm drinking a lot more water. I'll keep taking my iron and hope the anemia goes away soon.

[EStreetMama]

I think we might be in the same boat.

Actually, the thing that has helped the most is SLEEP. Can your DH take the baby for a long stretch for you to get some sleep? Are you pumping or exclusively breastfeeding?

Now I've gotten to the point where the headache gets really bad again if I don't sleep enough.

Also, when it was bad and the baby was crying, I actually resorted to earplugs! I was with the baby and doing everything I could for him, but the earplugs just took the edge off so I could continue to function.

Sorry you were hallucinating! That is SO scary. I was having some serious confusion and disorientation in the hospital and before I was admitted, and it was terrifying. Especially when I woke up. Now I'm still having nightmares and cold sweats when I sleep.

Anyway, I wish I could make it go away for you...but if it's any help at all--I do know how horrible it feels. Keep taking as much iron as your stomach can deal with and eating iron rich foods. Keep eating too--it's hard when your head hurts so much. Sleep as much as you can--see if you can get several hours in a row. I know it's hard/impossible.

Has your blood pressure been ok?

Take care--feel better.

Adrienne

[ZeldasMom]

nak

What kind of iron are you taking? I recommend Floradix. It's all natural and more readily absorbed than the synthetic iron that most people take. Hope you get relief soon!

[henhao]

ZeldasMom --

Now I wish I'd bought the Floridix (sp)...it didn't say it was okay for nursing moms, so I didn't want to take the chance. I've been taking Vitron C 1 or 2 x per day.

Adrienne --

I'm only breastfeeding at the moment. Baby is about 3-4 weeks so I'll probably intro a bottle in the next week or so. It would be great to have a long sleep but don't I need to pump on a regular basis?

Yep my bp is great. I walked a block the other day and had to take 2 breaks. I am fit person so I know that my iron and RBC must still be low.