Headache help?

[mrs rockstar]

I had awful headaches when I was pregnant with my daughter...I thought I was in the clear for the time when they started last time with this pregnancy but nope...every week, for about 5 days straight I have a terrible sinus headache. Then I get a 2 day break with nothing and then back on again. My midwife says it's perfectly normal but I'm at a loss as far as things to help minimize the pain. I've broken down and taken tylenol a few times, but it doesn't help. I've tried hot compresses, cold compresses, lavendar aromatherapy, hot showers, pressure point massages and drinking a TON of water, all with no luck.

Anyone have any tips? At this point I'll be happy to be at a functional level with some pain, rather than this laid up on the couch, excrutiating thing I've got going on. My poor daughter, I'm no fun right now :(

[amybw]

Sounds like you dont know what is causing them.... hormones? sinus?

Maybe go to a chiropractor. I have been seeing mine for about a month and he is really helping me with my scatica and other stuff.

hope you feel better
:hug

Amy

[NaomiLorelie]

Are you sure it's a sinus headache? Or is it a migraine? Migraines are often mistaken for sinus headaches. I was convinced for years that mine were sinus because my mom has always suffered the same thing and attributes it to sinuses. The fact that tylenol doesn't help at all makes me think it might be migraines. There isn't a whole whole lot you can do for migraines if you have them but you can figure out what the triggers may be, other than hormones which you couldn't do much about. If you aren't against a little caffiene in pregnancy, I would try a cup of coffee. The caffiene will help constrict the bloodvessels in your head which is helpful for all kinds of headaches for some people. Be careful though, because caffiene is a trigger for some people to. I would examine the causes and triggers if you think you may be having migraines to see if there is anything that you are exposing yourself to (could be as little as chocolate) that's causing them. I hope you figure out what is going on. I know first hand how debilitating long term headaches can be.

[NaomiLorelie]

I just wanted to add that my triggers are stress and allowing my blood sugar to drop to low. Sometimes they come on unexpectedly but normally one of these two factors is at play.

[NaomiLorelie]

I just wanted to add that my triggers are stress and allowing my blood sugar to drop to low. Sometimes they come on unexpectedly but normally one of these two factors is at play.

[snuffles]

I have been getting horrible headaches off and on for several days. Mine sound exactly like yours. I am sure mine aren't sinus related though. I think headaches are pretty common at this stage of pregnancy.

[mrs rockstar]

Are you sure it's a sinus headache? Or is it a migraine? Migraines are often mistaken for sinus headaches. I was convinced for years that mine were sinus because my mom has always suffered the same thing and attributes it to sinuses. The fact that tylenol doesn't help at all makes me think it might be migraines. There isn't a whole whole lot you can do for migraines if you have them but you can figure out what the triggers may be, other than hormones which you couldn't do much about. If you aren't against a little caffiene in pregnancy, I would try a cup of coffee. The caffiene will help constrict the bloodvessels in your head which is helpful for all kinds of headaches for some people. Be careful though, because caffiene is a trigger for some people to. I would examine the causes and triggers if you think you may be having migraines to see if there is anything that you are exposing yourself to (could be as little as chocolate) that's causing them. I hope you figure out what is going on. I know first hand how debilitating long term headaches can be.


I thought maybe they were little migraines...I had a full blown one once and it was soooo much worse than these, I actually ended up in the ER from it. The reason I said they were sinus headaches is because when I massage my sinuses, I get a temporary break from the pain. Would that happen with migraines also? I tried taking sudafed during my last pregnancy a few times and it seemed to help, but I heard that it's not safe to take now while pregnant/nursing (don't remember where I heard that).

I did try the caffeine thing...but I haven't had caffeine in so long all it did was make me super jittery...and still headachy. So I was shakey and in pain, which is not a good combo :lol

I will definitely take a closer look at the things I'm eating/around on the days when they are particularly bad. If it's something as simple as what I'm eating, I would be soooo happy!!!

[mrs rockstar]

Sounds like you dont know what is causing them.... hormones? sinus?

Maybe go to a chiropractor. I have been seeing mine for about a month and he is really helping me with my scatica and other stuff.

hope you feel better
:hug

Amy

Someone recommended cranial sacral (spelling?) therapy to me...I'm going to look into that.

[acupuncturemomma]

Are your sinuses feeling swollen at all? I get really bad headaches from sinus pressure (even though I can still breathe through my nose), and using a neti pot is the only thing that helps me. I can have a raging headache and it's gone the minute after I do the sinus wash...

[peilover010202]

jesamin - :hug Sounds like we suffer the same pregnancy symptom! I had terrible sinus-like headaches when I was pregnant with ds and again with this babe. I've tried so many different things. Here's a list of what works for me:

taking tylenol and sudafed together

drinking anything that is caffeinated (don't usually consume any caffeine). It usually takes 2 glasses of soda, tea. I don't do coffee.

chiropractor adjustment, I've found it takes several adjustments over a period of a short time (1 week) for lasting results.

And, I just wanted to say, I know exactly what those headaches feel like. They do feel like a sinus headache but if left untreated can turn into a migraine-like headache complete with nausea, sensitivity to light and sound. Ugh, I know. And, I'm sorry you're suffering through it too. but, honestly, since I've started drinking caffeine, I haven't had any headaches in over 2 weeks!! :) Maybe you could start out with a 1/2 glass of tea and work your way up gradually?

My dr actually called my headaches "cluster" headaches. He said they start out feeling like a sinus headache but then take on the vascular similarities of migraines. That described it very well to me.

Hope you find relief soon :hug

[mrs rockstar]

And, I just wanted to say, I know exactly what those headaches feel like. They do feel like a sinus headache but if left untreated can turn into a migraine-like headache complete with nausea, sensitivity to light and sound. Ugh, I know. And, I'm sorry you're suffering through it too. but, honestly, since I've started drinking caffeine, I haven't had any headaches in over 2 weeks!! :) Maybe you could start out with a 1/2 glass of tea and work your way up gradually?


Yes!!!! That's exactly what it's like!!! I'll try the caffeine again, but slowly and NOT with coffee this time, since that was too much all at once. I'm glad you've been able to find relief...it gives me some hope!

[SummerTwilight]

Well I am another headache queen...in particular always had migraines associated with my hormonal times so it isn't a surprise I get them during pregnancy too.
I agree with peilover010202. Coffee just makes me neurotic and sick to my stomach. Black tea and coke are better.
I also tried cranial sacral (which is AWESOME) and acupuncture which was also very helpful.
Aside from that, I do some energy work on myself just resting my hand on my head lying down and making sure there is no light/sound around wherever possible...and closing my eyes. But I know sometimes this just isn't possible.
And sugar can be a trigger for me.

[3_angels]

I use some minty aromatherapy and lay down in a softly lit room for a while. Tea Tree Oil or Peppermint in a diffuser can work miracles sometimes.

[mrs rockstar]

Well I am another headache queen...in particular always had migraines associated with my hormonal times so it isn't a surprise I get them during pregnancy too.
I agree with peilover010202. Coffee just makes me neurotic and sick to my stomach. Black tea and coke are better.
I also tried cranial sacral (which is AWESOME) and acupuncture which was also very helpful.
Aside from that, I do some energy work on myself just resting my hand on my head lying down and making sure there is no light/sound around wherever possible...and closing my eyes. But I know sometimes this just isn't possible.
And sugar can be a trigger for me.

I'm definitely going to check the cranial sacral therapy out. Enough people have said wonderful things about it that it sounds like a good way to go.

I'm also going to have to avoid coffee...I used to love it but I just can't tolerate it anymore!!



I use some minty aromatherapy and lay down in a softly lit room for a while. Tea Tree Oil or Peppermint in a diffuser can work miracles sometimes.

I've not tried tea tree oil or peppermint yet...someone recommended lavendar oil so that's what I've been using, but I'll give those a try too!! My house is going to smell great!

[NewAtThis]

I second (or third!) the chiropractor recommendation! I was suffering too, the headaches just took over and were completely debilitating when they happened, and my MW recommended a chiropractor.
I was a little skeptical, never having been to one before, but three weeks later, I'm like...Headache? What headache?

Hope you find some relief soon! Hang in there.

[sal42]

i get headaches too!
what helps me the most is yoga, actually.
i have also used cranial sacral therapy. i bought my husband this thing called a "still point inducer" awhile back with this therapy in mind. it puts pressure on two spots on the back of your head. (kind of hard to describe with the written word) but we both have had success with that with helping headaches and other spine-related pains.

[ibex67]

A good friend last night told me she had fierce headaches in her 2nd trimester and it turned out she was mildly dehydrated. Once she upped her water intake she felt much better. I'm going to give that a try to deal with my headaches.