[homestyle]

<p>can we talk headaches? oh even better, how are you treating them? i've been finding that i'm getting a lot more headaches now, in the second tri, then i did in the first. i try lots of water, i try napping, i try cool or warm cloths on my head ... until some hours later when i'm practically (or actually) in tears and finally pop some tylenol. The tylenol sometimes gives me some relief, sometimes doesn't ... and the other things don't do squat. i hate taking pills -- and i keep thinking about my baby's liver. waah. i haven't noticed a real pattern yet as to cause, but i'm trying to pay attention.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>is anyone else getting headaches? anything been helpful for you? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;line-height:normal;">commiseration</span> also welcome. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[kawa kamuri]

<p>have you tried chiropractic care?</p>

 

[calynde]

<p>so weird, I've gotten a few headaches in the past few weeks, too...and I am someone who NEVER gets headaches! for me, I know that my back and neck have been bothering me more this pregnancy for some reason. I can almost feel the aches in my neck leading straight up into my head! I took it as a cue to start exercising more and to keep an eye on my body alignment...it can be so easy to slouch and lounge around, especially when feeling tired, queasy and living in a wintry place. ;-) My dh has been giving me back massages a few times a week and I've started to do the prenatal yoga every morning. This seems to be helping! If this doesn't keep them away, I'll go to an Osteopath for some adjustments.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hope you find some relief!</p>

 

[nikie23]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>homestyle</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1285401/headache-remedies#post_16115142"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>i'm practically (or actually) in tears and finally pop some tylenol. The tylenol sometimes gives me some relief, sometimes doesn't ... and the other things don't do squat.</p>
</div>
</div>
<br><br><p>I'm there with you, mama.  At one point, in the middle of a 60-hour marathon headache that was so bad I was vomiting from the pain, I called my midwife in tears and she said "go to the ER, they'll give you some Tylenol-3."  I didn't go - I was worried about tylenol, I wasn't about to take an opiate! - but I thought long and hard about it.  She also suggested taking a warm shower, and acupuncture if they kept happening.  Showers help a little bit while I'm in them, but they usually come back once I get out.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I've gotten a few serious headaches since (although luckily none as bad), and I've started keeping a log of what I eat, how much I sleep, how much I exercise, etc. to try to see if there's a pattern.  But the headaches I get are the kind that get worse when I lay down, which makes me think they're just a result of increasing blood volume and so there probably isn't much I can do to prevent them.  I hope you can find something that works for you!</p>

 

[homestyle]

<p>Oh, yikes, <strong>Nikie</strong> .... that sounds like a beyond awful experience! My headaches also seem to get worse when I lay down. Your idea about the blood volume is interesting - and so is the log idea. I might try that. Thanks for the tip.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Kawa</strong>: I haven't tried chiropractic treatment. I don't have a lot of extra pennies right now, but I should at least see if my insurance covers it. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hear you, <strong>Calynde</strong>, on the neck aches. Oh my! I just bought a hot water bottle - I hope that can loosen those muscles up a bit. Honestly, I am sure part of it for me is that I am playing around on the internets a bit much. Ahem. I was doing pretty good with my yoga until the nausea and energy drain hit me bad in the first tri -- but I think it is time to bust it out again!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Do you (or anybody) have any fav online resources for prenatal yoga? How does that differ from regular yoga, anyway? Just not laying in shava sana too long, and avoiding the headstands, or ?</p>
<p> </p>

 

[calynde]

<p>The prenatal yoga poses are basically modified so as not to twist and stretch around the belly area too much and to keep balance, etc. I think there are usually modifications for each trimester. There are also often kegels incorporated, and hip openers...squats...things that help prepare the body for birth. I highly recommend it! I don't know any online sources. I use the Prenatal yoga dvd by Shiva Rea (Gaiam)...nice and gentle. </p>

 

[amaayeh]

<p>I'm having terrible headaches as well.  They usually come in the afternoons and nothing seems to make them better other than sleep.  A chiropractor or a masseuse sounds great about now...</p>

 

[kawa kamuri]

<p>I hear you about the finances. If my insurance didn't cover it 100% I wouldn't be able to go. I'm sorry you're feeling so lousy <img alt="greensad.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/greensad.gif"></p>

 

[TexasHopeful]

<p>I too have been suffering from migranes and headaches more the 2nd tri.  For the past 2 days, I haven't been able to keep much down, and have been suffering with every noise (with special ed, it's a lot).  I came home to complete darkness and an ice pack.  The doctor called in a prescription this afternoon, but so far, it hasn't helped much. Ehh!  When will I hit that "feel good" of the 2nd tri?  I'm 15 weeks, and so far, still feeling lousy.  Thanks for all the support ladies! You are the best!</p>

 

[suazie1]

<p>I have been having a headache three days in a row so far.  I have taken tylenol twice (even though I really don't want to), but I couldn't go to sleep, it helps for a while, but the headache comes right back in the morning.  I agree with others that it does seem to get worse when laying down and for me when laying on my right side.  The pain also goes down to my shoulders. I too have tried warm baths and cold towels.  I guess its another one of those pregnany related things. This is my second pregnancy and I didn't get any headaches with my first.  Does anyone think the dry air from heat has anything to do with the headaches? Maybe a humidifer can help?</p>

 

[QueenEsther]

<p>Here are a few more things to try, too:  strawberries, and having someone rub the base of your toenail on your big toes. These things really do work!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hope your headaches go away soon!</p>

 

[littleteapot]

<p>Caffeine in small doses can really help, as long as you don't overdo it. So can a small amount of red wine, or some very dark chocolate (the kind that you barely want to eat because it's so dark. 87% or more).</p>
<p>When that doesn't work, and the migraine is enough to make me seriously ill, I reach for my oxycodone. I have chronic pain and have a supply on hand for serious problems. Yes, it's safe for baby... as are most opiates when taken in a risk vs. benefit situation. </p>

 

[homestyle]

<p>I've had a decrease in the frequency of headaches lately. thank goodness.  i found that cutting the caff completely for most of a week helped a lot -- i found that stunning, as I used to take something with caffeine to fight headaches pre-preg, but it worked for me. Every body is different. There are a million answers out there. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Here's a list with a lot of ideas to work through to find causes and solutions. It is very comprehensive. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.health911.com/headache" target="_blank">http://www.health911.com/headache</a></p>

 

[homestyle]

<p>wow, did i speak too soon on my last post. tylenol does nothing for me. let us know if you have any luck with that humidifier, <strong>susazie</strong>!</p>

 

[suazie1]

<p> My headaches still come and go.  Usually on one side of my head above my eye.  I noticed they are sometimes accompanied by nausea and sometimes vomiting.  I think it might be some type of migrane..not sure though, never had migrane or much headaches before now,  anyone else experience this?</p>

 

[jshannyn519]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>calynde</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1285401/headache-remedies#post_16115598"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>The prenatal yoga poses are basically modified so as not to twist and stretch around the belly area too much and to keep balance, etc. I think there are usually modifications for each trimester. There are also often kegels incorporated, and hip openers...squats...things that help prepare the body for birth. I highly recommend it! I don't know any online sources. I use the Prenatal yoga dvd by Shiva Rea (Gaiam)...nice and gentle. </p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
I do the same prenatal yoga and I LOVE it! It feels so good to do the movements and stretch everything out.</p>
<p> </p>
<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>suazie1</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1285401/headache-remedies#post_16189172"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p> My headaches still come and go.  Usually on one side of my head above my eye.  I noticed they are sometimes accompanied by nausea and sometimes vomiting.  I think it might be some type of migrane..not sure though, never had migrane or much headaches before now,  anyone else experience this?</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
Usually headaches on one side of the forehead are tension headaches and not migraines. However, the nausea and vomiting are almost always associated with migraines. You could just have a really out of whack neck and/or back that is pinching nerves and causing that pain and associated symptoms. I went through a period during this pregnancy where I had horrific headaches almost all the time. Light, noise, and movement were all excruciating. I would have to lie down with a neck pillow under my neck (a tightly rolled towel will work too) and pillows under my knees (to keep pressure off your lower back) and just relax on the floor and try to get my neck gently realigned.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[kawa kamuri]

<p>Oh, headaches! I've been having terrible headaches this week and suspect some sort of sinus business going on. I almost laughed when I read my previous comments about chiro care because nothing is touching these.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Tylenol does not a thing for me either. I took it twice today <img alt="bag.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/bag.gif"></p>

 

[tracymom1]

<p>Being that I come from a homeopathic background:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Gelsemium always helps for my migraines.  Sinus-y things, though, I would try pyrogenium or lachesis.  Alternating hot and cold compresses on the face and forehead can feel good, too.  I get almost constant headaches during the first trimester and, thankfully, they have seemed to have moved on! Yay!</p>

 

[JosieAK]

<p>I am definitely struggling with headaches this week too.  Not migranes, thankfully (sorry ladies!), but definitely stress related.  We are moving this week.  It is not our final move before the baby comes.  It is not a move I wanted to make.  I was hoping our next move would be into our first home of our own.  Instead we are moving to another temporary situation and the whole thing is very stressful.  Anyway, after packing on Tuesday, I woke up to horrible upper back, shoulder, neck, and head pain on Wednesday.  I have been working through the tension, but every time I try to work on packing again, the pain threatens to come back.  Ugh!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have been using heating pads on my back and shoulders and REALLY focusing on relaxing.  Every time I think about the big picture, I get tense and my shoulders get tight and hurt, with the pain radiating up into my skull. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also, we have horrible insurance with a very high deductible. But in December I was having lower back issues and couldn't stand the thought of going through the holidays and our anniversary while feeling so yucky.  I went to the chiropractor and discovered that this wonderful doctor was taking canned food for the food bank in lieu of payment for first time patients.  Before the doctor offered me that option, though, the front office was very willing to offer very reasonable prices--something like $75 for the first visit and $25 for visits after that!   I am not saying that this man is not a one-of-a-kind, good-hearted man, but you MAY find places that are willing to help out a pregnant woman on a budget.  I would call around and talk to people at the front desk.  I learned that there are more practicing chiropractors that any other kind of doctor out there, so you may find a bit of competition in any given area.  They also might be more open to barter and that sort of thing.  Just some thoughts!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hope you all feel better soon! </p>
<p> </p>