[BlueEyedLady]

Seriously, enough already. With DS I had occasional headaches during the first trimester but nothing all that bad. With this one...my gosh, they didn't start until a few weeks ago (right at the end of the first trimester) but they are HORRIBLE this time. They are daily, every day. Some days worse than others, today is one of those days that my head just feels like it's caught in a vise.

My OB told me to stay hydrated as that would help. Well, I can't possibly drink more water, I'll float away. I already drink probably a dozen glasses a day at least. I've been to the chiropractor, but that isn't helping like it did the first time around (though I'll continue to go for other reasons) and I can't afford to go constantly either.

Anybody have other suggestions?

 

[AuntieLiz]

I wish I knew! I've been struggling with headaches lately, myself. Usually if I'm able to relax in a quiet/dimly-lit room, put my feet up, have a protein snack or a nap, it lessens the pain a bit. but I haven't been able to get them to go away completely. The other night it was so bad that I took some tylenol (which i'd rather avoid) just so i could sleep. I have pretty wicked seasonal allergies right now, too, so I'm almost 100% sure that's a major contributing factor to my headaches.

 

[Tristan]

I mentioned headaches to my OB this week and she said that if I was getting headaches before the pregnancy then it would probably get worse. She said to try the Tylenol but in some cases they have to prescribe something. I can't remember what its called but she said its safe during pregnancy and that is what they go to when the Tylenol stops helping. Which she said will probably happen.

Sorry I'm not much help, but you aren't alone. I would love to just crawl under my desk (like george in seinfeld) for some relief.

HUGS!

 

[eloise24]

Have you tried peppermint oil on your temples? That always works good for me with the pain. Just make sure you can lay down and close your eyes!!!

 

[completebeginnings]

I used a homeopathic treatment for migraines during my last pregnancy and it helped a lot. They also tended to get worse when I was tired. Good luck and feel better.

 

[Therese's Mommy]

I had lots of headaches in the first trimester with my second. I found that lying down, even if I wasn't allowed to fall asleep helped tremendously. I hope you get some relief!

 

[Leilamus]

My MW recommends Calcium and Magnesium for headaches. I've had some awful ones this time around and that seems to help a little, though I've had to resort to Tylenol a couple times. Another thing that helps me that I got from Having A Baby Naturally is to put Tiger Balm on your temples. I even put it across my forehead for a really bad one and it totally helped. Just use it sparingly if you're not familiar with it, it's strong and warm and can get hot fast! Hope you feel better soon!!!!!

 

[Norasmomma]

I have had to resort to taking Tylenol quite a bit, I get debilitating headaches, and also am hydrated. I drink so much water, I know it may sound bad and many people totally frown on it it but I sometimes would say to try a half cup of coffee or something. I am from the school of thought that a small amount of caffeine isn't the end of the world though(as I drink my 1/2 cup of coffee and cream).

I had them really bad with DD, it ws my trade off for mot having m/s. this time I was having them for a period, but they seem to have gotten much better the last couple weeks.

Also another recommendation that my DH did for me a hot washcloth placed over the eyes is wonderful. He put them in the microwave and got it nice and warm and I place it on my eyes. You might try that. It helped for me.

 

[boobs4milk]

I, too have horrible headaches and seasonal allergies. The tylenol doesn't budge them and I can not take the allergy meds because I'm taking phenergan for the nausea and the two together make my heart palpitate!

I've been lying down when I can, but my 3 yr old gets needier if I do. I have also been trying my relaxation methods (I posted them in the "High Stress" post), but they aren't working.

Good luck, I'm going to see about some tiger balm because I'm also having horrible back/hip pain and someone suggested it for that as well.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norasmomma I have had to resort to taking Tylenol quite a bit, I get debilitating headaches, and also am hydrated. I drink so much water, I know it may sound bad and many people totally frown on it it but I sometimes would say to try a half cup of coffee or something. I am from the school of thought that a small amount of caffeine isn't the end of the world though(as I drink my 1/2 cup of coffee and cream). I had them really bad with DD, it ws my trade off for mot having m/s. this time I was having them for a period, but they seem to have gotten much better the last couple weeks. Also another recommendation that my DH did for me a hot washcloth placed over the eyes is wonderful. He put them in the microwave and got it nice and warm and I place it on my eyes. You might try that. It helped for me.

When I'm not pregnant, they get so bad for me that I take Excedrin for them if I absolutely can't stand it. But of course I can't take that while pregnant. So I've resorted to Tylenol and a half cup of coffee or a half can of soda or something just to get some acetaminophen and caffeine in my system together...most of the time that helps a bit but I can't take that constantly either.

I do keep peppermint oil on hand and do use that if I can catch the headache early enough, but if I wake up with it (which has been the case) then it's already so bad that the smell of the peppermint oil makes me throw up and does no good.

I can't lie down during the day since I have a super active toddler, although when he naps in the afternoon I do take some time out to relax and do nothing, which does help.

I had forgotten the high protein snack...that does help sometimes too. I'll have to try that again next time. So far today I'm feeling pretty good, hoping it stays that way!

 

[vicchiro]

Try applying ice to areas that hurt and then go to your chiropractor as soon as you can.

I totally feel your pain. Feel better!

 

[Friendlee]

Ugh, me too. The other day I swear it developed into a migraine. Worst headache EVER and the pain made me nauseous enough to throw up. Later I took Tylenol and threw that right up.

Like a lot of you, I am also plenty hydrated drinking a TON of water each day in addition to some juice and lots of watery furits and veggies.

I'd love to know more about the calcium and magnesium. A friend of mine sent some liquid calcium magnesium that was recommended by her chinese herbalist for nausea...but I am trying to manage the nausea with my progesterone medication...so now I have this calcium magnesium and wondering if I should open it and try it...do you take it upon feeling symptoms of a headache or is it meant to be a daily supplement to prevent them?

I had been told by a doctor that there are these little air bubbles in your head and to put something on your head as hot as you can stand it, careful not to burn yourself, in order to dissolve those bubbles. It used to work pre-pregnancy...but now cold sounds better than hot. Neither really works for me though. I would LOVE some of that Excedrin Migraine...that never failed me in really painful situations.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Friendlee Ugh, me too. The other day I swear it developed into a migraine. Worst headache EVER and the pain made me nauseous enough to throw up. Later I took Tylenol and threw that right up. I would LOVE some of that Excedrin Migraine...that never failed me in really painful situations.

That's how the worst of mine are, and then the Tylenol does no good since it comes right back up. Actually, Tylenol rarely does any good anyway.

Usually the Excedrin Migraine worked for me too, although for a while I was on a prescription migraine med. I'm actually glad these headaches hit me in the second trimester this time instead of right away with like they did with my DS. I shudder to think how much Excedrin I took with him before I even knew I was pregnant because of the headaches.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Well, I had my 3rd OB visit today and spoke with her about my headaches. She said all the usual stuff...stay hydrated, get enough sleep, reduce stress, etc. etc. She said if the Tylenol isn't working and they're really that bad, she can prescribe amitriptylene (sp?) to take. Which I'd have to take every day more as a preventative.

I said no, I didn't want to do that. I can survive like I am, I'd rather not take anything. If they're really bad, I take some Tylenol and drink a half cup of coffee or something, which she said is just fine too. They ARE bad headaches, but I really don't want to resort to taking a prescription med every day during pregnancy if I can avoid it.

 

[boobs4milk]

Hugs, Blueeyedlady! I had hoped the caffeine would work so I could have an excuse for a coke every once in a while. No such luck