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Calling Dr. Hive - migraine remedy during pregnancy


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So, let's say that *somebody* is pregnant... ahem (*somebody* hasn't told anyone irl, other than the husband, because *somebody* wants to make sure it is a healthy pregnancy first).

So, that's out of the way.

Now, *somebody* has a horrible, nauseating migraine. Has had one all day. Along with two children to run after. Normally, *someone* would take ibuprofen or Excedrin to help with migraines and arthritic joint pain. Ibuprofen and aspirin are no-no's during pregnancy, from what I understand; but I can't remember if I was told it was a no-no for the entire pregnancy, just the beginning, or just the last trimester... hmm. Tylenol doesn't work for migraines (obviously). If the GP is called, he will tell *somebody* to speak to her OBGYN who, in turn, will not authorize anything until he sees her (Monday).

Will one or two ibuprofen/one Excedrin hurt the little potential somebody in *someone's* belly?

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Thanks! I won't take anything. I assumed I should take the safe road on this one.

The OB (has and will again) tell the patient to take tylenol or come in to see him. Coming in right now isn't a possibility as I was sedated for a dental procedure yesterday and was told not to drive for 24 hours. I'll just suck it up and roll with it. Lol.

Do not take Ibuprofen or Excedrin. Call your OB if Tylenol won't help. They should give you advice over the phone even if you haven't gone for your first OB visit.
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try this.

 

 

Sit up straight, back super straight, shoulders back as far as they will go.

 

Now keeping this position, bend your head until your chin touches your chest.

Now take your hand and press your head down as far as you can.

 

This will stretch a lot of muscles in your neck, shoulders and back.

Keeping the same position, press your head to the left and right, stretching more muscles.

 

Asprin opens the veins allowing for more blood flow

Ibu relaxes muscles, allowing for more blood flow.

 

This will stretch tense muscles, that may be constricting blood flow to your brain.

 

This is what I do when I feel a migrain coming on (I also sit in a dark, quiet room and rub the base of my neck)

 

 

This will only help if you have constricted vessels to your brain as the cause of your pain.

 

I hope this works

Let me know

 

Lara

Edited by Lara in Colo
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Did you suddenly stop the prior analgesics you were taking when you found out about PG? You could have a rebound headache if you routinely take those meds.

 

Chug as much water as you can reasonably stand. And then try some more. Some people swear by rosemary in water for migraines. Try caffeine as a last resort. No, caffeine is not considered great during PG routinely. But it can release a migraine.

 

Peppermint on the temples can help, and the back of the neck. Ice pack on the head. Tylenol may help in conjunction with the other measures.

 

I had awful migraines during my last pregnancy (usually don't have any during PG as mine are hormonal). There are stronger drugs to give you for sure if they are unbearable.

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try this.

 

 

Sit up straight, back super straight, shoulders back as far as they will go.

 

Now keeping this position, bend your head until your chin touches your chest.

Now take your hand and press your head down as far as you can.

 

This will stretch a lot of muscles in your neck, shoulders and back.

Keeping the same position, press your head to the left and right, stretching more muscles.

 

Asprin opens the veins allowing for more blood flow

Ibu relaxes muscles, allowing for more blood flow.

 

This will stretch tense muscles, that may be constricting blood flow to your brain.

 

This is what I do when I feel a migrain coming on (I also sit in a dark, quiet room and rub the base of my neck)

 

 

This will only help if you have constricted vessels to your brain as the cause of your pain.

 

I hope this works

 

Let me know

 

Lara

 

:iagree: Eat chocolate too. I know that sounds crazy, but my OB told me to eat chocolate when I felt a headache coming on, because it is safer than most meds and works most of the time. It worked! My dd is a chocolate freak, but that might be genetic and have nothing to do with preg. :D

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I did suddenly stop - but I have pretty regular headaches regardless, so I have no way of knowing if it's rebound or regular.

I will try the water. Honestly, caffeine is a huge help with me right now because drinking too much water seems to make me more nauseous (big problem right now - so the migraine could actually be related to the nausea).

 

I am allergic to all narcotics other than darvocet (which is no longer on the market). So I'm not sure what he could give me. Lol.

Did you suddenly stop the prior analgesics you were taking when you found out about PG? You could have a rebound headache if you routinely take those meds.

 

Chug as much water as you can reasonably stand. And then try some more. Some people swear by rosemary in water for migraines. Try caffeine as a last resort. No, caffeine is not considered great during PG routinely. But it can release a migraine.

 

Peppermint on the temples can help, and the back of the neck. Ice pack on the head. Tylenol may help in conjunction with the other measures.

 

I had awful migraines during my last pregnancy (usually don't have any during PG as mine are hormonal). There are stronger drugs to give you for sure if they are unbearable.

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Great excuse for brownies!

:iagree: Eat chocolate too. I know that sounds crazy, but my OB told me to eat chocolate when I felt a headache coming on, because it is safer than most meds and works most of the time. It worked! My dd is a chocolate freak, but that might be genetic and have nothing to do with preg. :D
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:grouphug:

 

when i was pregnant and had migraines i found that

 

caffeine (hot tea worked better than hot coffee)

with

chocolate

 

a cooler indoor temperature

darker indoor lighting

quiet

 

nasal spray

and

tylenol (which actually did help me)

 

and a shower

 

helped.

 

i just kept adding things until it went away/i fell asleep/etc etc

 

:grouphug:

ann

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I actually had no migraines with my pregnancy which was weird. But, I had a nurse tell me that if I had migraines while pregnant, I could take tylenol and benadryl together. I tried this remedy when the migraines returned (post baby) and it does help. I'm not sure if benadryl is still a safe drug or not. If it is, take the maximum dosage with the tylenol and see if it helps.

 

Paula

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I'd try the ice packs.

 

Also try pinching the web of skin between your forefinger and thumb.

 

Try both in a dark, silent room.

 

And this sounds bizarre...but when you are in the room, trying those things, :) visualize sending your pain somewhere else. it is hard to do at first, but at times, it was the only relief I had.

 

gentle :grouphug:

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Be sure you are hydrated. You may believe that you are drinking enough, but more than likely you are not. Have your blood pressure taken during these migraines, too, to be certain your BP isn't spiking.

 

My doctor told me to take a couple Tylenol and drink a large glass of Mountain Dew. It doesn't cure it but it takes the edge off, and there is little to do early during pregnancy.

 

Ice packs on your neck or top of the head helps.

 

Later there are medications that the Doctor can give you.

 

Aspirin, of course, isn't ideal. Ibuprofren isn't favored early-on either. Tylenol isn't absolutely safe. Out of the three, though, Tylenol is probably the better. Mt. Dew has one of the highest contents of caffeine among soft-drinks.

 

Hydration - so important. Most pregnant women are dehydrated and don't realize it.

 

I hope "somebody" feels better soon. :grouphug:

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Can you--I mean "someone"--get to an acupuncturist? I would almost guarantee that it will make the pain go away immediately.

 

And if someone's OB, with whom someone has an ongoing patient relationship, just says "suffer until Monday," rather than call in something effective for you and safe for the baby, someone's OB is a heartless jerk.

 

Terri

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I suffer migraines. During each of my pregnancies, I would have one doozy of a migraine and then not another one for the rest of the pregnancy. I would just take a percocet or something that I was authorized to take. It doesn't treat the migraine - it knocks me out and lets me sleep through it - hubby has to be home though because I'm out with a percocet

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Needles *cringe*

But goodness knows, I'll try it if these migraines continue. I'll try anything.

 

In the OB's defense (I think), I haven't seen him in over 2 years (birth of my last). My GP handles my yearly paps and breast exams. I only see my OB for pregnancy related issues. Unfortunatley, the GP will not authorize anything during pregnancy.

Can you--I mean "someone"--get to an acupuncturist? I would almost guarantee that it will make the pain go away immediately.

 

And if someone's OB, with whom someone has an ongoing patient relationship, just says "suffer until Monday," rather than call in something effective for you and safe for the baby, someone's OB is a heartless jerk.

 

Terri

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excedrin is verbotten for the duration. I now can't have it at all because acetaminophen can contribute to liver damage.

 

ice packs on the back of the neck, and another on the forehead can be glorious. and a dark cloth across the eyes in a dark room.

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The only thing my doctor approved for first trimester migraines is Lortab for pain + phenergan for nausea. Basically, that lets me sleep it off. My GP does OB, too (family practice), even though I use a midwife for my pregnancies and births.

 

:grouphug: My most exceuciating migraines have been during my first trimester.

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Needles *cringe*

But goodness knows, I'll try it if these migraines continue. I'll try anything.

 

In the OB's defense (I think), I haven't seen him in over 2 years (birth of my last). My GP handles my yearly paps and breast exams. I only see my OB for pregnancy related issues. Unfortunatley, the GP will not authorize anything during pregnancy.

 

The needles are teeny! They do not hurt, according to the three members of my family who have had it. My daughter who has zero tolerance for pain fell asleep while getting acupuncture on her back. Believe me when I say that if it had hurt, she would have let me know.

 

(Congrats, by the way!)

 

Terri

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