Pregnant and Having BAD Migraines

Updated on September 16, 2008
S.C. asks from Saint Charles, IL
5 answers

I have never had migraines in my life until this pregnancy. I have so much more empathy for people who get them on a regular basis, they’re absolutely horrible! I get anywhere from 2 to 5 of them a week and are pretty much debilitating. The only thing that helps is drinking a little caffeine. Now it’s gotten to the point where that doesn’t even help anymore and Tylenol doesn’t touch the pain. My OB prescribed Midrin (also called Epidrin, Amidrine, Isocom or Midchlor) for them. The pharmacist didn’t make it seem like this was the best medicine to take and the paperwork says it should only be taken by pregnant women in extreme cases. I’m not exactly comfortable with this. I want the pain to end but not at the expense of my unborn child.

First, I’m looking to see if anyone knows anything about this Midrin medication and what it is they know about it. Second, if you had migraines during pregnancy, what were you prescribed? And I’m all ears if you have ANY suggestions on what to do about them. Thanks so much for your help. I’m really at my wits end about this.

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So What Happened?

Linda had a great idea, a heating pad. I've tried ice but I think the heating pad and Tylenol are about the best I'm going to be able to do with this scenario. I did call my OB and they told me this med was rated a C out of A through D (good to bad) and X (do not use at all). So it's not terrible but the side effects it can cause have scared me enough just to stay away from the stuff. As a few of you suggested, waiting until the first trimester is over and hoping it gets better. I've been doing that now for a month and a half. I'm almost 4.5 months along and the migraines have been actually getting worse and more frequent. I swear this has got to be a girl! I didn't have any of the problems I am now when I was pregnant with my son. Well thanks again moms. I appreciate your support!

More Answers

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L.R.

answers from Chicago on

I too had horrible migraines during the first trimester. I am prone to hormonal headaches and still experience them monthly. The only thing that I felt safe taking was Tylenol even though it didn't do a whole lot it did help to take some of the edge off. My doctor did not want to prescribe me anything so I would be wary of taking Midrin. Sorry I don't have any advice for you, but I do feel your pain and know what you are going through. Hopefully, they will only last through the first trimester like mine did. Hang in there . . .

1 mom found this helpful
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E.W.

answers from Chicago on

I wasn recently prescribed Midrin for tension headaches/migraines that I get as well, but I'm not pregnant. I had a really bad migraine over the weekend so I took one for te first time & it didn't do anything to help. I still ended up having to sleep off the migraine - which seems to be my only source of relief. I know this doesn't help if you're working, driving, or chasing around a toddler...I got them when i was pregnant too, but I miscarried, so I don't know what they would have done in my case. If you're concerned, speak with your OB again and tell them what the pharmacist told you and ask if there is anything safer you can take...

1 mom found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from Chicago on

My mom swears by Goody's Powder for her terrible headaches. She isn't pregnant, so I don't know if it's safe for pregnancy, but it works better than asprin or anything else like that.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.G.

answers from Chicago on

I too had horrible headaches with all of my pregnancies. I found much relief believe it or not with taking tylenol and then putting a heating pad over my face. I would put the heating pad down and lay face down into it, until the pain was gone. Worked every time for me.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.K.

answers from Chicago on

S.,
I've had migraines since I was 17 and I'm almost 53 now. Mine were always the worst the day before my period started but I would get them several times a week.Here is a link that should help:http://www.painaction.com/painaction/Article.aspx?channel...
I tried everything that was available, they started me with Fiorinal, Migraine, Inderal, Tylenol #2,and nothing helped but ice packs or gel packs. I did find a few things that helped sometimes if I was lucky, (1)Putting your feet in warm/hot water and a ice pack on the back of your neck. Sometimes it will draw the blood away from your head and reduce the pain. What happens with migraines is that the blood vessels expand and then contract trapping the blood in your head.2)Listening to a relaxation/meditation CD or(3)Trying acupuncture or acupressure points.
They often prescribe vascular dilators to open the blood vessels back up. My headaches were so severe most of the time I would have to go to the emergency room. They would try a lot of things that didn't work instead of just asking me what did work. They would start with Benadryl and then Ultram, nothing helped until they finally invented Imitrex. Even Imitrex didn't always get rid of it completely but I found that if I couldn't relieve it with 100mg of Imitrex, about 5mg - 20mg of Prednisone would get rid of the pain and any remaining symptoms.
You have my sympathy and I hope you can find something that helps you. I could kiss the person that invented Imitrex since I had suffered severely before that and now I rarely need to go to the emergency room anymore. I can't tell you how many different medications I tried and how long I suffered before I was able to get relief from Imitrex.
No one in my family understood and I always had problems at work because I would end up having to call in sick or go home sick so often. I hope you feel better very soon.
M. K

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