Migraines and Pregnancy

[Ellah]

I am currently 15wks pregnant with our 2nd child.  Although this is my fifth pregnancy.  I have had problems in the past with early miscarriages.  This pregnancy is going very well except for the fact that I have been suffering from severe migraine headaches.

About 2 1/2 weeks ago I awoke in the night to numbness on my right side which included my arm and face (lips) a few hours later it was followed by a loss of speech.  I was taken into the ER where they did major testing, which included a CT scan, MRI, and EKG and other blood work ect...  All tests came back with a normal reading of nothing.  

Doctors and Neurolgist determined that I suffer from a bad case of Migraines that are caused from pregnancy.  Since my stay in the hospital, I have had one minor case of this spell in which I was told my the doctors if it comes on again to take 2 Tylenol.  In which I did, the Tylenol did take care of the spell.

The problem that I am having is the fact that I am having what I would call moderate headaches all day since the epsoide.  My doctor has suggested that I take 3 Tylenol per day.  1 in the morn, 1 in the afternoon, and 1 before bed.  I have been doing this for about 1 week.  Although I have not had any spells, I do still get the haedaches.  My concern is taking the medication.  My doctor has assured me that the Tylenol is safe to take, even 2 pills every 4-6 hours, but I just don't feel safe (even with only 3/day), and I don't know that it is providing me with the pain control I need.  My ultimate question is  I need more info on what migraine meds are safe to take during pregnancy, my doctor has said that they are different meds out there, but I am scared to take anything, but know that I may need to.  Also I need to know for how long it is safe to take them.  Please help me with answers ASAP I have been suffering through these headaches afraid to even take the Tylenol.  It may also be helpful to give me some of the know side effects the drugs may cause to the baby.
I am so worried about our baby, due to all the pregnancy losses we have had in the past.  So far everything has been great with this baby.  I have had about 5 ultrasounds and everything has been perfect.  Great heart movements and baby growth.  The last ultrasound was at about 12wks and the baby was about a week ahead of schedule.  We have also heard the heartbeat with the doppler a couple of times since the hospital stay.  I am not real concerned with the developement of the baby as of now, I am confident everything is fine, I just want to be sure to choose the right meds for the migrains to make sure everything contines to keep on the right track.
Thank you for your time and advice.  

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

You are understandably concerned and want to do the right thing. I, however, am not able to address your question. My specialty is child, adolescent and family behavioral and mental health, and this Forum addresses questions about child and teen behavior. If you do not want to accept your doctor's guidance, you can seek a second opinion. Or, the Physician's Desk Reference will list cautions and side effects for prescription and OTC medications. Your local library will likely have a copy of it in the Reference section.

[spunkamonk]

Hi, Ellah.
I am not a physician, so I cannot give you medical advice, but I have had a lot of personal experience with migraines and pregnancy.  If you would like to contact me by email at ***@**** I would be happy to talk with you.

[Jazzal68]

Hi, i am 6 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child.  2 weeks ago, i too collapsed and was taken to hospital and diagnosed with pregnancy  migraines.  each day i lose muscle control on right side of body and collapse, have slurred speech and the aura around my eyes occurs. it lasts abt 5 mins. abt 1/2 hr later the migraine kicks in so i take 2 x solpren for the pain.  whilst in hospital i had an ultrasound, and CT scan which were normal, then an EEG which showed mild abnormalities and doc believed this to be due to what was occurring with my body.

doc gave me inderal but only lasted 2 days as it dropped my blood pressure to 90/60 and was giddy constantly.  have been home a week and no improvement so am back on inderal now in the hope it will prevent the collapsing.  

during my first pregnancy abt the same timing i developed a bad headache that lasted all weekend. i went to doc. who gave me aspalgin - i reacted and was put in hospital on a phenergen drip.  then i came home and felt like a truck had hit me and spent a week in bed, diagnosed with galangular fever!  anyway i had a horrible 2 1/2 weeks and then all was normal and we found out i was pregnant.  so am hoping that its a similar thing that will disappear very soon.

as we already have a daughter at home, i cannot be left alone, so am under 24 supervision in case of a collapse.  as you can imagine, to do this for 9 mths would be practically impossible for my body to handle, let alone all the family who are baby-sitting me!

so if anyone can help with ideas of what to do or info on this please contact me.

thanks
jacquie