Severe Headaches

[kcjoe59]

I know that headaches during pg are completely normal, but I have them quite often and they are very painful.  I have had one since last night and took some tylenol before I went to bed.  I woke up this morning and it was even worse so I took more tylenol.  I am 11 weeks 4days along and I am wondering if any of you know of any other remedies that might help.  Are there any other medications that are okay to take at this point?  I am at work right now and I just don't know how much longer I can take this pain.  Any advice would be great.  Thanks.

[Harley-girl]

As far as I know Tylenol is our only option. I did not get headaches until I was almost 11 weeks but have yet to take Tylenol as I am trying to hold off as long as possible even tho I do know it is safe.  Damn hormones!!!

[luv_babies]

If you're in that much pain, you should talk to your dr. Maybe you're having migraines. My cousin had them and got them worse while she was pregnant. Her dr prescribed her Tylenol with codene(sp?). I hope they get better for you. Good Luck!

[deb6572]

I know exactly how you feel. I am having migranes about twice a week. Tynoel does not help. My OB said to take Excedrin Migraine and it really helps. Also, he gave me Hydrocodone (perscription) which he said is also very safe to take. You should'nt have to go through the pain like this when there are medications out there that are safe to take and help so much. My OB said it is common to have migranes in first trimester. Hope this helps.

[kcjoe59]

Are hydrocodone and Lortab the same?   I knew you could take Darvocet at some point, but I wasn't sure about the safety of Lortab.  Thanks for all your advice-I really do appreciate it.  I will go ahead and call the doctor because your right--there is no point in just continuing to suffer.  I can't even get anything accomplished at work because of this.

[wantingtobepg]

i get bad headaches and sometimes migraines and my dr said that it was o.k. to take advil or aleve if it got to severe.  he said that they couldn't be taken all the time though because they are not as safe as tylenol in pg.  i know how awful it makes you feel, painful and almost sickening.  hopefully you get some relief soon.  best of luck!!

[ima1]

The majority of headachs (not just during pg) are the result of low level dehydration.  Try upping your fluid intake by several cups a day.  When I have a headache I drink aboput three cups of water and it always goes away in about twenty min.  Good luck!

[Carolyn0207]

I know exactly how you feel. If you are having pain on just 1 side of your head accompanied with vision changes, nausea, sensitivity to light/sound then it is definitely a migraine. I have migraines also and have been stressed about how to treat them.  So far, I have taken nothing. I am glad to see some of you have been given the ok to take something stronger than Tylenol.

deb6572, did your OB say it is ok to take Hydrocodone in the first trimester?

[mnc2006]

I totally feel you pain.  When I was pg with my daughter, I would get major migraines that would last 3 or 4 days.  Unfortunately the only thing that my dr told me was safe was tylenol.  I know it doesn't help so much, and dinking a ton of water with those types of headaches just made me want to get sick.  I had to lie in a room by myself and close all the blinds and just sit quietly for a little while.  Sometimes clearing out all stimulation (i.e. sunlight, television, radio, noises in general) helps to at least not worsen your headache.  I found that once I could get to a completely calm, quiet place, that at least the symptoms would lessen.  Hope you feel better.

[deb6572]

Yes! My OB said Hdrocodone (also Lortab) is totally safe, actually one of the most safest drugs you can take during pregnancy he said. Unforntunally the Lortab is not strong enough anymore and he just prescribed Percoset sp? Which he said is also totally safe. The migranes are suppose to mellow out in the second trimester but could come back strong in the third. It has become so debiliting for me that I can't even move from bed. The Lortab has helped a lot, but it does not last for more than about 4-6 hrs for me, so that is why my OB is giving me someting stronger. I am not one to take drugs litely, especially during pregnancy, but when your whole body shuts down and you can't take care of your other kids, then you need to take action.

[GSDmomma]

Lavander has been my savior. put a dab of the oil on my temples and relax. the headache soothes itself. along with a cool rag on my neck.  it's better than tylenol.  try it.  best of luck!

[AnnieBrooke]

If it's a migraine:  I swear by hydrocodone if I can't get rid of a headache any other way.  It can be like a miracle.

If it's sinus:  Crazy as it sounds!!! after the dishwasher runs, and is done and warm and steamy, run a final "rinse" cycle so there is no more dishwasher-soap smell.  (Most dishwashers have this cycle separately.  If not, just start the load again.)  Once it is going and super-steamy, open it a crack, stick your whole face into the opening, and breathe in hard, as much steam as you can.  This beats the old steamy-water-in-a-bowl-with-a-towel-over-your-head approach by a long way; there is more steam and it seems hotter.  Even if you don't think water is going into your sinuses, it is, as vapor (i.e., gas form of water) not steam.  Then blow your nose and blow your nose.  This is the only thing that cleared my head after a bad sinus problem.  Sorry it sounds so cuckoo.

Annie