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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Headaches in Pregnancy
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
Headaches in Pregnancy
by jillybean, Apr 17, 2003 12:00AM
I know that you get questions about this all the time. But, I am worrying myself to death.
I am 14 weeks pregnancy, and I have had a headache for 5 days. It came on about 2oclock on Sat. and hasn't quit since. Of course, the first thing I think of is a brain tumor, and have almost talked myself into it. But, here is what they feel like:
It starts on the left side of my head, almost like a migraine, but not full blown. But, it also hurts on the top and right side, too. It doesn't hurt more in the morning, it just hurts more around the afternoon. It really hurts if I get upset or crying and then it throbs. But, then it will be ok for a day or so and then I still have a very faint hurting on my left side. This happened about a month ago, the same thing and lasted about a week, and went completely away. Then it came back. I don't have any other symptoms, just the headache.
So, am I being paranoid about a brain tumor, or do you see anything that would need to get checked out further. My OB has put me on Darvocet. Which seem to help some. Thank You!
I am 14 weeks pregnancy, and I have had a headache for 5 days. It came on about 2oclock on Sat. and hasn't quit since. Of course, the first thing I think of is a brain tumor, and have almost talked myself into it. But, here is what they feel like:
It starts on the left side of my head, almost like a migraine, but not full blown. But, it also hurts on the top and right side, too. It doesn't hurt more in the morning, it just hurts more around the afternoon. It really hurts if I get upset or crying and then it throbs. But, then it will be ok for a day or so and then I still have a very faint hurting on my left side. This happened about a month ago, the same thing and lasted about a week, and went completely away. Then it came back. I don't have any other symptoms, just the headache.
So, am I being paranoid about a brain tumor, or do you see anything that would need to get checked out further. My OB has put me on Darvocet. Which seem to help some. Thank You!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, Apr 17, 2003 12:00AM
If you have a prior history of migraines, then it's very likely that this is what you're experiencing now. And even if you don't have a history or family history, then it's possible that you may be starting to get them now as there is a number of women who experience onset of migraine headaches during their first trimester. I can understand your fear of a brain tumor, but it certainly isn't the first thing (it's actually quite way down on the list) I think of when a young pregnant woman reports a headache in the setting of an otherwise normal neurological exam. (no weakness or sensory changes on the right side, no speech, vision, or cognitive changes)
If this is the first time you've ever had migraines or headaches like this or you would just like to make sure everything is ok, then tell your OB about getting a neuro referral for a formal examination. Often times, even if it is just a migraine, the neurologist can help guide you and your OB as to the most appropriate therapy for treatment of acute attacks as well as the possible need for preventive meds. Tylenol, codeine, and some other narcotics are relatively safe during pregancy and the migraines themselves should not lead to any increased risk of harm to your child. In some cases that further evaluation is necessary, a CT scan of the brain has limited radiation exposure and is quick and easy to rule out alarge mass like a tumor. FOr more extensive imaging, an MRI is possible in pregnancy, but we often wait till later in the second or third trimester. Good luck.
If this is the first time you've ever had migraines or headaches like this or you would just like to make sure everything is ok, then tell your OB about getting a neuro referral for a formal examination. Often times, even if it is just a migraine, the neurologist can help guide you and your OB as to the most appropriate therapy for treatment of acute attacks as well as the possible need for preventive meds. Tylenol, codeine, and some other narcotics are relatively safe during pregancy and the migraines themselves should not lead to any increased risk of harm to your child. In some cases that further evaluation is necessary, a CT scan of the brain has limited radiation exposure and is quick and easy to rule out alarge mass like a tumor. FOr more extensive imaging, an MRI is possible in pregnancy, but we often wait till later in the second or third trimester. Good luck.
It's only on the right hand side and seems to come and go it's very sharp when it comes but doesn't seem to last long..It's scaring me as i don't really get headaches..Could it be something serious like a brain tumor or blood clot??
PLEASE HELP!!!
It's only on the right hand side and seems to come and go it's very sharp when it comes but doesn't seem to last long..It's scaring me as i don't really get headaches..Could it be something serious like a brain tumor or blood clot??
PLEASE HELP!!!