I'm Pregnant & Having Migraines Every Other Day

[mandapanda22]

I am 15 weeks pregnant. For the last month I have been admited to the ER atleast once a week. Everytime, it's the same thing... Demoral and Phenergan, with instructions to go home, and rest. A little family background, my paternal grandfather passed in his mid 40's from a brain aneurysm, my father was killed in an automobile accident at the age of 28. There was never an autopsy done, and from what I have been told, the coroner said he did not believe that he died from injuries of the accident. Finally, my brother died at the age of 26, from a brain aueurysm. I have seen a neurologist, and to my surprise, they think there is nothing to worry about. I had an MRA done when in May '06, after my brother passed, my family doc thought this was a good idea. The scan was negative. In August of 07, I was in the ER with a migraine, and told the doc of my family history, and a CT scan was done. It was also negative.

Now that I am pregnant, the headaches are worse. I have migraines, and also have tension headaches. These are coming atleast every other day. I have been prescribed Lortab for the pain, and Inderal for preventing the headaches. I am taking the Lortab atleast once a day, everyday, even up to the allowed of 1 pill every 6 hours. I am scared to take the Inderal because of what it could do to the baby, as well as the Lortab.

The doctors have told me that if you have an aneurysm, you were born with it, and it has always been there. However, with my brother, the hospital told my family that even if he had gone to the doctor with the headaches that he had for a month prior to him passing, that they probably would not have found anything because it was so deep. I am not sure what this means and wonder if I should seek a second opinion. I worry myself to death about everything and think that sometimes I may be making the headaches worse with my worrying.

So, my question is, should I be worrying, and are the medications I am taking going to harm my baby, and if I am continuing to have headaches, should I just stop taking the Inderal?


Thank you in advance to anyone who responds.

[noops01]

Hi,

Headaches sometimes become worse during preganancy due all the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. Too much of rest can make matters worse. Try going for a brisk walk in the evening. Meditation and yoga can help too. Take care!

[mandapanda22]

The only thing that I have discovered that triggers my headaches are glade plug-ins, and some stong perfumes. I have quit using all of these things. I have pretty much put ,myself on bed rest and don't do much during the day. So, lack of sleep would not be one of my problems. I am not an alcohol user, so that could not be a contributing factor either. I have tried to find out what could trigger them, with no luck, except what I mentioned already. I didn;t know about the cured meat and cheese. I will cut those out of my diet and go from there.

[mandapanda22]

Yes, I have talked with my OB, and they are the ones who referred me to the Neurologist. They want him to treat me instead of them doing it. In the beginning, they were also treating me with Lortab until it got to where the headaches were everyday. I am so lost and don't know what to do.

[kcferret]

Have you talked to your OBGYN about this? That is one thing they always told me to tell them about immediately when I had my checkups while pregnant.

[jenny2008]

Hi,

When it comes to headaches--especially migraines--prevention is key. If you know what triggers your headaches, the first step, when possible, should be lifestyle change. For example, foods such as cured meats and strong cheeses (which contain the amino acid tyramine), as well as red wine and monosodium glutamate (the food additive MSG) can spawn migraines in some people.

Similarly, a lack of sleep, low blood sugar (which may affect pregnant women who eat irregularly), and alcohol use also can trigger migraine attacks. Migraines are also more common in smokers--yet one more reason to quit.

Tension headaches, too, can occur under avoidable circumstances. Loud noises (like those at rock concerts), sleep deprivation, dehydration, and allergies can all produce headaches

Inderal should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Please take a second opinion and try to control your headache without medications.