I’m so sick of having headaches and migraines, anyone else suffer?

Hannah_xx

Hannah_xx

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I’ve suffered for about 20 years with bad headaches and migraines,
It was only up until recently, about 8 months ago that a doctor actually listened to me and finally gave me some tablets I can take to help stop the migraine progressing badly. They work 90% of the time if taken early enough.
it was really life changing, sounds ridiculous I know!..I having these tablets on hand. Many days had be ruined or bed bound to bad headaches or full on migraines, whereas these tablets helped me cope much better without a full attack. I was finally getting my life back.

I'm suffering again now though. And I'm
Sick and tired of it, Now that I’m pregnant I’m not allowed to take those tablets as they aren’t safe during pregnancy. And there is NOTHING else except paracetamol and Asprin that I can take, which don’t even touch the sides of a bad head. My doctor gave me codine for them as apparently that’s safe, but it wasn’t helping either. Only to find out when I went to my first antenatal appointment the other day that Codine is know not to help with migraines. Why didnt my doctor know that, useless. (Not to mention the other stress she’s caused me recently in regards to pregnancy stuff).
I'm told the Asprin should help, but I’m only allowed 150mg of it which is no where near enough.
I’ve had a bad head almost everyday for the past 3 weeks (most of the time my sister was visiting).
They are triggered by so much, and most of the time I have no idea why. A day out is guaranteed to give me one. A long car journey, spending much time in the sun. Being busy at work. I’m extremely noise sensitive especially when one is brewing or while I’m in the middle of one.
They are really gettig me down. They affect my whole body, achey, tired and make me very moody. Considering I’m like this at some point everyday it’s awfully time consuming and I'm achieving nothing but laying around.

I guess I’m just having a rant really, As I know no one can advise medically while I’m pregnant especially.
Does anyone else suffer?
 
I have had migraines and severe headaches on and off for years, I am currently waiting for sinus surgery as that is the biggest cause of my headaches currently. When I had migraines I used to get like a heat haze spot in my vision when one was starting, it is hard when you are pregnant as there is so little you can take to help with them, have you tried alternative therapies? I had a balm that I put on my temples/pressure points. Another thing to try is hands and feet in warm water and cold on the back of your neck, the warmth draws the blood away from your head and the cold helps t to cool.
It won't help now but you may find that after baby is born the migraines may be less, mine were.
Sorry I can't be of more help, just keep asking your healthcare team for help.
 
I’m sorry you are having so many migraines. I hope they settle down soon. ❤️
 
I've taken so many things for them over the years - can't have triptans or normal painkillers, can't have the propranolol, the amitriptyline's stopped being effective, and having tried pizotifen again recently, there's no way I'm taking a repeat script of that either. It's a pain because I had no migraines or severe headaches for the 28 days I took the tablets (might that be placebo? Yes. Do I care? Absolutely not) but the side effects weren't worth it. So, back to just amitriptyline again and Deep Freeze/icepacks again.
 
Spaghetti & Noodles said:
I have had migraines and severe headaches on and off for years, I am currently waiting for sinus surgery as that is the biggest cause of my headaches currently. When I had migraines I used to get like a heat haze spot in my vision when one was starting, it is hard when you are pregnant as there is so little you can take to help with them, have you tried alternative therapies? I had a balm that I put on my temples/pressure points. Another thing to try is hands and feet in warm water and cold on the back of your neck, the warmth draws the blood away from your head and the cold helps t to cool.
It won't help now but you may find that after baby is born the migraines may be less, mine were.
Sorry I can't be of more help, just keep asking your healthcare team for help.
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Oh interesting that your sinuses is the cause of your headaches, really hope the surgery gives you some relief!
Thank you for sharing your experiences and offering some advice. I do have a balm that I put on my head.. I always forget about it actually! I don’t think it actually helps but it feels like it gives me a few minutes of temporary relief at least.
 
Lorcan said:
I've taken so many things for them over the years - can't have triptans or normal painkillers, can't have the propranolol, the amitriptyline's stopped being effective, and having tried pizotifen again recently, there's no way I'm taking a repeat script of that either. It's a pain because I had no migraines or severe headaches for the 28 days I took the tablets (might that be placebo? Yes. Do I care? Absolutely not) but the side effects weren't worth it. So, back to just amitriptyline again and Deep Freeze/icepacks again.
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Awful aren’t they! So many things can be prescribed for them but a lot of them seem so bad to take ongoing!
I’ve heard Botox helps (not sure how it differs from cosmetic Botox?). But I’m not keen to try that.
I might try acupuncture once I’ve had the baby. Scares me though lol.
 
I was diagnosed with cluster headaches years ago. I also used to get really bad migraines. The only thing that helped mine was Solpadeine which is paracetamol, codeine and caffeine. My symptoms were that I had someone with red hot candles twisting round behind my right eye. If it was behind my left eye I could forget about the day.

I see an Acupuncturist regularly for various aches and pains that nothing else can give relief from. I told him about my migraines about 10 years ago. He treated me for them and I haven't had a really bad one since. I get the occasional bad headache now but nothing compared to what it was. It's totally worth the money. My Acupuncturist virtually cures me of hay fever every year (I have it really badly, itchy eyes, runny nose, blocked sinuses, can't see or think straight, the lining of my nose bleeds ..... even with antihistamine). It doesn't work for everyone and you have to go with an open mind but I think it's brilliant. You are treated holistically so they may not treat the part of your body that is hurting or you have a problem with. For example, when the lining of my nose was all sore and inflamed from hay fever, I had a needle (you honestly can't feel them go in or that they are there) put in the side of my ankle and I felt the soreness in my nose "melt" away it was incredible and I could breath properly for the first time in months.

You have to make sure they are qualified (obviously) as lots of people just do a short course and then call themselves an Acupuncturist when in fact it takes years of training between 3 and 6 years to qualify properly. Over here we have the British Acupuncture Council. Is there something similar in Australia?
 
Betsy said:
I was diagnosed with cluster headaches years ago. I also used to get really bad migraines. The only thing that helped mine was Solpadeine which is paracetamol, codeine and caffeine. My symptoms were that I had someone with red hot candles twisting round behind my right eye. If it was behind my left eye I could forget about the day.

I see an Acupuncturist regularly for various aches and pains that nothing else can give relief from. I told him about my migraines about 10 years ago. He treated me for them and I haven't had a really bad one since. I get the occasional bad headache now but nothing compared to what it was. It's totally worth the money. My Acupuncturist virtually cures me of hay fever every year (I have it really badly, itchy eyes, runny nose, blocked sinuses, can't see or think straight, the lining of my nose bleeds ..... even with antihistamine). It doesn't work for everyone and you have to go with an open mind but I think it's brilliant. You are treated holistically so they may not treat the part of your body that is hurting or you have a problem with. For example, when the lining of my nose was all sore and inflamed from hay fever, I had a needle (you honestly can't feel them go in or that they are there) put in the side of my ankle and I felt the soreness in my nose "melt" away it was incredible and I could breath properly for the first time in months.

You have to make sure they are qualified (obviously) as lots of people just do a short course and then call themselves an Acupuncturist when in fact it takes years of training between 3 and 6 years to qualify properly. Over here we have the British Acupuncture Council. Is there something similar in Australia?
Click to expand...
Brilliant thank you so much for your experience! But I'm sorry you’ve suffered so much as well.
I'm unsure of type of headaches and migraines I get, I’ve read about so many but can’t pin point mine. It’s just extremely bad pain in my head and behind my eyes, sometimes all over my head. And makes me incapable of doing anything for the rest of the day.
If I'm lucky and catch them early the ones I’ve had recently can sometimes be eased off with paracetamol, codine and caffeine.
I’m really pleased to hear your experience with the acupuncture, I’m really keen to give that a go now you’ve spoke to highly of it.
It could perhaps help my many aches and pains, I do have a very bad neck which of course is also a trigger of my heads. I feel like my spine is wonky too, which in fact as chiropractor confirmed.
 
Summer's a nightmare for me with heat and light but I also get one every time the weather changes 😒 Not that I can predict the weather or anything, I think it's a shift in air pressure, but still. Cold gel packs/strips/deep freeze/4Head is a lifesaver for me because they don't treat the pain as such but they make it far easier to manage. Like I only have to deal with 5 problems around a migraine instead of 10, if that makes sense.

No pain relief in my case though. Intolerance to paracetamol, allergy to codeine, and dodgy stomach lining so no ibuprofen unless I absolutely have to. I also get the disco lights in my vision - starts peripheral, moves right into my field of view so I can't see anything else,. then that off and the pain starts behind my right eye and into the right side of my face. But I've had no luck with anything treatment wise, including triptans which were the best of a bad bunch. Easier (and in my case safer) to sleep them off.
 
That’s awful for you Hannah so debilitating 😢
I used to have terrrible migraines and did take medication when I wasn’t pregnant.
I found a ‘cool cap’ helped - it’s like a swimming cap you put in the freezer and then wear.
What turned out to be the cure was massage on my neck and shoulders by a phyisotherspist. She found some wear in my neck and that was causing tension in the neck and shoulder muscles.i just had a 6 week course and they went - that was 12 years ago ! I may get an odd headache but no migraines. I think it’d be good to try acupuncture, anything is worth a try that’s safe during your pregnancy. Hopefully you’ll get some relief 🥰 let us know ❤️
 
I have suffered with migraines for about 40 years now. More recently they seem to come in waves, where I don't get any for a while and then I will get a week or two of having one virtually every day. They really do wipe you out, not only the actual migraine but the after effects for days afterwards.

One of my triggers this time of year, is where the sun is low, and whilst driving you get the flashing affect of it through the trees.

I have tried various things over the years, but none really worked. Sumatriptan used to work for me, but I found that I was no good for anything after taking it and just wanted to sleep. I was also prescribed Propranolol at one point, but after trying it for about 3 months it wasn't really helping and came with awful side effects.

The one thing that does seem to help (although I do forget about trying it now an again) is something my daughter found for me. Here is the link
When I first heard it, I thought it was a bit weird and thought the noise would annoy me! However, after trying it, it really does work. Hopefully it will work for you too, and would be ideal with no medication with your little one on the way.

Just realised that this link is saying it is unavailable (mine was bookmarked from ages ago and I can still access it. I have found another one though

Oh no, I'm not having much luck, it's saying unavailable on that link too.
If you go on Youtube and search for Pain Relief Subliminal: Binaural Beats for Pain Relief and Regeneration (posted by Good Vibes) hopefully you will will be able to open it that way.
 
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I feel for you,my migraines were so bad ,my Dr would put me to sleep for 2 days, exploding lights, slightest sound made me violently sick. What helped me ,was Dr put me on blood pressure tablets, still get an odd migraine, but it's called a silent migraine, lots of pretty lights and central blind vision, no pain. Usually get about 10 minutes warning. Hope you can get help, have you tried acupuncture?.
 
Bubble and Squeak said:
I have suffered with migraines for about 40 years now. More recently they seem to come in waves, where I don't get any for a while and then I will get a week or two of having one virtually every day. They really do wipe you out, not only the actual migraine but the after effects for days afterwards.

One of my triggers this time of year, is where the sun is low, and whilst driving you get the flashing affect of it through the trees.

I have tried various things over the years, but none really worked. Sumatriptan used to work for me, but I found that I was no good for anything after taking it and just wanted to sleep. I was also prescribed Propranolol at one point, but after trying it for about 3 months it wasn't really helping and came with awful side effects.

The one thing that does seem to help (although I do forget about trying it now an again) is something my daughter found for me. Here is the link
When I first heard it, I thought it was a bit weird and thought the noise would annoy me! However, after trying it, it really does work. Hopefully it will work for you too, and would be ideal with no medication with your little one on the way.

Just realised that this link is saying it is unavailable (mine was bookmarked from ages ago and I can still access it. I have found another one though

Oh no, I'm not having much luck, it's saying unavailable on that link too.
If you go on Youtube and search for Pain Relief Subliminal: Binaural Beats for Pain Relief and Regeneration (posted by Good Vibes) hopefully you will will be able to open it that way.
Click to expand...

The link works, you just have to follow it and watch it directly on YouTube
 
teddymouse said:
I feel for you,my migraines were so bad ,my Dr would put me to sleep for 2 days, exploding lights, slightest sound made me violently sick. What helped me ,was Dr put me on blood pressure tablets, still get an odd migraine, but it's called a silent migraine, lots of pretty lights and central blind vision, no pain. Usually get about 10 minutes warning. Hope you can get help, have you tried acupuncture?.
Click to expand...
I get those too, and will also get pins and needles all down one side (usually left) of my body. I found I feel worse after those than the ones with the outright pain.
 
I used to have a lot of unusual ear piercings and was constantly getting asked whether they were for migraine relief. I did used to suffer with regular migraines but attributed the lack down to growing out of them. In hindsight they did dissipate round the time of the piercings. Apparently tragus and daith ( Google them, it's easier than me trying to describe) piercings are a bit like having constant acupuncture for migraine relief. I will not guarantee that it works but many people swear it does, it's safe when pregnant and attractive.
 
Having had multiples of said piercings, they didn't help me either. I'd also like to point out that the daith and tragus piercings are surface piercings and there's a good chance they'll reject, and the piercing will grow out. Nothing you can do to prevent that, either.
 
Funny I run into this thread, I just got out of bed after spending the entire day nauseous and in pain due to a migraine :’)

My sister and I both have chronic migraines. She ended up getting botox to reduce attacks, and it helped! For me it’s soluble painkillers and a big beanie to cover my eyes and keep my head warm.

This sounds obvious but make sure you drink enough water! Lack of hydration is a big reason for my sister’s migraines.
 
Hannah_xx said:
Brilliant thank you so much for your experience! But I'm sorry you’ve suffered so much as well.
I'm unsure of type of headaches and migraines I get, I’ve read about so many but can’t pin point mine. It’s just extremely bad pain in my head and behind my eyes, sometimes all over my head. And makes me incapable of doing anything for the rest of the day.
If I'm lucky and catch them early the ones I’ve had recently can sometimes be eased off with paracetamol, codine and caffeine.
I’m really pleased to hear your experience with the acupuncture, I’m really keen to give that a go now you’ve spoke to highly of it.
It could perhaps help my many aches and pains, I do have a very bad neck which of course is also a trigger of my heads. I feel like my spine is wonky too, which in fact as chiropractor confirmed.
Click to expand...
PLEASE try acupuncture! I don't suffer from headaches but I do have a severe case of IBS which nothing helped for. When I was 17 I was so sick of it, I told my parents I couldn't go to school anymore, I was in too much pain and the frequent restroom trips were just too embarrassing. My mom told me I needed to try acupuncture as a last resort. I was shaking, and terrified at my first appointment, but it went so well, I didn't feel a thing! and most importantly, it was a total game changer for me and I've never looked back. Not perfect obviously, but took away so much of the pain and digestive issues.
please please don't let fear stop you from trying something that can really help! I go for my stomach, but I know many people who go for migraines, and I know a woman who went during pregnancy because she was having an all around hard time. I don't know details, but she's mentioned a few times that she would not have managed that pregnancy without acupuncture. Some people even specifically go towards the end of pregnancy to help them go into labor! Acupuncture can do some incredible things, and I promise you its painless.
On a different note, I don't know if you've tried this but I have an aunt who goes to a chiropractor once a week and she says it works wonders for her migraines. but chiropractors are tricky, you have to make sure you get one who really knows their stuff, and not just crack you a dozen times which does absolutely nothing.
 
I'm so sorry to hear about your migraines, especially while pregnant. My sister had migraines so bad that she lost her vision for a week. She ended up going to an ocular neurologist (I think that is what they were called) and she ended up getting glasses for when she gets migraines. She also will drink something with caffeine in it to help her out too.

I hope your migraine passes soon. Everything is a ton worse when pregnant!
 
Thank you everyone for your replies, I’ve once again had my day off today ruined by a headache and total lack of motivation and happiness because of it, even now it’s eased off. I’m so sick of wasting my life like this.

I’ve tried phoning two acupuncturists today, neither answered the phone.
 
Betsy said:
Don't give up on the Acuncpunturists Hannah, mine hardly ever answers the phone as he's busy treating people. I usually sent him a WhatApp message and he gets back to me.
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Thanks Betsy, I just tried phoning again and no answer. And then I proceeded to cry because I’ve got rid of my headache twice today and it’s come back for a third time. Everything is irritating me today, even my animals 😭😭😭
I will try phoning again in the morning and leave a message. I’m just having a bad day.
 
Acupuncture and reflexology are both fabulous with headaches and migraines. Do keep trying to get an appointment with a qualified therapist as it will be worth it. I’m so sorry that you are suffering xx
 
Hannah_xx said:
Thanks Betsy, I just tried phoning again and no answer. And then I proceeded to cry because I’ve got rid of my headache twice today and it’s come back for a third time. Everything is irritating me today, even my animals 😭😭😭
I will try phoning again in the morning and leave a message. I’m just having a bad day.
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Being pregnant makes everything feel worse. My OH said he didn't like me when I was pregnant I said that it was his fault that I was! Your hormones are everywhere making your baby, you feel tired, sick and not like yourself, your body is changing. You also have animals to look after and a job. Pregnancy is not the fun filled fiesta it's made out to be. It's hard work!
 
Hope you feel better soon. Hormones don’t help. My DIL used to suffer from migraines. Once she had had her first child she found that they actually were less frequent and after the second baby the migraines symptoms improved again. So you never know having a baby may help you in the long term, hope so. She only gets the odd one now and it’s nowhere near as bad as they used to be
 
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