A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post about chronic migraines and pregnancy in which I expressed my hopes that my migraines would get better as I entered the second trimester. So far, those hopes have not been realized. In fact, my migraines have been worse in the past two weeks than over the past two months combined. And, it seems I’m not alone.
Many of the pregnant women on the Whattoexpect.com forums who are (like me) due in October report suffering from debilitating migraines. Often reported statistics indicate that 50 to 90% of women with migraines experience an improvement in their migraine frequency and pain levels during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Apparently, neither I nor the other women in my forum group are included in this majority.
I have not had the chance to ask the other women who are reporting problems if they suffer from migraine with or without aura. Evidence seems to suggest that women without aura tend to do better in pregnancy than women with aura. Based on this findings, I (a chronic migraineur with aura) had expected to see little to no improvement in my condition over the course of my pregnancy. But, of course, that didn’t keep me from hoping.
Now that I’m in the fourth month of pregnancy and the early part of my second trimester, that hope is starting to wane.
Known as the “planning trimester,” months four through six are supposed to be the best months of pregnancy. The months in which you have the most energy and can really prepare for the baby’s arrival. The months in which you finish up any outstanding projects (like the book I’m supposed to be writing and the thesis that’s due in just a few weeks). The second trimester is when you’re supposed to do all the prepping and planning that you were too sick to do in the first trimester and that you’ll be too tired and too big to do in the third.
While I have managed to put together our baby registry and figure out what baby proofing items we need to buy from my bed, I certainly don’t feel up to finishing my projects, renewing my exercise routine, or preparing a nursery. (Heck, I can’t even clean my bathroom, despite that fact that every venture beyond the bathroom door leaves me in a slight state of disgust.) In short, I’m so tired and suffering from so much pain that most days all I want to do is bang my head against the wall, sleep, and cry.
To the other women out there who are suffering from the same thing: my heart goes out to you. Hopefully, better weeks and months are yet to come. For now, I’ll be crossing my fingers and hoping that the energy boost I’ve been promised will come by month five at the latest.
Hi Sarah,
Really enjoying your blog so keep posting please, I also have migraine with aura so can empathise with how debilitating it is. After 7 yrs of trying meds I am now having botox injections – they’re not much fun either! I read with interest the career changes you made, as I am greatly concerned I may have to do this one day… Good luck with your pregnancy re: your migraine toolkit can you still take motilium when pregnant for sickness?
Laura,
I’ve never heard of motilium. I believe my ob said it was okay to take promethazine occasionally, but I find the nausea much easier to handle than the visual disturbances and the migraine pain, so I typically don’t treat it. Only if I end up vomiting. My neurologist recommended Botox for me, but I can’t do that while pregnant, so I’ll have to wait and decide if I want to try that later. Are you having any luck with the treatment?
Hi there,
I am hoping that because i suffer migraine without aura mine will improve over second trimester but in the back of my mind I have a feeling that they wont. Have you tried any anti migraine medication that is safe during pregnancy? I spoke to my neurologist and he told me if things dont improve in second trimester i can take amitryptyline or nortriptyline as these will be safe for me to use. It may be worth looking into. All the best
I posted on your last blog entry about migraines too – just noticed this one. I am sorry things havent got better for you
Abbi,
My neurologist is taking a “hands off” approach during my pregnancy, so I’m having to go through my ob for any and all medications. She did prescribe fioricet as a rescue medicine. I try not to take it too often, but it does help. I’ve heard that many women who don’t have aura experience a great deal of relief in their second trimester. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Hi,
I’ve always suffered from migraines but they have gotten so much worse since I’ve been pregnant. I get 1-2 attacks a week and have had a few trips to the ER. My attacks come with vomiting which is also my reaction to pain. I’m in my 4th month and have found no change since entering my 2nd trimester. My neurologists is working with my OB to make sure I’m taking the right medication. She told me that migraines with aura can become worse with pregnancy. It’s nice to know I’m not alone. Thank you for your blog.
Sara,
It does help to know we’re not alone, but I’m sorry you’re having to go through this too. I’m also in my fourth month, and still haven’t found any relief. It’s hard to say how many attacks I’m getting per week, because they often last more than one day, but I’m certainly handling a migraine more days than not. Make sure to stay hydrated if you’re vomiting. The migraines won’t hurt the baby, but the dehydration can trigger contractions. I’m glad you have a neurologist who will work with your ob. I wish you luck in the coming months, and congratulations on your pregnancy! (I know it doesn’t feel like fun most of the time, but it’s going to be worth it.)
Just came across your post. I too am entering my second trimester and having aura/migraines also. It can be very discouraging.Between morning sickness and just feeling tired it is hard to cope with having visual problems and a headaches too. Does anyone suffer from thryroid problems also. Just wondering….if mine are triggered by pregnancy and thryroid disorder. Iam sure it doesnt help.
Brandee,
I don’t suffer from thyroid problems, but I do have migraine with aura. I’m sure any thyroid problems you have may be aggravating your attacks. Are you being treated for the thyroid issues? Things change so much during pregnancy; I’m just crossing my fingers that the next week will be better than the last. Hopefully, this will soon be the case for you.
Hi Sarah
Thank you very much for writing about your experiences of migraine in pregnancy – you are right, there is very little information out there, and what there is tends to be contradictory. I am in the UK, and health professionals here do not seem to be equipped to handle this issue.
I have been very concerned because, since entering the second trimester of my pregnancy, I have experienced migraine aura every single day. Thankfully, it doesn’t always mean that a headache will follow, so I’m sorry to hear that you and others have such terrible pain. The aura itself is pretty debilitating though, as you must know. I become disoriented and I can’t really carry on with anything until it passes. The other day it descended really suddenly like a huge black fog of blindness, so unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Normally it starts with a pin prick of light and gets bigger and bigger until it covers my whole visual field.
Anyway, I just hope that reading some of these details and your posts will help other women feel that they are not alone. Thanks again for writing your blog.
All the best for the rest of your pregnancy.
With love and light (and not of the migraine aura kind!)
Ali
Ali,
Thank you for your kind comments. I’m sorry you’re having to deal with daily migraine aura. I, too, am suffering from daily attacks, though they seem to alternate between presenting with aura and not presenting with aura. Of course, even after all these years, I still have a difficult time figuring out if I’m waking up with a new migraine or just the same migraine that was there the day before. So, it’s possible that the aura presents only for the new migraines. While it is tough to handle migraines (especially coupled with pregnancy), it is so nice to know we’re not alone. Thank you for reading! I hope you find some relief soon.
Hi Sarah
What a wonderful blog you have. I live in the UK and came off my medications in January as my new husband and I wanted to try for a family and guess what? I’m now 3 weeks pregnant! However I’m not excited as I’ve felt so poorly with a migraine for 2 weeks (I know this is nothing compared to your sufferings). I’m off work sick and feel so useless and am losing hope I’ll ever feel better.
It was so reassuring to read that you can’t think of yourself as an ill person – neither can I although I obviously am ill. I keep thinking I’ll wake up from this nightmare but I haven’t done so far.
And regarding cleaning the bathroom, I feel exactly the same – I can see things need doing but summoning the energy to do it is a monumental task. Just reading of somebody else suffering makes me feel like I’m not so alone with this.
Wishing you good thoughts and hope things improve soon for you.
Rosalind
Hi!
It’s been a long time since you posted anything? How are you??
Thanks for checking in. I’m feeling better, though still not 100%. I hope you’re all as well as possible.
hi, i have been doing better. still have visual aruas sometimes but they are not always followed by a really bad headache. so i would have to say lately im doing better. glad to hear are improving too
stay positive
I’m glad to hear you’re doing better. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the improvements continue.
Hi There, Thought I would add my experience in case it is helpful to others. I too suffer with migraines with aura. Generally I only get them a few times a year except when I am pregnant. In my first pregnancy I suffered a lot between 10 weeks and 22 weeks (but none after 24 weeks). I am now pregnant again, 15 weeks and have been suffering since I was 9 weeks. I am hoping that by 22 weeks I will be free of them again! I have also noticed that although my aura is bad, my headaches are not quite as severe as they were before I got pregnant – just a lot more frequent.
Carla,
I’m 24 weeks now, and I’m feeling significantly better. I do still get at least one migraine per week, but it’s summer in Texas so that’s to be expected.
Still, I’m thrilled to be feeling so much more energetic and pain free. I hope you have the same luck come late second trimester.
Wishing you a stress-free and joyful pregnancy.
Sarah
hello, i just came across your post here because i was looking for info on migraines during pregnancy. I feel like they have been becoming more frequent for me in my second trimester. or maybe that is because i am on my second one in 5 days. we are having a heat wave where i am, so i think that may be part of it. anyway, just wanted to send some sympathy your way. And i am glad to see that at 24 weeks you are starting to feel a little better. i am currently 22 weeks.
The heat wave would certainly make mine worse. Summer heat is always a trigger for me – pregnant or not. I hope you find relief as your pregnancy progresses and the heat dies down.
Hey everyone,
I just stumbled upon this blog during my search for answers about migraines and pregnancy. I JUST found out I’m pregnant- not even 5 weeks yet, and I already got my first migraine attack. I have had migraine with aura since I was around 14, but for the past 6 or so years I have found my miracle drug- amitriptyline. I have been taking 25 mg a day on and off (in the summer for instance, when I get migraines every other day.) and it has completely changed my life. My attacks are so bad that I lose the ability to speak… and it’s terrifying when it hits and I have to get home… and then the pain that follows is totally unbearable.
I was really surprised to get a migraine a couple days ago, because I have been taking amitriptyline for the past few months, but I guess it’s just not enough to compete with the surging hormones that are attacking me! My neurologist is very comfortable with me continuing the meds during the pregnancy, seems to think that the stress caused by my migraines is worse for me than the meds are for the baby. I am going to to see her in a couple of days, and I’m going to find out if I can/should raise the dosage or change to something else. I’m now living in constant fear that a migraine will hit while I’m working. I’m so scared that I will have to stop working all together…
Anyways, its’ nice to know that others are in the same boat as am I…
Good luck to you all!
Lindsay,
Congrats on your pregnancy! I’m glad you have a neurologist who will work with you throughout your prenatal period. For what it’s worth, I think she’s right: the stress and pain of recurring migraine attacks are often more detrimental to mom and fetus than the medications used to control the attacks. (Though, of course, this is not always the case; it depends on the medication.) Here’s hoping you have a relatively migraine- and stress-free pregnancy!
I cant tell you what a relief it is to read that i am not the only one suffering from migraines while pregnant. I am 24 weeks and have had daily migraines since 20 weeks. We are also in the process of moving into a new house and i feel horrible that i cant help, and when i do my sunglasses are on and all i can do is write on the boxes, telling the movers what room to put them in. I was getting upset because no one that i know had migraines like this. I was unsure what to do. My OB sent me to see a neurologist and sent me for a CatScan and bloodwork but came back “normal”. I am a teacher and have been out of the classroom now for 4 weeks. it is so hard for me to not be with my students but it would not benefit them for me to be in there in this condition. I have “given up” on trying to fight the migraines and work at the same time. i really hope they dont care into my third trimester. I am not myself and I feel i am missing out on “the best months” of pregnancy.
i did find that swimming help calm me mentally as well as relax my body.
I hope everyone has some time without a headaches and enjoy the moment of “clarity”.
Mamahutch,
I’m so sorry to hear that you’re having such difficulties. My first and second trimesters were particularly trying for me. However, I did get some relief once I passed about 30 weeks. I hope the same goes for you. In the meantime, try not to feel like this is your fault or like you could be doing something better or more than what you are. You must treat yourself nicely – after all, it’s a hell of a thing you’re doing, growing a person.
Relief will, hopefully, come soon.
I use to be a little frustrated with my wife cause all she wanted to do is sleep and I couldn’t understand. She says to me “my head hurts so and all I want to do is close my eyes and lie here” after emergency room visits and different doctors telling her it’s normal, we decided to do some research on our own. Apparently it is normal but if somebody could please tell us something that could at lest ease the pain we would appreciate it. I s not care about my personal feelings anymore I just want her to feel better
Leon,
I feel for you and your wife. There are a lot of different medications and alternative treatments she can try. Unfortunately, everyone experiences migraine differently and there’s no real way of knowing what will or won’t work for your wife until you try a specific treatment. Does she see a headache specialist? If not, I recommend making an appointment.
Hi Girls, I have suffered my whole life with migraines (without Aura) have been on many many preventetives but they never worked, the best thing for me was taking to panadol (tylenol) and a naratriptan (amerge a triptan drug narrowing blood vessels in brain) they work perfect, was so stressed to become pregnant but in the first 12 weeks I only got headaches and no migraines, after 12 weeks they have hit with full force!! coffee or coke helps a little with two panadol but if that doesnt help my OBs and Neurologist aswell as GP and pharmacist recommended Maxalt wafers, the are a cat B1 her in australia and dissolve on your tongue, they give me releif in 15 mins they are also a triptan.. They arent used alot but studies have shown not adverse effects in humans or animals and all the professionals said this is safer for the baby than being in extreme pain! Don’t they say that migraines are worse than child birth?? maybe we will all just fly through child birth with no probs! I am 19.5 weeks now and fingers crossed by 22 weeks things will ease up! good luck ladies xxxx
Abby, have you found some relief yet?
Ive just reached my 15 weeks of pregnancy. Last week I fainted due to low blood pressure. Now all of a sudden I’m starting to have bad bad head aches is there anything I can do
Hi- as I’m laying in bed with yet another horribly debilitating migraine your short but accurate post made me cry. I feel defeated today – how can this be! Why hasn’t this pregnancy been the JOY I was hoping for? I just wanted to recommend you try REIKI – I found a practitioner near me that does it by donations and she’s seriously saved my life. Anytime I have a headache or migraine I go to her and hours later it feels better. I was at her place yesterday, and for most of the day was pain free, then got a chiro adjustment in the afternoon hoping that would help too, and woke up with a migraine…another one. My heart goes out to you as well. I’m 21 weeks and have had migraines from day one. I guess I’m part of that small statistic that doesn’t get a break. I just wish I had that break so I could focus on all the things I want to do to prepare for her arrival…I wish you a cold ice pack and better days my friend!
I forgot to mention that Pedialite works wonders!!! Any time I start a migraine attack I down a whole container of pedialite and something a out the sugar and salt I that particular product often alleviates a great deal of the pain. I’ve gone to the ER about 4 times now since I started the pregnancy and they gave me an IV every time…often after two IVs my migraine would go from YIKES to OK I CAN HANDLE THIS so my hubby bought Pedialite to have at home. Try it!! It helps so much!