bad migraines Inderal???

Hi guys,

I get really bad headaches... I am 15wks… have been told is migraines... I am usually bad around my period so I am sure is hormonal. They go on for days I had one from Thursday night until Monday morning... I work in front of the computer and that seems to set it off... when I get them like yesterday I can't even move if I am lying down or sitting in a quite room I am fine as soon as I get up and stat walking around it sets them off... I get really pale feel hopeless… Panadol doesn't do much... I got prescribed Inderal 20mg in the morning and 20 at night by my GP 2 weeks ago in consultation over the phone with a specialist I am seeing tomorrow but I am a bit worried about this medication the GP told my it was safe but I Google it and it says it can cause foetal abnormalities, apparently it lowers your blood pressure (which mine was fine last time) anyways I took it on Friday and it didn't do much so I didn't take it again cause I got worried. Has anyone taken this medication? and does anyone now of any safe natural methods? like lavender? or migraine stick? I really don’t like taking medication I don’t know what to do I get really frustrated and worried about the bub, my emotions set off and I get really sad. It’s a horrible feeling especially since I still can’t feel the bub moving so I have no sign of knowing is ok.

Mel

I just wanted to add this just in case some searches this thread later... I went to see the specialist and he was very good. I hope the headaches go away soon. it is a common side effect and Inderal is a safe preventive. so if the headaches don't go away after week 20 I might try it. you take it twice a day for 3 weeks and then they should go away. but you still need to take panadol because its not a painkiller. it work in the blood vessels in your brain so thats why its a migraine preventive apparently it has been around since the 50's and safely used in pregnant women for a long time. He also said in some women oranges & chocolate can cause migranies. I have really been craving oranges (they are so juicy) and eating like 2 or 3 a day so I am going to give them a break for a few weeks to see if they go away. xx Mel

Hi Mel,
I realise this is an old thread, but i wanted to say thanks anyway.
I have been a migraine sufferer since i was 9yo. Since falling pg i have been knocked down three time with a massive migraine - once at 4 weeks, then at 8 weeks, then again at 12 weeks. Weird aye? Perhaps it's a coincidence, but it seems to be every time old AF is due.
I take the max dose of panadeine forte, and my GP says that's all i can do. I am bed ridden for 4/5 days - it's no way to live. I am grateful for my pg after trying for so long, but i don't want to do this for my whole pg.
Seeing my ob for the 1st time at 16 weeks so i will talk to him about what he knows, and what options are there for me. In the meantime i will google Inderal.

Jo

Hi Jo,

I know how you feel migraines are the worst, its just so life limiting you really can do anything. Mine did go away or at least not as severe after about 18wks, the ones that last for days on end are just not pretty. If they don’t go away it’s definitely worth taking Inderal, the specialist told me its worst to suffer the stress of the migraine for the bub than taking medication. Inderal has been proven safe for pregnancy. When I goggled it, it cam up with all sorts of stuff but the dosage they give you is very low 20mg twice a day, so they way it works is you take it continually for 3 weeks wether you get a headache or not during that time (if you get one you take Panadol) and then you after that time you stop and for some people that’s it no more migraines. So maybe check with your GP if you don’t want to wait. My GP was quite concerned about the headaches so she rang up a specialist during the appointment spoke to them and later referred me to him. Good luck with your pregnancy and I hope you start to feel better soon. x Mel

Wow ive just found this thread after searching.

I am just getting over my second migraine since i have fallen pregnant. The first one i experienced when i wouldve been about 3 weeks, before i knew i was pregnant and now am just getting over one at 7 weeks pregnant.

In the past i have every now and then had migraines the week before my period was due.. and now have got them the same time, a week before when my period would have been due.

With my migraines i lose part of my vision (i get like a white fuzzy blur covering part of my vision), sometimes part of my body goes numb (tonight it started with my right hand and right cheek), i cant talk properly (what i say, or even type doesnt come out properly and makes no sense), then once my vision is back, i get a bad headache. Im lucky tonight it all only lasted about an hour. Im also getting over the flu so not sure if that has anything to do with it either. With no panadol in the house all i could take tonight was a small dose of baby panadol.. so i doubt that did anything. Normally i take Anagraine or Nurophen plus or panadine forte (which i need a new scrips for).

With DS i never got a migraine at all during the whole 9 months i was pregnant. I was just wondering if they effect bubs. But am glad to see that im not the only one who gets them during pregnancy.

Do you girls get anything other than the migraine headache, like losing your vision?

Hi Kellxx,

I have to say that I have been super lucky since my last post...no serious headaches.

Without trying to be an alarmist, i will tell you a story...
My lovely GP was busy last time i went in to get a script for Panadeine Forte - so I saw my hubby's GP. He was shocked to hear that i was on max dose of Panadeine Forte for nearly 7 days at a time. He said that the baby can definitely become 'addicted' (not his word...but i can't think of the word he used) - especially in the third trimester.

He said prevention is the best way to go and that I should definitely get a referral to a specialist.

So, there was my GP saying as long as i stick to the correct dose i'll be fine...and him saying that the codeine CAN affect the baby - especially towards the end.

It's not easy...:wall:

Good luck and i hope you get some relief - or you can find an answer to your problem.

Jo

Hmmm this is very interesting to read.

I'm a big sufferer of migraines when I'm stressed & have been on Inderal twice before. At my last appoitnment two weeks ago I discussed it with my Dr and he said he would not put me on Inderal because of the risks to my baby. He could only suggest for me to try & relax & take 3-4 panadol at a time instead of the ususal two (but not every four hours every day) because I have a codeine allergy.

Kellxx - I thought I had got rid of my migraines until monday (33 weeks) when I got struck down with the worst I've ever had for like 48 hours. it gonne now thank good but yes I had weird things with my vision like seeing glitter in the air and stuff. I han't had one sine about 18weeks so hopefully this is a one off and they are not here to stay until the end. good luck hope you don't get anymore.

Sarah - yeah I went to specialist and he said it was fine but I didn't end up taking it, it was very low dosage 20mg twice a day. I think at at higher dosses its no good.

I got by the midwife yesterday to not exceed 8 panadol in 24 hours. I have not been taking more than 4 in 24 hours and two at the time. yeah its funny how some docs say one thing and others another. when it comes to medications and pregnancy less is best I reckon! but hey sometimes you just can't help it!

Yep I agree totally, some will tell you a drug is perfectly fine then others will tell you that exact drug isn't :rolleyes: How are we supposed to figure it out?! And I do the less is more is my exact approach, I try to deal with it best I can without anything.